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Dinobot Island, Part 2

2023-12-03T23:23:41Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */ Prepare to receive!

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=31
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=19
|prev2=Dinobot Island, Part 1
|next2=The Master Builders (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=9
|prev3=Dinobot Island, Part 1
|next3=The Master Builders (episode)
|image=DinobotIsland2 Megatronvsdinosaur.jpg
|caption= Why Megatron and [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] never [[Reproduction|had children]].
|title="Dinobot Island, Part 2"
|season=2
|season ep=15
|production code=#700-30
|airdate=[[September 26]], 1985
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHIXhia5iks
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons' plundering of Dinobot Island's resources causes instabilities in the timestream.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Disland2mammoths.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I told you we should have taken the left turn. Now we have to ask for directions."]]
After forcing the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] into a pool of tar, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is convinced he's won. He orders the [[Decepticon]]s to resume the collection of [[energon]]. However, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] fears that Megatron's plundering may have disastrous consequences for the island... and the Decepticons.

Meanwhile, the [[Autobot]]s finish repairing the control room. However, [[Teletraan I]] alerts them to a temporal anomaly near the library where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] are. While going to investigate, the Autobots find barbarians making a mess of things. [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] locates Spike and Bumblebee under the rubble of the library, where [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] drills them out. Bumblebee is able to cover Spike and prevent any harm, while the Autobots round up the time displaced Viking barbarians and woolly [[mammoth]]s.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] orders the Autobots not to use lethal force, as they are living creatures here by accident. [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], and Sideswipe manage to round up the mammoths. [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] wrangles the barbarians by squirting them with glue and sticking them to the ground. Optimus knows just where to put them, and the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] has them store the mammoths in his trailer (poor [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]), while Ironhide immobilizes the barbarians. However, the portal is closing fast. The Autobots send the barbarians and mammoths back through the anomaly, which closes just in time.

[[File:DinobotIsland Pt2 InfernospraysCowboys.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Maybe I'll put out their fire for good!"]]
Returning to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], [[Chip Chase]], [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]], and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] begin research into what is causing all this. Before they do, however, two more anomalies are discovered: one at sea, one out in the country. [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] go intercept the sea-based anomaly, which is a pirate ship attacking a man and two women on a yacht. The Autobots free the yacht and push the pirate ship back through the anomaly.

In the country side, [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] find that a group of old west outlaws have encountered a biker gang. After a brief rustle between the two gangs, the Autobots force the outlaws back through the wormhole. Resuming their analysis at Autobot headquarters, Chip learns that the disturbances can be traced to Dinobot Island. Optimus Prime orders his team to fly there using [[jet pack]]s.

[[File:DinobotIsland2 dinosaurs galore.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Meanwhile, the Dinobots have managed to free themselves from the tar pit, thanks to [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] setting it on fire, only to see that Dinobot Island is in danger. Concluding that the Decepticons have done "bad stuff" to the Island, the Dinobots decide it's time to do "more badder stuff" to the Decepticons. The Autobots arrive, and attack the Decepticons. Prime and Megatron trade shots while Warpath takes on Blitzwing in a tank-on-tank duel. Just as the Decepticons get the upper hand, [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] inspires the island's [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] population to attack the Decepticons, forcing them to retreat.

With the Decepticons gone, the Autobots destroy the [[energon cube]]s, causing the energy inside to return to the places it was taken from, stabilizing Dinobot Island. Optimus declares that the Dinobots have proven that they can control their powers and that they have demonstrated loyalty to the Autobot cause. With that, the Autobots and Dinobots return home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (6)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (7)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Teletraan I]] (10)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (12)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (13)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (14)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (19)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (20)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (27)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (28)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (29)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (30)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (31)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (32)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (33)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (34)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (35)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (36)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (38)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (39)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (40)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (41)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (42)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (4)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (5)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (37)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (43)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (44)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (45)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (18)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (8)
*Barbarians (16)
*[[Chip Chase]] (21)
*Yacht captain (22)
*Bikini girls (23)
*Pirates (24)
*Motorcycle gang members (25)
*Wild West outlaws (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"But draining those energies might upset the chronological balance of this island! It already drifts precariously in the sea of time." 
"Scientific gobbledegook, Starscream! Do as I say."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' discuss technobabble.

"OORUBBA REEYO! RUMBUBUH RULLY!" ''[More unintelligible babbling and grunts]''
:— '''The Barbarian''' on his mammoth, making a thought out and well articulated point.

"Remember those creatures are flesh and blood, not unfeeling machines like the Decepticons."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' placing a higher value on woolly mammoths than Decepticons.

"Why, you unwashed primitives! You could have fissured my finish!"
:—'''Sunstreaker''' blasts the barbarians for pounding on him with their weapons.

"We be wantin' your treasure, and the wenches too. Hahahahaha!" 
"Aww, cool off, Long John!"
:—'''Pirate captain''' and '''Cliffjumper'''

"I don't care if the entire ''Earth'' explodes! We can always relocate."
:—'''Megatron''' isn't big on the neighborhood.

"If that stolen energy is taken from this area, this entire galaxy could crumble!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' wonders where Megatron would relocate to ''then''.

[[File:G1 DinobotIslandPt2 Warpath tank.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Hey, Blitzwing! ''Tank'' you!"
:—'''Warpath''' attacks Blitzwing in a tank-versus-tank duel

"Soundwave! Prepare to receive!"
:—'''Megatron''' and the best laid commands...

"No! It is impossible! I saw you buried beneath the tar pits!" 
"You wrong. And you ''ugly'', too."
:—'''Megatron''' gets some comeuppance from '''Grimlock''', of all mechs

"The Dinobots have not only proved they can control their powers, they have also demonstrated that they have great value to our cause. They will remain at Autobot Headquarters from now on."
:-- '''Optimus Prime''' honoring the Dinobots and welcoming them back into the Autobot ranks before they leave Dinobot Island together.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 9th January 1985
* Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: 15th January 1985
* Voice actor auditions for new cast members: 15th January 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:DinobotIsland Sideswipe digging friends out.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:DinobotIsland2 Cliffjumper firing.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:DinobotIslandPt2-Dirge.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"We clocked the T. rex at 32 miles per hour."]]
*The empty energon cubes in this episode have little round tubes at the bottom to draw in energy.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Ratchet uses a welding apparatus that slides in/out of his wrist, similar to the ones used by [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|Brawn]] and [[Changing Gears|Gears]], but without the hooked tip.
**Sideswipe uses his pistons to dig out Bumblebee. They slide out from his wrists, similar to how they worked in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]".
**Ironhide fires a white-yellow glue from a tri-barreled wrist attachment, similar to the one he used in "[[Divide and Conquer]]".
**Sideswipe fires lasers... from the tip of his missile.
**Sunstreaker discharges electricity from his fingertips to scare off the barbarians.
**A frequently-recurring gadget appears as Cliffjumper uses his [[hydrofoil]]s to travel out to the pirate ship time warp.
**Seaspray has a bow-mounted radar dish.
**Cliffjumper uses his [[glass gas]], reducing the pirates' swords to shards. He fires it from a gun that emerges from his car mode front hood.
**Tracks' [[black beam gun]] works on humans!
**Beachcomber fires lasers from his hands.
**Skywarp half-transforms during the battle, extending his legs out from [[alternate mode|jet mode]] to get some extra vertical thrust.
**Snarl again fires energy blasts from his sword's tip, as in "[[Heavy Metal War]]".
**Prowl disarms the old west outlaws with his signature [[acid pellet]]s.
*Where's the trailer go?
**Optimus Prime's trailer just rolls in from off-screen when he needs it to store the mammoths.
*There is now a retractable metal door on the cone of the Autobot Headquarters volcano.
* When the volcano is becoming active, Prime orders the Autobots to put on jetpacks and head to the island...he just totally leaves Chip and Sparkplug there while the volcano is erupting.
*Flying Autobots:
**Prime's crew of Autobots explicitly requires jetpacks to fly to [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]].
**The Dinobots display their usual ability to fly as robots.
*Blitzwing and Warpath face off for the first time, but [[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|not the last]].
*First appearances:
**Autobots [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
**Decepticon [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*'''[[The Immobilizer|< <]]''' What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron has... uh... ''maybe'' made a mistake in draining the island's energy! Maybe! '''[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
[[File:Disland2pirates.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Ar, excuse me fair mateys, have you seen Captain Jack Sparrow anywhere here? He owes me money! And my, what fine, large booty I see on ye poop deck!"]]
*Barbarians, mammoths, dinosaurs, pirates, motorcycle gangs, cowboys, scantily clad bikini chicks—this episode's got it all!
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Swoop frees himself from the tar pit with a ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine sound effect.
**Prime's crew arrives at Dinobot Island with the sound of the ''Millennium Falcon'' flying toward Yavin.
**A ''Star Wars'' laser effect plays as Grimlock fires to get the dinosaurs' attention, possibly [[Han Solo]] blowing the prison block communications console to scrap. 

===Animation and technical errors===
*Huffer is drawn mouthing Hound's "New Earth life forms?" line.
*The jewelry store that one of the barbarians smashes into is labeled "Nickel and Dime".
[[File:DinobotIsland2 Sunstreaker carrying mammoth.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Sunstreaker has Sideswipe's voice for his "I hope you packed your trunk!" line.
*Sunstreaker and Hound get a very strange non-standard sound effect for their lasers as they try to hold the time warp open.
*Chip's "I can use lots of help" line is slightly cut off, leaving him saying that he can use lots of "hel-".
*When Optimus Prime reacts in surprise to Teletraan I's discovery of two additional time warps, Wheeljack's "ears" flash as Prime speaks, as if he was supposed to speak in unison with Prime, but only Prime's voice is heard.
*When Wheeljack speaks a moment before that, his ears do not light up in unison when he says the "Not another time warp" line. Instead they remain lit up.
*Rather than actually coming ''through'' the time warp, the pirate ship just kind of appears out of thin air in front of the warp.
*The cowboys suffer the same problem; additionally, when they first appear, they're kind of floating above the ground.
*When the lead cowboy fires his pistol, it makes a truncated version of the Decepticon laser sound effect. This being the one and only time in the show when a human gun is unarguably a conventional projectile firearm, it should really make a traditional gunshot noise. The sound crew ''did'' use an actual gunshot sound for a random criminal in the later episode "[[Make Tracks]]", but the show's general ethos resulted in all other human weapons on the show looking and sounding like laser guns.
*Coloring errors:
**Tracks' eyes are yellow when he first transforms.
**Slag's cheek guards are white instead of red as he proposes melting down the Decepticons. His whole face is light gray instead of red as Grimlock agrees.
**In the pan across the Autobots launching their attack, Beachcomber's whole face is white instead of blue, and Smokescreen is missing all of his reds and yellows.
**Snarl's sword is gray instead of red as Grimlock fires to get the dinosaurs' attention.
*Tracks fires his [[black beam gun]] energy from his missile launchers, rather than his hand-held weapon.
*Grimlock roars his approval of being de-tarred in Sludge's voice.
*Despite using back-mounted jet packs, the Autobots are shown landing on Dinobot Island with foot thrusters.
*When Blitzwing transforms into his tank mode, his head and face are still clearly visible as he drives off-screen. In the next shot, however, his head is concealed.
*When Starscream is shooting Warpath with his null ray, he's colored as Thundercracker.
*Blitzwing is missing his tank barrel as he fires alongside Soundwave and Starscream.
*Skywarp has no wing insignia as he gets trampled by the dinosaurs.
[[File:Dinobotisland jetpacks.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Megatron's Fusion Cannon is knocked off his wrist by the triceratops (see the image at the top of the page) but it magically reappears on his wrist when he is shown again.
*Blitzwing, Soundwave, and Starscream all seem to suddenly turn around when they are attacked by the stegosaurus, as they are facing the beast in one shot, but when they are knocked down they are facing the other direction.
*Megatron looks human-sized, or even smaller, compared to those dinosaurs rioting above him.
*Somebody forgot that the Dinobots can fly; they're shown flying away from Dinobot Island with jet packs like the rest of the Autobots.

===Jurassic errors===
*The size issues are more noticeable than before with animals which topped 16 feet in real life towering over Megatron.

===Continuity errors===
*When Jazz uses his loudspeakers, the cowboys reacts to the noise by covering their ears, but the biker leader doesn't. Maybe he's used to it?
*Grimlock's means of summoning the dinosaurs to fight... strains credibility.
*The Decepticons' firepower somehow fails to reduce the dinosaurs to puddles of charred flesh.
*Does it really take all the Autobots and Dinobots firing at the highly volatile and explosive energon cubes to destroy them?

===Trivia===
*The initial dialogue of the "Barbarian Chieftain" was written out in the [[dialogue script]] as ''"Ura manamabirno! Ramballalala uramala! Ya gagga nagonda! Gagga nagonda! Hai, yamaral! Ira, lura lura! Haya, luramala!"'', and he was supposed to exclaim "''Bunga Dorg!"'' when he confronted Sunstreaker. The actor playing the Barbarian Chieftain does not seem to have stuck to this very closely—but, hey, gibberish is gibberish.
*The dialogue script states elsewhere that the barbarian who robs the jewelry store is supposed to be saying ''"Gunda nah? Naga gunda?"'' (CONTENTED GIBBERISH) ''"Wunga ga dindy! Dindy wah!"'', which also doesn't quite seem to be what's said in the finished episode. Besides these examples, no other barbarian dialogue in the episode is scripted.
[[File:DinobotIsland2-Perceptor.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.95|And if you need a $14.99 toy, don't hesitate to purchase me - Perceptor!]]
*The explicit character introductions continue in this episode, with Perceptor and Beachcomber both giving self-explanatory spiels, and Tracks spouting some lines based heavily on his bio, while showing off his special gun.
*The original script for this episode called for Trailbreaker to protect Dinobot Island from any further external threats by shielding it with one of his [[force field]]s. Although Optimus Prime's line explaining this was deleted during production, the visuals of the episode itself feature something of a vestigial reference to this, with the Autobots all flying off in large groups and Trailbreaker being the last to depart, taking to the air solo. In addition, in the background of the final shot of the episode as the Autobots fly away, Dinobot Island can be seen with a violet sphere surrounding it, which was presumably intended to be the force field. Ultimately, though, it's probably for the better; Trailbreaker's force fields were never shown to be self-sustaining, which this one would have to have been.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''L'île des Dinobots, partie 2'''" ("The Island of the Dinobots, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*All the logo transitions were cut. It is unknown if it was that way for the original broadcast or if the episode was chopped for the DVD release.
::*Thrust calls Ramjet "Ratchet".
::*Ironhide calls Bumblebee "Beelba", but his regular nickname since the beginning of the series is "Balbee".
::*As usual, the big lists of names are skipped:
:::*When Optimus Prime calls Ironhide, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Huffer and Hound to transform, the dubbing replaced it by "We can't let Spike fight them alone, they would sweep him!".
:::*When Optimus Prime (again) calls Warpath, Beachcomber, Perceptor, Ironhide, Smokescreen and Trailbreaker to take jetpacks, the dubbing replaced it by "Everyone who's available will come with me, we can't let that situation drag on!".
::*Hound calls Sunstreaker "Sunstriker".
::*[[Jacques Ferrière]] provides a [[dull surprise]] sound for the bikini girl.
::*Seaspray's and Cliffjumper's lines are missing as they are pushing the ship to the portal.
::*Optimus Prime's line "Repair systems already compensating for damage" is strangely translated by "The repair ''team'' has already started evaluating the damage".
::*Warpath's monologue and Starscream's answer to it are missing.
::*When Megatron discovers the Dinobots, he says "Je t'ai vu être pulvérisé". He may have said "Je ''vous'' ai vus être pulvérisés", to adress all Dinobots. The actual phrase makes him talk only to Grimlock.

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Die Insel der Dinobots, Teil 2'''" ("The Island of the Dinobots, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''L'isola dei Dinorobot - Seconda parte'''" ("The Island of Dinobots - Second Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''L'isola dei Dinobots - Seconda parte'''" ("The Island of Dinobots - Second Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Taiketsu!! Dinobot PART II'''" (対決!! ダイノボット PART II, "Showdown!! Dinobots PART II")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 15]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kǒnglóng Dǎo (Xià)'''" (恐龙岛(下), "Dinobot Island, PART II")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Ilha dos Dinobots, Segunda e Última Parte'''" ("The Island of the Dinobots, Second and Last Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Great title there, guys.

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|]]
*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class Cliffjumper''' (Hasbro, [[2020]])

:Cliffjumper's massive bazooka, which itself was based on the one he used in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", can split into five pieces and attach to the bottom of his vehicle mode to replicate the hydrofoils he uses in this episode.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Dinobot Island, also includes The Revenge of Bruticus ([[St. Michael Video Library]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — 1: The Revenge of Bruticus / 2: Dinobot Island (Parts 1 and 2) ([[Entertainment UK|Starvision]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — The Revenge of Bruticus and Dinobot Island Parts 1 & 2 ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''Transformers'' — 1: The Revenge of Bruticus / 2: Dinobot Island (Parts 1 and 2) ([[Entertainment UK|The Fun House]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — Dinobot Island ([[Malofilm|Behaviour]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 3 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 6 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Les Dinobots ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qQojgM8Jv7H7gDBHJ4pgh4Y5HcZPxwiy Full episode script, as revised by Ron Friedman 15th January 1985]

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

Blaster Blues

2023-11-29T08:59:29Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=39
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=50
|prev2=The Core
|next2=Prime Target (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=34
|prev3=Microbots
|next3=Sea Change
|image=BlasterBlues Megatron threatens Blaster.jpg
|caption=''I woke up this mornin' Feelin' like I been used, And you know by that I Got these ol' Blaster blues''
|title="Blaster Blues"
|season=2
|season ep=23
|production code=#700-38
|airdate=[[October 23]], 1985
|written by=[[Larry Strauss]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssYDHaF0Ba4
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons hijack Earth's airwaves. Yet somehow, you are still able to watch this episode.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Blasterbluesconcertcrowd.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Did Spike and Carly take an Autobot on all of their dates?]]
[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Carly]] are at a rock concert, having taken [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] along for the music. Enjoying the concert, Spike wishes that the rest of the [[Autobot]]s could hear the music, so Blaster begins transmitting to all of them. Off in space, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] gets a real kick out of the music.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] are observing [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s target practice on [[Teletraan I]], when Blaster's music from the concert begins playing on their channel. Sparkplug and most of the Autobots are not enjoying the overwhelming volume, but [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] gets the chance to show off his dancing skills.

At the [[Haley Observatory]], [[Haley|Professor Haley]] introduces his new creation, the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], to his fellow scientists. The device is intended to translate Earth's recordings into other languages and broadcast them into space, in search of intelligent life. Seemingly, the Transformers don't count. During his first test of the device, the scientist is quite surprised when he gets a response... which turns to horror when he sees it's the Decepticons. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], as he is oft wont to do, begins firing randomly, but [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders him to stop, saying that they need the Voltronic Galaxer.

At the Autobot base, Optimus Prime is so annoyed by the music that he outright tells Blaster to "shut up", but to no avail. Only a distress call from the scientist finally gets Blaster to stop. After the Autobots arrive at the observatory, they find that the Decepticons have already fled with their prize. Optimus Prime vows to find it and bring the Voltronic Galaxer back.

[[File:Blasterbluesprimedirectstraffic.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Prime's day job]]
Splitting up into groups, the Autobots begin the search. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], Spike and Carly have already searched half the hemisphere, while Cosmos and Blaster are searching outer space. They locate the Decepticons in a [[Decepticon lunar dome base|base]] on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], where Megatron is plotting to take control of Earth's radio airwaves. Blaster and Cosmos are caught, however, before they can contact the Autobots. Blaster is forced into use as a transcrambler, while Cosmos powers the device. Megatron orders the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to return to Earth as the radio blackout commences.

On Earth, the communications blackout is scrambling even the Autobots' radio channels. [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] barely manage to stop a forest fire, while [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] free motorists trapped on a frozen highway, where [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] attack.

[[File:Blasterbluespgcarriesprime.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm not paid enough to carry this around.]]
At an airport, Powerglide is attempting to land, when Ramjet and Thundercracker attack, damaging both Powerglide and Optimus Prime. Spike manages to strap a [[jet pack]] onto Powerglide, giving him some extra boost. As Megatron begins broadcasting his demands to Earth, Blaster plays music from the concert on the same channel. Carly recognizes the tunes and manages to track the transmission back to the Moon. They head for the Autobot base. Carly does some quick repairs on Optimus then the two teens and Powerglide load Prime onto Omega, who takes them to space.

Once Omega lands on the Moon, Megatron and Astrotrain attack him. Omega manages to get his hand on Megatron, but Astrotrain rams Omega in train mode, causing him to release Megatron. Astrotrain then flees and Omega transforms into rocket mode and follows. Seeing Optimus Prime defenseless, Megatron decides to hit him while he's down, only for the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] to reactivate just in time to defend himself.

[[File:Blasterbluesop&mdance.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|One shall stand; one shall get tossed around a little bit and run away crying "Retreat!!"]]
With no one to guard them, Blaster and Cosmos cause the voltronic galaxer to receive feedback and explode. Seeing his latest technology ruined, Megatron retreats. After freeing them, Blaster mentions that he could rebuild the Decepticon moonbase into a new Autobot base. Cosmos likes the idea, as it would give him some company. Optimus agrees, but orders him to keep an eye on his volume.

Soon, however, Blaster is back to transmitting loud rock music over the air waves again. Some stereos never learn.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (3)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (6)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (16)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (22)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (24)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (25)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (26)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (30)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (31)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (33)
|c2=
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (11)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (12)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (23)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (35)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (36)
|c3=
*[[Carly]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (2)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Haley|Professor Haley]] (10)
*Air Traffic Controllers (27)
*Pilot (28)
*Railroad workers (29)
*Meteorologist (31)
*Motorists (34)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:BlasterBlues Professor Haley.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hey, everyone, it's Tuuuuuuesday, and you're listening to the Giant Botcast...]]
"Where are you? In another galaxy?" 
"''Much'' closer than ''that!!'' Huhu~hwa~ha~hahaha~haha~hahaha!!"
:—'''Professor Haley''' contacts '''Megatron''', the master of dry wit.

'''Optimus''': My audio receptors! What is that noise?! 
'''Hoist''': Humans call it 'music'. 
'''Sparkplug''': Not ''this'' human! 
'''Jazz''': Sounds all right to me!
:—Sparkplug and the Autobots share their opinions on Blaster's choice in music.

"The Earth is but a speck on the arm of the universe."
:—'''Human scientist''' bolstering his race's importance in the cosmos.

"Blaster! Decrease volume! ... Blaster! '''SHUT UP!'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' in another fine example of subordinate management.

'''Ironhide''': Where did the call originate? 
'''Optimus''': I don't know! All I can hear is that blasted Blaster!
:—[[Peter Cullen]]'s annoyance at Blaster's loud music.

"SHUT UP!!" 
"Huh?"
:—Autobots' annoyance at '''Blaster''''s loud music - and the dude finally pays attention.

[[File:BlasterBlues blaster altmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Today on Capitol Hill, the fish was delish, and according to [[United Nations|UN]] Secretary Council members, it made quite a dish. You are listening to member-supported public radio.]]
"Hey, talk about no place. I can't even get a bottom 40 station out here."
:—'''Blaster''' doesn't enjoy outer space duty inside Cosmos.

"It's Blaster!" 
"Why that son of an 8-track."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Trailbreaker'''

"Release Autobots, Megatron!" 
"Never!" 
"Reeeelease them!"
:—'''Omega Supreme''' adds some "hands on" pressure to dealing with '''Megatron'''

"Looks like the big boy needs a little training!"
:—'''Astrotrain''', proving the pun is indeed mightier than the sword. Unfortunately, it's not as mighty as Omega Supreme.

==Notes==
===Production information===
*First draft script: [[March 13|13th March]] [[1985]]
*Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: [[March 18|18th March]] 1985

===Deleted scenes===
Changed scenes
* The order of some scenes in Act II is changed from the draft script. Red Alert and Inferno’s scenes of firefighting and coming under attack are combined and moved to happen immediately after the train crash (originally placed after the Autobots roll out from HQ). Likewise, the scene of Blaster and Cosmos watching Megatron give his broadcast is moved until after Ratchet’s group are buried by the avalanche. Allowing all of the action in the mountains to flow as one continuous scene.
* When Omega Supreme grabs Megatron and demands “RELEASE THEM!”, he picks him up by the fusion cannon, crushing it in his fist. Hence why Megatron is limited to hand-to-hand combat during his fight with Prime.

Deleted scenes
* Omega Supreme’s target practice consists of firing “benign darts” at Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, who are racing around in auto mode. Cliffjumper radios Bumblebee that he’s going to use him for a ramp. Thanks to Blaster’s rock broadcast, 'Bee can’t hear this and hits the brakes, causing the speeding Cliffjumper to collide with him. Megatron has been watching all of this through a monitor and gets the idea to jam Earth’s communications.
* Optimus Prime arrives at the airport and offers to help Powerglide with guiding the planes to their runways. The boastful Autobot plane replies “I’ve got everything under control, Prime!” before immediately having to drop low to avoid crashing into another plane “Then on second thought, I suppose it couldn't hurt!”. Prime uses his gun to laser the words “LAND HERE” into the sky with accompanying arrows.
* Once Blaster and Cosmos have overloaded the Voltronic Galaxer, we cut back to Red Alert and Inferno, lying charred and damaged amid the spreading forest fire. Once they realise that their radios work again, Red Alert calls fire control for assistance, much to Inferno’s chagrin. “You’re calling for Earth firefighters? What am I…a toy fire truck?!
* With Prime having won the fight and holding him at gunpoint, Megatron radios Astrotrain for assistance, only to receive static as Blaster is using the circuits he is plugged into in order to “run a little interference – on a local channel!”

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Blasterbluestrailerchase.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Last one out of the parking lot gets stuck with the check.]]
[[File:Trailbreakerdance.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[https://shortpacked.com/comic/iammegatron '''''I... AM... TRAILBREAKER!!!''''']]]
*Jazz has righteous moves, but they are limited by his bulky body.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Blaster's boom box mode in the opening scenes is as tall as a human.
**Red Alert's "horns" flash to indicate Decepticon activity, just like in "[[Auto Berserk]]". This time they're orange, though.
**Ratchet and the rest can deploy tire studs to deal with snow-covered roads.
**Hoist deploys a long snakey tentacle with a claw at the end to catch a falling motorist. How many devices can he [[Auto Berserk|carry]], anyway??
**This time, Trailbreaker's forcefield just kind of radiates out of thin air in front of his head. He's able to form it into a dome, which he can then place where he wants it... but, to his later misfortune, he remains outside the dome himself.
**Powerglide can deploy a suction cup line capable of carrying wounded Autobots around like limp ragdolls, leaving them flapping in the breeze.... say, aren't you supposed to ''not move'' the injured?
**Omega Supreme clearly leaves most of himself behind when he launches for the Moon. When he arrives there, he lands in rocket mode amid a cloud of smoke... and when the smoke clears, the left-behind bits have appeared. Later, he transforms out of just the rocket (conveniently off-screen) while in mid-flight.
*Where's the trailer go?:
**During the scene at the observatory, Optimus transforms and drives away, and there is an extended moment where his trailer drives off after him to catch up.
*Omega Supreme actually uses whole sentences in this episode. That's just crazy.

===Real-world references===
[[File:BlasterBlues Haley Observatory.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The names of Professor Haley and his eponymous observatory are likely inspired by {{w|Halley's Comet}}, which was beginning its once-every-76-years trip through the inner solar system when the episode aired in late [[1985]].
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst is strangely repurposed as the burning fires at the observatory as the Decepticons close in.
**[[X-wing Fighter|X-Wings]] diving, ''Falcon'' engine burst, and [[Death Star]] superlaser all in a row as the Decepticons launch from the observatory.
**''Falcon'' engine burst as Megatron takes off from Astrotrain
**X-Wings diving as the 'cons fly aboard Astrotrain
**Death Star superlaser as Astrotrain pursues Cosmos.
**[[TIE Fighter]] engine as Cosmos evades.
**The Death Star door slide is used as a steam engine sound effect.
**A [[Stormtrooper (SW)|Stormtrooper]]'s laser gun is used to soundtrack Ramjet and Thundercracker's attack on Inferno and Red Alert, possibly taken from when [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]] & [[Han Solo|Han]] ambush the stormtroopers aboard the ''Falcon''.
**''Falcon'' engine burst as Megatron launches from the Moon.
*Trailbreaker mentions {{w|8-track tape|8-track}}s. Did kids in 1985 even know what an 8-track is?
*"Bang, zoom, to the Moon!" - Powerglide's line is a play on a signature line of Ralph Kramden from ''[[The Honeymooners]]''...whose actor Jackie Gleason was also the inspiration for Powerglide's voice.
*"Parting is such sweet sorrow!" - Megatron prepares to kill Prime while quoting one of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare's]] most famous lines.

===Animation and technical errors===
*The rock band at the concert is playing ''two songs at once'', both "[[Cold Slither (song)|Cold Slither]]" and the generic big band/hard rock song. "Cold Slither" is missing a moment later when Blaster sends the music to the Autobots.
*The guitarist is seen 'playing' his guitar with only his right arm, as his left (which should be doing the fretwork) is up in the air.
*The arena's seats have more than a seat's width between them. The owners must've been expecting some ''seriously'' fat patrons.
*Cosmos's voice in his first couple of lines lacks his usual self-echo.
*As Megatron gloats on top of the observatory, his laugh plays over itself (i.e., the same laugh twice).
*Improbable viewpoints:
**So Blaster sends the music from the concert to the Autobots. How does he manage to send a 3rd-person view of ''himself'' at the same time?
**Do Tracks and Huffer have a video camera with them to report in to Prime?
**Does Prime have a camera stationed at the city docks to show Powerglide flying in aimless circles?
*The reporter at the observatory has already written down Professor Haley's words before he's finished saying them.
*Recycled footage:
**Prime's trailer rolling in from offscreen seems to be recycled from "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]".
**The shot of Ironhide, Trailbreaker and Hound converting to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is lifted from "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"
**The pan of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe transforming comes right out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".
**The same "MTMTE1" scene is mined again to show Trailbreaker transforming as the Autobots deploy to deal with the loss of radio communications.
*Astrotrain has no transformation sound effect as he leaves the tunnel and converts from train to shuttle.
[[File:Blasterbluesprowlcarries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Coloring error not included.]]
*Coloring errors:
**Trailbreaker's eyeband is black instead of blue as Optimus quizzes the professor about the Voltronic Galaxer. The points of his cheeks are colored blue instead.
**Cosmos's "cap" is green instead of red as he lands on the Moon.
**Prowl's head crest is white instead of red as he closes Ratchet's passenger compartment (and can't Ratchet do that himself?)
**Blaster's forehead is red instead of white as Megatron threatens him.
**Cosmos's helmet is green instead of red as Prime frees Blaster (which, by the way, seems to consist of just helping him to his feet, rather than freeing him from any "welding" done by Astrotrain.)
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots: Prime's initial squad fluctuates all over the place.
**The initial group receiving the transmission is Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Hoist & Cliffjumper.
**Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Hound show up to transform prior to rolling out, and are not seen again. Trailbreaker shows up at the same time.
**Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Prowl (or maybe Bluestreak) show up as the Autobots depart.
**The group that finally arrives at the observatory is Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Hoist, Bumblebee & Trailbreaker, which means we've lost seven guys.
*When the Autobots drive away from the observatory, a shot of the Autobots from the front shows them driving over bare rock rather than the asphalt road.
*Powerglide's cockpit has changed from a fighter-plane-like single-seater (seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]"), to a side-by-side like a passenger jet.
*When Megatron is first shown setting down the Voltronic Galaxer in their moon base, Thundercracker is to his left, Starscream to his right. In the very next panning shot showing Cosmos' approach through the window, Thundercracker is to Megatron's right.
*"This your idea of a joke?" Blaster's line lacks the usual processing.
*Red Alert's "horns" flash orange. Last time, they flashed blue.
*Despite knowing about the pending aerial attack, Red Alert keeps shooting at the trees. It seems likely that the animators recycled previous footage, perhaps not realizing he should be aiming skyward.
*Whatever damage Powerglide sustained from Ramjet pretty much disappears after Spike puts the jetpack on him.
*Blaster first pushes his left-most button. Later, it's the middle two that are deployed. After Megatron kicks him, all but one are engaged.
[[File:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Pretty damn big, that's how much.]]
*The whole sequence of Megatron discovering Blaster's subterfuge is a bit wonky. Blaster sniggers loudly, Megatron suddenly says "What was that?", then there's a beep and the rock music is heard. The animators/sound guys seem to have not quite gotten the sequence of events down correctly.
*When Spike cheers on Omega Supreme, both his lips ''and'' Carly's are moving.
*When Astrotrain rams Omega Supreme's leg, Omega holds still for two seconds, then drops Megatron.
*If Astrotrain is big enough to hold all the Decepticons, then how big does that make Omega Supreme in the picture to the right here?
*One gun, many lasers:
**When Optimus fires at the fleeing Megatron, he only has one gun, yet four or five lasers streak past Megatron.
*Blaster has four small switches on his chest for most of the episode (clearly seen as when Megatron kicks him towards the end), but is drawn with three large ones after Prime frees him.
*At the end of the episode, Blaster seemingly is supposed to be playing his rock tune yet again, complete with Prime yelling at him for it and the other Autobots chasing Blaster off into the sunset... but the music is missing. Oops!

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Blasterbluesonthemoon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"No no, it is totally worth risking the complete failure of the plan to have gloating rights over a couple of guys whose names I probably can't remember!"]]
[[File:BlasterBlues Carly Spike in spacesuits.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*You have to wonder if Megatron thought out all the parts to this plan, given that it would be a lot easier for human society to adapt to life without radio, than life without electricity, petroleum and fossil fuels, and so on... Actually, how would we ''use'' said radio waves, without the power resources the 'Cons would strip out of the planet in exchange for ceasing their jamming?
*Furthermore, one might question the wisdom of leaving two conscious Autobots right across from the critical device... with one of them ''fully armed''. The episode's teleplay explains this a bit better: in it, Cosmos is not treated so dismissively by Megatron, who needs his "magnificent super-sonic engines" to power the transmitter, and at the episode's climax, Cosmos was not supposed to ''shoot'' the transmitter, but rather, exploit his function as a power source to help Blaster overload the machine. Still, there doesn't appear to be any good reason they couldn't have done this a ''lot'' sooner.
*In a world full of Transformers running around on the evening news (and showing up in arcades, research labs, dams, power plants, and basically everywhere), why would a scientist still speak of alien life as though it were some unproved hypothesis?
*One of the journalists in the crowd that's listening to Prof. Haley explain the voltronic galaxer has a portion of the speech ("...enabling alien life to translate them to their own language.") already written on his notepad before the professor even finishes speaking that line.
[[File:BlasterBlues Megatron voltronic galaxer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit!]]
*In a rare instance of a falling human seeming to incur some actual injury, Professor Haley is apparently knocked unconscious by falling off the Voltronic Galaxer. Of course, he's up and (literally) running by the time the Autobots arrive (and still hanging out inside the burning building, apparently).
*The joy of size changing: Blaster rides inside Cosmos to the Moon, and in the next scene Cosmos and Blaster are side by side and Blaster is almost twice as tall as Cosmos. Cosmos's improbably large interior has just enough for Blaster to sit inside of. "[[Sea Change]]" and "[[Quest for Survival]]" will portray it as even larger, with room for multiple passengers to walk around.
*The passenger jets at the airport are shown swerving and maneuvering as though they were small-scaled fighters.
*Maybe Astrotrain's alternate mode ''does'' make sense in the bizarre world of cartoon Earth... because the railroad workers are trying to clear the track for a ''steam locomotive''.
*One of the railroad men says he will "radio [the train] to the auxiliary track", but no other track is actually shown.
*Only one guy leaps clear of the steam engine. Where's the fireman?
*Okay, so it's great that Optimus is directing traffic at this one airport, but... what about the hundreds of other airports out there? Much like "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]", the Autobots seem to lack a plan to deal with the actual ''cause'' of the problems.
*If Carly can trace the source of Megatron's transmissions, she really didn't need to wait until they heard Blaster's music.
*If Powerglide's [[jet pack]] is ''out of fuel'', then ''how does he keep flying??''
*Ratchet's team was mostly in [[robot mode]] when they were buried. They emerge from the snow in vehicle mode. Also, all the buried and exploded cars have vanished.
*Does Omega Supreme just keep some human-sized space suits handy? 'Cause Spike and Carly suddenly pop up in space suits when it's time to go to the Moon.

===A loony lunar lineup of astronomical errors===
*As with every other outer space episode in the series, Cosmos, Astrotrain, and all the rest get full sound effects in outer space and on the Moon's surface. Of course, media of far higher caliber than ''The Transformers'' have made the same error, generally because it'd be pretty boring to watch a bunch of silent ships fly around, so we'll let this one slide.
*The depicted activities of any Transformer on the Moon do not bear any resemblance to the movements of creatures under gravity one-sixth that of Earth's own.
*Cosmos really shouldn't have to switch off his engines once he reaches the Moon; he should have just switched them off as soon as he escaped Earth's gravity well.
*Blaster somehow manages to ''listen'' in on the Decepticons across the airless surface of the Moon.
*The burning [[Decepticon lunar dome base]] continues burning and trailing smoke as if it were in an atmosphere.
*Carly: "I've never been to the Moon before!" NO. REALLY??
**And she was just on Cybertron in the last episode. Wouldn't that have been a bigger deal?

===Trivia===
*Throughout the script, '''Trailbreaker''' is referred to as '''Trailblazer''', a name which popped up during "[[A Prime Problem]]".
*Seriously. "I've never been to the Moon before!"

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian and European French broadcasts):'' "'''La grande catastrophe'''" ("The Great Disaster")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''Blaster a le blues'''" ("Blaster has the blues")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The robotic voice effect is absent on Blaster's first line.
::*For some reason, instead of "Prepare for target practice!", Optimus Prime says "Ready to do the tests with ''Olé''". Why "Olé", nobody knows, and Omega Supreme's real name is used normally throughout the rest of the episode.
::*Blaster's name is ''never'' pronounced:
:::*Instead of saying "Blaster! Decrease volume! Blaster!", Optimus Prime says "Hurry! Decrease volume! Do you hear me?".
:::*Ratchet's line "It's Blaster!" is replaced by "It's the music lover!".
:::*Instead of saying "If Blaster's on the Moon...", Powerglide says "If the music madman is on the Moon...".
:::*Powerglide's line "Hurry! We gotta save Blaster and Cosmos!" is absent from the dub.
::*Prowl's line "Convert to snow tires!" is missing.
::*The Autobots' lines as they drive away from the snow after recognizing Blaster are missing.
::*Instead of giving Blaster a lesson about the use of his music, Optimus Prime tells Blaster that Megatron's plan was pretty good and that they will have to work on a parade to prevent him from doing it again.
::*Blaster's dialogue during the last shot is missing.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Linee di raggruppamento'''" ("Meeting up Lines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Broadcasting-wise, not production-wise (keep this in mind), the actors in this episode are different from the previous ones, being the first to use a second group of voice actors. Mainly, [[Piero Tiberi]] replaces [[Diego Reggente]] as Optimus Prime, [[Mario Milita]] replaces [[Gino Donato]] as Megatron and [[Leo Valeriano]] replaces [[Claudio De Davide]] as Starscream. With this group of actors, Powerglide's name, which should be Jumbo, is bronounced "Joombo", despite being pronounced correctly in the episodes using the first group of actors.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Il blues di Blaster'''" ("The Blues of Blaster")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Broadcast Blues'''" (ブロードキャスト・ブルース, "Blaster Blues")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 27]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Lándiào Lùyīnjī '''" (蓝调录音机, "Blues Recorder")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Ataque'''" ("The Attack")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 4 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sSKWucY2fCoV3acIOVeW0qDL_HeX_w5B/view?usp=sharing First draft script, originally submitted 13th March 1985]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=155SvBA7NOPYzRivn6VOt0lqIUrwZTjv0 Full episode script, as revised by Ron Friedman 18th March 1985]

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

Triple Takeover

2023-11-28T08:21:17Z

Jerryteacup: /* Continuity notes */ Powerglide floats like a helicopter

{{episode
|image=TripleTakeover Blitzwing Astrotrain stadium.jpg
|caption=In which we learn exactly why Megatron is in charge of the Decepticons.
|series=G1toon
|ep=50
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=39
|prev2=Kremzeek!
|next2=Child's Play (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=18
|prev3=Kremzeek!
|next3=Starscream's Brigade
|title="Triple Takeover"
|season=2
|season ep=34
|written by=[[Larry Strauss]]
|production code=700-49
|airdate=[[November 19]], [[1985]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Unknown Generation 1 animation studios|Unknown]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMPu4Adi7JQ
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Astrotrain and Blitzwing depose Megatron and Starscream, then proceed to wreak havoc.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TripleTakeover Mount Deceptimore.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Admit it. That is pretty cool.]]
[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] are using their weapons to carve their faces along with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s into a mountainside. They agree one of the faces doesn't belong, then decide to band together and overthrow Megatron. Flying back to base, Blitzwing and Astrotrain decide who should lead Megatron into the trap, one of them suggesting Starscream while the other counters how the [[Air Commander]] has constantly been attempting to become leader of the [[Decepticon]]s and failed. Starscream retorts as usual and says he will do it, and the other two gloat about manipulating him.

Starscream leads Megatron into the sewers, stating that a secret [[Autobot]] energy base is present there, but the doors close around them. Megatron recognizes it's a trap but gets frozen. Starscream gloats and tries to escape through a hatch but finds out that it's been locked by his "allies". This leaves Astrotrain and Blitzwing as joint Decepticon leaders.

[[File:Tripletakeoverblitzwingcoach.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The Coach rivals Prowl, Jazz, and Ultra Magnus as "Best Sub-Commander ever".]]
Heading for a stadium, Blitzwing, in a display of great intelligence, drafts a [[football coach]] to be his [[second-in-command]] and demands tactical advice from him, keeping him stuffed in a locker when not needed. Blitzwing misinterprets the coach's suggestions of "zone defense" and "long bomb" and has the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] build a massive highway maze, then begins firing "long bombs" from the stadium into the surrounding city. [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] leads a group of Autobots to investigate, but they end up crashing into each other in the Constructicons' maze and getting mashed flat by Blitzwing in tank mode. Meanwhile, Astrotrain heads to a train station, where he "conscripts" the [[Astroforce]], human trains which are to be his army. He sends them into a tunnel to collect energy lines and convert them into [[energon]]. It actually goes quite well for Astrotrain. The Astroforce? Not so much.

[[File:TripleTakeover Astrotrain trashedroforce.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"You're embarrassing me in front of the guys!"]]
Meanwhile, [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] flies over the maze, where [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] has built himself a throne... made of Prowl, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]. Guided by Powerglide from the air, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] manage to rescue the Autobots, causing Blitzwing and Scrapper to crash into each other. At the train station, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] come to see how Astrotrain is doing. To his credit, he has gotten a lot of [[energon cube]]s, but his Astroforce has somehow gotten off their tracks and into a knot. Astrotrain urges one of the trains to gather some energy from a gas main, but it turns out to be a water main, which floods the tunnel. Worse, it heads into the tunnel in which Megatron and Starscream are trapped. Online again, Megatron accuses Starscream of another attempt at treason and begins the customary throttling. Starscream maintains that he was tricked. The pair go in search of the two traitorous triple-changers.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] see the two Decepticons, only to be distracted by the water main flooding the city. Optimus rescues Spike after the boy is washed away, handing him off to Powerglide to take to safety. [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] uses his [[force field]] to push back the water, while Optimus and Ironhide seal the main. Heading for the station, Megatron and Starscream encounter Prime, who claims that he's looking for the real leaders of the Decepticons, implying it isn't the two of them. This really angers Megatron, who tries to kill the Autobot leader, but Prime escapes. Megatron leaves to put Astrotrain and Blitzwing in their place, while the Seekers watch and place bets on who will win. Optimus, however, is content to sit back and wait for the outcome.

At the stadium, the Constructicons demand a share of the power Blitzwing promised, but he refuses and tells them to go jump off a bridge. Bad idea, for the Constructicons form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]. The flood from the water main finally dies out at the stadium, depositing Astrotrain, who decides to scrap Blitzwing as well.

[[File:Tripletakeoverautobotthrone.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Unfortunately, the "Seatmaster" line never really took off...]]
Megatron and Starscream arrive, and Megatron beats his would-be usurpers senseless, but Devastator knocks out Megatron, then turns his sights on the Air Commander. Starscream manages to dodge Devastator, then Megatron slams the giant. Megatron, Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Starscream, and Devastator then engage in a battle royale which sees Megatron emerge victorious. He decides to spare the traitors, saying the Decepticon cause is too important, but warns them never to betray him again.

As the Autobots look on, they're impressed that Prime knew that Megatron would handle the Decepticons for them. The previously injured Autobots form a throne for their commander to sit on, but Optimus Prime declares that he'd rather [[Roll out|roll]].
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (14)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (15)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (16)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (17)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (18)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (19)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (20)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (25)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (26)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (28)
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (1)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (2)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (8)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (9)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (10)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (11)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (12)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (13)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (21)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (22)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (23)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (24)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] (29)
}}
|c3=
*[[football coach|Coach]] (5)
*Football players (6)
*Train conductor (7)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
"No planet ever lost its orbit underestimating the stupidity of Starscream."
:—'''Astrotrain'''

[[File:TripleTakeover Football coach.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You're playing stupid football, and I'm not going to have it!"]]
"Coach, it's a tank! What do I do?" 
"GIVE HIM THE BALL!"
:—A hapless '''halfback''' and his '''coach''' meet Blitzwing.

"Tell me what's on your mind, or I'll splatter it on the wall and see for myself!"
:—'''Blitzwing''' to <s>the football coach</s> his second-in-command.

"Scrapper calling Blitzwing. What is the purpose of this highway maze you ordered us to build?" 
"It's a ''zone defense'', you ignorant fool!"
:—'''Blitzwing''' explains the perfectly obvious to '''Scrapper'''

"Scrapper, how big is our zone defense?" 
"Can't tell. All the others are lost in it! All I know is, it's ''big!''"
:—Decepticon "leader" '''Blitzwing''' and '''Scrapper'''

[[File:TripleTakeover-ThrustAndAstrotrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|A single double-crossing Triple Changer.]]
"Astrotrain couldn't lead rats to a garbage can."
''(Other Decepticons snicker)''
:—Astrotrain gets no respect from '''Thrust'''.

"''You'' led me into this trap!!" 
"I was tricked! The Triple Changers! They told me it was a power station!" 
"You are either lying, or you're ''stupid!''" 
"I'm stupid! I'm stupid!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream''' cut straight to the chase

''(Constructicons drive through scoreboard)'' 
'''Scrapper''': Victory is ours! 
'''Blitzwing''': What do you mean, ''ours''? You broke my scoreboard! 
'''Scrapper''': We built your maze. Now you keep your part of the bargain. 
'''Blitzwing''': What bargain? 
'''Scrapper''': You promised us a partnership in leading the Decepticons. 
'''Blitzwing''': Tell you what, guys. Why don't you go build a bridge...and ''jump off it''! 
'''Scrapper''': Constructicons... transform into Devastator! 
''(Constructicons form Devastator and advances menacingly on Blitzwing)'' 
'''Blitzwing''': Hey! No offense, big guy!
:—Blitzwing learns an important lesson: never shortchange the Decepticon team that can combine into a giant robot mode.

"Don't waste your time, Megatron. Incinerating you is of no interest to me. I'm looking for the leaders of the Decepticons." 
"''I'' am the Decepticon leader!" 
"You and Starscream are just a nuisance. A couple of metallic mosquitoes." 
"Mosquitoes?! Then feel my BITE!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' brilliantly manipulates '''Megatron'''.

'''Thundercracker''': I say Megatron will prevail! 
'''Thrust''': Three energon cubes says you're wrong! 
'''Thundercracker''': Make it four! 
'''Ramjet''': My money is on Devastator.
:—Who becomes new leader of the Decepticons? PLACE BETS NOW!

"Get this straight: ''I'' am Decepticon Leader. YOU are recyclable!"
:—'''Megatron''' disses Blitzwing and Astrotrain

"Megatron is a wimp!" 
"So is ''Starscream''!" 
:—'''Starscream''' finds that kissing up doesn't work so well on '''Devastator'''

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 23rd May 1985
* Dialogue recording: 10th June 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:TripleTakeover Skids.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Blink and you'll miss him! Unless you're Prowl, in which case you'll smash right into him.]]
*By this point in the series, Starscream's voice had gotten rather high-pitched, and this is one of the most notable instances.
*The Triplechangers' trap uses "[[absolute zero degree molecules]]".
*Astrotrain refers to the fleeing humans as "spineless plasm-heads".
*Gadgets and powers:
**Hoist unfolds an incredibly long length of telescoping crane to save a driver whose car ran into the river. No wonder they call him "Hoist"!
**Ironhide fires "supercool nitrogen" from his hand gun to patch the broken water main. It's a blue laser beam that solidifies as a dark blue substance.
**Trailbreaker's forcefields are rainbow-coloured. Pretty! He fires them from his gun arm [[Dinobot Island, Part 1|again]].
**Powerglide can float in place in jet mode.
*This is the second and last time that Skids shows up in the Generation 1 cartoon. He has a completely different voice than he did in "[[Quest for Survival]]".
*Where did the trailer go?
**Prime's trailer rolls in from off-screen when he transforms during the flood, and rolls away again when he returns to [[robot mode]].
**The trailer follows him ''everywhere''! Even when he transforms inside a random human building, the trailer comes rolling in!
*Scrapper making a throne from the trashed Autobots is based on his bio, which says he incorporates defeated Autobots into his works.
*Devastator makes his first attempt at usurping control of the Decepticons from Megatron and actually attacks his former leader, something that goes against previous character portrayals, in which he was shown as a loyal follower (particularly notable in "[[The Core]]"). Also, how Megatron was able to defeat him is unknown, since the battle ended off-screen. Earlier on in the fight, Megatron's fusion cannon shots just bounced off him, so it's a big mystery.
*'''[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|< <]]''' What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron's gotten himself frozen! Unfortunately, so has Starscream. '''[[Starscream's Brigade|> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
*The weirdly improbable face carving is, of course, an homage to [[Mount Rushmore]].
*Astrotrain's line about "No planet ever lost its orbit underestimating the stupidity of Starscream" is a paraphrase of a famous quotation by early 20th Century satirist and journalist {{w|H. L. Mencken}}.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Some ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine rumble as the Seekers fly into the subway tunnel.
**The sliding door sound effect from the [[Death Star]] is used for the trains venting steam.
**More ''Falcon'' noise as Megatron and Starscream take off to attack Blitzwing.
**[[X-wing Fighter|X-Wings]] diving, and faint [[TIE Fighter]] roar, as Megatron takes off from the stadium.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:AstrotrainTakeover.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25|For this shot, Astrotrain's helmet and shoulder-wheels are colored purple, as on his finalized design, but his wings are mostly grey, in accordance with the outdated color model the rest of the episode uses.]]
*Astrotrain is a real mess this episode.
**He spends virtually the entirety of this episode with an outdated color model which makes his helmet and most of his wings and shoulder-wheels grey instead of the standard purple of his finished design usually seen in the series. This alternate model can also be spotted in "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]", and will be consistently used by [[AKOM]] in season three.
**Further, in a small handful of scenes (most notably, the shot of him transforming as he arrives at the train station), he appears with a color scheme "in-between" his outdated and finished designs, with purple helmet and shoulder wheels, but still mostly-grey wings (right). It's not clear if this came from an actual, third model sheet that was created between colour revisions, or if it was just a goof by the colorist combining aspects of the two. This particular screenshot has been widely shared online as if it were Astrotrain's true cartoon coloration (it's the first thing you get it you google "cartoon Astrotrain"), and consequently, it went on to influence the appearance of his [[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|2019 ''Siege'' toy]]
**Additionally, throughout the episode, he ''also'' intermittently appears with a different rear-view character model previously seen in the [[Commercial/Generation 1|commercial]] for his toy, which omits the shuttle tailfin that's normally on his back, and makes the backs of his wings much more detailed.
*The conspiracists' laser-sculpting is not very credible. Several shots in a row produce no effect, and then Megatron's face appears in the rock after one additional shot. The three Decepticons aren't even moving their arms as they shoot. They also keep firing after the four faces are already complete.
*Coloring errors:
**As they fly in the beginning, Starscreams' chest is red when it should be white.
**As Starscream says, "I will get Megatron," Decepticon HQ is miscolored as white instead of purple.
**Starscream's eyes are blue as Megatron yells at him for failing.
**Blitzwing's tank barrel is purple as he aims at the football player with the ball.
**Blitzwing's head is purple instead of yellow as the transforms after hitting the scoreboard.
**The side of Blitzwing's eyeband is white instead of red as Scrapper yells for help.
**Thundercracker is colored as Starscream when the jets transform and land in the tunnel; not only is Starscream not part of the group, he is still frozen underground at this point.
**Blitzwing's head is purple again (instead of yellow) as he chastises the Constructicons for breaking his scoreboard.
**Megatron's helmet is a shade lighter than the rest of him as he tells Starscream to shut up. It changes back to normal as they start walking off.
**During the "Three energon cubes says you're wrong" profile shot, Thrust and Ramjet's color schemes are switched.
**Megatron's helmet is ''darker'' than the rest of his body as he says "Why not?" It changes to normal as Devastator picks him up.
*Starscream has only one wing emblem as he and Megatron walk through the sewer, and it's on right side up instead of the usual upside down.
*"Straight ahead, Megatron." Starscream's mouth isn't moving.
*When Blitzwing plows through the goal at the football stadium, the debris left behind vanishes in the next frame.
*When Blitzwing grabs the football coach, the coach is yelling, "Okay! Okay....commander!", but ''Blitzwing'' is the one mouthing the words!
*The camera shot during whole conversation between Blitzwing and the Coach is strangely cropped, so that Blitzwing's head is cut off above the mouth.
*The train conductor makes the bizarre deduction that Astrotrain has no driver. Couldn't the driver just be on the other side of the cab, out of sight? Hard to tell, since Astrotrain's forward-facing windows are missing in the shot. As is the rear half of his wheel assembly.
*Astrotrain rather flagrantly changes from all-purple to all-gray as he transforms.
*In the station, strange shot cropping again, as Astrotrain's head gets cut off for part of the shot.
*As Astrotrain walks up to the trains, the trains have changed positions from where they were in the previous shot, when they were visible through the hole in the station wall.
*A line of Astrotrain's appears to have been cut between "Even soldiers need brains" and "Astrotrain can fix that". This was presumably an assessment that the trains have no brains.
*When Astrotrain wrests down a computer component to start work on his train army, the component vanishes as he rips out the engine. The vent he ripped off is still on the train a moment later. And for a brief moment afterward, it appears as if Astrotrain picks up thin air with his hands.
*The lockers that Blitzwing kicks open to stuff his "second in command" into are [[Scale|extremely huge]]. If one compares the size of the coach to one of those lockers, he would need to ''jump'' just to reach one of the handles.
**On that note, how ''exactly'' does Blitzwing kick the locker door open? By all rights, it should be a lump of scrap metal on the floor.
*The guy whose car falls off the bridge yells "Help!" in Spike's voice.
*Scrapper is seen scooping a load of dirt when he appears, but as he transforms, not only is the dirt gone, but he appears in an entirely different location.
*After the first commercial break, Blitzwing's cannon shots randomly change from having the Decepticon laser noise to Optimus Prime's rifle noise.
*As Blitzwing first runs over Prowl and Skids, the two Autobots have switched positions from where they were in the previous shot. Perhaps in an attempt by the colorists to fix this, their color schemes are switched.
*Blitzwing runs over Prowl and Skids twice from the same direction. The second time he runs over them with ''no'' sense of vertical motion, as if they were flat as paper. He couldn't possibly have crushed them ''that'' flat.
*For some reason, Astrotrain gets a red glowing effect as he transforms out of train mode in the tunnels.
*Despite Astrotrain's orders to do various things, the train just keeps doing exactly the same thing over and over, courtesy of recycled animation.
*As the train backs up to bump into the pipe again, the glow effects of its headlights are floating in front of the headlights themselves.
*The Autobot throne changes quite a bit between shots. When we first see it, it's a lumpy pile of beat-up Autobots. When Hoist lassos it, it's mostly just Prowl and Skids, sitting back to back, undamaged. Prowl is even holding his gun!
*Thrust is shown during Thundercracker's "Leader?! How do you figure that?" line.
*Two successive musical cues overlap for a second or two as the water comes bursting out of the tunnel.
[[File:Tripletakeover megatron frozen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Hey fellas, what's cooler than bein' cool?"]]
*When the water bursts in and frees Megatron and Starscream, Starscream is standing upright. When he froze, he was crouching by the exit hatch. In the same shot, Megatron is missing his Decepticon insignia.
*After they unfreeze, Megatron floats past the camera three times in a row.
*When Spike is washed away, Optimus yells "Spike!," but Peter Cullen uses Ironhide's voice.
*Also, the animation used for those shots is strangely distorted, making Spike looking like a child for a few moments.
*When he finds Spike, Optimus sort of transforms around him. In the next shot, Spike is in the driver's seat but there's no steering wheel. And when Powerglide lowers his ladder, Prime's trailer has a red stripe on it rather than a white one.
*The depth of the water varies all over the place. In one shot, Trailbreaker drives it away from a building, revealing several floors that were completely inundated; in another shot, it's almost to the top of a streetlamp. In other shots, it's shallow enough for the Autobots to wade through. In one scene, Optimus is wading through water up to his shoulders, yet when he transforms, it only comes up to his fenders.
*A huge pipe is shown breaking when Optimus first tries to fix the broken water main. The pipe that he and Ironhide repair later, however, just has a tiny little crack in it, nowhere near enough to flood a tunnel, let alone a whole city.
*Trailbreaker's forcefields are rainbow-colored rather than golden in this episode.
*Blitzwing is doing a strange little boogie before the Constructicons smash his scoreboard, with electrical effects around his hand. It's not really clear what this is meant to be. Is it his endzone victory dance?
*Scrapper's cab roof is misdrawn during Blitzwing's "What bargain?" line.
*Megatron reaches off-screen during his confrontation with Optimus, and something electrical lights up; we never do see what it is, though.
*As Megatron and Starscream shoot at Optimus, Starscream suddenly shifts from behind Megatron to in front of him. This makes him look tiny for a moment.
*Megatron gets the standard Decepticon laser sound for his fusion cannon, layered on top of its normal sound effect.
*Someone mistook Prime's blinding headlights for a laser attack, and inserted his standard rifle sound effect a couple of times.
*Megatron is shown with foot thrusters as he and Starscream take off.
*Among the Decepticon jets following Prime to the stadium is an off-model Seeker (or maybe an off-model Blitzwing) colored like Astrotrain; this should be Thundercracker. The jets are flying extremely low; Thrust can't be more than 10 feet above the road.
*As they fly toward Blitzwing's position, Ramjet and Thrust are flying alongside.... Blitzwing.
*As the Autobots stand on the building roof, the water lapping at the building's edge is drawn as though it were surf coming in on a flat beach; parts of it just drift right over the building parapet.
*The same scene is supposed to show Trailbreaker using his forcefield to push Astrotrain toward the stadium, but it's so badly drawn and edited that it's very easy to miss.
*Devastator and Blitzwing are almost the same size as they grapple.
*While Astrotrain and Blitzwing are grappling, Devastator stomps Astrotrain's train mode underfoot, crushing it flat. As Astrotrain is still grappling with Blitzwing in the next shot, it's not clear what this was supposed to be.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:TripleTakeover Astroforce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Astrotrain visits the railroad museum!]]
*Astrotrain reads the temperature in the trap room as "470 degrees below zero", but actual absolute zero is only 459 below zero (at least on the Fahrenheit scale; Astrotrain could conceivably be using some Cybertronian scale).
*A digital scoreboard wouldn't just add points because it was hit by a flaming football or an energy blast.
*The coach is introduced commanding the team with the same colors as his own clothing, but by the time the game gets interrupted by Blitzwing, he's commanding the ''other'' team. Eh? It ''could'' be a scrimmage, which would explain the ''totally empty stadium'', but then why does the other team have its own uniforms with their own letter?
*The locomotives that Astrotrain recruits don't look like any locomotives that were operating in North America in 1985. They appear to be based on some of the experimental streamliner diesels from the 1930s, such as the Union Pacific's {{w|M-10000}} and the Burlington's ''{{w|Pioneer Zephyr}}''... all of which were scrapped or retired decades before. One locomotive does resemble the {{w|Pendolino|Italian ETR 401}}, though.
*As Blitzwing is firing "long bombs" all over the place, isn't he the ''least'' bit concerned that he'll accidentally blow up the "zone defense" he's having the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] build?
*The bridge that Hoist repairs is clearly blown in half, yet once Hoist leaps into the river to shore up its supports, traffic keeps rolling across it.
*There's really no reason the Autobots couldn't have simply gone ''around'' the highway maze. For that matter, Tracks has a ''flight mode'' and could have guided and warned the others the way Powerglide guided Smokescreen and Hoist—or at least not gotten caught in the carnage.
*The four Autobots are pretty much destroyed by Blitzwing. Bluestreak explodes, and chunks of him (and three of his tires) go flying in different directions. Prowl, Skids, and Tracks all crash explosively and are all crushed under Blitzwing's tank treads. Unsurprisingly, none of them are nearly so damaged when they show up again later.
*Scrapper doesn't react ''at all'' to two Autobots driving into his throne room; he just continues sitting there on the Autobot throne, chilling out.
*He does react to Smokescreen's smoke cloud, however...by breaking out into a coughing fit! It's not [[Roll for It|the first time]] that [[The Gambler|robots]] have been shown [[Humanization|to cough]].
*Why would a water main be positioned so low that a train could hit it? Why would it be exposed in a tunnel at all?
*Whatever the reason, it's the most amazing water main in the whole history of forever. Within minutes, it floods a good deal of a city, at some points the water being as high as a multi-story building.
*Trailbreaker is just sitting there on the roof of a building, not doing anything, until Powerglide suggests doing something about the water.
*As the huge flood consumes the city, Spike just calmly watches it alongside Prime and Ironhide, and then has the audacity to cry for help when it inevitably washes him away. He either craves attention or lacks basic danger comprehension abilities.
*Somehow Spike is revived after being swept away by a flood and crushed under boulders by Optimus ''blowing air conditioning on him''.
*We never find out what this random building is that Megatron and Optimus both wander into, or why they're there. It kinda resembles an art museum, but there's no art. Whatever it is, it's built to the same huge scale as the football locker room; the Transformers have no trouble standing upright, and Optimus is last seen ''driving'' out the door.
*Despite what he says, Astrotrain doesn't ''have'' any score to settle with Blitzwing. (It's possible, though, that he just needed a good punching bag to beat up after the humiliation the Seekers gave him.)

