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Nightbeat (G1)

2026-02-11T21:09:38Z

Friedpuppy: /* Transformers: Battle Tactics */ Grammar

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{{disambig3|Nightbeat}}
:''Nightbeat is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Spotlight Nightbeat cvrA clean.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|My mind's like an engine, racing out of control; a rocket tearing itself to pieces, trapped on the launchpad...''I need a case!'']]

'''Nightbeat''', a self-declared detective, loves mystery, suspense, and conspiracy. When Nightbeat is on the trail for clues, nothing else matters. Deny him information, and he'll doggedly pursue every possible lead until he's obtained it. This monomania has famously gotten him into trouble over his head more times than he can count, yet in the face of adversity, he remains cool, confident, and even irreverent. Over the course of his investigations, Nightbeat's wont to ignore rules, regulations, and any sort of social niceties. He has insulted creatures many times his size and committed huge faux-pas to uncover the truth. It is not so much that Nightbeat is brave, but more that, when the thrill of the hunt has him, he will not be denied.

Nightbeat has a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partner, [[Muzzle]], whom he gets along ''amazingly'' well with. The two seem to have been of one mind even before they were [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]].

{{bigquote|For me, it's all about the '''details'''. Look closely at something and it'll make sense. If it '''doesn't''', look '''closer'''.|Nightbeat|"[[Omega's Conundrum]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Sirennightbeatbigshutdown.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Nightbeat, I thought 'Truth is revealed in the smallest detail' is what you always say." "...Shut up, Siren."]]
''Shortly after being made a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and joining [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s crew on Earth, Nightbeat learned of a mysterious robot corpse which had seemingly washed up on the [[California]]n shoreline. He decided to investigate, bringing along [[Siren (G1)|Siren]] to serve as his personal "Watson". At the scene of the crime, they found a pair of Transformers hovering over [[Playback (G1)|the body]], and who quickly burned rubber once they spotted the Autobots. Sending Siren off to chase them down, Nightbeat pulled out the giant retractable magnifying glass in his sleeve and went to work collecting evidence from the body.''

''Finding a serial brand from a Decepticon prison on the body, and identifying a signature Decepticon [[cyclone cannon]] as the murder weapon, Nightbeat concluded that a lone, well-armed Decepticon was hunting down escaped Autobot prisoners. Siren returned at that moment, correcting Nightbeat's analysis by informing him the prisoners weren't escapees, but deliberately let loose as prey to be hunted down. His source? The surviving prisoner, [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]], and the lone, well-armed Decepticon named [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] who was right on their tails. Thinking quickly, Nightbeat had his Nebulan partner Muzzle binary-bond with the dead Autobot in order to partially reactivate his motor functions. Caught off-guard by his prey supposedly coming back to life right in front of him, Thunderwing left himself wide open when Muzzle disengaged and Nightbeat blew up the Autobot's fuel core at close enough range to send Thunderwing packing into the waves to dose the flames. Hosehead then returned to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] with Nightbeat and Siren.'' {{storylink|The Big Shutdown!}} {{storylink|Rage!}}

[[File:Nightbeatdeathbringer.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Get your head out of 1984, Prime!]]
''Optimus Prime was confiding in Nightbeat his desire to find a way to restore the warriors who were destroyed during the [[Underbase Saga]] when they received a distress signal from the Earth's surface. Nightbeat assembled a combat team that included [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], Siren, Hosehead, [[Getaway]], and himself, and under Optimus Prime's command, they rushed to Earth to help their fallen comrades. There they found the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]], who had come to cleanse the planet of life. Ironically, Deathbringer was powered by the energies of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], the very thing Prime had desired earlier to restore his fallen warriors! And it had to be destroyed to save Earth! While the rest of the combat team were getting slaughtered by Deathbringer, Nightbeat pulled away and consulted via comlink [[Waverider]] on the Ark. Through Waverider's information digging, Nightbeat learned that Deathbringers were mechanoids designed to give death painlessly to the terminally ill. Though this particular Deathbringer's purpose had been twisted, Nightbeat devised a means to use its own programming against it. Nightbeat clued Optimus in on his plan, and the Deathbringer was told that its own body was diseased, and that it should destroy itself. It did, leaving Nightbeat and Prime a hollow victory with questions about the true essence of the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

''Later, Thunderwing emerged from the ocean, intent on destroying Nightbeat, Hosehead, and Siren. To this end, he led his troops on a suicidal attack on the Ark, interrupting the Autobots' downtime in the process. As he helped repel the invaders, Nightbeat revealed to Siren that he had already begun suspecting that Thunderwing had survived their previous encounter. Despite his immense power, Thunderwing was no match for all of the Autobots aboard the Ark, and was soon repelled.'' {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}

[[File:Nightbeatincontrol.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|But what does he think about waterboarding?]]
During the Matrix Quest, Nightbeat led Hosehead and Siren on a search of the planet [[Pz-Zazz]] for any sign of the Matrix. Pz-Zazz was on file as a vibrant, lush world; in reality it was a cesspool, festering with mob violence and untamed decadence. While questioning the wrong sort of people, the Autobots were caught in the middle of a crossfire between B'hgdad's men and Gutt's boys. One alien on the street fared worse than they did, passing on a mysterious [[bird|bird statue]] to Siren before dying in his arms. Despite Nightbeat's keen interest in the clear film noir plot developing around them, Siren and Hosehead convinced him to put the bird aside and continue searching for the Matrix.

At the next bar they were canvassing, the Autobots were confronted by the delightful Miss [[Fatale]]. Fatale informed them of a legendary Font of Life which had once lit a nearby mountaintop. The sick and weak would pilgrimage to the mountain in order to touch a "sacred idol" and heal their wounds. She offered to lead them to the temple on the mountain in exchange for the bird, which she claimed was her property. Suspicious, Nightbeat sent Hosehead and Siren ahead to the mountain with Fatale while he retrieved the bird from where they had stashed it. Confronted by B'hgdad and his men, Nightbeat only managed to escape after chipping off a piece of the bird's outer enamel, revealing the radiant life-source within. Briefly considering keeping the bird as a replacement for the Matrix, to help heal all his comrades aboard the Ark, Nightbeat quickly rejected the idea and returned the bird to its rightful place on the mountain's altar, releasing waves of pure light and hope to revitalize Pz-Zazz and its people.

Then he got shot in the back. No good deed goes unpunished. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}}

Thunderwing and his [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] had gotten wind of Autobot parties searching this one area of the galaxy, and his curiosity was piqued. Hooking Nightbeat and the others up to his torturous [[Mind Leech]] device, Thunderwing extracted all he needed to know about the Matrix Quest and the possible planets on the search list. {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} The Autobot trio remained captives on board the [[Thunderwing's ship|Decepticon ship]] until Thunderwing backhanded his minion [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] into some equipment. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} This caused a short circuit which, unknown to the Decepticons, freed Nightbeat and his team. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} Learning that Thunderwing had successfully found the Matrix in their absence and was planning to sneak aboard the Ark in a stolen [[Ark shuttlecraft|Autobot shuttle]], Nightbeat and pals stowed away on the shuttle in the hopes of disrupting the Decepticons' schemes somehow.

[[File:Nightbeatmatrixguideme.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Stop writing our captions for us, Nightbeat.]]
The situation was worse than they thought. The Matrix was corrupted from a series of unstable hosts, and now had an evil sentience that had overwhelmed Thunderwing and made him a puppet to its will. With the combined forces of the Ark unable to best the Thunderwing / Matrix combo, Nightbeat devised a desperate plan. As Siren triggered the shuttle's self-destruct sequence, Nightbeat fired the ship's grappling [[harpoon]] straight through Thunderwing's chest and shut off the docking clamps, just as Hosehead turned off the [[artificial gravity]] in the hangar bay. The result was the shuttle being sucked out into the black void, taking Thunderwing and the Matrix along with it before exploding. Thunderwing was last seen hurtling through space, still harpooned to a piece of flaming debris. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:Nightbeateyeofthestorm.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|And a second gunman! On the grassy knoll!]]
Optimus Prime next gave Nightbeat an investigational assignment to look into the disappearance and supposed death of [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] in a massive explosion on Cybertron some months back. After reviewing witness statements and making a few leaps of deductive logic, Nightbeat reached the hypothesis that Ratchet may have been cast into a [[trans-time dimensional portal|dimensional portal]] they knew had been active at the time of the explosion and then been caught between space as the explosion destroyed the delicate portal mechanism. To test his theory, Nightbeat arranged for an inter-dimensional probe to search for and retrieve Ratchet's spark signature in [[unspace]], assuming it was anywhere to be found. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

It was. Nightbeat witnessed Ratchet materializing on the Ark, fused at a molecular level to Megatron in a horrific blending of two mechanoids, both in constant and indescribable agony. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] was more than willing to put the grotesque fusion down, but Nightbeat begged him to stay his hand. Upon explaining how the Ratchet/Megatron fusion had come to appear on the ship, Nightbeat was berated by Kup, who asked him if he didn't think their friend was better off dead than in his current state. The discussion on the matter was cut short by the creature tackling the Autobots into a nearby wall and then scampering off to cause havoc throughout the Ark. Nightbeat and the others tracked it down to the engine room, where Kup told Optimus that his recent unpopular decisions risked turning the rest of his crew against him. Optimus turned to the others for confirmation on Kup's statement, and Nightbeat couldn't bring himself to look his leader in the eye. Finding his resolve, Optimus managed to subdue the creature, and Autobot medic [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] took steps to separate the pair, who were then placed in stasis chambers. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}}

[[File:AllThisAndCivilWar2 NightbeatScorponok.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb|right|"If I'm to save the world, your existence must come to an end before you take office."]]
During the aftermath, Optimus Prime surrendered his forces, including Nightbeat, to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons on Earth, hoping to use his desperate action to unite both factions against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. This alliance was about to form when the entire Decepticon base imploded in on itself due to an attack from [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s small team of rival Decepticon forces. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Nightbeat survived this initial strike, and along with Optimus Prime and the other Autobots, emerged and tried to keep the new Decepticon Civil War from spreading beyond the area. Optimus charged himself and Nightbeat with keeping Scorponok specifically out of Manhattan. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} However, when [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s team of robot-fighting mutants, the [[Neo-Knights]] arrived, Nightbeat was the first to fall at the hands of the psychotic [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. As the fighting neared its end, and the alliance began to form again, [[Primus]] teleported the Earth-bound Transformers to Cybertron; Nightbeat's antenna was in contact with the Neo-Knight's helicopter, accidentally bringing them to Cybertron as well! {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

[[File:Nightbeatsnapdragon.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|left|Oh no! Muzzle!]]
Once on Cybertron, Nightbeat, able to stand up again, watched as Primus spoke through [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]], telling "his children" of their origin and their charge to defeat Unicron. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Once Unicron arrived, the alliance was put to the test, and Nightbeat was among several Autobots who utilized [[sky-sled]]s in their attacks on the Dark God. He was annoyed at both Siren's and Hot Rod's reckless abandon when they joined in on the attack, but all three managed to survive this cataclysmic battle. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

Nightbeat nailed both an Autobot and Decepticon logo on the wall of their fragile alliance's headquarters {{storylink|Still Life!}} and joined the Autobots in their delayed evacuation of Cybertron. As they headed for [[Klo]], he urged [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] to cool down and save his bring-a-prick for the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} Unfortunately, the Decepticons were aware of the Autobots' surprise attack, and all but five Autobots were destroyed. [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] kicked a head away from Nightbeat's remains. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

{{note|It can be assumed that Nightbeat was revived along with the other casualties by the [[Last Autobot]].}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
When the Decepticons took control of the [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] on [[Hydrus Four]], Nightbeat joined a commando unit of Autobots to infiltrate their position. Their first obstacle was [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]], but luck was on their side. The Decepticon tracker was looking to kill something, and bent waaaaay over the water trying to skewer a fish. Nightbeat just had to give him a tiny nudge, and Fangry fell over into the waiting arms of the Autobots hidden in the murky water. The rest of the surviving Decepticons were defeated in short order afterwards, bringing an end to the Cybertronian civil war. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Nightbeat was present when Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots against the joint Decepticon leaders Shockwave and Megatron, who had tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. Nightbeat was hit by a laser, causing him to transform into [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targeting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Attack at Dawn}}

