MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus

2013-06-19T14:40:24Z

Fireshot: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=18
|prev=Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon
|next=Remain in Light 3 of 5
|image=MTMTE18 cvrA.jpg
|title="Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 19]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=June 2013
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]]
|inks by=[[Brian Shearer]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editorial assistant=[[Toni Korde]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''While the Legislators lay siege to the ''Lost Light'', Rodimus's team are imprisoned on Luna 1 with a mysterious cell-mate and are confronted by the mastermind behind their plight.'''

==Synopsis==

A seemingly-unending army of [[Legislator]]s has invaded the ''[[Lost Light]]'', teleporting aboard and striking at the Autobots all throughout the ship simultaneously. Both [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], battling on separate fronts, recognize the robots from their last encounter with them, and while Swerve is able to use the impressive armament built into his bar by [[Brainstorm]]—as well as the comical but effective "[[My First Blaster]]" the scientist made specially for him—to dispatch his lone attacker, Skids finds his super-learning abilities pushed to the limit by the much larger force he faces...

Down on the surface of [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], while [[Pharma]] takes the incapacitated [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] prisoner, the rest of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]]'s team retreat from [[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]]'s forces, save for [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], who disobey orders and counterattack. In fleeing, the others discover the awesome sight of a [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] graveyard, and Rodimus orders them to fly inside the titans' giant bodies in hopes of losing their pursuers. Weaving through a Metrotitan's cavernous interior, Rodimus is able to dispatch the Decepticons on his tail... but unfortunately, his comrades are not so lucky and are taken captive by Lockdown's men, forcing Rodimus to surrender. They are escorted to a prison on the moon's surface, where they discover a silent [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] who pays them no attention, a mysterious ancient [[space bridge]], and meet face-to-face with Lockdown's true master: [[Tyrest (Autobot)|Chief Justice Tyrest]], primary lawmaker of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], failed arbiter of peace, broker of the [[Tyrest Accord]], and creator of the [[Aequitas]] computer, who vanished from public view years ago. Tyrest charges them all with "crimes against creation" (prompting a tirade of verbal abuse from Rodimus) and confines them to a cell with another Autobot named [[Minimus Ambus|Ambus]]. After Rodimus relates their plight, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] inquires of their cell-mate if he is [[Dominus Ambus|''Dominus'' Ambus]], [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]'s old partner, but the moustachoied 'bot explains that he is Dominus's [[spark]]-brother ''Minimus'' Ambus, a trader imprisoned for selling enriched [[nucleon]]. Rodimus notes Ambus's lack of an [[Autobot]] badge, prompting [[Rung]] to offer him his, but Ambus politely refuses. With the last few days of his life ticking away, [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] is very eager to find a way to escape, hoping Brainstorm or Chromedome can use their special abilities to bust them loose, but Ambus warns that escape attempts will be seen as admissions of guilt, and Rodimus agrees, noting they need to figure out the bigger picture first.

Back aboard the ''Lost Light'', Skids tears into wave after wave of Legislators, fighting with a righteous fury sparked by the blame he assigns himself: there's no question that the Legislators are here for him, and the rest of the ship's crew, who took him in without question, are suffering as a result. Swerve races to the oil reservoir to aid his friend, arriving just as the doors open and a torrent of fuel spills out... followed presently by a battered, weakened, but victorious Skids. Just as Skids steps through the doors, however, another [[Star Saber (Victory)|large red, white and blue robot]] materializes behind him and stabs him through the torso with a gigantic sword. Swerve opens fire, but fails to land a single shot, and is promptly knocked out by the newcomer.

Elsewhere, Ratchet awakens to see Pharma leering down at him. After showing off his new hands, which can "turn into anything", the deranged doctor gestures to a large yellow box in the middle of the room, and challenges Ratchet to guess what is inside it. Intent on not humoring Pharma, Ratchet claims he does not care and refuses to play the twisted game, so Pharma simply opens it to reveal... Ratchet's body! With great horror, the medic realizes he is nothing but a decapitated head and spark hanging from a med-slab!

Back in the prison, Rung hands out energon sticks to calm everyone's nerves, and tells Tailgate—who remembers Tyrest from [[Nova Prime]]'s days—about the history of their jailor. Rodimus takes over to recap Tyrest's role in the Aequitas trials, even as both Rung and Ambus try to quiet him, knowing that the trials are top secret and not to be talked about. Ambus conspicuously tries to change the subject, asking questions about Skids, and Rung offers him an energon stick, only to deliberately drop the box as he hands him one. Ambus becomes angry, quickly picking up the scattered sticks... which serves as the last piece of evidence Rung needs. Ignoring Ambus's plaintive requests to stop, Rung explains that he has observed many familiar characteristics in Ambus: a certain way of speaking, an intolerance for mess, and a fixation on the psychiatrist's Autobot badge, which he deliberately positioned at an angle when he reattached it after Ambus turned it down. Rung gives Ambus the chance to tell the others the truth for himself, and he reluctantly agrees. Minimus Ambus ''is'' his true name, he explains, but the crew of the ''Lost Light'' have always known him as... Ultra Magnus!

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (1)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (3)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (4)
*[[Ambulon]] (5)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (6)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (7)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (8)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (9)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokscreen]] (10)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (11)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (12)
*[[Dipstick]] (13)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]] (14)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Pharma]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (20)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (23)
*[[Brainstorm]] (24)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (25)
*[[Rung]] (26)
*[[Minimus Ambus]] (28)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (32)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (35)
*[[Tyrest (Autobot)|Tyrest]] (36)
*[[Deftwing]] (37)
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] (38)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]] (18)
*"Vehicons" (19)
*[[Chop Shop]] (29)
*[[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (30)
*[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (31)
*[[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (33)
*"Insecticon" (34)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'' (39)
*''[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'' (40)

|c4=
*[[Legislator]]s (2)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (21)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (22)
*[[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitans]] (27)

}}

==Quotes==

"Now, I didn't say it to '''Fort Max'''—and I didn't say it to '''Whirl'''—and I didn't even say it to '''Cyclonus''' when he had his '''Dead Universe flashback'''. But you, my friend—to you I say:" 
''(CH-CHUK)'' 
"'''Get the hell out of my bar.'''" 
''(Swerve blasts the Legislator.)'' 
<big>'''"HOORAY! YOU SCORED A DIRECT HIT!"'''</big>
:—'''Swerve'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s badass speech is a little deflated by his '''My First Blaster'''

"The last time I danced this dance some piece of scum had just '''destroyed my memories'''. I woke up with blowtorch in my hand and nothing in my head, and your friends were all over me. So you'll forgive me if I put '''two and two together'''—and make '''fist!'''" 
''(THWOK)'' 
"Okay, that didn't really work, did it, the whole 'two and two' thing. It should be 'four'—you're expecting me to say 'four,' but I said... 'cos it coincided with me '''punching you''', yeah? Forget it."
:—'''Skids'''

"Pharma, we really must sit down some time so I can explain to you why we all hate you. We'll start with your '''personality''' and go from there."
:—'''Lockdown'''