===Trivia===
[[File:TripleTakeover Blitzwing coach.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You're playing like the village idiot! You want people to think of you as the village idiot?"]]
*Blitzwing's takeover of a football stadium is nothing short of hilarious. First, he blasts right through the wall, and everybody continues on as if nothing happened. Then, when one of the football players ''finally'' notices a big tank turret aimed at his face, the coach's first order of action is to... tell him to give Blitzwing the ball. Wait.... '''''WHAT?!'''''
*In contrast, the conductor who appears when Astrotrain takes over the train station knows full well to hightail it and run when the latter reveals himself. Seeing as how everybody else just ''stood there'' despite him yelling for them to run for their lives, this officially makes him the only [[human]] in this entire ''episode'' with half a brain.
*For something that was extrapolated from a football coach's vague, irrelevant musings by a guy basically depicted as a moron throughout the episode, Blitzwing's strategy is surprisingly effective.
*Blitzwing's promise of a joint leadership with the Constructicons is amazingly nonsensical: if it happened, there would be almost as many Decepticon leaders as there were Decepticons to be led.
*[[Transformers Comic issue 2.3|In an issue of Titan's Transformers comic]], the movie Decepticon [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] would reveal he's seen this episode.
*Signs in the city: STAR Daster, Hotel, Kend.
*Final score: Visitors 0; Blitzwing 1,569!

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast and European French DVD release):'' "'''La prise de pouvoir'''" ("The Takeover")
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''La dernière tentative'''" ("The Last Attempt")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*For the first time in the French version, the commercial bumpers were left in the episode, despite not sporting any voice.
::*The sportsmen don't say anything as they play, the exception being the player who faces Blitzwing with the ball.
::*Blitzwing's name is never pronounced throughout the episode. For example, Scrapper's line "Scrapper calling Blitzwing" is dubbed by "Hello, hello, do you read me?".
::*Blitzwing's lines "I must thank my advisor for such great strategy. With an assault of my long bombs, I'll totally level this city in no time!" is missing.
::*The dialogue between Prowl and Skids as they drive to the action is missing.
::*During the battle in the maze, Blitzwing's line "Ha ha! Wait for me!" is missing. Just after, his line "Autobots! Worth 10 points each!" is missing too.
::*Powerglide does not say anything as he guides Hoist and Smokescreen in the maze, which makes the scene incomprehensible.
::*Optimus Prime calls Ironhide "Iron", despite his usual nickname in the dub being "Irok".

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Der Aufstand'''" ("The Revolution")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[August 27]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''I Triplex ribelli'''" ("The Rebel Triple Changers")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Triplice congiura'''" ("Triple Conspiracy")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triple Changer no Hanran'''" (トリプル・チェンジャーの反乱, "The Rebellion of the Triple Changers")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 11]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zhēng Quán Duó lì '''" (争权夺利, "Scrambling for Leadership")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Domínio Tríplice'''" ("Triple Dominion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Troynoy perevorot'''" (Тройной переворот, "The Triple Upheaval")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:WFC-Siege-Leader-Astrotrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Leader Class Astrotrain''' (Hasbro [[2019]])

:''Siege'' (and its ''Earthrise'' repack) Astrotrain features the errorous pre-final character model-inspired wing deco patterns.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2003]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 16 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wYU85J-1QGjmvpaYsIUeSiXGMUmnVbZu/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pZqvrqtckaaZ4Nn9WJh89fhB8djWG7-6m Episode dialogue script]

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

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5

2023-10-31T02:16:56Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */ Come on! How can you not have Blitzwing's moment of truth in here?

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=70
|series2=2010
|ep2=5
|prev2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
|next2=Thief in the Night
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"
|image=FFOD5_Galvatron_lever.jpg
|caption=How can he possibly resist the diabolical urge to pull the lever that could erase his very existence?
|season=3
|season ep=5
|airdate=[[September 19]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|production code=700-90
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBNvcUWzlpg
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''With Earth and Cybertron under joint Decepticon-Quintesson assault, the Autobots raise a last stand against their old enemies... and the race which created them.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:FFOD5 Decepticons attack.JPG|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Galvatron, can he join my armada?]]

The [[Decepticon]]s open a sortie against the [[Autobot]]s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the initial attack took out the whole defense system. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] tells the others to go, while he holds them off. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] says that Magnus's courage will be remembered. Unsaid is the possibility that there will be no one to remember it. From their ship, the [[Quintesson]]s calculate that it will take less than a day to completely defeat the Autobots. After all, they've given [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] something worth fighting for...

On Earth, the new Decepticon battle station heads for [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]]. [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] lead a counter offensive, but their efforts are stymied when the station [[Transformation|transforms]] into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Warpath orders [[Teletraan I]] to activate the defense systems, but Trypticon causes [[Mount St. Hilary|the volcano]] to collapse on the ship, destroying it. With his task there complete, Trypticon heads to his next target: [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].

[[File:FFOD5 Predacons.JPG|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Know that there are five Predacons. The other guys are posers!]]

On [[Io]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] hurries to rescue [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]], and [[Marissa Faireborn]] from certain death from the natives. However, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] arrive to steal the [[Transformation cog|Transformation Cog]] intended for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Initially, the Predacons turn out to be all bark with no bite. However, they merge into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], and manage to disorient Wheelie, Blurr, and Faireborn. However, Sky Lynx attacks Predaking, and causes him to separate. Sky Lynx orders the others to board him, and Wheelie discovers the cog.

Meanwhile, Galvatron orders [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to give a status report to the Quintessons. However, Blitzwing overhears that the Quintessons don't have the [[Decepticon Matrix]]. What's worse, they want the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to pull a [[large switch]] which will deactivate the [[Transformer]]s all over the galaxy. Blitzwing tries to tell Galvatron, but the psychotic [[Decepticon leader]] merely beats him. Blitzwing realizes that there is one other option... side with the Autobots to stop the Quintessons.

[[File:FFOD5 Metroplex Trypticon.JPG|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Godzilla vs. Megazord!]]

On Earth, Trypticon has arrived at Autobot City, but Wheelie is able to get the cog to Pipes, who installs it in Metroplex. Coming online, Metroplex and Trypticon throw down. Their battle extends into another city (which everyone manages to evacuate from). Finally, Metroplex manages to overwhelm Trypticon, and throws Trypticon a great distance, where he lands in the ocean and sinks.

On Cybertron, Blitzwing, Rodimus Prime, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] manage to stop the Sharkticons, but Galvatron, thinking the switch is the key to the Decepticon Matrix, pulls it. With the Transformers offline, the Quintessons land on Cybertron. As the Quintessons enjoy how great it is to be home, Spike grabs Rodimus' weapon, and destroys the lever. Reactivating, an incredibly angry Galvatron begins chasing the Quintessons, who manage to escape. Galvatron then prepares to fight Rodimus, but Blitzwing pulls his weapon on Galvatron, telling him that this has to end. Galvatron banishes Blitzwing from the Decepticons, and orders the Decepticons to retreat.

[[File:FFOD5 Rodimus victory speech.JPG|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Optimus would have given a more rousing speech.]]

Rodimus notes that the battle is over for now, but the Autobot leader also notes that the Transformers may well have met their greatest enemies...
{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (9)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (12)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (13)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (14)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (15)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (16)
*[[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (17)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (18)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (20)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
*[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] (22)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (23)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (24)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (26)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (31)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (32)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (33)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (48)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (49)

|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (1)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (2)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (3)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (4)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (11)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (28)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (29)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (34)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (35)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (36)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (37)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (38)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (39)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (30)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (31)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (32)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (33)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (34)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (35)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (38)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (36)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (37)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (39)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (40)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (41)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (42)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (43)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (44)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (45)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (46)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (47)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (25)
*Cornpone
*Cornpone's Wife

|c4=
*[[Quintesson]]s (10)
*[[Deliberata]]
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (35)

}}

==Quotes==
"Why do you not flee? Did our last encounter teach you nothing?" 
"Not cowardice, certainly."
:— '''Galvatron''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' meet for the first time after the movie.

"Olé, sucker!" 
:—'''Wheelie''' the bullfighter!

'''Sky Lynx''': "If that is the worst the Predacons can do, we have little to fear from..." 
''[the Predacons combine into Predaking]'' 
'''Marissa Faireborn''': "You don't suffer from... overconfidence or anything?" 
'''Predaking''': "He does! But, he will suffer more at the hands of ''Predaking!''" 
:— Predaking makes his entrance

"Mighty Galvatron... there is no Decepticon Matrix!" 
[''smacks him away''] "Tell it to the Autobots!"
:—'''Blitzwing''' gets some inspiration from '''Galvatron'''.

"Faster, Pipes, faster faster faster faster faster! You gotta work faster because if you don't Trypticon's gonna stomp us and that's why we're gonna get..." 
"Blurr... shut up!"
:—'''Blurr''' annoys '''Pipes'''.

"This planet's not big enough for the both of us." 
"Me crush Metroplex!"
:—'''Metroplex''', the gung-ho cowboy, meets '''Trypticon''', the ravaging dinosaur.

"ENOUGH! This battle ends now, or I shall write its conclusion!" 
"You will never be welcome in the ranks of the Decepticons again!" 
"Sometimes it's better to be known for one's enemies."
:—'''Blitzwing''' is officially done with your scrud, '''Galvatron'''.

"We Transformers have looked into the face of our creators... and seen the face of an enemy."
:—'''Rodimus Prime'''

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}

[[File:PrimeEmergencyBeaconMohawk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|Prime's mohawk has many practical functions you never knew about.]]

[[Tommy Kennedy|Tommy]] and [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] meet in the barren wasteland and Tommy wants to know why Optimus is late again. Optimus explains that [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] slowed him down, but not to worry, he "demolished them". However, the whole sector is currently on alert, just in case they come back. Despite all this danger, Tommy asks Prime to finish the story...

In the end, Tommy is thrilled to hear that it took a ''human'' to ultimately save the day. Optimus says that the Autobots owe the humans their lives and Tommy volunteers to help him out next time there are any Decepticons to fight. Suddenly, Prime's flashing red emergency mohawk beacon goes off: The Decepticons are back! Optimus tells Tommy to get ready for battle and Tommy begins to renege on his offer to help fight. Prime accuses Tommy of being frightened which spurs the youth into declaring "let's do it!" Together, they blast off into space to meet the Decepticons in deadliest combat.

{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Voice actor call sheet prepared: 6th May 1986
* Dialogue recording session: 16th May 1986
===Continuity notes===
*The [[large switch]] was located at "coordinates omega-zero-one" within Cybertron. The Quintesson's emergency escape pod was on "level 14".
*Pipes cites the late Optimus Prime and quotes his catchphrase, "Transform and [[roll out]]!"
*Gadgets and powers:
**Bumblebee is shown with a rooftop cannon in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] during the first attack run on Trypticon. The weapon appears to be based on that of Outback.
*Galvatron makes reference to his last meeting with Ultra Magnus, on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]].
*This episode is the first and only appearance of Tailgate. Swerve would later reappear briefly in "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]".
*The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s make their debut (excepting an anomalous appearance by [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|Part 1]]). They are either newly created, or have not been encountered by the Autobots before, as neither Blaster nor Sky Lynx are familiar with them. There's no indication of their origin; a Quintesson simply states that "We shall see how your Sky Lynx fares against... the Predacons." The team then arrives on Io in balls of fire.
**An origin for the Predacons' sudden arrival, as well as their affiliation with the Quintessons, was provided by ''[[TV Magazine]]'' in their [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|''Transformers 2010'' story pages]]. Evidently, the Predacons were built by the Quintessons during their alliance with the Decepticons.
**There's also an easy-to-miss gag there - the Quintessons intercept Blaster's statement that Sky Lynx is on his way to Io, and presumably pass it along to the Predacons. The egotistical Sky Lynx expresses surprise when the Predacons actually show up, saying they must not have received "Blaster's warning", that presumably being the intercepted transmission about Sky Lynx himself!
*[[Teletraan I]] would apparently survive destruction, in Japanese continuity, anyway. It would appear one final time in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' episode "[[Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!]]".

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak and Thrust emerge from Trypticon's chest with the sound of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'''s engine burst.
**[[Luke_Skywalker|Luke]]'s [[X-wing_Fighter|X-wing]] crashing on Dagobah can be heard as the Sweeps and Cyclonus spin into each other.
*It must be more than coincidence that the force attacking the city-scale Trypticon is made up entirely of characters from the Mini Vehicle range (plugging the new Decepticon's playset potential).

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Cyclonus oddity armadaesque.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|The worst part is, somebody in charge looked at all this and said, "Great job! AKOM, we're giving you the rest of Season 3!"]]
[[File:FFoDPart5Sandstorm.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Hey look, it's a G1 version of [[Airlift Andy]].]]
*During the recap, Galvatron's "Very well, Junkions" line is not flanged.
*AKOM episode. Wrong color models. Colored mouths. You know the drill:
**Rodimus and Galvatron are both consistently colored using outdated color models; Rodimus's shoulder indentations are red instead of white, his pelvis-windshield details are white instead of light burgundy, while Galvatron has pale purple "underpants." Rodimus's gun is back to being the same odd blue/gray combo he had in Part 2; AKOM usually colors it red, though it should be black. It's also missing its "wings" when Spike borrows it.
**Blurr's mouth is blue. Almost everyone else, shockingly enough, has the normal grayish-black.
**Soundwave has a white backpack (visible as Sky Lynx flattens him.)
*The generic Decepticon army:
**In the opening pan, the entire Decepticon army seems to be made up of randomly recoloured Sweeps and Cyclonuses. Among the more visible examples are Sweeps colored like Breakdown and Wildrider.
**As Magnus turns to open fire, the foreshortening of his arm is bizarrely misdrawn.
**As Galvatron continues to descend and fire, an extra Cyclonus appears in Dirge's colors, alongside the actual Cyclonus.
***A Dirge-colored Cyclonus strafes Cybertron after the first commercial break.
*Coloring errors:
**Rodimus's spoiler ridge is colored yellow instead of orange as Kup laments the loss of the defense system.
**Scrapper's faceplate changes from grey to red as he listens to Bonecrusher.
**"We have no choice but to make our stand here" - one of Bumblebee's horns is drawn and colored as though it was part of Swerve's leg, which is behind it.
**In the second shot of Warpath's team of [[Mini Vehicle]]s outside Autobot Headquarters, Beachcomber is colored like Wildrider.
**As the Autobots watch Trypticon walk off, Warpath's back is grey rather than red.
**Ultra Magnus punches Ramjet, who spirals out of control. When he hits a wall and explodes, he's colored like Dirge. The error is particularly visible since Dirge himself gets the same punch-and-explode treatment a second later.
**The Autobot firing next to Perceptor and Slingshot appears to be [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm's]] [[character model]] in the color scheme of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. He ''definitely'' shouldn't be there, as he's not introduced in-story until "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]", but at least the miscoloration gives him an "out"!
**As he delivers the "Meet your fate valiantly, Autobots!" line, Perceptor's Autobot logo is all grey rather than just a grey outline.
**As Blaster despairs over Sky Lynx's absence, his helmet is white instead of red.
**Headstrong's [[beast mode]] head has a huge swath of black on it in two different shots.
**As Blurr throws the cog, Thrust flies past in Laserbeak's colors. This was probably intended to be Laserbeak himself, since Thrust just got swatted.[[File:FFOD5 Insecticons.png|right|thumb|upright=1.1|Maybe Cyclonus ''was'' [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]]. Or [[Insecticon clone|a clone.]]]]
**When Wheelie faces off against the big line of Decepticon troops, all three Insecticons are present, including two Shrapnels. Bombshell's eyes aren't colored in. Blast Off and Swindle are also in the lineup, despite appearing on Cybertron at the start of the attack there.
***When Sky Lynx jumps over/through the lined up Decepticons, the second Shrapnel is replaced by Soundwave.
**The late Ratchet is among the Autobots cheering Metroplex's victory, in Blaster's colors. Alongside him are Cliffjumper in Jazz's colors, what may be Ironhide in white and black, Sunstreaker in Bumblebee colors, and somebody colored like Blast Off.
**Springer and Arcee are shown among the frozen Autobots on Earth, despite being on Cybertron. Sludge is shown in the same shot in Grimlock's colors (and possibly with Grimlock's head.)
**As the Quintessons venture onto Cybertron, a frozen Sweep is shown with red (pink?) wings.
**A second later, the Quintessons walk past a frozen [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (or [[Eject (G1)|Eject]]), drawn at the size of an ordinary Transformer and colored like [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]].
**Blitzwing's helmet is missing its yellow bits as he starts off after Galvatron and the fleeing Quintessons.
*Springer changes places between shots, going from Magnus's right to directly behind him (and back again when the first shot is recycled.)
*The click sound of the button pushed by the Quintesson to activate his monitor doesn't coincide with the actual push of the button.
*The Quintessons' view of Earth initially shows partly cloudy skies... then Trypticon just appears out of nowhere against the same sky. We'll be kind and not count this monitor view under "Improbable Viewpoints".
*Warpath neither moves his faceplate nor flashes his cheek blinkers when he speaks.
[[File:FFoD5 MiniVehicles.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*From shot to shot, Swerve's head goes from pink helmet and visor, to pink helmet and blue visor, to red helmet and blue visor.
*Swerve disappears after the initial shot of the Autobot ambush, and is replaced by Beachcomber.
[[File:Giantscamper.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*An establishing shot of Metroplex shows him sitting in the desert all by himself, without [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] anywhere in sight. He also has Scamper sitting in his "garage", drawn to toy-based scale... which means he'd be a hundred foot long car.
*Sky Lynx flies behind a smooth, featureless reddish celestial body. If it's supposed to be Io, it's ''waaaaaay'' too small, not more than a couple hundred feet across. In fact it's too small to be a regular round body.
*Io has changed colors; an establishing shot shows it to be red instead of the gray it was last time. Of course, the ''real'' Io actually ''is'' red.
*In the first shot of Blurr, Wheelie, and Marissa fighting the lightpoles, none of them is standing on Io's surface; they're floating several feet above it.
*Also, Marissa's ship is intact, but it was blown up in the previous episode.
*Improbable viewpoints:
**How does Blaster get an eye-level view of Marissa fighting on Io?
*Sudden starry night:
**The view of Trypticon smoking and damaged is set against a starry night sky, despite the scene occurring during the daytime.
**When Wheelie loses the transforming cog, three of the next four shots are shown against a blue sky with clouds, rather than the night sky of Io.
**Night sky is shown behind Marissa as she orders Blurr to "stop babbling"...
***And again behind Blurr as he prepares for his "lateral"...
****And again behind the cog as Wheelie throws it to Sky Lynx...
*****And again behind Sky Lynx as he flattens the Decepticon lineup...
*Once again, the animation fails to convey that the lightpoles are an actual threat.
*Powerglide gets a descending-pitch transformation sound as he changes to his plane mode and takes off. Launching aerial Transformers normally get the rising-pitch version.
*The Constructicons watching Trypticon on the hill are much larger than they should be.
*Five Autobots drive toward Trypticon, but the next shot shows only three getting kicked away.
*Pipes and Swerve seem to be firing lasers right out of their windshields.
*As Trypticon approaches Autobot Headquarters, the ship only has two engines sticking out rather than three.
*The sound effect for the shot that Trypticon fires at the camera lags behind the shot itself.
[[File:Cycloni ffod5.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*Cyclonus and his Armada:
**Four Cyclonuses are shown strafing Cybertron after the first commercial break.
**The next shot shows two Cyclonuses.
**While retreating from Cybertron, there are five Cyclonuses flying with Galvatron.
*When Galvatron transforms to fire on Ultra Magnus, his arm cannon flies off screen, and a new one comes out of his head to take its place in cannon mode. (Again!)
*Magnus and Galvatron's voices are muffled as if they were speaking by radio, even though there's no reason for them to do so. Dirge and Ramjet suffer from a similar though less obvious effect in the same scene.
*Bumblebee and Powerglide are briefly visible fighting alongside Perceptor against the Sweeps on Cybertron, despite being on Earth at the time.
*Blitzwing's voice isn't properly flanged as he acknowledges Galvatron's command to report to the Quintessons.
*Throughout the episode, the area around Blitzwing's Decepticon symbol changes. Sometimes it has lines above and below it, sometimes only above, sometimes none. Sometimes red, sometimes purple.
*In the establishing shot before Sky Lynx arrives, Marissa and the 'bots aren't even trying to fight off the lightpoles! Incidentally, Io's gone back to being gray.
*Sky Lynx's first transformation sequence lacks any transformation sound.
*The squawks that Sky Lynx lets loose after transforming are not by his voice actor! (The whole animal noise shtick for him would be dropped after this episode.)
*The Predacons get some bizarre use of the transformation noise. It plays as they emerge from the balls of fire that carried them to Io (a means of transport that they never used again.)
*Headstrong and Tantrum arrive carrying their guns, but a second later they charge into battle with their swords. They then proceed not to use either weapon.
*Sky Lynx's transporter section transforms to lynx mode, but is back in transporter mode when Blurr and Marissa run away from it.
*Blurr lacks a transformation noise as he changes modes to cross the canyon.
*Predaking gets the transformation sound ''every time he moves''.
*Sky Lynx's transporter section lacks the transformation sound as it converts to lynx mode again. Apparently, Predaking sucked up all the transformation noises from the whole scene.
*When Predaking fires his foot weapons, a laser emerges. The weapon's effect, however, is shown as a windstorm.
*Sky Lynx's combining sequence is a little messed up; his lynx legs are shown unfolding, but since his lower half was already in lynx mode, they should be unfolded already.
*Predaking's head is on backwards as Sky Lynx wraps his tail around it.
*As Trypticon approaches Autobot City, the city is shown in a barren desert. It had [[The Transformers: The Movie|previously been shown]] to be located in a lush mountain valley, and is shown that way again at the end of the episode.
*Slingshot is seen running about in Autobot City as it transforms, even though he was last seen on Cybertron with Perceptor.
*Scrapper's mouthplate continues moving even as Mixmaster gives the order to fire. (And why is Mixmaster giving the orders, anyway?)
*As the Autobots exit Sky Lynx, the transforming cog is shown as a large gear wheel, instead of an orb-shaped device. Sky Lynx's windows aren't colored in, either.
*As the Constructicons try to tackle Wheelie, they're shown on a metal floor, despite the preceding and following shots being shown in the desert. Motormaster likewise goes from desert to metal floor as he accidentally tackles Bonecrusher.
*Sky Lynx clearly throws the cog horizontally, yet it somehow arcs so high that Trypticon can't catch it. As Trypticon lunges for the cog, it's the size of his fist—the same fist that easily held Outback earlier in the episode.
*When the Autobots are celebrating the safety of the transformation cog after the little game of catch with the Decepticons, two Constructicons and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] appear to be seen "raising the roof" along with them. The "Constructicons" are in fact Beachcomber colored like Long Haul and Groove colored like Scrapper, while "Frenzy" is really the Eject/Rewind [[character model]] in Frenzy's colors. Slingshot shows up again, too, alongside a Streetwise colored like Dead End.
*Metroplex is back in city mode as Trypticon prepares to stomp him.
*The hand that topples Trypticon does not come from the actual location where Metroplex's arms are stored in city mode.
*When Metroplex transforms, Autobot City is nowhere in sight.
*Metroplex's single line is delivered in a different voice than that of his later appearances.
*Who knew Trypticon was so aerodynamic? After Metroplex throws him, he falls ''up'' in the second shot of him sailing over the landscape.
*The [[large switch]] stops glowing after the Sharkticons arrive.
*For some reason, a view of Cybertron is used as an establishing shot for Earth.
[[File:FFoD Part5 Frozen Metroplex.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*Blitzwing is shown with a purple Autobot insignia while being offered membership in their ranks by Rodimus Prime.
*The energy beams of the fleeing Quintessons don't line up with their bodies.
*Rodimus's gun disappears after Spike shoots the switch, but several shots later Rodimus suddenly has it again.
*As the Quintessons blast off in the escape pod, we see a group of generic Transformers who look a lot like those seen in Rodimus's flashback during the previous episode!
*Mixmaster and Scrapper are seen on Cybertron as the Quintessons escape, despite the Constructicons being on Earth.
*Sky Lynx is far too small as he and the others watch Rodimus on screen.
*Although both the [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] and [[Shout! Factory]] versions of this episode contain the correct unique opening titles for the story (one of only two parts of "Five Faces of Darkness" on DVD that do), the Shout! version incorrectly uses the soundtrack to the standard season three opening as now found on the broadcast masters to all five parts.

===Continuity errors===
*The opening pan over Cybertron shows it with two moons, even though Unicron ostensibly devoured both of Cybertron's moons during ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. One moon appears again as the Quintessons make their battle projection.
*Superhuman Spike:
**Survives a blast that trashes the room he's in and sends his Autobot friends flying.
**Has amazingly little trouble hoisting Rodimus's gun onto his shoulder.
*Powerglide notes that Trypticon has "''another'' transform," but at this point he's only seen it in the battle platform mode.
*So if everyone actually retreated to Level 2, per Rodimus's order, then who are all those Decepticons firing at? How long would it take them to gang up and overpower Magnus, if he's really the only one left?
*The answer comes a moment later, when Perceptor and company are seen to have ignored that order.
[[File:G1 FFODPart5 UltraMagnus punch Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*Dirge and Ramjet both appear to explode rather fatally after Magnus punches them. Both will nevertheless show up alive and well in later episodes. Considering they were already seen eaten by Unicron in the Movie, this is not so surprising.
*Despite the absence of the transforming cog, both Autobot City ''and'' Metroplex are showing transforming to their respective battle station modes. Apparently, Metroplex only needs the cog to change into [[robot mode]].
*Most of the battle on Cybertron is shown happening on the surface, with no ceilings and blue night skies, despite Rodimus's order to retreat below ground. Yet Blitzwing still flies underground to report to Galvatron.
*Most of the Constructicons' appearances shows that Scrapper leads the team, so why the hell is Mixmaster giving the orders?
*There appears to be a human city quite close to Autobot city, but previously in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|Movie]], there were no signs or suggestions of a human city being nearby. In addition, this poses the question of why the Autobots or humans built their cities so near to each other despite the fact that Autobot City is often under attack by Decepticons.
*The Quintessons' wariness over the humans, previously touched upon in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|Part 2]] and [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|Part 4]], appears to have been well-founded, as Spike single-handedly foils their plan. Considering the nature of their endgame and that they were aware of the Autobots' "association with these humans," it begs the question of why the master manipulators never factored human intervention - and [[Large switch|kill switch]] immunity - into their schemes. On the other hand, it's not clear why Spike waited for the Quintessons to land and make their way "deep into Cybertron" before destroying the switch. Unless it was just his way of making a particularly showy point to both Galvatron and the Quintessons.

===Trivia===
*Just from the episode alone, it's impossible to tell who the line "It'll be passing above us soon" is being spoken by, as it doesn't correspond to any of the known voices of the Autobots present. This just left Swerve and Tailgate as possible candidates for the line (since neither was ever seen to speak any other lines, it could have been either of them). The episode's script would later confirm that the line belonged to Tailgate, and was delivered by the eternally overlooked [[Ted Schwartz]].
*Scrapper's first line was written as the inexplicably Brooklyn-esque "Wot's da point? We're supoifluous" in the [[dialogue script]]. Actor [[Michael Bell]] delivered it as normal.
*This episode is the last appearance of the volcano, Autobot Headquarters, and Teletraan I. The computer would be replaced later in the season by [[Teletraan II]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les cinq visages du mal, partie 5'''" ("The Fives Faces of Evil, Part 5")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 5'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''I cinque volti del male, Parte 5'''" (First dub, "The Five Faces of Evil, Part 5"), "'''Le cinque facce dell'oscurità, Parte 5'''" (Second dub, "The Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' クインテッサ星人の陰謀 (''Quintessa Seijin no Inbō'', "Conspiracy of the Quintessons")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 12]], [[1986]]
:*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|Part 3]] of the ''Transformers 2010'' [[story page]]s published in ''[[TV Magazine]]'' crafts an origin to explain the sudden existence of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s in this episode. According to the story page, the Predacons were built by the [[Quintesson]]s during their brief alliance with the Decepticons to aid their allies in battle.
:*When Pipes's name caption appears onscreen, though the narrator correctly refers to him as "Pipes", the caption misspells his name as パイプ (''Paipu'' "Pipe") instead of パイプス (''Paipusu'' "Pipes").

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wǔmiànguài (5)'''" (五面怪 (五), "Five-Faced Monsters (5)")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Desforra, Quinta Parte'''" ("The Rematch, Fifth Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230305021906/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-3/synopses/700-90.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bid3TK_q2HxH7NR5MDAlGsKe5AlcbBnU/view?usp=sharing Miniseries outline, covering parts 3 to 5]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aYoDgowwMMtdozkbRivxA7JJ7c3pIhMh/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5

2023-10-31T01:58:53Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */ Who's Melissa Fairborne? I know a Marissa Faireborn.

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=70
|series2=2010
|ep2=5
|prev2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
|next2=Thief in the Night
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"
|image=FFOD5_Galvatron_lever.jpg
|caption=How can he possibly resist the diabolical urge to pull the lever that could erase his very existence?
|season=3
|season ep=5
|airdate=[[September 19]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|production code=700-90
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBNvcUWzlpg
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''With Earth and Cybertron under joint Decepticon-Quintesson assault, the Autobots raise a last stand against their old enemies... and the race which created them.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:FFOD5 Decepticons attack.JPG|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Galvatron, can he join my armada?]]

The [[Decepticon]]s open a sortie against the [[Autobot]]s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the initial attack took out the whole defense system. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] tells the others to go, while he holds them off. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] says that Magnus's courage will be remembered. Unsaid is the possibility that there will be no one to remember it. From their ship, the [[Quintesson]]s calculate that it will take less than a day to completely defeat the Autobots. After all, they've given [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] something worth fighting for...

On Earth, the new Decepticon battle station heads for [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]]. [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] lead a counter offensive, but their efforts are stymied when the station [[Transformation|transforms]] into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Warpath orders [[Teletraan I]] to activate the defense systems, but Trypticon causes [[Mount St. Hilary|the volcano]] to collapse on the ship, destroying it. With his task there complete, Trypticon heads to his next target: [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].

[[File:FFOD5 Predacons.JPG|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Know that there are five Predacons. The other guys are posers!]]

On [[Io]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] hurries to rescue [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]], and [[Marissa Faireborn]] from certain death from the natives. However, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] arrive to steal the [[Transformation cog|Transformation Cog]] intended for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Initially, the Predacons turn out to be all bark with no bite. However, they merge into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], and manage to disorient Wheelie, Blurr, and Faireborn. However, Sky Lynx attacks Predaking, and causes him to separate. Sky Lynx orders the others to board him, and Wheelie discovers the cog.

Meanwhile, Galvatron orders [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to give a status report to the Quintessons. However, Blitzwing overhears that the Quintessons don't have the [[Decepticon Matrix]]. What's worse, they want the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to pull a [[large switch]] which will deactivate the [[Transformer]]s all over the galaxy. Blitzwing tries to tell Galvatron, but the psychotic [[Decepticon leader]] merely beats him. Blitzwing realizes that there is one other option... side with the Autobots to stop the Quintessons.

[[File:FFOD5 Metroplex Trypticon.JPG|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Godzilla vs. Megazord!]]

On Earth, Trypticon has arrived at Autobot City, but Wheelie is able to get the cog to Pipes, who installs it in Metroplex. Coming online, Metroplex and Trypticon throw down. Their battle extends into another city (which everyone manages to evacuate from). Finally, Metroplex manages to overwhelm Trypticon, and throws Trypticon a great distance, where he lands in the ocean and sinks.

On Cybertron, Blitzwing, Rodimus Prime, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] manage to stop the Sharkticons, but Galvatron, thinking the switch is the key to the Decepticon Matrix, pulls it. With the Transformers offline, the Quintessons land on Cybertron. As the Quintessons enjoy how great it is to be home, Spike grabs Rodimus' weapon, and destroys the lever. Reactivating, an incredibly angry Galvatron begins chasing the Quintessons, who manage to escape. Galvatron then prepares to fight Rodimus, but Blitzwing pulls his weapon on Galvatron, telling him that this has to end. Galvatron banishes Blitzwing from the Decepticons, and orders the Decepticons to retreat.

[[File:FFOD5 Rodimus victory speech.JPG|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Optimus would have given a more rousing speech.]]

Rodimus notes that the battle is over for now, but the Autobot leader also notes that the Transformers may well have met their greatest enemies...
{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (9)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (12)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (13)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (14)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (15)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (16)
*[[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (17)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (18)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (20)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
*[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] (22)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (23)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (24)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (26)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (31)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (32)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (33)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (48)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (49)

|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (1)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (2)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (3)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (4)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (11)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (28)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (29)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (34)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (35)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (36)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (37)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (38)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (39)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (30)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (31)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (32)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (33)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (34)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (35)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (38)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (36)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (37)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (39)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (40)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (41)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (42)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (43)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (44)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (45)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (46)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (47)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (25)
*Cornpone
*Cornpone's Wife

|c4=
*[[Quintesson]]s (10)
*[[Deliberata]]
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (35)

}}

==Quotes==
"Why do you not flee? Did our last encounter teach you nothing?" 
"Not cowardice, certainly."
:— '''Galvatron''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' meet for the first time after the movie.

"Olé, sucker!" 
:—'''Wheelie''' the bullfighter!

'''Sky Lynx''': "If that is the worst the Predacons can do, we have little to fear from..." 
''[the Predacons combine into Predaking]'' 
'''Marissa Faireborn''': "You don't suffer from... overconfidence or anything?" 
'''Predaking''': "He does! But, he will suffer more at the hands of ''Predaking!''" 
:— Predaking makes his entrance

"Mighty Galvatron... there is no Decepticon Matrix!" 
[''smacks him away''] "Tell it to the Autobots!"
:—'''Blitzwing''' gets some inspiration from '''Galvatron'''.

"Faster, Pipes, faster faster faster faster faster! You gotta work faster because if you don't Trypticon's gonna stomp us and that's why we're gonna get..." 
"Blurr... shut up!"
:—'''Blurr''' annoys '''Pipes'''.

"This planet's not big enough for the both of us." 
"Me crush Metroplex!"
:—'''Metroplex''', the gung-ho cowboy, meets '''Trypticon''', the ravaging dinosaur.

"We Transformers have looked into the face of our creators... and seen the face of an enemy."
:—'''Rodimus Prime'''

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}

[[File:PrimeEmergencyBeaconMohawk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|Prime's mohawk has many practical functions you never knew about.]]

[[Tommy Kennedy|Tommy]] and [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] meet in the barren wasteland and Tommy wants to know why Optimus is late again. Optimus explains that [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] slowed him down, but not to worry, he "demolished them". However, the whole sector is currently on alert, just in case they come back. Despite all this danger, Tommy asks Prime to finish the story...

In the end, Tommy is thrilled to hear that it took a ''human'' to ultimately save the day. Optimus says that the Autobots owe the humans their lives and Tommy volunteers to help him out next time there are any Decepticons to fight. Suddenly, Prime's flashing red emergency mohawk beacon goes off: The Decepticons are back! Optimus tells Tommy to get ready for battle and Tommy begins to renege on his offer to help fight. Prime accuses Tommy of being frightened which spurs the youth into declaring "let's do it!" Together, they blast off into space to meet the Decepticons in deadliest combat.

{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Voice actor call sheet prepared: 6th May 1986
* Dialogue recording session: 16th May 1986
===Continuity notes===
*The [[large switch]] was located at "coordinates omega-zero-one" within Cybertron. The Quintesson's emergency escape pod was on "level 14".
*Pipes cites the late Optimus Prime and quotes his catchphrase, "Transform and [[roll out]]!"
*Gadgets and powers:
**Bumblebee is shown with a rooftop cannon in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] during the first attack run on Trypticon. The weapon appears to be based on that of Outback.
*Galvatron makes reference to his last meeting with Ultra Magnus, on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]].
*This episode is the first and only appearance of Tailgate. Swerve would later reappear briefly in "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]".
*The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s make their debut (excepting an anomalous appearance by [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|Part 1]]). They are either newly created, or have not been encountered by the Autobots before, as neither Blaster nor Sky Lynx are familiar with them. There's no indication of their origin; a Quintesson simply states that "We shall see how your Sky Lynx fares against... the Predacons." The team then arrives on Io in balls of fire.
**An origin for the Predacons' sudden arrival, as well as their affiliation with the Quintessons, was provided by ''[[TV Magazine]]'' in their [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|''Transformers 2010'' story pages]]. Evidently, the Predacons were built by the Quintessons during their alliance with the Decepticons.
**There's also an easy-to-miss gag there - the Quintessons intercept Blaster's statement that Sky Lynx is on his way to Io, and presumably pass it along to the Predacons. The egotistical Sky Lynx expresses surprise when the Predacons actually show up, saying they must not have received "Blaster's warning", that presumably being the intercepted transmission about Sky Lynx himself!
*[[Teletraan I]] would apparently survive destruction, in Japanese continuity, anyway. It would appear one final time in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' episode "[[Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!]]".

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak and Thrust emerge from Trypticon's chest with the sound of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'''s engine burst.
**[[Luke_Skywalker|Luke]]'s [[X-wing_Fighter|X-wing]] crashing on Dagobah can be heard as the Sweeps and Cyclonus spin into each other.
*It must be more than coincidence that the force attacking the city-scale Trypticon is made up entirely of characters from the Mini Vehicle range (plugging the new Decepticon's playset potential).

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Cyclonus oddity armadaesque.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|The worst part is, somebody in charge looked at all this and said, "Great job! AKOM, we're giving you the rest of Season 3!"]]
[[File:FFoDPart5Sandstorm.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Hey look, it's a G1 version of [[Airlift Andy]].]]
*During the recap, Galvatron's "Very well, Junkions" line is not flanged.
*AKOM episode. Wrong color models. Colored mouths. You know the drill:
**Rodimus and Galvatron are both consistently colored using outdated color models; Rodimus's shoulder indentations are red instead of white, his pelvis-windshield details are white instead of light burgundy, while Galvatron has pale purple "underpants." Rodimus's gun is back to being the same odd blue/gray combo he had in Part 2; AKOM usually colors it red, though it should be black. It's also missing its "wings" when Spike borrows it.
**Blurr's mouth is blue. Almost everyone else, shockingly enough, has the normal grayish-black.
**Soundwave has a white backpack (visible as Sky Lynx flattens him.)
*The generic Decepticon army:
**In the opening pan, the entire Decepticon army seems to be made up of randomly recoloured Sweeps and Cyclonuses. Among the more visible examples are Sweeps colored like Breakdown and Wildrider.
**As Magnus turns to open fire, the foreshortening of his arm is bizarrely misdrawn.
**As Galvatron continues to descend and fire, an extra Cyclonus appears in Dirge's colors, alongside the actual Cyclonus.
***A Dirge-colored Cyclonus strafes Cybertron after the first commercial break.
*Coloring errors:
**Rodimus's spoiler ridge is colored yellow instead of orange as Kup laments the loss of the defense system.
**Scrapper's faceplate changes from grey to red as he listens to Bonecrusher.
**"We have no choice but to make our stand here" - one of Bumblebee's horns is drawn and colored as though it was part of Swerve's leg, which is behind it.
**In the second shot of Warpath's team of [[Mini Vehicle]]s outside Autobot Headquarters, Beachcomber is colored like Wildrider.
**As the Autobots watch Trypticon walk off, Warpath's back is grey rather than red.
**Ultra Magnus punches Ramjet, who spirals out of control. When he hits a wall and explodes, he's colored like Dirge. The error is particularly visible since Dirge himself gets the same punch-and-explode treatment a second later.
**The Autobot firing next to Perceptor and Slingshot appears to be [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm's]] [[character model]] in the color scheme of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. He ''definitely'' shouldn't be there, as he's not introduced in-story until "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]", but at least the miscoloration gives him an "out"!
**As he delivers the "Meet your fate valiantly, Autobots!" line, Perceptor's Autobot logo is all grey rather than just a grey outline.
**As Blaster despairs over Sky Lynx's absence, his helmet is white instead of red.
**Headstrong's [[beast mode]] head has a huge swath of black on it in two different shots.
**As Blurr throws the cog, Thrust flies past in Laserbeak's colors. This was probably intended to be Laserbeak himself, since Thrust just got swatted.[[File:FFOD5 Insecticons.png|right|thumb|upright=1.1|Maybe Cyclonus ''was'' [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]]. Or [[Insecticon clone|a clone.]]]]
**When Wheelie faces off against the big line of Decepticon troops, all three Insecticons are present, including two Shrapnels. Bombshell's eyes aren't colored in. Blast Off and Swindle are also in the lineup, despite appearing on Cybertron at the start of the attack there.
***When Sky Lynx jumps over/through the lined up Decepticons, the second Shrapnel is replaced by Soundwave.
**The late Ratchet is among the Autobots cheering Metroplex's victory, in Blaster's colors. Alongside him are Cliffjumper in Jazz's colors, what may be Ironhide in white and black, Sunstreaker in Bumblebee colors, and somebody colored like Blast Off.
**Springer and Arcee are shown among the frozen Autobots on Earth, despite being on Cybertron. Sludge is shown in the same shot in Grimlock's colors (and possibly with Grimlock's head.)
**As the Quintessons venture onto Cybertron, a frozen Sweep is shown with red (pink?) wings.
**A second later, the Quintessons walk past a frozen [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (or [[Eject (G1)|Eject]]), drawn at the size of an ordinary Transformer and colored like [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]].
**Blitzwing's helmet is missing its yellow bits as he starts off after Galvatron and the fleeing Quintessons.
*Springer changes places between shots, going from Magnus's right to directly behind him (and back again when the first shot is recycled.)
*The click sound of the button pushed by the Quintesson to activate his monitor doesn't coincide with the actual push of the button.
*The Quintessons' view of Earth initially shows partly cloudy skies... then Trypticon just appears out of nowhere against the same sky. We'll be kind and not count this monitor view under "Improbable Viewpoints".
*Warpath neither moves his faceplate nor flashes his cheek blinkers when he speaks.
[[File:FFoD5 MiniVehicles.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*From shot to shot, Swerve's head goes from pink helmet and visor, to pink helmet and blue visor, to red helmet and blue visor.
*Swerve disappears after the initial shot of the Autobot ambush, and is replaced by Beachcomber.
[[File:Giantscamper.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*An establishing shot of Metroplex shows him sitting in the desert all by himself, without [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] anywhere in sight. He also has Scamper sitting in his "garage", drawn to toy-based scale... which means he'd be a hundred foot long car.
*Sky Lynx flies behind a smooth, featureless reddish celestial body. If it's supposed to be Io, it's ''waaaaaay'' too small, not more than a couple hundred feet across. In fact it's too small to be a regular round body.
*Io has changed colors; an establishing shot shows it to be red instead of the gray it was last time. Of course, the ''real'' Io actually ''is'' red.
*In the first shot of Blurr, Wheelie, and Marissa fighting the lightpoles, none of them is standing on Io's surface; they're floating several feet above it.
*Also, Marissa's ship is intact, but it was blown up in the previous episode.
*Improbable viewpoints:
**How does Blaster get an eye-level view of Marissa fighting on Io?
*Sudden starry night:
**The view of Trypticon smoking and damaged is set against a starry night sky, despite the scene occurring during the daytime.
**When Wheelie loses the transforming cog, three of the next four shots are shown against a blue sky with clouds, rather than the night sky of Io.
**Night sky is shown behind Marissa as she orders Blurr to "stop babbling"...
***And again behind Blurr as he prepares for his "lateral"...
****And again behind the cog as Wheelie throws it to Sky Lynx...
*****And again behind Sky Lynx as he flattens the Decepticon lineup...
*Once again, the animation fails to convey that the lightpoles are an actual threat.
*Powerglide gets a descending-pitch transformation sound as he changes to his plane mode and takes off. Launching aerial Transformers normally get the rising-pitch version.
*The Constructicons watching Trypticon on the hill are much larger than they should be.
*Five Autobots drive toward Trypticon, but the next shot shows only three getting kicked away.
*Pipes and Swerve seem to be firing lasers right out of their windshields.
*As Trypticon approaches Autobot Headquarters, the ship only has two engines sticking out rather than three.
*The sound effect for the shot that Trypticon fires at the camera lags behind the shot itself.
[[File:Cycloni ffod5.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*Cyclonus and his Armada:
**Four Cyclonuses are shown strafing Cybertron after the first commercial break.
**The next shot shows two Cyclonuses.
**While retreating from Cybertron, there are five Cyclonuses flying with Galvatron.
*When Galvatron transforms to fire on Ultra Magnus, his arm cannon flies off screen, and a new one comes out of his head to take its place in cannon mode. (Again!)
*Magnus and Galvatron's voices are muffled as if they were speaking by radio, even though there's no reason for them to do so. Dirge and Ramjet suffer from a similar though less obvious effect in the same scene.
*Bumblebee and Powerglide are briefly visible fighting alongside Perceptor against the Sweeps on Cybertron, despite being on Earth at the time.
*Blitzwing's voice isn't properly flanged as he acknowledges Galvatron's command to report to the Quintessons.
*Throughout the episode, the area around Blitzwing's Decepticon symbol changes. Sometimes it has lines above and below it, sometimes only above, sometimes none. Sometimes red, sometimes purple.
*In the establishing shot before Sky Lynx arrives, Marissa and the 'bots aren't even trying to fight off the lightpoles! Incidentally, Io's gone back to being gray.
*Sky Lynx's first transformation sequence lacks any transformation sound.
*The squawks that Sky Lynx lets loose after transforming are not by his voice actor! (The whole animal noise shtick for him would be dropped after this episode.)
*The Predacons get some bizarre use of the transformation noise. It plays as they emerge from the balls of fire that carried them to Io (a means of transport that they never used again.)
*Headstrong and Tantrum arrive carrying their guns, but a second later they charge into battle with their swords. They then proceed not to use either weapon.
*Sky Lynx's transporter section transforms to lynx mode, but is back in transporter mode when Blurr and Marissa run away from it.
*Blurr lacks a transformation noise as he changes modes to cross the canyon.
*Predaking gets the transformation sound ''every time he moves''.
*Sky Lynx's transporter section lacks the transformation sound as it converts to lynx mode again. Apparently, Predaking sucked up all the transformation noises from the whole scene.
*When Predaking fires his foot weapons, a laser emerges. The weapon's effect, however, is shown as a windstorm.
*Sky Lynx's combining sequence is a little messed up; his lynx legs are shown unfolding, but since his lower half was already in lynx mode, they should be unfolded already.
*Predaking's head is on backwards as Sky Lynx wraps his tail around it.
*As Trypticon approaches Autobot City, the city is shown in a barren desert. It had [[The Transformers: The Movie|previously been shown]] to be located in a lush mountain valley, and is shown that way again at the end of the episode.
*Slingshot is seen running about in Autobot City as it transforms, even though he was last seen on Cybertron with Perceptor.
*Scrapper's mouthplate continues moving even as Mixmaster gives the order to fire. (And why is Mixmaster giving the orders, anyway?)
*As the Autobots exit Sky Lynx, the transforming cog is shown as a large gear wheel, instead of an orb-shaped device. Sky Lynx's windows aren't colored in, either.
*As the Constructicons try to tackle Wheelie, they're shown on a metal floor, despite the preceding and following shots being shown in the desert. Motormaster likewise goes from desert to metal floor as he accidentally tackles Bonecrusher.
*Sky Lynx clearly throws the cog horizontally, yet it somehow arcs so high that Trypticon can't catch it. As Trypticon lunges for the cog, it's the size of his fist—the same fist that easily held Outback earlier in the episode.
*When the Autobots are celebrating the safety of the transformation cog after the little game of catch with the Decepticons, two Constructicons and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] appear to be seen "raising the roof" along with them. The "Constructicons" are in fact Beachcomber colored like Long Haul and Groove colored like Scrapper, while "Frenzy" is really the Eject/Rewind [[character model]] in Frenzy's colors. Slingshot shows up again, too, alongside a Streetwise colored like Dead End.
*Metroplex is back in city mode as Trypticon prepares to stomp him.
*The hand that topples Trypticon does not come from the actual location where Metroplex's arms are stored in city mode.
*When Metroplex transforms, Autobot City is nowhere in sight.
*Metroplex's single line is delivered in a different voice than that of his later appearances.
*Who knew Trypticon was so aerodynamic? After Metroplex throws him, he falls ''up'' in the second shot of him sailing over the landscape.
*The [[large switch]] stops glowing after the Sharkticons arrive.
*For some reason, a view of Cybertron is used as an establishing shot for Earth.
[[File:FFoD Part5 Frozen Metroplex.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*Blitzwing is shown with a purple Autobot insignia while being offered membership in their ranks by Rodimus Prime.
*The energy beams of the fleeing Quintessons don't line up with their bodies.
*Rodimus's gun disappears after Spike shoots the switch, but several shots later Rodimus suddenly has it again.
*As the Quintessons blast off in the escape pod, we see a group of generic Transformers who look a lot like those seen in Rodimus's flashback during the previous episode!
*Mixmaster and Scrapper are seen on Cybertron as the Quintessons escape, despite the Constructicons being on Earth.
*Sky Lynx is far too small as he and the others watch Rodimus on screen.
*Although both the [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] and [[Shout! Factory]] versions of this episode contain the correct unique opening titles for the story (one of only two parts of "Five Faces of Darkness" on DVD that do), the Shout! version incorrectly uses the soundtrack to the standard season three opening as now found on the broadcast masters to all five parts.

===Continuity errors===
*The opening pan over Cybertron shows it with two moons, even though Unicron ostensibly devoured both of Cybertron's moons during ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. One moon appears again as the Quintessons make their battle projection.
*Superhuman Spike:
**Survives a blast that trashes the room he's in and sends his Autobot friends flying.
**Has amazingly little trouble hoisting Rodimus's gun onto his shoulder.
*Powerglide notes that Trypticon has "''another'' transform," but at this point he's only seen it in the battle platform mode.
*So if everyone actually retreated to Level 2, per Rodimus's order, then who are all those Decepticons firing at? How long would it take them to gang up and overpower Magnus, if he's really the only one left?
*The answer comes a moment later, when Perceptor and company are seen to have ignored that order.
[[File:G1 FFODPart5 UltraMagnus punch Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
*Dirge and Ramjet both appear to explode rather fatally after Magnus punches them. Both will nevertheless show up alive and well in later episodes. Considering they were already seen eaten by Unicron in the Movie, this is not so surprising.
*Despite the absence of the transforming cog, both Autobot City ''and'' Metroplex are showing transforming to their respective battle station modes. Apparently, Metroplex only needs the cog to change into [[robot mode]].
*Most of the battle on Cybertron is shown happening on the surface, with no ceilings and blue night skies, despite Rodimus's order to retreat below ground. Yet Blitzwing still flies underground to report to Galvatron.
*Most of the Constructicons' appearances shows that Scrapper leads the team, so why the hell is Mixmaster giving the orders?
*There appears to be a human city quite close to Autobot city, but previously in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|Movie]], there were no signs or suggestions of a human city being nearby. In addition, this poses the question of why the Autobots or humans built their cities so near to each other despite the fact that Autobot City is often under attack by Decepticons.
*The Quintessons' wariness over the humans, previously touched upon in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|Part 2]] and [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|Part 4]], appears to have been well-founded, as Spike single-handedly foils their plan. Considering the nature of their endgame and that they were aware of the Autobots' "association with these humans," it begs the question of why the master manipulators never factored human intervention - and [[Large switch|kill switch]] immunity - into their schemes. On the other hand, it's not clear why Spike waited for the Quintessons to land and make their way "deep into Cybertron" before destroying the switch. Unless it was just his way of making a particularly showy point to both Galvatron and the Quintessons.

===Trivia===
*Just from the episode alone, it's impossible to tell who the line "It'll be passing above us soon" is being spoken by, as it doesn't correspond to any of the known voices of the Autobots present. This just left Swerve and Tailgate as possible candidates for the line (since neither was ever seen to speak any other lines, it could have been either of them). The episode's script would later confirm that the line belonged to Tailgate, and was delivered by the eternally overlooked [[Ted Schwartz]].
*Scrapper's first line was written as the inexplicably Brooklyn-esque "Wot's da point? We're supoifluous" in the [[dialogue script]]. Actor [[Michael Bell]] delivered it as normal.
*This episode is the last appearance of the volcano, Autobot Headquarters, and Teletraan I. The computer would be replaced later in the season by [[Teletraan II]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les cinq visages du mal, partie 5'''" ("The Fives Faces of Evil, Part 5")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 5'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''I cinque volti del male, Parte 5'''" (First dub, "The Five Faces of Evil, Part 5"), "'''Le cinque facce dell'oscurità, Parte 5'''" (Second dub, "The Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' クインテッサ星人の陰謀 (''Quintessa Seijin no Inbō'', "Conspiracy of the Quintessons")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 12]], [[1986]]
:*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|Part 3]] of the ''Transformers 2010'' [[story page]]s published in ''[[TV Magazine]]'' crafts an origin to explain the sudden existence of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s in this episode. According to the story page, the Predacons were built by the [[Quintesson]]s during their brief alliance with the Decepticons to aid their allies in battle.
:*When Pipes's name caption appears onscreen, though the narrator correctly refers to him as "Pipes", the caption misspells his name as パイプ (''Paipu'' "Pipe") instead of パイプス (''Paipusu'' "Pipes").

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wǔmiànguài (5)'''" (五面怪 (五), "Five-Faced Monsters (5)")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Desforra, Quinta Parte'''" ("The Rematch, Fifth Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230305021906/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-3/synopses/700-90.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bid3TK_q2HxH7NR5MDAlGsKe5AlcbBnU/view?usp=sharing Miniseries outline, covering parts 3 to 5]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aYoDgowwMMtdozkbRivxA7JJ7c3pIhMh/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Atlantis, Arise!

2023-10-17T14:40:26Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=24
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=16
|prev2=The Immobilizer
|next2=Enter the Nightbird
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=15
|prev3=War of the Dinobots
|next3=Auto Berserk
|image=SubAtlantica Undersea.jpg
|caption=There's fire burning... underwater. Don't ask.
|title="Atlantis, Arise!"
|season=2
|season ep=8
|production code=#700-23
|airdate=[[October 3]], [[1985]]
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Nakamura Production]], [[Dai Won Animation Co.]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWnwAYPMf2A
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons ally with the undersea realm of Sub-Atlantica. But they may be more treacherous than Megatron expected.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Atlantis Arise Sub-Atlanticans Decepticons.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|And when you see Aquaman, tell him his superpower sucks.]]
[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] summons [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the control room, saying that [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] have detected massive energy readings underwater. The Decepticons investigate and encounter the [[Sub-Atlantica]]ns, a race who hope to conquer the surface world one day. Megatron negotiates a deal with [[Nergill]], King of Sub-Atlantica, offering Decepticon military technology in exchange for access to their [[geothermal]] storehouses. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] distrusts the Sub-Atlanticans, who communicate with each other telepathically.

[[File:Atlantis Arise Autobots football.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|R U READY 4 SUM FOOTBALL?]]
Near the [[Autobot]] [[Ark (G1)|base]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] are playing a game of [[football]] with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] arrives before the Dinobots accidentally kill anyone, telling them there is a massive energy reading emanating from near the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon base]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] dispatches Bumblebee, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], Hound, and Wheeljack to investigate, with Spike tagging along. The Decepticons and Sub-Atlanticans attack and take Wheeljack prisoner. After raising the city from the bottom of the ocean, the Decepticons and Sub-Atlanticans prepare to attack [[Washington, D.C.]] as a sign of their new alliance. Nergill communicates with his soldiers, telling Megatron that they will imprison Wheeljack in his dungeons. However, at Starscream's orders, Soundwave unscrambles the message and learns that Wheeljack is to be taken to their laboratory to develop weapons against the Autobots and Decepticons alike.

The Autobots head for Washington, hoping to stop the Decepticons and Sub-Atlanticans. Prime has Spike and Bumblebee head for Sub-Atlantica, hoping to rescue Wheeljack, while the Autobot leader takes the others to Washington. The Sub-Atlanticans raise a [[force field]] known as the [[Dome of Invulnerability]] over Washington, trapping the Autobots inside. In Sub-Atlantica, Nergill has developed a [[magnetic dysfunction ray]] which will shut down [[Transformer]]s; he's tested it on Wheeljack, leaving him immobile. Starscream discovers this and is shot by Nergill, who learns that it is less effective on Decepticons. As Nergill leaves, Starscream attempts to drain power from Wheeljack, but Bumblebee and Spike stop arrive just in time to stop the Decepticon and restore Wheeljack.

[[File:Atlantis Arise Megs Lincoln memorial.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Four score and seven million years ago, I founded a [[Decepticon Empire|new nation]]...]]
Nergill strolls into Washington, with Wheeljack, Bumblebee and Spike sneaking in behind him. Nergill uses the disruptor to defeat Prime's team of Autobots, bringing the battle to an end. As the Sub-Atlanticans secure the Capitol building, his soldiers ask when to move against the Decepticons, but Nergill decides to wait a little while longer. Meanwhile, Megatron (sitting at the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]) tells [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] that they will deal with the Sub-Atlanticans soon enough.

Wheeljack calls in the Dinobots, who manage to penetrate the force field and come to blows with the Decepticons. As Megatron and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] grapple, Nergill is on the verge of shooting them both until Starscream arrives and bashes Nergill aside, declaring that he is now an enemy. Grimlock grabs the disruptor and destroys it, causing the Autobots to revive. The Decepticons and Sub-Atlanticans retreat back to their own city, with the Autobots in pursuit.

[[File:SubAtlantica Asplode.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|But the others chose to stay, sitting in their porches with their shotguns, and eventually evolved into mermaids. And they would sing and dance, and ring in the new...]]
Back at Sub-Atlantica, Megatron demands an answer to Starscream's treason charge against Nergill, but Nergill informs him that the Autobots are coming. They invade the city, and the Dinobots begin smashing everything in sight.

Nergill decides to destroy the city, hoping to destroy the Transformers as well. Spike, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee follow, hoping to stop Nergill, with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] in pursuit. The two [[Mini-Cassette]]s realize Nergill's intentions, and Rumble tries to bury him in rubble, but it's not enough. Wheeljack likewise tries to stop the sub-aquatic king, but it's too late. Nergill throws a device into his energy containers, which starts a chain reaction that begins to destroy the city. The Decepticons retreat; Prime orders the Autobots to clear out, then rescues Wheeljack's team (and strangely finds Grimlock there as well). Prime and the others escape, watching from the nearby sea as the Sub-Atlanticans and their home disappear under the waves. Prime says they probably won't see Nergill again for a long time.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (10)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (11)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (12)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (13)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (14)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (15)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (18)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (19)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (20)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (21)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (23)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (25)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (26)
|c2=
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (1)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (2)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (4)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (5)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (6)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (7)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (27)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (28)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (9)
|c4=
*[[Nergill]] (8)
*Sub-Atlantican General (24)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:Houndfootball.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"When I pick those balls out, at that point to me they are perfect."]]
"Are you sure humans do this for fun?"
:—'''Hound''', after playing a game of football with the Dinobots

"Did I do that?"
:—'''Bumblebee''', being suitably amazed after knocking down Starscream. Float like a butterfly- sting like a Bumblebee.

"No! That could ruin Wheeljack's function circuits!" 
"So... what? Ruining Autobots is my life!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Starscream'''

"Autobots bite off more than they can chew, then send for Dinobots! Come, Snarl, Sludge. We go!"
:—'''Grimlock''', responding to the SOS call by Wheeljack. Apparently he does not want Slag or Swoop.

"Mmm, we are ''here''."
:—'''Grimlock''' is a master of subtle and astute observation

"Me Grimlock here again, Optimus Prime, to pull your diodes out of laser fire."
:—'''Grimlock''' is getting a little tired of rescuing Optimus Prime

"Okay, Grimlock. Time for you and the Dinobots to ''act'' prehistoric!"
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"You don't frighten me, you mechanico<ref>Dialogue script</ref> throwbacks!" 
"Good, Megatron! We love stupid enemies!"
:—'''Grimlock''' has no grasp of irony... or does he?