Recordings of the attack on Alaska, along with Optimus Prime reviewing Nightbeat's characteristics to Bumblebee, were used in a wayward simulation experienced by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 15|Memories of Bumblebee}}

Nightbeat was among the Autobots who fought to safeguard the nuclear arms at [[Nevada Alpha]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Save Nevada Alpha}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|right|We hate you, Furman, forever.]]
Nightbeat worked on a computer console as Optimus Prime and Megatron observed some data on the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. When [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian army]] attacked the base, Nightbeat's console exploded, sending him flying across the room. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Tales of Earth Part Six}}

He later appeared among the Autobot forces just long enough to sacrifice himself futilely against the Swarm, self-destructing alongside [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]. Moments later, Megatron showed up with the [[rheanimum]] that could have saved him. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Nightbeatsirencheapshots.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Detective by trade, but moonlights as a babysitter.]]
When the war ended with the Decepticons' defeat on Klo, Nightbeat initially accepted [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s offer to search the galaxy for [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his scattered troops. However, Nightbeat soon tired of this mission and left. He and his former [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] partner [[Muzzle]] were put back on track when Optimus hired them as his personal investigative agents, but they quickly found themselves stifled by military authority, and struck out on their own. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|''Classics'' Muzzle profile}} They teamed up with [[Siren (G1)|Siren]] and his partner [[Quig]], and afterwards picked up [[Lug (G1)|Lug]] from [[Nebulos]] {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|''Classics'' Lug profile}} The group was afterwards joined by a new [[human]] recruit, [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]]. [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] became part of the gang when the two intoxicated Dinobots burst in on one of their sting operations. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|''Classics'' Slag profile}}

[[File:Nightbeatcheapshotsnoggin.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|right|You'd lose the ears, too, if you hung out with Siren.]]
Nightbeat's crew once had to <s>set their ship down on the planet [[Azure]] for repairs</s> crash their ship into the only repair bay on Azure equipped to repair their ship, and they were stranded there for the interim. After a barroom brawl, Nightbeat found that he was a person of interest to a potential client, a sentient ship named ''[[Amory]]''. ''Amory'' required the services of Nightbeat and his team in finding her pilot, [[Phyrion]]. However, the entire arrangement was a setup put together by the Decepticons [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] and [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], who had assembled an alleged "new [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]" by promising payment to [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] and [[Stranglehold]] for their assistance. Ruckus wasn't very smart, however, and had brought his hostage with him. The Decepticons were brutalized and Phyrion was returned to ''Amory''. Regretting her involvement, ''Amory'' paid the Autobots for her services, plus she chipped in for a new head for Nightbeat, as his was damaged during the battle. Despite their short run-in with good luck, Nightbeat and his crew were still stranded on Azure without a working ship. In the meantime, surely someone was in need of a detective... {{storylink|Cheap Shots}}

Nightbeat and the rest of the crew eventually set up an official "Nightbeat and Associates" agency for hire. {{Storylink|At Fight's End}} Nightbeat and his team managed to survive the destruction of [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|their universe]] and ended up in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Epilogue}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Zero unit the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|"I'm afraid we're not going to get much help from the Batcomputer, Robin. It can't go back to prehistoric times."]]
When "[[Primus]]" set [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] adrift in [[Zero Space]] he witnessed a series of events that could spell the end of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] including Nightbeat and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] battling the [[Dark Matrix]]-infected [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]]. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} After becoming Rodimus Prime, he formed Nightbeat and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] into the "[[Zero Unit]]", a group tasked with finding the cause of the Zero Effect around.

Working out of [[Ops-Command HQ]], the Zero Unit decided that out of the four disparate strands of the Zero Effect, their time would be best spent investigating the missing Senator [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], realising that as a prominent Cybertronian he would most likely have had offworld dealings. They sent bulk pulsewaves to any mech civilisations that might have encountered him asking for information but received nothing back in reply until they launched a probe... and suddenly Jhiaxus's entire fleet materialised in the skies above Cybertron! {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

Rodimus returned to the [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]] to consult with Nightbeat, Bumblebee and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. They cautioned against making any aggressive moves, instead advising the Autobot leader to meet with Jhiaxus at the [[Eugenesis Plaza]] where he could be covered by snipers nearby. The Zero Unit monitored the situation as Prime took the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] leader to [[Nova Point]] to continue their conversation in "private", moving in along with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] the moment diplomacy went out of the window and Jhiaxus turned violent. Nightbeat directed [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to attend to the casualties while he, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] dug out their leader. Appraising Prime of the situation, he noted that the Zero Unit had managed to capture a large amount of data during the Cybertronians' visit and had perhaps come up with a way to hurt them, convincing Rodimus to take the fight to the enemy. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}}

[[File:Nightbeat the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"To the Beat-Mobile!!"{{-}}"You mean your Chevy?"{{-}}"...Yes."]]
Along with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and Bumblebee, Nightbeat landed at area 59, subdivision 17.4, branch 5: Z-9-#J-4 of the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]] and using telemetry from the probe they had launched and structural analysis of the Hub itself, he postulated that striking a key link of the superstructure—with the warhead yields synchronised with the local frequency harmonics—would cause a chain reaction, destroying the whole network. While the Autobot ships ''[[Lancer One]]'' and ''[[Lancer Two]]'' launched the warheads successfully, Jhiaxus had anticipated this entire strategy and taken steps to protect the Hub. He then sent his troops to retaliate against the invading Autobot forces, forcing Rodimus Prime to surrender. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}

Locked up in the [[Corral]] and forced to watch their comrades being arbitrarily executed, Nightbeat and the rest of the Autobots were eventually freed when Rodimus Prime took advantage of the distraction afforded by the [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]/[[Underbase]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]/[[Ark (G1)|Ark]] hybrids. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}

Upon their return to Cybertron they found that it was a ghost planet, populated by energy-draining [[shadow-leech]]es that Nightbeat quickly surmised were deadly to the touch after they sucked the lives out of [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] and [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. As Rodimus Prime headed into Zero Space to confront the leeches' Dark Matrix master, the rest of the Autobots secured the [[Star Chamber]] where Nightbeat deduced that the situations unfolding on [[Earth]] and [[Nebulos]] were also part of the Dark Matrix's plan and dispatched teams of Autobots via [[space bridge]] to deal with them. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Nightbeatageofwrath.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|''War Within'' Nightbeat transforms into Roger Clemens.]]
One of the few remaining Autobots battling the Decepticons during the [[Age of Internment]], Nightbeat was leader of a strike team consisting of Hosehead, Siren, [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], and [[Getaway]]. They were tasked with acquiring a member of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] for [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to study and, hopefully, find some sort of defense against. Using Getaway as a decoy with the rest of the team hiding under a [[null-field cloak]], they managed to lure three of them into a trap at [[Nova Cronum]]. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}} After the first two drones were destroyed, the third simply shut itself down. As Nightbeat discussed the best course of action with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], he approached it with an [[inhibitor claw]] - only for it to suddenly reactivate and slam Nightbeat against a wall, temporarily knocking him out of commission. Nightbeat revived shortly afterwards but was helpless to stop the rampaging drone, which was eventually put down by Getaway. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.3}}

{{Unreleased WW comic}}

Nightbeat and Getaway brought the inert drone to Perceptor, who discovered upon analyzing it that it was powered by cyberstatic energy. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}} When Optimus finally returned to Cybertron, Nightbeat and Perceptor brought him up to date with their current situation. Under his leadership, the Autobots were able to overthrow Megatron and thwart a Quintesson invasion. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|''[[Spotlight: Nightbeat|Transformers Spotlight: Nightbeat]]''}}

[[File:Nightbeat quark maccadams post hoc.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Quark finds out that his role of Dr. Watson has been recast for Hardhead.]]

'''Nightbeat of [[Yuss]]''' {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]. He was among the first of the first wave of constructed cold Cybertronian brought online. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} He desired to solve one of the "Big Three" mysteries, finding [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], finding the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark-1'']] or determining the purpose of [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s alternate mode. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}}

Four million years ago, Nightbeat was a hostage negotiator with an interest in political news. He disapproved of the [[Clampdown (event)|Clampdown]] and watched the early Decepticon movement with interest. Nightbeat was sharing a drink outside of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's New Oil House]] with his friend [[Quark]] when they discovered the body of Senator [[Sherma]] hanging from the underside of the [[Sherma Bridge|Interstate Bridge]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}}

Years later, Nightbeat was assigned by [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] to work a hostage exchange with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] and [[Alpha Trion]]. They were attacked by [[Slicer (group)|Slicers]] on the way there and Nightbeat was consistently annoyed by Alpha Trion's nebulous platitudes. The whole thing turned out to be a trap set by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to capture Alpha Trion. Nightbeat and the others managed to get away while Orion Pax covered their escape. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}}

After the war officially began, Nightbeat was part of the [[113th Battalion]] and took part in a massive battle against [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]]. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

[[File:Nightbeat The Hunting Party.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Some time after Metroplex's departure from Cybertron, Nightbeat, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] were in space pursuing [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Empirion|ship]] from a distance, trying to put a stop to them despite being outnumbered and outmatched. When Bludgeon found a remote asteroid with a small civilization of [[Urtuskian]]s and his troops attacked the outpost, the Autobots intervened to save as many lives as they could. Nightbeat was left on the asteroid's surface while Jetfire took care of the Decepticons' shuttle, and Bumblebee pursued Thundercracker down a tunnel. Though tired after having been through a long day, Nightbeat warded off the Decepticons until they broke off their attack. With their ship destroyed, Nightbeat and the others found themselves stuck on the planetoid for an unspecified amount of time. Thankfully, this was another of those "Bumblebee makes a friend" stories, as Nightbeat put it, and so they had hospitable hosts until they were rescued. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}}

Decades ago, [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] was tried by [[Aequitas]] for several crimes as [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], [[Solomus|Chief Justice Tyrest]], [[Xaaron]], Nightbeat, and others watched in disgust and/or intrigue. They decided that the records of the trials would be sealed until the final verdict was reached, for fear of the damage the information about the trials would do to Autobot morale and potential for Decepticon propaganda usage. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}} Nightbeat also participated in the infamous [[Magnus Inquiry]] in [[Room 113]] of the [[Kimia Facility]], where High Command investigated allegations that "[[Gideon's Glue]]", the substance which brought such devastation on Flame's original troop on [[Babu Yar]], had been created originally by an Autobot. The investigation was ultimately inconclusive, and no formal charges were filed. {{storylink|Bullets}}

At some point Nightbeat was talking with Rewind, who recorded what he said. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

[[File:SpotlightNightbeat NightbeatKrakon.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Nightbeat, star of CSI: Kalis.]]
Nightbeat, passing the time by trying to answer the mystery of the first ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', went to meet with a mechanoid trader named [[Krakon]], only to find him dead by unknown means. Nightbeat followed the clues that the late Krakon (and his killers) left behind and was lured into an apparent trap on [[Gorlam Prime]]. He found a strange dimensional portal deep beneath the world, but got captured by an [[Straxus (G1)|unknown villain]] before he could tell anyone. They put something in his head, erased his memory, and then sent him back out into space. Shortly thereafter he was contacted by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and ordered to head for [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}}

Nightbeat was one of the many bots surprised to hear of Blaster's miraculous return. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Aboard ''[[Ark-32]]'', Nightbeat arrived in Earth orbit with [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] in tow just as Optimus Prime and his troops were confronting [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] head-on in the breakaway Soviet state of [[Brasnya]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} While his two rather over-eager companions headed to the surface, Nightbeat remained aboard the ship and provided intel for the Autobots below. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}}