"If I still kept a journal of all my moves, '''that''' would be on the front cover." 
"'''Excellent, excellent''' effort. It's just a shame none of your friends are as much of a show-off as you are." 
"Yeah, well, none of my friends have flames on their chest. It's a lot to live up to."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Lockdown'''

"Ah, enriched nucleon...! The magic ingredient! Two drops turns '''hand gun''' into a '''banned gun'''." 
"You should really stop and listen to yourself sometimes."
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Perceptor'''

"'''Brainstorm!''' How about cobbling together some kinda superweapon out of—out of the '''ceiling''' or something? You're always telling us what a genius you are..." 
"I don't respond well to pressure." 
"Well, why not open your '''magic briefcase''' and make all the naughty people in the universe disappear?" 
"Don't. Mock. The briefcase."
:—'''Tailgate''' and '''Brainstorm'''

"What about you, Domey? The Legislators round the corner—could you extend the needles in your fingers far enough to reach their necks and '''brainwash''' them into letting us go?" 
"Short answer: No. Long answer: No, don't be an idiot." 
:—'''Tailgate''' and '''Chromedome'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*In addition to being hilarious, Swerve's need for "My First Blaster" reminds us of his poor marksmanship and weapons-handling, established in past instances such as when he accidentally shot Rung in [[Interiors|issue #6]] and blew his own face off in [[Before & After|issue #12]]. It is also possible that his gun is a reference to the game, Borderlands 2, which featured guns that spoke.
*The Metrotitans were introduced in [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|the ''More than Meets the Eye'' 2012 annual]] (in which Rodimus's crew also went on a voyage through the innards of one). That they should turn up in the same place as Lockdown's group is no surprise, since the Decepticon squad were established to be hunters of Titans when they debuted in ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]''.
*Chief Justice Tyrest was introduced by Roberts in ''[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]], named after the [[Tyrest Accord]] previously established in ''[[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus]]''.
*Chromedome takes umbrage at Tailgate calling him "Domey"; that was [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]'s nickname for him.
*Pharma is revealed to have worked with Ratchet at the [[Deltaran Medical Facility]]; the facility was first mentioned in "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|"Chaos Theory," Part 1]], and the fact that Ratchet worked there was revealed in [[Omega's Conundrum|''Spotlight: Orion Pax'']].
*Tailgate gets very sarcastic about Tyrest's aspirations as Rung relates his backstory; he did the same thing about Dominus Ambus when Chromedome told his story in issue #12.
*Tyrest's "judging machine", [[Aequitas]], was the central macguffin of ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''.
*It's fitting that Rung should recognize Ambus as Magnus through observation of traits in his speech; issue #13's "[[Signal to Noise]]" featured an exchange between the two characters in which Rung commented on the observations he'd made on Magnus's way of talking over time.

===Transformers references===

*In-keeping with the Titan Hunters' established trait of having members based on characters from other continuity families (specifically ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] and "[[Blitzving]]" in ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]''), their ranks in this issue include warriors based on ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (both car and jet versions) and at least one [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]].
*The Legislators are noted to be "copycats" of the [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] droids, Autobot battle drones that originated in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK Generation 1 series]], who put in a brief appearance in IDW continuity in a flashback in [[Remembrance Day|issue #14]].

===Real-life references===
*Following on from [[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|issue #11]]'s [[Nightmare Fuel]] and [[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|issue #13]]'s [[Mood Whiplash]], this issue gives us another drink that takes its name from a [http://www.tvtropes.com TVTropes] page: the [[Berzerker Button]] (though the trope is just called "[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BerserkButton Berzerk Button]", no "er").
*Brainstorm's briefcase has a built-in "[[attention deflector]]" that prevents people from noticing it, clearly inspired by ''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/perception_filter perception filter] technology, which accomplishes the same effect.

===Crew manifest===
*[[Deftwing]]'s corpse appears, having become a victim of the Legislators off-panel.
*Rodimus gives the crew count as "three hundred, give or take", which seems on the generous side, given that it was 200-ish at outset.
*Ultra Magnus is ''who what now??''
*12 deaths, one crewmember in terminal condition, Ultra Magnus is... ''what???'' ...5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders), and one banishment since the launch.

===Soundtrack===
For all of "Remain in Light":
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmGZfHHC80 A Dazzling End]'' from the ''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]'' Series 4 soundtrack, by [[wikipedia:Murray Gold|Murray Gold]]
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPJAX7Cu-4k The Universal]'' by [[Wikipedia:Blur (band)|Blur]]

For this issue alone:
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QB5gDqFau8 Winterlight]'' by [[Wikipedia: Clearlake (band)|Clearlake]]
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuwAoLpbjaA El Presidente]'' by [[Wikipedia: Drugstore (band)|Drugstore]]
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysJijpSPOGY Afterglow]'' by Holm

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Skids battles a throng of Legislators, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Cover B:''' Gears, Hound and Huffer defending themselves, by [[Sean Chen]] and [[Tom Chu]].
*'''Cover RI:''' A Legislator looms over the fallen Ambulon and First Aid, by [[Nick Roche]] and Josh Perez.

<gallery>
File:MTMTE18 cvrA.jpg|
File:MTMTE18 cvrB.jpg|
File:MTMTE18 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Second Exodus|#18]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Destiny, Part 2|#92]]
*''Falling Skies''
*''The X-Files: Season 10'' #1 (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/content/more-than-meets-eye-18-full-preview-6943/ Preview]

Invasion (issue)

2013-06-05T15:56:52Z

Fireshot: /* Notes */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Transformers Timelines]]'' #7
|prev=The Stunti-Con Job
|next=
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (fiction)|Shattered Glass]]''
|prev2=Invasion Prologue
|next2=Invasion: Epilogue
|seriesissue3=''[[Transformers: Classics#Fiction|Transformers: Classics]]''
|prev3=Invasion Prologue
|next3=Invasion: Epilogue
|title="Invasion"
|image=Timelines07-BotConcover.jpg|caption=Prepare for mood whiplash.
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|date=[[April 26]], [[2012]] ([[BotCon 2012]]) [[October 10]], 2012 (retail ed.)
|writer=[[Benson Yee]] and [[Pete Sinclair]]
|pencils=[[Dan Khanna]]
|inks=[[Jake Isenberg]]
|colors=[[Josh Perez]], [[Jesse Wittenrich]], and [[Thomas Deer]]
|letters=Jesse Wittenrich
|editor=[[Pete Sinclair]]
|price=
|continuity=[[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|Shattered Glass continuity]]
}}
'''An evil Ultra Magnus and his army invade an unwitting alternate universe, threatening all existence.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Invasion-Magnusportal.jpg|left|thumb|250px|'''More''' Bad guys!]]