"Starscream, see what you've done, you driveling dirt bucket!"
:—'''Megatron''', once again insulting Starscream -ironically enough after the latter saved him from being shot in the back by Nergill. And he wonders why Starscream is so disloyal.

"Starscream's right! Nergill is crazy!"
:—'''Rumble''' admits Starscream was right about something. And then the universe implodes.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft storyboards completed: 7th January 1985 (Artists: [[Toei Animation]])
* Dialogue recorded: 8th January 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Atlantis Arise Hound roof.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Whoops! Can't get my fancy cushions wet!]]
[[File:AtlantisArise Bumblebee spygear.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Bumblebee had GPS before it existed!]]
*Starscream references [[zap-mice]], [[electro-toad]]s, and [[hydroweasel]]s. He's been reading his Cybertronic ZooBooks!
*Bumblebee references [[Units of time|astro-seconds]].
*Gadgets and powers:
**Two groups of Autobots drive on the water, using the water ski-like [[hydrofoil]]s that showed up in several other episodes. (At most points, the hydrofoils are not shown, but Bumblebee's can be glimpsed after the first commercial break.)
**Hound has a folding sunroof. That is awesome. His toy did not. That is not awesome. (His ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Hound (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|toy]] gives him a detachable roof, though it is neither foldable nor the same design as the one in this episode.)
**Bumblebee has a bizarre direction calculator thing that comes out of his back.
**Shoulder artillery: Wheeljack uses a missile from his shoulder launcher to seal the cave shut behind the other Autobots. The only other time he actually fires missiles (instead of laser beams from the tip of the missile) is in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]".
*Grimlock also grumbled about having to save the Autobots in "[[Day of the Machines]]". It'll finally come to a head in "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1]]".
*Hey, that shot of Soundwave ejecting Laserbeak during the DC battle sure looks familiar... why, it's copied from "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]"! [[Changing Gears|Again!]]

===Real world references===
*As the obligatory "conquer Washington" episode (''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' had one too), "Atlantis, Arise!" features several D.C. landmarks, including the [[Washington Monument]], the [[White House]] (where the Decepticons first land), the US Capitol Building, and the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]] and its Reflecting Pool, as well as a mention of the Chesapeake Bay.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**The gouts of fire that burst from the sea as Sub-Atlantica sinks are soundtracked with various explosions from the [[Death Star]] battle, possibly exploding [[X-wing Fighter]]s.

===Animation and technical errors===
*Someone mistook the strange glint of sunlight reflecting off of Buzzsaw for a laser beam, and inserted a Decepticon laser sound effect accordingly.
*Coloring errors:
**Soundwave has some extra black shading around his eyeband as he reports to Megatron inside Decepticon HQ.
**When the Decepticons leave their base, Starscream's [[alternate mode|jet mode]] has a yellow underbelly. For an animation error, it's unusually appropriate!
**As he orders Soundwave to unscramble Nergill's message, Starscream's left pectoral is colored gray instead of red, and isn't really drawn in correctly, almost as if the animators intended his arm to be covering it during the scene.
**Soundwave is drawn with a totally transparent tape door as Starscream has him unscramble Nergill's second message. It is obviously a deliberate choice to show the cassette mechanism within, but it conflicts with the usual white coloration of his chest panel.
**As Megatron makes his dramatic proclamation of Sub-Atlantica's destination, the bottom of Starscream's cockpit cowling is colored yellow instead of gray.
**When Megatron removes the President Abraham Lincoln statue from the chair, his Decepticon insignia is grey.
**The inside of Sludge's [[robot mode]] mouth is white when he says "Alright!"
**Slag's face is white instead of red as he exits Prime's trailer in Sub-Atlantica. In the next shot, his whole head is gray.
*As Megatron pontificates about "an underwater city of such size", a strangely-timed edit has the scene cut to an exterior shot of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]], as if ''that'' were supposed to be the underwater city in question. If it's meant to be an establishing shot, why isn't it at the beginning of the scene?
*The Decepticon Headquarters docking tower appears to be listing about 15 degrees or so as it emerges from the water, as if a stock view from one point-of-view angle was copied onto a new background drawn at a different point-of-view angle.
[[File:SubAtlantica Undersea.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|We shall swim out to that brooding reef in the sea and dive down through black abysses to Cyclopean and many-columned Sub-Atlantica....]]
*Considering how bright and well-lit everything is, Sub-Atlantica must be in about 25 feet of water.
*As Hound's camper roof unfolds, his turret gun clips right through it.
*Bumblebee appears to be using one of the Sub-Atlanticans' weapons as he fires at Starscream and company.
*During Wheeljack's "But nobody else is gonna follow you either" line, only the front side of his "ears" flash.
*Starscream is shown among the Decepticons leaving Sub-Atlantica to conquer D.C. The very next shot shows him lurking within the city as Nergill exposits to himself.
*As the Autobots drive toward Washington, Optimus mispronounces their foes' names as "Sub-[[Atlanta]]-cans".
*The "highway" that the Autobots use to drive to D.C. has an "exit" for the Chesapeake Bay that's more like a T-shaped intersection. Bumblebee somehow manages to negotiate it at full speed without flying out of control.
*The sign that the Autobots past says 'New York' (Right Arrow) 'Baltimore' (Forward Arrow) and Washington DC (Left Arrow), which would only really make sense if they were driving in from the Atlantic Ocean. It is also backwards.
*The animation is very inconsistent as to whether the little red bulb on the Sub-Atlanticans' headwear is supposed to flash when they talk.
*The [[Dome of Invulnerability]] guy is missing his telepathic waves as he refuses Megatron's order.
*Laser bolts bounce right off the Washington Monument without leaving so much as a burn mark. With weapons that ineffectual, it's no wonder nobody ever dies in this show!
*Laserbeak's attack on Hound is strangely truncated; Laserbeak fires non-glowing lasers, and then suddenly vanishes out of the shot.
*The shot that Hound fires at Laserbeak doesn't line up with his gun barrel.
*The electrical bolts enveloping Starscream right after Nergil blasts him are not animated to jigger for the first few seconds.
*While calling to warn Optimus about Nergil's weapon, the Autobot insignia on Wheeljack's roof/chest is upside-down.
*When the Dinobots break through the force field, Starscream is among the group fighting them off, even though he is still lying inert within Sub-Atlantica at this point. Episode storyboards show this is meant to be Skywarp.
[[File:Optimus prime doppelgaenger.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Prime uses budding to hold up the Washington Monument.]]
*Before Megatron bashes the Washington Monument, Prime and Prowl are standing there watching. After Megatron bashes the Monument, the shot returns to the same Prowl-and-Prime angle. But Prowl is gone, and the earlier artwork of Prime is still there watching as ''another'' Prime runs to catch the monument!
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**The Autobots shown entering the city and attacking Megatron include Prime, Hound, Brawn, Prowl, Ironhide, and Sunstreaker. Sunstreaker and Ironhide disappear after the battle begins; only Hound, Brawn, Prowl and Prime are shown being disabled by Nergill and being revived later on. Ironhide finally shows up again after the battle is over; courtesy of some recycled transformation animation, Ratchet and Trailbreaker appear out of nowhere as the Autobots roll out of D.C. During the Sub-Atlantica battle, Sideswipe appears (also out of nowhere), and Sunstreaker finally reappears.
*A strangely angled shot, looking up from below the water, is supposed to show Prime, Wheeljack, Bumblebee and Grimlock swimming out of Sub-Atlantica. It's ''very'' easy to mistake it for a shot showing them flying through the air. They don't move any of their limbs, they move across the screen very rapidly, and the water itself is backlit by the sunset colored sky.
*Spike's declaration that "Nergill's gone!" doesn't mean much, since the animation never actually makes it clear that Wheeljack carried him out of Sub-Atlantica.
*What are Prime and the others standing on after they evacuate Sub-Atlantica? Even Spike is above water almost to his waist!

===Continuity errors===
*If Nergill "communicates telepathically", as Soundwave claims, why is his mouth moving all the time?
[[File:Spike SemiNude.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Then again, look at how ripped his pecs are. Maybe he really ''is'' a superhuman!]]
*Superhuman Spike:
**Spike can survive in the "deepest part of the Atlantic ocean" wearing only a bathing suit and using a simple oxygen tank and goggles. Amazing that he isn't crushed under the weight of the ocean or frozen to death.
**Spike can somehow speak clearly to the Autobots without removing the mouthpiece for his breathing apparatus from his mouth; hell, he can even perform this trick ''underwater''.

[[File:SubAtlantican SurfaceGear.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The Sub-Atlanticans have to wear aquatic masks over their faces when they're on dry land. Yet they don't wear them inside their city, which appears to be just as water-free as the surface.
*More an omission than an error, but it's never explained just what Starscream was trying to do to Wheeljack.
*Starscream's third appearance in DC isn't an animation error; he's central to the plot! How did he get free of the dysfunction ray?!
*How ''did'' Grimlock get into the energy supply room with Wheeljack, Bumblebee, and Spike? The last time we saw him, he was up in Sub-Atlantica fighting.

===District of Columbia errors===
[[File:Megatron hates lincoln.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|It also survives being carelessly tossed aside without a scratch.]]
*Despite the Autobots being near the Chesapeake Bay, the backgrounds show huge rocks and expanses of sand, as if they were in the desert.
*As Hound fights near the reflecting pool, there's lots of tall buildings behind him. D.C. doesn't really have many tall buildings, certainly not near the Mall.
*Both the plot and the animation seem to imply that DC sits on a major body of water. Or did Sub-Atlantica just sail right up the Potomac?
*The Lincoln Memorial is strangely [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]-[[Scale|sized]]. Also, the statue part apparently just comes right off. Who knew?
*Somehow, the rotational forces involved in the Washington Monument's partial fall do not cause the masonry structure to snap like a dry twig.
*Apparently, damaged masonry structures like the Washington Monument can be ''melted'' back together. Who knew?

===Trivia===
[[File:Nergill & Troops.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*This episode is one of a handful that begins with a (rather pointless) narrative voiceover from [[Victor Caroli]].
*When played back at a slower speed, Nergill says telepathically to his people:
**"Never mind. Put your weapons away. We don't want to put them on guard."
**"Take no aggressive action. They suspect."
*While not as annoying as "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]" and "[[Heavy Metal War]]", the Shout! Factory release of this episode has most of the sound effects noticeably softer than the music and spoken lines.
*The scene of Megatron turning the Lincoln Memorial into a throne would later be homaged in ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers: The Game]]'', ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]],'' and ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]].''
*They have in fact seen the last of Nergill.
*Optimus Prime singlehandedly carries almost the entire Washington Monument. Grimlock helps lift it back into place, but only after Prime catches it, and mainly due to the break being higher than Prime can reach.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''Atlantis apparaît'''" ("Atlantis appears")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''L'apparition de l'Atlantis'''" ("The appearance of Atlantis")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''L'Atlantis'''" ("The Atlantis")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Die Unterwasserstadt'''" ("The Underwater City")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[August 6]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il segreto di Atlantide'''" ("The Secret of Atlantis")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Atlantide risorge'''" ("Atlantis Arises")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Atlantis Fujō!'''" (アトランティス浮上!, "Atlantis, Arise!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 25]], [[1985]]
:*Nearly all Japanese language episode guides, including those published in ''[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|Transformers Generations]]'' and the fact booklet included with [[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer]]'s DVD sets, [[Japanese language|mistakenly]] list this episode's English language title as "At''r''antis, Arise!".
:*For the Japanese dub, Sub-Atlantica is renamed [[Atlantis]], intending it to actually be the sunken city of legend. This change would create some discontinuity later, when the more classical interpretation of Atlantis would appear in ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]''.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hǎidǐ zhī Guó '''" (海底之国, "The Undersea Country")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Levante de Atlântida'''" ("The Rise of Atlantis")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Voskresshaya Atlantida'''" (Воскресшая Атлантида, "Atlantis Is Resurrected")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1994]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1998]] — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 5 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qYVdlfxXe_f2Z5G0_2g3tIy25Pg6p4qx Episode dialogue script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-23-atlantis.html Gallery of episode storyboards]

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

File:SpacePirates Arcee Bunsofsteel.jpg

2023-10-05T02:58:23Z

Jerryteacup: Corrected the issue number

{{MarvelUKinterior
|description=[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s got an arse that won't quit.
|issueno=183
|storytitle=Space Pirates!
|part=2
|pageno=12
|panelno=1
|script=Simon Furman
|art=Dan Reed
|colours=Euan Peters
|letters=Gary Gilbert{{!}}Glib
|year=88
}}

Talk:Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2023-08-01T20:25:28Z

Jerryteacup: Why Delbo drew a mouth on Soundwave?

==Theory on Soundwave's mouth and Jose Delbo==

OK, so this mouth thing has bugged me forever. Does everybody interpret Soundwave's Transformers Universe profile picture to have a mouth? To me it looks like it's meant to be shine on the mouthplate. Otherwise he's got a kind of a "vampire mouth" which is out of sorts when talking about Transformers of that era. Plus G1 Soundwave has a faceplate in pretty much every instance besides Jose Delbo's art.

My theory would be that Jose Delbo interpreted it to be a mouth and not a mouthplate. I figured I'd ask before adding this edit to the page. What do you think, guys? Plausible? [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] ([[User talk:Jerryteacup|talk]]) 16:25, 1 August 2023 (EDT)

Targetmaster (technology)

2020-11-14T12:52:59Z

Jerryteacup: /* Generation 1 */ Devastator & Scorpulator, Soudwave & Wingthing, Shockwave & Fistfight AND Snarl & Tyrannitron added. Their partners, as per this Wiki, have personalities so they need to be included.

{{disambig3.5|the 1987 gimmick|the 2019 gimmick|Battle Master|Targetmaster}}
[[File:Desertislandofspace-targetmaster-rollcall.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Cambot! Gypsy! Tom Servo! Croooooow!]]

The '''Targetmasters''' are a subset of Transformers [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to smaller partners, who transform into their weapons. The partner is often an organic life form that has been bio-engineered to be partly mechanical, or wears a suit of armor that transforms around them to become the weapon.

The Targetmasters benefit from being able to take two minds into battle. A Targetmaster possesses a living weapon that is capable of making its own tactical decisions and target priorities. The advantage is similar to that of having a dedicated gunner aboard an aircraft or tank.

The Targetmaster process is often seen to follow shortly after development of the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process. The earliest known Targetmasters were among the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s involved in the war on [[Nebulos]], and were paired with a bio-engineered [[Nebulan]] humanoid which wore a transforming exosuit. Later Targetmasters included virtually any Transformer specifically partnered with another being that becomes their weapon, not limited to Nebulans or organics. The term has been applied to the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]] team<ref>[[Hasbro]]'s 1988 toy [[catalog]]</ref> and several [[Action Master]] pairings.<ref>''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''</ref>

Some Transformers, known as '''Double-Targetmasters''', are bonded with two smaller partners who can form individual weapons or combine with one another to form a 'double weapon', with the power of whichever weapon forms the 'barrel' boosted by the other.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
The first Targetmasters were a group of six Autobots under the command of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. Having traveled to the planet Nebulos in search of peace, this group surrendered their weapons to the natives to prove their peaceful intentions. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

''Nebulon minds were duplicated and installed into transformable Nebulon-sized robots, creating the Targetmasters.'' {{storylink|The Final Conflict}}

{{note|This depiction of Targetmasters as robots with duplicated Nebulon minds and not actual Nebulons is unique to this story.}}

[[File:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Mouseketeer Roll Call! Cubby! Bobby! Gregor! Jimmy! Darlene! Annette!]]
Some time later, [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]] and his Decepticon Headmaster partner [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] had discredited the Autobots, turned public opinion against them, and driven them into retreat. A group of six Nebulan dissidents undertook a great risk to join the Autobots, allowing themselves to be bio-engineered into replacement weapons for the six unarmed Autobots. The Targetmasters became known as [[Peacemaker]], [[Spoilsport]], [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]], [[Sparks]], and [[Haywire]].

The Autobot Targetmasters' first trial by combat came at the [[Nursery (Nebulos)|Nursery]], a horticultural research facility that was under threat by Zarak's Decepticons. The newly minted Targetmasters engaged Scorponok and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] in a battle for the Nursery, but retreated as the facility was being destroyed by the battle, regardless of who was winning.

[[File:Decepticon targetmasters brothers in armor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
[[Vorath]] was soon able to duplicate the Autobots' experiment, creating a group of five Decepticon Targetmasters, though they weren't quite a match for the Autobot Headmasters. All of the Targetmasters left Nebulos soon after, as the Autobots retreated to spare Nebulos further warfare, and the Decepticons pursued. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Pointblank worlds apart.jpg|thumb|left]]
''At some point before leaving Nebulos, the Decepticons captured [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], and [[Pointblank]] and took them back to their [[Fortress of Despair]], apparently because they couldn't perfect the Targetmaster process. After a brief skirmish with the Autobot Headmasters, they retreated and let the Autobots follow them...directly into a trap! It was not creating Targetmasters that Scorponok was struggling with, but Headmasters. Although [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] was able to release the Autobot Targetmasters, and with their partners [[Peacemaker]], [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]], and [[Spoilsport]] they pretty much won the battle, Scorponok was able to escape with a captive [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to study.'' {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}

{{note|Only the eleven "large" Targetmasters are given an origin in the Headmasters mini-series, and there isn't a lot of room in the plot for others to have been made off-panel. Nevertheless, the [[The Transformers Universe|Marvel bios]] for several of the "small" (1988) Targetmasters imply they became Targetmasters at this time.}}

After arriving on [[Earth]], the Autobot Targetmasters subsequently went on a mission to rescue the human [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Decepticons. They were repulsed from the Decepticons' [[Club Con|island base]] by a phalanx of hidden weapons. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[File:Nightstickwreckinghavoc.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Having left Scorponok's forces, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] attempted to force their former leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to hand over his [[time-jump trigger device]], backed up by their Targetmaster partners. When the meeting was interrupted by the [[Wrecker]]s and battle ensued, Springer attempted to relieve Cyclonus of [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] but was taken aback when the gun transformed and ran away from him.'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}

[[File:Nightstickcrushed.jpg|thumb|left|100px]]
''Nightstick would not prove to be nearly so fortunate when Cyclonus and Scourge attempted to forge an alliance with the current [[Decepticon leader]] [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. When negotiations went badly, Shockwave sent a [[Straxus (G1)|clone]] of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] to kill Cyclonus and crush his gun.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}}

''[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], along with [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] and [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], led an attack on an Autobot [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to retrieve Scorponok's head from Highbrow, but once he had been reassembled they were spirited away to [[Limbo]] to make way for [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] from the future. Meanwhile, Scourge and [[Fracas]] were fighting alongside Galvatron and the Megatron clone against the Wreckers and [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhems]]. Ultimately the present-day Targetmasters reappeared when Soundwave returned his troops to their own time, but Cyclonus and Scourge vanished into the [[time rift]].'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Additional Targetmasters may or may not have been created as the war went on. Quickmix and Needlenose were both seen using weapons resembling their Targetmaster partners, but their individual circumstances do not seem to easily allow for them to have been on Nebulos to acquire Targetmaster partners. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

Recoil was among the weapons surrendered by the Autobots to the Decepticons as part of preparation for an alliance against [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Surrender!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
[[File:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|thumb|Hot Rod is no longer a Targetmaster as he mourns Firebolt's death.]]
In the year [[2007]], Autobot leader [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] reminisced about the war; on Nebulos where he first teamed up with his Targetmaster partner [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]] and later, on Earth, when Firebolt died under unspecified circumstances. {{storylink|Headhunt}}
{{-}}

====Earthforce====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] noted the double-paired Targetmasters known as Double-Targetmasters among his list of complaints about how complicated things had gotten in his absence. {{storylink|Starting Over!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
The Targetmaster process was developed eons ago on Cybertron, as a process to forge a warrior and his weapon into a cohesive fighting team. The two are linked on a mental and physical level, allowing them to draw energy from each other and multitask with extreme efficiency. Targetmaster weapons cannot be wielded by another being without their consent unless they are somehow incapacitated in their weapon configuration. Severe injury or death of one partner can have a profound physical and emotional impact on the other.

The Targetmaster process was further expanded upon on the planet Nebulon. This would allow organic humanoids, not just mechanoids, to function as weapons when adorned with removable armor. The strength and endurance of these modified beings were greatly enhanced, though their appearance does not change. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye issue 8}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====American cartoon continuity====
[[File:Targetmasters.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Here's me, and here's my gun!]]
The creation of Targetmasters and [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], in this continuity, started with an initial idea of Brainstorm's that Autobots should use [[human]] partners while driving to help with steering and speed, this idea was confirmed when a race between [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] was won not by Blurr's speed, but by Daniel's help in driving Hot Rod. [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], however, was very sceptical about this idea.

After a large scale Decepticon attack, several Autobots, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] crash-landed on [[Nebulos]]; where the Autobots were taken captive by the inhabitants. After a Decepticon attack in which Daniel Witwicky was injured and put on life support, several Autobots were kidnapped by Decepticons.

The Nebulan warriors explained their situation with the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]] to the Autobots, and why they didn't trust them at first, and came to an agreement. Using Brainstorm's idea, they would use their and Daniel's minds with the Autobots' bodies to be powerful enough to defeat the Hive and save the others. Thus were born the Headmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

Once the Headmasters got to know their partners, they set off to rescue the five captured captured Autobots. After some torture, Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], and [[Pointblank]] were all saved by the Headmasters.

After witnessing the power of secondary operators, the Decepticons and other Autobots saw the logic in having some of their own.

The defeated Decepticons were captured by the hive and taken to their underground base of operations. [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], the leader of the hive gave the Decepticons an opportunity to become powerful like the Autobot Headmasters at the literal cost of their heads. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] agreed to let the Nebulans make Headmasters only out of the Decepticons there with beast modes, they however would only let the organic beings into their weapons. So [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], [[Apeface]], [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were turned into Headmasters, [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]], [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], Scourge, and Cyclonus had their weapons modified so that hive members could fit into and transform into them.

[[File:Cyclonus tm.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|*ptew ptew*]]
[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], meanwhile had found a city and told the news to the other Autobots, damaging himself in the process. The Nebulans fixed him and believed the city he talked about to be the hive's old base from before they moved underground. The Decepticons, now with their Nebulan partners, attacked the Autobots again. Brainstorm was mad that the Decepticons stole his idea, the Head and Targetmasters and the Decepticons overwhelmed the Autobots and stole the key to the plasma energy chamber from them before the hive convinced the Decepticons to go back to Zarak to await orders.

[[File:Rebirth2 Blurr with gun.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|"Haywire you're grey and black, now stop looking like my old gun."
"Aww, but this model is so much nicer."]]

Brainstorm, to even the odds, showed his fellow Autobots scans of [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]], showing how the Decepticons modified their guns and used the Nebulan tech to modify the non-Headmaster Autobot's guns and have Nebulan partners inside them. Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Crosshairs, Pointblank, and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]'s guns were modified and became the Autobot Targetmasters.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] then showed up on Nebulos and was introduced to the Autobot's Headmaster and Targetmaster partners. He was also informed that the Decepticons also had access to the same technology and the key to the plasma energy chamber. The Autobots went to the Decepticons to fight but they and their Nebulan partners had nearly completed their project. The Decepticons engaged the Autobots in combat but were surprised to see that the Autobots now had Targetmaster partners too.

The Autobots, however, were much more surprised to see that Zarak had created something big using the same Headmaster technology both factions had: [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
[[File:Tf headmaster 29 pointblank target on.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|FIRE IN THE HOLE!]]
In Japanese continuities, Targetmaster partners hail from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], but unlike the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] they are partnered with a regular Transformer as opposed to a [[Transtector]]. This fusion came about in a blast which binary-bonded a group of refugees from Master to the arms of the new Autobot recruits, as well as the Decepticon marauders, who were terrorizing the refugees in the first place. Unlike in the U.S. continuity and toys, when the Masters transform into gun mode, they take the place of their larger partner's entire hand instead of being held by it.

[[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] and [[Artfire]] have Targetmasters, even though they were not present for the explosion. The Japanese Targetmasters speak in a series of electronic beeps (like the [[Mini-Con]]s) that only their bonded partner can understand, instead of speaking normally like their Headmaster brethren.
{{-}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{wingsnote}}
[[Tornado]] was a Targetmaster, usually wielded by his [[Squadron X]] leader [[Macabre]] and later [[Ferak]]. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur|Torando - Decepticon Saboteur, 2014/06/10}}

Following the [[Great Transformation]], [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] found herself stationed at [[New Polyhex]], where she became a star pupil while training under the ancient and enigmatic Target Masters before being recruited into the [[Cybertronian Knight]]s. {{storylink|Flareup (G1)#BotCon2014|BotCon 2014 Knight Flareup profile card}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
[[File:Crosshairs SG.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb]]
In this reverse universe, the Targetmasters take a much more active role in battle: they can take all motor control over the limb of whoever is holding them. The small partners are [[Micromaster]]s with three modes: robot, vehicle, and weapon.

[[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] devised a plan to keep the Decepticons stranded on Cybertron while the Autobots fled to Earth. To execute this plan, he, [[Scoop (SG)|Scoop]], and [[Crosshairs (SG)|Crosshairs]] took Targetmaster partners. [[Nightstick (SG)|Nightstick]] was easily able to take down Megatron, but the Decepticon Micromasters were able to thwart the entire group of Targetmasters, allowing Megatron to free himself. {{storylink|Do Over}}

===''TransTech''===
After a bad experience with "colonists" from the [[Aurex]] Cluster, Nebulos made their atmosphere poisonous to Cybertronian life. In order to safely go undercover on this world, [[Vector Prime]] was binary bonded with [[Safeguard (TransTech)|Safeguard]], a friendly native. In addition to processing Vector Prime's fuel, he could also become a handheld weapon, making him a Target/Powermaster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/01}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Targetmaster technology was first created in the 21st century, by the Nebulans [[Teslor]] and [[Arcana]], as an enhancement to the already-existing Headmaster technology. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} The process involved the subjects mingling their sparks, granting both a dramatic boost in power, such as being able to shoot down ships from orbit. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}} The technology gave the Autobots a temporary advantage in the war for Nebulos, until [[Fracas]] and [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] defected to the Decepticons, taking the Targetmaster process with them.

When the war spread to the planet [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]], the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] scientist [[Nucleon (Generations)|Nucleon]] adapted the process to work with Cyberdroid physiology. Along with the Powermaster and Headmaster technology, it was used to create the [[Triple-Threat Master]] technology as well. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

Towards the end of the war, the mad Decepticon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] found out the Targetmasters' ability to draw power from their wielder's Sparks could be amplified, and took the ability to its conclusion: being able to draw the life out of a Cybertronian just being near them. Terrified by this discovery, Autobots and Decepticons alike arranged for the Targetmasters, organic and Cybertronian alike, to be granted exile when the war ended. However, this was a ruse, and both sides arranged for the mass murder of all Targetmasters to prevent their powers being used ever again. The systematic eradication was later dubbed the "[[Targetmaster Extirpation]]". However, a few Targetmasters did survive, and went into hiding on a Cybertron now utterly hostile to their kind.

In the 24th century, one of the last Targetmasters, [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]], was killed by [[Overrun]] when she considered outing herself. This sequence of events led to Overrun himself dying to prevent anyone else getting their hands on him. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Targetmasters''' (1987)
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil (G1)|Recoil]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]}}
|
|[[File:G1-toy Crosshairs.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Crosshairs]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
The Autobot Targetmasters were sold boxed with their Targetmaster partners, and consisted of three all-new molds alongside slightly retooled versions of Hot Rod, Kup, and Blurr from the previous year's assortment. The three older molds featured enlarged fist holes, allowing them to hold their new weapons. Both old and new molds transform into futuristic/Cybertronian ground vehicles. All six can mount their Targetmaster weapon on their roof or hood while in vehicle mode.
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] with [[Aimless (G1)|Aimless]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-d1|[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]}}
|
|[[File:G1-toy Misfire.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Misfire]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
Similar to their Autobot counterparts, the Decepticon Targetmasters feature three new jet molds alongside retooled versions of Cyclonus and Scourge with enlarged fist holes. All five transform into futuristic/Cybertronian aircraft. Their weapons can be mounted on top of them in jet form. The three newer molds were also sold in 1988.
|}

{{anchor|JapaneseTargetmasters}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Japanese-original Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|Stepper ([[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]]) with [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Artfire]] with [[Nightstick (Headmasters)|Nightstick]]}}
|
|[[File:G1-toy Stepper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
Artfire and Ricochet are [[redeco]]s and [[retool]]ings of the original toys for [[Inferno (G1)#Toys|Inferno]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Jazz]], respectively. They each come with the Targetmaster partner molds that were used as Fracas and Nightstick in the US.
|}

*'''Targetmasters''' (1988)
{{anchor|doubletargetmasters}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Autobot Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Flintlock]] and [[Silencer (G1)|Silencer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (G1)|Ricochet]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Targetmaster)|Tracer]]}}
|
|[[File:G1-toy Landfill.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Nebulan-on-Nebulan action!]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
Often referred to as the "small Targetmasters" to distinguish them from the larger 1987 releases, these toys were sold carded. Each toy includes two smaller Targetmaster partners, each of which can form a gun or combine together as a larger gun. The two guns can also mount on the robot's vehicle form. The three Autobots share a construction vehicle theme. These toys were never released in Japan.
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Decepticon Targetmasters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam (G1)|Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe]]}}
|
|[[File:G1-toy Quake.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
The Decepticon "small Targetmasters" were sold carded with two Targetmaster partners each. Like the 1988 Autobots, these partners can form independent or combined weapons, and mount on their partner Transformers' vehicle forms or be wielded by them in robot mode. The three Transformers all turn into military vehicles. These toys were never released in Japan.
|}

{{anchor|seacons}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Seacons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Nautilator]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skalor]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]}}
|
|[[File:Nautilatorg1toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
The Seacons are a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiner team, with [[Snaptrap (G1)|a large leader toy]] who forms the torso of a larger robot, with four smaller toys plugging in to form the limbs. The team was given an additional fifth small toy, however. All five small toys have a "weapon" mode—essentially their creature mode with a gun barrel attached—allowing any of them to be used by the combined robot as a Targetmaster weapon. Each small toy could also form a free-standing gun by attaching to a small stand included with the toy.
|}

*'''Targetmasters''' (1990)
{{anchor|actionmasters}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Action Masters'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] with [[Sights (G1)|Sights]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with [[Scorpulator]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] with [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-a1|[[Rad (G1)|Rad]] with [[Lionizer (G1)|Lionizer]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] with [[Glitch (G1)|Glitch]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] with [[Tyrannitron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] with [[Fistfight (G1)|Fistfight]]}}
|
|[[File:G1-toy PushButton.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
Several [[Action Master]] figures include robotic partners who transform into weapons for the robot's use. Though not labeled as such at the time, 2003's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books retroactively dubbed these characters Targetmasters.
|}

===Beast Wars===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="99%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Basics'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m1|[[Break]]}}
{{Bp-m1|[[Stampy (BWN)|Stampy]]}}
|
|[[File:BWN-toy Stampy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
Several of the ''Beast Wars Neo'' toys include third-mode weapon forms, which could be wielded by other toys.
|}

===Beast Machines===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Deployers''' (2000)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-m2|[[Dillo]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Mol]]}}
{{Bp-m2|[[Rav (BM)|Rav]]}}
|[[File:BeastMachinestoy-Mol.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
</ul>
|}
{{toystub}}

===Universe (2003)===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Deployers''' (2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p1|[[Chro]]<ref>Chro was called a Targetmaster in Cryotek's [http://botcon.com/archive/story/characters/cryotek.html BotCon online bio]. Chro is repurposed from Rav's blue deco.</ref>}}
|[[File:BM RavBlue-Chro-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|Chro the Raven, “Nevermore”.|thumb]]
</ul>
|}
{{toystub}}

===Collector's Edition===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Collector's Edition|Orion Pax]] (w/ [[Roller (G1)#Collector's Edition|Barrelroller]] and [[Dion (G1)#Collector's Edition|Dion]])}}
|[[File:OrionPaxDion toys.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
</ul>
|}
{{toystub}}

===Universe (2008)===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]]}}
|
|[[File:UniverseCyclonusCorrected.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
A re-imagining of their original designs.
|}

===Gentei! Gentei!===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] with [[Rocketbot]]}}
|
|[[File:Henkei-toy Rocketbot.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
[[Redeco]]s of the ''Universe'' Cyclonus and Nightstick molds.
|}

===Timelines (Shattered Glass)===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-sa|[[Scoop (SG)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (SG)|Holepunch]]}}
{{Bp-sa|[[Crosshairs (SG)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (SG)|Pinpointer]]}}
{{Bp-sa|[[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] with [[Nightstick (SG)|Nightstick]]}}
{{Bp-sd|[[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] with [[Krunix (SG)|Krunix]]}}
|
|[[File:SGtoy-Cyclonus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
Scoop, Crosshairs, Holepunch, Pinpointer and Nightstick are [[repurposing|repurposed]] toys from previous toylines. Cyclonus and Krunix are [[redeco]]s of the ''Universe'' Cyclonus and Nightstick molds.
|}
{{toystub}}

===United===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Artfire#United|Artfire]] (w/ [[Nightstick (Headmasters)#United|Nightstick]] and [[Sparks#Toys|Sparks]])}}
|[[File:Unitedtoy-Artfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
</ul>
|}
{{toystub}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Targetmaster Microns'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Recoil (G1)|Recoil]] (2011)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Fracas]] (2010)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Haywire]] (2010)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]] (2011)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Spoilsport]] (2011)}}
|
[[File:United-toy Recoil.jpg|Recoil|thumb|upright=1.66]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
The ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' [[Mini-Con]] molds are released as Targetmaster Microns in the Japanese toyline ''[[Transformers United]]''.<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/event/micron_01.html ''Transformers United'' official site]</ref>
|}

===Transformers (2010)===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|Masterpiece [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#HasbroMasterpiece|Rodimus Prime]] (with [[Firebolt (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Offshoot]])}}
|
|[[File:Masterpiecetoy-Offshoot.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
|-
|width="100%" valign="top" colspan=8|
The North American release of Masterpiece [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#HasbroMasterpiece|Rodimus Prime]] comes with a "Limited Edition" Targetmaster partner named [[Firebolt (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Offshoot]].
|}

===Masterpiece===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Artfire#Masterpiece|Artfire]] (w/ [[Nightstick (Headmasters)#Masterpiece|Nightstick]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#MP-40|Targetmaster Hot Rodimus]] (w/ [[Firebolt (G1)#Masterpiece|Firebolt]])}}
|[[File:Masterpiece MP-37 Artfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
</ul>
|}
{{toystub}}

===Generations===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Thrilling 30''' (2013-2014)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Scoop (G1)#Generations|Autobot Scoop]] (w/ [[Holepunch (G1)#Generations|Holepunch]] & [[Tracer (Targetmaster)#Generations|Caliburst]])}}

|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiner Wars''' (2014-2016)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Spinister (G1)#Combiner Wars|TFSS Spinister]] (w/ [[Hairsplitter#Combiner Wars|Shrute]] & [[Singe#Generations|Singe]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Needlenose (G1)#Generations|TFSS Needlenose]] (w/ [[Sunbeam (G1)#Combiner Wars|Sunbeam]] & [[Zigzag#Combiner Wars|Zputty]])}}

|width="20%" valign="top"|'''War for Cybertron Trilogy''' (2018-2020)
{{Bp-d1|[[Blowpipe (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Blowpipe]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Firebolt (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Firedrive]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Lionizer (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Lionizer]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Aimless (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Aimless]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Caliburst (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Caliburst]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Skywarp]] (w/ [[Fracas#War for Cybertron: Siege|Fracas]] & [[Hairsplitter#War for Cybertron: Siege|Shrute)]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-d1|[[Hotlink (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Hotlink]] (w/ [[Heartburn#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Heartburn]] & [[Heatstroke#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Heatstroke)]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Megatron (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Decepticon Megatron]] (w/ [[Lionizer (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Captive Lionizer]] and [[Pinpointer (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Captive Pinpointer]])}}

|[[File:Scoop-deluxe-generations.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
</ul>
|}
{{main|Battle Master}}
{{groupstub}}
{{-}}

===Legends===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Legends|Targetmaster Hot Rodimus]] (w/ [[Firebolt (G1)#Legends|Firebolt]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Kup (G1)/toys#Legends|Targetmaster Chear]] (w/ [[Recoil (G1)#Legends|Recoil]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Triggerhappy (G1)#Legends|Targetmaster Triggerhappy]] (w/ [[Blowpipe (G1)#Legends|Blowpipe]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Doublecross#Legends|Targetmaster Doublecross]] (w/ [[Haywire#Legends|Haywire]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Misfire (G1)#Legends|Targetmaster Misfire]] (w/ [[Aimless (G1)#Legends|Aimless]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
{{Bp-d1|[[Slugslinger (G1)#Legends|Targetmaster Slugslinger]] (w/ [[Caliburst (G1)#Legends|Caliburst]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Windblade (G1)#LG62|Targetmaster Windblade]] (w/ [[Pinpointer (G1)#Legends|Pointech]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Topspin (G1)#Legends|Targetmaster Topspin]] (w/ [[Peacemaker#Legends|Peaceman]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Twin Twist#Legends|Targetmaster Twin Twist]] (w/ [[Spoilsport#Legends|Spoil]])}}
|[[File:TF-LG-45-Targetmaster-Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
</ul>
|}
{{toystub}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising subgroups]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising technology]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 technology]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:The Headmasters subgroups]]
[[Category:The Headmasters technology]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass subgroups]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass technology]]
[[Category:Targetmasters| ]]
[[Category:Wings Universe subgroups]]
[[Category:Wings Universe technology]]

Talk:The Primal Scream

2020-11-03T23:46:06Z

Jerryteacup: Are Cloudraker and Fastlane in the story?

Does anybody else think the two red/grey technicians in this story could be Cloudraker and Fastlane?

I present this question because we also have a rather simplistic Doubleheader here. Wouldn't it be possible that Geoff Senior intended for those guys to be the Autobot Clones? [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] ([[User talk:Jerryteacup|talk]]) 18:46, 3 November 2020 (EST)

Surrender!

2020-11-03T21:38:52Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */ Optimus Prime being sarcastic! It HAS to be here. :D

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #71
|prev=The Pri¢e of Life!
|next=...All This and Civil War 2
|title="Surrender!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #311–312
|prev2=The Pri¢e of Life!
|next2=...All This and Civil War 2
|image=MarvelUS-71.jpg
|caption=Hey look, a face!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=August [[1990]]
|coverdate=October 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]<ref>[http://www.comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=187957 Comic Book Database credits Rob Tokar as the colorist on this issue.]</ref>
|letterer=[[Rick Parker]]<ref>Comic Book Database also credits Nel Yomtov as letterer.</ref>
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Prime finds his cajones, and Zarak finds his soul.'''

==Synopsis==
''Four million years ago, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] is on the [[Jan-Ja|front line]] defending the [[Polities of Cybertron|city-state]] of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. [[Mattock|An Autobot soldier]] tries to tell Prime they are being overrun, and have no choice but to surrender. Optimus asks the soldier for the white flag, but only to bind his wound. Optimus Prime then leaps out of the foxhole and charges the [[Decepticon]] battle line shouting "Never Surrender!"''

[[File:Arkshuttle8.jpg|left|upright=1.5|thumb|"We'll take that nice shuttle too!"]]
[[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime kneels in the rain, in the garbage atop [[New Jersey base|the Decepticon base]], surrendering his crew to [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. Naturally, the [[Decepticon]] leader is all too happy to accept and commands his soldiers to divest the [[Autobot]]s of all weapons and toy gimmicks. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] is in no mood to go quietly, but Prime insists it's the only option. In his own mind, however, Optimus is just as worried about his decision as Kup.

Scorponok, meanwhile, is having a ball. His warriors were less than pleased with his recent leadership decisions, especially taking [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] under his command and then losing him. Now, though, it seems he's once more back on top... as long as he breaks his word to Optimus Prime and reneges on their potential alliance against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]].

In the meantime, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and Starscream's insurrection army has grown, and Scorponok's present "victory" over all the Autobots has pushed up their plans considerably. With some leisurely applied peer pressure and threats of death, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] are officially inducted into the Decepticon auxiliary group, and the strike plan begins.

Hours later, Optimus Prime is being guarded in his cell by [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], and dreams of an alliance with Scorponok seem to be turning to ash before his eyes.

[[File:Surrender! Galvatron attacks Autobase.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
Things are doing little better on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] and [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|Unicron's heralds]] have reached the planet and begun sowing discord in his name, starting with [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]'s [[Autobase]]. [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] convinces Xaaron to take the turbo-lift into the sewers and flee for safety, to form another Autobot rebellion one day if need be. Quickmix and the others remain behind to deal with the attackers.

On [[Earth]], Optimus has had enough of waiting in his cell and slams Soundwave through a wall before making his escape. He breaks out Kup and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] for assistance, but Kup has had enough and demands Prime give them a good reason why any Autobot should listen to him now. Still, he wouldn't be Optimus Prime if he couldn't make up an impassioned speech on the spot, and Kup agrees to go along.

Nearby, in his war room, [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] is beginning to regret tarnishing his honor by rolling over on Optimus Prime as he did. His musings are interrupted by Prime and his Autobots bursting in on the scene. Once again, Optimus attempts to get through to Zarak about the severity of their situation, and this time he succeeds. The alliance is about to be sealed with a handshake when Shockwave and his warriors bomb the base, leaving all inside for dead.

On Cybertron, Xaaron is on the run. The sewers provide him no safe passage. The might of Galvatron is on his trail, and there is no escape...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]]'' (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*''[[Mattock]]'' (3)
*''[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]'' (4)
*''[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]'' (5)
*''[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]]'' (6)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (7)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (8)
*[[Cloudburst]] (15)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (17)
*[[Getaway]] (21)
*[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] (34)
*[[Xaaron]] (35)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (39)
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] (9)
*[[Apeface]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (13)
*[[Skullgrin]] (14)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (16)
*[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (19)
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (20)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (22)
*[[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] (23)
*[[Horri-Bull]] (24)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (26)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (27)
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (28)
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (29)
*[[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] (30)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (31)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (32)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (33)
}}
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Recoil (G1)|Recoil]] (12)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (25)
|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] (18)
*[[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] (36–38)
}}

==Quotes==
"Optimus Prime -- this is madness! We're beaten, defeated! We must surrender before we're all killed!" 
"Do you have the '''white flag?'''" 
"The flag--? Oh, yes, '''the flag! Thank Primus!''' I'll tie it to the front battlements and --" 
"You'll '''bind my wound''' with it, soldier!"
:— an '''Autobot soldier''' learns how '''Optimus Prime''' rolls

"We're '''Autobots!''' We '''never''' give ground and we '''never, never surrender!'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' sounds the Autobots' rallying cry

"'''Scorponok''' -- in the name of the '''Autobots''', I... '''''I surrender!'''''"
:— four million years later, '''Optimus Prime''' lays it all down in pursuit of a greater goal

"I'll make it real simple for you. You've seen and heard '''too much!''' If you want out, you go '''feet first!'''"
:—'''Starscream''' applies his usual charisma to persuade a doubtful Mindwipe

"Thank you for your... hospitality, Soundwave."
:—Sarcasm not appreciated, '''Optimus Prime'''. '''Soundwave''' will tell you.

"I know I am asking '''much''', my Autobots, but hear me out before you decide! All our lives we have been bred to '''fight''', to struggle, to '''never''' give ground. It's '''ingrained''' in us! But that's with a '''normal''' enemy, a foe in '''our league!''' Unicron is '''neither!''' It's difficult to believe a single foe '''exists''' that we cannot vanquish through earnest effort and guts, but Unicron is powerful beyond measure, a '''fallen god!''' To stand a '''chance''' we must do the most difficult thing of all -- '''nothing!''' This surrender is not an act of '''cowardice''' on our parts... it requires the '''greatest courage of all!''' Will you stand '''with''' me, '''help''' me see it through?"
:— when it comes to motivational speeches, nobody can top '''Optimus Prime'''

"'''Foolish Autobot!''' I am a master of '''Metallikato''', the forbidden Cybertronian '''art of combat!''' I'll cut you in two before --" 
"Before I pull the arms and legs off this '''puny flesh creature?''' I think '''not!'''"
:—'''Bludgeon''' and '''Hot Rod''', the latter with Zarak in his grip

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*This issue uses the cartoon design for the Ark, rather than the completely different design usually seen in the comic.
*During the flashback at the beginning of the issue, Optimus Prime is shown with the red eyes of his Powermaster body, rather than the yellow eyes his original body had.
*Page 17, panel 5: "Hot Rod" is misspelled as "Hod Rod."

===Continuity errors===
*TBD

===Continuity notes===
*The flashback happened relatively early in the Transformer civil war. If it happened before the launch of the [[Underbase]], Optimus Prime might have been a [[Lieutenant Commander]] at the time; alternatively, this could be shortly before "And There Shall Come...a Leader!".
*The Autobots are ordered to give up their weapons, ''Nebulans'' and Pretender Shells. That can't have been fun for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] in the group. Or the [[Powermaster]]s either, for that matter. (It's notable that Optimus Prime doesn't hand over [[Hi-Q]], or his shoulder guns for that matter. And Bomb-Burst points his gun right at Highbrow's [[Gort|head]] and all Highbrow does is pass over his weapon, realizing that Scorponok was just being a bit silly.)
*The origins of Shockwave's underwater headquarters were revealed in a letters page.{{fact|Which one?}} It is [[Nemesis (G1)|the starship]] the Decepticons built to follow the Ark to Earth. Shockwave parked it underwater four million years ago before brawling with the Dinobots. This represents either a divergence between the US and UK continuities or a UK continuity error since that same starship was revealed to have been parked in orbit by Shockwave and later destroyed by Galvatron way back in "[[Target: 2006]]".
*Bludgeon and his [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] materialized on Earth after US issue [[The Primal Scream|#61]], and would then join up with Scorponok's crew prior to this issue.
*Shockwave's "brush with death" occurred in US issue [[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]]. If you believe in the US/UK combined comic universe, the logic-related nervous breakdown caused by UK issue [[Dry Run!|#189]] and [[Time Wars|#199–205]] could also be responsible for "loosening his circuits", as Mindwipe put it.

===Real-life references===
*As he mentally commands Scorponok to release Kup, Zarak throws up the "I love you" hand sign!
*The action is set in the swamps of northwest [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]], with a brief interlude off the coast of [[United Kingdom|England]].

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 30 active; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 32 offline as Ratchet is put into storage (off-panel), 24 presumed offline. (95 total)
*Decepticons: 21 active, 7 gone rogue as the Battlechargers - missing since #23 - join Shockwave's team; 25 offline, 25 presumed offline. (78 total)

===UK printing===
'''Issue #311:'''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Machine Man'' - "He Lives Again" and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Getaway]] and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]

'''Issue #312:'''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Machine Man'' - "He Lives Again" and ''Combat Colin''
*This issue also featured a readers poll for which the results would never be published.

===Other trivia===
*''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Punch (G1)|Punch and Counterpunch]] are found after the main story.

===Covers (3)===
*'''US cover:''' Prime surrenders to Scorponok, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #311 cover:''' recoloured US cover. Still wrong.
*'''UK issue #312 cover:''' Bomb-Burst and Skullgrin by [[Stephen Baskerville]], [[Lesley Dalton]] and [[Robin Bouttell]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-71.jpg|'''US issue #71''' - That's the last sticker he needs for the album!
File:MarvelUK-311.jpg|'''UK issue #311''' - Nope, try again!
File:MarvelUK-312.jpg|'''UK issue #312''' - Now, how are you supposed to shake ''that''?
</gallery>

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

===Reprints===
* '''''[[Transformers: All Fall Down]]'' TPB:''' Powermaster Optimus Prime, Megatron/Ratchet, Starscream, Shockwave and half of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''''Transformers: All Fall Down'' [[BotCon]] exclusive cover:''' Powermaster Optimus Prime and Unicron, by [[Geoff Senior]] & [[Oliver Harud]].
* '''''Transformers: All Fall Down'' standard HC:''' [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], by [[Howard Chaykin]] & [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman]]'':''' Cybertron, by [[Don Figueroa]].
*'''''[[Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm]]'':''' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:All_fall_down_tpb_cover.jpg|'''''Transformers: All Fall Down'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2001)
File:All_fall_down_botcon_cover.jpg|'''''Transformers: All Fall Down'' hardback Botcon exclusive cover''' (BotCon Exclusive, 2001)
File:All_fall_down_hb_cover.jpg|'''''Transformers: All Fall Down'' hardback standard cover''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:BestofSimon.jpg|'''''The Best of Simon Furman''''' (IDW Publishing, 2007)
File:Best of Transformers.jpg|'''''Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm''''' (Titan Books, 2008)
</gallery>
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 5|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 5]]:''' panels from this issue, "[[Deadly Obsession]]", "[[All Fall Down]]" and "[[...All This and Civil War 2]]".
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 6]]:''' [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection:Volume 18: Edge of Extinction'']]''': [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], above an interior scene ([[The Void! (US)|issue #74]]) of Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] battling the [[Acolyte of Unicron|Acolytes of Unicron]]. Grimlock art by [[Guido Guidi]], Retro art by [[Andrew Wildman]] (pencils) and [[Stephen Baskerville]] (inks).
<gallery>
File:Classic Transformers Vol5.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 5''' (IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:TFClassicsVol6.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 6''' (IDW Publishing, 2013)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v18.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 18: Edge of Extinction''''' (Hachette Partworks, 2017)
</gallery>
===References===
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

File:MarvelUK-198.jpg

2020-10-26T22:23:14Z

Jerryteacup: That someone is Sandstorm.

{{MarvelUKcover|and=Action Force|[[Getaway]], [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], [[Hotwire]], [[Lube]], and [[Rev]]|198|Cold Comfort and Joy!|88|artist=Andrew Wildman}}

Talk:Scorponok (G1)

2020-09-14T01:04:23Z

Jerryteacup: /* Scorponok has no separate "space ship" mode in the 3rd Rebirth episode */

==Untitled==
Do you think Black Zarak should be considered a seperate character from Scorponok? He did have a different consciousness than Scorponok (with Devil Z in his noggin and Scorponok serving as nothing more than a power battery wired into the chest).--[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 04:50, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

no, because Scorponok is the little robot, and the big body is Megazarak/Black Zarak. (Scorponok was generally known as Black Zarak in MF, because he was permenantly wired into his transector, and never emerged.)

That he was posesses by Dark Nova is a null-issue. He's not Dark NOva, he existed for 20 episodes prior as a seperate character. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 06:19, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
:You mean Devil Z, right? Dark Nova is from [[Battlestars]]. [[User:Takeshi357|Takeshi357]] 19:54, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

So, hey, what with the use of Japanese names for Headmasters? We normally refer to characters from Japanese fiction with their American names, don't we? - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 18:46, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
: In this case, the Japanese character is being considered different from the English character, so we only have the Japanese names to go on. We're not going to call Go Shuta or whoever "Siren." They're not the same guy, so it's a different case than, say, Stepper/Ricochet. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 18:51, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

::Well, yeah. I guess what my question really was was "Why are we considering them different characters?" I've been through this whole dealie before with the Headmasters DVD, and I can certainly see the logic in taking such an approach, but it's... are we going to create separate articles for Wipe and Skull, just because they have different names from their American counterparts? The differences that separate them from Mindwipe and Skullcruncher are no greater than those that separate Scorponok from MegaZarak. Of course, I'm a giant hypocrit, since I wouldn't contest this in the case of Fortress, so... yes, I really don't know what my point is. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 19:04, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
:::I think Wipe and Skull can have their own pages. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 19:18, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
:::I sorta see what you're getting at, Chris -- some of the Masterforce characters are really different from their different-name US couterparts, but some are pretty similar. So... we *could*evaluate it case-by-case, but, I think that would just make things more confusing. I'm inclined to treat all the Masterforce guys as different characters than their US counterparts, even when they are actually similar, just for the sake of uniformity. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 19:25, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
::::You mean Headmasters, right? But then, does that not technically mean we should be having articles like "Chromedome (US)" and "Chromedome (Headmasters)"? Personally, I'm more inclined to go the ''other'' way, and treat them as just being the same characters. If it's worth anything in the consideration, this ''is'' how it was done for the R2 Headmasters DVD. Um, except for Fortress. And that was mostly just based on the wordplay inherent in the name. Hence my hypocrisy. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 19:35, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

*Personally, I think we should just keep the "Wipes" in the "Mindwipe" articles but under the Japanese fiction sections just refer to them by their Japanese names as a means to differentiate. The US and Japanese characters are similar enough to warrant sharing space in one article and I don't think callig them by their Japanese names where appropriate would be too confusing to the readers (especially since there's a note at the beginning of each article listing the foreign names).

But that's just my fitty cents, dawgs. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 21:42, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

:Headmasters = Different takes on the same characters.
:Junior Headmasters & Powermasters = Different characters. -Derik23:35, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

::Apologies if this debate was done to death elsewhere, but I think the Japanese stuff should really get its own article. Scorpy's completely non-informative intro is as good a piece of evidence as anything. Really, I see no difference at all between this and [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]]. (For consistency's sake, we should probably apply the same treatment to the other J-Headmasters, but only because the extremity of characters like Zarak and Fortress called for it first.) - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 04:45, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

:::Ehh. He's a Decepticon leader, he's something of an offworlder, he's at odds with the other Decepticon leader(s). I'm not seeing any difference here that wouldn't apply to the various G1 Shockwaves, and I think he has more in common with comics Scorponok than cartoon Scorponok does. The only huge difference is that in Japan, Scorponok is a gold and purple dude with a Transtector that looks like US Scorponok. [[User:Chip|Chip]] 05:08, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

::::I don't like the fact that the Shockwaves and Blasters and, hell, the English-language Scorponoks are grouped together either, but I accept it as the unavoidable result of larger policy. However, Masterforce breaks that policy with good reason, and I see no reason not to let The Headmasters follow. The core disparity between the Japanese and English-language notions of "binary-bonding" (in fact, do the former even use that term?) is enough for me to want a split. Sure, the potential "Scorponok (US/UK)" and "Scorponok (Japan)" articles (and other such pairs) should reference each other, but I really don't think they should be the same. - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 05:20, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

:::::I think the key distinction is that they're all based around the same character concept. My understanding is that while the Japanese bios are ridiculously condensed, Scorponok over there is based on Scorponok over here. It wasn't until Masterforce that things really branched off, with toys being given vastly different writeups over there. [[User:Chip|Chip]] 13:02, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

== Rorichi ? ==

Does "Rorichi" mean anything in Japanese? --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 19:07, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
:"Roll-1", maybe? Just guessin' here.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 06:46, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

== American/JP Scorpy ==

Someone... on some other talk page I can't find now... made a serious (frustrated) request that Scorponok be split into two articles for his American vs. Japanese versions.

I'd like to second that request. The main picture on the article isn't even showing Scorponok- it shows Megazarak. Even allowing for that- Megazarak has a different character model. This treatment is shafting the Japanese version of the character (hollow, generic cackling bad guy that he be.)

I don't believe that ''all'' Headmasters should be split this way- but Scorponok is, in many special ways, done a disservice by being treated as one article. Alternately, sub-articles with the Japanese section begin a brief summary followed by a 'for more information see Scorponok (Headmasters)' -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 19:53, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

: the character model argument is a moot point. None of the characters introduced in Rebirth use the same model in Rebirth and Headmasters. And the transtector's English name ''is'' "Scorponok". Even then, it's not like head-robot Scorponok isn't the same guy as head-mode-robot-in-nead-mode-attached-to-transtector. The main difference is that instead of Scorponok is the small robot that controls a brainless body instead of Scorponok's head transforming tnto a separate fleshling.

:If we have seperate articles for the Rebirth and Headmasters versions of Scorponok, we'll need to do it for every Headmaster because the only thing Scorponok has different is the names were switched. That, and there is Japanese fiction that ''does'' have the heads as separate beings, namely the tech specs and packages. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 20:19, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

== Scorponok has no separate "space ship" mode in the 3rd Rebirth episode ==

So, I don't know if I'm just misinterpreting one of the cracks that are characteristic to Tfwiki, but anyway: See the collage of four pictures of Scorponok's modes on Rebirth, claiming he has a fourth mode, a "space ship"? Look again. The supposed "spaceship" mode is simply his city mode from "behind". Yeah, we can always talk about how well (or badly) he's drawn since this upper arms are missing from the tower, but the supposed "spaceship mode" is just the citymode from the side where his scorpion head is (the tail forms the front ramp).

So basically I kinda wonder if that collage should even be there. Tell me? [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] ([[User talk:Jerryteacup|talk]]) 21:04, 13 September 2020 (EDT)

Talk:Scorponok (G1)

2020-09-14T01:04:03Z

Jerryteacup: Scorponok has no fourth mode in Rebirth!

==Untitled==
Do you think Black Zarak should be considered a seperate character from Scorponok? He did have a different consciousness than Scorponok (with Devil Z in his noggin and Scorponok serving as nothing more than a power battery wired into the chest).--[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 04:50, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

no, because Scorponok is the little robot, and the big body is Megazarak/Black Zarak. (Scorponok was generally known as Black Zarak in MF, because he was permenantly wired into his transector, and never emerged.)

That he was posesses by Dark Nova is a null-issue. He's not Dark NOva, he existed for 20 episodes prior as a seperate character. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 06:19, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
:You mean Devil Z, right? Dark Nova is from [[Battlestars]]. [[User:Takeshi357|Takeshi357]] 19:54, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

So, hey, what with the use of Japanese names for Headmasters? We normally refer to characters from Japanese fiction with their American names, don't we? - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 18:46, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
: In this case, the Japanese character is being considered different from the English character, so we only have the Japanese names to go on. We're not going to call Go Shuta or whoever "Siren." They're not the same guy, so it's a different case than, say, Stepper/Ricochet. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 18:51, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

::Well, yeah. I guess what my question really was was "Why are we considering them different characters?" I've been through this whole dealie before with the Headmasters DVD, and I can certainly see the logic in taking such an approach, but it's... are we going to create separate articles for Wipe and Skull, just because they have different names from their American counterparts? The differences that separate them from Mindwipe and Skullcruncher are no greater than those that separate Scorponok from MegaZarak. Of course, I'm a giant hypocrit, since I wouldn't contest this in the case of Fortress, so... yes, I really don't know what my point is. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 19:04, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
:::I think Wipe and Skull can have their own pages. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 19:18, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
:::I sorta see what you're getting at, Chris -- some of the Masterforce characters are really different from their different-name US couterparts, but some are pretty similar. So... we *could*evaluate it case-by-case, but, I think that would just make things more confusing. I'm inclined to treat all the Masterforce guys as different characters than their US counterparts, even when they are actually similar, just for the sake of uniformity. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 19:25, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
::::You mean Headmasters, right? But then, does that not technically mean we should be having articles like "Chromedome (US)" and "Chromedome (Headmasters)"? Personally, I'm more inclined to go the ''other'' way, and treat them as just being the same characters. If it's worth anything in the consideration, this ''is'' how it was done for the R2 Headmasters DVD. Um, except for Fortress. And that was mostly just based on the wordplay inherent in the name. Hence my hypocrisy. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 19:35, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

*Personally, I think we should just keep the "Wipes" in the "Mindwipe" articles but under the Japanese fiction sections just refer to them by their Japanese names as a means to differentiate. The US and Japanese characters are similar enough to warrant sharing space in one article and I don't think callig them by their Japanese names where appropriate would be too confusing to the readers (especially since there's a note at the beginning of each article listing the foreign names).

But that's just my fitty cents, dawgs. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 21:42, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

:Headmasters = Different takes on the same characters.
:Junior Headmasters & Powermasters = Different characters. -Derik23:35, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

::Apologies if this debate was done to death elsewhere, but I think the Japanese stuff should really get its own article. Scorpy's completely non-informative intro is as good a piece of evidence as anything. Really, I see no difference at all between this and [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]]. (For consistency's sake, we should probably apply the same treatment to the other J-Headmasters, but only because the extremity of characters like Zarak and Fortress called for it first.) - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 04:45, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

:::Ehh. He's a Decepticon leader, he's something of an offworlder, he's at odds with the other Decepticon leader(s). I'm not seeing any difference here that wouldn't apply to the various G1 Shockwaves, and I think he has more in common with comics Scorponok than cartoon Scorponok does. The only huge difference is that in Japan, Scorponok is a gold and purple dude with a Transtector that looks like US Scorponok. [[User:Chip|Chip]] 05:08, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

::::I don't like the fact that the Shockwaves and Blasters and, hell, the English-language Scorponoks are grouped together either, but I accept it as the unavoidable result of larger policy. However, Masterforce breaks that policy with good reason, and I see no reason not to let The Headmasters follow. The core disparity between the Japanese and English-language notions of "binary-bonding" (in fact, do the former even use that term?) is enough for me to want a split. Sure, the potential "Scorponok (US/UK)" and "Scorponok (Japan)" articles (and other such pairs) should reference each other, but I really don't think they should be the same. - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 05:20, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

:::::I think the key distinction is that they're all based around the same character concept. My understanding is that while the Japanese bios are ridiculously condensed, Scorponok over there is based on Scorponok over here. It wasn't until Masterforce that things really branched off, with toys being given vastly different writeups over there. [[User:Chip|Chip]] 13:02, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

== Rorichi ? ==

Does "Rorichi" mean anything in Japanese? --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 19:07, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
:"Roll-1", maybe? Just guessin' here.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 06:46, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

== American/JP Scorpy ==

Someone... on some other talk page I can't find now... made a serious (frustrated) request that Scorponok be split into two articles for his American vs. Japanese versions.