Planetside, Hot Rod succeeded in carrying out his primary mission, the capture of the Decepticons' [[Facsimile construct|facsimile avatar]]. Anxious to re-join the battle, he requested Nightbeat to send him through a double orbital bounce—transporting him up to the ship just long enough to drop off his captive, then returning to the planet. Nightbeat was rather bemused at the thought of the thrill-seeking Hot Rod abandoning a combat zone, but complied. At that instant, though, [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] arrived and attacked Hot Rod. Nightbeat reported back to [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] that Hot Rod was in a [[CR chamber]], and the facsimile—injured by flak—had expired. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

[[File:Nightbeat-devastation1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|I can bluff my way through anything, he thought, even Pictionary.]]
After [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]]'s disappearance, Nightbeat began investigating the sequence of events that led to his capture. Examining the [[SM-40]] Notepad stolen by [[Verity Carlo]], he discovered a homing device that had allowed Sunstreaker's unknown assailants to discover the underwater location of ''[[Ark-19]]''. Nightbeat ordered [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] on a scouting mission along the shores of [[Lake Michigan]], where Bumblebee discovered a great deal of advanced surveillance equipment. Deducing that ''Ark-19''’s location was compromised, Nightbeat advised Optimus and Prowl to move the ship immediately. Nightbeat handled navigation chores as the ship lifted off. Unfortunately, the Decepticon [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] attacked shortly thereafter, sending ''Ark-19'' plummeting to Earth. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}}

Per Optimus Prime's order, Nightbeat transferred the damaged ship's data to ''Ark-32'', then moved with the other Autobots to the ship's cargo bay shortly before it crashed into the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and self-destructed. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}}

Nightbeat and the others survived, however {{storylink|Devastation issue 3|Devastation #3}} and while the other Autobots battled Sixshot, Nightbeat attempted to activate the orbital bounce abilities of the ''Ark-32''. After a few Autobot injuries, Nightbeat was able to beam them up to the ship, along with [[Jimmy Pink]] and Verity Carlo, who nearly died during the bounce. Optimus Prime stayed behind to battle Sixshot alone, but once Sixshot left the battle, Nightbeat also evacuated Prime seconds before an air strike by the U.S. military. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}}

Afterward, Nightbeat studied the telemetry [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s unit sent on [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]]'s death. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} After examining the data, Nightbeat observed that it was as though a virus of unlife had attacked and destroyed every living cyber-cell in Leadfoot simultaneously, in a fraction of a [[Units of time|nano-klik]]. While it was something he had never encountered before, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he had forgotten something important, as if his memory had been tampered with. Seeking inspiration to jog his memory, he went down to the hangar of ''Ark 32'' where his personal ship was stored. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}} Nightbeat soon found out that he logged a message about his trip to Gorlam Prime, which he had no recollection of. He asked Hardhead to help him with his investigation. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

[[File:Nightbeatexecuted.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Watson had finally had enough of Holmes' lip.]]
Discovering a large part of his memory missing, a worried Nightbeat realised someone may have tampered with him and asked Hardhead to accompany him to Gorlam Prime, with orders to terminate Nightbeat if he turned. Upon arrival, they found the entire planet frozen. Nightbeat theorised that the planet was evolving somehow, from organic to techno-organic... to something like Cybertronians. His musings were interrupted by a force of small Transformers. As Hardhead held them off, Nightbeat found some kind of tunnels leading down to a strange cavern. There, losing control of himself, he turned his gun on Hardhead and [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] revealed himself to be in control of the Autobot. After providing some background on their plans, Jhiaxus, as Nightbeat, shot Hardhead in the head. However, he had not counted on Hardhead's resilience, and the Autobot escaped to the strange pool that served as a portal between the living and Dead universes. Jhiaxus attempted to persuade Hardhead into accepting a quick death over pointless resistance, but as he did so, Hardhead suddenly shot Nightbeat. As the Autobot died, Jhiaxus screamed, revealing to [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] that their agent was gone. Nemesis considered that he was now forced to take Nightbeat's mission as his own: Find and kill Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

However, thanks to the Dead Universe, Nightbeat wasn't as dead as he seemed. Kept alive by its properties, he was dragged into the other universe, unbeknownst to Hardhead or anyone else, including the fabled Necrobot. But his brush with death left Nightbeat feeling that there was no [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]], no life ''after'' death. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}}

[[File:FinestHour-Nightbeat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|Probably sounds like Benedict Cumberbatch.]]
Nightbeat would eventually reappear 7 years later, following Orion Pax's group when they entered the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}} He later appeared to the group after [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] started to leak strange fluids from his face. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} He then proceeded to convince them of his reliability by recounting the [[Spotlight: Hardhead|circumstances of his death]]. He then performed a cold-reading of Cyclonus and reassured him that [[Tailgate (G1)|his friend]] would recover, though the stoic Tetrahexian did not remotely approve of being read without consent. He then lead the group to the contraction point of the Dead Universe.

All of this turned out to be a ruse on Nova Prime's part to lure the team into a trap, with Nightbeat still being a sleeper agent. {{storylink|Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour}} He was then left by Nova to protect the containment field that Pax's team were trapped in. He was briefly broken out of Nova's control by the contents of [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]]' palm just before Nova Prime arrived. {{storylink|No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|No Exit}} He was then ordered to take the group to a separate cell where he explained that Nova was planning to use their [[spark]]s to strengthen the [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|space bridge]] at the center of the Dead Universe.

He was fully broken out of Nova's control by Rodimus asking him to ask him the solve the mystery of what was in his palm, Rodimus knowing Nightbeat would never be able to resist a mystery. He then set them free from the cell. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} He then led the team through the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] horde to the chamber holding Kup and was there when Nova Prime arrived. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} He helped the others keep the Sweeps busy while Orion Pax fought Nova Prime and reclaimed the title of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

However, the team still had more problems as the Dead Universe was rapidly contracting around them and the Gorlam Prime portal was nowhere to be found. Nightbeat found a miniscule tear in the fabric of the universe which the group used to send a transmission through to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} The group escaped the Dead Universe in time to save [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], via [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]]'s chest. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Unfortunately Nightbeat, Cyclonus and Kup started to collapse due to the destruction of the Dead Universe, but Brainstorm managed to stabilize them. He later explained to Rodimus how the group managed to escape the Dead Universe: by creating a Space Bridge from Nova Prime's corpse. He also explained to Brainstorm why he had a space bridge in his chest, he was later interested in how Rodimus had gotten the ''[[Lost Light]]''. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:WordsHangInTheAir-Nightbeat.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Nightbeat's door is too cool for the silent K.]]
Nightbeat later joined the crew of the ''Lost Light''. Before Megatron's trial took place Nightbeat exposed [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]'s "crew auditions" as fake due to the fact that Ultra Magnus would never allow them to be advertised as "Crewditions". He was also present at Megatron's trial on Luna-2. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Toward Peace}} Six months later, Nightbeat was among the group given a tour of the ship by [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]]. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} He later joined [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] in trying to get [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] to leave his hab suite (number 208) and was instead intrigued by the number 8 being missing from the door. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Toward Peace}} Chromedome approached the detective to investigate a sudden change in the content of [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]'s [[The Gloaming|message]], Nightbeat was quick to blame the change on the mnemosurgeon's grief (as the message had returned to its normal content) but quickly changed his mind when he saw Rewind himself standing in the doorway to the room. On the way back to Nightbeat's quarters the detective explained that he had seen a [[data ghost]] of Rewind due to the little 'bot's function as an archivist, but Nightbeat was shocked to find that the walls of his quarters had disappeared! {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}} As part of "Team Rodimus" Nightbeat was called in to investigate the dead body of a duplicate Rodimus. When Rodimus came to the conclusion that hacking off his right arm was the best way to proceed, Nightbeat stopped him. He reasoned that the body was not Rodimus' future self due to the Crisis Vote missing from his right hand. However, Rodimus revealed he had removed the results from his hand due to a talk with [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], only to be ignored as the wall in the room disappeared. When the entire ship began disintegrating Nightbeat and twenty other bots crammed into the new [[Rodpod]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}}

[[File:TwentyPlusOne NightbeatMagnoGlass.jpg|upright=1.8|thumb|left]]
Rodimus issued an order that everyone was to regroup at [[Ofsted XVII]]. [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] then suddenly disappeared, followed by [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], Chromedome, Hound, and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]. [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] then made his presence known and was knocked out by Megatron. Nightbeat dedicated himself to finding a pattern linking those who had been taken. Inspired by Cyclonus, he put forward the theory that those who were taken were all Forged. The theory seemed to be accepted by the [[M.T.O.]]s present, only for Ratchet to point out several in the room were Forged and a few taken were constructed cold. Ultra Magnus eventually made contact with the Rodpod via holomatter and informed them everyone else had disappeared on the [[Leading Light]], only for he himself to disappear mid-sentence. Nightbeat then requested all the information on the crew, trying to find the common denominator. It was only when [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] revealed that he was '''not''' on board the ''Lost Light'' when it first launched did Nightbeat make the connection. Everyone who disappeared was part of the original crew. Megatron was not amused and scolded him for failing to save anyone. Nightbeat, rattled, tried (badly) to suggest that it still counted that he'd worked it out.

Shortly after the Rodpod arrived at Ofsted XVII and found a bisected ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Boarding the ship, the Autobots released Ravage to use his tracking ability. Ravage eventually found a dead Ultra Magnus, or rather [[Minimus Ambus]] stripped of his armour. Skids identified that Magnus had been killed by a [[fusion cannon]] and Megatron and Ravage were locked up by the Autobots at Megatron's request. Nightbeat and [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] made their way to the engines to try and stop the leakage of quantum foam. The two began to discuss the strangeness of recent events and began to bond in the process, Nautica eventually came across Brainstorm's [[Time case|briefcase]]. Opening it they found nothing - failing to notice local space-time warping around them. Eventually they came to stairs leading to a lower deck, despite them being on the lowest deck. There they found [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]]'s headless corpse, Nightbeat realized who had attacked the ship and when he called his crew mates they all realized that the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] were responsible. Nautica, however, refused to leave until they had searched the entire ship for survivors, despite Megatron arguing there would not be any. Ravage however soon detected Rewind hiding in the [[Magnus Armor]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}}

[[File:Slaughterhouse2-BeneathBrainstormsFaceplate.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2|"Oh yeah? Then what is THIS?"]]
Nightbeat's being alive, combined with a ''female'' Nautica and an ''Autobot'' Megatron proved too much for the alternate Rewind, who began whimpering and offered a data slug to Nightbeat to explain what happened. While he analyzed it Nautica realized that the ''Lost Light'' undergone a quantum duplication at launch, creating an exact copy just as valid as the original. Nightbeat confirmed this, saying the Rodimus they had found in the coffin was from this ship and had died during the [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] fiasco. Drift interred him and someone (according to Rewind ''deliberately'') deactivated Overlord's cell, luring the D.J.D. to the ship. Nautica proposed deactivating the engines as the foam would destroy Ofsted XVII and theoretically restore their ship. Rewind offered to deactivate one of the quantum drums but would need someone of equal size to deactivate the other. The Autobots went to find the [[mass-displacement gun]] that their Brainstorm invented, in the hope the alternate one had also built one, in order to shrink someone down to help Rewind. While there Nightbeat and Nautica theorized that the alternate Rewind and his altered message appeared on their ship due to cross-contamination. They concluded that their ship disappeared because of how close it got to the alternate one, the paradox being too massive to ignore. Nightbeat then made the startling discovery that Brainstorm had a Decepticon insignia painted in his faceplate and that made their Brainstorm a spy! When they could not find the gun, Megatron offered to shrink himself down and help Rewind. The drums were deactivated and the Autobots blasted off in Rodpod with the alternate Rewind in tow. Nightbeat and Nautica theorized over how Rewind survived the quantum erasure, with Nightbeat joking it was the "Power of Love". Nautica then asked him to explain how he managed to hold onto the alternate Brainstorm's briefcase. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}

It turned out the briefcase was actually part of an intricate time-travel machine. Nightbeat immediately went to work studying it, until [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] borrowed it. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