In the [[Shattered Glass]] universe, Ultra Magnus has just succeeded in removing himself from his dirty prison cell on [[Paradron]], in addition to Wreck-Gar and his Junkions, thanks to the efforts of Wheeljack and Tracks. He's raised his brother Optimus on the monitors so he can gloat and tease his ultimate plan, which will involve destruction on a cosmic scale. As Optimus seethes in fury, Ultra Magnus kills the last remaining guard, Ironhide, who was Optimus's most trusted soldier. Wheeljack has opened a portal with his new hand-held [[Stellar Spanner]], and through it the escapees and traitors step. Magnus reminds his brother that he was always [[Alpha Trion (SG)|father's]] favorite, and soon Optimus would realize why.

After they disappear through the portal, Optimus Prime remotely activates Paradron's distress beacon, knowing that a certain someone would follow Magnus's trail anywhere.

Meanwhile, in the [[Classicverse]], Autobots in Oregon are cleaning up their Ironworks headquarters following a Decepticon attack led by Gigatron. The attack had been repelled successfully, leaving the [[Rarified Energon]] Ironworks guarded intact. Inside Ironworks, Commander Rad and visiting Pretender Commander Metalhawk telecommunicate with Autobots in other areas of the world, informing them of Gigatron's recent attack. But the report is interrupted by an alert from outside. Kick-Off tells Rad that a portal in the sky was opening, possibly foretelling another invasion. Metalhawk offers his assistance outside, but Rad insists he and his troops have this covered.

[[Image:Invasion-cannotwillnot.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Good guys.]]

But Rad has greatly underestimated the forces at work, and by the time he arrives outside, Sandstorm, Slapdash, and Broadside have been corrupted and reformatted into evil Junkions. Once converted, these Junkions quickly turn on their former comrades Mainframe, Outback, and Roll-Out. Above, the evil Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Tracks, and the original Junkions burst through the portal and join the battle below. As more Autobots are reformatted into evil Junkions, Rad and Kick-Off have no choice but try to make it back inside Ironworks. Rad is tackled by a Junkion at the last moment, and he activates the door after Kick-Off runs through it, sacrificing himself so that Kick-Off may live.

The closed door doesn't stop Ultra Magnus for long, and his [[Terminus Blade]] slices through it easily. He's met by Metalhawk and other Autobot reinforcements. However, Magnus strikes down Warpath, Wheeljack, Tracks, and Jazz, leaving only Scoop and Metalhawk alive. Before they share the fate of the fallen, another portal opens up, through which heroic Decepticons arrive: Treadshot, Soundwave, Octopunch, and Straxus. With a blinding flash from the Terminus Blade, Magnus and his evil Autobots disappear.

Sir Soundwave explains his universe to the heroic Autobots, but Kick-Off isn't interested in the details. He just wants justice. Octopunch and Scoop are sent after Wheeljack, Treadshot puts himself in charge of finding Ultra Magnus, and the rest are responsible for the Junkion hive.

[[Image:Invasion-whatamess.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Good guys?]]

Meanwhile, outside of Ironworks, Gigatron and his Decepticons have been keeping watch since their defeat. Spinister reports that the Autobots have teamed up with strange visitors. Gigatron concludes that this distraction is perfect for another attempt on the Rarified Energon.

Underneath Ironworks, Wheeljack sets up machinery that will send the Rarified Energon up into Ironworks, plus a force field that will prevent the machinery's destruction. After Wheeljack leaves, evil Octopunch and Skullgrin converge on the protected machinery at the same time as heroic Octopunch and Scoop. Both factions battle, and Skullgrin is quickly defeated.

Aboveground, inside Ironworks, Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus are working the computers when Treadshot approaches. Quickly, Magnus inserts the Terminus Blade into a computer port, and a rift of space time opens in the sky. Cataclysms occur worldwide as Autobots in Japan, Canada, and South America help evacuate civilians from problem areas.

After heroic and evil Octopunches realize they are counterparts, heroic Octopunch finally defeats his opposite number, just as Scoop realizes there's nothing the two can do to reverse Wheeljack's handiwork. They return to the surface.

[[Image:Invasion-destroythem.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Bad guys.]]

Aboveground, Treadshot and Kick-Off tackle Ultra Magnus while Soundwave decides he should try to reconfigure Wheeljack's machinery himself. On his way, he encounters and is overcome by the Junkion Hive, and is spared only by the timely arrival of Gigatron's evil Decepticons. Gigatron doesn't like these evil Autobots who threaten to destroy everything before he can conquer it himself, and so he joins the fray and lets Soundwave go. Gigatron and Metalhawk team up against Ultra Magnus, causing him severe damage. Soundwave returns from his work below and announces that Ultra Magnus's plan is foiled! Soundwave totally jacked up the forcefield below to cover the entire planet! Earth is saved!

Ultra Magnus laughs, noting that he wasn't trying to blow up Earth. Sure, it would probably be destroyed, but only as a side effect of his larger aim, which was moving this Earth to his own universe, into the orbit of his own Cybertron. Ultra Magnus and his evil Autobots flee, victorious.

After Earth arrives safely in the Shattered Glass universe, protected by the forcefield, their old universe self-destructs behind them, destroyed forever. Heroic Autobot, evil Decepticon, and heroic Decepticon all stare up into the sky in horror and wonder, into this new universe, mourning the countless dead. Straxus stands before them, glowing, and bids them to not despair. He recites for them words from one of their great progenitors, and suggests that not all is lost and there is still much left to do.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=SG Decepticons
|c1=
* [[Sir Soundwave]] (37)
* [[Treadshot (SG)|Treadshot]] (38)
* [[Octopunch (SG)|Octopunch]] (39)
* [[Straxus (SG)|Straxus]] (40)
* [[Megatron (SG)|Galvatron]] (41) (flashback)

|h2=SG Autobots
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] (2)
* [[Ironhide (SG)|Ironhide]] (3)
* [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Wreck-Gar (SG)|Wreck-Gar]] (5)
* [[Junkheap]] (6)
* [[Scrap Iron (SG)|Scrap Iron]] (7)
* [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]] (8)
* [[Sunstreaker (SG)|Sunstreaker]] (9)
* [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] (42) (flashback)
* [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] (43) (flashback)
{{!}}}
|h3=[[Classicsverse]] Autobots
|c3=
* [[Ironworks]] (10)
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (11)
* [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] (12)
* [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (13)
* [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (14)
* [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (15)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (16)
* [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (17)
* [[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (18)
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] (19)
* [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] (20)
* [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]] (21)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (22)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (23)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (25)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (26)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (27)
* [[Rad]] (28)
* [[Metalhawk]] (30)
* [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (31)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (32)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (33)
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (34)
* [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (35)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (36)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (44) (flashback)
* [[Rescue Roy]] (59)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (60)

|h4=Classicsverse Decepticons
|c4=
* [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (45)
* [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (46)
* [[Skullgrin]] (47)
* [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]] (48)
* [[Weirdwolf]] (61)
* [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] (62)
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (63)
* [[Snarler]] (64)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (65)
* [[Horri-Bull]] (66)
* [[Stranglehold]] (67)
|h5=Humans
|c5=
* [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (24)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (29)
* [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] (49)
* [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]] (50)
* [[Robot-Master]] (51)
* [[Simon Furman]] (52)
* [[Spider-Man]] (53)
* Power Man (54)
* Invisible Woman (55)
* [[Sari Sumdac (G1)|Sari Sumdac]] (56)
* [[Isaac Sumdac (G1)|Isaac Sumdac]] (57)
* Elektra (58)
}}