I'd like to second that request. The main picture on the article isn't even showing Scorponok- it shows Megazarak. Even allowing for that- Megazarak has a different character model. This treatment is shafting the Japanese version of the character (hollow, generic cackling bad guy that he be.)

I don't believe that ''all'' Headmasters should be split this way- but Scorponok is, in many special ways, done a disservice by being treated as one article. Alternately, sub-articles with the Japanese section begin a brief summary followed by a 'for more information see Scorponok (Headmasters)' -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 19:53, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

: the character model argument is a moot point. None of the characters introduced in Rebirth use the same model in Rebirth and Headmasters. And the transtector's English name ''is'' "Scorponok". Even then, it's not like head-robot Scorponok isn't the same guy as head-mode-robot-in-nead-mode-attached-to-transtector. The main difference is that instead of Scorponok is the small robot that controls a brainless body instead of Scorponok's head transforming tnto a separate fleshling.

:If we have seperate articles for the Rebirth and Headmasters versions of Scorponok, we'll need to do it for every Headmaster because the only thing Scorponok has different is the names were switched. That, and there is Japanese fiction that ''does'' have the heads as separate beings, namely the tech specs and packages. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 20:19, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

== Scorponok has no separate "space ship" mode in the 3rd Rebirth episode ==

So, I don't know if I'm just misinterpreting of the cracks that are characteristic to Tfwiki, but anyway: See the collage of four pictures of Scorponok's modes on Rebirth, claiming he has a fourth mode, a "space ship"? Look again. The supposed "spaceship" mode is simply his city mode from "behind". Yeah, we can always talk about how well (or badly) he's drawn since this upper arms are missing from the tower, but the supposed "spaceship mode" is just the citymode from the side where his scorpion head is (the tail forms the front ramp).

So basically I kinda wonder if that collage should even be there. Tell me? [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] ([[User talk:Jerryteacup|talk]]) 21:04, 13 September 2020 (EDT)

The Insecticon Syndrome

2019-12-20T07:35:07Z

Jerryteacup: Quote by Bumblebee while the meat of it is that he barely bothers to take Spike along for the ride.

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=29
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=21
|prev2=The Master Builders (episode)
|next2=A Prime Problem
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=32
|prev3=A Prime Problem
|next3=Microbots
|image=Insectsyndromefeeding.jpg
|caption=I think they have a special shampoo for that.
|title="The Insecticon Syndrome"
|production code=#700-28
|airdate=[[October 9]], 1985
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''The Insecticons feed on a source of power which causes them to grow... and will cause them to explode if not cured.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Beachcomber branch.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|J'ACCUSE!]]
At a National Park, [[Jeff (ranger)|Jeff]], a park ranger has called for help. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] respond, driving along a rocky road (and Bumblebee is especially having trouble). The ranger shows the Autobots some trees that appeared to have been chewed on by something. Beachcomber quickly realizes that something ''did'' chew on the trees, but not by an animal—it was the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. Meanwhile, the Insecticons are hiding in their current lair/hive/base thingy. They complain that the pines just aren't filling and they're still hungry, so they decide to go chow down on some redwoods. Meanwhile, Jeff is having trouble accepting the possibility of giant robotic insects (even though he's talking to a trio of [[Transformer|giant robotic cars]]). Suddenly, another ranger, Mike, calls him, saying he's seeing giant robotic insects. The [[Autobot]]s proceed to [[roll out]].

Meanwhile, the [[Decepticon]]s are searching for their Insecticon "allies". [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] has come up with a plan that will require their unique abilities. As [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] spots the Autobots, Megatron takes it as a chance to observe them in action. As the other ranger barely dodges a falling tree, the Autobots arrive. The Autobots and Insecticons throw down, until the Insecticons push a log down a hill that nearly crushes the Autobots. Our heroes jump into a river to avoid death, but they then fall over a waterfall... at least, that's what the Insecticons believe, for Hound used his [[hologram]]s to make it appear that the Autobots and humans fell over. After that, Megatron and the Decepticons arrive. He explains that he intends to attack [[Iron Mountain]], a human military base, but offers the Insecticons to gorge themselves at the [[Nova Power Plant]] if they help them. Overhearing this, the Autobots contact the [[Ark (G1)|base]].

[[File:G1 InsecticonSyndrome Bombshell Soundwave.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Here's your problem, ma'am. See that? Termites.]]
Receiving their signal, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads a strike force to the Nova Power Plant. Unfortunately, the Decepticons are already there. The [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] quickly down the helicopters the humans have to defend the base, while Megatron, Soundwave, [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] go to stop the Autobots. The Insecticons reach the [[Nova Power Core]], which they proceed to drain. However, the [[proton]]s within the core cause them to [[Size changing|grow in size]], making them as [[Scale|large]] as Optimus Prime and Megatron. Soundwave overhears what is happening, but [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] implants him with a [[cerebro-shell]] and makes him their slave. The Insecticons proceed to kick the [[Slag (slang)|slag]] out of [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and the Autobots are forced to retreat with their fallen comrades. Megatron is pleased with the Insecticons' new power, unaware that the Insecticons plan to off him.

At the base, the [[Autobot]]s use [[Teletraan I]] to calculate what will happen to the Insecticons. It says that the energy from the Power Core will cause the Insecticons to explode unless something is done. However, the Autobots receive a distress signal from Iron Mountain, where the Decepticons are attacking. If the Insecticons explode there, they'll kill everyone there. [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] and Wheeljack quickly work on an antidote.

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Nova Power Plant.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT HIM AND LAUGH!]]
At Iron Mountain, the Decepticons attack. However, the human defenses are surprisingly advanced for simple flesh creatures. Finally, [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] takes control of the human weapons, causing them to attack the base. The Autobots arrive, but are quickly buried in rubble by the Insecticons. Entering the base, Soundwave manages to access the computer. Megatron declares that it's time to eliminate the Insecticons, only to discover that his army has been taken over by the Insecticons. Bombshell fires a cerebro-shell into [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], but Megatron manages to grab the shell fired at him and destroy it. Before Megatron can fire his fusion cannon at the Insecticons, Optimus Prime prevents him from doing so and they instruct the Decepticons to attack while they retrieve Soundwave. Prime explains the explosive situation to Megatron as Ratchet and Wheeljack arrive with an antidote.

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Shrapnel explode.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Ahhh, my head asplode. Asplode.]]
Heading into Iron Mountain, Megatron fires at the Insecticons. although he misses his targets, the Insecticons begin to reach critical mass, and will explode at any minute. Bombshell incapacitates Megatron and Optimus Prime manually [[Transformation|transforms]] him into [[Alternate mode|gun mode]] to fire the antidotes into Bombshell and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. However, Shrapnel manages to avoid his cure and uses lightning in the sky against Optimus Prime before he can load Megatron with the antidote made for him, so Spike bravely manages to get the cure into Shrapnel... but it doesn't work because Shrapnel explodes. The cures cause the cerebro-shells to deactivate, but also erases the information Soundwave downloaded. Bombshell uses a special shell to cause Shrapnel to reassemble, and the Insecticons run away, with the angry Decepticons in pursuit. With the Decepticons defeated, the day is saved.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (1)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (15)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (18)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (19)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (20)
|c2=
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (6)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (7)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (8)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (21)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (22)
|c3=
*[[Jeff (ranger)|Jeff]] (4)
*[[Mike]] (9)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Gigantic robot insects that eat trees? YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING!"
:—'''Jeff the Park Ranger's''' suspension of disbelief is ruined.

"The Insecticons have done well." 
"Yes...perhaps they should lead us." 
"You test my patience, Starscream."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream''' after the Insecticons defeat some Autobots.

"Why, if it isn't Megatron, and his merry mechanical men!" 
"Why you rust encrusted cockroach!"
:—'''Bombshell''' and '''Starscream''' trade insults.

[[File:TIS laserbeak and buzzsaw.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Oh boy, a robotoid turkey shoot!"
:—'''Inferno''' takes aim at Laserbeak and Buzzsaw.

"I hate fighting in reverse!"
:—So much, in fact, that you would angrily throttle off unbothered that Spike is holding on for dear life, '''Bumblebee'''.

"Power has made the Insecticons obnoxious." 
"''And'' invincible."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron'''

"What's the matter, Megatron? Weakling humans too tough for you, for you?"
:—'''Shrapnel''' to Megatron, after the latter has been shot by a human weapon.

"Ohhhh....that Nova Power Core is giving me heartburn...that is, if I have a heart." 
"If you have a ''brain'', you'll realize that we've got a battle to fight!"
:—'''Bombshell''' and '''Megatron'''

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Inferno on hound.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Hound's a bottom? Who'da thunk it?]]
"Guys, you all right?" 
"Just great...if you don't mind two tons of Inferno sitting on your head plates." 
"Look, you get ten tons of boulders off my shoulder struts, and I'll get off your noggin."
:—'''Spike''', '''Hound''' and '''Inferno'''

"No one gets into my [[cranial chamber]]!" 
"Auugh, my cerebro-shell! My precious shell!" 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Bombshell'''

"We're not that easy to squash, Megatron! We Insecticons, know how to get... it... together!!"
:—'''Bombshell''' gets serious but then delivers a cheesy line after reassembling Shrapnel.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Inferno fires.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:IronhideG1 InternalLabel.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|So basically he's a live-action movie Transformer, wearing a bunch of boxes.]]
*This episode features the first appearances of [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. However, no explanation of their origins is given.
*Where's the trailer go?
**At the start of the Nova Power Plant attack, in a head-on shot, Prime's trailer just rolls off behind him and disappears over the horizon. This shot is recycled for the Autobots' arrival at Iron Mountain.
*Bombshell sure gets upset when one of his (presumably limitless) cerebro-shells is destroyed. This is the closest the cartoon ever got to showing his tech spec weakness, which notes that the shells can be used against him.
*This is not [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|the first time]] that Optimus Prime has fired Megatron in gun mode, nor [[The Core|the first time]] that they've teamed up to save their skins. Nor would it be [[The Revenge of Bruticus|the last time]].
*It's also not the first time that the Decepticons have [[A Plague of Insecticons|chased the Insecticons off into the sunset]].
*According to Spike, the Insecticons have "[[trilithium stomach]]s".
*After he climbs up the electrical tower and gets electrocuted, Ironhide's forearm panel pops open and the word "Ironhide" is written on the circuits inside.
*Bombshell's rather baffling ability to rebuild Shrapnel with a shell was, per the episode's script, supposed to be another use of his "Insecta-shells," previously featured "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]". That episode failed to communicate the full extent of the shell's power—it produces the connecting wires and micro-circuitry needed to assemble the Insecticons' clones—and the script's direction to refer back to that episode for details results in this episode also failing to visually convey that these wires and circuits are what bind Shrapnel's shattered parts back together.
**As such, the fact that the cerebro-shells shut down after Shrapnel exploded and Bombshell appeared to reassemble him with electricity would make one think that their roles had originally been switched.

===Real-world references===
*The episode's title is likely to be a reference to the movie ''{{w|The China Syndrome}}'', which also deals with a pending meltdown and potential catastrophic explosion.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**During the battle in the park, Bombshell and Kickback both launch and fly with ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine noises.
**The sound of a [[lightsaber]] igniting is used as Prime blasts away the rocks pinning down the other Autobots.
===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Seekers cerebroshells.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Jeff's pointing hand is layered behind Beachcomber when saying his "What kind of animals can devour trees this size?" line.
*Coloring errors:
**In the second binocular view of the Insecticons, Shrapnel's "cockpit" isn't colored yellow.
**Two Skywarps are shown flying against the human helicopters; one should presumably be Starscream or Thundercracker.
**Megatron's upper gun body is black instead of light gray after he transforms in Prime's arms.
**Thundercracker's cockpit cowlings are yellow instead of blue as he and the other eject their cerebro shells.
**Bumblebee's nose is yellow instead of white as Spike makes his awful, horrible joke.
*Shrapnel's transformation to [[robot mode]] gets only half a transformation noise, and it's not timed to line up with the animation.
*Kickback is supposed to be in insect mode when he lands to kick the log after the Autobots, but he's drawn in robot mode, lying on his back!
[[File:Insecticonsyndrome soundwave cerebroshelled.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream's Decepticon insignias are incorrectly the right way up when the Decepticons first approach the Insecticons.
*Megatron is missing his chest insignia during the line "At the Nova Power Plant".
*Buzzsaw and Laserbeak both leave Soundwave's chest with no chest-opening sound effect and no transformation noise.
*Bombshell is shown during Kickback's "making me grow" line, though given the lack of lip flap for the insect mode Insecticons, it's not an incontrovertible mistake.
*The animation is not especially consistent about how much the Insecticons have grown. Inside the power core, they're gargantuan; when they enslave Soundwave, they're only a few heads taller than him. During the attack on Iron Mountain they're the same size as the other Decepticons.
*As Shrapnel gets Soundwave into a full nelson, Soundwave has a purple Autobot insignia.
*A trace of Ironhide's accent slips into Peter Cullen's delivery as Optimus Prime orders Bumblebee, Inferno, Beachcomber, and Jazz to help him.
*Jazz has a Decepticon insignia during a shot in Autobot Headquarters after they discover the Insecticons are time bombs, just before the second commercial break.
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome-DefenseComputer.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|The exit to Lollipop Land. And on the right, the unisex bathroom.]]
*Improbable viewpoints:
**Teletraan I supplies a 3/4 view of the Decepticons attacking Iron Mountain. The view travels with them as they fly.
*As the "master defense sequence" is activated, and just before the blast shields are lowered, we get a view of the absurdly tiny doors on either side of the computer room.
*Starscream's wings are mounted much too high on his shoulders as he watches Soundwave absorb the computer info.
*When Bombshell turns to order his slaves to fire, he gets a whirring sound effect as if he were sitting on a moving platform.
*Shrapnel loses his last-word-repeating gimmick as he summons the lightning.
*As he watches Spike run up to Shrapnel, Optimus calls him "Pike". Or maybe "Bike". [[A Prime Problem|For real]].
*When Beachcomber is in the foreground watching Spike get back up, his head inexplicably twists to the other side in a clip.

===Continuity errors===
*Soundwave eavesdrops on the Insecticons ''with a Transformer-sized stethoscope''. As if this weren't implausible enough, he's wearing and using it in proper human fashion ''even though he doesn't have ears''.
*Wheeljack and Ironhide climbing the transmission towers does not appear to serve any rational purpose.
*Why is Spike out of breath when he, Beachcomber, Hound and Bumblebee arrive at the Nova Power Core plant? He's shown driving up in Beachcomber, and then immediately perched on Beachcomber's shoulder when they transform to robot mode, meaning he hasn't exercised as single muscle.
*Spike [[The Immobilizer|once again]] gets a wrist watch that shows up only in the shots where he needs to tell the time.
*From the time Spike looks at his watch and issues the 30-second warning to the point where Shrapnel explodes, about 1 minute and 46 seconds pass. As well, when he gives Shrapnel his 10-second warning, it takes about 47 seconds until he detonates. (On a minor note, it takes Spike 6 out of the available 10 seconds to ''say'' that Shrapnel is going to explode.) Either their estimates on when the Insecticons would explode were off, or seconds are longer in this episode than they are elsewhere.
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] disappears from the episode after a quick appearance inside of Iron Mountain, just before Shrapnel's big explosion. He doesn't even get to laugh with the other Autobots at the end.
*Despite it being a core premise of the episode, the Insecticon's power upgrade plays no part in the Decepticons seizing Iron Mountain. The Insecticons do little more than fire a few shots until Shrapnel turns the installation's own defenses against it - which [[A Plague of Insecticons|we already know he can do]]. The Autobots are neutralized with one shot at an overhanging rock face. Even usurping Megatron was achieved using Bombshell's [[cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]], rather than their power boost.

===Trivia===
[[File:Insectsyndromespikeshoot.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Remember kids, guns are awesome!]]
*Spike totally gets his own laser gun in this ep.
*Amongst the text that comes up on the Iron Mountain computer is a mess of BASIC programming commands and repeated "Syntax error"s.

===Foreign localization===
'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' '''La sindrome degli Insector''' ("The Syndrome of Insecticons")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
:*Misnaming from the old dub: Hound is called [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] and Skywarp is now Scrapper.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Insectron Syndrome'''" (インセクトロン・シンドローム)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 29]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Chóng Zāi '''" (虫灾, "Insect Damage")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers — Volume 6: Evolution Revolution ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-28.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Insecticon Syndrome}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Multilingual packaging

2019-12-19T15:33:56Z

Jerryteacup: Corrected the Finnish spelling of typing Hong Kong --> Hongkong.

[[File:Energon rapidrun cardback.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Typical trilingual cardback: photos of the wrong toy representing a different character, with misidentified factions and swapped names. No room for characterization, function or stats, but a franchise description longer than the Gettysburg Address appears in three languages.]]
'''Multilingual packaging''' is essentially the standard way ''Transformers'' toys are available in countries outside the United States. Rather than producing packaging sporting texts in a single language for different countries, Hasbro saves money by putting texts in several different languages on the same packaging, which will then be released in all the target markets. (There are a few exceptions, such as places like Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore or the Philippines, which traditionally get their toys in the same packaging that is available in the United States.)

Un '''emballage multilingue''' est essentiellement le format standard dans lequel les jouets ''Transformers'' sont disponibles dans les pays autres que les États-Unis. Plutôt que de produire des emballages portant du texte dans une seule langue pour chaque pays, Hasbro économise de l'argent en mettant des textes dans plusieurs langues différentes sur le même emballage, qui sera alors envoyé sur tous les marchés. (Il y a quelques exceptions, telles que des endroits comme l'Australie, la Nouvelle Zélande, Hong Kong, la Malaisie, Singapour ou les Philippines, qui obtiennent traditionnellement leurs jouets dans le même emballage que celui disponible aux États-Unis.)

El '''empaquetado multilingüe''' es la forma común en la que los juguetes ''Transformers'' están disponibles en otros países fuera de los Estados Unidos. En vez de hacer empaques con un lenguaje único para cada región, Hasbro ahorra dinero imprimiendo el texto en varios lenguajes diferentes en un mismo empaque, el cual a continuación será distribuido a todos los mercados objetivo. (Existen algunas excepciones como Australia, Nueva Zelanda, Hong Kong, Malasia, Singapur o las Filipinas, que usualmente usan el mismo empaque que en los Estados Unidos.)

'''Mehrsprachige Verpackungen''' sind gewissermaßen die übliche Form, in der ''Transformers'' Spielzeugfiguren in Ländern außerhalb der Vereinigten Staaten erhältlich sind. Statt für verschiedene Länder Verpackungen mit Texten in einer einzelnen Sprache herzustellen, spart Hasbro Geld, indem dieselbe Verpackung mit Texten in verschiedenen Sprachen bedruckt wird, die dann auf den jeweiligen nationalen Märkten veröffentlicht wird. (Es gibt einige Ausnahmen, darunter Orte wie Australien, Neuseeland, Honkong, Malaysia, Singapur oder die Philippinen, an denen die Spielzeuge normalerweise in denselben Verpackungen erscheinen, die auch in den Vereinigten Staaten erhältlich sind.)

Le '''Confezioni multilingua''' sono essenzialmente il formato standard in cui i ''Transformers ''sono distribuiti fuori dagli Stati Uniti. Piuttosto che produrre confezioni in una sola lingua per paese, Hasbro risparmia inserendo testo in più lingue differenti sulla stessa confezione, che verrà distribuita in tutti i mercati.(Ci sono alcune eccezioni, in posti come l'Australia, la Nuova Zelanda, Hong Kong, in Malesia, Singapore e nelle Filippine, che li vedono tradizionalmente distribuiti nella stessa confezione degli Stati Uniti.)

En '''flerspråkig förpackning''' är standard-sättet ''Transformers''-leksaker är tillgängliga i andra land utanför USA. Istället för att producera förpackningar som har texter i ett enskilt språk för olika länder, så sparar Hasbro pengar genom att sätta texter i flera olika språk på samma förpackning, som sedan blir släppt i alla målmarknaderna. (Det finns få undantag, som till exempel i platser som Australien, Nya Zeeland, Hong Kong, Malysia, Singapore eller Filipinerna, som traditionellt får samma förpackning för leksakerna som i USA)

'''Paket Multibahasa''' adalah cara standar mainan ''Transformers'' untuk tersedia di negara selain Amerika Serikat. Daripada memaket satu pak mainan dengan satu bahasa untuk negara-negara berbeda, Hasbro menghemat banyak uang dengan menempatkan teks multibahasa di paket yang sama, yang akan dirilis di semua pasar target. (Pengecualian untuk beberapa negara seperti Australia, Selandia Baru, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapura, atau Filipina, yang mendapatkan paket yang sama seperti di Amerika Serikat.)

'''Vecasuate Flaïvosfetéurlà''' es l'añe des lo gacos de ''Transformers'' via auïes nègarosoix côso. Là vouya vecasuatos migre fetaflaïvaux nègaros endaropar, vezes Hasbro egalos leiya migre ésflaïvosendaraux nègarosendaroparpèr, viz su selasido zayo nègarosoix. (Aui iteo esseux, livê Austràlia, Zelande Exo, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapûra, y Filipina, viz cantasido gacos vecasuatelivoix viz auïes Estados Fetesoissaux.)

'''Wielojęzyczne opakowania''' są zasadniczo standardem dla zabawek ''Transformers'' dostępnych w innych krajach poza Stanami Zjednoczonymi. Przy produkcji opakowań dają oddzielny tekst dla każdego kraju, Hasbro oszczędza pieniądze poprzez tworzenie tekstów w różnych językach w tym samym opakowaniu, które zostaną następnie wydane na wszystkich rynkach docelowych. (Jest kilka wyjątków dla takich miejsc jak Australia, Nowa Zelandia, Hong Kong, Malezja, Singapur i Filipiny, które dostają zabawki z opakowaniem takim jak w Stanach Zjednoczonych.)

'''Meertalige verpakkingen''' zijn in essentie de standaard methode van verkrijgbaarheid van ''Transformers'' speelgoed in landen buiten de Verenigde Staten. In plaats van meerdere verpakkingen te produceren met teksten in een enkele taal voor verschillende landen, bespaart Hasbro geld door teksten in verschillende talen op dezelfde verpakking te zetten, die dan weer verkrijgbaar worden gemaakt in alle doelmarkten. (Er zijn een paar uitzonderingen voor regio's zoals Australië, Nieuw-Zeeland, Hong Kong, Maleisië, Singapore of de Filipijnen, welke nromaal gezien speelgoed krijgen in dezelfde verpakking als ook verkrijgbaar is in de Verenigde Staten.)

'''Višejezični pakiranje''' je u biti standardni način ''Transformers'' igračke su dostupne u zemljama izvan Sjedinjenih Američkih Država . Umjesto proizvodnju ambalaže sportske tekstove u jednom jeziku za različite zemlje , Hasbro štedi novac stavljanjem tekstove u nekoliko različitih jezika na istoj ambalaži , koja će potom biti objavljen u svim ciljnim tržištima . ( Postoji nekoliko izuzetaka , kao što su mjesta kao što su Australija , Novi Zeland, Hong Kong , Malezija , Singapur i Filipina , koji se tradicionalno dobiti svoje igračke u istoj ambalaži koja je dostupna u SAD-u . )

''Transformers''-leluja myydään '''monikielisissä pakkauksissa''' Yhdysvaltojen ulkopuolella. Hasbro säästää kustannuksia painamalla pakkauksiin tekstit useilla kielillä sen sijaan, että yhdessä maassa esiintyisi vain yhden kielisiä pakkauksia. Samaa pakkausta voidaan siten käyttää kaikilla markkinoilla. (Joissakin paikoissa, kuten Australiassa, Uudessa-Seelannissa, Hongkongissa, Malesiassa, Singaporessa sekä Filippiineillä tavataan kuitenkin poikkeuksellisesti käyttää samaa pakkausta kuin Yhdysvalloissa.)

==Multilingual packaging in the Americas==
[[File:StormSurgeUSCanMex.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|In Soviet Canada, I'm an Autobot.]]
When the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers toy line]] was introduced to the Canadian market in 1984, the packaging was bilingual (sporting texts in English and French), using a smaller printing font to fit the [[Tech Spec]]s and [[bio]]s in both languages onto the packaging. Even the ''characters' names'' required French translations!

With the launch of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' toy line]] in 1996, Hasbro introduced trilingual Transformers packaging, sporting texts in English, French and Spanish, for the Canadian and Latin American markets (prior to that, Transformers toys had been distributed by various licensees in Latin America, such as [[IGA]] for Mexico, [[Antex]] for Argentina, [[HUDE]], [[BASA]], [[Abramowicz]] and [[Lynsa]] for Peru and Chile or [[Estrela]] for Brazil, with the packaging usually being entirely in Spanish or Portuguese), now also featuring abbreviated bios in addition to the already used smaller print. In addition, the toyline itself sported additional, alternative titles for the French Canadian and Latin American markets, ''Guerre des Bêtes'' for the former and ''Guerra de Bestias'' for the latter. However, at least the individual toys' names no longer required translations into French (the Mexican toys had always used the English names, while the other Latin American releases had been given random and oftentimes nonsensical new names).

With the launch of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy line]] in 2001, Hasbro decided to cut costs by using the trilingual packaging for the US market as well, which meant they only had to design one type of packaging for three markets rather than two. Thus the standard United States packaging, traditionally sporting English-only texts, was replaced by trilingual packaging with texts in English, French and Spanish. This move was, of course, [[Ruined FOREVER|well-received]] by fans.

[[File:LegacyBumblebeeCanadian.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Everything must be translated. ''Everything''. Tout doit être traduit. ''Tout''. Todo debe ser traducido. ''Todo''.]]
In 2002, when the [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' toy line]] was about to be launched, someone (probably a lawyer) informed Hasbro that if any part of the packaging was trilingual, the ''entire'' contents had to be trilingual, including the [[Transformers: Armada (mini-comic)|pack-in comic books]]; this resulted in the comics' dialogue being in stilted, unpleasant prose, but on the bright side the unsightliness of the comics may have prompted the creation of the popular [[jaAm]] joke.<ref>"Everything must be trilingual" from the 2002 Hasbro BotCon panel, [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/3003d05818cf8b5e?dmode=source&output=gplain Steve-o's BotCon 2002 Report,: Zobovor Edition]</ref> Hasbro later realized this person was overcautious, and volumes 3 and 4 of the pack-in comic were printed in a much more eye-pleasing way: in English.

Instead of settling for "incredibly short and banal" on-package [[bio]]s, Hasbro's Transformers team sent kids to the English-only [http://www.transformers.com Transformers.com] website, where they promised-hope-to-die there would be bios for the characters. Sometimes this was true, but often it was not.

In 2005, Hasbro's Transformers team successfully lobbied the Brand Overlords to return to English-only packaging; arguing that the multi-lingual packaging was so ''phenomenally ugly'' that it was costing them sales.<ref>Kids also hate foreign languages; [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/0cd6f0724b39615f?dmode=source&output=gplain Steve-o's 2005 BotCon Report]</ref> As a result, the launch of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toy line]] heralded the return not only of English-only packaging for the US market, but also of full bios printed on the packaging. At the same time, ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' packaging intended for the US market also became English-only (although bios would still not be included).

[[File:UniDelWave1CanMex.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|Beast Machines anyone?]]
Meanwhile, the Canadian and Latin American markets still have to live with trilingual packaging to this very day... except for store [[exclusive]]s that are intended to be released in Canada but not in Latin America, which only feature bilingual English/French texts. Amazingly, French translations are required for even the most incidental bit of English texts on the packaging (such as "Deluxe Class" or "[[Premium Series]]"), with pretty much the only exception being the characters' names (which ''is'' an improvement over the Generation 1 days). As a quick Google search shows, nobody actually seems to care for those alternate non-English names outside the toys' packaging. However, it appears that the term "Robots in Disguise" was finally allowed to remain untranslated starting with the later waves of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line.

The requirement for multiple languages also leads to unfortunate omissions of [[pack-in material]] for the non-US markets, such as the comic reprints from the ''Universe'' comic two-packs and the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Thrilling 30]] Deluxe Class figures or the DVD from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|25th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]. This even leads to modifications of the toys themselves: For example, various electronic Leader Class and larger figures have alternate versions distributed in markets outside the US and English Canada that only say their names rather than saying full sentences in English (ironically, these markets include the UK). In addition, trilingual packaging occasionally features odd errors, such as the packaging for all of the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 ''Movie'']] Scouts sporting Autobot [[insignia]]s on the packaging, regardless of which faction insignia the toy itself sported. Also, the ''Universe'' toy line's Deluxe Class figures only sport the [[package art|character art]] of one "representative" toy per wave (Wave 1: [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Sunstreaker]], Wave 2: [[Acid Storm (G1)#Universe (2008)|Acid Storm]], Wave 3: [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ironhide]]) on the front of the card, regardless of which toy actually ''is'' in the packaging. (The artwork on the side of the bubble is correct, though.) The Voyager Class toys, meanwhile, feature no character artwork on the front of the box at all. This was repeated with the ''Generations'' Thrilling 30 Deluxe Class figures, which not only omitted the pack-in comics, but used a ''sticker'' featuring the package art for [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Deluxe|Orion Pax]] for the first two waves (subsequent waves use the correct package art for each figure).

[[File:GenT30Mini-ConAssaultTeamUSCA.jpg|right|upright=1.55|thumb|What, were you expecting a trilingual comic?]]
Another problem with trilingual packaging is that trying to put three times as much text on a packaging of the same dimensions (especially on Deluxe and smaller-sized figures) would result in having extremely ''tiny'' (and therefore, pretty much impossible to read) text, so Hasbro had to find another way to keep the information that formerly was on the packaging. This resulted in the idea that what could not be on the toy's box had to be placed somewhere else. As such, some toys had their packaging's back filled with [[cross-sell]]s, and what would normally be on the back of the box (tech specs, [[bio]]s, quotes, stock photography, features, etc.) is moved either to the back of the instructions ([[Transformers Animated (toyline)|''Animated'']]) or in a [[Pack-in material|separate flyer]] inside the box (''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'').

Between the third and fourth waves of the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[size class]] assortments, Hasbro changed the packaging from trilingual to quadrilingual, now adding Portuguese as a fourth language for the Brazilian market.

After some store exclusives released under the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ''[[Beast Hunters (toyline)|Beast Hunters]]'' line's ''[[Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising|Predacons Rising]]'' subline imprint and the ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' line had been available in multilingual packaging in the United States, the ''Generations'' line's ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' subline imprint and the concurrently released ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line heralded the return of multilingual packaging to the United States market across the board, with the packaging in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese for the United States, Canadian and Latin American markets, as well as Australia and Hasbro's Asian markets. The only exceptions are the ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class figures from wave 2 onwards, which are still available in English-only packaging (including a reprint of an IDW comic book) in the US, Australia and Asia (but not in Canada or Latin America). The ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' subline eventually even did away with comic books, thus eliminiating any further reason for English-only packaging altogether.

==Multilingual packaging in Europe==
[[File:Desertattackeurope.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Just three languages? Europe should be so lucky.]]
[[The Transformers (toyline)#Hasbro European line|Europe]] has its own history of multilingual packaging:

When [[Milton Bradley]] started distributing ''Transformers'' toys in mainland Europe (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Denmark) in 1985, the packaging sported ''four'' languages, namely German, French, Dutch and Spanish. As with the trilingual packaging, that meant that instead of bios, the tech specs simply sported the characters' mottos in four different languages.

A year later, the "MB" logos on European packaging were replaced by Hasbro logos, though the local MB branches still handled the distribution, and some of them weren't officially renamed into "Hasbro" until years later. Possibly because sales in Germany were less than stellar, German texts on the packaging were replaced with their English counterparts (even though the United Kingdom continued to get toys in plain English-only packaging), or perhaps to "cover" more European countries.

By 1987, Hasbro apparently realized that English as a fourth language was pointless when the United Kingdom was getting toys in different packaging, so the languages on the European toys' packaging were reduced to bilingual Dutch and French texts. Spain later got their own toys in Spanish-only packaging; although it's unclear at what point exactly that packaging was introduced, Spanish-only packaging is confirmed for the 1989 [[Micromaster]]s toys and the [[Classics (Europe)|Classic]] reissues (this is not to be confused with the Spanish-only packaging for the early 1984-86 toys originally distributed by [[IGA]] in the Mexican market, which were later [[parallel import|semi-legally imported]] to Europe).

[[File:CybStreetSpeedTeamUsEuro.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|It could only get better after this.]]
In 1991, after the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toy line]] had ended in the USA, Hasbro continued producing new toys for the European market. Starting with the [[Turbomaster]]s and [[Predator (subgroup)|Predators]], English and Spanish texts were merged into a new, bilingual packaging which would be released in the United Kingdom and Spain. In addition, the French/Dutch packaging now sported different (but still English or at least English-derived) names for the individual toys and sub-groups than the English/Spanish packaging.

The [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)#Hasbro European line|European version]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toy line]] introduced yet another variant: the formerly bilingual English/Spanish packaging became trilingual, now incorporating Portuguese as well. At the same time, the formerly bilingual French/Dutch packaging also became trilingual, incorporating texts in German for the first time in nine years. Also, name variants for the different markets were abolished again (although some of the toys still sported different names from their ''American'' counterparts).

With the launch of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' toy line]], trilingual French/Dutch/German packaging remained the same (with the toy line itself sporting an additional alternate title, "''Ani Mutants''", for the French market, and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s being renamed into "Predators" for this packaging type), while the formerly trilingual English/Spanish/Portuguese packaging replaced the latter language with texts in Italian, thereby gradually shifting out [[GiG]], the company that had previously been distributing ''Transformers'' toys in Italy, in favor of Hasbro's own Italian branch. For the Italian and Scandinavian markets, the toy line also sported the alternate title "''Biocombat''", as well as Italian (or at least Italian-esque) names for the individual toys. An unusual exception were the European-exclusive "[[Transmetal]]" [[redeco]]s of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Claw Jaw]], which came on English/German/Italian cards with the additional ''Biocombat'' title. ''Beast Machines'' retained the same language combinations on the packaging itself, with the French/Dutch/German version sporting the additional alternate title ''Ani Machines'' for the line itself for the French market.

With the later waves of ''Beast Wars'', the toys in "Biocombat" packaging started to include additional [[instructions|instruction sheets]] in Scandinavian languages (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish). The packaging itself did not include nor hint at those additional languages. This practice continued into early waves of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' with the English/Spanish/Italian packaging, but was abandoned with later waves of ''Beast Machines''.

[[File:UltimateBattleUSEuro.jpg|right|thumb|European packaging for the "Ultimate Battle" boxset was noticeably smaller because it lacked the DVD case. In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the [[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle|DVD]] was included only in a paper sleeve; in other European stores, it was given as a freebie separately.]]
With the launch of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy line]], the two trilingual packaging variants were merged into a single, quadrilingual packaging style featuring texts in English, French, Dutch and German. This also finally marked the end of any further name variants for the individual toys between the different European markets, as well as between the European and American markets.

With the launch of the [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' toy line]], the number of languages on the formerly quadrilingual packaging was expanded to hexalingual, now incorporating texts in Spanish and Italian again. Also, at least since the days of the ''Armada'' line, whichever packaging was available in Europe has also been used for Israel.

Finally, in the middle of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toy line]]'s run and with the shift of the red ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' packaging to the bubble-style packaging, the number of languages on European packaging was doubled to dodecalingual, adding texts in Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Greek, Polish and Turkish to the established languages English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish and Italian.

Somewhere around the addition of the six new languages and the replacement of [[package art]] with stock photos of the toys themselves (see below), European packaging also started to feature obtrusive "2 in 1" logos ("3 in 1" in the case of triple changers). Apparently, ''Transformers'' is considered not as much of a household name in Europe as it is in the USA, so Hasbro feel that they really need to drive home the point that ''Transformers'' toys are really two (or three) toys in one.

Amazingly, unlike Canada (which requires French translations for even the most trivial instances of English texts on the packaging, except for the individual toys' names), European packaging has gradually ''reduced'' the amount of multi-lingual versions of text elements over the years. The ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'', ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toys even feature text blurbs describing a toy's gimmicks in ''English-only'', with only the back of the packaging featuring translated and country-specific texts (bios, Hasbro contact info etc.). On the other hand, European ''Universe'' packaging replaced individual [[franchise]] logos used for the "timeline" on the back of the US toys' packaging with the name of the franchise in a neutral font.

For ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'', Hasbro apparently decided that since they weren't attempting to claim every single toy's name as an exclusive [[trademark]] due to both the large number of national markets and the somewhat different nature of European trademark law compared to US trademark law, they could as well drop prefixes required for better trademark protection in the USA from the bios. So while the bios are still heavily truncated compared to their US counterparts, they simply refer to the characters as "[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]" and "[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]" rather than "Autobot Jazz" and "Autobot Tracks" (the toys' official names are still "Special Ops Jazz" and "Turbo Tracks", though).

[[File:AOE Evolution Optimus US 23 vs EU.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|Numbers? What numbers?]]With ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', European packaging left a lot of space on the side flaps for large "Attention!" or "Warning!" notes in a plethora of languages, presumably in order to point out the inclusion of a safety warning sheet in all these languages inside the packaging. In practice, it makes the toys appear as enormous safety hazards.

''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' introduced two new changes to the packaging, the least of which is that Russian has been added, making a grand total of 13 different languages. The more drastic change is that the size of the Deluxe Class cards has been ''reduced'' to 5/6ths of the US standard. The same applies to the few ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Thrilling 30]] Deluxe Class figures released in Europe. (The latter also lack the pack-in comics, just like in Canada; however, at least they feature correct individual package art). The reasons for the size reduction are currently unclear.

[[File:Combiner Wars Viper World vs EU.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Similar, but not identical.]]Curiously, the ''Combiner Wars'' portion of the ''Generations'' line saw the number of languages on European packaging trimmed down to only four again: English, French, German and Spanish. On first look, one might actually mistake it for uniform worldwide packaging, but markets outside Europe actually feature Portuguese instead of German, in addition to various other minor differences.

With the ''Earthrise'' portion of the ''War for Cybertron'' trilogy, the packaging got upgraded to five languages, adding Italian.

A common omission from European packaging are various numbering systems. The ''Alternators'' line dropped the American versions' numbers after the first figure ([[Smokescreen (G1)#Alternators/Binaltech|Smokescreen]]), and the "[[Thrilling 30#30 special toys|X of 30]]" numbers for the Transformers brand's 30th anniversary were omitted entirely in favor of neutral faction insignias. Presumably, the reason for this is because Hasbro doesn't want to use a numbering system for markets that aren't supposed to see a release of half of the numbered toys anyways.

The occasional officially distributed toys in US (or Canadian/Latin American) packaging are still isolated incidents, and might even turn out to be gray imports without Hasbro's involvement in some instances.
{{-}}

===Package art===
[[File:AltPrimeUSEuro.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Transformers: 2 in 1! Find more information on the underside! (Not a knockoff.)]]
In addition to the increasing number of languages cluttering the packaging with an abundance of text, European multilingual packaging also didn't sport [[package art]] for several years, replacing it with airbrushed [[stock photography|stock photos]] of the toys themselves instead. The most likely reason is a newly introduced European Union guideline (subsequently implemented into national law) regarding "misleading advertising", which ''could'' be interpreted to extend to artistic renditions of products on the packaging, especially in [[:File:SuperionMaximusCatalogArt.jpg|poses not actually possible with the toy]].

Package artwork was dropped from European ''Transformers'' packaging and replaced with stock photos of the toys themselves starting with one of the last waves of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' (the first wave of [[combiner]] limbs, featuring [[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], [[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]], [[Sledge (Energon)|Sledge]] and [[Duststorm (Energon)|Duststorm]], still used package art; the second wave, featuring [[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] and [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]], already used toy photos instead) and ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] ([[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]], who had only ever been released in Italy, had still featured package art).

The first toys to feature package art on the European ''Transformers'' packaging again were the [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] and [[Fast Action Battlers]] from the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 ''Movie'' toy line]] (the "main" ''Movie'' line toys still used stock photos of the toys instead of artwork of the robot heads). With the launch of the ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' lines in 2008, European multilingual packaging as a whole has finally returned to depicting package art, coinciding with the aforementioned drastic reduction of texts in multiple languages in favor of English-only texts wherever possible. What prompted the decision to use package art again is just as uncertain as the reasons for dropping it in the first place.
{{-}}

==Multilingual packaging in Asia==
[[File:GenerationsAsianDeluxes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|English only in China, Chinese as a second language in the US. Seriously.]]Asia doesn't have much of a history of multilingual ''Transformers'' packaging—or at least, not one widely documented in English-speaking circles.

There have been the occasional instances of ''Transformers'' figures released in Korea in standard English-only packaging, but with additional stickers in Korean language (quite similar to how toys from various lines have been released in Japan).

With the increasing prominence of the Asian market for Hasbro and the introduction of figures (mostly "special edition" redecos) specifically aimed at an Asian target audience, some toys have been released in actual multilingual packaging sporting texts in English and Chinese. The first known example is the "[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#YOTDPrime|Year of the Dragon]]" edition of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' Ultimate Optimus Prime, that was later made available for US customers through [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]]. Additional texts in Chinese were limited to the front side of the packaging, though, whereas the back was in English only. The figure also gave way to the annual Chinese New Year-themed ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' figures, which came in standard English-only packaging again.

Another curious case were the various "[[Transformers: Generations#Asian market exclusives ("GDO")|GDO]]" redecos released under the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' line in 2012: When they were released in Asia, they were available in standard English-only packaging; however, when Hasbro made them available in the US and Canada as [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives, they were sold in bilingual English/Chinese packaging, this time with texts in both languages on both sides of the packaging. On top of that, the Leader Class figures (which were available in Canada but not in the US) no longer came in ''Generations''-branded packaging, but instead in bilingual ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' packaging with additional ''[[Movie Trilogy Series]]'' labels for whatever reason.

==Psychology==
[[File:BHCVTrailcutterUSCAEU.jpg|right|upright=1.55|thumb|If the European version seems less cluttered than the Canadian/Latin American one, that's because Hasbro omits anything beyond the most basic information.]]
Fans ''hate'' multilingual packaging (although having the tech specs and bios on the instruction sheet is a great space saver versus hanging on to a chunk of the box in addition to the instruction sheet).

While a typical child rips open cardboard packaging to free the misassembled plastic figure encased within like the sweet meat from a nut, discarding the useless shell, adult collectors store their mint-on-card Transformers unopened in humidity-controlled fireproof rooms. Because this is essentially playing with the package rather than the toy, adult fans prefer cleaner mono-lingual packaging.

This can affect the secondary market value of a toy; if there are monolingual and multilingual versions of the same toy, the monolingual version is ''usually'' worth more money.{{fact}} One of the possible reasons for this is the omission of features (bios, tech specs etc.), which make up part of the nostalgia value especially of older toys. Frequent errors (such as the wrong [[package art]] or [[insignia|faction insignia]]) are also possible factors for a collector's rejection of multilingual packaging.
{{--}}

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Talk:Multilingual packaging

2019-12-19T05:50:55Z

Jerryteacup: /* A thought */

Duh. Seems like we were working on the article at the same time and screwed up each other's corrections.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 14:22, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

== So, that's better. ==

Still, the "Psychology" section needs some reworking.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 18:11, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

Love the writing on the "Psychology" section. [[User:86.132.249.195|86.132.249.195]] 04:07, 9 March 2008 (UTC)a lurker

==A thought==
Would it be perverse, hilarious, or just annoying to reproduce this article's introductory paragraph three times in three different languages? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 05:40, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
:All three, which means ''do it! '''Do it! DO IT!!!''''' --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 06:25, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
::Just put in French, Spanish and German translations of the first paragraph, but it was just done with Babelfish, so it's probably... wrong. Not bad until someone who can actually speak those languages comes along, though. [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 08:24, 14 March 2008 (UTC)
:::Fixed the German version. Trying to find someone for the Spanish and French ones.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 22:32, 13 April 2008 (UTC)
:I created us a Finnish translation because why not? I speak Finnish natively. :D [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] ([[User talk:Jerryteacup|talk]]) 00:50, 19 December 2019 (EST)

==no voiseovers in english==
:Should it also be noted somewere that hasbro now scraps all voiseovers of new products because some kids won't understand what the products are saying? Like movie 'prime and megatron, or the bumblebee voise changer helmet?(this pisses me off ''so much'')--[[User:Sunjumper|Sunjumper]] 12:46, 10 October 2009 (EDT)

== spaniol (spanish) ==

Sorry for my bad english.
I'm mexican, and i tried to fix the text in spanish for be more conprensible for people who can read spanish, if you think my text is bad just undo it.
--[[Special:Contributions/189.155.170.130|189.155.170.130]] 22:29, 12 October 2009 (EDT)

== spanish paragraph correction ==

changed a "region" for "región", just to let you know it's that way in spanish XD

== Polish version ==

The Polish translation was surprisingly correct, not including one tiny mistake that I removed. Kudos to whoever wrote it. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 07:05, 25 July 2010 (EDT)

== Italian version ==

Italian text added

EDIT

pardon, I just noticed it was already there and corrected my mistake.

== Additional Changes for EU packaging starting with Prime ==

As if things in Europe couldn't get more cramped. It looks like the ''Prime'' Deluxe cards for Europe are not only smaller than the American ones but have yet another language added: Russian, making the grand total '''13''' different languages. Perhaps an update in order? -[[User:JelZe GoldRabbit|JelZe GoldRabbit]] 11:24, 2 May 2012 (EDT)
:On the Cyberverse Commanders (don't know about the others), the front of the packaging has "FACILE" twice. Presumably because its the same word in two different languages but why bother printing that same word twice? It just seems pointless.
::You answered your own question, it is the same word in two languages. It is required to be on there in each language, therefor it must be printed twice. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 10:26, 13 August 2012 (EDT)

==BW-era trilingual packaging==
I'm bringing this up here instead of just fixing it because it seems to be so obviously wrong that I feel like I must be misunderstanding it. The page currently says that individual toys' names were no longer translated into French for BW, but that's patently absurd - we even list the characters' French-Canadian names on their pages! What am I missing here? -[[User:LV|LV]] 10:02, 13 August 2012 (EDT)

Multilingual packaging

2019-12-19T05:47:27Z

Jerryteacup: Added Finnish translation to the introductory text.

[[File:Energon rapidrun cardback.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Typical trilingual cardback: photos of the wrong toy representing a different character, with misidentified factions and swapped names. No room for characterization, function or stats, but a franchise description longer than the Gettysburg Address appears in three languages.]]
'''Multilingual packaging''' is essentially the standard way ''Transformers'' toys are available in countries outside the United States. Rather than producing packaging sporting texts in a single language for different countries, Hasbro saves money by putting texts in several different languages on the same packaging, which will then be released in all the target markets. (There are a few exceptions, such as places like Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore or the Philippines, which traditionally get their toys in the same packaging that is available in the United States.)

Un '''emballage multilingue''' est essentiellement le format standard dans lequel les jouets ''Transformers'' sont disponibles dans les pays autres que les États-Unis. Plutôt que de produire des emballages portant du texte dans une seule langue pour chaque pays, Hasbro économise de l'argent en mettant des textes dans plusieurs langues différentes sur le même emballage, qui sera alors envoyé sur tous les marchés. (Il y a quelques exceptions, telles que des endroits comme l'Australie, la Nouvelle Zélande, Hong Kong, la Malaisie, Singapour ou les Philippines, qui obtiennent traditionnellement leurs jouets dans le même emballage que celui disponible aux États-Unis.)

El '''empaquetado multilingüe''' es la forma común en la que los juguetes ''Transformers'' están disponibles en otros países fuera de los Estados Unidos. En vez de hacer empaques con un lenguaje único para cada región, Hasbro ahorra dinero imprimiendo el texto en varios lenguajes diferentes en un mismo empaque, el cual a continuación será distribuido a todos los mercados objetivo. (Existen algunas excepciones como Australia, Nueva Zelanda, Hong Kong, Malasia, Singapur o las Filipinas, que usualmente usan el mismo empaque que en los Estados Unidos.)

'''Mehrsprachige Verpackungen''' sind gewissermaßen die übliche Form, in der ''Transformers'' Spielzeugfiguren in Ländern außerhalb der Vereinigten Staaten erhältlich sind. Statt für verschiedene Länder Verpackungen mit Texten in einer einzelnen Sprache herzustellen, spart Hasbro Geld, indem dieselbe Verpackung mit Texten in verschiedenen Sprachen bedruckt wird, die dann auf den jeweiligen nationalen Märkten veröffentlicht wird. (Es gibt einige Ausnahmen, darunter Orte wie Australien, Neuseeland, Honkong, Malaysia, Singapur oder die Philippinen, an denen die Spielzeuge normalerweise in denselben Verpackungen erscheinen, die auch in den Vereinigten Staaten erhältlich sind.)

Le '''Confezioni multilingua''' sono essenzialmente il formato standard in cui i ''Transformers ''sono distribuiti fuori dagli Stati Uniti. Piuttosto che produrre confezioni in una sola lingua per paese, Hasbro risparmia inserendo testo in più lingue differenti sulla stessa confezione, che verrà distribuita in tutti i mercati.(Ci sono alcune eccezioni, in posti come l'Australia, la Nuova Zelanda, Hong Kong, in Malesia, Singapore e nelle Filippine, che li vedono tradizionalmente distribuiti nella stessa confezione degli Stati Uniti.)

En '''flerspråkig förpackning''' är standard-sättet ''Transformers''-leksaker är tillgängliga i andra land utanför USA. Istället för att producera förpackningar som har texter i ett enskilt språk för olika länder, så sparar Hasbro pengar genom att sätta texter i flera olika språk på samma förpackning, som sedan blir släppt i alla målmarknaderna. (Det finns få undantag, som till exempel i platser som Australien, Nya Zeeland, Hong Kong, Malysia, Singapore eller Filipinerna, som traditionellt får samma förpackning för leksakerna som i USA)

'''Paket Multibahasa''' adalah cara standar mainan ''Transformers'' untuk tersedia di negara selain Amerika Serikat. Daripada memaket satu pak mainan dengan satu bahasa untuk negara-negara berbeda, Hasbro menghemat banyak uang dengan menempatkan teks multibahasa di paket yang sama, yang akan dirilis di semua pasar target. (Pengecualian untuk beberapa negara seperti Australia, Selandia Baru, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapura, atau Filipina, yang mendapatkan paket yang sama seperti di Amerika Serikat.)

'''Vecasuate Flaïvosfetéurlà''' es l'añe des lo gacos de ''Transformers'' via auïes nègarosoix côso. Là vouya vecasuatos migre fetaflaïvaux nègaros endaropar, vezes Hasbro egalos leiya migre ésflaïvosendaraux nègarosendaroparpèr, viz su selasido zayo nègarosoix. (Aui iteo esseux, livê Austràlia, Zelande Exo, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapûra, y Filipina, viz cantasido gacos vecasuatelivoix viz auïes Estados Fetesoissaux.)

'''Wielojęzyczne opakowania''' są zasadniczo standardem dla zabawek ''Transformers'' dostępnych w innych krajach poza Stanami Zjednoczonymi. Przy produkcji opakowań dają oddzielny tekst dla każdego kraju, Hasbro oszczędza pieniądze poprzez tworzenie tekstów w różnych językach w tym samym opakowaniu, które zostaną następnie wydane na wszystkich rynkach docelowych. (Jest kilka wyjątków dla takich miejsc jak Australia, Nowa Zelandia, Hong Kong, Malezja, Singapur i Filipiny, które dostają zabawki z opakowaniem takim jak w Stanach Zjednoczonych.)

'''Meertalige verpakkingen''' zijn in essentie de standaard methode van verkrijgbaarheid van ''Transformers'' speelgoed in landen buiten de Verenigde Staten. In plaats van meerdere verpakkingen te produceren met teksten in een enkele taal voor verschillende landen, bespaart Hasbro geld door teksten in verschillende talen op dezelfde verpakking te zetten, die dan weer verkrijgbaar worden gemaakt in alle doelmarkten. (Er zijn een paar uitzonderingen voor regio's zoals Australië, Nieuw-Zeeland, Hong Kong, Maleisië, Singapore of de Filipijnen, welke nromaal gezien speelgoed krijgen in dezelfde verpakking als ook verkrijgbaar is in de Verenigde Staten.)

'''Višejezični pakiranje''' je u biti standardni način ''Transformers'' igračke su dostupne u zemljama izvan Sjedinjenih Američkih Država . Umjesto proizvodnju ambalaže sportske tekstove u jednom jeziku za različite zemlje , Hasbro štedi novac stavljanjem tekstove u nekoliko različitih jezika na istoj ambalaži , koja će potom biti objavljen u svim ciljnim tržištima . ( Postoji nekoliko izuzetaka , kao što su mjesta kao što su Australija , Novi Zeland, Hong Kong , Malezija , Singapur i Filipina , koji se tradicionalno dobiti svoje igračke u istoj ambalaži koja je dostupna u SAD-u . )

''Transformers''-leluja myydään '''monikielisissä pakkauksissa''' Yhdysvaltojen ulkopuolella. Hasbro säästää kustannuksia painamalla pakkauksiin tekstit useilla kielillä sen sijaan, että yhdessä maassa esiintyisi vain yhden kielisiä pakkauksia. Samaa pakkausta voidaan siten käyttää kaikilla markkinoilla. (Joissakin paikoissa, kuten Australiassa, Uudessa-Seelannissa, Hong Kongissa, Malesiassa, Singaporessa sekä Filippiineillä tavataan kuitenkin poikkeuksellisesti käyttää samaa pakkausta kuin Yhdysvalloissa.)

==Multilingual packaging in the Americas==
[[File:StormSurgeUSCanMex.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|In Soviet Canada, I'm an Autobot.]]
When the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers toy line]] was introduced to the Canadian market in 1984, the packaging was bilingual (sporting texts in English and French), using a smaller printing font to fit the [[Tech Spec]]s and [[bio]]s in both languages onto the packaging. Even the ''characters' names'' required French translations!

With the launch of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' toy line]] in 1996, Hasbro introduced trilingual Transformers packaging, sporting texts in English, French and Spanish, for the Canadian and Latin American markets (prior to that, Transformers toys had been distributed by various licensees in Latin America, such as [[IGA]] for Mexico, [[Antex]] for Argentina, [[HUDE]], [[BASA]], [[Abramowicz]] and [[Lynsa]] for Peru and Chile or [[Estrela]] for Brazil, with the packaging usually being entirely in Spanish or Portuguese), now also featuring abbreviated bios in addition to the already used smaller print. In addition, the toyline itself sported additional, alternative titles for the French Canadian and Latin American markets, ''Guerre des Bêtes'' for the former and ''Guerra de Bestias'' for the latter. However, at least the individual toys' names no longer required translations into French (the Mexican toys had always used the English names, while the other Latin American releases had been given random and oftentimes nonsensical new names).

With the launch of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy line]] in 2001, Hasbro decided to cut costs by using the trilingual packaging for the US market as well, which meant they only had to design one type of packaging for three markets rather than two. Thus the standard United States packaging, traditionally sporting English-only texts, was replaced by trilingual packaging with texts in English, French and Spanish. This move was, of course, [[Ruined FOREVER|well-received]] by fans.

[[File:LegacyBumblebeeCanadian.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Everything must be translated. ''Everything''. Tout doit être traduit. ''Tout''. Todo debe ser traducido. ''Todo''.]]
In 2002, when the [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' toy line]] was about to be launched, someone (probably a lawyer) informed Hasbro that if any part of the packaging was trilingual, the ''entire'' contents had to be trilingual, including the [[Transformers: Armada (mini-comic)|pack-in comic books]]; this resulted in the comics' dialogue being in stilted, unpleasant prose, but on the bright side the unsightliness of the comics may have prompted the creation of the popular [[jaAm]] joke.<ref>"Everything must be trilingual" from the 2002 Hasbro BotCon panel, [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/3003d05818cf8b5e?dmode=source&output=gplain Steve-o's BotCon 2002 Report,: Zobovor Edition]</ref> Hasbro later realized this person was overcautious, and volumes 3 and 4 of the pack-in comic were printed in a much more eye-pleasing way: in English.

Instead of settling for "incredibly short and banal" on-package [[bio]]s, Hasbro's Transformers team sent kids to the English-only [http://www.transformers.com Transformers.com] website, where they promised-hope-to-die there would be bios for the characters. Sometimes this was true, but often it was not.

In 2005, Hasbro's Transformers team successfully lobbied the Brand Overlords to return to English-only packaging; arguing that the multi-lingual packaging was so ''phenomenally ugly'' that it was costing them sales.<ref>Kids also hate foreign languages; [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/0cd6f0724b39615f?dmode=source&output=gplain Steve-o's 2005 BotCon Report]</ref> As a result, the launch of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toy line]] heralded the return not only of English-only packaging for the US market, but also of full bios printed on the packaging. At the same time, ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' packaging intended for the US market also became English-only (although bios would still not be included).

[[File:UniDelWave1CanMex.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|Beast Machines anyone?]]
Meanwhile, the Canadian and Latin American markets still have to live with trilingual packaging to this very day... except for store [[exclusive]]s that are intended to be released in Canada but not in Latin America, which only feature bilingual English/French texts. Amazingly, French translations are required for even the most incidental bit of English texts on the packaging (such as "Deluxe Class" or "[[Premium Series]]"), with pretty much the only exception being the characters' names (which ''is'' an improvement over the Generation 1 days). As a quick Google search shows, nobody actually seems to care for those alternate non-English names outside the toys' packaging. However, it appears that the term "Robots in Disguise" was finally allowed to remain untranslated starting with the later waves of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line.

The requirement for multiple languages also leads to unfortunate omissions of [[pack-in material]] for the non-US markets, such as the comic reprints from the ''Universe'' comic two-packs and the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Thrilling 30]] Deluxe Class figures or the DVD from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|25th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]. This even leads to modifications of the toys themselves: For example, various electronic Leader Class and larger figures have alternate versions distributed in markets outside the US and English Canada that only say their names rather than saying full sentences in English (ironically, these markets include the UK). In addition, trilingual packaging occasionally features odd errors, such as the packaging for all of the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 ''Movie'']] Scouts sporting Autobot [[insignia]]s on the packaging, regardless of which faction insignia the toy itself sported. Also, the ''Universe'' toy line's Deluxe Class figures only sport the [[package art|character art]] of one "representative" toy per wave (Wave 1: [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Sunstreaker]], Wave 2: [[Acid Storm (G1)#Universe (2008)|Acid Storm]], Wave 3: [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ironhide]]) on the front of the card, regardless of which toy actually ''is'' in the packaging. (The artwork on the side of the bubble is correct, though.) The Voyager Class toys, meanwhile, feature no character artwork on the front of the box at all. This was repeated with the ''Generations'' Thrilling 30 Deluxe Class figures, which not only omitted the pack-in comics, but used a ''sticker'' featuring the package art for [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Deluxe|Orion Pax]] for the first two waves (subsequent waves use the correct package art for each figure).

[[File:GenT30Mini-ConAssaultTeamUSCA.jpg|right|upright=1.55|thumb|What, were you expecting a trilingual comic?]]
Another problem with trilingual packaging is that trying to put three times as much text on a packaging of the same dimensions (especially on Deluxe and smaller-sized figures) would result in having extremely ''tiny'' (and therefore, pretty much impossible to read) text, so Hasbro had to find another way to keep the information that formerly was on the packaging. This resulted in the idea that what could not be on the toy's box had to be placed somewhere else. As such, some toys had their packaging's back filled with [[cross-sell]]s, and what would normally be on the back of the box (tech specs, [[bio]]s, quotes, stock photography, features, etc.) is moved either to the back of the instructions ([[Transformers Animated (toyline)|''Animated'']]) or in a [[Pack-in material|separate flyer]] inside the box (''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'').

Between the third and fourth waves of the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[size class]] assortments, Hasbro changed the packaging from trilingual to quadrilingual, now adding Portuguese as a fourth language for the Brazilian market.

After some store exclusives released under the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ''[[Beast Hunters (toyline)|Beast Hunters]]'' line's ''[[Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising|Predacons Rising]]'' subline imprint and the ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' line had been available in multilingual packaging in the United States, the ''Generations'' line's ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' subline imprint and the concurrently released ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line heralded the return of multilingual packaging to the United States market across the board, with the packaging in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese for the United States, Canadian and Latin American markets, as well as Australia and Hasbro's Asian markets. The only exceptions are the ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class figures from wave 2 onwards, which are still available in English-only packaging (including a reprint of an IDW comic book) in the US, Australia and Asia (but not in Canada or Latin America). The ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' subline eventually even did away with comic books, thus eliminiating any further reason for English-only packaging altogether.

==Multilingual packaging in Europe==
[[File:Desertattackeurope.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Just three languages? Europe should be so lucky.]]
[[The Transformers (toyline)#Hasbro European line|Europe]] has its own history of multilingual packaging:

When [[Milton Bradley]] started distributing ''Transformers'' toys in mainland Europe (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Denmark) in 1985, the packaging sported ''four'' languages, namely German, French, Dutch and Spanish. As with the trilingual packaging, that meant that instead of bios, the tech specs simply sported the characters' mottos in four different languages.