[[File:TheSensuousFrame NightbeatGetawaySurrounded.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|Nightbeat and Getaway in- ''The Case of "'''HOLY $#%&, WHAT THE $#%& ARE THOSE???'''"'']]
A few days later, the ''Lost Light'' set down on [[Scarvix]]. While wandering the ship, Nightbeat nearly got hit by Tailgate joyriding about on a [[hoverboard]]. Shortly thereafter he was present at Brainstorm's hearing at the hands of the [[Lost Light Internal Legal Affairs Committee]]. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}}

When Rodimus summoned the entire ship's crew to make the momentous announcement that they'd actually accomplished something, Nightbeat and Nautica were some of the last to actually arrive, something Nightbeat felt was cool. It turned out Thunderclash was dying, and the entire crew had been invited to his pre-wake on the ''Vis Vitalis''. Once there, Nightbeat was one of the four people present who didn't dance at all. Eventually, feeling judged by everyone else, he decided to borrow [[Nautica's wrench]] and go off for a snoop, brushing off Nautica's attempt to introduce him to her ''Amica Endura'' Firestar. He soon stumbled upon Getaway having a lie-down, and tried to fake concern at him. This was interrupted by a manic Ravage running past, babbling about "them" being "everywhere". Following him into the morgue, Nightbeat wasn't interested in the bodies contained within, until he looked over [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]]'s corpse and found it was covered in hundreds of throbbing pustules, which were also growing on Getaway. Almost immediately, the two found themselves surrounded by strange shambling creatures. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}}

[[File:FrailGaze-survivorsclub.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.0]]
The creatures did not appreciate Nightbeat trying to determine how they'd managed to remain hidden, and attacked him. Fortunately, Ravage appeared to drive them off, and at Getaway's suggestion they fled the morgue, though not before Nightbeat took a moment to study [[Photon (G1)|Photon]]'s corpse. The three soon met up with everyone else who'd ran into the creatures at the same time. Nightbeat began examining everyone, and found the creatures had already gotten to Skids, though he was confused as to why they seemed drawn to some people and not others. It was thanks to Firestar pointing out those people all had charismatic traits that finally clued Nightbeat in on what they were: [[personality tick]]s. Nightbeat had always dismissed these as a myth, but he worked it out from Firestar burning a black diamond, which could only be found on the planet the ticks originated on, that he was sorely mistaken.

He had an idea to kill the creatures, summoning the most charismatic people he knew of to kill them, but before he could implement it, the ticks attacked again. As the motley crew fought the ticks, they suddenly perished at the arrival of Rodimus and Megatron, baffling Nightbeat, since he hadn't had a chance to summon them. Turned out some other bunch of people had already come up with the idea and done it themselves. Afterward, Nightbeat attended an Earth Dance party at Swerve's, where he contributed to the dancing by tapping his foot. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}}

[[File:Luther, Bender, and an engineer walk into a bar.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|"Surprise! I actually sound like Idris Elba!"]]
When Swerve disappeared suddenly and was found half-dead, it was Nightbeat that worked out how the bartender had been using a [[Holomatter|holomatter avatar]] to appear in public for him while he wasted away. Everyone went on a massive rescue effort on the hologram planet of "[[Swearth]]" in human avatars, with Nightbeat working with Rodimus, Nautica, and Megatron. While there, he rebuked Megatron for commenting that humans were fragile, believing the man was calling them weak. {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}} It turned out the cause of Swerve's ailment was an old injury, inflicted during an encounter with the D.J.D. many years ago. When Velocity examined the wound, she found a message from Agent 113, which included the location of the Necrobot's homeworld. Naturally, the investigative Nightbeat leapt at the chance to "explain" that, and joined the expedition. When the ship landed, Nightbeat spotted the Necrobot at the front door of the vast structure he lived in, only to get the door slammed in his face. This did not deter Nightbeat, who made it clear he wouldn't leave until he got answers.

[[File:TheNotKnowing NightbeatHope.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4]]
So the Necrobot opened the door and ushered him in. As they walked and talked, he was surprised to find the Necrobot (aka [[Mortilus|Censere]]) could talk, and was old. Old enough to remember [[First Cybertronian Civil War|the ''first'' war]]. Nightbeat expressed profound disappointment that the Necrobot wasn't in fact magic, that he was just a "phony" using technology to track death, rather than what Nightbeat wanted: proof of life after death, proof he hadn't gotten after his headshot back on Gorlam Prime, which was causing him a severe amount of distress. However, Censere countered that just because there wasn't proof of the Afterspark didn't mean there ''wasn't'' either. Then Nightbeat asked why the Necrobot had let him in. It turned out it was because Nightbeat's unusual manner of death had made him a mystery, one of the disappeared. Learning of the list of the disappeared, Nightbeat examined it, and found the name of [[Dominus Ambus]], something he showed to a depressed Rewind. Later, as the crew prepared to leave, Nightbeat asked whether Censere would've saved him, had he been able to. When he was told he wouldn't, Nightbeat suggested that maybe the ancient 'bot should try saving those still living in the future. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

[[File:HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds NightbeatWill.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"Maybe you can, I dunno... fit a little man in there or something."]]
At some point, Nightbeat was approached by [[Getaway]] and/or [[Atomizer]] and asked whether or not he would stand with them in a mutiny against Megatron. Responding in the negative, Nightbeat's memories of the event were then erased via [[nudge gun]]. Nightbeat later attended one of Megatron's lectures on the [[Knights of Cybertron]] where the class theorized about the clan markings they'd seen in their travels before Megatron, the victim of a psychic attack, punched Minimus Ambus across the room and dismissed the class. As part of [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]], Nightbeat got volunteered to go on a mission to discover the cause of the attack. The group found themselves back on [[Necroworld]] with Censere having been brutally murdered. Accessing the logs, Nightbeat found the signal was beamed to the ''Lost Light'' but Censere deliberately corrupted it to try and scare off the crew. Eventually making contact with the ship, they found Getaway had led a mutiny against Rodimus and Megatron and the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] was knocking at the door. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

With the D.J.D. due to return at sunset, Rodimus gave orders to search the fortress for anything useful. Nightbeat found a teleport chamber that had just enough power to teleport them all to safety before Nautica and Velocity revealed the existence of organics in life-support pods. As the group began to debate their actions, Megatron announced he was staying behind and made a passioned speech that convinced the group to stand and fight. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|The Sun in Flight}} With death seemingly assured, Nightbeat recorded a will asking that his head be preserved but that the rest of his body be burned, in [[neoprimalism|neoprimalist]] tradition. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

[[File:DoNotGoGentle NightbeatRungGeobomb.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
As Brainstorm measured Minimus for a new suit of armor, Nightbeat literally begged him for a chance to investigate the mystery of Necroworld's hollow interior in the hopes that solving one last mystery could save them all and promising to return before sunset. Taking [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] with him, the two briefly stopped off to take part in Nautica's [[Amica Endura]] ritual, in which the Camien boat thanked Nightbeat for his curiosity. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} Despite his earlier promise, the internal gravity played havoc with their internal clocks and Nightbeat and Rung were gone long past ''sunrise''. As they emerged onto the center of the hollow world, Nightbeat revealed to Rung how long they had really been gone before the psychiatrist pointed out the inverted pattern of the [[Vinvissius Canals]]. The two realized that Necroworld was the mould that Cybertron had been poured into before the moment was ruined by a [[geobomb]] suddenly teleporting in. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

[[File:AWorldMisplaced BrainstormNightbeatSquees.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Nerds.]]
After "very nearly" being teleported back to the surface, Nightbeat ran to Rodimus and explained his findings along with the geobomb's seemingly harmless detonation. With a group ready to return to Cybertron, Minimus ordered Nightbeat to keep an optic on [[Anode]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} Nightbeat passed the time by analyzing a flower dedicated to people [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] had killed before Rodimus called with news that caused Brainstorm to squee and do three laps. Taking over, Nightbeat was informed that they were in a [[Functionist Universe|parallel universe]] causing him to squee and do three laps. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

Seeking to break Rung out of his funk, Nightbeat invited the doctor to a sit-down. Rung soon revealed that [[information creep]] caused him to forget much of his past, including his ability to produce [[photonic crystal]]s. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} With all three mysteries now lost to him, Nightbeat devoted himself to finding out if there was life after death. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}}

[[File:TheGodWar NightbeatAscends.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Nightbeat tends [[End of the Road! (US)|to die]] [[A Rage in Heaven!|at the]] [[Spotlight: Hardhead|eleventh hour]].]]
After returning to their native reality, Nightbeat was part of the group welcoming back Rodimus's team. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}} He later talked with Brainstorm about the science of how they'd made it home. Nightbeat then boarded [[Skip (IDW)|Skip]] to leave Necroworld. {{storylink|After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|After Megatron}} Aboard the cramped ship, Nightbeat sequestered himself in a small corner and had drinks. {{storylink|Sardines}}

When the ship started to collapse as the mass displacement override wore off on Skip, Ten (of all people) guided the crew through the [[Warren]] in effort to reach a [[Mederi]] facility so as to seek aid for Ratchet. While they managed to access the quantum structure, the crew was forced to bail out mid-transit, their bodies being ravaged by super-compressed space. Nightbeat then found himself in the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]], the realm turning him melancholic at his failure to solve any of life's great mysteries, even the one he had set himself. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}} As the group continued to explore the Afterspark, Nightbeat continued to mope until he spied a trail of photonic crystals and followed them back to the hovering Matrix. In doing so, he belatedly realized that Rung had not needed to transform to produce the crystals, meaning their production could not have been his alternate mode's purpose. As he continued to gather them, he eventually worked out what Rung actually turned into but before he could share his discovery with anyone, his sheer joy at solving one of the Big Three mysteries caused him to "ascend" on the spot, {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}} never learning that the "Afterspark" was nothing more than an elaborate hologram created by the telepaths on the original Mederi, a moon-sized euthanasia clinic that the crew had accidentally wound up on. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
An ancient [[Titan Master]] as well as a skilled detective, Nightbeat helped crew the massive [[Titan (group)|Titan]] robots as they explored the universe near the dawn of time. His special spark gifts which he carried out to the friendly worlds they met and was able to share with any robot he joins with were enhanced tracking abilities. Upon returning in modern times he joined up with the Autobots. {{storylink|#TitansReturn|''Titans Return'' Nightbeat online bio}}

===Legends World===
[[File:LegendsManga BonusEdition42 Minerva Verse.jpg|thumb|left|100px|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr-Lw11xO6U -I'm Barry Allen -I'm Barry Allen]]]

Nightbeat was a [[human]] resident of the [[Legends World]] and that universe's version of [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]]. When Minerva appeared in the same world, Nightbeat figured that if they were the same person, she could become a [[Masterforce (technology)|Masterforce]] warrior too. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 42|Bonus Edition Vol. 42}} She succeeded thanks to a pair of prototype [[Master-Brace]]s provided by [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], who hired her services to solve the mysteries surrounding the Masterforce system. As part of their partnership, Rewind collected data on the subject by having her Master-Braces mass-produced, temporarily creating an army of Headmasters identical to her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 28|Bonus Edition Vol. 28}}

[[File:Legends be vol 42 nightbeat.jpg|thumb|200px]]

When [[Axalon Trading Company|Autobot Axalon Trading Company]] began building a new [[Godbomber]], Nightbeat believed it held a clue and used her similarity to Minerva to infiltrate their base and copy Godbomber's blueprints. Caught in the act, she revealed her true identity as well as the fact that she was working with [[Decepticon]]s despite them only wanting to use Godbomber for evil. They stole Godbomber and finished construction thanks to [[Tera-Kura Co.|Decepticon Tera-Kura Co.]], and when they learned it needed a Headmaster to function, she took the spot to test her Masterforce abilities. Impressed by the power Godbomber granted her, she tested herself further by taking on and easily defeating [[Ginrai (human)|Super Ginrai]] before another Godbomber showed up, controlled by its own Headmaster. It combined with Ginrai into God Ginrai, who defeated Nightbeat and explained that Godbomber itself was a Master-Brace that connected humans and robots through [[Chōkon Power]]. Realizing that Master-Braces served to bridge organic and robotic life to create a new type of lifeform, Nightbeat declared the mystery solved and was delighted that Godbomber's technology could be used for the [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] project. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 42|Bonus Edition Vol. 42}}