==Quotes==
"Every one of them will pay for how they laughed at our plans! Or how they would have laughed had they known. Either way... '''BOOM!'''"
:— '''SG Wheeljack'''

"Oh, dear '''Treadshot''', you delightful Decepticon scum! I can't '''tell''' you how much I '''missed''' you trying to kill me."
:— '''Ultra Magnus''' has a special relationship with Treadshot

"'''Magnus! You coward!''' Like a small, herbivorous shrew, you are '''nothing!''' I will hunt you to the ends of time! I will '''burn your empire''' to the ground I... I... '''I fraggin' hate that guy.'''"
:— '''Treadshot''' has a special relationship with Ultra Magnus

==Notes==
* At the end of this story, it seems that anyone in the Classicsverse who wasn't on Earth was destroyed. As [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had left Earth in "[[At Fight's End]]" with a ship full of Decepticons, that likely suggests their demise, as well as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s group which left Earth at the end of "[[Games of Deception]]." And let's not forget [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'s detective agency on [[Azure]]. Comments made at [[BotCon 2012]] imply that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was also off-planet at the time. However, other statements suggest that anyone not on Earth is not necessarily dead, hinting at the club magazine storyline for 2013. However, it is revealed in the 2013 Club storyline that one of Megatron's ships, along with Ultra Magnus' group survives the destruction. <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=86669&st=0&p=2061951&#entry2061951 Comments from Pete Sinclair]</ref>
*The convention edition cover came about because [[User:Monzo|someone]] linked the organizers to a ComicsAlliance article about Dave Perillo's work via Twitter. <ref>https://twitter.com/Monzo12782/status/146764169339863040</ref>
===Errors===
* Lotsa missing commas and some comma splices. Example: "I am one of Gigatron's personal guards, you have no hope of defeating Octopunch!"
* On page 13, SG Octopunch has purple Decepticon symbols.
* Fortress Maximus is said to be stationed in [[South America]], but the civilians he rescues speak in Yucatec Maya, which is a language spoken on the Yucatan Peninsula and in Belize, which are in North America.
* Wheeljack is commanded to "''hone'' in on the rarified energon.", which, despite somewhat common usage in this context, is non-standard. It should be "''home'' in", like a ''homing'' missile does.

===Continuity errors===
* Depending on the canonicity of 2007's Classicverse Lithograph, Perceptor should probably be in his [[Perceptor_%28G1%29#Classics|''Classics'' Legends Class body]], not his original body.

===Real-world references===
* As storms threaten Earth's existence, modern-day South Americans worry their ancestors were right about [[2012]].
* Ultra Magnus and Tracks quip that the ''Classicsverse'' Autobots' resistance is "clearly futile", referencing the [[Wikipedia:Borg (Star Trek)|Borg]] from ''[[Star Trek]]'' (on whom the [[Junkion (SG)|Junkions]] are based).

===Transformers references===
* Ultra Magnus kills Ironhide in a manner similar to Ironhide's death in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]].'' "Such pitiful nonsense!"
* Ultra Magnus and the Terminus Blade were mentioned briefly in earlier stories, and both are only now being given center stage. The Stellar Spanner was also introduced earlier, but had a much larger role.
* Ratchet is still in the new body he acquired in "[[At Fight's End]]," but now it's colored like the North American release versus the Japanese release.
* The "Canada" panel on page 16 is full of tiny Marvel Superhero cameos. And Simon Furman. Also ... Robot-Master? ...and Rescue Roy???
* Octopunch mentions that he survived the Unicron War.
* There are three inverted [[Furmanism]]s. First is Wheeljack's "Sow the edy!", second is Magnus's "My time is about to start! Begin!" and the third is Treadshot's "Like a small, herbivorous shrew, you are nothing!"
* ''Shattered'' Straxus's speech at the end mirrors [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s reassurance at the end of "[[All Fall Down]]."
* Many visual details throughout the story cement the main setting as a Marvel-style universe, such as Blaster, Wheeljack, and Octopunch's colors and Broadside's character model. Slapdash's head is based on the round, helmeted face seen in his ''Transformers: Universe'' profile, not the square-ish helmet seen in the comics themselves.

===Covers===
* '''BotCon Edition:''' Way-out pop art cover depicting the four alignments featured in the issue; art by [[Dave Perillo]].
* '''Retail Edition:''' Optimus Prime stares at his enemies through a shattered glass; art by [[Dan Khanna]], colors by [[Thomas Deer]].
<gallery>
Image:Timelines07-BotConcover.jpg
Image:Timelines07-Retailcover.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Classics issues]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass issues]]
[[Category:Timelines issues]]
[[Category:Script reading]]

User:Fireshot

2013-05-24T17:01:07Z

Fireshot: Created page with "'Sup."

'Sup.

MediaWiki:TFWiki.net 2013 Transformers Hall of Fame Auditions/Entries

2013-05-24T16:58:55Z

Fireshot: /* Poll entries */

ÒThis is the page for the '''TFWiki.net Transformers Hall of Fame Auditions''' entries. The rules are as follows:

#You must pick your top five ''Transformers'' characters, from any era. They must actually '''be''' Transformers; sorry, but no humans, non-Transformer aliens, non-Transformer robots, or anything else of the sort are being considered for the Hall of Fame. Any votes for such entities will '''not''' be tabulated. It is the sole discretion of the contest organizers to decide what does and does not count.
#Take your top five list and '''put it in alphabetical order'''. Order of preference does not matter. Feel free to denote the character's franchise of origin, although these distinctions may or may not figure into the final results.
#You '''cannot''' vote for a specific version of '''Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream, Dinobot, Ironhide, Ratchet, Soundwave, Waspinator, Grimlock, Jazz, Shockwave or Wheeljack.''' They've already been inducted!
#However, '''you CAN vote''' for '''''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] or [[Optimus Primal]]'''! Hasbro considers them separate!
#Only one entry per user.

Please put your characters of choice and user name below in the following manner:

*Bulkhead, Emirate Xaaron, Side Swipe, Terrorsaur (BW), X-Brawn --(four tildes)

Poll entry period ends at 4pm on '''[[May 31]]st, 2012'''. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 12:32, 24 May 2013 (EDT)

==Poll entries==


*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 12:34, 24 May 2013 (EDT)

*Arcee, Chromedome, Fortress Maximus, Omega Supreme, Rewind --[[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 12:35, 24 May 2013 (EDT)

*Barricade, Devastator, Ravage, Sideways, Ultra Magnus -[[User:LV|LV]] 12:47, 24 May 2013 (EDT)

*Galvatron, Megatron (BW), Overlord, Sky-Byte, Unicron [[User:Mimi|Mimi]] 12:50, 24 May 2013 (EDT)

*Bulkhead, Ratbat, Ravage, Rhinox, Wreck-Gar [[User:Awa64|Awa64]] 12:56, 24 May 2013 (EDT)

*Blurr, BW Megatron, Rattrap, Sky-Byte, Whirl [[User:Fireshot|Fireshot]] 12:59, 24 May 2013 (EDT)



[[Category: TFWiki.net]]

Insecticon (G1)

2013-02-26T11:13:09Z

Fireshot:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Insecticon}}
:''The Insecticons are a [[Decepticon]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Insecticons.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not to be confused with the Incesticons, who we don't talk about.]]
The '''Insecticons''' are a group of insectoid troublemakers that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] trusts as far as he can throw [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The Insecticons also display a wide array of unique abilities including eating both organic and inorganic matter for energy, creating [[Insecticon clone|clones of themselves]], weather control, and [[cerebro-shell]]s.