A year later, the "MB" logos on European packaging were replaced by Hasbro logos, though the local MB branches still handled the distribution, and some of them weren't officially renamed into "Hasbro" until years later. Possibly because sales in Germany were less than stellar, German texts on the packaging were replaced with their English counterparts (even though the United Kingdom continued to get toys in plain English-only packaging), or perhaps to "cover" more European countries.

By 1987, Hasbro apparently realized that English as a fourth language was pointless when the United Kingdom was getting toys in different packaging, so the languages on the European toys' packaging were reduced to bilingual Dutch and French texts. Spain later got their own toys in Spanish-only packaging; although it's unclear at what point exactly that packaging was introduced, Spanish-only packaging is confirmed for the 1989 [[Micromaster]]s toys and the [[Classics (Europe)|Classic]] reissues (this is not to be confused with the Spanish-only packaging for the early 1984-86 toys originally distributed by [[IGA]] in the Mexican market, which were later [[parallel import|semi-legally imported]] to Europe).

[[File:CybStreetSpeedTeamUsEuro.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|It could only get better after this.]]
In 1991, after the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toy line]] had ended in the USA, Hasbro continued producing new toys for the European market. Starting with the [[Turbomaster]]s and [[Predator (subgroup)|Predators]], English and Spanish texts were merged into a new, bilingual packaging which would be released in the United Kingdom and Spain. In addition, the French/Dutch packaging now sported different (but still English or at least English-derived) names for the individual toys and sub-groups than the English/Spanish packaging.

The [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)#Hasbro European line|European version]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toy line]] introduced yet another variant: the formerly bilingual English/Spanish packaging became trilingual, now incorporating Portuguese as well. At the same time, the formerly bilingual French/Dutch packaging also became trilingual, incorporating texts in German for the first time in nine years. Also, name variants for the different markets were abolished again (although some of the toys still sported different names from their ''American'' counterparts).

With the launch of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' toy line]], trilingual French/Dutch/German packaging remained the same (with the toy line itself sporting an additional alternate title, "''Ani Mutants''", for the French market, and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s being renamed into "Predators" for this packaging type), while the formerly trilingual English/Spanish/Portuguese packaging replaced the latter language with texts in Italian, thereby gradually shifting out [[GiG]], the company that had previously been distributing ''Transformers'' toys in Italy, in favor of Hasbro's own Italian branch. For the Italian and Scandinavian markets, the toy line also sported the alternate title "''Biocombat''", as well as Italian (or at least Italian-esque) names for the individual toys. An unusual exception were the European-exclusive "[[Transmetal]]" [[redeco]]s of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Claw Jaw]], which came on English/German/Italian cards with the additional ''Biocombat'' title. ''Beast Machines'' retained the same language combinations on the packaging itself, with the French/Dutch/German version sporting the additional alternate title ''Ani Machines'' for the line itself for the French market.

With the later waves of ''Beast Wars'', the toys in "Biocombat" packaging started to include additional [[instructions|instruction sheets]] in Scandinavian languages (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish). The packaging itself did not include nor hint at those additional languages. This practice continued into early waves of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' with the English/Spanish/Italian packaging, but was abandoned with later waves of ''Beast Machines''.

[[File:UltimateBattleUSEuro.jpg|right|thumb|European packaging for the "Ultimate Battle" boxset was noticeably smaller because it lacked the DVD case. In the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the [[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle|DVD]] was included only in a paper sleeve; in other European stores, it was given as a freebie separately.]]
With the launch of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy line]], the two trilingual packaging variants were merged into a single, quadrilingual packaging style featuring texts in English, French, Dutch and German. This also finally marked the end of any further name variants for the individual toys between the different European markets, as well as between the European and American markets.

With the launch of the [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' toy line]], the number of languages on the formerly quadrilingual packaging was expanded to hexalingual, now incorporating texts in Spanish and Italian again. Also, at least since the days of the ''Armada'' line, whichever packaging was available in Europe has also been used for Israel.

Finally, in the middle of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toy line]]'s run and with the shift of the red ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' packaging to the bubble-style packaging, the number of languages on European packaging was doubled to dodecalingual, adding texts in Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Greek, Polish and Turkish to the established languages English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish and Italian.

Somewhere around the addition of the six new languages and the replacement of [[package art]] with stock photos of the toys themselves (see below), European packaging also started to feature obtrusive "2 in 1" logos ("3 in 1" in the case of triple changers). Apparently, ''Transformers'' is considered not as much of a household name in Europe as it is in the USA, so Hasbro feel that they really need to drive home the point that ''Transformers'' toys are really two (or three) toys in one.

Amazingly, unlike Canada (which requires French translations for even the most trivial instances of English texts on the packaging, except for the individual toys' names), European packaging has gradually ''reduced'' the amount of multi-lingual versions of text elements over the years. The ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'', ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toys even feature text blurbs describing a toy's gimmicks in ''English-only'', with only the back of the packaging featuring translated and country-specific texts (bios, Hasbro contact info etc.). On the other hand, European ''Universe'' packaging replaced individual [[franchise]] logos used for the "timeline" on the back of the US toys' packaging with the name of the franchise in a neutral font.

For ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'', Hasbro apparently decided that since they weren't attempting to claim every single toy's name as an exclusive [[trademark]] due to both the large number of national markets and the somewhat different nature of European trademark law compared to US trademark law, they could as well drop prefixes required for better trademark protection in the USA from the bios. So while the bios are still heavily truncated compared to their US counterparts, they simply refer to the characters as "[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]" and "[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]" rather than "Autobot Jazz" and "Autobot Tracks" (the toys' official names are still "Special Ops Jazz" and "Turbo Tracks", though).

[[File:AOE Evolution Optimus US 23 vs EU.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|Numbers? What numbers?]]With ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', European packaging left a lot of space on the side flaps for large "Attention!" or "Warning!" notes in a plethora of languages, presumably in order to point out the inclusion of a safety warning sheet in all these languages inside the packaging. In practice, it makes the toys appear as enormous safety hazards.

''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' introduced two new changes to the packaging, the least of which is that Russian has been added, making a grand total of 13 different languages. The more drastic change is that the size of the Deluxe Class cards has been ''reduced'' to 5/6ths of the US standard. The same applies to the few ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Thrilling 30]] Deluxe Class figures released in Europe. (The latter also lack the pack-in comics, just like in Canada; however, at least they feature correct individual package art). The reasons for the size reduction are currently unclear.

[[File:Combiner Wars Viper World vs EU.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Similar, but not identical.]]Curiously, the ''Combiner Wars'' portion of the ''Generations'' line saw the number of languages on European packaging trimmed down to only four again: English, French, German and Spanish. On first look, one might actually mistake it for uniform worldwide packaging, but markets outside Europe actually feature Portuguese instead of German, in addition to various other minor differences.

With the ''Earthrise'' portion of the ''War for Cybertron'' trilogy, the packaging got upgraded to five languages, adding Italian.

A common omission from European packaging are various numbering systems. The ''Alternators'' line dropped the American versions' numbers after the first figure ([[Smokescreen (G1)#Alternators/Binaltech|Smokescreen]]), and the "[[Thrilling 30#30 special toys|X of 30]]" numbers for the Transformers brand's 30th anniversary were omitted entirely in favor of neutral faction insignias. Presumably, the reason for this is because Hasbro doesn't want to use a numbering system for markets that aren't supposed to see a release of half of the numbered toys anyways.

The occasional officially distributed toys in US (or Canadian/Latin American) packaging are still isolated incidents, and might even turn out to be gray imports without Hasbro's involvement in some instances.
{{-}}

===Package art===
[[File:AltPrimeUSEuro.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Transformers: 2 in 1! Find more information on the underside! (Not a knockoff.)]]
In addition to the increasing number of languages cluttering the packaging with an abundance of text, European multilingual packaging also didn't sport [[package art]] for several years, replacing it with airbrushed [[stock photography|stock photos]] of the toys themselves instead. The most likely reason is a newly introduced European Union guideline (subsequently implemented into national law) regarding "misleading advertising", which ''could'' be interpreted to extend to artistic renditions of products on the packaging, especially in [[:File:SuperionMaximusCatalogArt.jpg|poses not actually possible with the toy]].

Package artwork was dropped from European ''Transformers'' packaging and replaced with stock photos of the toys themselves starting with one of the last waves of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' (the first wave of [[combiner]] limbs, featuring [[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], [[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]], [[Sledge (Energon)|Sledge]] and [[Duststorm (Energon)|Duststorm]], still used package art; the second wave, featuring [[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] and [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]], already used toy photos instead) and ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] ([[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]], who had only ever been released in Italy, had still featured package art).

The first toys to feature package art on the European ''Transformers'' packaging again were the [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] and [[Fast Action Battlers]] from the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 ''Movie'' toy line]] (the "main" ''Movie'' line toys still used stock photos of the toys instead of artwork of the robot heads). With the launch of the ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' lines in 2008, European multilingual packaging as a whole has finally returned to depicting package art, coinciding with the aforementioned drastic reduction of texts in multiple languages in favor of English-only texts wherever possible. What prompted the decision to use package art again is just as uncertain as the reasons for dropping it in the first place.
{{-}}

==Multilingual packaging in Asia==
[[File:GenerationsAsianDeluxes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|English only in China, Chinese as a second language in the US. Seriously.]]Asia doesn't have much of a history of multilingual ''Transformers'' packaging—or at least, not one widely documented in English-speaking circles.

There have been the occasional instances of ''Transformers'' figures released in Korea in standard English-only packaging, but with additional stickers in Korean language (quite similar to how toys from various lines have been released in Japan).

With the increasing prominence of the Asian market for Hasbro and the introduction of figures (mostly "special edition" redecos) specifically aimed at an Asian target audience, some toys have been released in actual multilingual packaging sporting texts in English and Chinese. The first known example is the "[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#YOTDPrime|Year of the Dragon]]" edition of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' Ultimate Optimus Prime, that was later made available for US customers through [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]]. Additional texts in Chinese were limited to the front side of the packaging, though, whereas the back was in English only. The figure also gave way to the annual Chinese New Year-themed ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' figures, which came in standard English-only packaging again.

Another curious case were the various "[[Transformers: Generations#Asian market exclusives ("GDO")|GDO]]" redecos released under the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' line in 2012: When they were released in Asia, they were available in standard English-only packaging; however, when Hasbro made them available in the US and Canada as [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives, they were sold in bilingual English/Chinese packaging, this time with texts in both languages on both sides of the packaging. On top of that, the Leader Class figures (which were available in Canada but not in the US) no longer came in ''Generations''-branded packaging, but instead in bilingual ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' packaging with additional ''[[Movie Trilogy Series]]'' labels for whatever reason.

==Psychology==
[[File:BHCVTrailcutterUSCAEU.jpg|right|upright=1.55|thumb|If the European version seems less cluttered than the Canadian/Latin American one, that's because Hasbro omits anything beyond the most basic information.]]
Fans ''hate'' multilingual packaging (although having the tech specs and bios on the instruction sheet is a great space saver versus hanging on to a chunk of the box in addition to the instruction sheet).

While a typical child rips open cardboard packaging to free the misassembled plastic figure encased within like the sweet meat from a nut, discarding the useless shell, adult collectors store their mint-on-card Transformers unopened in humidity-controlled fireproof rooms. Because this is essentially playing with the package rather than the toy, adult fans prefer cleaner mono-lingual packaging.

This can affect the secondary market value of a toy; if there are monolingual and multilingual versions of the same toy, the monolingual version is ''usually'' worth more money.{{fact}} One of the possible reasons for this is the omission of features (bios, tech specs etc.), which make up part of the nostalgia value especially of older toys. Frequent errors (such as the wrong [[package art]] or [[insignia|faction insignia]]) are also possible factors for a collector's rejection of multilingual packaging.
{{--}}

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Talk:Rollout (G1)

2018-09-06T19:45:32Z

Jerryteacup: Created page with "You know, I've wondered since my childhood: Could Rollout be something of a homage to Roller? I always thought so with the six wheels and all. What do you guys think? ~~~~"

You know, I've wondered since my childhood: Could Rollout be something of a homage to Roller? I always thought so with the six wheels and all. What do you guys think? [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] ([[User talk:Jerryteacup|talk]]) 15:45, 6 September 2018 (EDT)

Talk:Wheelie (G1)

2016-12-30T20:49:50Z

Jerryteacup: /* Can we please tone down on the rhyming? */

I applaud the profile. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 22:03, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
::It's amazing how many sentences can rhyme without not making sense. [[User:American Girl|American Girl]] 19:28, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
: Well, on second thought, I applaud the concept of the bio, but think the content is more appropriate for the animated continuity section. It seems to chronicle the circumstances of the movie, and not his personality. (Remember, in Dreamwave, he was never on Quintessa that we saw.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 22:05, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

:Point conceded. The new bio's better than mine anyway. The whole entry is much improved. So many horrible rhymes...bwahahahahaha. --[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 12:30, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

We totally need to complete this entry. This deserves to be a Featured Article. sadly, I'm pretty awful about fiction. I OWN most of it, but don't REMEMBER it very well. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 06:20, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Having just rhymed all through the section I just added, I have no idea how Wheelie keeps it up 24/7. Exhausting! --[[User:Ratbat|Ratbat]] 09:06, 21 June 2006 (UTC)
:Rhyming isn't really all that hard if you have the vocabulary of a bard. --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 13:05, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

Fixed the manga summary to rhyme and keep the gag going. Though I think I write rhymes more like Dr. Seuss than Wheelie...--[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 23:05, 5 July 2006 (UTC)

wow, this profile almost makes me wish I didn't use my Wheelie toy as cannon fodder in the late 80's -- great job with the rhymes whoever did this should work for a greeting card company

I'm fine with the rhyming in the article, but the rhythm really needs work. I'd change it, but I'm afraid of being accused of ripping apart large sections of the article for no good reason (see Walky's comment below).--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 22:56, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

==Not yet to be Featured==
Sipher, the reason I unfeatured it is because the inconsistency of the rhyme's meter is really embarrassing. If you read the history, you'll see my note. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 14:57, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
:Then maybe you should have removed the "Featured Article" Category, which is why I put the tag on it (and is still there as of your last edit). --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 15:37, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
:: Indeed I should! Meanwhile, history is your friend. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:43, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

==Commercial voice==
Walky, Frank Welker never VOICED Scrappy-Doo! He did, however, voice Peewit. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 12:57, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Welker ''did'' voice Zzcooby & Freddy in new show! [[User:Wazzpinator|Wazzpinator]] 18:33, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

==Italian names==
I don't have the brainpower to add these in rhyme tonight. If somebody could, Wheelie was called Saetta in the dub of TFTM, and... apparently ''Scooter'' in everything else. (At least, it doesn't SEEM to be a joke...) --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 05:06, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
:I apologize. - Chris McFeely, not signed in

== Continuity rhymes ==

"Continuity" doesn't rhyme with "see". [It rhymes with "bitty", to pick an irrelevant-but-accurate example] - 21:39, 16 August 2009 (EDT)
:It also rhymes with "enginuity"! -- [[User:Ziyad|Ziyad]] 20:03, 18 August 2009 (EDT)
::Or even "ingenuity"!--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 00:27, 19 August 2009 (EDT)
:::Ooh! Here's one that's on-topic, "ambiguity"!! -- [[User:Ziyad|Ziyad]] 07:14, 19 August 2009 (EDT)

== But seriously, folks... ==

...am I going to be hugely unpopular if I state my belief that the article has, at this point, gone way overboard? Rhymes in the section headers, line-breaks all over the place, rhymes being used to describe continuities where he ''didn't rhyme''... I think that this page has long since crossed the line between "fun" and "taking it way too far". Frankly, I would almost be in favour of scaling it back to just having a rhyming opening and captions. A ''lot'' of the fiction section is, to my eyes, suffering because of the demands of the rhyme scheme. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 10:11, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:All my hard work...unappreciated...:( --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 10:47, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
::But to be serious, I wrote nearly all the rhymes in the fiction portion of the article and created the linebreaks so folks could see the scheme. The rhymes in the fiction headers and continuity notes were some no-username's doing and I've never been very fond of them.
::Still, if many people agree that the humor interferes with the facts, then we can put it to a vote as to whether we get rid of the rhymes in the headers, the rhymes all together or if we just leave it. It may be ''my'' joke, but I'm not going to have a heart attack if others want to change it so it doesn't interfere with the facts (unlike ''some'' members of this Wiki). --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 10:54, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:::Aw, it's not that it's not appreciated, I see what you were doing, but it's... it's like Bonecrusher hate jokes. We started out with them and they were funny when the article was small but then when it was filled in they got really tiresome but people kept dogpiling 'em on anyway, until we had to say "No more". That's sort of what I'm feeling here. The idea worked when the article was small, but when it's full (which it ''isn't'' yet!) I think it gets in the way more than it is fun. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 10:56, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
::::I need to concur, although we should keep SOME rhymes for sure. At the very least, his summary. --[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] 11:20, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:::::''I need to concur/although we should keep SOME rhymes for sure.''
:::::Why, there's one right there! :) - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 11:31, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
But this is the most awesome page on the wiki. It's one of the things people think of when they talk about how awesome our wiki is. It's like getting rid of the teacup ride at Disneyland. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:35, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:Or the testicles in ROTF. The ''Awesome'' defense only goes so far, especially in Transformers.--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] 11:44, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:::That's a terrible analogy. When people talk about our wiki, they mention our Wheelie article that is all rhymes, and this is a good thing that they think epitomizes what we stand for and why we're better than other wikis. When people talk about Devastator's balls, it's derisively. I don't understand your comparison. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 12:46, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
::::It's simple - Devastator's testicle's are 'awesome.' Bay thinks so. A lot of the moviegoing public though so. Most 'serious' fans thought otherwise. But an awful lot of people laughed and laughed at them, probably more than will ever read this wiki. Just because one group of people thinks something is awesome doesn't keep it from getting in the way of (imparting information / telling a strong story.) The fandom can be be a bit of an insulated community - an echo chamber, if you will. Pointing to anecdotal evidence one way or the other shouldn't be our benchmark. It's much more useful to go back to core principles.
::::But mostly I was seizing on your use of the word ''awesome'' which has been forever commingled with Bay for me.--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] 13:25, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:::::Well, I think the charm of us writing articles in the personality of the characters extends to more than just this one. [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], etc., for instance. It can actually be weirdly useful sometimes in conveying information about characters without having to spell it out. But, if it's getting in the way of having an actual informative article in any instance, then it ''does'' need toning down. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 13:35, 10 October 2009 (EDT)

::I agree some of the rhyming should go. The headers, external link, notes and voice actor info in rhyme seems redundant to me, if not annoying. I can somewhat dig the argument not to put rhyme in sections of fiction in which he didn't rhyme, although I'd hate to see it go. But what I think would greatly help this article is a better layout. Currently, the article is all rather statically and confusingly "text-humongous white space-pic". I'd like to see it being connected a tad more by switching the text-pic order every second fiction/rhyme-paragraph (as well as having some of the paragraphs expanded). [[User:Geewunling|Geewunling]] 11:48, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
::I think all of the ''paragraphs'' should remain in rhyme. Headers, bullet-point "list" items... no. That's overkill. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 12:51, 10 October 2009 (EDT)
:::Yeah, mark me down as a compromise vote. Ditch the headers/notes, etc rhymes but keep the fiction section poetry. Partly because I spent a lot of time writing most of it, but also because I don't think the fiction poetry really interferes with the knowledge. The headers and stuff is annoying, though. --'''DrSpengler (at work, can't log in)'''
::::I'll agree with that. -- [[User:Dark T Zeratul|Dark T Zeratul]] 14:55, 12 October 2009 (EDT)
::::I'd quite happily dump the whole joke, which was never that funny. And it does seriously impede the article. '''Vote NO on this from me''' [[User:Eire]] 20.02 Oct 12 09 (UTC)

==Japanese fiction: Rhyme or Not Rhyme?==

Recently, I've been told to stop writing the Japanese fiction sections in rhyme because Wheelie didn't rhyme in Japan, and that all rhymes should be reverted to standard. I wrote the Japanes fiction sections in rhyme to keep up the theme and flow of the article, and because it was fun, yeah. But if everyone else thinks the Japanese fiction sections should be de-rhymed, then so be it. Let's take a vote. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 12:26, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''AGAINST''' rhyme in the Japanese section. It simply isn't appropriate for that incarnation of the character.--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 12:39, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''for it''' because I like the general theme of the page, it's fun, and because Wheelie only never rhymed because the Japanese language sucks at rhyming (same reason why their poems and music lyrics don't rhyme). The sentence structure just doesn't work in its favor. Just because the Japanese couldn't do it doesn't mean we should follow suit. English rocks at rhyming. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:55, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:Here's me voting '''for it''', because if we're going to do a gag, we ought to be consistent with it throughout the article, or it looks half-assed. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 13:33, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''for it'''. Keep it consistent or keep it out. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 13:38, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:Just so there's no confusion, I am obviously '''for it'''. I think the rhymes make the article fun and I believe that having random non-rhyming chunks would break up the flow of the page. And doing it just because Wheelie didn't rhyme in certain continuities isn't worth killing the fun. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 13:40, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''for it'''. Keeps the page consistent and there's already someone willing to do it. - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 14:00, 8 February 2010 (EST)
: I vote '''AGAINST''' all the rhyme. Seriously, you ever sit down and try to exract information from this page? Imagine you're someone who knows nothing of Wheelie. After reading this I guarantee you'll know even less. [[User: Eire]] 18.59 8 Feb 2010
:: Hey, were you the [http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Tales_of_the_Fallen_issue_5&diff=414380&oldid=413827 guy who called a dude a schmuck for no real reason], and so then he [http://shortpacked.livejournal.com/593224.html?thread=14980936#t14980936 quit this wiki] because he was treated like shit? You don't get a vote. Especially since you think Florida and Cuba are separated by a friggin' river. (Anyway, I vote against rhyming in the Headmasters section.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 14:07, 8 February 2010 (EST)

:I vote '''against''' the rhyme, and note that when I first read this page, the break ''away'' from rhyming was hilarious... particularly because the text of the section was written in short, flat deliberately ''boring'' sentences to maximize the contrast. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 14:08, 8 February 2010 (EST)
::Yeah. I don't vote for the lack of rhyming in the Headmasters section for technicality reasons, but because it would be hilarious. Especially if it were written like a petulant little punk. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 14:09, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:'''AGAINST''' btw. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 14:09, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I'm '''for it''' as I think it'd disrupt the flow, if it was only randomly rhyming.'''--TFDatabase'''
::''Whatever'' policy we adopt, it's not going to be random. If it rhymes, it's for a reason. If it doesn't rhyme (especially in specific sections), it's also for a reason.--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 15:03, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:::But it LOOKS random (at least before you know why it was done). Also, it seems weird that TFDatabase gets jumped on for using the same wording Spengs did earlier.[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 15:10, 8 February 2010 (EST)
::::Just a fluke of timing. Nothing more. It's not like I'm constantly on the Wiki monitoring each and every comment that comes on.--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 16:03, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''for''' for the reasons already listed by so many others. Now, if you could find a way to do that section in haiku instead... [[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 14:35, 8 February 2010 (EST)
::That idea is morbidly appealing. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 14:50, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:::MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! [[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 14:57, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I'm '''for it'''. As Detour mentioned, Japanese sentence structures don't allow much room for rhyming and the rhyming is unique to Wheelie (like how SG Nightbeat's page is done in Edward G. Robinson's gangster character fashion).
:(Haiku? Good grief...) --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 15:27, 8 February 2010 (EST)
::...so I have an evil sense of humor. You won't hold it against me, will you? --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 17:44, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:::Not really, but I can imagine the chore of parsing everything down to 5-7-5. Heck, [[Wikipedia:Waka (poetry)#Tanka|tanka]] might be a better option given its 5-7-5-7-7. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] 19:07, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''for''' the rhyming, for the reasons already given. [[User:Geewunling|Geewunling]] 15:41, 8 February 2010 (EST)
::'''As do I''', we have it noted that he didn't rhyme in other dubs anyway. [[User:Stevo|Stevo]] 17:49, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''against''' rhyming in the Headmasters section. Having that section being assholey makes it even funnier, and Headmasters Wheelie is they guy who wouldn't go along with it simply to be a jerk. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 18:14, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I vote '''for''' rhyming, as otherwise we should probably stick a disclaimer at the start of the Headmasters section because you know others will come along and make it rhyme again later anyway.--[[User:MCRG Again|MCRG Again]] 18:56, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:'''Against''' rhyming, because the Headmasters section should read like the dialog of the show: boring and stating the obvious, repeatedly. (I'd be for haiku form, though) -[[User:Mazenoise|Mazenoise]] 19:08, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:I'm '''FOR''' rhyming because it'd flow badly otherwise. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:13, 8 February 2010 (EST)

: I would totally support rewriting ''Headmasters'' Wheelie in sarcastic Goth format, if it could be pulled off well. Otherwise.... eh. Having the rhyming is overkill. Not having it is inconsistent. Pick your poison! -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 21:16, 8 February 2010 (EST)
:'''FOR''' rhyming. --[[User:Ascendron|Ascendron]] 21:23, 8 February 2010 (EST)

I declare voting over. I'd only be convinced to ditch Spengler's large amounts of work over a technicality is if voting were overwhelmingly in favor of it. Like, near-unanimous. And that certainly isn't the case, so the rhyming stays. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 21:54, 8 February 2010 (EST)

:Yaayyy! I'm appreciated! I've got tomorrow off work so I'll knock out a few more episodes. If it's any consolation to those who voted against the rhymes, in order to write these fiction summaries I have to actually ''watch'' each episode. A most-terrible fate. So this is a very hollow victory for Spengler. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 22:44, 8 February 2010 (EST)

Okay, you know what? I seriously retract my earlier moan about the rhyming. Spengler is utterly rocking this, getting across all the relevant info in a way I never thought was possible. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 07:58, 15 February 2010 (EST)
:I'm cookin' MCs like a pound of bacon, yo. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 11:02, 15 February 2010 (EST)

==Featured Article material?==

So, I finally finished the thing. His every fiction section is completed, pics are plentiful and, so far as I know, his toy page is up to snuff (toys aren't my forte', I admit). Do you think this article is worthy of Featured Article status? --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 18:04, 14 April 2010 (EDT)
:Considering Walky already slapped the Featured template on it, apparently it is. ;)
:(It's certainly the most impressive of our self-demonstrating articles, that's for damn sure.) --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 18:13, 14 April 2010 (EDT)
::Aw jeez, somehow I completely missed that. My bad! Disregard this! (and thanks, Walky!) --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 18:18, 14 April 2010 (EDT)

== If we ever get the chance... ==

I'd love to see a picture of Wheelie being attacked by Decepticons on this article with the caption "Oh men of dark and dismal fate, forego your cruel employ! Have pity on my lonely state: I am an orphan boy!" (This is a quote from Gilbert & Sullivan's ''Pirates of Penzance'', for the operatically ignorant.) I realize that there is no good picture for this caption as of now and that this will likely not happen, but I thought I'd just throw that out there. Also, kudos to those brave men and women who endeavored to write this article. You would make your English teachers proud.
 - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] 00:33, 21 April 2011 (EDT)

== Wow ==

I can't even begin to imagine the effort that went into this. Truly epic! - [[User:LucidFox|LucidFox]] 10:29, 12 January 2012 (EST)

== Generations toy caption ideas ==

I pity the fool who's no Meister retool!

I pity the fool who ain't a retool!

Reformatted to look like Meister? I think this body is much nicer!

I may look like Jazz, Stepper, Longarm (not Prime)--but do any of them ever bother to rhyme?

I used to be a Minicar; a Jazz retool is better by far!

A Jazz retool can never fail (as long as you ignore the [[scale]])!

[[User:Rhymus|Rhymus]] 02:35, 26 September 2012 (EDT)

== What rhymes with 'orange'? ==

1) This entry is amazing, but 2) all this and no joke about the notorious difficulty of rhyming the word 'orange'?--[[User:Dubbilex|Dubbilex]] 03:29, 30 December 2012 (EST)
:"Door-hinge". I learned that from the Muppets. --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 13:06, 1 March 2013 (EST)
::How about a rhyme for "purple"? "Urkel"? --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] 14:09, 1 March 2013 (EST)
:Bloom County recommends "whore binge". [[User:Phasma Felis|Phasma Felis]] 16:49, 25 May 2013 (EDT)

== Can we please tone down on the rhyming? ==

I get that a lot of you have spent a to of time and effort making this entire article rhyme, but can you guys please re-edit parts of this article to tone it down and remove the rhyming in some areas, specifically in the notes and toy section?

A little bit of rhyming would be fine, but to be blunt, the way the article is written is not pleasant to look at and the rhyming just makes the article feel like a chore to read. It gets tiring to read very quickly and I would rather have the information be just available rather then hidden under annoying rhymes.

If not, can we at least have a non-rhyming version of this available via suite, similar to how some of the character articles are split into multiple pages like Main, G1 Cartoon, Toys and Merchandise etc? That way, you can keep the rhyming versions for those who want and a non-rhyming for those who don't want to read this version?

Again, sorry for coming across as a buzz-kill, but I just find the article not fun to read and I don't want to decrypt rhymes just to read the trivia.[[User:Gretnablue|Gretnablue]] ([[User talk:Gretnablue|talk]]) 17:41, 22 November 2015 (EST)
:I wouldn't mind a double of the article that doesn't rhyme. Information should always take precedence. --[[User:Ascendron|Ascendron]] ([[User talk:Ascendron|talk]]) 18:48, 22 November 2015 (EST)

Mmm... be careful with that. Make a version without the rhyming if you must, but who will govern that the information is the same between the two? Also... One of the reasons I love this Wikia to bits is how it doesn't take itself so seriously while it indeed provides way more than I ever wanted to know about Transformers. And sure, the meter is all over the place, but then again, Wheelie wasn't consistent, either. -- Jerryteacup, 30 December 2016

Talk:Dark Star

2015-02-24T16:05:47Z

Jerryteacup: /* Buster inexplicably needs to explain... */

==Soundwave's Status==
''Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, the only major change done here is that Soundwave becomes his second-in-command.''

As of the end of this issue, as far as the reader knows, Soundwave is ''dead,'' and Scorponok is still staring out the window of the Ark; he hasn't gotten around to rebuilding his cadre yet. The point at which it becomes apparent that Soundwave is A) not dead and B) Scorponok's second-in-command, is several issues later (#54 or later, I think). Therefore, as I see it, the sentence above is misleading if not outright wrong {{m-}} the "major change" in question ''isn't'' done here at all. I think the sentence should be cut. [[User:JW|JW]] 04:13, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:The change never explictly happens anywhere, though -- we are only eventually informed of it after the fact a year or so later. There's no inherently better place TO mention this change. And there's no reason Items of Note have to refer ONLY to things that happened on-panel, in this issue, as if no future issues have come out yet. We KNOW Soundwave survives -- the notes shouldn't pretend otherwise. There are already notes here indicating more characters may have died than are shown on-panel, because of what future issues have shown or told us. Similarly, it makes most sense to refer to Soundwave's status here, because this issue caused the change in status (the merging of all Decepticons of Earth) which led to Soundwave being named Scorponok's second-in-command BTS at some unplaceable later point. It's forward-looking in nature, but I don't see what's so wrong about that.

:If it makes you feel better, we could change "done here" to "made by this union", so that it doesn't sound like Soundwave's status changed in the issue itself. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 05:29, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I agree with JW. Soundwave is NOT upgraded to second-in-command in this issue. He DIES in this issue. (He gets better.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:30, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I feel I should also add that we don't even know that he was second-in-command at all, after this issue. I've skimmed through my US issues, and no where does it say he's second-in-command. He's a prominent Decepticon once he re-emerges in #61, and he has some position of authority during Civil War 2 ten issues later, but how do we know that Mindwipe wasn't Scorponok's second-in-command up until he deserted? We don't even see Soundwave for like a dozen issues. There's a long stretch of time in which it's Scorponok's Nebulan folks who do the only talking to him. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:46, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:::I WILL FIGHT YOU TIL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! ...Nah, kidding. I concede. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 16:23, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

==Defecting Decepticons?==
I definitely recall Triggerhappy and Mindwipe, but when did Thrust and Dirge change sides due to Starscream's presence? --[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 11:52, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
:[[Games of Deception]] --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 11:55, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks! I'd seen that story, but didn't know it was part of the Marvel continuity (is it?). In any case, thanks for the quick heads up!--[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 06:33, 29 June 2010 (EDT)

== Buster does not inexplicably explain anything ==

This is in the Continuity errors section:

*''Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)''

I don't find anything inexplicable there. Buster doesn't re-explain anything. Every Decepticon present knows by now that Team Ratbat vs Team Scorponok was just a diversion so Starscream could sneak into Scorponok's ship. The Autobots merely know that they have walked into some sort of a trap.

The only one present who knows the entire magnitude of Starscream's diversion is Buster! Until seeing him Ratbat has little chance of connecting the dots on his own. The logical creature he is, Ratbat could perhaps feel insulted that he didn't put the pieces together himself upon seeing Buster and that a mere fleshling had to break it to him that he has been fooled TWICE! (You gotta commend Starscream for this whole double-whammy.)

Anyone agree that this bit could be removed from the Continuity errors? --[[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] 17:52, 24 February 2015 (UTC)

Talk:Dark Star

2015-02-24T16:01:38Z

Jerryteacup: /* Buster inexplicably needs to explain... */

==Soundwave's Status==
''Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, the only major change done here is that Soundwave becomes his second-in-command.''

As of the end of this issue, as far as the reader knows, Soundwave is ''dead,'' and Scorponok is still staring out the window of the Ark; he hasn't gotten around to rebuilding his cadre yet. The point at which it becomes apparent that Soundwave is A) not dead and B) Scorponok's second-in-command, is several issues later (#54 or later, I think). Therefore, as I see it, the sentence above is misleading if not outright wrong {{m-}} the "major change" in question ''isn't'' done here at all. I think the sentence should be cut. [[User:JW|JW]] 04:13, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:The change never explictly happens anywhere, though -- we are only eventually informed of it after the fact a year or so later. There's no inherently better place TO mention this change. And there's no reason Items of Note have to refer ONLY to things that happened on-panel, in this issue, as if no future issues have come out yet. We KNOW Soundwave survives -- the notes shouldn't pretend otherwise. There are already notes here indicating more characters may have died than are shown on-panel, because of what future issues have shown or told us. Similarly, it makes most sense to refer to Soundwave's status here, because this issue caused the change in status (the merging of all Decepticons of Earth) which led to Soundwave being named Scorponok's second-in-command BTS at some unplaceable later point. It's forward-looking in nature, but I don't see what's so wrong about that.

:If it makes you feel better, we could change "done here" to "made by this union", so that it doesn't sound like Soundwave's status changed in the issue itself. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 05:29, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I agree with JW. Soundwave is NOT upgraded to second-in-command in this issue. He DIES in this issue. (He gets better.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:30, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I feel I should also add that we don't even know that he was second-in-command at all, after this issue. I've skimmed through my US issues, and no where does it say he's second-in-command. He's a prominent Decepticon once he re-emerges in #61, and he has some position of authority during Civil War 2 ten issues later, but how do we know that Mindwipe wasn't Scorponok's second-in-command up until he deserted? We don't even see Soundwave for like a dozen issues. There's a long stretch of time in which it's Scorponok's Nebulan folks who do the only talking to him. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:46, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:::I WILL FIGHT YOU TIL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! ...Nah, kidding. I concede. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 16:23, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

==Defecting Decepticons?==
I definitely recall Triggerhappy and Mindwipe, but when did Thrust and Dirge change sides due to Starscream's presence? --[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 11:52, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
:[[Games of Deception]] --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 11:55, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks! I'd seen that story, but didn't know it was part of the Marvel continuity (is it?). In any case, thanks for the quick heads up!--[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 06:33, 29 June 2010 (EDT)

== Buster inexplicably needs to explain... ==

This is in the Continuity errors section:

*''Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)''

I don't find anything inexplicable there. Buster doesn't re-explain anything. Every Decepticon present knows by now that Team Ratbat vs Team Scorponok was just a diversion so Starscream could sneak into Scorponok's ship. The Autobots merely know that they have walked into some sort of a trap.

The only one present who knows the entire magnitude of Starscream's diversion is Buster! Until seeing him Ratbat has little chance of connecting the dots on his own. The logical creature he is, Ratbat could perhaps feel insulted that he didn't put the pieces together himself upon seeing Buster and that a mere fleshling had to break it to him that he has been fooled TWICE! (You gotta commend Starscream for this whole double-whammy.)

Anyone agree that this bit could be removed from the Continuity errors? --[[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] 17:52, 24 February 2015 (UTC)

Talk:Dark Star

2015-02-24T16:00:40Z

Jerryteacup: /* Buster inexplicably needs to explain... */

==Soundwave's Status==
''Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, the only major change done here is that Soundwave becomes his second-in-command.''

As of the end of this issue, as far as the reader knows, Soundwave is ''dead,'' and Scorponok is still staring out the window of the Ark; he hasn't gotten around to rebuilding his cadre yet. The point at which it becomes apparent that Soundwave is A) not dead and B) Scorponok's second-in-command, is several issues later (#54 or later, I think). Therefore, as I see it, the sentence above is misleading if not outright wrong {{m-}} the "major change" in question ''isn't'' done here at all. I think the sentence should be cut. [[User:JW|JW]] 04:13, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:The change never explictly happens anywhere, though -- we are only eventually informed of it after the fact a year or so later. There's no inherently better place TO mention this change. And there's no reason Items of Note have to refer ONLY to things that happened on-panel, in this issue, as if no future issues have come out yet. We KNOW Soundwave survives -- the notes shouldn't pretend otherwise. There are already notes here indicating more characters may have died than are shown on-panel, because of what future issues have shown or told us. Similarly, it makes most sense to refer to Soundwave's status here, because this issue caused the change in status (the merging of all Decepticons of Earth) which led to Soundwave being named Scorponok's second-in-command BTS at some unplaceable later point. It's forward-looking in nature, but I don't see what's so wrong about that.

:If it makes you feel better, we could change "done here" to "made by this union", so that it doesn't sound like Soundwave's status changed in the issue itself. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 05:29, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I agree with JW. Soundwave is NOT upgraded to second-in-command in this issue. He DIES in this issue. (He gets better.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:30, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I feel I should also add that we don't even know that he was second-in-command at all, after this issue. I've skimmed through my US issues, and no where does it say he's second-in-command. He's a prominent Decepticon once he re-emerges in #61, and he has some position of authority during Civil War 2 ten issues later, but how do we know that Mindwipe wasn't Scorponok's second-in-command up until he deserted? We don't even see Soundwave for like a dozen issues. There's a long stretch of time in which it's Scorponok's Nebulan folks who do the only talking to him. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:46, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:::I WILL FIGHT YOU TIL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! ...Nah, kidding. I concede. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 16:23, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

==Defecting Decepticons?==
I definitely recall Triggerhappy and Mindwipe, but when did Thrust and Dirge change sides due to Starscream's presence? --[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 11:52, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
:[[Games of Deception]] --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 11:55, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks! I'd seen that story, but didn't know it was part of the Marvel continuity (is it?). In any case, thanks for the quick heads up!--[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 06:33, 29 June 2010 (EDT)

== Buster inexplicably needs to explain... ==

This is in the Continuity errors section:

*''Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)''

I don't find anything inexplicable there. Buster doesn't re-explain anything. Every Decepticon present knows by now that Team Ratbat vs Team Scorponok was just a diversion so Starscream could sneak into Scorponok's ship. The Autobots merely know that they have walked into some sort of a trap.

The only one present who knows the entire magnitude of Starscream's diversion is Buster! Until seeing him Ratbat has little chance of connecting the dots on his own. The logical creature he is, Ratbat could perhaps feel insulted that he didn't put the pieces together himself upon seeing Buster and that a mere fleshling had to break it to him that he has been fooled TWICE!

Anyone agree that this bit could be removed from the Continuity errors? --[[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] 17:52, 24 February 2015 (UTC)

Talk:Dark Star

2015-02-24T16:00:06Z

Jerryteacup: /* Buster inexplicably needs to explain... */

==Soundwave's Status==
''Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, the only major change done here is that Soundwave becomes his second-in-command.''

As of the end of this issue, as far as the reader knows, Soundwave is ''dead,'' and Scorponok is still staring out the window of the Ark; he hasn't gotten around to rebuilding his cadre yet. The point at which it becomes apparent that Soundwave is A) not dead and B) Scorponok's second-in-command, is several issues later (#54 or later, I think). Therefore, as I see it, the sentence above is misleading if not outright wrong {{m-}} the "major change" in question ''isn't'' done here at all. I think the sentence should be cut. [[User:JW|JW]] 04:13, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:The change never explictly happens anywhere, though -- we are only eventually informed of it after the fact a year or so later. There's no inherently better place TO mention this change. And there's no reason Items of Note have to refer ONLY to things that happened on-panel, in this issue, as if no future issues have come out yet. We KNOW Soundwave survives -- the notes shouldn't pretend otherwise. There are already notes here indicating more characters may have died than are shown on-panel, because of what future issues have shown or told us. Similarly, it makes most sense to refer to Soundwave's status here, because this issue caused the change in status (the merging of all Decepticons of Earth) which led to Soundwave being named Scorponok's second-in-command BTS at some unplaceable later point. It's forward-looking in nature, but I don't see what's so wrong about that.

:If it makes you feel better, we could change "done here" to "made by this union", so that it doesn't sound like Soundwave's status changed in the issue itself. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 05:29, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I agree with JW. Soundwave is NOT upgraded to second-in-command in this issue. He DIES in this issue. (He gets better.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:30, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I feel I should also add that we don't even know that he was second-in-command at all, after this issue. I've skimmed through my US issues, and no where does it say he's second-in-command. He's a prominent Decepticon once he re-emerges in #61, and he has some position of authority during Civil War 2 ten issues later, but how do we know that Mindwipe wasn't Scorponok's second-in-command up until he deserted? We don't even see Soundwave for like a dozen issues. There's a long stretch of time in which it's Scorponok's Nebulan folks who do the only talking to him. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:46, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:::I WILL FIGHT YOU TIL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! ...Nah, kidding. I concede. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 16:23, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

==Defecting Decepticons?==
I definitely recall Triggerhappy and Mindwipe, but when did Thrust and Dirge change sides due to Starscream's presence? --[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 11:52, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
:[[Games of Deception]] --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 11:55, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks! I'd seen that story, but didn't know it was part of the Marvel continuity (is it?). In any case, thanks for the quick heads up!--[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 06:33, 29 June 2010 (EDT)

== Buster inexplicably needs to explain... ==

This is in the Continuity errors section:

*''Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)''

I don't find anything inexplicable there. Buster doesn't re-explain anything. Every Decepticon present knows by now that Team Ratbat vs Team Scorponok was just a diversion so Starscream could sneak into Scorponok's ship. The Autobots merely know that they have walked into some sort of a trap.

The only one present who knows the entire magnitude of Starscream's diversion is Buster! Until seeing him Ratbat has little chance of connecting the dots on his own. The logical creature he is, Ratbat could perhaps feel insulted that he didn't put the pieces together himself upon seeing Buster and that a mere fleshling had to break it to him that he has been fooled TWICE!

Anyone agree that this bit could be removed from the Continuity errors? [[User:Jerryteacup|Jerryteacup]] 17:52, 24 February 2015 (UTC)

Talk:Dark Star

2015-02-24T15:59:49Z

Jerryteacup: /* Buster inexplicably needs to explain... */ new section

==Soundwave's Status==
''Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, the only major change done here is that Soundwave becomes his second-in-command.''

As of the end of this issue, as far as the reader knows, Soundwave is ''dead,'' and Scorponok is still staring out the window of the Ark; he hasn't gotten around to rebuilding his cadre yet. The point at which it becomes apparent that Soundwave is A) not dead and B) Scorponok's second-in-command, is several issues later (#54 or later, I think). Therefore, as I see it, the sentence above is misleading if not outright wrong {{m-}} the "major change" in question ''isn't'' done here at all. I think the sentence should be cut. [[User:JW|JW]] 04:13, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:The change never explictly happens anywhere, though -- we are only eventually informed of it after the fact a year or so later. There's no inherently better place TO mention this change. And there's no reason Items of Note have to refer ONLY to things that happened on-panel, in this issue, as if no future issues have come out yet. We KNOW Soundwave survives -- the notes shouldn't pretend otherwise. There are already notes here indicating more characters may have died than are shown on-panel, because of what future issues have shown or told us. Similarly, it makes most sense to refer to Soundwave's status here, because this issue caused the change in status (the merging of all Decepticons of Earth) which led to Soundwave being named Scorponok's second-in-command BTS at some unplaceable later point. It's forward-looking in nature, but I don't see what's so wrong about that.

:If it makes you feel better, we could change "done here" to "made by this union", so that it doesn't sound like Soundwave's status changed in the issue itself. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 05:29, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I agree with JW. Soundwave is NOT upgraded to second-in-command in this issue. He DIES in this issue. (He gets better.) --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:30, 6 December 2007 (UTC)
::I feel I should also add that we don't even know that he was second-in-command at all, after this issue. I've skimmed through my US issues, and no where does it say he's second-in-command. He's a prominent Decepticon once he re-emerges in #61, and he has some position of authority during Civil War 2 ten issues later, but how do we know that Mindwipe wasn't Scorponok's second-in-command up until he deserted? We don't even see Soundwave for like a dozen issues. There's a long stretch of time in which it's Scorponok's Nebulan folks who do the only talking to him. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 05:46, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

:::I WILL FIGHT YOU TIL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH! ...Nah, kidding. I concede. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] 16:23, 6 December 2007 (UTC)

==Defecting Decepticons?==
I definitely recall Triggerhappy and Mindwipe, but when did Thrust and Dirge change sides due to Starscream's presence? --[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 11:52, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
:[[Games of Deception]] --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 11:55, 28 June 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks! I'd seen that story, but didn't know it was part of the Marvel continuity (is it?). In any case, thanks for the quick heads up!--[[User:Banjo oz|Banjo oz]] 06:33, 29 June 2010 (EDT)

== Buster inexplicably needs to explain... ==

This is in the Continuity errors section:

*''Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)''

I don't find anything inexplicable there. Buster doesn't re-explain anything. Every Decepticon present knows by now that Team Ratbat vs Team Scorponok was just a diversion so Starscream could sneak into Scorponok's ship. The Autobots merely know that they have walked into some sort of a trap.

The only one present who knows the entire magnitude of Starscream's diversion is Buster! Until seeing him Ratbat has little chance of connecting the dots on his own. The logical creature he is, Ratbat could perhaps feel insulted that he didn't put the pieces together himself upon seeing Buster and that a mere fleshling had to break it to him that he has been fooled TWICE!

Anyone agree that this bit could be removed from the Continuity errors?

Dark Star

2015-02-24T14:46:22Z

Jerryteacup: /* Casualty Notes */

{{disambig3|Dark Star}}

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #50
|prev=Cold War!
|next=The Man in the Machine!
|title="Dark Star"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #208–210
|prev2=Cold War!
|next2=The Man in the Machine!
|image=MarvelUS-50.jpg
|caption=<s>Fred Hembeck</s> <s>The Punisher</s> <s>Deadpool</s> Starscream '''''KILLS''''' the Marvel Transformers Universe!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November [[1988]]
|coverdate=March [[1989]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[José Delbo]]
|inker=[[Dave Hunt]]
|color=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The end of the Underbase Saga... and the Transformers?'''

==Synopsis==

===Prologue===
Out in the vacuum of space, the [[Underbase]] travels ever closer to [[Earth]].

===Chapter One===
On Earth, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] are the first to respond to the alert beacon triggered by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Seeing the responsible party, they quickly radio back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. A full [[Autobot]] response battalion arrives within a matter of minutes. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is reunited with his brother only to find him on the brink of death. He places Buster within a heating unit in Fortress Maximus's chest to fight off the effects of exposure and frostbite. As the Autobots gather their wits enough to question the situation at hand, though, they are treated to a full scale [[Decepticon]] attack, as [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have detected their approach.

The following battle is quick and merciless, and comes to a stop only when Ratbat ends up confronting Fortress Maximus and his own former prisoner, Buster. Buster outlays what [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] told him before departing, and makes Ratbat see reason about putting his feud with the Autobots on hold until the larger issue can be dealt with. The various faction leaders agree to work together and make a space-worthy craft to hunt down Starscream.

===Chapter Two===
At the edge of space, the most treacherous Decepticon of all leaves his star cruiser to bathe directly in the light of the Underbase's powerful knowledge and knowledgeable power. Before he absorbs much, however, he is blasted out of the way by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], manning the guns on the [[Club Con|island starship]]. Unfortunately, that momentary exposure was enough to supercharge Starscream, and he manages to grab hold of the entire star cruiser he stole and toss it straight through the island ship, leaving the combined armies crippled and stranded in space, and the Decepticons in particular without any means of star travel from then on.

===Chapter Three===
For some reason, Starscream chooses to let them live drifting in the vacuum of space. He also chooses to return to Earth and attack it instead of chasing down the Underbase to fulfill his lust for power. He also announces in advance the exact set of cities he plans to assault. Clearly, the "knowledge" part of the Underbase takes awhile to set in.

Optimus Prime enacts Plan B and summons the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to pick them all up and speed back to Earth ahead of Starscream. As the factions begin splitting into teams to cover Starscream's previously identified destinations, Optimus makes the stunning announcement that he will stay aboard the Ark and not confront Starscream. The Decepticons quickly dismiss this as pure cowardice, and leave for Earth in disgust.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Never again shall you take up catalog space that could be devoted to my magnificence!"]]
Autobots and Decepticons alike confront Starscream one after another and in groups, but ultimately he slaughters them all. The only difficulties he runs into are the [[Pretender]]s and those who are [[binary bonding|binary bonded]], as the organic outer shells and bonding prove somehow resistant to his destructive energies. As the battles continue, both Ratbat and Scorponok become suspicious that Optimus Prime's alleged cowardice might actually be greed to capture the Underbase for himself, and abandon their respective battles to return to the Ark and confront him.

Aboard the Ark, Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] are guarding Buster Witwicky, while constructing a rocket with reflective panels, designed to catch the Underbase and change its course. Buster makes the mistake of radioing his brother during the battle, though, and Starscream realizes the potential threat an absent Optimus Prime poses to him. He takes off for space to intercept the Autobot leader and the Ark.

===Chapter Four===
Ratbat and Scorponok arrive on the ark and confront Prime. After Scorponok blasts Prime and annihilates Ratbat, he heads off to reach the redirected Underbase on his own. Optimus manages to replace his [[Powermaster]] engine in time to go after Scorponok, and physically drags the two of them out of the Underbase's path. Starscream arrives just in time for the underbase to hit him instead of Earth. The combined power of the Underbase mutates Starscream until he is overwhelmed with power, and is obliterated.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime explains to Scorponok that he learned his lesson about the Underbase millions of years ago. He arranged for the reflector rocket and for Buster's "ill-timed" radio message to Fortress Maximus in order to lure Starscream back out into space, where he would surely try to take all of the Underbase's power and destroy himself. The [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] leaders part in peace, but Scorponok makes it clear that the war will begin anew, tomorrow...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (2)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (3)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (4)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (20)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (21)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (22)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (23)
*? (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (26)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (27)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (29)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (31)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (32)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (33)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (34)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (35)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (36)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (37)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (38)
*? (41)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (43)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (44)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (45)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (50)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (54)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (56)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (57)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (59)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (60)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (61)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (62)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (67)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (68)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (69)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (70)
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wide Load]] (71)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (74)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (81)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (82)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (83)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (84)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (85)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (5)
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]] (6)
*? (7)
*[[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]] (8)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (9)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (13)
*? (14)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*? (16)
*[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] (17)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (19)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (39)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (47)
*[[Finback]] (48)
*[[Skullgrin]] (49)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (51)
*[[Apeface]] (52)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (53)
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (55)
*[[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]] (58)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (63)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (64)
*[[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] (65)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (72)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (73)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (75)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (76)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (77)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (78)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (79)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (80)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (87)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (86)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grr]] (87)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (28)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (66)
}}

==Notes==

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Some of the artwork is copied directly from [[Totaled!]]. This includes:
**The entire sequence of Cerebros and Spike transforming out of their respective head modes.
**The background shot of Prowl under attack from Scorponok
**Fortress Maximus's Autobots are completely absent from the first half of the issue, most notably from the Autobot-Decepticon battle.
*Cerebros' name is misspelled as "Cerebro" during the Cerebros transforming shot.
*On page 11, panel 2 Fortress Maximus has only 3 fingers on his left hand. Ratbat could have ''possibly'' eaten it off panel...''maybe''.

===Casualty Notes===
[[File:DarkStar Throttlebots die.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Kill 'em all; let Hasbro sort 'em out."]]
[[File:Skalorjetfiredie.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:DarkStar-Jazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
*This issue features the biggest battle toll of any issue, including the battle with [[Unicron]]. Among the confirmed casualties are the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], Bluestreak, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], Goldbug, Jazz, the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], Jetfire, Blaster, the [[Throttlebot]]s, Thundercracker, Skywarp, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], [[Octane (G1)|Octane]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], Omega Supreme, Ratbat and, of course, Starscream.
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] can (arguably) be retroactively added to this issue's casualty list as Beachcomber is later seen laying in Ratchet's repair bay in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", and Powerglide is confirmed deactivated in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]".
*Bob Budiansky's reasoning for the mass murder was that he needed a big end for the story, he had too many characters, and Hasbro wouldn't care about characters that didn't have toys for sale. And hey, they weren't getting any panel-time these days anyway, "so they were already just about dead". [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html]
*Many people also assume that the rest of the earlier armies, those not possessing organic enhancements like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and Pretenders (save the ever '''''"lucky"''''' Ratchet), were also wiped out behind the scenes. Though unconfirmed, there's something to be said for this theory. Many Transformers like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are never seen again (within the course of the G1 series). Later issues show Prime mourning the loss of warriors not seen killed in the Underbase Saga, such as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (and again, Powerglide), while [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] are variously shown as deactivated during "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]", "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" and "[[Makin' Tracks!]]". The greatest support for this theory is the story "[[Flashback!]]", which shows Prowl being destroyed by Starscream in San Francisco, a moment not shown in Dark Star, proving that there was indeed at least one "off panel" casualty. Still, it remains a point for debate as the Autobot Headmasters (besides Fortress Maximus) and Pretenders are a no-show for the entire issue, and while the Decepticon Headmasters (aside from [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] and [[Fangry]]) are all featured in the early pages and in the first battle - [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] even shows up in the Ark - they don't bother to show up against Starscream. All the Targetmasters also had better things to do, save for [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] who subsequently decided to skip the fight against Starscream. A lot of these guys show up in perfect working order in the later issues.
*Prime refers to the casualties as "destroyed", but later issues make it clear that at least some of them could be repaired. The Dinobots, Jazz, Goldbug, Blaster and Silverbolt are all revived later in the series. Ratchet is also seen working to restore Omega Supreme. The task of repairing them all will have [[Back from the Dead|consequences]] very shortly.
*Soundwave is explicitly blasted by Starscream, but apparently either survives unscathed or is promptly repaired, as he soon appears in later issues. This is never explained (he has no organic components to ensure his survival), other than Soundwave is BADASS!
*This is clearly [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]'s worst day ever. He gets left behind by his fellow Aerialbots when they go pick up Buster, is ionically-disrupted by Astrotrain, transforms into jet mode only to get strafed by a Decepticon flying patrol, and finally is atomized battling Starscream. Some people just can't catch a break.
*The Seacons got axed 3 issues after their [[Club Con!|debut appearance]] (though Marvel UK had them appearing sooner). Even [[Nemesis Breaker]] lasted longer than that.
{{-}}

===Continuity errors===
*Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)
*The next issue shows [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] among the survivors, though by the time "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]" saw print, he is shown and referred to as deactivated.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue is double-length in honor of its milestone issue number. Accordingly, it also cost 50 cents more than a standard issue.
**To accommodate this extra length, the UK comic printed the story across three issues instead of the usual two.
*Optimus Prime returns to the US cover corner box, although it's his original form as it appeared on the first 29 issues. This image of Prime will remain in the corner box for the next 25 issues.
*Starscream's actions would inevitably haunt the Decepticons for some time when he was reborn. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Several]] [[Triggerhappy|Decepticons]] [[Dirge (G1)|would]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|actually]] [[Thrust (G1)|desert]] in various continuities, because Starscream was among them.
*With Ratbat's demise, Scorponok is now in charge of all the Decepticons of Earth. Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, that's probably not much of a promotion.

===Real-life references===

===UK printing===
====Issue #208====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Desperate Moves'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
====Issue #209====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''
====Issue #210====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''

===Covers (9)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-50.jpg|'''US issue #50''' - He may be powered up, but he's still only got one ear.
File:MarvelUK-208.jpg|'''UK issue #208''' - Starscream needs to learn to share his toys.
File:MarvelUK-209.jpg|'''UK issue #209''' - Sure Prime, sure...
File:MarvelUK-210.jpg|'''UK issue #210''' - Mummy, what's the bad man doing?
</gallery>
*'''US issue #50 cover:''' Starscream supreme, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #208 cover:''' Starscream bathing in the Underbase, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #209 cover:''' Starscream on the attack, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #210 cover:''' Scorponok, having just blasted Prime, by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:Titan-DarkStarSC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' TPB'''
File:Titan-DarkStarHC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' HC'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4'''
File:BestofStarscream.jpg|'''''Best of Starscream'''''
</gallery>
*'''''Dark Star'' TPB cover:''' Starscream, [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], Overbite, [[Dogfight]], and half a [[Mecannibal]] by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Dark Star'' Hardback cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Seth Fisher]] and [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''''Best of Starscream'' cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Klaus Scherwinski]].
<gallery>
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4 cover:''' Starscream by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Dark Star]]''
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4]]

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

The Low Road

2015-02-24T00:42:20Z

Jerryteacup: /* Continuity notes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=22
|image=Low Road Rhinox fart.jpg
|caption=AKA "The Low Brow"
|title="The Low Road"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[February 10]], [[1997]]
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[J. Falconer]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Rhinox is infected with a strange energon discharge virus, and if a cure isn't found, he'll destroy the Maximal base as he literally sneezes himself to death.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Low Road Rattrap Dinobot fight.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Objection!"]]
The [[Maximal]]s use their tools to garden, trimming the wild bean vines that have grown around the Maximal base and, as [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] explains, could be exploited by the Predacons. [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and Dinobot get into a fight. Inside, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] detects [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] coming to attack, but can't activate the [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] shields because of the two arguing Maximals outside. Rhinox comes down the elevator with his guns ablaze and commands the two to get inside, but they are too busy arguing to obey. Trying to cover his teammates' withdrawal, Rhinox is hit by a strange weapon from [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]. Dinobot blasts Tarantulas several times, and with the crucial shot fired, the Predacons retreat.

Inside, the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s computer reports on the strange effect the device had on Rhinox, giving him a [[Energon discharge virus|disease]] that causes the larger Maximal to "spontaneously discharge energy." Rhinox demonstrates this by hiccuping energy beams around the base, causing much collateral damage. It's decided a counter-virus must be found.

[[Image:Low Road Rattrap Dinobot Taratulas.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hello? You're at gunpoint!]]
Rattrap and Dinobot attempt to trail the injured Tarantulas. The two get into an argument about who is to blame for Rhinox becoming sick, which quickly degenerates into name-calling. Eventually forgetting why they started the argument, the two follow Tarantulas's scent. Running after a glimpse of the Predacon, they fall though a hole and onto a long slide—with a heavy boulder close behind them. But after they land at the bottom of the slide, the boulder actually hits Tarantulas. Rattrap and Dinobot continue bickering as they search through the underground caverns for Tarantulas's lab.

Aboard the ''Axalon'', [[Optimus Primal/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus]] reveals to [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] that he paired Dinobot and Rattrap together so they could either learn to work together or kill each other. Rhinox is meanwhile kept on a life support system which drains energy from the rest of the (now heavily damaged) Maximal base.

Back at the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon base]], [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] sends his own forces to reclaim Tarantulas so more of the virus can be developed to use on the rest of the Maximals. They head to his [[Tarantulas's lair|laboratory]] to see if they can locate the missing arachnid there. On Tarantulas's security sensors, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] notices the two wandering Maximals making their way through the caverns towards the hideout.

[[Image:Low Road Optimus Rhinox.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Hey, handsome. Come here often?"]]
Primal rallies his available soldiers for action against the Predacons to seize the antidote to Rhinox's ailment forcibly. Rhinox attempts to come along with the others, but Primal orders his friend to stay behind and consume some food to help stabilize his systems. Naturally, the first option on Rhinox's menu happens to be the wild beans conveniently surrounding the ''Axalon''.

[[Image:Low Road Megatron countervirus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Megatron discovers what has been making his beast head go all green.]]
Back in Tarantulas's lair, Blackarachnia discovers where Tarantulas stored the counter-virus. When [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] detects the two Maximals getting closer, the Predacon goons open fire, wildly hoping to hit something, but instead just ruin any chance they have of ambushing their targets. Dinobot tries to use Tarantulas as a hostage, but this tactic doesn't work on Megatron, who has no reservations about abusing his own soldiers. However, the distraction has bought Rattrap (who was supposed to be covering Dinobot) the time to sneak through some tubes to arrive behind the Predacons, leaving him close enough to disarm them quickly.

A nasal energon-expulsion from Rhinox provides a hole for the other Maximals to enter the chamber once they finish posing heroically. Megatron mentions that he alone has the counter-virus that could save Rhinox.