Nightbeat continued helping the Decepticons with Trypticon, even charming [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] into lending a hand. She participated in the Decepticons' attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], controlling [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]]'s transtector for him while his head component sneaked in and stole Metroplex's [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]]. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}} She was among the world's Masterforce warriors when they all joined forces to defeat [[Devil Z]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Grand Maximus}}

After the Legends World was destroyed, Nightbeat watched on as the Autobots, Zamojin, and Legends refugees restored the universe. She was one of several people whose wishes were channeled through [[White Leo]]'s [[MVP Weapon]] to aid in the recreation. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The Change In Your Nature Part One|''Transformers'' #13]]}}

When [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] returned to Cybertron, he cracked down on policing, sending ''every'' [[Security Operations]] member to root out [[the Rise]]. Kicking down the door to a drug den, Nightbeat requested calm and to be directed to [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]'s squad from the [[War of the Threefold Spark]]. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part One}}

[[File:Prowl, Nightbeat & Green.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Nightbeat visited a brooding [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], seeking his old colleague's help. He commented on the unimaginative name Prowl had picked for [[Green|his pet]] and told Prowl that Security had a new lead on The Rise. Soon, Nightbeat had cadets [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]] and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] observing as Prowl forcefully interrogated [[Singe]] to shake loose some information. Singe's tip-off led them to [[Swindle's]], with the illegal gambling den possibly having ties with The Rise. Nightbeat let Prowl form the plan to infiltrate Swindle's and look for evidence of Rise activity, waiting outside as Bumper entered alone and scouted the place. After Bumper was rumbled by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], Nightbeat and the rest busted in and chaos erupted. Nightbeat was taken out when [[Whisper (G1)|Visper]] rammed into him in jet mode, but recovered just in time to help Prowl apprehend and prepare to interrogate [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]]. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}}

After Sentinel Prime convened a [[Senate]] session to denounce the [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] faction, Nightbeat stood on guard outside the building facing a massive crowd, and watched them part to allow [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his fellow Ascenticon senators to approach. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}}

Following the start of the Decepticon uprising, Nightbeat was among those who accompanied [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to the [[Forge Pyramid]] and helped defend it against a Decepticon attack. {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} Nightbeat later evacuated [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with the rest of the Autobots after Optimus Prime's parlay with Megatron failed. {{storylink|War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness}}

Nightbeat took part in the defense of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] when the Decepticons launched an attack to prevent the Autobots from leaving the planet. The Autobots succeeded in launching the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and headed to the [[Winged Moon]] to plan their future out among the stars. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:NightbeatTV.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Feel the beat of the rhythm of the Nightbeat.]]
While being driven by [[Muzzle]] on the surface of an unidentified planet (with [[Siren (G1)|Siren]] and [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] at his side), Nightbeat transformed into [[robot mode]]. Shortly thereafter, three [[Decepticon]] Headmasters burst through a wall, and Nightbeat engaged [[Horri-Bull]] in battle. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Small Headmasters|Small Headmasters Commercial}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Early in the war, Nightbeat, Orion Pax, and Alpha Trion escorted the Decepticon prisoners Rack'n'Ruin towards a prisoner exchange. After encountering Slicers and fending them off, the group met with Bludgeon, only to be ambushed by the Decepticons. In the confusion, Alpha Trion was captured, only to be later rescued by the combined efforts of Nightbeat and Orion. {{storylink|Orion's Gambit}}

Nightbeat teamed up with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] to investigate when a suspicious pattern emerged in a string of Decepticon victories. They eventually uncovered [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s infiltration and sent the Decepticon and his tapes packing. {{storylink|Covert Operations (Legends)|Covert Operations}}

Nightbeat and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] were dispatched from the ''[[Lost Light]]'' to explore a distant planet. There they met a group of Decepticons, and joined forces with them to battle their mutual foes, the [[Ammonite]]s. Though several Ammonite attacks were thwarted by the alliance, soon differing opinions caused infighting in the group. Eventually, both the Ammonites and the Decepticons were defeated, and the two Autobots returned to their spaceship. {{storylink|Into the Abyss}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsNightbeat.jpg|thumb|right|400px|His objective here is to find out what is the purpose of these battles.]]
Nightbeat participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character that could be recruited by collecting 75 units of Cybermetal, 35 units of Transmetal, and 20 soldier cores. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
A self-appointed detective, Nightbeat and his Headmaster partner Muzzle served as Optimus Prime's personal private eye. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1Nightbeat toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Too cool for [[Playskool]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Nightbeat''' (Headmaster, [[1988]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Muzzle" Headmaster driver, seat/helmet, "[[plasma blaster]]" rifle, left & right "[[photon pistol]]s"
{{toydesigner|[[Tetsuya Ikeda]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Richard Marcej]] (packaging)}}

: Released in the fifth year of the original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' toyline (fourth year in the European line), Nightbeat transforms into Porsche 959. The roof is hinged and can be opened to reveal an interior that can seat a Headmaster in their humanoid mode; for the smaller fifth-year Headmasters, a secondary "seat" is required to keep the Nebulan from rattling around. In vehicle mode, he can also attach his rifle on his roof, and the smaller twin blasters on his hood.

: In [[robot mode]], Nightbeat has a flip-down panel on his chest which covers a spring-loaded mini-[[Tech Spec]] meter which gives readouts for Speed, Strength and Intelligence when a Headmaster in head mode is plugged into his neck socket; Nightbeat's readouts are all on a single plate unlike the prior year's toys' individual tumblers, and will show the same ratings regardless of what Headmaster is attached.

: Nightbeat comes with his Nebulan Headmaster partner [[Muzzle#Toys|Muzzle]].

: In Japan, this mold was [[redeco]]ed to make the [[Headmaster Junior]] [[Minerva (human)#Toys|Minerva]], then later offered without changes (and in Hasbro packaging!) as "Minerva Nightbeat" in a [[Robot Point]] mail-away offer.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/Nightbeat/nightbeat.htm More information on Nightbeat at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPATD311042&id=O6IoAAAAEBAJ&pg=RA1-PA4#PPA2,M1 Nightbeat's patent on Google.]''
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Nightbeattimelinestoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your...]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Nightbeat''' (Deluxe, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Missile launcher, missile, radar
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Moore]] (concept artist)}}<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The other of my first 2 proposals was Nightbeat from Energon Hot Shot. This one went through bigger changes when they went with it, as they wanted it for the Shattered Glass line. But it's fun to compare the concept to final here.|link=https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370248868307345408|site=Twitter|name=Joe Moore|year=2021|month=03|day=11}}</ref>

: A [[redeco]] and [[retool]]ing of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Energon|Hot Shot]], Nightbeat transforms into a modified {{w|Aston Martin Vanquish}}. The new head is based on the character model's head (by which we mean [[Siren (G1)|Siren]]'s with some nods to the toy-Nightbeat's, see Notes below), but is missing its "ears" thanks to clearance and production timing issues. He can carry a transparent spring-loaded missile-launching weapon in either mode, and features a small Autobot [[spark crystal]] on his chest on which [[Energon star|Energon chips]] can be mounted. Like nearly all other Autobots in the ''Energon'' line, he can [[powerlinx]] with like-designed toys to form the top or bottom of a super robot.

: He was one of two 2008 [[Fun Publications]] "[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]" exclusives. He was originally announced to be available by [[BotCon 2008]] in April, but after multiple delays, preorders finally went up months later on [[August 27]], 2008, with a release date of "within four weeks" of September 30, 2008.

: This mold (with the original head) was also used to make "[[#EnDxEn|Energon Hot Shot]]", and the new-head version was used to make ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Nightbeat (SG)#Toys|Nightbeat]].

::*''[https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370248868307345408 Designer commentary on ''Timelines'' Nightbeat from Joe Moore on Twitter]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFCCNightbeat/nightbeat.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Nightbeat at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnhbeRLlVnI Promotional YouTube video for ''Timelines'' Nightbeat, featuring lots of spinny-spinny]''
{{EnergonHotShotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-Nightbeat.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Why is he not a retool of Jazz? That's a mystery for ''[[you]]'' to find out.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Nightbeat''' (Deluxe, [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''Series / Number'': '''02 / #020'''
:*''Accessories'': 2 blasters

: Part of the tenth wave of 2012-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' Nightbeat is a retool of ''Thrilling 30'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#T30Deluxe|Bumblebee]] with a new head, transforming into a muscle car that resembles a fifth-generation [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Ford Mustang|Ford Mustang]]. He comes with two blasters which peg via [[5 mm post]] into his hands, forearms, and rear vehicle sides, and can also combine into a large weapon. The new head is designed to feature [[light-piping]], but is painted over on both the front and back in red, thus rendering the [[gimmick]] useless. Some units have shins that are glued into place so that they no longer move laterally during transformation.

:[[File:GenerationsNightbeatJazzvsBumblebees.jpg|thumb|upright=.66|left|One of these is not like the others.]]
: He comes packaged with a copy of "[[Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9]]", in which Nightbeat appears in the background of a single panel.

: Evidence indicates that a different sculpt was originally intended to be redecoed into Nightbeat for this release: In January 2014, Japanese online retailers Red Mercury and eToysJapan (among others) listed preorders for the wave containing Nightbeat, [[Windblade (G1)#Generations|Windblade]], and [[Jhiaxus (G2)#Generations|Jhiaxus]], making this the first official confirmation of Nightbeat and Jhiaxus. The images used for Nightbeat depicted a retool of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)#RTS|2010 ''Reveal the Shield'']] [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Special Ops Jazz]] with a new head sculpt and spotlight accessories.<ref name="redmerc">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/generations-2014-deluxe-wave-4-is-jhiaxus-nightbeat-and-windblade-179062/ TFW2005 news story] on the Red Mercury preorders for Nightbeat, Windblade and Jhiaxus.</ref> In addition, the [[package art]] for the Nightbeat toy itself, i.e. the cover of the [[pack-in material|included]] [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comic, ''also'' depicts him in the 2010 Jazz body,<ref name="botcon2014">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2014-hasbro-transformers-figure-display-photos-180437/ Nightbeat and other ''Generations'' toys on display] at BotCon 2014.</ref> suggesting that the decision to use the Bumblebee sculpt instead was made at a very late point in the development process.

: Nightbeat was redecoed into ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Goshooter#Generations|Goshooter]], and the mold was separately retooled into ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Carzap (BT)#Toys|Carzap]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenNightbeat/nightbeat.htm More information on ''Generations'' Nightbeat at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
{{note|The [[Punch (G1)#Kre-O|Punch]] [[Kreon]] [[Micro-Changer]] is inexplicably named "Nightbeat" for reasons we cannot discern. See Punch's page for details.}}
{{-}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TitansReturntoy-Nightbeat.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Nightbeat in "The Mystery of the Disappearing Bodies!"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Nightbeat''' (Titan Master, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Titan Master mini-vehicle
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

: Part of the first wave of individually-packed ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Titan Master]]s, Nightbeat transforms from robot to a head based on the original Nightbeat toy's. In this mode, Nightbeat can serve as the head of any ''Titans Return'' Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader Class figure. He also features ports in his feet that allow him to peg onto a wide variety of ''Titans Return'' figures. His blue plastic matches the colored plastic used by [[Blurr (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Blurr]] and [[Topspin (G1)#Titans Return|Topspin]].

: Nightbeat is packaged with a small vehicle that can transform into three modes: a jet for Nightbeat to ride, a drill-tank formed by combining with Nightbeat, and a 5 mm drill weapon for larger figures. His head has a tendency to get stuck, causing it to pop off at the neck when removing him. The shape of the tank's back end also makes inserting him as instructed somewhat awkward. A solution to both problems is to insert him into the slot with his head mode face pointing up, rotating the body, and then finally folding the legs in place.