* The most commonly-seen group of Insecticons includes:
** [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (usually the trio's leader)
** [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
** [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]

: Named clones of this group include [[Salvo]], [[Shothole]], and [[Zaptrap]].

* A second Insecticon team includes:
** [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (team leader)
** [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
** [[Chop Shop]]
** [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
** [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]

* Another group of Insecticons includes:
** [[Buzzclaw (G1)|Buzzclaw]]
** [[Dirge (Timelines)|Dirge]]
** the [[Virulent Clone]]s

A failed batch of Insecticons became known as [[Insecticon swarm|the Swarm]].

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Image:PlagueInsecticons Insecticon lair.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Now I passed up all the chain franchise joints on Hamburger Row, and stopped at a little greasy spoon place I always eat at, called EAT.]]
Individualistic, greedy, and arrogant, the Insecticons consider themselves a species unto themselves and have only a tentative on-again/off-again alliance with the main Decepticon forces, mainly when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] can bribe them with the [[energon]] they need to maintain their [[Insecticon clone|clone hordes]].

Shrapnel, Kickback, and Bombshell arrived on Earth in an escape pod millions of years ago. Landing in [[Demon Swamp|a swamp]], their [[idento-computer]]s gave them new alternate modes based on local insects. Eventually their food-raiding activities attracted the attention of both the Autobots and Decepticons, the latter approaching them with offers of alliance and shared purpose.

Reunited with their Decepticon comrades, the three warriors happily accepted an alliance, driving off the Autobots and participating in a raid on an oil refinery. They displayed the full range of their powers... as well as their willingness to clear out as soon as the tide of battle turned against the Decepticons. Devouring a batch of [[energon cube]]s, they abandoned the fight, prompting Megatron to pursue them into the distance, swearing vengeance. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}}

[[Image:G1 Traitor Bombshell captures Mirage.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You wanna know where paradise lies, I call it two triple cheeseburger, side order fries.]]
The Insecticons somehow survived, and were in the area when Megatron decided to pursue the [[electro-cell]]s. The Insecticons aided the Decepticons in battle... and received a measly three energon cubes as a reward. The Autobot [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] took advantage of their discontent, stealing the cubes and leaving a Decepticon insignia in their place. Soon, the Insecticons attacked the Decepticons in retribution. Mirage was injured in the battle, and cerebro-shelled into being an Insecticon slave. Megatron and Bombshell eventually worked out Mirage's deception, and used him to lure several Autobots into a trap. When the battle turned against them, Megatron destroyed the electro-cells, resulting in massive explosions which convinced the Insecticons to flee into the distance. {{storylink|Traitor}}

In an unusual instance of an Insecticon working solo, Bombshell joined Megatron's forces after they had captured the human-made [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] robot. He performed brain work on the robot to turn it into a Decepticon ally, and was quite impressed with its abilities. He later participated in a battle with the Autobots over the [[World Energy Chip]]. When Starscream disabled Nightbird with an energy blast to the back, Bombshell joined Megatron and the Decepticons in pursuing Starscream into the distance. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Insecticon swarm.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Well don't you know that other kids are starving in Japan, so EAT IT, just EAT IT.]]
The Insecticons had been devouring trees in a National Park, prompting the Autobots to investigate. Megatron and his troops arrived in time to observe as the trio defeated [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]. Megatron approached them and proposed a temporary alliance to capture the data storage facility at [[Iron Mountain]]. As a reward, the Insecticons were first allowed to feast on the [[Nova Power Core]], which allowed them to grow to great size and power. Quickly seizing the initiative, they cerebro-shelled [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], taking control of him. Through him they learned of Megatron's plan to dispose of them after Iron Mountain's data was secure. Thus they covertly cerebro-shelled the rest of the Decepticons; when Megatron emerged from Iron Mountain, he found himself facing the guns of his own troops. The Autobots, meanwhile, had discovered that the Nova Power Core was unstable and would eventually cause the Insecticons to explode. They developed an antidote, and allied with Megatron to deliver it into the Insecticons. Bombshell and Kickback were cured and returned to their normal size, but Shrapnel exploded before the antidote could take full effect. The explosion also released the Decepticons from Bombshell's control. Bombshell was able to instantly reconstruct Shrapnel's shattered pieces. With an infuriated Megatron in hot pursuit, the Insecticons fled into the distance. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Insecticons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm a hungry man, till somebody feeds me / my appetite is large, 'cause me so hungry!]]
The Insecticons went on a cloning spree, creating thousands of clones and raiding farmland to harvest energy. After driving off an Autobot attack led by [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], the Insecticons and their clone hordes flew to [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] for energy processing. Megatron gave them their cut, consisting of three ''tiny'' energon cubes, while privately processing scads of full-sized cubes behind the scenes.

{{quote|Our friend Megatron's in trouble.}}
{{quote|If I weren't so ''hungry'' I'd stop to help him out! Haww haw haw!|Kickback and Bombshell}}

[[Image:G1 QuestforSurvival Bombshell Kickback.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Kickback drags Bombshell home after a trip to an all-you-can-eat buffet]]
When the Autobots acquired a robotic insecticide to deal with the swarm, Megatron sent [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to warn his erstwhile allies, but the Insecticons suspected that they were being deceived, and instead flew directly to the valley where the insecticide (along with the Autobot [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]), lay stranded. They gleefully ignored Megatron's Decepticons, who were being overwhelmed by the Autobots, and instead turned their attention to a delicious-looking forest, which Megatron was ''clearly'' trying to hoard for himself. Flying into the "forest", the Insecticons quickly discovered that it consisted of ravenous [[Morphobot]]s, which promptly devoured the entire Insecticon army. Only the three originals escaped unharmed, though just barely; they fled, flying away into the distance. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

Another horde of Insecticon clones was ravaging a city when the Autobots rolled into town. After the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] evacuated the city, the Autobots blasted the clones to scrap. When the Autobots attempted to seize control of the [[space bridge]], Megatron had the Insecticons steal the bridge's control module. Later, faced with an Earth-destroying crisis that required cooperation with the Autobots as well as a trip to Cybertron, the Autobots and Decepticons tracked the Insecticons down to a parking garage. Shrapnel panicked at the sight of Megatron; the trio transformed and burrowed into the ground, leaving the control module behind and fleeing into the... ground. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

[[Image:TFTM RundownShrapnel.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sometimes you're the windshield, baby. Sometimes you're the bug.]]
[[Image:TFTM Insecticons dumped.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Jettison Weight, Step 1: Remove those who eat the most]]
At some point, the Insecticons appeared to have joined Megatron's regular forces; they were on Cybertron after he conquered the planet, and joined in the raid on [[Autobot City]], where they ate a lot of doors and armor, and got bashed around and run over quite a bit.