But then Rhinox shoots an incredible energon fart (visible from space) that blows the Predacons far away, giving the Maximals the chance to grab the counter-virus and live happily ever after. Rattrap and Dinobot still bicker like kids, though. As for the Predacons? They landed on a dead tree in very uncomfortable positions.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal|Maximals]]
|c1=
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (1)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (2)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (3)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (13)
*[[Tigatron]] (14)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c2=
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (6)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (7)
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (8)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (10)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"Excuse me. Are ''you'' implying that the current situation is somehow... ''my'' responsibility?!" 
"Well, you did start it... ''gearhead!''" 
"I BEG to differ... cheese lips!" 
"Pre-evolved birdbrain!" 
"Eater of garbage!"
:—'''Dinobot''' and '''Rattrap''' trade insults

"Sheesh, and they call ''me'' the immature one."
:—'''Cheetor''''s response to above argument

"A bargaining chip should remain in play until the game is over, yesss." 
"Why do you always talk to yourself?" 
"Ah, I simply have a penchant for... ''intelligent conversation.''"
:—'''Megatron''' ripostes rather well to '''Blackarachnia'''.

''(Dinobot enters, holding Tarantulas)'' 
"Do not fire, Megatron! I have a HOSTAGE!" 
"Why, so you do..." 
''(Megatron shoots Tarantulas)''
:—Hostage negotiations with '''Dinobot''', '''Megatron'''-style

"This is ''certainly'' the most humiliating defeat of my entire career. Yess..."
:—'''Megatron''' after '''Rhinox''' defeats the Predacons single... erm, handedly

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Tarantulas first speaks, his open mouth provides a clear window through his ''entire body'', so that the mountain behind him is clearly visible.
* After the boulder hits Tarantulas, it cracks in a most unconvincing way — the cracks appear to be extremely shallow.

===Continuity notes===
*In this episode Blackarachnia mentions that Tarantulas encrypted all the information on his computers, foreshadowing that he has something to hide.
*Somehow, even in the most humiliating defeat of Megatron's entire career, yes, Waspinator still manages to get the short end of the stick.

===Continuity errors===
*When Rattrap and Dinobot fall through the trapdoor leading to the underground tunnels, Rattrap's gun is left spinning in mid-air. The next shot is upwards from underground, as they fall, and the gun is not visible. Indeed, when Rattrap lands on Dinobot, the gun doesn't fall on top of them. Later, as they approach Tarantulas' lab, Rattrap has his gun back.
*Megatron's decision to blast Tarantulas is pretty reckless and flat out moronic. Tarantulas is the one who created the virus and thus is probably the only one who knows how to make it. Megatron seems to be acting as if he holds all the cards but all he really has is the antidote. How exactly Megatron plans on infecting the Maximals with a virus using THE CURE FOR THE VIRUS isn't clear.
*When the Maximals break into Tarantulas' lab, Cheetor can be seen standing next to Tigatron holding his original "gut gun" as opposed to the alternative "rump gun" he is seen to use whenever he and Tigatron are armed and on-screen together.
*Tarantulas' lab is never seen as massively as portrayed in this episode before or since. Even the main chamber of it looks decidedly different than any other incarnation.

===Real-world references===
[[Image:LowRoad fart.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The same results can be obtained by eating at Taco Bell.]]
* Dinobot refers to a [[Silicon Valhalla]] as some kind of afterlife, dually referencing both [[wikipedia:Valhalla|ancient Norse mythology]] and [[wikipedia:Silicon_Valley|Silicon Valley]] (and at a stretch [[wikipedia:Red_Dwarf|Red Dwarf's]] [[wikipedia:Silicon_Heaven|Silicon Heaven]]).
*Some of the slapstick, particularly temporarily defying gravity, and Rattrap's gun being momentarily left in the air when they do fall, is reminiscent of classic [[wikipedia:Warner_Bros.|Warner Bros.]] cartoons, such as [[wikipedia:Road_Runner_(cartoon)|Road Runner]].
* During one of their squabbles, Rattrap refers to Dinobot as a 'pre-evolved birdbrain', riffing on the recent scientific theory that birds evolved from Dromaeosaurid dinosaurs ("raptors") like Dinobot.
*When the Maximals burst into Tarantulas's lab, Airazor is kneeling at Optimus's feet, with one hand affectionately placed on his leg. Instead of, y'know, ''pointing a gun at the bad guys.'' The shot is a parody of the stereotypical heroic entrance/posturing scene, such as found on the theatrical poster for the original ''[[wikipedia:Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope|Star Wars]]'' film. Once Rattrap undermines the moment, as evidenced by the musical score, Airazor can be seen standing normally with the other Maximals. All part of the fun, folks.
*When the rhino-fart shakes the globe, the epicenter is clearly in Africa, providing more evidence for the show being set there. In fact, it appears to be in the middle of the [[Sahara]], which would have been less arid in the prehistoric time of the Beast Wars than it is today.
*Rhinox dons a beer-hat style contraption from which to sip his treatment.
[[Image:LowRoad Rattrap in hardhat.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Safety first!]]
*Rattrap wears a [[hard hat]] while undertaking repairs on the Axalon.

===Trivia===
*In the beginning of the episode, Rattrap is using one of Optimus Primal's swords to cut down the vines.
*The details of exactly ''why'' Optimus decided it was a good idea to send Rattrap and Dinobot together on a life saving mission is beyond anyone. He later confesses, "They'll either learn to work together or destroy each other. Right now I don't really care which." He apparently doesn't hold Rhinox's safety in very high regard.
*While turning around to deliver his energon fart, Rhinox's *ahem* anus is clearly visible. Now that's classy.
*The virus which infected Rhinox and which Megatron intended to use to infect the rest of the Maximals was never mentioned again. Can you blame him for washing his hands of the entire affair?
*Rattrap actually does eat garbage<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/techspecs/beast-era/1996__Rattrap_(1996a).jpg Tech spec bio].</ref>.
*Rattrap's declaration that he and Dinobot have the Predacons under control is a bit exaggerated. He may have shot the guns from their hands, but that still leaves six Predacons with a variety of built-in weapons (Scorponok's missiles, Terrorsaur's shoulder cannons, Blackarachnia's spider-leg machine guns, etc.) against two Maximals. Either Rattrap has a lot of faith in his and Dinobot's fighting abilities, or he has an incredibly low view of Predacon skill...
*Farts are funny. Hence, this episode is very funny if you like farts. And who doesn't?
*Episode writer Bob Forward summed up the reaction to the episode thusly: "[...] After 15 Years And A Couple Of Hundred Scripts, [I] Will Be Remembered Forever For A Rhinocerous {{sic}} Fart."<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/70dc1b8dd547cba9 Post on alt.toys.transformers by Bob Forward]</ref>
*For some reason, Tarantulas seems to have one of Waspinator's arms in his lab.
*How the heck did the Maximals manage to locate Tarantulas' lair? Optimus sent Rattrap and Dinobot precisely to find it, it took nearly the whole episode for them to do just that, it was impossible for the Maximals to contact either Rattrap or Dinobot... And then suddenly they all burst inside Tarantulas' lair, as if they had always known where it was. Odd.
*Speaking of which, why is Rhinox accompanying the rest of the team when he's been explicitly ordered to stay behind ?
*A dart-riddled picture of Megatron hangs in Tarantulas's lab.
*Apparently Megatron considers the immoral act of holding hostages a Maximal ploy.
*The title "The Low Road" may be a reference to all of the toilet humor in this episode.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le Virus'''" ("The Virus")

:*''Title:'' "'''Le Virus'''" (Canada, "The Virus")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Il virus'''" ("The Virus")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Stop the Kushami'''" (ストップ･ザ･くしゃみ, "Stop the Sneezing")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 25|25 February]] [[1998]]
::*A very large portion of this episode was featured in the [[clip show|clip movie]] "[[Clash! Beast Warriors]]", a segment of the ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]''.
::*In a prime example of how flippantly the Japanese dub would break the Fourth Wall, when Megatron begins listing places to search for Tarantulas, he also tells the Predacons to "Keep watching this TV channel!" (replacing the English line, "I want that virus!")
::*When the Maximals make their big entrance through the wall into Tarantulas's lab, Airrazor can be seen clinging submissively and femininely to Primal's leg in an homage to action movie posters. Bear in mind that Airrazor was made ''male'' for this dub, making his pose rather awkward.
::*After Rhinox farts and the energy cloud is seen from orbit, all the Predacons can be heard screaming in terror and disgust. Likewise, in the closing scene of all the Predacons dangling from the tree in defeat, they join Megatron in his cries of embarrassment.

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Caminho Subterrâneo'''" ("The Underground Way")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Subterráneo'''" ("The Underground")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Starscream's Invulnerability ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 4 ([[Universal]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Predacon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 4 — The Predacons Advance! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Low Road}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys

2015-02-13T14:51:00Z

Jerryteacup: /* Leader Class toys */

{{suite}}

'''[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]''' starred in a film series that made billions of dollars. Woohoo!

==Transformers (2007)==
As a tribute to his immense popularity, Optimus Prime is the only ''Movie'' Transformer with a toy in every regular category (Legend, Fast Action, Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader.) This is excluding his Cyber Stomper and transformable gun toys.

===Legends Class toys===
[[File:Movie Legends Prime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Shortening the smokestacks is good; [[For safety reasons|it makes the toy safer]]. But removing ONE and keeping the other? Crazy.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends, 2007)
**''Japanese name:'' '''EZ Collection Optimus Prime'''

: Legends class Optimus Prime is an ''extremely'' simplified toy of the extremely complex movie design. As such, he features numerous unavoidable inaccuracies, such as not transforming or even looking very much like the original design or the larger toy versions in [[robot mode]]. However, proportionally Legends class Optimus Prime is not far off from the real truck and the Leader class toy's [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], aside from missing a smokestack on the driver's side. He is articulated at the shoulders and upper legs via [[ball joint]]s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/LegendsOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Legends Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[File:TargetGenerationsLegends.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Say, have we met?" "No, I'm not from around here." "I can tell. You look ''way'' more realistic than I do."]]
*'''Generations Legends''' (Target exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

: A [[Target]] [[exclusive]], this four-pack of Legends Class figures contains two versions of both Optimus Prime and Megatron, namely [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Transformers (2007)|Legends of Cybertron Optimus Prime]], Movie Legends Optimus Prime, [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Transformers (2007)|Legends of Cybertron Megatron]] and [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|Movie Legends Megatron]].

{{-}}
{{anchor|BftAS}}
[[File:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Get ready for the safety recall, folks.]]
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys"R"Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

: A [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of Optimus Prime, [[Jazz (Movie)#TRULegendsPack|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BftAS|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#BftAS|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#BftAS|Starscream]], and [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#BftAS|Barricade]].

{{-}}
{{anchor|Allspark2pack}}
[[File:Movie Legends Nightwatch Prime .jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Be afraid, Decepticons, because I hide in the shadows!]]
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)

: The previously-released Legends Class Optimus Prime toy is redecoed to match the Leader class Nightwatch Optimus Prime deco. He comes with a predominantly black and silver redeco of [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Allspark2pack|Starscream]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LegendsNightwatchOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Legends Nightwatch Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Deluxe Class toys===
{{anchor|Protoform}}
[[File:Movie ProtoformOptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Until I find my feet, I have to use these giant robot hands.]]
*'''Protoform Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, missile, flame attachment

:Based upon the "[[Protoform]]" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the Movie, Protoform Optimus Prime transforms into his "entry" mode. This mode somewhat resembles a cybertronic truck, with false wheels sculpted onto the sides, and Optimus Prime's trademark windows in front. A flame decoration piece fits to the back of the "vehicle", creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail. The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces. Oddly, it has NO [[Automorph Technology|automorph]] gimmick at all, a feature most main-line figures have.

:He resembles previous Optimus characters in robot mode: his angular chest windows are reminiscent of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], while his near-animalistic limbs and color scheme are evocative of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Optimus Primal]]. He has excellent articulation due to his many ball joints, and is armed with a rifle. The flame attachment can fit onto the end of the (non-firing) gun barrel.

:Some packaging variants of this figure (perhaps a Wal-Mart exclusive) included a free movie poster depicting a Cybertronian eye overlooking Earth, with an added sticker to the outer plastic bubble saying "Exclusive movie poster!". It is more of a preview of upcoming figures.

:This toy was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as a [[Prima (G1)|member]] of the [[Dynasty of Primes]] in [[Tales of the Fallen issue 4|''Tales of the Fallen'' #4]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/ProtoformOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Protoform Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|Fusioncluster}}
[[File:FusionClusterOptimusStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Made out of sculpted wildberry Slurpee.]]
*'''Protoform Optimus Prime Fusion Cluster Edition''' (C3xHobby Convention exclusive Deluxe, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun, missile, flame attachment

:An extensive redeco of the Protoform Optimus Prime mold that was exclusively available at the Japanese C3xHobby Convention in August of 2007, and later offered by [[e-HOBBY]] in limited quantities. Most of the body is made out of transparent turquoise plastic in order to mimic its frozen state in the "coldness" of space, while orange paint is used on the front end of the "entry" mode, mimicking the heat effects of sudden atmospheric entry. The flame attachment is made out of clear ''blue'' plastic, with the tail end being covered in ''gold'' paint.

{{-}}
{{anchor|JazzPrimeBrawl3pack}}
*'''Deluxe three-pack''' (multi-pack, UK 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

:This three-pack, which was available at general retail in the United Kingdom, contains an unchanged Deluxe Class Protoform Optimus Prime together with equally unchanged Deluxe Class [[Brawl (Movie)#JazzPrimeBrawl3pack|Decepticon Brawl]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#JazzPrimeBrawl3pack|Autobot Jazz]] toys.

{{-}}
{{anchor|LuckyDrawProtoform}}
*'''Gold Protoform Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

:This gold [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] Protoform Optimus Prime figure was featured as a [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] giveaway (along side similarly gold vac-metal versions of Voyager class Optimus Prime and [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#LuckyDrawProtoform|Protoform Starscream]]) in the December 2007 issue of ''TV Magazine''. Released in 2008, only 5 pieces were made.

{{picsneeded}}
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===Voyager Class toys===
[[File:Movie Voyager OptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The last one of you out of here gets a... gets a lead salad!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

:The mid-range Voyager class ''Movie'' Optimus Prime toy transforms into an amalgamation of the Kenworth W900 and the Peterbilt 379, making this toy fairly inaccurate to the actual vehicle Optimus Prime turned into. Because of the smaller size and lessened complexity, the Voyager class Optimus Prime features a significantly different transformation sequence compared to the Leader class toy, and indeed, the actual CGI design. However, as the actual truck cabin no longer forms his chest, the cabin now features a small interior with opening doors and a non-removable [[Peter Cullen|cowboy-hat-bedecked driver figurine]] that flips out of the seat when the driver's side door is opened.

: In robot mode, Voyager class Optimus Prime is proportionally more accurate to his CGI design than the leader class toy and has a more accurate headsculpt. However, due to the aforementioned lessened complexity, significant sacrifices had to be made, such as "cheats" to the transformation sequence to achieve this. He is thus less accurate overall than he initially appears. In addition to previously mentioned changes, he carries much of the truck's front hood, grill and fenders on his back like a backpack. Nevertheless, he maintains a superb level of articulation and posability.

: Optimus Prime is armed with two large rifles formed out of a combination of both smokestacks and fuel tanks. These rifles peg onto his lower arms with grips for his open hands. The under-slung fuel tanks can fire spring-loaded projectiles. In vehicle mode, both smokestack rifles can be deployed as twin cannons, and this mechanism can also be used to store the rifles and deploy them as shoulder guns in robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/VoyagerOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Voyager Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|Robovision}}
[[File:Movie Robovision OptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We'd hate to see what those smokestacks looked like BEFORE Hasbro shortened them.]]
*'''Robo-Vision Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

: A Target-exclusive redeco of the Voyager Class Optimus Prime toy, this limited edition version boasts a "Supermetal finish", resulting in silver metallic paint covering much of his paintable gray/silver plastic, a much higher contrast in his red and blue plastic colors and improved 'flame' paint decorations.

: Unusually for the smaller Voyager Class of toys, [[Robo-Vision]] Optimus Prime comes packed in robot mode in a special hexagonal column box with many windows, similar to the original packaging for ''20th Anniversary'' Optimus Prime. The package also includes a [[Robo-Vision Decoder]]. Strangely, this Target exclusive preceded the release of the regular Voyager by a large margin, coming out on [[June 2]], 2007 with the initial wave of movie toys.

: This toy has been retroactively declared part of the ''Premium Series'' of more [[Show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] redecos of core characters from the movie.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/Robo-VisionOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Robo-Vision Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|BeePrimePack}}
*'''Bumblebee and Optimus Prime''' (Argos exclusive two-pack, Hong Kong/UK/Australia/France 2007)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

:A two-pack, available as a mass retail release in Hong Kong, as an Argos exclusive in the United Kingdom, as a Kmart exclusive in Australia, and with undetermined distribution in France. Contains an unchanged Voyager Class Optimus Prime and an equally unchanged Deluxe Class Concept Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BeePrimePack|Bumblebee]].

{{picsneeded}}

{{-}}
[[File:SamsClubMovieVoyagerBattleDamagedOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Given later events, probably less "battle damaged" than "covered in the <s>blood</s> fuel of his enemies".]]
*'''Arcee, Starscream & Optimus Prime''' (Sam's Club exclusive three-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

:A three-pack, exclusive to [[Sam's Club]] stores, consisting of redecos of Voyager Class Optimus Prime and Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)#Battle3pack|Arcee]], both with a battle damage deco, and an unchanged Voyager Class [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|Starscream]].

{{-}}
{{anchor|#LuckyDraw2007Voyager}}
*'''Gold Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

{{charstubtoys}}
{{picsneeded}}
{{-}}
{{anchor|VoyFirstStrike}}
[[File:Movie Voyager Firststrike OptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Is ''this'' good enough for [[GEEWUN|you]]?]]
*'''First Strike Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Class, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

: Released as part of the ''Allspark Power'' refresh of the movie line, First Strike Optimus Prime is an extensive redeco of Voyager class Optimus Prime in a colour scheme based upon ''Generation 1'' and ''Classics'' Optimus Prime. The included toy bio describes this coloring as Prime paying tribute to the markings he wore as a young soldier when the war began. Due to the transformation scheme, this figure actually ends up being ''less'' like its G1 counterpart in robot mode, a sacrifice made for the slavish redeco of the vehicle mode. You can't have your cake and eat it too, folks.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/FirstStrikeOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on First Strike Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[File:MovieVoyagerBattleDamageOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?]]
*'''Autobot Optimus Prime''' ("international market" exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

:A single-packed version of the battle damaged Voyager Optimus Prime toy from the Sam's Club exclusive three-pack. Although the assortment number and the general packaging style (which are both the same also used for the [[Premium Series]] redecos of Voyager Class [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Premium|Autobot Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#VoyagerPremium|Megatron]]) seemed to indicate that this might be a Best Buy exclusive, this has been confirmed to be an "international market" exclusive. It has been released in Hasbro's Southeast Asian markets, but was not available in the USA outside the Sam's Club three-pack.

{{-}}
{{anchor|FreewayBrawl}}
[[File:Movie-Prime-2pack.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|NOW WITH 8% BLUE!]]
*'''Freeway Brawl''' ("Screen Battles" two-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

: A second Target-exclusive redeco of the Voyager Class Optimus Prime toy, the gray molded pieces were recolored beige-grey, and multiple parts that were previously molded in blue and red (the chest, shoulder pads, and leg interiors) had their mold colors swapped, with extra [[paint operation]]s to make up the difference. As such, the toy has very few visual differences from the regular release of the sculpt, in a "doing things differently to achieve a very similar end result" sense. This version was only available in a pack with an unchanged Deluxe Class [[Bonecrusher (Movie)#FreewayBrawl|Bonecrusher]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ScreenBattlesOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Freeway Brawl Optimus Prime at TFU.info.]''
{{picsneeded|Better images}}
{{-}}

===Leader Class toys===
[[File:MovieLeader OptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Y'think Prime got a makeover? We have it on good authority that Movie [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] is a kicked-out low-rider with a jammin' sound system and neon-purple undercarriage lighting.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Removable Ion blaster, 1 missile

: The largest 2007 ''Transformers'' movie Optimus Prime toy, Leader Class Optimus Prime featured, at the time, the most accurate representation of the CGI designs' complex transformation sequence. He transforms into a heavily-customized [http://www.peterbilt.com/index_gal_mod_desc.asp?model=model379 Peterbilt 379] conventional extended-hood, and unusually for a mainline figure, he has rubber tires on all his wheels. His [[Ion blaster]] weapon is stored in the rear of the truck's bunk, exposed like an engine block. Though Optimus has no trailer, he has a hole where the fifth wheel (known among fans as a 'hitch') is sculpted in the rear of the truck, should owners find a suitable trailer to use. Due to [[For safety reasons|safety reasons]], the tips of his long smokestacks are made of rubber. A switch on top of the cab roof activates horn sounds and window lights.

: Featuring a complex transformation, the front and back ends of the truck essentially fold and converge to become Optimus Prime's legs, as much of the truck rear is connected to the robot thighs via a series of folding panels. The rear wheel cowlings feature a hinge joint in the middle of them so they do not impede his knee articulation. The halves of the rear cabin of the cab, directly connected to the smokestacks, rotate and connect to his torso and unfold into his arms. As with most mainline Movie toys, Optimus Prime features [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]] gimmicks, and due to his price point, he has three of them. Firstly, during initial transformation, rotating his front fenders to become his heels flips the top parts of the grill to become his toes. Secondly, sliding out the double-barrel cannon in his right forearm flips out his spring-loaded Ion Blaster, which lands into place for his right hand. (The Ion Blaster can actually be popped off his forearm fairly easily, as it is held in place by a simple clip.) Optimus's final Automorph, located in his torso, is activated by flipping the silver lever on his stomach, activating a series of spring-loaded actions where the truck windows are pushed apart and the lever between them is raised, enabling the head to spring up from the chest cavity. At this point, yellow LEDs light up the chest windows and Optimus Prime's eyes, accompanied by a "powering up" sound effect.

: Optimus Prime has a wide range of articulation for a relatively bulky figure. He has ratcheting joints in his shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, with swivel joints and ball joints supporting them in his biceps, lower knee joints, and ankles. His hands even have individually articulated fingers and thumbs!

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Leader Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|CostcoPrimeBonus}}
[[File:2007MovieOptimusPrimeCostCoBonusPack.jpg|thumb|Cylinders are the right of all sentient beings.]]
*'''Optimus Prime bonus pack''' ([[Costco]] exclusive multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Removable Ion blaster, 1 missile

:A Costco exclusive special pack of Leader Class Optimus Prime with Legends Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#CostcoPrimeBonus|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#CostcoPrimeBonus|Autobot Jazz]] as bonus figures. All three toys are unchanged from their respective original releases.

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{{anchor|chrome}}
[[File:Movie G4Contest Chrome OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Completists, eat your heart out!]]
*'''Chrome Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Removable Ion blaster, 1 missile

: Two custom-made pieces (presented in robot and vehicle mode) by the [[Hasbro]] ''Transformers'' team as the grand prize for G4TV and [http://www.jumpcut.com Jumpcut]'s contest for fans to remix selected Transformers clips. Won by [http://www.TFW2005.com/ TFW2005.com] member James Zahn, this one-of-a-kind (well, two-of-a-kind) piece is an almost fully [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] Leader-class Optimus Prime in red, silver and blue (based heavily upon Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]), presented with a custom display base with an embossed silver Autobot insignia and a perspex display case.

:It is certainly one of the rarest Transformers toys ever, and unless you are James, you will never own one.

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{{anchor|UKNightwatch}}
[[File:Movie Leader Nightwatch OptimusPrime 2007.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Either this is [[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]] or [[Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Nemesis Prime]].]]
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, UK 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Removable Ion blaster, 1 missile

: The first Nightwatch Optimus Prime is an extensive redeco of the previously released Leader-class Optimus Prime, replacing most of his red and blue with different shades of blue and black. In fact, he resembles the original [[Diaclone]] Powered Convoy color scheme of ''Generation 1'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s truck cab. The previously blue and red flames have been replaced with silver flames, while various other decos have been replaced by copper.

: This version was released in the UK several months before the ''AllSpark Power'' version. Available exclusively through Argos stores, it came in an American-style box with the original Movie packaging design. This version was also released by [[TakaraTomy]] in Japan.

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{{anchor|LuckyDraw2007Leader}}
*'''Gold Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Removable Ion blaster, 1 missile

:A gold vacuum-metallized Leader class Optimus Prime was available as a [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] prize figure in [[Japan]], as well as being a promotional competition figure for various [[Hasbro]] branches elsewhere in the world. Only 88 pieces were made.

{{picsneeded}}

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{{anchor|USNightwatch}}
[[File:Movie Leader Nightwatch OptimusPrime 2008.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Ultra Prime or Nemesis Magnus?]]
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, USA 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Removable Ion blaster, 1 missile

: The second Nightwatch Optimus Prime was released as part of the "[[AllSpark Power]]" second half of the Movie line. He is similar to the UK version of Nightwatch Prime, replacing most of his red and blue with different shades of blue and black, retaining his resemblance to Diaclone Powered Convoy in most respects. However, the subdued black and copper on the first Nightwatch Prime have been replaced with gold and a ''very'' bright blue, to signify the All Spark energy affecting the Transformers. The translucent parts were also cast in purple translucent plastic instead of black translucent plastic.

: Another difference is that this version comes in an ''AllSpark Power''-style box instead of the original style.

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{{anchor|Premium}}
[[File:Premium movie OP.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Cyclonus (G1)/toys|Bunny-ears]] Prime.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' ("Premium Series" Leader Class, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Detachable, Retractable "energy sword"

: The Premium Series Optimus Prime is both a [[retool]] and a redeco of the Leader Class Optimus Prime toy. The major selling point is a more movie-accurate head sculpt with longer ears and detailing based on the final CG head design, and a flip-out energy sword to replace the ion blaster that was included with previous versions of the toy. This energy sword is detachable and attaches where the Ion Blaster did, compatible with non-premium Optimus Prime Leader-class-based releases. Because his ears are much longer, the truck roof panel that hides his head now has two holes cut into so the head can fit inside the cabin.

:The paint deco is... unfocused, to say the least. In vehicle mode, the grill, headlights, and bumpers (and thus his feet) are painted silver, yet the red in the small Autobot insignia has been removed. There is silver paint on the fuel tanks (toy battery cover), but not on the other tool boxes and equipment in the same location. There is also silver paint on all 6 wheel rims, the air cleaners, and the windscreen visor. In robot mode, the silver paint is mainly located on his thighs and crotch, though in order to save on costs, the dark blue and gold paint on his thighs and knee joints have been sacrificed.

: Unlike the initial ''Premium Series'' toys, this one was available as part of the regular mass retail Leader class assortment.

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[[File:Movie Leader OptimusPrimeBattleMode.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He loves his lips so much, he won't let anyone sculpt them on his toys.]]
*'''Optimus Prime Battle Mode''' (Leader Class, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Detachable, Retractable "energy sword"

:The TakaraTomy version of Premium Series Optimus Prime has a considerably different deco from Hasbro's release. Similar to the unique chrome Optimus Prime, Optimus Prime Battle Mode features vacuum-metallized parts for nearly all of the silver truck parts, for a greater resemblance to the polished chrome on the real prop trucks. Unfortunately, as his feet are the front fenders and grill, this will likely lead to chipping. In robot mode, he retains several decos that were removed from Hasbro's Premium Optimus Prime for cost reasons, such as the blue and gold decos on his thighs. Finally, the flip-out energy sword is coloured gold to reflect its "powered up" appearance.

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===Fast Action Battlers===
[[File:Movie FAB OptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Okay mommy, me got my backback and big gun thingy. Me go to robot school now?"]]
* '''Power Hook Optimus Prime''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''QC-01'''
**''Accessories:'' 1 Missile

:[[Fast Action Battlers|Fast Action Battler]] Power Hook Optimus Prime is a (roughly) Deluxe-class made for children of younger ages than the rest of the mainline and was designed to have quick conversion and action feature. He has a little string attached to his missile that was tied to his "backpack" for easy storage and so the little ones wouldn't lose the missile.

:He is rather inaccurate to Optimus Prime's design.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/FABOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Power Hook Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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[[File:Movie LeaderfortheAges 2pack.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The more things change, the more they, uh, get bigger guns.]]
* '''Leader for the Ages''' (Wal*Mart exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' 1 gun, 1 Missile

: This Wal*Mart-exclusive two-pack contains the ''Fast Action Battler'' Power Hook Optimus Prime toy, designated "2007 Optimus Prime", and the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2007)|Optimus Prime]] toy from ''The Ultimate Battle'' DVD two-pack. Both toys are identical to their normal individual releases.

: For some reason, the ''Classics'' Optimus toy is designated "1984 Optimus Prime" on the packaging, even though it was released in 2006... well, he ''looks'' like Prime from '84, so hey, what the hell.

{{-}}
[[File:Mov2007-toy FAB FireBlastPrime.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]], is that you?]]
*'''Fire Blast Optimus Prime''' (Fast Action Battler, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 1 Missile

: Fire Blast Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the previously released Power Hook Optimus Prime fast action battler. The color scheme is loosely based upon ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus Prime]], explained rather oddly in the card bio as being the camouflage Optimus took while hunting Decepticons on Mars post-movie... because there are so many long-nose cabs driving around Mars. Yeah.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/FABOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Fire Blast Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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===Cyber Slammers===
[[File:Movie CyberSlammers Prime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Okay, let the bumper car battle begin! One shall stand, one shall...get knocked back a few metres.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyber Slammer, 2007)

: [[Cyber Slammers]] Optimus Prime is an amazingly cute truck that transforms into an amazingly cute Autobot. "Slam" his robot mode down into car mode and he rolls along for a while, then snaps back up into robot mode. Sure to please the toddler you brought with you to the PG-13 movie! Like most Cyber Slammers, Prime manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/CySlamOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Cyber Slammer Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
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===Cyber Stompin' Robots===
[[File:Movie Cyberstompin Prime toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Rescue Heroes!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyber Stompin' Robot, 2007)

:[[Cyber Stompin' Robots|Cyber Stompin']] Optimus Prime is a non-convertible action figure made for younger children. He has light-up eyes, sounds, a launching fist feature and a "targeting scope" in his back. The scope worked similarly to a ''View Master'', and when you look through the scope, you see an image of Megatron.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/CyStompOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Cyber Stompin' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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===Robot Replicas===
[[File:Optimusprimemovierobotreplicas.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Sword attachment arm sadly not included.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Robot Replica, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster arm

: As part of the [[Robot Replicas]] line, this version of Optimus is a non-transforming action figure that utilizes [[Revoltech]]-style jointing. The sculpt hews much closer to the movie CGI model than is possible with the full transforming toys, plus the universal jointing of the line allows for his forearm to be replaced with his hand-cannon... or bits from other Robot Replicas.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/RROptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Robot Replica Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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[[File:WMTF2007RobotReplicasOpVsMegs.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Megatron vs. Optimus Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2007)

: This [[Walmart]]-exclusive two-pack includes "battle-damaged" redecos of Robot Replicas Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|Megatron]].

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===Trans-Scanning===
[[File:TransScanningOptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The Optimus Prime of your nightmares.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TS-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Display stand

: [[Trans-scan]]ning Optimus Prime is a Japanese-exclusive figure with many interchangeable parts. At its most basic, the figure is a spindly skeleton referred to as a "Core Body". To this skeleton, two sets of armor pieces can be attached to create one of two forms for Optimus Prime: his [[protoform]] mode or his Earth mode.

: The protoform mode consists of eight pieces of metallic blue plastic that plug into the arms, chest, pelvis and legs of the figure. With these pieces attached, the figure can be manipulated in a manner that might charitably be called "transformation" into his meteor-like "entry mode," accomplished by doing little more than tucking the head out of sight and folding the chest back. This blue-and-grey lump can be mounted on a three-piece stand that comes with the figure, allowing you to display it in mid-plummet. Optimus Prime's Earth mode, meanwhile, is made up of many armor pieces (including a particularly large backpack) that form a rather [[Kibble|kibbly]] robot mode, which can then transform into a truck approximating a Peterbilt 379. We would go into what an abominable, unintuitive, parts-massaging ''mess'' this transformation is, but we wouldn't want to fill up the rest of the page.

: Optimus Prime also includes a pair of interchangeable, open-palmed hands that can be swapped out for the clenched fists that are in place in-package. The Core Body mold was re-used for the simultaneously released Trans-Scanning [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Bumblebee]] figure.

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===Optimus Prime Figure===
[[File:SpychangerMovieOptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The shoulders house a kickin' stereo system.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Spychanger, 2007)

:"Optimus Prime Figure" (オプティマスプライム・フィギア)<ref>Named as such in ''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2, page 52.</ref> is a redeco of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] Spychanger [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], painted to resemble ''Movie'' Optimus Prime. Of note is the [[tampograph]]ed detailing on his chest resembling ''Movie'' Prime's distinctive chest design. He was only available exclusively in Japan with a pre-order for the ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' DVD and HD-DVD.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Cybertron/DVDOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Optimus Prime Figure" at TFU.info]''

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==Titanium Series==
[[File:Movie TitaniumRM Prime.jpg|130px|thumb|"Groovy!"]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Movie-style Autobot sigil display stand.

: Partially constructed of die-cast metal, this small three inch figurine of Optimus Prime has a CGI-accurate sculpt compared to the larger toys, owing to the fact it does not need to transform at all. He is sculpted with his Ion Blaster in his right fist, and is articulated at the neck, shoulders and waist. He comes with a small movie-style Autobot sigil display stand.

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*'''Ultimate Optimus Prime 3-Pack''' (3" Robot Masters multi-pack, 2007)

: This Target-exclusive set contains the normal 3" [[Titanium Series]] Optimus Prime figurine (see above), a Protoform Optimus Prime figurine, and Optimus Prime in his Earth-mode truck form, making this the first time a character has appeared in their alternate mode as part of the Robot Masters sub-series.

{{picsneeded}}
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==Revenge of the Fallen==
===Legends Class toys===
{{anchor|ROTFlegend}}[[File:ROTF Legends OptimusPrime.jpg|301px|thumb|AT LAST! Two smokestacks!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-01'''
[[File:ROTF Legends Prime Jetfire combo.jpg|thumb|left|Don't I look awesome with my corpse backpack?]]

:''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Legends class Optimus Prime is an all-new, much more accurate mold compared to the 2007 Legends class Prime, having a much greater accuracy in both robot and vehicle mode. In particular, his vehicle mode isn't inexplicably missing one smokestack like the 2007 toy.

: The top of the truck's bunk (ending up on his back in robot mode) has a slot to combine with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. For some reason, this isn't mentioned in the instructions, though they're hardly needed.

: During the [[May 30]] launch event for the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toyline in [[Japan]], Legends Optimus were given out to attendees. The only difference is a sticker on the packaging commemorating the event.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/LegOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Legends Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|LegendsBattleDamage}}
[[File:ROTF Legends OptimusPrime Battledamage.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|A little blue paint goes a long way.]]
*'''Optimus Prime Damage Version''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-09'''

: A "Battle Damaged" variant featured in the second wave of EZ Collection (the Japanese name for Legends class toys), with more elaborate, weathered paint applications.

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{{anchor|LegendsPowerArmor}}
[[File:ROTF-toy Legends PowerArmorPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Power Armor Optimus Prime''' (Legends, 2009)

:This [[redeco]] of Legends class Optimus Prime features a slightly darkened colour scheme and red legs.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/LegPowerArmorOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Legends Power Armor Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|LegendsDefender}}
[[File:EZCollectionDefenderOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Here to mend and defend! ... hahaha, no, really, hand your face over. '''Now.''']]
*'''Defender Optimus Prime''' (EZ Collection, March 2010)

:A redeco of Legends Optimus Prime replacing his red plastic with more blue and silver, but sprucing things up a bit with red flame [[paint operation]]s. Defender Optimus Prime (ディフェンダーオプティマスプライム) was only available in Japan as part of their ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' promotion in March 2010. It was given away for free to customers who purchased ''Animated'' merchandise at Edion, Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera stores.

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{{anchor|LegendsSpecialColor}}
[[File:EZCollectionOptimusPrimeSpecialColor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime Special Color''' (EZ Collection, April 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-21'''

:Optimus Prime Special Color (オプティマスプライム特別カラー, ''Optimus Prime Tokubetsu Color'') was only available blindpacked as part of TakaraTomy's EZ Collection Vol. 3. It is a clear version of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' mold.

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===Voyager Class toys===
[[File:ROTF Voyager OptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Look! I got a tan!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

:Voyager Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the toy from the [[Movie (toyline)|first movie's toyline]]. Like several redecos or retools of 2007 movie toys, there has been some effort to make this release noticeably different from the previous releases, though the toy ends up looking less accurate to the actual movie appearance than those previous releases. Optimus Prime has a sort of faded Autobot [[insignia|logo]] on the side of the truck's bunk, and kanji (Chinese characters) on the roof (ending up on his knee in robot mode.) The word "上海将军" means "Shanghai General", while "大将" means "Grand general".

:The Japanese version of the toy, named "Optimus Prime Revenge Edition", was exclusively available at Tokyo Toy Show 2009, and later also from [[e-HOBBY]]. Despite being sold in Hasbro packaging like the mass retail ''Revenge'' toys in Japan (plus the addition of Japanese stickers marking it as a Japanese market release and containing Japanese safety warnings and manufacturer information), it slightly differed from the Hasbro version insofar as it lacked the [[tampograph]]ed kanji lettering.

{{picsneeded|Japanese release}}

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{{anchor|PrimeBee2Pack}}
*'''Optimus Prime & Bumblebee''' (Two-pack, 2009)

:An unchanged version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Voyager-Class Optimus Prime (see above) was released in a two-pack, alongside an unchanged version of ''Movie'' Deluxe-Class "[[Premium Series]]" [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#PrimeBee2Pack|Bumblebee]]. This two-pack has been confirmed to have been released in Malaysia and was apparently also sold in Indonesia and India.

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{{anchor|VoyagerDefender}}
[[File:ROTF Voyager DefenderOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Kaboom, yo. Ka-friggin-boom.]]
*'''Defender Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles

:This redeco of Voyager-Class Optimus Prime swaps out the red and some of the silver plastic with black and blue, changes the blue flames to red and silver.

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{{anchor|VoyagerJetPower}}
[[File:ROTF Voyager JetPowerOptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|301px|Use your friends wisely.]]
*'''Jet Power Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MR-01'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 rifle/smokestack-fuel tank assemblies, 2 missiles, sword, Jetfire armour parts

:''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Unite for the Universe|Unite for the Universe]]'' Optimus Prime would have been a redeco of the 2007 Optimus Prime Voyager-Class mold in a similar style to the Leader-Class Buster Optimus Prime (see below), with a much more accurate and detailed paint scheme, including white stenciled flames. He would have come with a set of [[Jetfire (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|Jetfire]] armour parts to form the powered-up Optimus Prime seen at end of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', and due to not having to form Jetfire's robot mode or his jet mode, the armour parts are far more accurate to the movie's design of them than the leader class Jetfire toy could manage. While not combined to Optimus Prime, the armour can be arranged to form a sort of weapon emplacement mode or a jet engine on the back of Optimus's vehicle mode.

:Both Jet Power Optimus Prime and the accompanying redeco of Voyager-Class ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#UniteMegatron|Megatron]] would have come with an issue of the [[Unite for the Universe issue 1|''Unite for the Universe'' comic book]], but due to the cancellation of both figures, the comics were eventually included with the [[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Movie Masterpiece]] releases of Leader-Class [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Masterpiece|Starscream]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Masterpiece|Bumblebee]]. Of amusement is the fact the comics are essentially showcasing toys that have been canceled.

{{canceledtoy}}
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====Mini-figure====
{{anchor|VoyagerMini-figure}}
[[File:ROTF mini figure Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He won't be [[Decapitation|taking]] [[The Fallen|anybody's]] faces at THAT size.]]
*'''Stratosphere''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-17'''

:Voyager-Class [[Stratosphere]] comes with a transformable Optimus Prime mini-figure that deploys from his cargo bay, based upon scenes from the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie. It is actually smaller than [[Smallest Transforming Transformers]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]. Go figure!

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/MiniOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on mini Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{--}}

===Leader Class toys===
[[File:ROTF Leader OptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I will not stop telling you that I am Optimus Prime. Ever!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-01'''

:''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Leader-class Optimus Prime is an entirely different mold from the first movie's Leader-class Optimus Prime.

:Like the previous Prime, it is loaded with features, though it ditches the first movie's [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]]ing for the new [[Mech Alive]] gimmick. When a grey tab on his midriff is pressed, Prime's entire pectoral region "flexes", lights in his chest and eyes glow, and he declares "I am Optimus Prime" in [[Peter Cullen]]'s voice. For the European release of the figure, to get past the language barrier, the Cullen sound clip is abbreviated to just "Optimus Prime"; in some regions, including Quebec and the UK (but only after a month or two), both versions were made available. A transformation sound effect activates when his torso is transformed, and once Prime is in truck mode, an almost unnoticeable button (a small square located beside the screw for the battery compartment, undocumented in his instructions) is revealed, which activates engine-idling noises.

:Each arm features flip-out blades that trigger when a button on the forearm is pressed. Each of these blades has a [[Cyberglyphics|Cyberglyphic]] symbol on it. The blades severely restrict Prime's arm articulation when retracted, as they get in the way of the kibble, but as there is very little one can do with Prime's arms without causing the blades to deploy, this is hardly noticeable.

:One detail not reflected in most of Hasbro's photos is that the sun visors above Prime's windows are mounted on ball joints and can be positioned like they are in his CG design. The hood halves on his arms can slide up on their hinges and the blue panels at the back of Prime's lower legs can be pulled out slightly as well for further screen accuracy.

:Overall, the robot mode of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' leader class Optimus Prime toy is slightly taller and considerably more athletic-looking than the 2007 ''Transformers'' Leader-class Optimus Prime toy.

[[File:ROTF Leader Jetfire PowerUpPrime toy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Who's your daddy? He is.]]
:Optimus Prime can also combine with Leader-class [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] to form Jetpower Optimus Prime by slightly transforming his backpack and feet. Sadly, this takes away from his leg articulation, because otherwise he could never support the massive backpack he has in this mode. However, fans have created alternate configurations that increase leg articulation and movie-accuracy.

:Like several new-mold ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toys, Optimus Prime suffers from some cost-cutting measures that affected the final production version of the mold. According to Hasbro's stock photos/back-of-box photo of the hand-painted [[prototype]], the toolboxes on the sides of his legs were designed to fold away further for a sleeker, cleaner look. Additionally, the rear tires would have been able to split in half, with the inner half of the tire going inside the outer half to recreate the thin tires seen on Prime's CG design. Some articulation was lost on the toy between Hasbro stock photography and the final release. His fingers are no longer articulated; instead, the entire hand is now one molded piece. Finally, the lower arms appear to have been originally designed so that his hands could slide in or out of them during transformation. Sadly, he also lacks rubber tires, which the original movie Prime did have.

:As a result of striving for vehicle realism and painstaking accuracy to his visual portrayal in the live-action films, this Optimus Prime ends up being ridiculously complex. Transforming him back into a truck is probably more complicated than shown in the movie and can only be considered ''torture''. Very unfortunately, the [[instructions]] for this toy are infamous for being amazingly vague and unclear in their visual depiction of the transformation steps, making transformation even ''harder''. Also, let us not forget that, upon transforming him back to robot mode, he will declare his identity over and over and over and over and over until you're finished.

:The TakaraTomy release of Optimus Prime replaces the red plastic from his neck down to the middle of his pectorals with gray plastic. The smokestacks also are a different shade of gray, and are more opaque than the Hasbro release.

:This version can also attach [[Energon star]]s.
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{{anchor|ShanghairLimited}}
*'''Limited Edition Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2009)

:This release of Optimus Prime was available at the May 23, 2009 midnight launch of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toyline at the [[Shanghai]] Toys 'R' Us. Limited to 576 pieces, this piece was presented in a wooden box with a numbered certificate, Autobot sigil dog tag, and of course, the leader class Optimus Prime toy. The toy itself was unchanged.

{{picsneeded}}
{{-}}
{{anchor|withCamshaft}}
[[File:ROFTOptimusWCamshaft.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Who are you, again?]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' with '''Autobot Camshaft''' (Leader value pack, 2009)

: This [[Walmart]] exclusive value pack featured an unchanged Leader-class Optimus Prime sold with an unchanged [[Camshaft (Movie)|Camshaft]] from the first movie toyline. They came packaged in a special wider box and were sold for the same price as a normal Leader toy.

:Leader-class ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Megatron was available in a similar value pack at the same time, which likewise included Camshaft.

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{{anchor|AmazonDVDBlack}}
[[File:ROTF Leader OptimusPrime BlackVersion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|It's like Optimus and The Fallen had some illegitimate love child.....]]
*'''Optimus Prime Black Version''' (Leader, Japan 2009)

:An [[exclusive]] to Amazon.co.jp, this redeco of Optimus Prime is bundled with the Japanese release of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD. He is another in a long line of [[black repaint]]s, swapping most of his red and blue plastic for black, some of his bright grey plastic for a cool grey and blue, and is covered with gold and silver flames. His orange blades are now translucent blue.

:TakaraTomy improved upon the original Leader-class Optimus Prime instruction sheet by including supplementary photographed steps that were previously vague or neglected in the original release.

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{{anchor|BusterOptimus}}
[[File:ROTF Leader BusterOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Reinforcing the belief that Takara makes better toys than Hasbro.]]
*'''Buster Optimus Prime''' (Leader, Japan 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-24'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 fuel tank/exhaust assemblies - combine into [[Ion blaster]]

:This version of Leader-class Optimus Prime features a new lower face sculpt that lacks a [[faceplate]], as well as the replacement of his fuel tank/exhaust assemblies with new, transforming versions that can combine into his ion blaster/barrage cannon. To the simultaneous pleasure and displeasure of people who had already purchased the first release of Leader-class ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Optimus Prime, Buster Optimus Prime features an extensive paint job that closely matches Prime's appearance on the big screen, including covering almost all of his grey plastic with silver paint or chrome, expanding and outlining all of the flame tampographs white for greater accuracy to [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]]'s computer model, and generally painting in small details, nooks and crannies that were neglected on the first release due to cost-cutting reasons. The red and blue plastic colors also vary from the original release, to better match his film appearance.

:TakaraTomy improved upon the original Leader-class Optimus Prime instruction sheet by including supplementary photographed steps that were previously vague or neglected in the original release.

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{{anchor|JetfireBuster}}
[[File:ROTF-JetpowerOptimusPrime2Pack-OptimusPrimetoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Jetpower Optimus Prime''' (Leader 2-pack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' 2 fuel tank/exhaust assemblies - combine into [[Ion blaster]]
[[File:ROTF-JetpowerOptimusPrime2Pack-CombinedMode.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

:This [[TakaraTomy]] Asian market-[[exclusive]] Leader-class two-pack consists of a redecoed [[Jetfire (ROTF)#JetfireBuster|Jetfire]] and a slightly altered Buster Optimus Prime. Buster Optimus Prime is almost identical to the single-pack Japanese release of the toy, but unlike the standalone Buster Prime, has a head with a faceplate, itself containing more paint details than the first release of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Leader-class Optimus Prime. The flames are outlined with light blue instead of white for accuracy to the physical truck prop (though it ends up being inaccurate in robot mode). Jetfire has a subtle, more [[show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] colour scheme.

:Despite the fact that this is a TakaraTomy release, this version ''doesn't'' use the improved version of Optimus' [[instructions]], using instead the original (and less helpful) version.

:In mid 2010, this set was released in Australia. In early 2011, it was released in the Philippines. In late 2011, [[#DOTMJetfireBuster|this set]] was [[Rebranding|re-released]] in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[packaging]].

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{{anchor|FamilyMartClear}}
[[File:FamilyMartClearColorPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Making one of the most complex Transformers ever entirely out of clear plastic? What could POSSIBLY go wrong?]]
*'''Optimus Prime Limited Clear Color Edition''' (Leader, 2010)

: This translucent plastic version of Leader class Optimus Prime is Prize A in a "Family Mart" convenient store chain competition beginning in [[October]], [[2010]]. Punters can purchase entries into the competition for 500 yen each.

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===Fast Action Battlers===
[[File:ROTF FAB OptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Two blades means ''twice'' the [[Decapitation|fun]]!]]
*'''Double Blade Optimus Prime''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Projectile

:Double Blade Optimus Prime is an all-new [[Fast Action Battlers]] version of Optimus Prime, with a much more accurate sculpt and a less-inaccurate transformation. He features two spring-loaded energy swords and a projectile launcher with a single [[missile]]. It also has an undocumented ability to combine with Jetfire.
[[File:File-FAB.OPTIMUSJ.ETFIRE.ROTF.jpg|left=1.66|thumb|How hard can it be to find a photo like this?]]
:For whatever reason, his elbows have been molded so as not to bend, despite actually having real pinned elbow joints. The plastic section in the way, however, can be easily sliced out to restore full functionality.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/FABOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Double Blade Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|FABPowerArmor}}
[[File:ROTF-toy FAB PowerArmorOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Power Armor Optimus Prime''' (Fast Action Battler, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' Projectile

:Power Armor Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of Double Blade Optimus Prime, coloring much of the toy black. Intended to represent him combined with Jetfire.

{{charstubtoys}}

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===Battle Chargers===
[[File:ROTF BattleChargers OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|It's return of the bumper cars, only this time we can sit down.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Battle Charger, 2009)

:[[Robot Powered Machines|Battle Charger]] Optimus Prime is, much like the first movie line's [[Cyber Slammers]] Prime, a super-deformed truck from which a robot mode springs up as you play. The toy uses a [[pull-back motor]], and when pulled back and released, the toy's roof will flip open and Optimus Prime's cutesified robot mode will pop up.

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[[File:ROTFBattleChargersCyberArmorOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|Oh great, the front is silver. Well THAT'S a big difference...]]
*'''Cyber Armor Optimus Prime''' (Battle Charger, 2009)

:A redeco of the first Battle Charger with parts of the truck colored silver, such as the hood and hubcaps.

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===Gravity Bots===
[[File:ROTF GravityBots OptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oh no, Optimus let himself go [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|again]]!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Gravity Bot, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GB-01'''

:''[[Gravity Bot]]s'' Optimus Prime is an extremely simplified version of Optimus with a small tab on the bottom of his feet that when he placed on his feet will automatically transform him to robot mode. There is also one on his back side that when placed upon will transform him to his vehicle mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/GBOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Gravity Bots'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|BlueSteelPrime}}
[[File:ROTF-toy GravityBots BattleSteelPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Battle Steel Optimus Prime''' (Gravity Bot, 2010)

:A redeco of ''Gravity Bots'' Optimus featuring a gray hood with red flames.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/GBBattleSteelOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Gravity Bots'' Battle Steel Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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===Mega Power Bots===
[[File:ROTF-toy MegaPowerBots JetpowerOptimus.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb]]
*'''Jetpower Optimus Prime''' (Mega Power Bot, 2009)

:[[Mega Power Bots]] Jetpower Optimus Prime represents the Autobot leader in his combined form with Jetfire. Designed for younger children, he is a large, bulky, non-transforming figure with limited articulation. Pressing the Autobot insignias on his chest and arm plays various sound effects and cause blue lights to flash in his head and gun.

:As a Mega Power Bot, Optimus features what his package claims to be a transformation: his wings can flip up to become his "flight mode".

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===Robot Replicas===
[[File:ROTF RobotReplicas OptimusPrime.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Finally, he's got the sword! Now where's the other one?]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Robot Replica, 2009)

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/RROptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Robot Replica Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers'' (2010)==
===Legends Class toys===
[[File:TF2010 ROTF Legends Fireburst Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime can't deal with you!]]
*'''Fireburst Optimus Prime''' (Legends, 2010)

:''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]: [[Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' Fireburst Optimus Prime is a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Optimus Prime, retaining all the functionality of the previous releases, including the undocumented ability to combine with Jetfire.

{{-}}{{anchor|VictoryFallen}}
[[File:TF2010toy-VictoryofTheFallen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Looks like we're surrounded, Jetfire." "Who's 'we', Autobot?"]]
*'''The Victory of The Fallen''' (Kmart Exclusive Legends 5-pack, 2010)

:Optimus Prime is a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Optimus Prime with predominately red forearms and red/silver thighs. He comes bundled with redecos of [[The Fallen#Transformers (2010)|The Fallen]], [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys 3|Megatron]], [[Jetfire (ROTF)#Legends Class toys 2|Jetfire]], and [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys 3|Starscream]] in a [[Kmart]]-eclusive five-pack.

:To date, this is the only Hasbro release of this figure that acknowledges the combining feature between Jetfire and Optimus Prime.

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[[File:EZCollectionVol5OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|EVILLLLLL PRIME.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (EZ Collection, 2010)

:This Japanese exclusive release of Optimus Prime features much more black coloring than his previous releases, so as to be used with the similarly-repainted Legends Jetfire figure to form the Optimus' powered up combination.

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===Voyager Class toys===
[[File:TF2010 ROTF Voy BattleBladesOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GIVE ME YOUR, UH... MONEY!]]
*'''Battle Blades Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AA-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Matrix of Leadership, 2 Fuel Tank-Gun assemblies, removable Energon Swords

:Battle Blades Optimus Prime is a brand new sculpt that attempts to replicate his Leader Class design. He is much more movie accurate than the previous Voyager incarnations. He features two [[Dual Energon Swords|energon swords]] made of soft plastic, similar to his Leader Class incarnation, albeit not spring-loaded. They can be detached from the mushroom joints they're on, although doing this excessively may cause them to warp.

:He also has a removable [[Matrix of Leadership]] in his chest which is made of unpainted gray plastic. In an awesome homage, the Movie matrix rests on a stand molded to look like it's G1 incarnation.

:His fuel tanks can also separate from the truck panels and become two [[barrage cannon]]s. Oddly enough, these guns are mentioned nowhere on the box even though they would normally be a selling point.

:The [[instructions]] neglect to mention that the entire roof of the cab is on a concealed hinge which greatly eases the difficulty of Prime's transformation. For whatever reason, the instructions treat the toy as if the hinge does not exist, going so far as to show Prime's head magically clipping through his chest to transform. The instructions also neglect to mention that his heel/bumper pieces must be slid out until they ''click'', making the figure just that bit more stable, and that the rotating truck door panels on his upper arms can be pulled further out (but not off) from their sockets, allowing more space for the panels to swing around his hood-arms during transformation.

[[File:Aa-01-battle-blades-prime-japanese-version.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I call these bad boys the "face-takers."]]
:The TakaraTomy "Autobot Alliance" release of this toy has some significant differences, including casting the red plastic in a darker shade, making his shin and wheel joints grey rather than Hasbro's bronze, painting the Matrix of Leadership silver, and swapping out the dual energon swords for battle hooks, similar to 2010's Leader class Optimus Prime. However, due to the Japanese release retaining the Hasbro packaging, the box still advertises the dual energon swords rather than the hooks. He retains the masked face used for the Hasbro release.

:This mold was also used to make ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Darkside Optimus Prime (DOTM)|Darkside Optimus Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/BattleBladesOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Battle Blades Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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===Leader Class toys===
[[File:TF2010 ROTF LeaderOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Reinforcing the belief that Hasbro makes better toys than Takara.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AA-01'''

:This retool of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Leader-Class Optimus Prime features the head from Buster Optimus Prime and has had his blades replaced with semi-articulated Battle Hooks for face-destroying action! He has a darker paint job and sports black splotches on his body and head to signify battle damage. However, due to these extra "battle damage" paint applications, some other paint applications that were present on the Revenge of the Fallen release were omitted. He also sports a new voice box in robot mode, replacing the infamous "I am Optimus Prime!" with "We must stop the Decepticons!" The international release, however, retains the same abbreviated "Optimus Prime" sound clip as the original release. To the annoyance of many fans, this version was the main version released just about ''anywhere'' outside the United States (all of Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia). The box also mentions racing sounds, which may or may not be referring to the button-activated diesel engine noises carried over from the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' version of the figure.
:This version uses the TakaraTomy version of the instructions, which improved upon the original Leader-Class Optimus Prime instruction sheet by including supplementary photographed steps that were previously vague or neglected in the original release.
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===Activators===
[[File:TF2010-toy Activators OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Activator, 2010)

:A small and simple toy, ''[[Activators]]'' Optimus Prime features [[autotransformation]] from truck to robot, activated by a button on his roof. It has no weapons or any other [[gimmick]]s.

{{-}}{{anchor|RallyRumble}}
[[File:TF2010-toy Activators RallyRumbleOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Rally Rumble Optimus Prime''' (Activator, 2010)

:A redeco of ''Activators'' Optimus Prime with a red cab and rally-themed markings like lightning bolts and the number 01.

: During the period between [[December 26]] 2010 and [[January 31]] 2011, Hasbro ran their "[[Supercharge Your Holidays]]" promotion: for every $20 spent on Hasbro-branded product, customers could receive a free, random product from a list provided by Hasbro. Among the items on the list was "Transformers Activator & Speed Stars Mini Vehicle". According to [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75487 this discussion thread on Allspark.com], Rally Rumble Optimus Prime (as the figure is listed in the thread) was one of the figures distributed.

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===Power Bots===
[[File:TF2010-toy PowerBots OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2010)

:''[[Power Bots]]'' Optimus Prime is similar to the Mega Power Bot from ''Revenge of the Fallen'', but depicts Prime's regular form with his swords deployed. He does not transform, but plays various sounds if you press his Autobot insignia or move his arms.

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==Dark of the Moon==
===Cyberverse===
{{anchor|CyberversePreview}}
[[File:DOTM 3DPreview Cyberverse OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|These glasses allow Optimus to see the aliens in his midst. Wait a minute..]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' [[Jet pack]], two rifles

:This version of [[Cyberverse]] Commander class Optimus Prime was released as a "Limited Edition Preview" in [[Calendar|March]] [[2011]], over two months before the full release of the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' toyline on [[May 16]], 2011. Optimus comes with a jetpack that can combine with both his truck and robot modes. The jetpack attaches via [[C joint]] clips, and the jetpack can transform in and out of a winged configuration when Optimus is in truck mode. Optimus himself features C joint bars for his smokestacks and trailer hitch, as well as bars on the top of his headache rack, while his hands and jetpack can hold/mount his rifles via C joint-related 3mm clips/holes.

:He comes packaged with a pair of [[Wikipedia:Anaglyph image|Anaglyph]] 3-D glasses for use on the transformers.com website, but they cannot be used to view 3D movies in cinemas.

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{{anchor|CyberverseCommander}}
[[File:DOTM CyberverseCommander OptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Steer clear of hanging cables.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''001'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV04'''
**''Accessories:'' Jetpack, two rifles

:This is the regular release of the Preview Cyberverse Commander Optimus Prime detailed above, obviously lacking the 3D glasses.

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{{anchor|CyberverseActionSet}}
[[File:DOTM CyberverseActionSet OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Perfect for fighting queen xenomorphs.]]
*'''Optimus Prime / Armored Weapons Platform''' (Cyberverse Action Set, 2011)
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''004'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV12'''
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:This release is a redeco of the Cyberverse Commander Optimus Prime figure, with a lighter gradient paint job that lacks the flames, and with Optimus sporting a G1 insignia. Instead of his jetpack and guns, he comes with his trailer/[[Armored Weapons Platform#Cyberverse|Armored Weapons Platform]], which can transform into a base and exo-suit. The trailer itself features movie-style insignias.

:Like the other Cyberverse Action sets, there is an included cardboard backdrop for display.

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{{anchor|BattleSteel}}
[[File:DOTMCVComBattleSteelOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"WHAT'S THAT? WHAT DID YOU SAY? I CAN'T HEAR YOU WITH THESE MASSIVE CANNONS FIRING BESIDE MY HEAD!"]]
*'''Battle Steel Optimus Prime''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2011)
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''008'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''CV20'''
**''Accessories:'' Dual Cannons, two Energy Swords

:This release is ''another'' redeco of Cyberverse Optimus Prime, this time with a predominately navy scheme with black accents, and a pair of [[barrage cannon]]s that can be either held or mounted on his smokestacks, as well as a pair of [[Dual Energon Swords|handheld swords]]. He is compatible with all his previously released Cyberverse accessories, but not all at once.

:The official [[stock photography|stock photo]] of the toy in its packaging featured its name as simply "Optimus Prime", but the final version of the toy available at retail is named "Battle Steel Optimus Prime".

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{{anchor|Battleinthemoonlight}}
[[File:DOTMBITMCVACOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Fighting evil by moonlight / winning love by daylight / never running from a real fight / He is the one named Sailor Prime.]]
*'''Battle in the Moonlight''' (Cyberverse multi-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A [[Walmart]] exclusive set featuring a [[redeco]] of Optimus Prime in swapped red and blue with light gray and his Cyberverse [[Armored Weapons Platform#Battleinthemoonlight|Armored Weapons Platform]] in dark "night sky" themed colors and stickers.

:The set also includes redecoes of [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Battleinthemoonlight|Ratchet]] and [[Crankcase (DOTM)#Battleinthemoonlight|Crankcase]], as well as a large, badly photoshopped diorama featuring a photo of a daytime city with a night backdrop and a ruined Dodge Neon on the right side, complete with Dodge insignia.

:The [[stock photography]] shows the trailer with an intentional defacement mark that does not appear on the retail release. Oops.