: As with most Titan Master vehicle accessories, care must be taken with the gun mode's handle: the handle fits tightly in many 5 mm-compatible closed hands, and combined with the handle's lack of metal pin running through the joint, removing it by force causes the handle to pop out of the joint. Also, most of the units had a problem with the legs not folding down neatly in head mode due to the tolerance of the side panels on the legs.

: Nightbeat was originally designed by [[Emiliano Santalucia]] as a new character, and sported an original head-mode design. Between the promotional render and the final product, the plastic color of Nightbeat's shins was changed from yellow to blue. His face is also a more orange-y yellow than the brighter yellow plastic, while his eyes are dark orange instead of blue.

: His vehicle was redecoed as [[Moguru#Toys|Moguru]] and packaged with ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Chromedome (G1)#Legends|Chromedome]]. His head mode served as the model for [[Soundwave (BW)#e-HOBBY comics|Soundwave]]'s head in several [[e-HOBBY]] comics. Nightbeat, along with Skytread, was also re-released as part of the fourth wave of Titan Masters alongside Shuffler and Repugnus. Nightbeat's main body was later retooled into [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Legends|Ghost Starscream]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRNightbeat/nightbeat.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Nightbeat at TFU.info]''
{{TRNightbeatMold}}
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG28-Nightbeat.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm an evil blonde.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Rewind & Nightbeat''' (2016)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''LG28'''
:*''Release date'': [[September 24]], 2016

: Released in the fourteenth wave of [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' toyline, Nightbeat is a redeco of the above ''Titans Return'' figure, only now ''extensively'' painted to get both modes closer to the original toy's... though the priority is on the head mode's deco, resulting in blue and black arms rather than yellow, giving her the black "antennae" look on the sides of her noggin.

: She was only available in a small set packed in with [[Rewind (G1)#Legends|Rewind]].
{{TRNightbeatMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:Nightbeatsirenswappedheads.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Top row: toy Nightbeat, toy Siren. Bottom row: comic Siren, comic Nightbeat.]]
*In Nightbeat's [[:File:Transformsfromracecartorobot.jpg|toy packaging photography]], Muzzle's legs are blue instead of the final black, and the flame stickers on Nightbeat's doors are different. This early flame design made it into [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Nightbeat Nightbeat's ''Universe'' profile art] and, as a result, into some Marvel Comics stories.
*For their [[character model]]s, the face/Nebulan and helmet/seat pieces of Nightbeat and [[Siren (G1)|Siren]] were inexplicably switched. (It is difficult to tell for sure, but they may have kept the correct antennae/guns judging by the basic shapes involved.) This switch gave comic book Nightbeat the "shades" he's remembered for, as well as the crest on his forehead, while comic book Siren ended up with his trademark combined brow/nosepiece. Likewise, the model sheet for Nightbeat's car mode has Siren's antennae guns on the hood. Nightbeat and Siren's guns are even swapped on the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxHU63O9ApQ&ab_channel=walruslaw commercial]. How or why this switch happened, and in what stage of development it occurred, is unknown.
*He was depicted with his own toy's head (for the first time) in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath]]''. Nightbeat's appearances in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comics retain the Siren face design, but inside the Nightbeat helmet. In [[Fun Publications]]' "[[Cheap Shots]]", his appearance is based on his new toy, whose head is based on Siren's face and helmet.
[[File:Nightbeatchests.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Where'd he get that extra boob?]]
*Another Nightbeat visual oddity is the large difference between the design of his toy's chest and of the character model's chest. While the toy's chest is an asymmetrical shape with one "boob" and a "tummy grill" not unlike Optimus Prime's, the character model gives him a concave octagon which symmetrically houses two hollow boxes. Where did this design come from, and why is it the only thing on his character model, other than the swapped head, that departs from his toy design?
*Due to his asymmetrical chest details, Nightbeat's original [[package art]] is noticeably flipped horizontally, putting his "boob" on the right instead of the left. Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[:File:Nightbeatg1.jpg|profile art]] of him, seems to have been based on the boxart's flip, as well as IDW's material for a long time. In ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]'' [[Devastation issue 6|#6]], IDW's Nightbeat chest is symmetrical, mirroring the half of his chest with the "boob," giving him an approximation of the made-up Marvel Comics/character model chest — but in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]", it's back to the asymmetrical design again.
*Nightbeat has worn the trenchcoat and fedora on occasion. [[:File:MarvelUK-230.jpg|Sometimes]] the artist remembers he has very tall shoulders under there, [[:File:MarvelUS-62.jpg|sometimes not]].
*In the (hilariously bad) [[Omni Productions|dub]] of ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]] is called "Nightbeat."
*At [[BotCon 1997]], [[Simon Furman]] was asked why he killed Nightbeat in ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]''. He said:
{{bigquote|I don't have a good answer for you... It was too easy to say, I'll kill off all the incidental characters, all the ones I don't like. It sort of added to the bigger picture by ... some of the favorites got it in the neck as well... It's like, say [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] or something died, it's like.. Who cares? I do like Beast Wars as well... it was too easy to just knock off 'B' characters...}}
:Suffice to say, Furman wasn't very familiar with ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' at the time.<ref>[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/nightbeat/index.html Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About NIGHTBEAT at builtstlouis.net]</ref>
*A "dinner mystery theatre" starring Nightbeat was planned for [[OTFCC 2004]], with Optimus Prime as the murder victim. Instead, the Transformer theme was shelved and attendees were subjected to [[DEATH BY CHOCOLATE]].
*Quite bizarrely, the Chinese and Korean release of the original toy had a sticker depicting [[Shūta Gō]] on the box; conversely, Minerva was on the box for Siren. Don't believe us? [http://web.archive.org/web/20140317164832/https://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/NightbeatKoreaStickerMISB1.html Here's your proof].
*Nightbeat's [[holomatter]] avatar in [[The One Where They Go to Earth|''More than Meets the Eye'' #43]] is based on {{w|Idris Elba}} as the eponymous Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in ''{{w|Luther (TV series)|Luther}}''.
[[File: Earth Wars Night-beat Minerva.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*In the mobile game ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'', [[Minerva (G1 robot)|Minerva]] would receive a purchasable skin in the form of "Night-Beat Minerva". However since this skin is specifically meant to evoke her Generation 1 [[Minerva (G1 robot)#Nightbeat|mail-away exclusive redeco]] (aka the the functionally unmodified Nightbeat toy [[#The Transformers|discussed above]]) it is not treated as an appearance of the man himself on this page.
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Nightbeat''' (ナイトビート ''Naitobīto'')
*''French:'' '''Veilleur''' (Canada, "Watcher")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Éjvadász''' ("Night Hunter")
{{--}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Nightbeatg1.jpg|Dreamwave profile art
File:TFCC-Classics-Nightbeat-profile art.jpg|''Timelines'' / ''Classics'' profile art
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/nightbeat/index.html Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About NIGHTBEAT]

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Dead Universe]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Disappeared]]
[[Category:Fan Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends World humans]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:Variable gender characters]]
[[Category:Variable species characters]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]

Fires of the Past

2026-01-14T14:50:58Z

Friedpuppy: /* Transformers references */ Minor grammar

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=3
|image=Vehicons Fires of The Past.JPG
|caption=Larry, Curly, and Moe.
|title="Fires of the Past"
|season=1
|season ep=3
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[October 2]], [[1999]]
|written by=[[Marv Wolfman]]
|directed by=[[John Pozer]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Stymied time and again by his Maximal foes, Megatron brings three new Generals online.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Fires of the Past Maximals archives.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm telling you, Optimus, they were all out of bananas.]]
A fleet of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] [[Tank Drone]]s roll towards the [[Cybertron Archives]]. A hiding [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] watches in horror as the tanks open fire, seemingly without provocation, on a [[Optimus Prime memorial|statue]] of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] holding a pair of [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disks]]. The tanks continue their barrage on the Archive center itself as Blackarachnia runs back to the rest of the hiding [[Maximal]]s, who are there searching for clues to what happened to the missing Cybertronian population. [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] makes it out of the Archives, revealing that he's found... absolutely nothing. The Archives have been deleted in their entirety.

[[File:Fires of the Past Blackarachnia dream.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|In the jungle, the mighty jungle...]]
[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] howls in rage, while a spying [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] chuckles to himself that he's starting history over; everything prior to his reign is now simply a rumor. Inside Megatron's control chamber, a [[Diagnostic Drone]] assures him that he has been "purged" of whatever organic traces remained in him that caused his outbreak into [[beast mode]] in the previous episode. More Tank Drones appear to attack the Maximals, and Optimus orders yet another retreat. During the battle, Blackarachnia is knocked out by a blast and has a vision of a beautiful sunset-lit forest. In her dream, she falls into a chasm, but is saved by a mysterious silhouette.

In the waking world, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] is carrying the woozy Blackarachnia away from the battle while Optimus draws the Vehicon fire. Rather than simply taking cover behind a building, he climbs straight ''up'' one while dodging more shots, and the accumulated damage causes the building to topple on the Tank Drone fleet, destroying almost all of them while Optimus leaps to safety. (Optimus planned it that way. Seriously.)

[[File:Fires of the Past Megatron sparks.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Nope. Totally won't come back around to bite him in the ass.]]
Megatron is so enraged at this turn of events that he loses all control and again reverts to his dragon form, disconnecting from the control armor. He becomes further enraged when he realizes he ''still'' hasn't been cured of his bestial tendencies and takes it out on the Diagnostic Drone with some fire breath. Collecting himself and returning to robot form, he ponders why his elite army of drones is still unable to capture four rogue Maximals. The only reasonable answer is simply "free will", so, Megatron pulls out three [[spark]]s from an enormous bank of stored sparks...

Back at the [[underground amphitheater|Maximal hideout]], Optimus chews out the rest of the Maximals for their sloppy battle performance. Blackarachnia has another vision of Silverbolt while pretending to listen to Optimus' angry lecture, and so she decides to sneak off to the [[Central Spaceport]]. As she reaches the spaceport, she realizes that Rattrap has tailed her. Before Rattrap can get her to explain why she's out there in the first place, they are attacked by three Vehicons. Unfortunately, these three are no Drones—each Vehicon has a spark of their own! They are [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]], a wisecracking Aero Drone General, [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], a smoldering Cycle Drone General, and [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], a Tank Drone General, whose only distinguishable personality traits are being very angry and stupid.

[[File:Fires of the Past Blackarachnia Rattrap records.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"See, I told you the Omega-Delta shuttle toy came with six figures."]]
The three Vehicons pretty much blow up everything around Rattrap and Blackarachnia. Blackarachnia loses concentration and reverts to beast mode, so she and Rattrap scurry off. Neither of them yet realize it, but doing so saves them—the Vehicons are unable to detect them on radar while in beast mode. Getting inside the spaceport control building, Blackarachnia accesses the aerospace records, finding the records of the [[Autobot]] shuttle they came to Cybertron on. She discovers that the ship was shot down by Cybertron's own automated defense systems and that there were six of them on the ship, though their memories of the missing two Maximals are hazy. Blackarachnia then plans to get to the ship itself to find its own backed-up data files.

[[File:Fires of the Past Blackarachnia ship computer.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Come on, Neo, get off the other line!"]]
The Vehicons again attack, having locked onto Blackarachnia's Maximal signature, and she and Rattrap are again forced to flee, with Blackarachnia heading for the Autobot Shuttle and Rattrap simply heading home (he's had enough of being shot at for one day). As the Vehicon generals pass by, Rattrap realizes that the Vehicons are unable to track him while he is in beast mode. He scampers off to warn Blackarachnia. Megatron decides to call off the Vehicon attack once he realizes where Blackarachnia is headed, planning to tap into her mind when she accesses the Autobot ship's computer and find the Maximal base through her.