After the [[Battle of Autobot City]], the three Insecticons found themselves battered and broken, and on the wrong end of the "weight" jettisoned from [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. All three appeared to be reformatted by [[Unicron]] into new bodies, though Shrapnel later menaced [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Kickback and Shrapnel were among the Decepticons seen struggling for energon on Chaar after the destruction of Unicron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} Later, all three Insecticons were among the Decepticons on Earth who assisted [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] in his assault on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. They got flattened by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

{{stub}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Straxusholdscourt.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The Decepticon warriors Bombshell, Shrapnel, Kickback, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] were seemingly high-ranking officers under the command of Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], Lord High Governor of [[Polyhex]]. Shrapnel served as Straxus's Executive Officer, and was presented as a cruel, sadistic being, with no notable sign of a speech impediment. It was he that supervised the technicians who received—and eventually decoded—a transmission from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] on [[Earth]], and later he who was given the distinctly thankless task of assisting Straxus in the management of the [[space bridge]] project.

The six appeared to serve as [[Darkmount]]'s security in some fashion, since Shrapnel personally captured the [[Autobot]] [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] and brought him to Straxus—and, later, after [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] had been deliberately taken prisoner, it was Shrapnel who brought him before the tyrant in the space bridge construction hangar—only to be assaulted by a less-than-grateful Decepticon leader. Later, all six were observed flying into battle against Autobot intruders. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[Image:Kickback target 2006.jpg|thumb|left|170px]]
At this point, the Insecticon trio transformed into forms which appeared to very closely resemble their later Earthen modes—albeit without any visible shifting of mass (i.e. Shrapnel is still the same size as in his robotic mode, as evidenced when he seizes hold of Scrounge). ''Later, during the attempt to assassinate [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] (itself in reality bait for the [[Wrecker]]s' [[Operation: Volcano]]), Kickback does apparently reduce in size, so it's possible that the Insecticons already have this ability, but that it is optional, in the same way that Soundwave appears able to decide on a whim what size he wishes his alt-mode to be on any given day.''

''After the fall of Darkmount and the crippling of Straxus, the trio continued to be influential figures in the Cybertronian Decepticon Army, and were part of a battle unit regarded by the Autobots as being some of the Decepticons' [[Ten Deadliest Killers]]—specifically, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], [[Octane]], and [[Macabre]]—so much so, in fact, that Emirate Xaaron planned the dangerous Operation: Volcano to lure them into a deadly trap, believing that the extermination of this group would deliver a great psychological blow for the Resistance.''

''Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on one's allegiance, after [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] had tricked a doomed [[Autobot traitor]] into passing on fake information to a typically murderous Shrapnel, Operation: Volcano began to fall apart as a result of events on Earth. First, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was removed from the Wreckers' strike force to travel to Earth, and second, after Kickback had completed reconnaissance, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] himself contacted the Decepticon attack group and ordered the Insecticons to report to Earth—immediately. Unwilling to risk disobeying Megatron, everyone but Macabre returned to Polyhex.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Significantly, during these events, the trio are twice referred to as Insecticons by name, suggesting both that Cybertron does possess insect life, and that their forms are indeed already based upon it—an implication absent in the US strip.''

[[Image:Bombshell marvel-21.jpg|right|170px|thumb]]
The three Insecticons were sent to Earth via a repaired or rebuilt space bridge, where they fell under the command of Megatron, who altered them ''making minor modifications'' in order to allow them to transform into the likenesses of ''Earthside'' insects. Megatron intended to make use of the space bridge to revitalise Cybertron, by connecting a vast drilling pipe transdimensionally between Earth and a massive turbine and generator complex constructed on Cybertron, and drilling through Hoover Dam to do it. To this end, he utilised the Insecticons' unique talents—Bombshell used one of his Cerebro-shells to take the mind of one of the Dam's technical staff, [[Ricky Vasquez]], Shrapnel's electrical powers were used to remote-operate the Dam's electrical machinery, and Kickback... kicked a door down.

When the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] on their first mission intervened, both the Insecticons and their three Strike Plane comrades, also having travelled to Earth, fared badly against them. Shrapnel's antennae were twisted, courtesy of [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]'s torque rifle, and ultimately Ricky Vasquez's free will and love of his daughter were enough to allow him to overcome Bombshell's cerebro-shell entirely, pulling Megatron's trigger and destroying the drill. Battered, Shrapnel and Kickback somewhat unceremoniously carried a still fulminating Megatron off into the distance. Meanwhile, however, Bombshell, having seen an opportunity in his small insect-size, attached himself to the Aerialbot leader [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], and returned with him to the Ark in secret. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

Bombshell planted a cerebro-shell in the head of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], current head of the Earthbound Autobots. The shell failed to take full effect for unknown reasons, but ''did'' permit Megatron and Soundwave to tap into and monitor Optimus' thoughts—including the Creation Matrix. Thus, Bombshell was indirectly responsible for Megatron being able to give life to the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], and presumably (though it is never stated) the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] as well. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

The point at which he left the Ark is unknown, but the trio continued to make sporadic appearances amongst the Decepticon forces until the [[Underbase Saga]]. Shrapnel notably used his electrical powers to remote-control the bridge of a cargo ship at one point, but beyond that, the trio seem to have faded into the background. Although not shown being deactivated or destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during this conflict, they were still never seen again. They may have been taken out of action at this point, or possibly during the preceding inter-faction fighting. It is also possible that they simply chose to lie low for a while.

''The Insecticons Chop Shop and Venom, although not specifically identified as Insecticons at any point in this continuity, were part of the Decepticons' original [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], which was sent to Earth in fragile alliance with the Wreckers to hunt down and destroy [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in late 1988-early 1989. Predictably, few of either group survived the encounter with the future Decepticon, and these Insecticons were apparently slaughtered—either by Galvatron or by the clone of Megatron with whom he had formed an alliance. As the story never presents a full roster of the Mayhem Attack Squad, it is possible that Ransack and Barrage were also members, but the numbers given make it impossible for them to have been also present and killed off-panel.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

During one alternate future, Shrapnel and [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] attempted to kill [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] on the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] in the year [[2006]]'', but this particular timeline was rewritten when Galvatron time-travelled back to 1987 to escape [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]].''