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{{anchor|Ultimategift}}
[[File:DOTMUGCVCOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime in his early [[Units of time|cycle]]s. His interest in playing Autocops and Robbercons seemed so innocent back then...]]
*'''Ultimate Gift Set''' (Cyberverse multi-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Jetpack, two rifles

:A [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] set featuring a [[redeco]] of the first Cyberverse Commander Optimus Prime figure, featuring moderately brighter colors and paint, while his jetpack and rifles are now black, with the jetpack's wings having silver flames. He also lacks the flame pattern on top of his hood, and features different flame patterns on the sides of the hood.

:He's mis-transformed in the [[stock photography|stock photo]] to the right: His legs haven't been extended.

:He comes in a 5-pack with redecos of [[Crowbar#Ultimategift|Crowbar]], [[Powerglide (DOTM)#Ultimategift|Powerglide]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Ultimategift|Bumblebee]], and [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Ultimategift|Sideswipe]].

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===Deluxe Class toys===
{{anchor|walmartdlx}}[[File:DOTM Optimus Deluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Deluxe, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Blaster/Energon Battle Axe

:Exclusive to [[Walmart]], this Deluxe Class Optimus Prime is an all-new mold, close in scale to Voyager Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys 4|Megatron]]. He has a high range of motion, with ball jointed shoulders and hips, swivels at the neck, knees, and feet, and double swivels in the elbows. As a result of the transformation process, he can also rotate at the waist, though this is hindered considerably by his "backpack" [[kibble]]. This can be remedied by pointing the truck nose downward, as it is in the packaging.

:Optimus Prime features a [[MechTech]] Blaster that can convert into an Energon Battle Axe reminiscent of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Generation 1 character's]] [[Energon-axe|iconic weapon]], though the weapon cannot be locked in battle axe mode. There is also a pair of C joint rods on the underside of both forearms. His MechTech blaster can plug into the port on each of his arms or be held in either hand in robot mode, or plug into one of two holes on his truck roof/robot shoulders.

:His MechTech weapon was redecoed from [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys 3|Mudflap]]'s weapon.

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[[File:DOTMLunarfireOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Yes, the only image we could get of this Wal-Mart exclusive is from a data book released in a country where the toy didn't even come out. Note: astronaut not included.]]
{{anchor|Lunarfire}}
*'''Lunarfire Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Deluxe, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Ion Blaster/Cannon

:This redeco of the aforementioned Deluxe Class Optimus Prime toy is also exclusive to Walmart, features gold flames and highlights, as well as more prominent blue areas. He comes packed with a red version of ''Dark of the Moon'' MechTech Voyager Class Optimus Prime's Ion Blaster/Cannon.

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===Voyager Class toys===
[[File:DOTM Voyager OptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Yeah, I'm compensating... for YO MOMMA.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA17'''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Ion Blaster/Battle Cannon

:''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Optimus Prime is an all-new mold. He features heatshield details in his sculpting and translucent solar panels on various parts of his body, and huge gas tanks. Optimus himself is differently proportioned, having larger feet and a smaller torso and arms. He also features some [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|faux-kibble]] in the form of his actual windshield chest being covered by a sculpted panel featuring his characteristic deformed windshield-chest.

:He comes with a large [[MechTech]] Ion Blaster that can convert into a "Battle Cannon". Like all of the MechTech Voyager class toys, this deployed form can lock into place. Specifically, the weapon must be pressed all the way in and rotated to lock it.

:In Japan, he was released as "''Space Optimus Prime''"
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{{anchor|VoyagerTrailer}}
[[File:DOTM Voyager OptimusPrime trailer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Omae no kao o kure!]]
*'''Optimus Prime / MechTech Trailer''' (MechTech Voyager, [[May 14]], 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA03'''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Ion Blaster/Energy Blade, MechTech trailer

:This is a [[retool]] of the Optimus Prime featured above, removing the heatshield and solar panels, as well as replacing any rocket booster parts (such as his heels) and gas tanks with normal parts.

:He also has a new MechTech [[Ion blaster]] with a flip-out [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon Sword]], and like all Voyager Class MechTech weapons, it can lock into place by latching one of the lever to the body of the gun.

:His MechTech [[Armored Weapons Platform#Voyager Class toys|trailer]] opens up much like Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s trailer (as well as being able to stand up to harken back to the Generation 1 [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]]'s upright mode), includes storage for many MechTech weapons inside and out, and is able to transport up to two Deluxe class Autobots.

:As with all Japanese ''Dark of the Moon'' releases, this set comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.

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{{anchor|OptimusComettor}}
[[File:DOTMtoy-OptimusPrimeVoyagerwithComettor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''They don't want to hurt me 
''Or my dad or my mom. 
''All they want to do is 
''Take me to the prom.'']]

*'''Optimus Prime''' / '''Includes Deluxe Class Comettor''' (Multi-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Matrix of Leadership, 2 fuel tank gun assemblies, removable Battle Hooks

:This [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] redeco and retool of the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]] [[#Voyager Class toys 3|"Battle Blades" Optimus Prime toy]] features the Japanese release's hooks (instead of swords), plus an all-new [[mouthplate]]-less, mouthed face. As part of the set's lunar theme, reflections of stars are painted across his vehicle mode sides and on his windshield, with a sharp reflection of [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] in one of his windows. This time, his [[Matrix of Leadership]] is cast in orange plastic.

:This exclusive has a peculiar and common error in that the arm hooks' hubs stick out farther than they should, causing a gap that runs down the middle of the cab's nose in vehicle mode.

:Optimus comes with a "bonus value" Deluxe Class toy, [[Comettor (DOTM)|Comettor]]. The pair together cost a dollar less than a regular Voyager Class toy. It was also available at Galeria Kaufhof department stores in Germany, with Comettor ''not'' highlighted as a "bonus" figure.

:In [[Australia]], this release was available at [[Kmart]] for a considerably lower price than a regular Voyager Class toy.

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{{anchor|DOTMVoyFireburst}}
[[File:DOTM MechTechVoyager FireburstOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Give me your..." ''[Deploys axe]'' "'''SOUL!!'''"]]
*'''Fireburst Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA24'''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Rifle/[[Cybertanium]] Battle Axe

:Fireburst Optimus Prime is a redeco of the standard ''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Optimus Prime, sporting a darker shade of blue and a "burning" color scheme that includes replacing all translucent blue parts with translucent orange.

:He comes with a MechTech rifle converts into a large battle axe, and can be locked in by pulling the lever all the way in and tilting it into a gap to the left. The rifle has a separate flip-out handle, while the axe uses the rifle's long barrel as the handle, meaning that Optimus can grip the axe with both of his hands. This weapon was also retooled in a running change, adding a stop to the handle instead of relying solely on the gear system to prevent the locking assembly from flying off into parts unknown.

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{{anchor|TritaniumPrime}}
[[File:DOTM Voyager LuckyDraw TritaniumOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Tritanium Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Ion Blaster/Energy Blade, MechTech trailer

:This gold [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] version of Voyager Class ''Dark of the Moon'' Optimus Prime (with [[Armored Weapons Platform#TritaniumPrime|trailer]]) is a prize in [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] campaign. To qualify for winning this toy, one needed to have entered all three ''Dark of the Moon'' campaigns (beginning on [[May 14]], 2011). This toy is limited to 100 pieces.

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{{anchor|CyberArmour}}
*'''Optimus Prime vs. Shockwave''' (MechTech Voyager-Class two-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Ion Blaster/Battle Cannon

: This [[Costco]]-[[exclusive]] two-pack contains an unchanged ''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Optimus Prime alongside [[Shockwave (Movie)#CyberArmour|a unique redeco of Voyager-Class Shockwave]].

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{{anchor|StreetsideBotBrawl}}
[[File:DOTMVoyOptimusStreetsideBotBrawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Streetside Bot Brawl''' (Multi-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Cybertronian Cannon A, Cybertronian Cannon B

:Part of the [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive "Streetside Bot Brawl" three-pack, this is a battle-damaged redeco of the initial ''Dark of the Moon'' Optimus Prime toy. Unlike the other figures in this set, Optimus received a different set of MechTech weapons from his standard release: he was given redecos of [[Laserbeak (DOTM)#Dark of the Moon|Laserbeak's]] cannons.

:He was sold with a grey and purple redeco of ''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager-Class [[Shockwave (Movie)#StreetsideBotBrawl|Shockwave]] and a battle-damaged redeco of ''Dark of the Moon'' Deluxe-Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#StreetsideBotBrawl|Bumblebee]].

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===Leader Class toys===
[[File:DOTMSupremeStrikerOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Mobile Armored Strike Kommander.]]
*'''Striker Optimus''' (MechTech Leader, [[November 17]] 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA28'''
**''Accessories:'' Eliminator Gun & Assault Blaster (forms Mega Striker), shield/battle shield

: Labeled as a "[[Triple Changer]]", Striker Optimus is a redeco and retool of ''Dark of the Moon'' Supreme Class Jetwing Optimus Prime, with new weapons. The base figure has most of the same mold changes as Jetwing Optimus Prime (see below), but has been altered further; in particular, the transforming smokestacks and fuel tanks/ion blaster parts have been replaced with retooled regular tanks that now function as mounts for the new accessories. The colors on the toy are darker than Jetwing Optimus, with a different flame deco that extends farther along the sides of the toy. Additionally, two new 5mm holes have been added to the gray hinge behind the cab in order to accommodate the [[Toys"R"Us|Toys R Us Japan]]-exclusive battle blade accessories. The "I am Optimus Prime" saying of Buster Optimus Prime has also been replaced with the "We must stop the Decepticons!" saying of 2010 ''Transformers'' Optimus Prime, although batteries are not included.

:He comes with shield with a fold-out handle, allowing Optimus to hold onto it with either hand in robot mode. It has a simple transformation gimmick for vehicle mode which is activated by pressing a button at the top of the shield, causing the sides to spring outwards. In vehicle mode, the shield can be laid flat across the bed of the truck, attaching via a post on the back onto the truck’s trailer hitch. Alternatively, the bumpers on the shield can be rotated outwards, and the front bent down in order to form a new front end and hood for "battle vehicle mode", resembling the [[Stealth Force]] vehicles modes seen in ''Dark of the Moon''.

:The figure also comes with two gun accessories, the "Eliminator Gun" and "Assault Blaster", which combine into the "Mega Striker", a rifle that closely resembles the one used in ''Dark of the Moon''. The separate guns also have a MechTech-style transformation, and pulling a lever transforms them into alternate crossbow-like shapes. In "battle vehicle mode", the sides of the truck are rotated up, and the guns can be attached by small pegs to holes in the modified smokestacks, or they can plugged into any of the standard connection points with their [[5mm post]]s... except the ones on the hinge behind the cab, since those are supposed to be for his Energon battle blades.

:As with all Japanese ''Dark of the Moon'' releases, this set comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his new rifle in its combined mode for the MechTech Wars online game.

:Due to the remolding of the smokestacks, Striker Optimus cannot use the Jetwing pack in robot mode.

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{{anchor|DOTMJetfireBuster}}
* '''Jetpower Optimus Prime''' (Leader 2-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 fuel tank/exhaust assemblies - combine into [[Ion blaster]]

:A re-release of the [[#JetfireBuster|Jetpower Optimus Prime two-pack]], this time in ''Dark of the Moon''-branded packaging. Both toys are unchanged.

{{picsneeded}}
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{{anchor|DOTMMovie2Pack}}
* '''Optimus Prime versus Megatron''' (Leader 2-pack, 2012)
:A re-release of the ''Movie'' Leader Class toy, Optimus Prime comes in a Taiwanese-exclusive two-pack alongside the ''Movie'' Leader Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#DOTMMovie2Pack|Megatron]] toy.

====Asia Premium Series====
[[File:APStoy-APS01StrikerOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|I even cost the same as [[#Leader Class toys 4|the other guy]]. It pays to wait, doesn't it?]]
*'''Striker Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Leader, [[November 6|11-06]]-12)
**''Asia ID number:'' '''APS01'''
**''Accessories:'' Eliminator Gun & Assault Blaster (forms Mega Striker), shield/battle shield, two battle blades

:The first release in the Asian-exclusive ''[[Asia Premium Series]]'' toyline is an extensive redeco of the previously-Japanese exclusive [[#Leader Class toys 4|Striker Optimus]]. He features a comprehensive paint scheme directly based on [[#JetfireBuster|Jetpower Optimus Prime]], with blue pinstriped flames, lots of silver paint, and [[vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] parts, although his hands are left unpainted in favor of painting his mirrors silver. Along with his standard accessories, he also comes with 2 battle blades, which were previously exclusive to Toys"R"Us Japan. He features the "We must stop the Decepticons!" voice chip, but batteries are not included. Rather helpfully, his instructions are supplemented with text instructions written in English for all the steps, as well as the additional photographs used for the previous Striker Optimus toy.

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===Supreme Class toys===
[[File:DOTM MechTech JetwingOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Insert [[John DiMaggio|Aquaman's]] rousing song of heroism right here.]]
*'''Jetwing Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Supreme, Australia: [[June 11]], Japan: [[June 18]]-[[June 19|19]] 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA15'''
**''Accessories:'' Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B

:Jetwing Optimus Prime is a retool of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Leader class Buster Optimus Prime, with an accompanying large jet pack and massive dual Gatling Cannons. The base Optimus Prime figure has several modifications including: a new stomach area and elbow flares to reflect the changes to Optimus Prime's CG model in ''Dark of the Moon'', modified lower arms to incorporate MechTech ports and clips for the cannons, and a retooled area under his back so the jet pack can fit on more securely. The dual energon blades mounted on his arms have been removed. The toy retains Buster Optimus Prime's electronics, but batteries are not included.

:The Jetwing jet pack attaches onto Optimus Prime via a part that hooks onto one of the hinges behind his neck, and a spring-loaded clamp that latches onto a recessed area under Optimus' back. The fuel tanks that form Optimus' Ion Blaster must be removed for this mode, and they can be stored inside the engines for the jet pack. The Jetwing can be used on previous Leader Optimus Primes from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' onwards, but due to the lack modifications seen in Jetwing Optimus Prime, the combination isn't as stable. The jet pack features four MechTech ports on the main wing articulation points, and two [[C joint]] mounting points on each wing. The Gatling Cannons both feature two MechTech ports and 2 C joint mounts on either side of each cannon.

:The design of the Jetwing jet pack and its cannons were based upon earlier concept art for Optimus Prime's flight tech for ''Dark of the Moon'', and as such are not accurate to how his equipment appears in the movie itself.

:As with all Japanese ''Dark of the Moon'' releases, this set comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.

:Jetwing Optimus Prime was available for early purchase in Japan at the International Tokyo Toy Show 2011 (held at Tokyo Bic Sight) on [[June 18]] to [[June 19|19]], shortly before its wide release in July.

:However, the toy was available in [[Australia]] a week before the Tokyo Toy Show, packaged in translated English packaging and instructions by Tomy Asia.

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{{anchor|JetwingBlack}}
[[File:BlackJetwingOptimusPrimeJapan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version''' (MechTech Supreme, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B

:Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version was to have been a Japanese raffle prize exclusive to Circle K<ref>http://tyouhen2.seesaa.net/article/194776966.html</ref> stores, along the lines of the clear ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Leader Optimus Prime (see above). No official information about it or the other raffle prizes ever appeared after the initial images surfaced.

{{canceledtoy}}

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{{anchor|DarkNightwatchJetwing}}
[[File:DOTMDarkNightwatchJetwingOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Despite his [[Scourge (RID)#Notes|color]], we can assure you this one is not a bad guy.]]
*'''JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver.''' (MechTech Supreme, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B

:JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver. is a black, teal, and [[Vacuum metallizing|chrome]] redeco of Jetwing Optimus Prime exclusive to the Asian market. He appears to have been based on the cancelled TakaraTomy contest prize Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (see above), with a few color alterations here and there, plus the obvious addition of chrome. It was originally solicited by online retailers as the far goofier-sounding "Dark Nightwatch Jetwing Optimus Prime".

:It comes in packaging identical to TakaraTomy's Jetwing Optimus Prime figure, with the exception of an additional sticker on the front denoting the toy's name.

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{{anchor|AmazonJetwing}}
[[File:DOTMtoy-JetwingOptimusPrimeAmazon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Jetwing Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Supreme, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B

:This redeco of Jetwing Optimus Prime is a North American [[Amazon (website)|Amazon.com]] and 2013 [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive. Among other deco changes, he features Generation 1-style trailer stripes on his Jetwing jet pack, Movie-style flame color gradient on his Gatling Cannons, and [[AllSpark Power]] blue paint on the mechanical detailing.

:The box seems to have been created rather hastily from the Japanese original. It is roughly identical to the Tomy release, but with the Japanese text edited out... mostly. Random Japanese text remains floating in space on the top of the back panel and underneath the "Jetwing Optimus Prime" name on the front. Curiously, the left flap has been rewritten to eliminate mention of [[NEST]] and the jetpack's ability to detach, while the right flap has been (badly) edited to remove all mentions of [[MechTech]].

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===Ultimate===
{{anchor|UltimatePrime}}
[[File:DOTM UltimateOptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Truck forearms of '''DOOM'''!]]
*'''Ultimate Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Ultimate, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DA32'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Omega Combat Armor, MechTech Ultimax Super Cannon

:Billed on his packaging as "BIGGEST Optimus Prime Toy!", Ultimate Optimus Prime consists of an articulated tractor-trailer. The cab can transform into a "normal" Optimus Prime on its own, roughly equivalent to a Voyager in size and complexity, though with a lower degree of screen-accuracy than most large Optimus toys. Prime has 5mm fist holes, as well as additional 5mm ports on his front wheel wells and both sets of external fuel tanks. Four of these remain available in robot mode. The trailer has twelve more 5mm ports. Despite this, the toy comes with no weapons scaled such that the cab-only robot can usefully wield them.

:The real selling point of the toy, however, is the colossal Omega Combat Armor. [[Armored Weapons Platform#Ultimate|Optimus' trailer]] transforms into nearly two feet of limb extensions, armor, and wings. The armor remains completely integrated (except for the Ultimax Super Cannon) during transformation, with no [[Partformer|partsforming]], although this renders the final power-up robot mode somewhat limited in articulation, having no leg articulation whatsoever aside from swinging the hips out slightly and twisting at the ankles for maximum stability. The armor adds six more 5mm ports of dubious utility around the feet, retains the four from the cab robot and the eight from the trailer (on the backs of the wings), and has his own pair of 5mm fist holes. In trailer mode, it can support itself using folding blue landing gear, although the attached ball-jointed struts make it somewhat less than realistic.

:The centerpiece of the power-up robot mode is Prime's gigantic Ultimax Super Cannon, an electronic light-and-sound weapon the size and mass of a Deluxe figure. The whole cannon attaches to a special socket slightly behind Prime's shoulders, can store on the back or flip over to be gripped in both fists in armor mode, or stored upside-down underneath the trailer in truck mode. When pointed forward, the cannon has a larger helmet styled after Prime's own with a large translucent face shield featuring a painted targeting system. The weapon has three electronic modes: each of two small buttons plays its own weapon-firing noise and flashes one set of lights, while the large pull-switch in the cannon's center plays the sounds of a powerful barrage, flashing both sets of lights and (every third time) finishing off with the declaration "I am Optimus Prime". The Ultimax Super Cannon also has two of its own 5mm ports for even more MechTech firepower. When mounted on his back, the Cannon has two hook-like sections that securely lock into the "backpack", allowing the Ultimax weapon to serve as a handle for Optimus' imaginary "flight" operations.

:Although the trailer is made exclusively for the cab with which it comes, it is scaled much more closely to and can be pulled by Optimus Prime's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Leader class iteration.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/UltimateOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Ultimate Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|SDCCUltimatePrime}}
[[File:SDCCUltimateOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*'''Ultimate Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Ultimate, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Omega Combat Armor, MechTech Ultimax Super Cannon

:Available exclusively at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] and their booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2011, this version of Ultimate Optimus Prime is presented in vehicle mode, packaged into a large, foil-embossed bubble packaging (similar to late ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' packaging) styled after Optimus Prime's trailer, with an additional foil-embossed sleeve styled after the hood of Optimus Prime's truck. Exclusive to this release is a set of stickers one can apply to [[Armored Weapons Platform#SDCCUltimatePrime|the trailer]]. The toy itself is otherwise identical to the regular retail release.

{{picsneeded|Stickers}}

{{-}}{{anchor|YOTDPrime}}
[[File:DOTMtoy-UltimateOptimusPrimeYOTD.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Oh, there's ''going'' to be fireworks...]]
*'''Ultimate Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Ultimate, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Omega Combat Armor, MechTech Ultimax Super Cannon

:This is a redeco of Ultimate Optimus Prime. While Prime himself only features a red grill, the [[Armored Weapons Platform#YOTDPrime|trailer]] has been extensively redecoed, with an ornate golden Chinese dragon being painted on the trailer panels, and the various gray parts of the trailer panels, armor, and cannon being replaced by blue, red, gold, and burgundy. The toy was released as a "[[Wikipedia:Dragon (zodiac)|Year of the Dragon]]" Special Edition in [[2012]], since the Chinese Zodiac sign for that year is the Dragon.

:This toy was later made available in North America as an Amazon.com exclusive.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/YOTDOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Year of the Dragon Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

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===Robo Power===
====Activators====
{{anchor|DOTMActivators}}
[[File:DOTM Activators OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2011)
:As with other Dark of the Moon Activators toys, this Optimus Prime (released under the [[Robo Power]] subline) is a very simple one-step transformation toy. You simply slam him down on the big blue button on the back end of his truck mode and he transforms thanks to spring-loaded mechanisms. To transform him back, just slam him down again on the same blue button.

:Shockingly, he actually has arm articulation! Swivels at his shoulders allow you to rotate his arms 360 degrees! Go little Prime! Unfortunately, because his big blue button sits right under his feet, his robot mode is a little unstable when it comes to standing.

:Prime was packaged in vehicle mode on an open, bubble-less card and tied down with twist-ties around the body of his truck form so that he couldn't be transformed in package.
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====Bash Bots====
[[File:DOTM BashBots OptimusPrimeVsStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime Vs Starscream''' (2011)

{{charstubtoys}}
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====Go-Bots====
[[File:DOTMGoBotsOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|woobwoobwoobwoobwoob]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2011)
:[[Robo Power#Go-Bots|Go-Bot]]s Optimus Prime is built around the same pull-back and auto-transform mechanisms as all the ''Dark of the Moon'' Go-Bots toys. Prime's pull-back motor can be used in either robot or vehicle mode.

:In robot mode, the motor gimmick really comes to the fore—his head, shoulders, and legs move in time with his forward movement. His legs pump up and down, his shoulders pump up and down, and his head rocks side-to-side. This gives the toy the illusion that it's running, rather than just rolling.

:The other gimmick for Prime is his auto-transform gimmick. From truck mode, push him down on his back bumper and his bonnet automatically folds back and his arms automatically pop out. He needs to be transformed back manually.

:In robot mode, Go-Bots Optimus Prime has a limited swivel joint for head articulation, and while he has other movable joints, all of them are spring-loaded and unable to hold a pose.
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====Revving Robots====
[[File:DOTM RevvingRobots OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2011)

{{charstubtoys}}
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====Robo Fighters====
[[File:DOTM Robofighters OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2011)

{{charstubtoys}}
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{{anchor|NightwatchRoboFighters}}
[[File:DOTM Robofighters Nightwatch Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|Because blue swords are known to be more effective during night ops.]]
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (2011)

{{charstubtoys}}
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==Chronicle==
[[File:EZCollectionChronicleOptimusPrimeToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (EZ Collection, 2011)

:''[[Transformers Chronicle|Chronicle]]'' EZ Collection Optimus Prime is a redeco of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Legends Class]] Optimus Prime toy, which is based on his Victory of The Fallen toy. Like other ''Chronicle'' Legends toys, he is sold in a blindpacked box.

{{-}}{{anchor|Chronicle2Pack}}
[[File:Chronicle ehobby primes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''G1 Optimus Prime & Movie Optimus Prime''' (multi-pack, 2011)
**''ID number:'' '''CH01'''
**''Accessories:'' [[MechTech]] Blaster/Hand Cannon, trailer

:''Chronicle'' "Movie Optimus Prime" is an e-Hobby exclusive redeco of the Deluxe-Class ''Dark of the Moon'' Optimus Prime figure, and comes in a two-pack with a reissue of the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G1MoviePrime|Optimus Prime figure]]. Instead of the blaster/axe MechTech weapon the original release of the figure came with, Prime is armed with a redeco of ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Jolt (ROTF)#Dark of the Moon|Jolt]]'s Blaster/Hand Cannon weapon.

:The set comes with a deluxe-scaled version of Prime's ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Armored Weapons Platform#Chronicle|trailer]], which is compatible with both figures, and sports [[5mm post]]-holes that will hold (among many other things) G1 Prime's laser rifle and the [[MechTech]] weapon Movie Prime is armed with.

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==Movie Trilogy Series==
[[File:MovieTrilogyOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2012)
**''Accessories:'' [[Armored Weapons Platform#Movie Trilogy Series|Trailer]]

:Another redeco of Deluxe-Class ''Dark of the Moon'' Prime, this release uses a darker grey, a less magenta-y red, and less gold on the front end. Like the ''Chronicle'' release, it comes with a trailer and has a minor retool in the fifth-wheel hitch to accommodate it. The trailer holds up to seven MechTech or similar 5mm peg accessories. Four holes are located on the top-front end of the trailer, with another three inside. The door also folds down to become a ramp, and the inside of the trailer is big enough for several Legion or Commander Cyberverse toys, or one smaller-end Deluxe figure. Two [[C joint]] bars also run along the bottom of both sides.

:Unlike the Japanese release, no weapon accessories are included.

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==Age of Extinction==
===Robots in Disguise===
{{anchor|Smash&Change}}
[[File:Flip change optimus prime 1st.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I'm a little teapot short and stout. Here is my handle, here is... okay, maybe not.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Flip & Change series, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgment

:Smash & Change Optimus Prime is a simple figure that transforms by "smashing" the rear end of the truck/the robot's feet into the ground. He features only elbow articulation in robot mode, and includes a sword accessory that can be held in his hand or mounted on the side of his truck mode. The handle on the rear of his truck mode is molded to emulate his Vector Shield.
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{{anchor|SKSmash&Change}}
[[File:AoE smash and change Silver Knight Optimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Silver Knight Optimus Prime''' (Flip & Change series, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgment
:A Target-exclusive redeco of the Smash & Change Optimus Prime toy featuring silver chromed parts.
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{{anchor|OneStep}}
[[File:AoE 1-step Optimus Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (One Step Changers, 2014)
:Similar to the ''[[Activators]]'' toyline, One-Step Changer Optimus Prime features a spring-loaded transformation. He features swivel articulation in the head and both arms. He shares a similar (not identical) transformation with his fellow One-Step changer, Hound.
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{{anchor|SKOneStep}}
*'''''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' Collection''' (One-Step Changer six-pack, 2014)
:The "''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' Collection" includes a Silver Knight redeco of the One-Step Changer Optimus Prime toy.
{{comingsoontoy}}
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{{anchor|PowerBattler}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Power Battlers, 2014)
:Power Battlers Optimus Prime is a simplified, deluxe-class sized toy with a 'Blade Strike' gimmick in robot mode.

:This mold was later redecoed into Power Battler Nemesis Prime
{{comingsoontoy}}
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{{anchor|DinoSparker}}
[[File:AoE dino sparker Optimus and Grimlock.jpg|thumb||upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime with Grimlock''' (Dino Sparkers, 2014)
:Dino Sparkers Optimus Prime is a static, non-moving figure of Optimus Prime's "evasion mode" body, wielding a sword, and riding on a translucent chunk of plastic that sorta resembles Grimlock's [[beast mode]]. Pulling back and releasing it causes [[sparking gimmick|sparks]] to spray out of Grimlock's mouth.
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{{anchor|TitanHero}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Titan Heroes, 2014)
:A 12-inch non-transforming figure of Optimus Prime with five points of articulation.
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{{anchor|SKTitanHero}}
*'''Silver Knight Optimus Prime''' (Titan Heroes, 2014)
:A Target-exclusive redeco of the Titan Heroes Optimus Prime toy, coated in shiny silver paint.
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{{anchor|TitanGuardian}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Titan Guardians, 2014)
:A 16-inch, simplified non-transforming statue of Optimus Prime with five points of articulation, based on the 'Evasion Mode' design.
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{{anchor|TitanHeroWeapon}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Titan Hero with weapon, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword
:A new-mold 12-inch non-transforming figure of 'Silver Knight' Optimus Prime with five points of articulation and a sword accessory. He has appeared only as an Australian [[Big W]] exclusive.
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{{anchor|TitanHeroElectronic}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Electronic Titan Heroes, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword
:A new-mold 12-inch non-transforming figure of 'Evasion Mode' Optimus Prime with five points of articulation, a sword accessory, and electronic sound effects activated by pressing his Autobot insignia. In the US and UK he is exclusive to [[Kmart]] and [[Argos]] respectively.
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===Generations===
===="First Edition" toys====
{{anchor|FirstEd}}
[[File:AOEtoy-FirstEditionOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|If you paid 80 bucks for this... you have our condolences.]]
*'''First Edition Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**'''14 OF 30'''
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgment, Sentinel Shield

: First Edition Optimus Prime is, as his title suggests, the first toy available to the public from the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toy line]]. Prime is an all-new Leader Class-sized figure, featuring his new Western Star "5700 OP" concept truck vehicle mode and his updated robot mode from the film. His transformation is much simpler than his counterparts from the previous three movie lines, being billed as transforming in "15 easy steps." His torso, shoulders, upper legs, and the vehicle mode grill are all completely chrome with the exception of minor blue and red details painted on his chest. However, this comes at the expense of his smokestacks and wheels being bare gray plastic, whereas they are chromed in the film. His simplified transformation also comes at the expense of having a very bulky "backpack" of [[kibble]] composed of the rear of the truck cab and the fuel tanks, limiting his shoulder and hip [[articulation]].

:He includes the Sword of Judgment and Sentinel Shield accessories, which he can respectively wield and mount on his left forearm, all via 6mm post. In truck mode, the sword is stored underneath, while the shield mounts onto the trailer hitch. The sword also features a [[5mm post]] on its hilt. Interestingly, the truck mode is able to pull G1 Optimus Prime's trailer.

:He was only available as an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] exclusive in the United States, but was also released at brick and mortar retails in Australia and Hasbro's Asian markets, such as Singapore. Oddly enough, even though the official press release for the figure identifies it as "14 of 30" in Hasbro's ''[[Thrilling 30#30 exclusive toys|Thrilling 30]]'' campaign, the [[packaging]] does not sport any such markings.<ref name="fepress">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/news/Transformers-Movie-4-Optimus-Prime-Action-Figure-First-Edition.cfm Official Hasbro press release for ''Age of Extinction'' First Edition Optimus Prime]</ref>

:Some units lack the silver paint on the sword and shield.
{{-}}

{{anchor|PESilverKnight}}
[[File:PlatinumEditiontoy-SilverKnightOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Surprise! You get to buy ''two'' of me!]]
*'''Silver Knight Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgment, Sentinel Shield

:A redeco of First Edition Optimus Prime in the 'Silver Knight' scheme.
{{-}}

{{anchor|PEWithTrailer}}
*'''Optimus Prime with Trailer and Sideswipe''' (2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgement
:Another redeco of First Edition Optimus Prime with a faceplated head, minor changes to the flame colors that is slathered in chrome. Comes in a two-pack with a redecoed ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], using the alternate [[Swerve (Movie)|Swerve]] head, along with the MP-10 trailer without Roller.
:In the US, this set was a BigBadToyStore exclusive, whilst in Taiwan, it was available to purchase during a event celebrating the launch of [[Transformers Rising]].
{{-}}

====Legion Class toys====
{{anchor|TV-KunLegion}}
[[File:Lost Age OptimusPrimeClearVersion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"It's true. This mould is back!" "Yes, consumers, and this time no force in the universe can stop me."]]
*'''Optimus Prime (Clear Ver.)''' (EZ Collection, 2014)
:Optimus Prime (Clear Ver.) is a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Legends Class Optimus Prime in black and clear blue plastic, available only in the August 2014 issue of ''[[TV-Kun]]'' magazine. His only paint operations are on his abdomen and face, but stickers for additional detail are included on the issue's sticker sheet. Optimus Prime has been slightly retooled to include a magnet in his right foot, allowing him to interact with ''Lost Age'' Battle Command Optimus Prime and ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' Stomp & Chomp [[Grimlock (AOE)#Stomp&Chomp|Grimlock]].
{{-}}

{{anchor|SingleLegion}}
[[File:AoE Wal-Mart legion Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legion Class, 2014)
:Optimus Prime is a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Legends Class Optimus Prime, exclusive to [[Walmart]] in the US and [[Asda]] in the UK.
{{-}}

{{anchor|2PackLegion}}
[[File:AoE Wal-Mart 2-pack legion Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Grimlock''' (Legion Class two-pack, 2014)
:Optimus Prime is another redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Legends Class Optimus Prime, this time packaged with [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]], himself a redeco of none other than [[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Cruellock]]. Like other Legion-themed product, he is exclusive to Walmart in the US and Asda in the UK.
{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
{{anchor|MAProtoform}}
[[File:Lost Age AD-09 Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Protoform Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe Class, 2014)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AD09'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, missile, flame attachment
:Part of the first wave of TakaraTomy ''[[Movie Advanced Series|Lost Age: Movie Advanced]]'' toys, this Japanese-exclusive redeco of [[#Deluxe Class toys|''Transformers'' (2007) Protoform Optimus Prime]] is given a ''Generation 1''-styled color scheme.
{{-}}

{{anchor|SKDeluxe}}
[[File:AoE Target 2-pack deluxe Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Silver Knight Optimus Prime & Grimlock''' (Deluxe, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword
:A redeco of the ''Dark of the Moon'' Deluxe Class toy, this Optimus Prime has large portions of his body, mostly his truck parts, vacuum metallized silver. He comes with a redeco of Generation 1 [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]'s sword.

:This figure was only available in a two-pack with a Voyager Class [[Grimlock (AOE)#Target2Pack|Grimlock]] figure. The two-pack was exclusively available at Target stores in the United States, Canada and Australia, at Tesco stores in the United Kingdom and Hungary and at Galeria Kaufhof department stores in Germany.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/TargetDlxOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Deluxe Silver Knight Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
{{anchor|EvasionMode}}
[[File:AOEGenerationstoy-EvasionModeOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Continuing Megatron's legacy of being a drifting, shotgun-toting hobo hiding from the feds. ''(Hasbro version pictured)'']]
[[File:Lost Age AD-02 Optimus Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A little less blue goes a long way. ''(TakaraTomy version pictured)'']]
*'''Evasion Mode Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2014)
**''Series / Number:'' '''M4 / #001'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AD02'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[May 17|5-17-]][[2014|14]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon

:Part of the first wave of ''Age of Extinction: [[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Voyager Class toys, "Evasion Mode Optimus Prime" is an all-new figure based on the character's initial form in the film, transforming from a cab-over semi truck into a robot mostly similar to his previous movie design. The truck mode is heavily based on Generation 1 Optimus Prime's White Freightliner WFT alt mode in both sculpt and deco, although it draws a few details, such as the singular smokestack and wheel designs, from the heavily faded Marmon 97 seen on-screen. In robot mode, he sports faux-kibble windows and, amusingly, ''two'' false smokestacks.

:Optimus includes an spring-loaded missile firing "ion cannon" modeled after Megatron's shotgun from ''Dark of the Moon''. It can be held in his hand or attached to the top of the truck cab or truck bed via 5mm post, and, in an unadvertised feature, sports tabs on the rear-most handle that allow the [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys 4|''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Megatron toy]] to wield it. Also undocumented is the fact that the weapon can be stored under either of Optimus' shoulders.

:In time-honored tradition, Prime's instructions depict the toy with an alternate "[[Retool#Gang-molded alternate parts|pretooled]]" head – in this case, a version with the faceplate deployed, used on the ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' and "Rusty" releases of the figure (see below). Additionally, his [[packaging]] [[stock photography]] depicts him with extra white/silver [[Paint operation|paint detail]]s, especially on his chest and wheel rims, as well as having gray upper arms with red details, among other differences.

:The TakaraTomy version, part of the first wave of ''Lost Age: Movie Advanced'' toys, is dubbed "'''Classic Optimus Prime'''", and opts for a deco closer to Prime's previous on-screen appearances, omitting the blue paint on his feet and hands to reveal the gray plastic underneath, and adding new paint details all over.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/EMOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Evasion Mode Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|AOERevenge}}
[[File:Lost Age AD-12 Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|More like ''Revenge of the Fallen Paint Apps'', amirite?]]
*'''Revenge Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2014)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AD12'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[May 17|5-17-]][[2014|14]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Matrix of Leadership, 2 Fuel Tank-Gun assemblies, removable Energon Swords
:A metallic redeco of the 2010 ''Transformers'' Battle Blades mold, Revenge Optimus Prime was part of Takara's ''Movie Advanced'' line.
{{-}}

{{anchor|AOEEvolution}}
*'''Evolution 2-Pack Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Two-Pack, 2014)
:A Voyager-class two pack of [[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], representing the Generation 1 version of the character, and a redeco of ''Age of Extinction'' Evasion Optimus Prime representing the Movie character.
{{-}}

{{anchor|PEWithGrimlock}}
[[File:PlatinumEditiontoy-2PackOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|For a bot who's supposed to be in hiding, he's sure got a lot of chrome.]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Grimlock''' (Voyager 2-pack, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon
:''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' Optimus Prime is a redeco of Evasion Mode Optimus Prime with chromed shoulders, fists, pelvis, and leg sides. He features a headsculpt with a mouthplate and comes in a two-pack with Voyager Class [[Grimlock (AOE)#Platinum Edition|Grimlock]].
{{-}}

{{anchor|RustyEvasion}}
[[File:Lost Age TRU JP rusty Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Can't believe people are willing to pay a fortune for a dirt-covered Ultra Magnus cab that's missing its trailer-armor.]]
*'''Rusty Ver. Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2014)
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[August 18|8-18-]][[2014|14]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon
:A redeco of the Voyager Evasion Mode toy, Rusty Ver. Optimus Prime features extensive paint applications to give him a screen-accurate vehicle mode, and was released as a Toys"R"Us Japan-exclusive. It uses the alternate, faceplated head mold.
{{-}}

{{anchor|BCGoldClassic}}
[[File:Takaratomy-gold-classic-optimus-prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|No wonder why [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] is hunting him.]]
*'''Gold Classic Optimus Prime''' (Battle Command Campaign, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon
:Part of the Transformers Battle Command Campaign, The gold chrome redeco of Evasion Mode Optimus Prime is given away to ten winners via a lucky draw.
{{charstubtoys}}

{{anchor|AutobotsUnited}}
[[File:Autobots-united-optimus-prime.jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEdZ-yjxHLI That's what I'm talkin' about.]]]
*'''Autobots United 5 Pack''' (Platinum Edition, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon
:The Autobots United 5 Pack includes another redeco of Voyager Class Evasion Mode Optimus Prime. This release features the faceplated headsculpt and, unlike the [[Drift (ROTF)|MOST]] of set, which strives for screen-accuracy, features a heavily Generation 1-inspired deco.

:He is also mistransformed, his shoulders are not folded.
{{-}}

{{anchor|BreakoutBattle}}
*'''Breakout Battle''' (Platinum Edition, 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon
:The "Breakout Battle" set includes another take on a screen-accurate "Scrapyard Optimus Prime", featuring a brown paint wash on tan plastic. The set is Toys"R"Us-exclusive in the US and Canada. The set also includes Rollbar and a Vehicon.

====Leader Class toys====
{{anchor|AOELeader}}
[[File:AOEGenerationstoy-LeaderOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|No one makes fun of Prime's <s>security</s> ''survival'' backpack and gets away with it!]]
[[File:Lost Age AD-01 Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|And it's a Buster right outta the gate!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2014)
**''Series / Number:'' '''M4 / #001'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AD01'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[May 17|5-17-]][[2014|14]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgment, Vector Shield

:Part of the first wave of ''Age of Extinction: Generations'' Leader Class toys, this is yet ''another'' completely new "big" Optimus Prime figure. While smaller than the First Edition toy, this one features more silver and chrome paint in vehicle mode, a more poseable robot mode, and a Vector Shield accessory instead of the Sentinel Shield. Unlike the First Edition figure, Leader Class Optimus Prime's pauldrons and hip-skirts are formed from truck kibble, giving him a marginally smaller backpack. His accessories have roughly the same functionality as the First Edition toy, with his sword being hand-held and pegged onto his hands or storing underneath the truck, and his shield mounting onto his left forearm or storing on the back of the truck. Additionally, the sword sheath underneath the truck can be folded up and used in robot mode.

:Apparently, early plans for the shield were to have it colored gold and silver, but it was later changed to gray and red. When a hand-painted [[prototype]] of the toy was first displayed at the 2013 New York Comic Con, the shield was colored yellow and silver; in addition, the original versions of the official Hasbro [[stock photography|stock photos]] also depict the gold color, but the versions featured on the back of the toy's [[packaging]] were edited so they would accurately depict the final toy's colors for the shield. Meanwhile, the versions of the stock photos provided to websites and online retailers depict the shield in its final colors for the robot mode, whereas the vehicle mode photo is the unedited version featuring the shield's original colors. Furthermore, UK-based retailer Argos, which picked up the ''Age of Extinction'' Leader Class figures as [[exclusive]]s for the UK market, also featured unedited versions of the stock photos for both modes in one of its catalogs, causing some confusion among fans.<ref name="argos">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/991761-uk-getting-different-leader-decos-optimus-yellow-vector-shield.html TFW2005 thread] about outdated stock photos used in Argos catalog.</ref> Sometimes, the spring loaded "[[Automorph]]" feature in his head is too strong and causes the head to fly off...

:The [[TakaraTomy]] version, part of the first wave of ''Lost Age: Movie Advanced'' toys, features numerous silver paint details, and alters the deco on his chest to be more screen-accurate, among many other changes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Age of Extinction'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|AOELeaderGold}}
*'''Gold Plated Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2014)
[[File:GoldPlatedOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.22|This time, NO ONE dared to transform it.]]
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgement
:This gold vacuum metallized version of Optimus Prime is a prize in Hasbro's Asia Age of Extinction campaign. To qualify for winning this toy, one must be the biggest spender of the day during the midnight launch of the AoE toyline at specific Toys R Us or participate in a lucky draw. This toy is limited to 7 pieces. 2 are in mainland China, while Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan each have one.
{{-}}

{{anchor|PELeader}}
*'''Leader Class Grimlock & Leader Class Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''Accessories:'' Sword of Judgement
:Redecoes of Leader Class Grimlock and First Edition Optimus Prime featuring light-blue highlights for Grimlock and a darker palette for Optimus Prime. The set was a shared exclusive, available from BigBadToyStore and Toys"R"Us, and was also sold during a Taiwanese event celebrating the launch of Transformers Rising.
{{-}}

{{anchor|UltimatePowerLeader}}
[[File:AD31.jpg|thumb|Transforming my mouth is terrifying.|upright=2.2]]
*'''Armor Knight Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2014)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AD31'''
:Armor Knight Optimus Prime is a retool of ''Age of Extinction: Generations'' Leader Class Optimus Prime. It features a new head sculpt with a rotatable faceplate (one side with the mask, the other without, the whole part rotates), along with other remolded body parts (such as his skirt, feet, and chest), giving it a more screen accurate appearance. He includes more movie-accurate weapons, featuring a new sword and shield, albeit in not-so-accurate colors. He is covered in metallic paint, along with additional chrome details on his rims and bumper.
{{-}}

===Lost Age Series===
[[File:Takara-lost-age-series-battle-command-optimus-prime.jpg|thumb|Am I awesome?|right|upright=1.67]]
*'''Battle Command Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''Release Date:'' '''[[July 19|7-19-]][[2014|14]]'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''LA01'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Wing Backpack/Battle Station, 2 Hound's guns, 2 Sword-Guns, 2 face-guns, Sword of Judgement

:A roughly Voyager-sized mold of Optimus Prime. He transforms into a Western Truck seen in the film, in ''4 steps''. Like Chomp & Stomp Grimlock, his truck kibble from the back can accommodate with One-Steps and Power Battlers (Both Hasbro and TakaraTomy).
{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

*'''Battle Command Optimus Prime''' (Strongest Tag Team set, 2014)
**''Release Date:'' '''[[October 18|10-18-]][[2014|14]]'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''LA14'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Wing Backpack/Battle Station, 2 Hound's guns, 2 Sword-Guns, 2 face-guns, Sword of Judgement, 1-step Changer High Octane Bumblebee

:A re-released version of LA-01 above, packaged with a One-Step Changer High Octane Bumblebee.

{{charstubtoys}}

==Legend Commander Collection==
[[File:Legend-commander-collection-one-step-optimus.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''ID number:'' '''LC-04'''
:Part of the ''[[Legend Commander Collection]]'' sold at [[Transformers Expo]], Optimus Prime is a redeco of "One Step Changer" Optimus Prime.

:The toy was available in Takara Tomy Mall in a few months later.

{{-}}
==Q-Transformers==
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''ID number:'' '''QT-01E'''

:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Optimus Prime is a [[super deformed]] toy based on his ''Age of Extinction'' design, transforming into a cute little Western Star 4900 SB. It was sold as an exclusive at Transformers Expo months before the proper release of the toyline.

:This mold was also used to make ''Q-Transformers'' [[Nemesis Prime (AOE)#Q-Transformers|Nemesis Prime]].

{{-}}
[[File:QTransformers AOE Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' ([[December 26|12-26]]-2014)
**''ID number:'' '''QT-01'''

:This standard retail version of ''Q-Transformers'' Prime is identical to the Transformers Expo release.

{{-}}

==Asia Premium Series==
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Ultimate Edition, 2015)
**''Asia ID number:'' '''APS-01U'''
**Accessories: Eliminator Gun & Assault Blaster (forms Mega Striker), shield/battle shield, Tank A & Tank B (forms Ion Blaster), Jetwing jet pack, Arm Gatling Cannon A & B, Leg Armor A & B, Knuckle

:An extensive screen-accurate redeco of Jetwing Optimus Prime (with a maskless head from Buster Optimus Prime), this figure features '''loads''' of accessories from the Striker & Jetwing figures. The figure also includes a new knuckle piece, which can be installed in either hand.

{{comingsoontoy}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.seibertron.com/toys/index.php?f_series_id=64&f_subgroup=&f_name=optimus&f_type=exact Galleries of various different Optimus Prime toys from the Movie]
* [http://www.tfu.info/toytables/movie_optimusprime.htm Optimus Prime at TFU.info]

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Costco exclusives]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Kmart exclusives]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Sam's Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

On the Edge of Extinction!

2015-01-31T16:49:23Z

Jerryteacup: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #75
|prev=The_Void! (US)
|next=Still_Life!
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #319–322
|prev2=The_Void! (US)
|next2=Still_Life!
|title="On the Edge of Extinction!"
|image=MarvelUS-75.jpg
|caption=OM NOM NOM NOM NOM
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=December [[1990]]
|coverdate=February 1991
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|artist=[[Geoff Senior]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Unicron drops by for a light lunch.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Edgeofextinction-someonefight.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|How do the physics of this even work?!]]
With [[Unicron]] looming over the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the assembled [[Transformer]]s flee in a blind panic. The [[Dark God]] rips into the planet's surface, sampling its metal (and [[Brainstorm]]) and declaring it "succulent".

[[Primus]]—still possessing the form of [[Xaaron]]—urges [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to calm their warriors and unite them in battle against the Chaos-Bringer, but even the two leaders are overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of their foe. Primus himself initiates an attack on Unicron—but the dark god sees through what is essentially a ruse, and destroys Xaaron.

[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] blasts Unicron at full power; while it does virtually no damage, it does what Galvatron had hoped—inspires the Transformers to stand and fight. Soon a planet-wide battle is raging; many Transformers are killed in the fighting, most notably Scorponok, who makes a final stand to live up to his legacy as a [[Decepticon]] warrior. The [[Neo-Knights]] also attempt to engage, but their powers are no match for Unicron, and [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] remains catatonic, despite [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s attempts to revive her.

Reinforcements arrive in the form of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which is filled with [[Autobot]]s reactivated by the [[Nucleon]] retrieved by [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Grimlock has the ship sideswipe Unicron, damaging it and forcing them to abandon it in flight.

As Optimus Prime struggles to keep his [[Powermaster]] bond from coming apart, the tainted [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] suddenly arrives at Cybertron, with the possessed [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] at its core. The Matrix confronts its old foe, Unicron. But with its virtuous nature stripped away, the Matrix no longer has any advantage over Unicron, who unleashes a power burst that tears Thunderwing limb from limb and devastates the surface of Cybertron. As the blast passes, Prime spots the Matrix.

Tiring of the battle, Unicron reverts to his planet mode and prepares to devour Cybertron entirely. But as he begins, he is blasted by the revived Circuit Breaker, who pours every bit of her power at him in an insane rage. The distraction gives Optimus Prime enough time to reach the Matrix. His mind free from doubt, he reclaims it, purges it of darkness, and plunges it—and himself—into Unicron's maw. Overloaded with "terrible, wonderful life", Unicron explodes while the survivors on Cybertron's surface look on in awe.

Some while after the battle, [[Battletrap]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] are walking somewhere on Cybertron. Runabout goes to investigate some movement in the shadows. He is promptly snatched underground by a [[Demon|clawed hand]] and, as observed by a hidden [[Hi-Q]], devoured.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Xaaron]] (3)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (6)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (10)
*[[Cloudburst]] (13)
*[[Brainstorm]] (15)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (29)
*[[Siren]] (30)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (31)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (32)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (33)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (36)
*[[Waverider]] (38)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] (40)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (41)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (42)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (43)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (44)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (45)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (46)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (47)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (48)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (49)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (50)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (51)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (52)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (1)
*[[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] (2)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (7)
*[[Stranglehold]] (8)
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (9)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (12)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (14)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (16)
*[[Apeface]] (17)
*[[Skullcruncher]] (18)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (19)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (20)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (26)
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (27)
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (28)
*[[Finback]] (34)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (35)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (37)
*[[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (39)
*[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (53)
*[[Fangry]] (55)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (56)
*[[Battletrap]] (57)
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (58)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[Thunderpunch]] (21)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] (22)
*[[Dynamo]] (23)
*[[Rapture]] (24)
*[[G.B. Blackrock]] (25)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s
|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (54)
|c5=
*[[Primus]] (3)
*[[Unicron]] (11)
*[[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] (53)
*[[Demon]] (59)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hypothesis... I--I have '''no''' hypothesis. This is '''beyond''' analysis, '''beyond''' logic. My vast data grid simply...cannot compute. However, I believe I can give an accurate probability projection. I am 100% certain that Cybertron, and every Transformer on it, is '''doomed!'''
:—'''Shockwave'''

"Duh-do...'''something!''' '''Brainstorm''', you're the clever one... tell us '''what to do!'''" 
"I -- No No No No No No No No No"
:—'''Cloudburst''' spurs '''Brainstorm''' to take on a god with firepower

"Erm, Grimlock.... was that wise? I mean, we've all just come out of a state close to death, reanimated by an untested and '''highly unstable''' form of energy. Perhaps we should --" 
"Should '''what?!''' Have '''holiday?''' Put '''feet''' up? We Autobots, Wheeljack -- we fight, not worry about health! And now we kick Unicron's tail across '''universe!'''" 
''sigh'' "Maybe deactivation wasn't so bad after all!"
:—'''Wheeljack''' and '''Grimlock''', still not seeing eye to eye [[Spacehikers!|40 issues later]]

"Today we end a battle begun eons ago. I thought you created us to '''die''', Primus -- to perish in your place. But now I understand. You created us to carry on '''after''' you are gone! You must '''die''', Primus -- so that '''all''' might live!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s last words before plunging the Matrix -- and himself -- into Unicron's maw

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*There are, of course, the errors of [[scale]] typically associated with the supposedly planet-sized Unicron.
*The Autobot [[Pretender]]s had their shells confiscated back on Earth by Scorponok's Decepticons when they surrendered in [[Surrender!|issue 71]]. Last issue after all the Transformers were teleported to Cybertron by Primus, the Autobot Pretenders were without their shells. This issue they are wearing their shells, without explanation.
**Then again, perhaps they had the time to retrive their shells. Plenty of things may have happened off-panel. Pretender shells being remote-controllable might help the issue. Perhaps Primus interpreted them as Transformers as well. That, of course, doesn't explain why the Dinobots weren't retrieved.

===Continuity errors===
*When Primus is killed while inhabiting Xaaron's body, it's ''Scorponok'' who screams out Xaaron's name in shock and Optimus who calls out for Primus (despite being an old comrade of Xaaron's).
*Among hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of Transformers... Circuit Breaker's the only being on the planet who can manipulate electricity? [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] hadn't been seen in donkey's years and may have been [[Dark Star|long dead]], so this isn't as jarring as it could have been.

===Continuity notes===
*The grand battle with Unicron concludes a storyline that began way back in issue [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]].
* The imagery of Unicron's internal systems (Page 4) is based on similar views in opening scenes of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Likewise, Galvatron uses his cannon as a means of propulsion, an idea first seen in the animated movie.
*Grimlock's reinforcements were fueled with Nucleon in the previous issue.
*Grimlock's (shown) reinforcements are the same cast as [[Earthforce]], more or less.
* Unicron recalls the destruction of Thunderwing and the Matrix in issue #66.
*Most of the surviving Transformers, including [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], Prowl, Wheeljack, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and Jazz show up in the [[Action Master]]s line. While most never transform after this issue, Prowl clearly retains his ability to do so.
*While Primus is outright said to be [[death|dead deadity dead]], the [[Primus#Fleer and DK|later retcon]] of the Primus/Unicron plan would say he isn't.
* Cybertron continues to be drawn based on the cartoon model, a convention that started around issue #71.

===Furminated===
[[File:Tastybrainstorm.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Everyone's all like ''Oh Galvatron, you're so dreamy, you were the one who opened fire on Unicron,'' but Brainstorm shot first!]]
[[File:OntheEdgeofExtinction-Misfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|You're mis'''fired'''.]]
[[File:Edgeofextinction-hardheadbombburst.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Flathead.]]
This issue's high body count brought Furman's reputation for mass carnage to US readers. Casualties in this issue include:
* Brainstorm, skewered on Unicron's fingernail and devoured
* Xaaron, blasted to cinders by an optic blast
* Cloudburst, exploded after colliding with Unicron's fire-breath
* Highbrow, crushed between Unicron's hands
* Finback, vaporized when the gun battery he's on explodes; Misfire is caught in the shockwave as well and never seen again.
* Hardhead and Bomb-Burst, crushed under Unicron's foot
* Joyride* and Waverider, slagged by an optic blast
* Scorponok, melted by fire breath
* Thunderwing, shredded by Unicron's power-burst explosion; [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] is among those caught in the shockwaves
* Unicron, blown apart by the energies of the Matrix
* Runabout, eaten by Demons
** Joyride and Mindwipe show up alive and well in ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]''. Quake, who was with Joyride and Waverider when they were blasted, is not shown getting hit—and is fine just a couple of issues later.
* The next issue's opening page would reveal several more deceased Transformers: [[Apeface]], [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]], and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (who nevertheless appeared in ''Generation 2'' long enough to die again.) Prime's gruesome fate would be revealed as well, as he was still within Unicron during the explosion.
*Ironically, many of the casualties here are Transformers who managed to survive the [[Underbase Saga]]. Even more ironic is the fact that they die just as the casualties of the Underbase Saga are revived and brought back into the story.


===UK printing===
'''Issue #319:'''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Machine Man - "If This Be Sanctuary?!"'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Fangry]]

'''Issue #320:'''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Machine Man - "If This Be Sanctuary?!"'' and ''Combat Colin''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]]

'''Issue #321:'''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Machine Man - "If This Be Sanctuary?!"'' and ''Combat Colin''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Siren]]

'''Issue #322:'''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Machine Man - "Rime of the Ancient Wrecker!"'' and ''Combat Colin''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
*Once again, the Machine Man story was previously printed, starting way back in [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|Issue #35]]

===Other trivia===
*In celebration of reaching three quarters of a century, this was a doubled sized anniversary issue and was [[Geoff Senior]]'s last G1 issue.
*''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] are found after the main story.
* The "next issue" blurb plays on Grimlock's reprimand to Wheeljack, quoted above.
* The closing narration plays on the intro blurb that has been running on the book's opening page since issue #62.
*This was the last Dutch Generation 1 comic printed by [[Junior Press]].
*It was also the last Polish Generation 1 comic printed by TM-Semic.

===Covers (10)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-75.jpg|'''US issue #75''' - Cybertron - with delicious crunchy filling!
File:MarvelUK-319.jpg|'''UK issue #319''' - UK Cybertron - strawberry flavoured.
File:MarvelUK-320.jpg|'''UK issue #320''' - I can hear the fangirls crying...
File:MarvelUK-321.jpg|'''UK issue #321''' - "Wasn't me guv, it was that big orange guy with horns."
</gallery>
*'''US issue #75 cover:''' Unicron devouring Cybertron, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #319 cover:''' recolored version of US cover, by [[Robin Bouttell]].
*'''UK issue #320 cover:''' Unicron destroying Xaaron, by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]].
*'''UK issue #321 cover:''' Optimus Prime and the defeated Scorponok, by Stewart Johnson.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-322.jpg|'''UK issue #322''' - Come on, how ''awesome'' is this?
File:End of the road tpb cover.jpg|'''''End of the Road'' TPB'''
File:Titan-EndOfTheRoadHC.jpg|'''''End of the Road'' HC'''
File:BestofSimon.jpg|'''''The Best of Simon Furman'''''
</gallery>
*'''UK issue #322 cover:''' Prime entering Unicron with the Matrix, by Stewart Johnson.
*'''''End of the Road'' TPB cover:''' Galvatron, Grimlock, Bludgeon, Prowl and half of Unicron, by Andrew Wildman
*'''''End of the Road'' hardback cover:''' Galvatron and generic Decepticons, by [[Bryan Hitch]], [[Andrew Currie]] & [[Chris Blythe]]
*'''''The Best of Simon Furman'' cover:''' Cybertron, by [[Don Figueroa]].
<gallery>
File:Best of Transformers.jpg|'''''Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm'''''
File:Classic Transformers Vol6.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 6'''
File:TFClassicsVol6.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 6'''
</gallery>
*'''''Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm'' cover:''' Optimus Prime, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and ???, by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 6 cover:''' A scrapbook of images from issues #76–80, all by Andrew Wildman and Stephen Baskerville
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 6 cover:''' [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2002]] — ''[[Transformers: End of the Road]]''
*[[2007]] — ''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman]]''
*[[2008]] — ''[[Best of Transformers: Eye of the Storm]]''
*[[2010]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 6|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 6]]
*[[2013]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6|''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 6]]

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2

2015-01-30T17:18:20Z

Jerryteacup: /* Continuity notes */

{{episode
|image=Aerialbots group.jpg
|caption=Optimus, remind us why this is a good idea again?
|series=G1toon
|ep=57
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=43
|prev2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1
|next2=Sea Change
|title="The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-56
|airdate=[[November 26]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''To counter the new Stunticons, the Autobots create the Aerialbots, but the new team members aren't so sure about the Autobot cause.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:KeyVectorSigma Alpha merge.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|It's not a mystical experience, you morons! My hand's stuck! HELP! GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the Autobots are busy converting old drone rockets into [[Earth]] planes. Once their redesigns are complete, they take the ships to [[Vector Sigma]]. However, without the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which is in the possession of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], they cannot activate the supercomputer and give Cybertronic personalities to the new bots. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], however, intends to activate it by merging his lifeforce with the computer. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] tries to stop him, but Alpha Trion merges with the supercomputer. It gives life to the new Aerialbots: [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]], and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]].

[[File:KeyVectorSigma2 Omega boom.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Vulnerability to plot: disturbing.]]

The Autobots and Aerialbots prepare to leave, but Alpha Trion gives Optimus a warning: the Key to Vector Sigma will have different properties on Earth, which could destroy the planet. However, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] overhears this. Heading back to the surface, the Autobots and Aerialbots encounter more [[Centurion droid]]s, but the Aerialbots are able to get them to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Omega returns them to Earth, but suddenly explodes.

[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] begin working to restore Omega, while the Autobots and Aerialbots head toward the base with the [[superfuel]]. Shockwave contacts Megatron, informing him of the recent developments on Cybertron, and the Key's power, so Megatron decides to run some tests. At the base, the [[human]]s believe that the Autobots attacked them, and open fire. Slingshot is pissed, but [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] reminds them that they are simply confused. Suddenly, they detect high speed movement. Optimus initially believes that it's [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|jets]], but it's the Stunticons, who quickly overwhelm the Autobots, forcing the Aerialbots to take to the air. Slingshot is attacked by [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]. Silverbolt goes to save him, but suddenly panics. Megatron, still testing the Key, orders the Stunticons to return to base.

[[File:KeyVectorSigma2 key metal.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Turns everything it touches into lifeless metal. Just like Nickelback.]]

However, during the tests, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] trips and drops the Key, causing it to discharge its energy... turning the ground below it into metal. Megatron realizes that the Key can not only give life to machines, but also turn organic matter into metal. He now has a new plan—convert Earth into a new Cybertron.