Blackarachnia successfully links up with the Autobot computer. She finally realizes that there ''were'' originally six Maximals aboard the shuttle, and the two missing Maximals are none other than [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]! She can't get much further before Rattrap cuts her off. Realizing that Megatron is planning to download Blackarachnia's own memory files, the two rig the shuttle to blow to prevent Megatron from finding out the location of their hideout. The Vehicons resume their attack, and Optimus Primal and Cheetor save the day by crashing through a skylight. They hold them off just long enough to escape before the Autobot shuttle explodes. Optimus is, in a word, steamed that his teammates needlessly endangered themselves, losing their only chance at filling in the gaps in their memory. There's not much that can be done now, and the Maximals retreat to their hideout.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (2)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (4)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (5)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]
|c2=
*[[Tank Drone]]s (1)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] (7)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (8)
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (9)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"How is this possible? My battle drones are models of technological perfection. They possess superior firepower and manoeuvrability, and yet they are continually defeated by a small pack of lowly beasts. Why?" 
"Free will?" 
"Hmm, interesting notion."
:—'''Megatron''' and the '''Diagnostic Drone''' discuss the recent losses.

"Three mindless drones shouldn't be a problem." 
"Only three things wrong with that little theory: One, we're not drones, two, we're not mindless, and three, problem's my middle name."
:—'''Blackarachnia''' is introduced to '''Jet-Problem-storm''' and the new Vehicons.

"This is Captain Jetstorm speaking. Please feel free to move about the tarmac, and flee for your ''miserable little life!''"
:—'''Jetstorm''' enjoying himself way too much.

"They blew us out of the sky?" 
"Yes, stranding all six of us." 
"Why, those lousy— six?! Get real, Webs—if there were six of us then why don't we remember the other two?"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Rattrap''' learn that their memories have been tampered with more than they realise.

"Well, well, well. Your situation exactly matches your location: TERMINAL!"
:—'''Jetstorm''' finding Rattrap and Blackarachnia.

"Now just stick to beast mode and those Vehicon goons will never find us! ...Unless they happen to be standing right here in front of us."
:—'''Rattrap''''s plan has one minor flaw.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:bm_megatron_transforming.gif|right|thumb|Don't even ask where his tail goes.]]
* The animators avoid directly showing Megatron's unveiled [[robot mode]] out of its control harness—in the previous episode, we barely see him transform, in this episode, any clear shot of it is partially obscured either by fast action or back-lighting. We do, however, see that his "cloak" is made up of his wings that would ordinarily arch out of his back in robot mode. Watching in slow-motion more clearly reveals however that the irregular design of his dragon wing "membranes" completely morphs shape between frames to become the long, even strips that make up his cloak.
* Also, although visible for barely a split-second in the previous episode, we now get a better (albeit still fleeting and incomplete) look at his robot mode mid-transformation, and the fact that in this state Megatron's [[character model]] entirely lacks the new metal-plated texture seen on his dragon mode. His barely-glimpsed robot mode under his "cloak" is the same model and texture used from the final episodes of ''Beast Wars'', and does not match the currently frankensteinian state of his dragon skin when fully transformed.
* The tank drones advancing on the Maximals in the opening have their cannons on the wrong side in some shots, due to the shots being mirrored.
* When the Diagnostic Drone taps on its hand-held device to replay the footage of Megatron's dragon form, its fingers clip through it.
* The Drone and its gadget get charred when Megatron breathes fire on them. A moment later, they're clean again.
* During Optimus' "I failed my people once..." line, his body turns low-res.
* Rattrap's resting his foot on air when he asks Blackarachnia why she's staying in 'bot mode.
* After Tankor first transforms into robot mode, the sky texture jumps position between frames, albeit barely noticeably.
* Rattrap's body becomes low-res in a handful of shots during their clash with the Vehicon generals.
* When we see the Vehicons through the pipes, Thrust's model is low-res.
* After the computer notifies the generals that it doesn't detect Maximal signatures, there's a dark "aura" of sorts on Jetstorm's jet-head.
* After Optimus and Cheetor break in through the glass ceiling, all the shards just vanish.
* When Blackarachnia puts her arm around Cheetor, it actually clips through him.
* During Primal's little outbreak of temper at the end, the shadow that he casts on Cheetor freezes as soon as he walks out of frame.
* As Optimus transforms back into his [[beast mode]], Cheetor's legs are all messed up, their parts clipping into each other.

===Continuity errors===
* Optimus Primal seems very insistent on Blackarachnia reverting to beast mode despite not knowing the reason why she ''should'' until much later in the episode.
* Why would a Diagnostic Drone be so grossly inaccurate when he told Megatron that his organic purging was complete? He even chalks up the mistake to "random residual biological—", right before being blasted by Megatron's ''extremely'' biological beast mode.
* Since it's already clear that the Maximals are amnesiac, Rattrap's claim that they would remember their missing team members is a little inaccurate (but, then again, they did remember each other on the previous episodes).

===Continuity notes===
* Beginning with this episode, the Maximals have taken up residence at a ruined [[underground amphitheater]] that serves as their headquarters for roughly the first-third of the series.
* The Autobot shuttle is the same vessel that carried the triumphant Maximals off of prehistoric [[Earth]] in "[[Nemesis Part 2]]". It gets a [[Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta|proper name]] here.
* Blackarachnia's vision seems to be set on prehistoric [[Earth]], where she was essentially "born".
* When Blackarachnia logs into the ship's computer, we get some brief glimpses of the Maximals in their Season 3 ''Beast Wars'' bodies. But why were the Maximals running around in their Season 1 bodies on returning to Cybertron? Hmm...
* Optimus is extremely distraught over his perceived failure to stop Megatron, becoming much harsher on his troops than in the past. This won't come back to bite him at all, will it?
* Gadgets and powers:
** In robot mode, Blackarachnia can throw explosive discs of webbing.
** Cheetor's two scimitars can be hooked together and thrown like a boomerang.

===Transformers references===
[[File:Statue rockandrollhalloffame.jpg|right|thumb|He won the spelling bee by correctly spelling "[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]]" and "[[Latolata|Rartorata]]".]]
*A [[Optimus Prime memorial|giant statue]] of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] holding two [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disks]] stands in front of the [[Cybertron Archives]]. Writer [[Bob Skir]] claims that neither the statue nor the golden disks in its hands were mentioned in the script. However, he suggested that they were either the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|disks]] from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080614012630/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Tue_12_Oct_1999.html Q&A from Bigbot's "bobskir.com"] (archive copy)</ref> We're betting on the latter.

===Real-world references===
*Jetstorm refers to Rattrap and Blackarachnia as "Beasties", a reference to the Canadian name for ''Beast Wars''.

===Trivia===
[[File:Fires_of_the_past_Silverbolt_head.jpg|thumb|right|He needs an eye doctor more than he needs screentime.]]
* Starting from this episode, Blackarachnia's webs are green instead of blue.
* While Megatron is looking at computer screens, text in the Predacon version of the [[Cybertronix]] [[Cybertronian language|language]] appears. Among the messages are such gems as "these flowers taste funny", "we are the mcanimators from mcmainframe", "smoke some ganja", and "if you can read this seek help".
* If you pause at the right time (or have a really good eye), you can kinda see that Silverbolt has eye pupils. And they look ugly!
* Though he says it much less frequently than in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', this episode marks the first time Megatron utters "Yesssss", though in a much less hammy, more sinister manner than before.
* Tankor, Jetstorm and Thrust's personality traits are the exact opposites of the characters whose sparks they possess. Instead of being kind of dense and chivalrous like Silverbolt, Jetstorm is sarcastic and sociopathic. Instead of being a gentle genius, Tankor's a violent idiot. And Thrust is slick and cool, instead of being... well... Waspinator. Comments by Waspinator and Silverbolt in [[The Catalyst|later]] [[In Darkest Knight|episodes]] would reveal they were aware of what was going on and ''enjoyed'' being completely different people, both personas apparently being fantasies of theirs. This didn't seem to apply to Rhinox.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les Feux du Passé'''" ("The Fires of the Past")

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Spur in die Vergangenheit'''" ("Trail to the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 4]], [[2000]]
::The dub contains a handful of mishearings and other goofs. For instance, Megatron says "there is merely one ''ruler''" instead of "it is merely a ''rumor''", Jetstorm's command code "afterburn" becomes "After her!", and an off-screen Thrust says a line in Tankor's voice. But these technically still make sense in context and don't stick out unless one knows the original dialogue.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fuochi del passato'''" ("Fires of the past")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ai no Shirushi'''" (愛の古傷, "The Scars of Love")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13]], [[2004]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Jìyì zhī Huǒ '''" (记忆之火, "Fires in Remenberance")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Demony Przeszłości'''" ("Demons Of Past")

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fogos do Passado'''" ("Fires of the Past")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fuegos del Pasado'''" ("Fires of the Past")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Returns'' — Volume 1 ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Geneon Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2006 — ''Beast Machines: Transformers'' — The Complete Series ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Season One: Volume One ([[Sony]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Season One: Volume One — Reformatting (Sony) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Complete Season One (Sony) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2009 — ''Transformers: Beast Machines'' — Intégrale Saison 1 (Sony) — French audio only.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

User:Friedpuppy

2026-01-11T23:49:07Z

Friedpuppy: fixed grammar (oh, how ironic)

I have been a user of this wiki for... well over a decade now. I guess I should give back and fix minor grammar issues and things what bug me. First Transformers show was Cybertron. My favourite Transformer is G1 Marvel Skullgrin, because he's an idiot and I love him.

Am I doing this right?

User:Friedpuppy

2026-01-11T23:48:20Z

Friedpuppy:

I have been a user of this wiki for... well over a decade now. I guess I should give back fix minor grammar issues and things what bug me. First Transformers show was Cybertron. My favourite Transformer is G1 Marvel Skullgrin, because he's an idiot and I love him.

Am I doing this right?

Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime

2026-01-10T21:56:56Z

Friedpuppy: /* Foreign localization */ fixed foresadowing to foreshadowing

{{episode
|series=Headmasters
|ep=3
|image=Doubleprime.jpg
|caption=Music by [[Stan Bush]]-san.
|title="Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime"
|japanese=夢のダブルコンボイ誕生
|romaji=Yume no Double Convoy Tanjō
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|airdate=[[July 17]], [[1987]]
|writer=[[Yoshihisa Araki]]
|director=[[Masao Itō]]
|animation studio=Toei
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''With the missing Matrix recovered, the race is on to return to Cybertron and secure the Autobots' control of the planet.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:HM3 Cyclonus don't hit me.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Hey macarena! Ay!]]
While [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] search for the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] in the final possible location, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] arrives at the [[Decepticon Earth Base (Headmasters)|Decepticon Earth Base]] with [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and the Decepticon Headmasters. Cyclonus is curious to meet [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], but there's little time for pleasantries as Galvatron orders everyone to stop Hot Rod so the Decepticons can claim the Matrix themselves. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] co-ordinates the Autobot response, with the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] intercepting the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. Hot Rod's team has been fruitlessly searching the last location and is becoming demoralized at their lack of success. Hot Rod begins to wonder if the Matrix is hidden somewhere more obvious than one of the secret Autobot bases.

[[File:HM3 Headmasters catch Abominus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Abominus, transform to tent mode.]]
On [[Athenia]], [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] is getting antsy about the lack of news, and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] starts looking like he's going to tell another old war story. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] announces he's going to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to pass on news of the search for the Matrix to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].

Optimus, still journeying through Cybertron to find [[Primus#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Vector Sigma]], opens a door and is attacked by [[Energy leech (species)|energy leeches]].

[[File:HM3 Hot Rod drops the ball.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Hot Rod and the Headmasters reach an [[energon]] store, only to be confronted by the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. While the Headmasters and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] fight with the Decepticon team, Hot Rod heads inside and locates a hidden chamber in which he finds the Matrix! He dashes outside to where the other Autobots have defeated [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and tells them he has to get to the [[space bridge]]. Moments later he runs straight into Galvatron and the three Decepticon Headmasters. Though he's stopped dead by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnosis, the other Autobots come to his rescue. [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] keeps the Decepticons busy while Hot Rod and the Autobot Headmasters head for Cybertron aboard the [[Trainbot]]s.