====Earthforce====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Earthforce insecticons.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Om nom nom.]]
The three original Insecticons were among the Decepticons recruited—and possibly reactivated—by Megatron on Earth during the [[Decepticon Civil War]] there, while Optimus Prime was focused on the approaching threat of Unicron. Although initially loyal to Megatron, they were bested in combat by Starscream—then theoretically under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s command—when he infiltrated Megatron's base. Starscream subdued the trio using an electrically charged flyswat known as a [[rustbug hoop]]—thereby proving the existence of [[Rustbug|Cybertronian insect life]]—and more or less blackmailed them into joining forces with himself and Soundwave in their plans to reunite both Earthbound Decepticon factions by disposing of Megatron and Shockwave and taking their place. {{storylink|Bugged!}}

Bombshell's cerebro-shells, now apparently grown somewhat more reliable, were used at least twice during this period—once to drive the Aerialbot gestalt [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] into running amok, {{storylink|Inside Story!}} and later to rewrite the memories of journalist [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], ensuring the continued success of Soundwave and Starscream's smear campaign against the Autobots. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
[[Image:Soundwave Insecticons.jpeg|right|170px|thumb]]
Twenty-one years after the regeneration of Cybertron, Soundwave ordered [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] and [[Chop Shop]] to assassinate the insurgents [[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]], [[Afterburner (G2)|Afterburner]], [[Terradive (G2)|Terradive]] and [[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]], who were holed up in a [[Kalis]] weapons-decommissioning depot, threatening to detonate a clutch of reclaimed warheads. The Insecticons executed their mission with ease but were surprised in turn by the arrival of the "all-new, all-cuddly" [[Wrecker]]s, who quickly restrained them inside a [[detention sphere]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Bombshell kickback shrapnel soundwave ravage war within 1-2.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
Shrapnel, Bombshell, and Kickback, along with Soundwave and Ravage, were sent by Megatron to assassinate the new Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} They failed when Optimus royally kicked their asses. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} In their Cybertronian modes, Shrapnel transformed into a jet, and while the others were not seen to transform, Bombshell appeared to have the parts to become a tank while Kickback looked to possibly transform into a type of dragster. The remaining Insecticons caused terror throughout Cybertron and joined Shockwave's attack on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Chop Shop was seen to transform into a wheeled vehicle (with pincers) while Venom became a jet. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}} {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

[[Image:DestinedforNothing DeluxeInsecticons.jpg|200px|thumb|right|And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth.]]
During the [[Dark Ages]], the Insecticons split among the Decepticon splinter groups. Venom, Chop Shop, Ransack and Barrage joined the [[Ultracon]]s, {{storylink|Escalation}} while Shrapnel, Bombshell, and Kickback remained with the Decepticons under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}} Although the Decepticon forces were eventually reunited, {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} the former Ultracon Insecticons were reduced to vampirism, capturing [[Micromaster]]s and draining them of [[energon]]. By this point, they looked to transform into their Earthen modes somehow. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

Meanwhile, Shrapnel, Bombshell, and Kickback sent to [[Earth]] by Shockwave after the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' crash-landed on the planet. They were to guide Earth's development and prepare it for conquest (real logical choice there, Shockwave) but were followed by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]]. We're not entirely sure of the sequence of events, but it appears that the Insecticons played dead until [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] got bored and wandered off. It's assumed they gained their insect forms around this time. {{storylink|Extermination}}

In the present day, after the fall of Shockwave's regime on Cybertron, {{storylink|War and Peace}} the Earthen Insecticons resurfaced in [[San Desto]], taking control of the town and growing an army of Insecticon clones. {{storylink|Infestation (Dreamwave)|Infestation}} A team of Autobots assisted by the [[Earth Defense Command]] managed to defeat them. {{storylink|Extermination}}

===Descent into Evil===
The remnants of the Insecticons had been widely dispersed, apparently lacking access to their cloning abilities. The Decepticon general [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]], seeking to provide the [[Decepticon/Predacon Alliance]] with the means to return the balance of power to their favor, established a research facility on [[Ceti Alpha Seven]]. In this lab, the surviving Insecticons Buzzclaw and Dirge were analyzed, and their genetic cloning ability unlocked once more. The resultant [[Virulent Clone]]s fought against an Autobot team sent to destroy the base, but were ultimately destroyed along with their base, and possibly Buzzclaw. {{storylink|Descent into Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Kickback was seen among [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s troops as they waited for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s force field to run out of power so they could capture the Autobots. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

When a team of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members were sent to a dark future where the Decepticons had conquered Earth, they were attacked by a swarm of Insecticon clones. [[Dreadnok|Torch]] managed to deactivate them using an [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]] grenade. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

Later in the normal timeline, Shrapnel, Venom, Ransack and Barrage were seen under [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s command, fighting back against a combined Autobot/G.I. Joe assault. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[Image:Bombshell beachcomber spotlight blaster.jpg|right|130px|thumb]]
Kickback was around at the dawn of the [[Decepticon]] movement. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}} A thing called Bombshell was used years and years ago by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to brainwash [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]. The Autobots do not appear to have been familiar with Bombshell's existence. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Years and years later, Insecticons were created on Cybertron in great numbers. However, the vast majority of them were failures, with only three fully functional individuals; Shrapnel and... Kickback and Bombshell. Er. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} The rest, dubbed "[[Insecticon swarm|The Swarm]]" were left on the planet when it was abandoned. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} Shortly after their birth, the Insecticons joined the Decepticon force on Earth, taking part in both the defeat of the Autobot forces there, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} the conquest of New York, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} and having to listen to [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] waffle. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} Assaulting [[China|Beijing]] with Skywarp and Thundercracker, they quickly agitated Skywarp by telling him the Seekers were no longer the elite warriors of the Decepticons, replaced by newer warriors, like the Constructicons. This nearly caused Skywarp, and by proxy Thundercracker, to attack them. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

In New York, the Insecticons were later approached by Starscream, who recruited them for his plan to overthrow Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} When they acted on this betrayal, however, Megatron defeated all three of them with little effort. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} The Insecticons would then find themselves in a battle with European military and the returning Autobots {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}, ending with the defeat of Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} Starscream then took control and retreated from Earth onboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] with a bunch of his troops, including the Insecticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Uneasy Lies the Head}}

Starscream's Decepticons would next find themselves living on a desolate asteroid base, running low on fuel while their leader did absolutely nothing for several years. Shrapnel and Kickback were seen actively participating in cannibalism, killing [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and stealing his parts. {{storylink|All His Engines}} Bombshell and Shrapnel later unsuccessfully tried to defend the base from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s infiltration. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}} Once Megatron was back in command, he summoned the Insecticons and his other troops to Cybertron, where [[D-Void]] brainwashed them into serving as components of the "[[Deceptigod]]". {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} Following the defeat of the monster and the repopulation of Cybertron, the war was considered over and the Decepticons ended up having to work for the Autobots. Before long, Bombshell began brainwashing and murdering people and was apparently killed by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Devisive}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:HeartsofSteel2 Insecticons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Kickback, Bombshell and Shrapnel fought the Autobots on Earth in ancient times, then went into stasis to avoid an Ice Age and didn't wake up until the 19th century. They fell under the command of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} In order to get [[Tobias Muldoon]] the funding he needed to build the Decepticons a base, Starscream sent the Insecticons to rob a train carrying cash and bullion from the Denver Mint. Taking on a [[Insectrain|combined train mode]], they knocked the train off the rails and stole the money, although they didn't see the value in [[Gold|weak metal]] and sheets of paper. They delivered the stolen property to Starscream and Muldoon the following morning. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}} The Insecticons were later seen aiding in the construction of more Decepticons, including the [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], in preparation of the Decepticons' master plan. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}}

{{--}}
==Toys==
[[Image:G1Shrapnel toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Shrapnel, Shrapnel]]
===Generation 1===
* '''Insecticons''' (1985)
** [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
** [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
** [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]

: The Insecticons were sold in small boxed packages at the $6 price point in 1985 and 1986. They are [[Diaclone]]-origin toys, retaining the vestigial "cockpits" common to such toys. They are decorated in a standard color scheme dominated by black, with purple, yellow, and silver chrome hightlights.