On Cybertron, Vector Sigma's destabilization continues, with the planet on the verge of self-destruction. [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] play video games and discuss Fortress. Fortress enters Cybertron's catacombs, following [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime's]] trail and using his telepathic powers to communicate with [[Alpha Trion]]'s ghost, in order to guide Optimus through the tunnels. His warning comes too late to prevent Optimus running into some [[retrorat|monstrous rodents]], but Optimus fights them off and heads down a different path, at last finding the [[Vector Sigma Chamber]]. As he approaches the computer, Cyclonus and [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] reveal they've beaten him there!

[[File:Headmasters prime death.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Yep, he's dead. Again.]]
Fortress, Galvatron, Hot Rod and the Headmasters all soon arrive in quick succession, and to turn the tide of battle, Alpha Trion merges with the Matrix in Hot Rod's hands, re-energizing it and once again transforming Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes team up to defeat the Decepticons, but just as Rodimus Prime is about to recharge Optimus Prime with the Matrix, Vector Sigma flares dangerously, and Optimus Prime leaps into action the only way he can—by fusing his own essence with the computer, [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|bringing it back under control at the cost of his own life]]. With Cybertron back under Autobot control, the Decepticons flee, and Rodimus Prime is left as Autobot commander once again.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (2)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (3)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (4)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (5)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (13)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (14)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (15)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (18)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (19)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (20)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (21)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (22)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (23)
*[[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (24)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (25)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (26)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (27)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (28)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (35)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (36)
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] (37)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (38)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (39)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] (40)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (41)
*[[Alpha Trion]] (42)
*[[Computron (G1)|Computron]] (48)
*[[Yukikaze (G1)|Yukikaze]] (49)
*[[Shouki]] (50)
*[[Getsuei]] (51)
*[[Suiken]] (52)
*[[Seizan]] (53)
*[[Kaen]] (54)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (6)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (7)
*[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (8)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (9)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (10)
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (11)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (12)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (29)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (30)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (31)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (32)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (33)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (34)
*[[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (43)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (44)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (45)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (47)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (55)
|c3=
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (56)
}}

==Quotes==
{{note|The following quotes were taken from the [[Omni Productions]] dub.}}

'''Cyclonus''': "I am the space consultant from Jolo. My name is --" 
'''Galvatron''': "I didn't ask you to speak! About Roadimus Prime, did you find anything?" 
'''Sixshot''': "Shorrrrrrrre!"

"These people are doomed. They're only heading directly to their own graves."
:—'''Sixshot''' passes judgement on the Decepticons... who are, err, right there in front of him.

"Hey what is that awful noise. Okay let me straighten him out!"
:— facing off against Mindwipe, '''Hardhead''' gives his mighty battle cry

"The machine is way over its capabilities. If it goes on our memory will be erased!" 
"What are you saying, are you tellinme that Cyberton will blow up because of it, it can't be!"
:— the "Sigma computer is having difficulties", causing '''Kup''' and '''Blurr''' to make odd deductions

"I can... FEEL the heat!"
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Don't worry, the Commander's alright. I guess we should retire and let the ''young people'' do it."
:—'''Fortress'''

"Roadimus Prime! Optimus Prime!... Prime!"
:—'''Autobots''', after Hot Rod turns into Rodimus Prime, with one embarrassingly missing his cue.

"Something strange has happened. Now there are TWO Optimus Primes!"
:—'''Narrator''' (This is a mistranslation of the phrase "Double Convoy")

==Notes==
===''Transformers'' references===
* The [[Energy leech (species)|energy leeches]] in this episode are pretty much identical to the (slightly larger) creatures that appeared and did the same thing in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]".
* Kup references Rodimus Prime's defeat of Galvatron on planet [[Feminia]], an event which occurred in [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' #5]].
* One of the most bizarre threats that Prime comes up against on his journey through Cybertron is a pack of [[retrorat|giant, purple hedgehogs]].
* This episode foreshadows the telepathic powers possessed by the Headmasters, which will be expanded upon in "[[Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2]]".
* [[The Headmasters issue 1|Issue 1]] of ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (manga)|The Headmasters]]'' manga takes place shortly after this episode.

===Animation or technical errors===
* Prowl appears again in this episode. He's still supposed to be dead, but see [[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky#Continuity errors|here]] for the details.
* As the Protectobots fall into the ravine and combine, Groove transforms into Blades' combiner mode and Blades transforms into Groove's combiner mode.
* As Galvatron and the Decepticon Headmasters arrive to stop Hot Rod, Skullcruncher is colored like Weirdwolf, and Weirdwolf is colored like Sinnertwin.
* When arguing with Arcee and Wheelie, Blurr's chestplate windshield is miscolored.
* As Galvatron and the Decepticon Headmasters fire on Hot Rod as he and the Autobot Headmasters board the Trainbots, Mindwipe is missing his wings and Galvatron is missing his Decepticon insignia.

===Continuity errors===
* Okay, so, it takes Optimus Prime (who has ''made the trip before'') basically one-and-a-half episodes to traverse the tunnels and get to Vector Sigma's chamber, and yet Cyclonus and Scourge, who were on Earth earlier in ''this episode'', were able to ''beat him there''? And Galvatron and Rodimus, who only ''just'' left Earth a little while ago, make it to the chamber in what seems like only ''minutes''? What, did Optimus get lost on his way? Maybe that's why Alpha Trion's ghost came to guide him to Vector Sigma. Never ask Prime for directions, he's obviously horrible at them.

===Trivia===
[[File:DoubleConvoy1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|'Cause we got a double convoy Rockin' through the night Yeah, we got a double convoy Ain't they a beautiful sight]]
* This article follows the lead of the English-language DVD releases of the episode in its use of the term "Prime" in the title.
* This episode is a study in how ''weird'' the Matrix is in Japan. With the wisdom of the ages having been drained to counteract the [[Hate Plague]] in "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2," the Autobots have decided to recharge the Matrix by... hooking it up to a power station. [[The Headmasters issue 8|The final chapter]] of the ''Headmasters'' manga tries to justify this a bit, or at least gussy it up, by pointing out that the energy is the "lifeforce of Earth," so presumably the power plant was gathering up natural energy. But, y'know. Still. And the fact that it's actually recharged by Alpha Trion's ghost spinning around and going inside it isn't much better.
* While relaying information in cassette mode, Ratbat plays not a recording, but a summary of events in a unique voice, in the same manner that [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] did in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]". Later in the series, however, he and the other Decepticon cassette animals suddenly start talking in their [[robot mode]]s.
* A computer program written in {{w|BASIC}} flashes up on the screen during POV shots for Hot Rod and Fortress. More BASIC code appears on Kup's monitor as he checks on the state of Vector Sigma.
* The term "Double Convoy" in reference to Convoy and Rodimus Convoy teaming up is presumably a takeoff on the "Double Rider" team of Kamen Rider 1 and Kamen Rider 2 from the original ''{{w|Kamen Rider}}'' series. It's also amusing to note both ran afoul of a group called Destron.
* Likely due to the fact that Rodimus Prime didn't have a proper model throughout ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and season 3—aside from a head to slap onto Hot Rod's body, Rodimus Prime's [[character model]] seen throughout ''The Headmasters'' (from this episode—onwards) is an entirely new character model that is a little more [[Show-accuracy|toy-accurate]], with the wheels on the shoulders being on the front, and him no longer having the second pair of wheels on the backs of his forearms. For a more in-depth description of Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime's character model history, see the respective [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Character models|notes section in Hot Rod's article]].
** Rodimus Prime's differing model design in ''The Headmasters'' was given an in-universe explanation by [[Hayato Sakamoto]] during a presentation and interview at [[BotCon 2016]]. Sakamoto explained that when [[Alpha Trion]] sacrificed himself to recharge the Matrix in this episode, the Matrix itself was changed, giving an all-new appearance to Rodimus, when compared to the effects of the "old Matrix".
* ''Um'', did the writer forget this is [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|not the first time]] Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime show up together?
* Though called "Double Convoy", [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|it didn't last long]]. ''Gugh''!

===Foreign localization===
'''English'''
:*''Title:'' "'''The Birth of a New Leader'''" ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 26]], [[1992]]

:*''Title:'' "'''The Rebirth of Rodimus Prime'''" ([[Shout! Factory]] sub), "'''Behold the Birth of Double Prime'''" (Shout! Factory menu)
::*The review of the last episode shown before the title card is omitted.
::*The explanation that the Matrix is using the Earth's [[plasma energy]] is continued into this episode.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La nascita di Commander Captain'''" ("The birth of Optimus/Rodimus Prime")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*In the title "Double Convoy" is translated as "''Commander Captain''", which is a mash-up of Rodimus and Optimus's Italian names (the first being "Captain" and the second being "Commander"), but in the episode itself it is translated as "''Doppio Commander''" ("Double Optimus Prime"), which is clearly a mistranslation.
::*In the recap, the narrator calls the Matrix "'''a''' Matrix". Was he [[Energon Matrix|foreshadowing something]]?
::*Once, Rodimus calls Optimus "my lord"!
::*When Optimus is dying, he tells Rodimus: «You'll be Optimus Prime»(???).
::*In the last scene, the narrator calls Rodimus Prime "Captain Commander". This happens because of a mistranslation of "Rodimus Convoy".

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dì'èrdài Lǐngxiù Bǔtiānshì Dànshēng '''" (第二代领袖补天士诞生, "The birth of Rodimus Prime, the 2nd Leader")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rozhdeniye novogo lidera'''" (Рождение нового лидера, "The Birth of a New Leader")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 1]], [[1994]]

'''Ukrainian:'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Narodzhennya novoho vatazhka'''" (Народження нового ватажка, "The Birth of a New Leader")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|omni}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1996]] — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2002]] — ''Transformers: Takara'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) — Omni dub only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2002 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' — DVD Box ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2005]] — The Takara Collection Vol 1 — ''Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Metrodome]]) — Optional commentary by [[Chris McFeely]]. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2007]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (Metrodome) — Optional commentary by Chris McFeely. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2009]] — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters'' ([[Shout! Factory]]) — Japanese audio with optional English subtitles only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2012]] — ''Transformers: The Japanese Collection'' (Shout! Factory) — Japanese audio with optional English subtitles only.

[[Category:The Headmasters episodes]]

User:Friedpuppy

2026-01-10T20:25:00Z

Friedpuppy:

I have been a user of this wiki for... well over a decade now. I guess I should give back fix minor grammar issues and things what bug me. First Transformers show was Cybertron.

Am I doing this right?

User:Friedpuppy

2026-01-10T20:24:35Z

Friedpuppy: created my own user page

I have been a user of this wiki for... well over a decade now. I guess I should give back fix minor grammar issues and things what bug me. First Transformers show was Cybertron.

Peter Renaday

2026-01-10T20:22:16Z

Friedpuppy: fixed grammar

{{disambig3|Peter}}
{{mainpic}}
'''Peter Renaday''' (born '''Pierre Laurent Renoudet''', [[June 9]], [[1935]]–[[September 8]], [[2024]]) was an American voice actor. A veteran of his craft, he appeared on series such as ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', ''Batman: The Animated Series'' and various Disney animated television series and theme park attractions. However, perhaps his most well-known role was as Master Splinter in the 1987 ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' cartoon.

In his voice acting career, Renaday portrayed the voice of [[Abraham Lincoln]] on a fairly regular basis across a wide variety of animated television series. In later years, he played Al-Mualim in ''Assassin's Creed'', Duncan in ''Dragon Age: Origins'', Uncle Sam on ''[[Batman|Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'', and Namor, Odin, and Robert Kelly in ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]: Ultimate Alliance''.

==Voice roles==
===''The Transformers''===
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]
*[[Chumley|Lord Chumley]]
*[[Greene|Professor Greene]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0719115/ Peter Renaday at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Renaday, Peter}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]