{{-}}{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[Image:G1 barrage toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Barrage]]
* '''Deluxe Insecticons''' (1985)
**[[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
**[[Chop Shop]]
**[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
**[[Venom (G1)|Venom]]

: The four Deluxe Insecticons were originally designed by [[Takatoku Toys]] for the ''Armored Insect Battalion Beetras'' (''機甲虫隊ビートラス'') toyline, likely explaining their near-total absence from vintage Generation 1 fiction. They feature larger size and greater complexity than the standard Insecticons. Their color scheme is not unified.

[[Image:Action Master Bombshell.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Action Master Bombshell]]
* '''Decoys''' (1987)
** Bombshell
** Kickback
** Shrapnel

* '''Action Masters''' (1990)
** Bombshell

* '''e-HOBBY''' (2004)
** [[Salvo]]
** [[Shothole]]
** [[Zaptrap]]

: [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]]s of Bombshell, Kickback, and Shrapnel, respectively.

===Timelines===
[[Image:VirulentClonestimelines.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A Virulent Clone]]

* '''Descent into Evil''' (2005)
**[[Buzzclaw (G1)|Buzzclaw]]
**[[Dirge (Timelines)|Dirge]]

* '''Convention attendee bonus toys''' (2005)
** [[Virulent Clone]]

: All the Timelines Insecticons are redecos of the ''Beast Wars'' [[Buzzclaw (BW)|Buzzclaw]] mold, manufactured for [[BotCon 2005]].

===Universe (2008)===
* '''Insecticons''' (Commemorative Edition three pack, 2009)

:Includes the Insecticons Hardshell, Kickback, and Sharpshot. These are reissues of the original Insecticons Bombshell, Kickback, and Shrapnel.

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesperceptorhardshell.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The mind is his playpen, and now he's IN the playpen.]]
* '''Rodimus vs. Insecticon''' (Shrapnel, renamed due to trademark issues) (2007)
* '''Ironhide vs. Kickback''' (2008)
* '''Perceptor vs. Hardshell''' (Bombshell, renamed due to trademark issues) (2008)
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The exact meaning of the scene explaining the Insecticons' origin in the cartoon is not clear. Megatron says that the Insecticons' escape pod was launched "before [[Nemesis (G1)|our own ship]] crashed here millions of years ago". One might reasonably take this to mean that the Insecticons were aboard Megatron's ship; however, upon meeting Megatron a few scenes later, Shrapnel says to him "I don't know you", implying that they weren't aboard Megatron's ship. The summary of the episode in the [[production bible]] clarifies this, saying the pod "... was originally part of the Decepticon spacecraft that jettisoned away just before the Autobots and Decepticons crash landed on Earth".<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#072 Transformers Production Bible at Tfarchive.com]</ref> Guess Shrapnel was feeling conveniently forgetful-forgetful that day.
*The Insecticons' appearances in both ''The Movie'' and season 3 are the subject of much fan debate. In most cases, the Insecticons were specifically called for, by name, in the episode scripts, while conversely, the script for the movie did ''not'' specifically call for them to be recreated by Unicron, indicating that in actuality, it is the movie, rather than all subsequent material, that was at fault in its depiction of the fates of the characters. In attempt to make some sense of things, many fans turn to the Insecticons' cloning abilities for a possible explanation, suggesting it was either clones that were transformed, or clones that were seen later. Neither theory really works: only the original three Insecticons were seen during the battle at Autobot City, and the Insecticon clones had never before displayed any sentience (as did the Insecticons on Astrotrain prior to being jettisoned, and the Insecticons that were shown later on). The idea does provide a cute [[fanon]] explanation for the seemingly-endless supply of [[Sweep]]s, though.
[[Image:Beet-Papil.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Kickback would totally mack that.]]
* According to the data unlocked with their [[Cyber Planet Key]], the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]] have a connection to the Insecticons. What this connection is, however, is unknown.
* A fifth transforming robot insect, called Beet-Papil, was featured in the fiction surrounding [[Takatoku Toys|Takatoku]]'s ''Beetras'' toyline. Whether Takatoku ever meant to make Beet-Papil as a toy is uncertain, particularly since the line came out shortly before the company's demise. In addition to her, a transforming butterfly and firefly can be seen in some of the Beetras merchandise<ref>[http://diaclone.net/gattaioh/beet/beet7/index.html Beetras butterfly and firefly.]</ref> and designs for a transforming bee figure were found among a cache of Beetras concept art.<ref>[http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?1,163228 Beetras concept art.]</ref> Whether these would also have gotten toys had the company not bankrupted is unknown.
* Given that every insectformer in ''Generation 1'' is an Insecticon, it is perhaps interesting that one of the [[Micromaster]] [[Satellite Penitentiary inmates]] in the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|''Victory'' cartoon]] appears to have an insect altmode.
* The command structure of the Insecticons is a little... difficult to work out. Venom is considered the overall leader, yet has never appeared fictionally in charge of the group. Shrapnel seemed in charge in early appearances, and is confirmed as the leader of the trio in the Dreamwave continuity. However, Bombshell seemed to take over the role as the story progressed (he was easily given the most focus, a trait usually reserved for sub-group commanders); in Dreamwave it is suggested he is trying to take control away from Shrapnel and he is clearly the spokesperson for the team in the IDW continuity.
* Excluding a few storybook micro-continuities, the Deluxe Insecticons hadn't actually been depicted with insect modes in any fiction until ''Regeneration One''.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Insectron''' (インセクトロン ''Insekutoron'')
*''Hebrew:'' '''Harakrikim'''
*''Hungarian:'' '''Álcarovarok''' ("Decepticon-insects")
*''Italian:'' '''Mini-Insectors'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Insecticus''' (Brazil comic), '''Inseticons''' (Brazil comic)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://diaclone.net/gattaioh/beet/ Armored Insect Batallion Beetras at Diaclone.net]
* [http://www.toyboxdx.com/datafiles/data/takatoku2/beetras.php Armored Insect Batallion Beetras at Toyboxdx.com]

[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Insecticons| Insecticon (G1)]]
[[Category:Timelines]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]