Back at the base, the Aerialbots are unimpressed with the Autobots and disgusted with the humans they are supposed to defend. Optimus confronts Silverbolt about his panic, and learns that Silverbolt is afraid of heights. In a questionable command decision, Optimus appoints Silverbolt to be Aerialbot leader, hoping it will give him something to focus on other than fear. Soon, [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] detects the energy emissions from the Key, and its result. The [[Decepticon]]s are heading toward [[Seattle]], and the Autobots roll out. Meanwhile, Silverbolt attempts to convince the Aerialbots to return to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], saying that if they're the best, they should run the place. He shows them that the Decepticons will destroy them, showing how bad they are. He also shows the humans' capacity for compassion, letting them see how Sparkplug continues to work on Omega while Ratchet goes to recharge. Convinced, the Aerialbots move out.

[[File:KeyVectorSigma2 Superion Menasor.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Say hello to my little friend.]]

Near Seattle, the Stunticons are overwhelming the Autobots, with Optimus Prime about to be crushed to death, when the Aerialbots arrive and save the Autobot leader. Megatron and Optimus reveal their last aces in the hole, ordering the Stunticons and Aerialbots to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], respectively. Menasor has the strength advantage, but Omega Supreme arrives, and turns the tide. The Decepticons retreat with the Key, but Silverbolt races after Megatron, knocking the Key from his hand and switching to robot mode to destroy it. Silverbolt believes he's about to go splat, but Slingshot manages to save him. The Aerialbots are convinced to join the Autobots, while Optimus appears convinced that Alpha Trion made the right choice.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (2)
* [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (3)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (4)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (5)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (7)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (9)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (10)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (11)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (12)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (13)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (24)
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (26)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (27)
* [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (28)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (30)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (15)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (16)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (17)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (18)
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (19)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (20)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (21)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (22)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (29)

|c3=
* Army General (24)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (25)

|c4=
* [[Vector Sigma]] (8)
* [[Centurion droid]]s (23)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:Omega cybertron.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Did you bring me any souvenirs?]]
[[File:KeytoVectorSigmaPt2 Slingshot Motormaster.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|In this shot, Motormaster acts as a cathartic avatar for the audience.]]
"He gave himself up just so we could have some jets? That's nuts!" 
"No. ''One'' Autobot gave his life so that ''six'' could be born. He made a choice...the kind of choice I hope they'll be able to make when the time's right."
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the sacrifice of Alpha Trion to create the Aerialbots. Prime approves of the kamikaze concept, apparently.

"And we're sworn to protect these bird brains?"
:—'''Slingshot''', on humans

"Somebody ought to revoke those dudes' driver licenses." 
"Those guys are out of their cotton picking heads!"
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Ironhide''' after their first encounter with the Stunticons.

"He's afraid of heights, can you believe it? And you call yourself a jet."
:—'''Slingshot''' figures out Silverbolt's phobia

"Our best bet would be Omega Supreme, but he's down, maybe dying." 
"And you let the Aerialbots take a powder?"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' sures knows how to liven up a party. '''Ironhide''' isn't helping much.

'''Skydive:''' "The robot ran out of power ..." 
'''Air Raid:''' "...but the human is still working! Where does he get his energy?" 
'''Silverbolt:''' "From his wellspring of concern for an Autobot. Are you ''getting the point yet?'' We owe the ''Autobots'' our ''liiivvees!''"
:—'''Silverbolt''' sets the Aerialbots straight about a couple of things.

[[File:KTVS2 superion vs menasor.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|I'ma get my Kill Menasor on.]]
"Aerialbots, show 'em what you've got!" 
"NO! It can't be!" 
"Surprise, Megatron! Meet Superion!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' introduces the shocked '''Megatron''' to the first Autobot combiner.

"So long, cruel world!"
:—'''Silverbolt''' after destroying the Key to Vector Sigma

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[File:Ktvs prime and trion.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* The glowing aura around Vector Sigma appears and disappears repeatedly between shots.
* As Alpha Trion merges with Vector Sigma, two of Blaster's buttons suddenly merge into one.
* "He made a choice..." Wheeljack's missing his orange details.
* Vector Sigma clearly has the key stuck in the side of it when it creates the Aerialbots.
* Shockwave's eye isn't colored its usual bright yellow as he walks in during the Aerialbots' creation.
* The Aerialbots are missing whilst Optimus gives his request for the Aerialbots' personalities.
* Fireflight is entirely blocked by Optimus Prime's head during his introduction line. Down in front!
* Shockwave's "ears" are purple instead of gray as he listens in on Alpha Trion's warning.
* "More I cannot say." - Optimus is missing one of his smokestacks.
* "So what are we waiting for?" - the top of Ironhide's torso is all red; it should be half gray.
* When Shockwave contacts Megatron in-flight, Breakdown is colored as Silverbolt.
* "Then we'll need a secret place to examine it further." - Wildrider is colored like Alpha Trion.
* As Omega watches the Aerialbots fly out of the tunnel, the animators use the cheatsy route of coloring his visor a solid yellow, rather than drawing his face underneath it.
* Omega's wound is clearly shown on the thick band below his Autobot symbol; the camera lingers on it for a long, significant moment as he leaves Cybertron. In the very next shot, the damage is gone. It doesn't re-appear until the shot of Omega exploding.
[[File:KtVspt2 blaster sonics.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* Blaster gets a transformation noise as he spins around to unleash a sonic assault on the Stunticons, even though he doesn't transform.
* Blaster is drawn delivering Ironhide's "Those guys are out of their cotton-pickin' heads" line.
* Speaking of Blaster, the coloring on his helmet is wrong as often as it's right. Multiple times, the round central part is colored red instead of white.
* When Ironhide argues with Slingshot about the Decepticons retreating, his waist is vastly oversized, looking somewhat like a...skirt...until Optimus intercedes, at which point it disappears for a moment before returning to its normal design.
[[File:Ktvs2 ironhide vs slingshot.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Ironhide's touchscreen technology baffles Slingshot.]]
* Later, as Slingshot tells Ironhide that the Aerialbots don't need the Autobots, the symbol on Ironhide's chest overlaps with the area near his waist, rather than being entirely on the rim under his windshield.
* As Ironhide walks up to challenge Slingshot, the inside of Skydive's cheekguards are the same yellow as his face, rather than the gray of his helmet.
* In the same sequence, Optimus' smoke stacks are drawn mid-way down his shoulders.
* As the Aerialbots follow Slingshot out of Autobot Headquarters, Silverbolt is missing his right arm. It appears as he turns to look after them.
* "On this world..." Soundwave's cheekguards are blue instead of silver. The camera then closes in on a rather badly-drawn Megatron... only to cut to a different shot showing Megatron at the same angle, in the same pose, but much more detailed and precise.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** Teletraan somehow gives Prime a first-person, on-the-ground look at what Megatron's up to. Did the Sky Spy just plop down in the forest?
* Teletraan's map of the central US is a bit distorted. Mississippi extends all the way up to the top of Tennessee, for example, and Kentucky appears to have split into three states.
* "And you let the Aerialbots take a powder?" - the tops of Blaster's cheekguards are white instead of red.
* Slingshot is drawn mouthing Silverbolt's line about responsibility, and then Silverbolt continues gesticulating randomly while Slingshot delivers a lengthy retort.
* "None of the Autobots can hold a candle to us!" - the top of Slingshot's head is white instead of yellow.
* As Blaster says, "This is slaughter!," Optimus' headlights are red (with a strange pattern of panel lines) instead of white.
* Silverbolt has no transformation sound as he returns to robot mode to destroy the key.
* On the [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] version of this episode that uses the original pre-broadcast film elements, once the key is destroyed towards the end, the forest is shown turning into metal, rather than returning to normal. This shot was corrected on broadcast, and the [[Shout! Factory]] version restores the corrected shot from the broadcast master.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:KtVS2 Omega Supreme in pieces.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"You got this? No? Good."]]
* The shuttlecraft that the Autobots rebuild are vastly larger than the Aerialbots they become.
* The Autobots are in a rush to rebuild Omega Supreme, correct? So why in the world does Optimus Prime have Wheeljack ''and'' Hoist - both fix-it men - come with him to visit the Earth naval base? Shouldn't they be at headquarters, trying to help to rebuild Omega? Wheeljack can be briefly seen helping Ratchet after the fight with the Stunticons.
* Even more than most episodes, this one calls attention to the oddity of Omega Supreme's transformation. His rocket mode is the only part of him that travels through space; yet when he gets wherever he's going, he can always transform to his full robot mode, including all the bits he left behind on Earth. In this ep, Omega actually fires off his arms from his robot mode while running along - clearly leaving behind an armless robot on Cybertron!
* On-screen, Omega Supreme's explosion comes off as completely random - seemingly caused by nothing more than a random hole in his side whose cause is unknown to us. See the Trivia notes below for the lost explanation.
* Megatron said that the Key To Vector Sigma "de-energizes matter, turns it into metal". We can buy the turns-it-into-metal bit as handwaving techno science stuff... but removing energy from matter doesn't turn it into metal. (And if it did - wouldn't Megatron be stuck with an energyless world?)
* The Autobots might fare better against the Stunticons if they would ''stop and shoot them'' instead of driving around in circles. Y'know, shooting? That thing that works against all the other Decepticons all the time?
* Menasor rips the top floors off a building and smashes Superion with it. Hope the attack happened on a weekend, 'cause otherwise a bunch of people just ''died''!
* Silverbolt doesn't even ''try'' to get out of his supposedly-fatal plunge at the end! Woulda ruined the pathos, we suppose.

===Continuity notes===
* Alpha Trion notes that he is a "first-generation product of Vector Sigma. We share the same computation matrix." He then reactivates the computer by merging his own power supply - and life force - with it.
* Omega can simply launch his arms into the air to form his rocket ship.
* This is [[The Key|not the last]] you'll hear of the Key to Vector Sigma. The Key, and, in particular, its ability to transform organic material into techno-matter play a key role in the events of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]''.
* This episode, along with the previous one, offers a unique perspective the differing world views of Megatron and Optimus Prime as the Stunticons and the Aerialbots are given their personalities: Megatron favors the narrow-sighted interest of hating Autobots (Everything is fodder, right?) while Optimus values individual thinking and preserving life (Freedom is the right of all sentient beings, right?).

===Real-world references===
* The sound effect used for Omega Supreme's brain pulses is the same one used for the [[Dalek]] control rooms in all episodes of ''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]'' since 1963. It had previously been used in "[[Microbots]]".
* The final battle happens just outside the [[Seattle]]-Tacoma region.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst and [[TIE Fighter]] roar as the Aerialbots first take to the air on Cybertron.
** ''Falcon'' engine again as the Aerialbots fly out of the tunnel, TIE engine as they enter Omega, and ''Falcon'' a third time as Omega flies away from Cybertron.
** ''Falcon'' engine yet again as Omega flies through space, and again as he touches down on Earth.
** Diving [[X-wing Fighter]] sound as Silverbolt aborts his attempt to help Slingshot.
** A clashing [[lightsaber]] sound is used repeatedly for the Key's matter-transforming effect.

===Trivia===
[[File:KtVS2 Introducing Menasor.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Menasor, voiced by Lou Reed's ''Metal Machine Music''.]]
[[File:Ktvs2 see you next fall.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|It's alright, Soundwave. Everyone is allowed at least one DURP moment.]]
*The tank vehicles seen at the army base are the M.O.B.A.T. and the Armadillo from the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated series.
*The Aerialbots conclude that humans are worthless after watching [[television]]. Should this tell us something?
*During the script stage, this episode had the sub-title "Fury of the Aerialbots".
*In this episode, Superion and Menasor are voiced by [[Frank Welker]] and [[Roger C. Carmel]] respectively, but from their next appearances onwards, the characters were both recast with new voices ([[Ed Gilbert]] and [[Regis Cordic]], again respectively). Reflecting the fact that they're combiners, their voices are modulated to sound like they're a chorus of multiple voices - an effect that would be dropped after this episode.
*The shooting scripts for both installments of this two-parter contain several "deleted scenes" which expand greatly upon some of the more significant events in the story. In this episode:
**Omega Supreme repairs himself after his battle with Shockwave (deleted from Part 1, although this episode contains a vestigial reference to it, when Ironhide says: "Now all we've gotta do is hope that Shockwave didn't get the better of Omega Supreme!"), but is only able to do a rudimentary job, noting that his personal survival is "highly improbable." It is ''this'' which causes Omega to explode upon his return to Earth—he willingly puts himself in danger to bring the Autobots back so they can stop the Stunticons.
**Later in the episode, when the Aerialbots watch as Sparkplug works to repair Omega, Sparkplug turns on the young punks, explaining what caused Omega to explode, making them realize what he did for them, and what they owe the Autobots. This is very much in contrast to the complete non sequitur of the finished episode, in which the fact that Sparkplug can continue working when Ratchet can't, and then Silverbolt makes the Aerialbots somehow realize that they owe the Autobots their lives.
**Additionally, there are some extended scenes of Prime reaffirming that there are six Aerialbots, to squash the subtlety of the hint at Superion, and the Aerialbots watching more television.
* This is one of the very few episodes where Megatron insults Soundwave. Even then, Soundwave tripping on a branch ultimately leads to what Megatron believes to be a phenomenal discovery.

===Foreign localization===

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La nascita degli Aerialbots'''" ("The Birth of the Aerialbots")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''La chiave di Vector Sigma - II'''" ("The Key of Vector Sigma - II")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Vector Sigma no Kagi PART II'''" (ベクターシグマの鍵 PART II, "The Key of Vector Sigma PART II")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 9]], [[1986]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — The Key to Vector Sigma & War Dawn ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — The Key to Vector Sigma & War Dawn ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — The Key to Vector Sigma ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Video Club]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 4: The Key to Vector Sigma ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;[[Wikipedia:LaserDisc|LaserDisc]]
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 7 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_key_to_vector_sigma_part_2.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Stunticon (G1)

2015-01-30T16:56:52Z

Jerryteacup: /* The Transformers cartoon */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Stunticon}}
:''The Stunticons are a [[Decepticon]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Stunticons magami.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|"Roads? Where we're going... we don't need... roads."]]
The '''Stunticons''' are a group of five rebellious Decepticon automobiles that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] can barely control. They are the mortal enemies of the [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]].

The Stunticons consist of:

*The merciless [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (leader)
*The victory obsessed [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]
*The gloom ridden [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
*The psychotic [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]
*The paranoid [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]

They can combine to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]].

In some universes:

*The untrustworthy [[Offroad]]
*The resourceful [[Blackjack]]

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:Stunticons.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Unfortunately, this image lost the Clint Eastwood reference to [[A Fistful of Energon|the poncho]].]]
In envy of the Autobots' vehicular modes, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] stole various human vehicles and customized them so he could have his own car team, the Stunticons. Before they were given [[Spark|life]], he brought them out for a test drive via remote control, forcing them to flip, somersault, fly off the road, drive up cliffs and bash through forests without a scratch. The Stunticons having satisfied Megatron's idea of normalcy, he headed to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to get Cybernetic personalities for them. He asks Vector Sigma to "fill them with with hatred for the Autobots and everything they stand for". On activation, they swore loyalty to Megatron... or at least agreed to do what he told them to.

Their first mission was to steal the [[superfuel]] from the humans. As they smashed up the superfuel facility, the human guards immediately assumed that they were Autobots, since the Decepticons could not possibly [[Constructicon (G1)|transform]] [[Astrotrain (G1)|into]] [[Blitzwing (G1)|land vehicles]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} Whilst the Autobots were marooned on Cybertron, the Decepticons returned to [[Earth]] with the newly awakened Stunticons who began wreaking havoc and damaging the Autobots' good name by attacking the US military base containing the experimental rocket fuel. Eventually, the Autobots returned with the newly built [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] whose combined form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] defeated the Stunticon combiner Menasor... with a little help from [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[File:Trans-europe-express-stunticons-sideswipe-sunstreaker.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Despite this defeat, the Stunticons were the key component in Megatron's elaborate scheme to hold a [[Europa 2000|fake charity race]] from Paris to Istanbul so he could steal US driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]]'s car which would be melted down to house the powerful [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. One by one, the Stunticons disabled the Autobot participants assigned to protect Cahnay, but the downfall of Megatron's plan came when he ordered the Stunticons to stop going after the remaining Autobots. Though they combined into Menasor to fend off the last three Autobots, the giant was eventually defeated by the Autobots and Cahnay. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[File:Cosmicrust taking over this boat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

When Megatron was infected with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] after a trip to the lost Autobot colony of [[Antilla]], the Stunticons were assigned to capture the Autobot scientist [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], who had developed the powerful anti-corrosion [[Corrostop]]. After Megatron cured himself and infected the Autobots with the disease, Menasor attacked the Statue of Liberty in [[New York City]] with the ancient [[Lightning Bug]] heat ray, intent on stopping the Autobots from matter-duplicating more Corrostop from the layer they sprayed on the statue. Superion defeated Menasor and destroyed the Lightning Bug. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[File:StarscreamsBrigade Stunticon lineup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
After [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] was banished for yet another failed coup, he returned with a powerful new Decepticon team called the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], who were able to outfight Autobot and Decepticon alike. Needing a trump card, Megatron attempted to call on the Stunticons to help, but they refused as the rebellious Decepticons were busy having a demolition derby with various human-owned cars. However, the Stunticons belatedly arrived after the Combaticons' combined form of [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] defeated [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and forced Megatron to acknowledge Starscream as the new Decepticon leader. Realizing that Starscream would not stop at Megatron, the Stunticons merged into Menasor and disabled Bruticus in one mighty punch. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[File:Dragstripcartoon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left]]

Megatron ordered the Stunticons out to steal a series of items, but their actions were quickly noticed by the Autobots, who managed to track down and capture them, culminating with a head-on collision between Motormaster and Optimus Prime that only the Autobot leader was able to drive away from. Optimus and several of his Autobots used [[camouflage paint]] to disguise themselves as the Stunticons, so that they could infiltrate the Decepticons and learn Megatron's plans for the stolen components. The disguised Autobots flaunted their impersonations in front of the captured Stunticons, infuriating them enough to work up the energy to escape. Upon confronting the fake Stunticons at the site of Megatron's new weapon, the real Stunticons combined into Menasor, only to be shocked when the Autobots pull off the same stunt (thanks to a combination of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]'s and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]'s powers). The ''ersatz'' Menasor proved to be no match for the real thing, though, and the masquerade quickly fell apart. When Megatron attempted to use his new weapon on the Autobots, however, it blew up in his face (thanks to a little sabotage from [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]), and the Stunticons were forced to flee with the other Decepticons.{{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:Ffod3 squalor on chaar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

In the year [[2005]], in the aftermath of [[The Transformers: The Movie|the battle with Unicron]], the Stunticons joined the Decepticon retreat to the planet [[Chaar]], where dwindling resources left them on the verge of shutdown. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s arrived proclaiming that they would bring [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] back. Dead End was not particularly optimistic about the situation. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} When [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] were discovered spying on them, the Stunticons participated in a beat-down of the Autobot intruders, until [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] arrived in a commandeered [[Rockeroid|Scuxxoid ship]] to rescue them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Before Cyclonus can return with Galvatron, however, the [[Quintesson]]s showed up and offered the Decepticons unlimited energon in exchange for destroying Rodimus Prime, who by then was stranded on [[Goo 8739B|Goo]] with only a few other Autobots. Dead End sampled the first batch of energon and found it satisfactory, leading to the other Decepticons to dogpile on the rest of it. Motormaster put the Quintessons' offer up to a vote, and only [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] chose not to participate, sensing something familiar about the Quintessons and suspecting they couldn't be trusted. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} The attack on Goo was interrupted when Galvatron showed up to reassert himself over the Decepticons, but in the confusion, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] rescued the Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} The Stunticons participated in the joint Decepticon/Quintesson attack on Cybertron, which turned out to be a ruse by the Quintessons in their bid to retake Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

In [[2006]], the Decepticons attempted to take advantage of civil unrest among the humans in northern Europe to wreak havoc. The Stunticons merged into Menasor to try and take on a one-armed Defensor, but the combiner was dispatched by Rodimus and Ultra Magnus. Later, the Stunticons responded to an alert at Trypticon's perimeter, charging into battle alongside Galvatron - only to be dispatched ''again'' by Rodimus and Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

[[File:BurdenHardesttoBear Stunticons Matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Later that year, Wildrider and Dead End encountered Rodimus Prime and [[Marissa Faireborn]] on a mountain road in [[Japan]], and the two Stunticons proceeded to run Rodimus off the road. When they inspected the crashed Autobot leader, they found the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]], and took it back to Chaar as a present for Galvatron. When the Decepticon leader attempted to use the Matrix to boost his power and it failed, he accused Wildrider and Dead End of breaking it, but visions of the [[Ancient Autobots]] convinced Galvatron to get rid of it. After [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] decided to use the Matrix himself, he overpowered Galvatron and Cyclonus, and led the Decepticons, including all Stunticons present, on an assault on Earth. When Hot Rod reclaimed the matrix from Scourge, the assault came to an end. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

The Stunticons joined Galvatron in following Bruticus into the loading dock of [[Mark Morgan|Dr. Morgan]]'s laboratory, after learning that the body of Optimus Prime was being held there. A group of [[Hate Plague]]-infected Autobots led by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] quickly infected Bruticus and the Stunticons, though, forcing Galvatron to retreat back to Chaar. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} Presumably, the Stunticons were cured when the revived Optimus Prime was able to open the Matrix, though they would not be seen again during or immediately after that crisis. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga====
The Stunticons decided to have a little fun and tear up a baseball stadium in Japan. Luckily, the Autobots' plucky young ally [[Kenji]] was present to radio for assistance. All the combiner teams assembled, and it was Menasor and Bruticus against Superion and Defensor! Defensor was forced to break apart by the combined Decepticon attack, but Superion and Kenji got the idea to shoot out the Decepticons' legs. [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] took advantage of the empty combiner ports and took over as Menasor's legs, launching him into the ocean. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}}

While posing as Autobots, [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and the Stunticons rampaged through the city streets, smearing the good name of their adversaries. Later, [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] posed as humans to rally people against the Autobots, and Motormaster's brigade staged an attack on the rally to drive the point home. The Autobot fire engines [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] arrived, however, and used their water hoses to wash off the Decepticons' fake insignia. Enraged, Motormaster planned to combine into Menasor...only to see the other Stunticons were already retreating into the distance. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #7}}
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{groupstub}}

====''Scramble City'' OVA====

The Decepticons discovered that the Autobots were secretly constructing a [[Metroplex (G1)|mobile fortress]], and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] mobilized his forces to attack the Autobots' secret factory. The Stunticons were deployed against the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] after the latter group drove off the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. As the Stunticons and Aerialbots used Scramble Power to try to optimize the power of their combined forms, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] crashed into his own teammates, leaving an opening on [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] took advantage by disengaging from [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and taking a position as Superion's leg, which caused the air warrior great pain. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] shot Wildrider off, though, allowing Fireflight to recombine with his team. At that point, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] showed up and combined into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], turning the tide of the battle in favor of the Decepticons.

Menasor and Bruticus were able to overpower Superion, but found themselves outmatched when the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] showed up and formed [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], followed by the newly completed Scramble City fortress, which transformed into the robot mode of Metroplex! The city-bot quickly dispatched Menasor and Bruticus with one shot; however, the victory was short-lived, as the Decepticons then revealed their own city warrior - [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]! {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
The Stunticons participated in Galvatron's siege on Cybertron. They managed to gain the high ground against the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Throttlebot]]s, and rained laser fire down on their opponents. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Later, the Stunticons formed Menasor to fight their Autobot counterparts, but were steamrolled by the might and firepower of the Battleship Maximus. Transporting back to Earth, they attempted to interfere with Hot Rod's quest for the Matrix. They were confronted by the Aerialbots in the desert, but the battle of their combiner forms eventually led them to the Arctic. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

When [[Vector Sigma]] began perfecting the new super-metal [[Cybertonuron]] on Cybertron, Galvatron ordered another all-out attack on the planet to seize the metal for the Decepticons before the Autobots could make use of it. The Stunticons journeyed to Cybertron with the strike force, and confronted their old enemies, the Aerialbots. The Aerialbots got the drop on the Stunticons by forming Superion and lashing out before the Stunticons could form Menasor as well. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} They were still in a firefight sometime later, as [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] passed by looking for [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}} In [[San Francisco]], the Stunticons assisted Bruticus in using a carnivorous plant to distract the Autobots from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s plans on [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]]. They fought against the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

Much later, the Stunticons assembled in the desert as their Ninja Commander [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] began issuing orders. They assembled as Menasor, and took part in the escalating Decepticon war effort as five separate Autobot outposts were attacked simultaneously at Sixshot's command. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violen Jiger]] gathered together the [[Nine Great Demon Generals]], upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. The Stunticons were among those summoned, but only in the form of Menasor. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Stunticonsmarvelg1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Soundwave not included.]]

''Due to his experience with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] experienced a vision of the future, in which the Stunticons and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] battled the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] over the abandoned [[Pullen Power Plant]]. In order to help make sense of the visions, Buster was temporarily mind-linked to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], but unbeknownst to them, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] were able to monitor them as well, allowing the Decepticons to gain insights into their own future forces!'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

The Stunticons were brought to life on Earth thanks to a [[cerebro-shell]], which the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] implanted inside Optimus Prime, allowing Megatron to remotely access the power of the Creation Matrix when Prime used it to give life to the Aerialbots. Megatron sent the Stunticons out to menace the human population after [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] was sighted on television saving a human, in order to increase fear of Transformers among the population. During the ensuing fight, the Stunticons formed Menasor to counter Superion, but the Autobot gestalt was disabled by [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. The Stunticon combiner attempted to take advantage of Circuit Breaker's weakened state after her attack on Superion, but [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|her human teammates]], led by [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]], saved her. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

''In a fit of hubris, Motormaster suggested to Megatron that the Stunticons could finish off Optimus Prime - and then quickly corrected himself to say they could only after Megatron had worked Prime over. Soundwave convinced Megatron that there was merit to Motormaster's idea of overpowering Optimus with numbers, but Megatron decided to use the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] instead of the Stunticons, and had them use Motormaster as target practice as a warm-up! Fortunately for Motormaster, the Predacons opted only to scare him.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

The Stunticons didn't see much action afterward, as both the Autobot and Decepticon factions became embroiled in internal politics. The team was last seen in action together when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] sent Motormaster to lead a Decepticon assault on the Autobot gathering on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], giving the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] a chance to recover the deactivated Decepticons being held in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. When [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] joined the battle, they were able to force the Decepticons to retreat. {{storylink|Totaled!}} Soon after, Drag Strip and Breakdown were among the Decepticons participating in the [[Club Con]] resort scam. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

====Earthforce====
{{earthforcefiction}}
Back in action on Earth, Drag Strip and his Stunticon partner Dead End began working for a faction of Decepticons led by Megatron. Megatron had created an [[Global warming satellite|ozone-warping rocket]], designed to trap heat in the atmosphere which could be tapped for a new source of energy, even though it would virtually destroy all life on Earth. Their plan was interrupted by two Autobots, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} While Wheeljack kept the Stunticons busy, Prowl leapt onto the rocket itself, his weight knocking it off course and causing it to crash before it reached the apex point in the atmosphere it was meant to travel to. Drag Strip and Dead End raced to the crashsite, hoping to retrieve the atmospheric poisons Megatron had loaded it with. At the fallen rocket, however, they ran into [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], who were interested in securing the equipment for their commander, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. The four Decepticons began to tussle, little realizing Prowl had already snuck away and neutralized the canisters. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}}

Several Stunticons were seen at the [[Enclave]] between Megatron and Shockwave's troops before the fracas broke out. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}

A poisoned [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] staggered into Wildrider's quarters, and gave him a tape of battle plans to transmit to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Wildrider assumed that Soundwave had been betrayed by traitors in Megatron's faction of Decepticons, and attempted to send the plans in secret. When Megatron saw him doing so, however, he assumed that the Stunticon was trying to send them to his rival Shockwave, making him the traitor who had betrayed him to Shockwave earlier. With one blast from his [[fusion cannon]], Megatron promptly killed him. Which was exactly what Soundwave (who had not been poisoned and was, in fact, the traitor) had planned. Harsh. {{storylink|Secrets (G1)|Secrets}} Shortly thereafter, Motormaster was present with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s troops outside [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|their base]] when Soundwave and Starscream announced they were taking over. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

Later, the Decepticons learned a human reporter named [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] would be writing an exclusive about the Autobots to upgrade their public image. In order to stop this, they sent Motormaster and the Stunticons out to snatch the human. Using his henchmen as a distraction, Motormaster rammed [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] from behind and pulled the reporter into his cab to make a getaway. {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}} It wasn't that easy, however, as the Autobots gave chase. Motormaster ran Prowl off the road again, and surprised [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] into running into his trailer by disconnecting from it (a surprise to everyone, no doubt). In the end it was his own Stunticons who did Motormaster in, though—[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] tried to ram [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] as they were following Motormaster's cab, but the Autobots dodged at the last second and the 'Con cars barreled into their own leader, sending him into a ditch. Bumblebee then ripped off Motormaster's door and rescued the human.

"King of the Road", my central processor. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}
====Marvel UK future timelines====

[[File:Stunticons ark duty.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
In [[2003]], Motormaster and the Stunticons took on a mission to steal the plans for [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] from their courier, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. They surrounded the Autobot, and Motormaster had his goons tag-team the old wreck until they got their hands on the data tape. Thinking they were done for the day, the Stunticons got lucky and had a second beatdown when the hotheaded Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] chased after them alone to retrieve the tape. Needless to say, they beat the ball bearings out of him. {{storylink|Ark Duty}}

Five years later, Motormaster and the Stunticons were present on Cybertron when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] (under the influence of [[Unicron]]) attempted to take [[Decepticon leader]]ship from [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Combined into Menasor, the Stunticons tried to save their commander but were, alas, too late. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} Later, under [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s command, the Decepticons were engaged in an extended guerrilla war with the Autobots for control of Cybertron. After getting a tip from the [[Quintesson]]s, Soundwave had Motormaster and his other lieutenants gather the troops for a full-scale attack on the Autobots. The tip turned out to be a trap, however, and Motormaster and the others had to bail out of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] in mid-flight to protect themselves from a mass of invaders. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}
====Transformers Comic-Magazin====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
At some point in Cybertron's recent history, the Stunticons were deemed psychotic and too dangerous to function in society, and as a result were placed into perpetual stasis lock inside of a [[Detention Banks|prison facility]]. Later, in an attempt to create a diversion while he set his final plans in motion, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arranged for the release of the Stunticons. They formed into Menasor and ran amuck for awhile, until [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived and began insulting them. Unable to reconcile with this, the five Stunticons began to bicker with each other over whose fault it was that they were failing, temporarily stopping Menasor and allowing Ultra Magnus to ram the combiner in the chest, forcing him to separate into his component parts and disabling the Stunticons. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' continuity===
When [[Teletran 3]] went out of control and started zapping random Transformers into different points in Earth's timeline, the Stunticons found themselves laying dormant in mid-1930's [[Chicago]]... except Breakdown, who kept his consciousness and waited for the [[G.I. Joe (team)|various]] [[Cobra|humans]] sent to retrieve the lost Decepticons. While Motormaster was missing, Breakdown woke three of his comrades and the Stunticons chased the humans and Optimus Prime across the city. Eventually they found Motormaster, and were promptly transported back to present-day Cybertron. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time later, the Stunticons were recruited by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], and helped him capture some pesky Autobots and G.I. Joes. Motormaster later attended a Decepticon gathering organized by their new leader, and attacked an Autobot peace ceremony in the form of Menasor. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} After the giant helped [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] and [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] take down [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], he brought [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] to Optimus Prime. A short while later, Drag Strip was seen among the Decepticon forces preparing to defend their base from a combined Autobot/G.I. Joe assault, while Breakdown completely failed to guard some human prisoners. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} Motormaster helped defend Serpent O.R. from Optimus Prime's fury, but it didn't end well. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
Motormaster, Dead End and Wildrider were among the Cybertronians who answered the call to join [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] in [[Kaon]]'s underground pit-fighting ring, and later participated in the first street battle against Autobot forces. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} As the war broke out, Dead End and Drag Strip were seen fighting Autobots as Motormaster attempted to challenge [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

When [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] usurped Megatron, the Stunticons refused to accept his authority and left for [[Magmara Nine]]. It was while robbing [[Strongbox]] on this world that they learned from [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] that Megatron had returned, convincing them to return to the Decepticon fold. {{storylink|Primacy issue 2|Primacy #2}} The reunited Decepticon army traveled back to Cybertron and enacted an invasion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], during which the Stunticons attacked [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] to keep him from interfering with Megatron. This ended poorly, as Motormaster was rammed aside by Prime while the rest of them were blown away by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

Many years later, the Stunticons were abandoned on [[Earth]] following a failed Decepticon invasion. Motormaster, Wildrider and Dead End were all captured and deactivated by [[Skywatch]] {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}, as was Breakdown sometime later. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Drag Strip managed to avoid capture, and joined a crew of Decepticons under [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'s leadership trying to get off the planet. They allied themselves with a group of Autobots with similar goals, led by [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} This mixed group later rescued Motormaster, Wildrider and Dead End, as well as others, and the Autobot [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] concocted a method of reversing the mode-lock imposed on them by Skywatch. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

The Stunticons participated in the construction of a new space cruiser, while Swindle talked "Rodimus Prime" into agreeing to let them rescue their brother Breakdown, and reunite the team. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} Wildrider and Drag Strip assaulted [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] while he was driving around in Breakdown, recovering the last member of their group. Swindle hastily applied stolen combiner technology to the quintet, enabling them to form the terrifying Menasor and help him seek revenge on his old nemesis, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}} Swindle's mechanical skill didn't equal his greed, however, and the combined Stunticons could not achieve the mental fusion they needed, leaving Menasor awkward and self-contradictory in battle, despite his fearsome power. The Autobots took advantage of the Stunticons' weakness and overwhelmed the new gestalt. All the Stunticons were taken into custody by Skywatch again after the battle. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

The Stunticons were freed once the Decepticons returned to Earth and attacked the Skywatch facility where they were held. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|The Demolished Man}} When the other Decepticons left the planet via [[space bridge]] to join Megatron on Cybertron, the Stunticons stayed behind to finish off an intruding [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]], only to be defeated and recaptured. {{storylink|The Question}} They were subsequently brought to a restored Cybertron and imprisoned alongside the other Decepticons. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Even [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had trouble controlling the Stunticons. The team went on a crime spree in the back alleys of human cities until they were tracked down and stopped by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and his team. {{storylink|The Thin Blue Line}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Stunticons-collectallfive.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Learn to count, the Decepticon way!]]
* '''Stunticons''', 1986
**[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
**[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
**[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]
**[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
**[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]
***''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-50''' through '''D-54'''

: As a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style [[combiner]] team, the Stunticons consist of four small "limbs", sold carded at the $5 price point, and a single larger leader toy that forms the combined robot's torso, sold boxed for roughly $12. They were available in 1986 and 1987.

: The smaller Stunticons, like their Aerialbot counterparts, share a general transformation scheme involving pulling out the back of the vehicle to form legs, and flipping the hood out of the way to reveal the robot head. Dead End and Breakdown share an additional step, requiring rotating their legs at the knees and pushing the legs back in so they aren't incredibly tall and skinny. All four feature shoulder articulation and not much else. Each comes with a small pistol for the robot mode, and a ''huge'' double-barreled cannon which plugs into the back of the vehicle mode.

: The four smaller cars are fairly close in [[scale]], but Motormaster throws the whole equation off. He's a tiny truck compared to his teammates, a point which becomes doubly obvious alongside the much-larger truck form of the original Optimus Prime toy, his supposed arch-rival.

: The Stunticons are ''slightly'' less prone to being produced as [[knockoff]]s than the other Scramble City teams. Inexplicably, three members of the group (Motormaster, Breakdown and Drag Strip) are frequently packaged by bootleggers with two members of the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]. Drag Strip was named "Brain Man" in at least one such set.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[File:G2 Menasor and G2 Defensor.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Generation 2 Defensor and Menasor|Yowza.]]]]
* [[Redeco]]s of all five Stunticons were planned for release in 1994, but were canceled. ''Generation 2'' Stunticon and Protectobot limbs have surfaced over the years in what appears to be finished packaging. (Motormaster and [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] have never appeared in finished packaging, but unpainted prototypes have surfaced.) However, these are still exceedingly rare pieces, and all told it is believed that less than a dozen of each team member were produced, with one exception: Breakdown, who was available in relatively small numbers (about 300 pieces) as a [[BotCon 1994]] [[exclusive]]. While no plans for a giftset are known, Menasor would have been constructed using these toys.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Alternators===
* '''Dead End''' (Alternators, 2004)
{{main|Dead End (G1)#Alternators}}

===Classics===
* '''Menasor''' (Legends, 2006)
{{main|Menasor (G1)#Classics}}

===Titanium Series===
* '''Menasor''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
{{main|Menasor (G1)#Titanium Series}}

===Universe (2008)===
* '''Decepticon Drag Strip''' ("Special Edition" Deluxe, 2008)
{{main|Drag Strip (G1)#Universe (2008)}}

===Gentei! Gentei!===
*'''Stuntron Wildrider''' (Deluxe, 2008)
{{main|Wildrider (G1)#Gentei! Gentei!}}

===Timelines===
*'''Generation 2: Redux''' (BotCon 2010 box set)
{{main|Breakdown (G1)#Timelines}}

===Generations===
*'''Motorbreath''' (Legends, 2012)
{{main|Motormaster (G1)#Generations}}
*'''Stunticons''' ([[2015]])
** [[Motormaster (G1)#Generations|Motormaster]]
** [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generations|Decepticon Dragstrip]]
** [[Dead End (G1)#Generations|Dead End]]
** [[Breakdown (G1)#Generations|Breakdown]]
** [[Offroad#Generations|Decepticon Offroad]]
** [[Blackjack#Generations|Decepticon Blackjack]]
:The ''[[Transformers: Generations#Combiner Wars|Generations Combiner Wars]]'' Stunticons are a set of all-new molds (except for Motormaster, retool of the Optimus Prime figure from the same line) consisting of a Voyager-class leader, four Deluxe-class limbs and a Legends-class chestpiece, each sold separately. They can combine to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], with Legends [[Blackjack]] taking the role of Motormaster's [[Roller car]].

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Stuntron''' (スタントロン ''Sutantoron'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Sztuntikon'''
*''Russian:'' '''Effecticon''' (Эффектикон)
*''Brazilian Portuguese:'' '''Acrobaticon'''
*''French:'' '''Cascadicon'''

[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 2 subgroups]]
[[Category:Stunticons| Stunticon (G1)]]

Bristleback

2015-01-30T16:25:25Z

Jerryteacup: /* Marvel Generation 1 comics */

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Bristleback is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:G1-Bristleback1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Crouching Tiger, Hidden [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|Stress Fractures]]]]
'''Bristleback''' ''hates'' being a [[Pretender]]. He was forced into undergoing the process when he discovered, to his great dismay, that his steel skin was somehow inferior to other Transformers', corroding and [[rust]]ing upon contact with [[Earth]]'s atmosphere. Worse yet, his bulky and cumbersome Pretender shell has transformed him from a once-quick-footed fighter to one of the slowest movers in the Decepticon ranks. A ceaselessly foul-mouthed, bullying malcontent ''before'' these indignities, Bristleback has only become meaner since. His Pretender shell's one redeeming feature is the spikes on its back, which secrete a powerful corrosive acid upon contact. Bristleback dreams of being assigned to space missions, where his rust condition will no longer be an issue.

He can combine with his fellow [[Pretender Monster]]s to form [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], curiously without any rust problems of note.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel Generation 1 comics====
In an alternate future where the Decepticons had conquered much of Earth, Bristleback and his fellow Pretender Monsters were led by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] to the remains of [[New York City]] in an attempt to root out the last remaining vestiges of Autobot and human resistance. All they managed to find, however, was a human-made booby trap that buried [[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]] under tons of debris.

Not long later, he and the others rejoined the Decepticons to defend the [[Decepticon Powerbase]] against an Autobot attack. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. Transformers''===
Bristleback was among a group of Decepticons who made a deal with [[Cobra-La]], receiving power-enhancing organic shells in exchange for defending Cobra-La's underground kingdom. During Cobra-La's scheme to summon [[Unicron]] to Earth, the Pretender Monsters were sent to attack a trio of Autobots aboard the submerged [[Arc II]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}} Later, they combined into Monstructor to defend Cobra-La's kingdom against surface attack by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Monstructor used his life-draining aura to take out [[Windmill (G.I. Joe)|Windmill]] and just generally stomped all over the rest of the attackers. However, the overconfident bot was felled by a long-range attack by Joe's [[Laser Squad]], who targeted his head with high-intensity beams until it blew up, forcing the monster to disassemble. Whether or not Bristleback and the other components survived this trauma is unknown. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Bristleback-optimusprimespotlight.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|He's ticked off about being so fragile.]]
Millions of years ago, Monstructor was the first gestalt, constructed out of a group of Transformers who would become known as the "Monstructor Six". Created by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] under the direction of [[Nova Prime]], they were intended to be the ultimate fusion of mind and body, a vast amount of intellect combined with unparalleled strength. Unfortunately, they were driven into insanity by the merging process and became monsters. After Nova Prime departed Cybertron in the Ark, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] locked them in a dimensionally displaced prison to live out the rest of their horrid existence. Eventually, they escaped and tracked down and attacked Omega Supreme, but were defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and split apart into their individual bodies. Despite Omega Supreme's protestations about the dangers of gestalt technology falling into Decepticon hands, Prime had them taken into custody in an attempt to repair their shattered minds. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

Bristleback and his comrades were incarcerated at the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary where [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] attempted to carry out Optimus Prime's orders despite [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus's]] misgivings about the whole endeavour. Thanks to a tipoff from the double-agent [[Doubledealer|Dealer]], [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron's]] [[Decepticon Secret Service]] attacked the facility and absconded with the monsters. {{Storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

The breakout of the "Monstructor Six" eventually made its way to the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]], and from there to Optimus Prime. Although Earth was currently facing the threat of [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], Prime decided that they couldn't risk allow the Decepticons to gain gestalt technology, and ordered [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl's]] team to abandon Earth and head to Garrus-9. {{storylink|The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation}}

However, the Decepticons were later attacked in turn by the minions of Jhiaxus and Nova Prime (now Nemesis Prime), who took the gestalt Transformers for the purpose of making Monstructor a guardian of a [[Nega-Core]], a device crucial to Nemesis Prime's grand plans. The Autobot Arcee and the Decepticon survivors struck a deal to capture Monstructor. {{Storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} They engaged Monstructor on [[Rotan]], but Arcee left mid-battle to confront Jhiaxus. {{Storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Falling back into the hands of the Decepticons, Bristleback and the others came under the command of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. While hunting down [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]], they were confronted by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s elite Autobot team, and combined into Monstructor to do battle with them. After Monstructor was downed by a precise shot from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], his components fled the scene with Bludgeon. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

Bludgeon later patched up the weak spot and went to [[Arduria]] after learning of Jhiaxus's capture and used Monstructor to distract the Autobots while Bludgeon freed Jhiaxus. The plan worked and they retreated in their separate components and continued Jhiaxus's mission of finding all of the [[Regenesis]] missiles. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

{{Note|Thus far in IDW continuity, Bristleback and his partners are not Pretenders.}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Bristleback-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Bristleback's toy, complete with a small sample of [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]—note the break between his robot-mode boots.]]
* '''Bristleback''' (Pretender Monster, 1989)
**''Team ID number:'' '''PM2'''
**''Accessories:'' "Electrostatic pulse rifle", monster shell, shell backing, right Monstructor fist

:Bristleback transforms into a horn-backed, quadrupedal land-shark kinda thing. His Pretender shell is a monstrous, turtle-like creature, with the inner robot's horn/wing things sticking out. His shell backing can store his rifle and Monstructor fist as weapons. Bristleback can form either arm to [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], but his nominal placement is as the right arm.

:He is one of the Generation 1 toys most susceptible to [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]... appropriate given his [[bio]]. It's most likely a complete coincidence, of course, but still simultaneously funny and distressing. In a second, less horrible design flaw, the [[sticker]]s on his robot legs are prone to being scraped off by his creature-mode legs.

:Bristleback's inner robot and combiner [[kibble]] were also used to make [[Gairyu]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Bristleback/bristleback.htm More information on Bristleback at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''French:'' '''Épinox''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Spettro'''

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]

Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

2015-01-30T16:08:22Z

Jerryteacup: /* Omissions */

{{disambig3|More than Meets the Eye}}
{{bookstub|Careful check for errors. We're getting close now!}}
[[File:Mtmte-oiler.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|True to form, [[Oiler]] looks like he's about to pass out.]]
'''''Transformers: More than Meets the Eye''''' is the first of a series of [[profile]] books published by [[Dreamwave Productions]] in [[2003]]. The book included a profile for every extant ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' toy character at the time of publication, plus some originating from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics continuity]]. A sequel series was published for ''[[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|Armada]]'', and the same was planned for ''[[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Energon]]''.

The series has no known physical weaknesses.

==Overview==
''More Than Meets The Eye'' was originally conceived to be a 4-issue series under the title of ''Transformers: Profiles'' and was intended to be outsourced by Dreamwave, to be written by [[Destination Entertainment]]. Destination's rather grandiose original plans involved weaving their own take on the [[Dreamwave timeline]] passively throughout all the character profiles, seizing this opportunity to shape some of the then-contemporary fiction since presumably they were being kept well away from contributing anything in the main books.

Destination's timeline was to have been a remarkably convoluted creation, having each original year of Transformers characters originating with each millennium of the war (with even the very definition of millennium here being stretched to "every million Cybertronian years"). The 1984 characters would originate in the first millennium, the 1985 ones in the second, and so on, despite this idea having been contradicted by books Dreamwave [[Transformers: The War Within|had ''already'' published]] at the time (and not making even remotely one lick of sense either way, as it would mean that, for instance, Kup would have been younger than Bumblebee).<ref name="profiles">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091201160222/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=563 Destination's original interview previewing ''Profiles'' at Newsarama]</ref> Additionally, explanations as to how characters such Galvatron, Goldbug and Powermaster Optimus Prime could exist at the same time as their original counterparts were not forthcoming. ''Transformers Profile Book One'' was initially scheduled to be released in December, [[2002]].

Three months later, Destination was removed from the project and the entire endeavor was renamed into ''Transformers: More than Meets the Eye'' and re-solicited as a far more modest and uncomplicated series of ''Transformers: Universe''-style profiles,<ref name="refitted">[http://web.archive.org/web/20091213095206/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=711 Newsarama reports that ''Profiles'' has "transformed" into ''More Than Meets The Eye'']</ref> released as eight issues in 2003. The series was also released as a 2-volume trade paperback edition in December [[2004]], which included introductions by the authors, and bonus artwork, though ''not'' the intro and conclusion story.

The series profiled all characters that were released by Hasbro between [[1984]] and [[1991]], as well as a few characters that appeared only within [[Marvel Comics]]/[[Sunbow Productions]] animated projects between 1984 and [[1987]]. The series also introduces new content in order to establish parameters for stories within the Dreamwave Generation One continuity, particularly in the "special topics" issue. A number of personalities were created from scratch for the Micromasters, many of whom were little more than names and mottos prior.

The profiles follow the same format as the original 1980s Marvel profile book, ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]''. A characteristic quote leads off each bio, followed by Bio, Weapons/Abilities, and Weaknesses. Many profiles are told from the perspective of another character ("from the [[datatrax]] of"); [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], for example, narrates the profile for his friend and associate [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. Despite initial reports that the profile book would be re-creating the entire Transformers universe from scratch, most established characters stay close to their original profiles, with some [[Thunderwing (G1)|occasional]] [[Carnivac (G1)|massaging]] when a character's popular fictional portrayals [[Bludgeon (G1)|clashed]] with their profile.

Artwork was done by numerous artists. As such, there are stylistic differences among the various profiles. Some of the original art submissions were rejected as not being consistent with the Dreamwave "house style", i.e. that of [[Pat Lee]]. Lee's hand and/or influence is particularly visible on some of the earlier and more popular characters, who often feature his characteristic rounded, swollen limbs, tiny heads, and enormously thickened metal panels. [[Don Figueroa]] drew a huge number of profile entries as well, including many of the best known characters. Lesser known characters were apparently left to other artists, who were allowed a freer hand; however, attempts at conveying a character's personality through their profile art were generally [[Blades (G1)|quashed]].

==Issue #1==
[[File:DW MTMTE 1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] has the odd feeling of being followed.]]
Issue #1 opens with a one-page intro story in which [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]] (or the Dreamwave universe's version of him) gains access to [[Vector Sigma]], with the intent of reading all these files. 
'''Originally published:''' [[April 30]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]
**[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]
**[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]
**[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
**[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]
**[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]
**[[Superion (G1)|Superion]]
*[[Airwave (G1)|Airwave]] and his [[airport]]
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Apeface]] with [[Spasma]]
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
*[[Axer (G1)|Axer]] and his [[Off-Road Cycle|Turbo Cycle]]
*[[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]]
*[[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]
*[[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]]
*[[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]]
*[[Battletrap]]
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
*[[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]]
*[[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]]
*[[Big Hauler]]
*[[Big Shot]]
*[[Blackjack]]
*[[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Blast Master]]
*[[Blaze Master]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (2 pages)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (2 pages)
*[[Bombshock (G1)|Bombshock]]
*[[Brainstorm]] with [[Arcana]]
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (2 pages)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
*[[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]]
*[[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] (2 pages)
*[[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] (2 pages)
*[[Cement-Head]] with the [[Cannon Transport]]
*[[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] (2 pages)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] with [[Stylor]]
*[[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]]
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
*[[Cloudburst]] (2 pages)
*[[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]]
*[[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]
**[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
**[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
**[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]
**[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
**[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]
**[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]}}

==Issue #2==
[[File:DW MTMTE 2.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Dudes, we're free - FREE!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[May 29]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]:
**[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
**[[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
**[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
**[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
**[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
**[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
**[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
*[[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] and his [[Rocket Base|rocket base]] (2 pages)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
*[[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] (2 pages)
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]
*[[Crumble]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]]
*[[Detour (G1)|Detour]]
*[[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]:
**[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2 pages)
**[[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
**[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
**[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
**[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
*[[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]]
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*[[Dogfight]]
*[[Doublecross]]
*[[Doubledealer]] with [[Knok]] and [[Skar (Decepticon)|Skar]] (2 pages)
*[[Doubleheader]] (2 pages)
*[[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]]
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] with [[Hi-Test]]
*[[Dropshot (G1)|Dropshot]]
*[[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]]
*[[Eject (G1)|Eject]]
*[[Erector (G1)|Erector]] and his [[crane]]
*[[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]]
*[[Fangry]] with [[Brisko]]
*[[Fastlane]]
*[[Finback]] (2 pages)
*[[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]]
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]
*[[Fizzle]]
*[[Flak (G1)|Flak]]
*[[Flamefeather]]
*[[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]] and his [[aircraft carrier]]
*[[Flywheels]]
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] with [[Cog (G1)|Cog/Gasket/Grommet]], [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] (3 pages)
*[[Free Wheeler|Freewheeler]]
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]]
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
*[[Full-Barrel]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (2 pages)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Getaway]] with [[Rev]]
*[[Gnaw]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]
*[[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]]}}

==Issue #3==
[[File:DW MTMTE 3.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|By Primus, [[Fandom|they're]] everywhere! Don't let them touch you with their fat greasy hands!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[June 25]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]
*[[Greasepit (G1)|Greasepit]] with his [[gas station]]
*[[Greaser]]
*[[Grit (G1)|Grit]]
*[[Grotusque]]
*[[Ground Hog]]
*[[Groundbreaker]] (2 pages)
*[[Groundpounder]]
*[[Groundshaker]] with his [[ATV]]
*[[Growl (G1)|Growl]]
*[[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] (2 pages)
*[[Gusher]]
*[[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] with his [[Stratotronic Jet]]
*[[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]
*[[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]]
*[[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]]
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Duros]]
*[[Heave]]
*[[Heavy Tread]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Gort]]
*[[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]] and [[Kreb]]
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] and [[Lug]]
*[[Hot House]] with his [[fire station]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
*[[Hubs]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hydraulic]]
*[[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]]
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (2 pages)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
*[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]:
**[[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
**[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
**[[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]]
**[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
**[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
**[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]
**[[Venom (G1)|Venom]]
*[[Ironworks|Iron Works]] with his [[Construction station|communications station]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] with [[Sights]]
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] with [[Hotwire (G1)|Hotwire]]
*[[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] with his [[Turbo-Pack]]
*[[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]]
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
*[[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Silencer]] and [[Flintlock]]
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (2 pages)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Longtooth]] (2 pages)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3 pages - includes Cybertronian forms)}}

==Issue #4==
[[File:DW MTMTE 4.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Attack of the Stay-puffed Transformers]]
'''Originally published:''' [[July 30]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]]
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Six-Gun (G1)|Six-Gun]], [[Slammer]] and [[Scamper (G1)|Scamper]] (3 pages)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and [[Vorath]]
*[[Mini-spy|Mini-Spies]] (4 models - 2 pages)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] and [[Aimless (G1)|Aimless]]
*[[Missile Master]]
*[[Moonrock]]
*[[Motorhead (Decepticon)|Motorhead]]
*[[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]
*[[Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]
*[[Neutro]]
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] with [[Muzzle]]
*[[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]]
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]]
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (2 pages)
*[[Oiler]]
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (2 pages)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2 pages)
*[[Outback (G1)|Outback]]
*[[Overdrive]]
*[[Overflow]]
*[[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]
*[[Overload (G1)|Overload]] with his [[car carrier trailer]]
*[[Override (G1)|Override]]
*[[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]] with his [[Attack Copter]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Phaser]]
*[[Pincher]] (2 pages)
*[[Pipeline]]
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]
*[[Pointblank (G1)|Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]
*[[Pounce]]
*[[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]]
*[[Powerdasher]]s (3 models)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
*[[Power Run]]
*[[Powertrain]]
*[[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]:
**[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]
**[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]]
**[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]
**[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
**[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]]
**[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]
*[[Pretender Monster]]s:
**[[Birdbrain]] (2 pages)
**[[Bristleback]] (2 pages)
**[[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]] (2 pages)
**[[Scowl]] (2 pages)
**[[Slog (G1)|Slog]] (2 pages)
**[[Wildfly]] (2 pages)
**[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]}}

==Issue #5==
[[File:DW MTMTE 5.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] makes any cover awesome!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[September 4]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]:
**[[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
**[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
**[[Groove (G1)|Groove]]
**[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]
**[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
**[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
*[[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (2 pages)
*[[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]
*[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (G1)|Ricochet]]
*[[Quickswitch (G1)|Quickswitch]] (2 pages)
*[[Rad]] with [[Lionizer]]
*[[Raindance]]
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Red Hot]]
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]:
**[[Spectro]]
**[[Spyglass]]
**[[Viewfinder]]
*[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]
*[[Retro]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]]
*[[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] (2 pages)
*[[Roadburner]]
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]]
*[[Roadgrabber]] (2 pages)
*[[Roadhandler (G1)|Road Handler]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]
*[[Roller Force]]
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] with [[Glitch]]
*[[Roughstuff]] and his [[military transport]]
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]]
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]]
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with [[Mo Zarak|Zarak]] and [[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
*[[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]:
**[[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]]
**[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]
**[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]
**[[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]]
**[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]]
**[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]
**[[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
*[[Seawatch]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (2 pages)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
*[[Sidetrack]]}}

==Issue #6==
[[File:DW MTMTE 6.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
'''Originally published:''' [[September 24]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Siren]] with [[Quig]]
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (2 pages)
*[[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Skullcruncher]] with [[Grax]]
*[[Skullgrin]] (2 pages)
*[[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (2 pages)
*[[Sky High (Micromaster)|Sky High]]
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]
*[[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]
*[[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] (2 pages)
*[[Skyhopper]] with his [[helicopter]]
*[[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] with his [[interstellar shuttle]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
*[[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]]
*[[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]]
*[[Slide]]
*[[Slow Poke]]
*[[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]]
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] with [[Krunk]]
*[[Snarler]] (2 pages)
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] with [[Lube]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
*[[Spaceshot]]
*[[Sparkstalker]]
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe (G1)|Singe]]
*[[Splashdown]] (2 pages)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
*[[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]] with his [[Attack Cruiser]]
*[[Squawkbox]]
*[[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]]
*[[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] with [[Lokos]]
*[[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]]
*[[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]]
*[[Stranglehold]] (2 pages)
*[[Strikedown]]
*[[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]:
**[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
**[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]
**[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
**[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
**[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]
**[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]
*[[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] (2 pages)
*[[Sunrunner]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Surge (G1)|Surge]]
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Swindler]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Tailspin]]}}

==Issue #7==
[[File:DW MTMTE 7.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
'''Originally published:''' [[October 29]], 2003

{{collist|3|
*[[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]]
*[[Takedown]]
*[[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]:
**[[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]]
**[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]
**[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]]
**[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]]
**[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
**[[Computron (G1)|Computron]]
*[[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]:
**[[Blot (G1)|Blot]]
**[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]]
**[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]]
**[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]]
**[[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]]
**[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]
*[[Terror-Tread]] with the [[Cannon Transport]]
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (2 pages)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
*[[Tote]]
*[[Tracer (G1 Decepticon)|Tracer]]
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Tread Bolt]]
*[[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]
*[[Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]
*[[Trip-Up]]
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] with [[Full-Tilt]] and [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]]
*[[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2 pages)
*[[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]]
*[[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]] (2 pages)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]
*[[Waverider]] (2 pages)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] with [[Monzo]]
*[[Wheel Blaze|Wheelblaze]]
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]
*[[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]]
*[[Wideload (G1)||Wideload]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*[[Windsweeper]]
*[[Wingspan]]
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
*Pretender [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2 pages)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
*Pretender [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2 pages)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]]
*Pretender [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (2 pages)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
*Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] with [[Hi-Q|Ginrai]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]
*Pretender [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2 pages)}}

==Issue #8==
[[File:DW MTMTE 8.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Oh yea Galvy, you know how I like it!]]
'''Originally published:''' [[December 3]], 2003 
Includes a one-page conclusion to the Megatron story begun in issue 1.

{{collist|3|
*[[Ark (G1)|The Ark]] (2 pages)
*[[Autobot]]s (3 pages)
*[[Cloning|Cloning Technology]]
*[[Combiner]]s (2 pages)
*[[CR chamber]]s / [[stasis pod]]s
*[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (6 pages)
**[[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]
**[[Kaon]]
**[[Protoform]]s
**[[Transformation]]
*Cybertronian martial arts (2 pages):
**[[Circuit-Su]]
**[[Crystalocution]]
**[[Diffusion]]
**[[Metallikato]]
**[[Pit fighting]]
*[[Decepticon]]s (3 pages)
*[[Earth]] (2 pages)
*[[Energon]]
*Energon-based weaponry
*[[The Fallen]] (2 pages)
*[[Gladiatorial combat]]
*The [[Great Shutdown]]
*[[Guardian robot]]s (3 pages)
*[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] (2 pages)
*[[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] and [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]] (2 pages)
*The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] (2 pages)
*[[Micromaster]]s
**Autobot [[Battlefield Headquarters]]
**Decepticon [[Anti-Aircraft Base]]
**Autobot [[Missile Launcher]] Transport
*[[Nebulos|Nebulon]]
*[[Nemesis (G1)|The ''Nemesis'']] (3 pages)
*[[Powermaster]]s
*[[Pretender]]s
*[[Quintessa]] and [[Quintesson]]s (2 pages)
*Shockwave's experiments:
**[[Duocon]]s
**[[Triple Changer]]s
*[[Size changing|Size/mass change]]
*[[Space bridge]]
*[[Spark]]s
*Special abilities (3 pages)
**[[Laser scalpel]]s
**[[Teleportation]]
**Chemical spray
**Invisibility
**Telepathy
**[[Force field]]
**[[Null-ray|Null ray]]
**Super-speed
**Common enhancements
*[[Targetmaster]]s
*[[Transwarp Drive]]
*[[Unicron]] (2 pages)
*[[Vector Sigma]]
*[[Wrecker]]s
*Glossary (2 pages)}}

==Omissions==
[[File:WingthingDreamwave.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|"Don't worry pal, I know who you are."]]
*While ''More Than Meets The Eye'' featured Action Masters, it did not include Action Master versions of pre-1990 characters and therefore also not their [[:Category:Action Master partners|partners]]. Thus the guide omits the following US characters and/or accessories entirely: Grimlock's [[Anti-tank cannon]], Shockwave's [[Fistfight (G1)|Fistfight]], Blaster's [[Flight Pack]], Bumblebee's [[Heli-pack]], Inferno's [[Hydro-Pack]], Megatron's [[Neutro-Fusion Tank]], Optimus Prime's [[Armored Convoy]], Devastator's [[Scorpulator]], Jazz's [[Turbo Board]], Prowl's [[Turbo Cycle (G1)|Turbo Cycle]], Starscream's [[Turbo Jet]], Wheeljack's [[Turbo Racer]], Snarl's [[Tyrannitron]] and Soundwave's [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]]. This becomes goofier with the collected editions; due to their choice of [[20th Anniversary Lithograph|artwork]], Wingthing appears on the back cover but not in the actual books.
*Gasket and Grommet are not shown as separate vehicles, only in their combined form as [[Cog (G1)|Cog]].
*Weapon modes are not shown for [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]'s Targetmaster partners [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]] and [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]].
*Combined vehicle modes are not shown for the [[Mega Pretender]]s ([[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]] and [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]).
*[[Ultra Pretender]]s [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] and [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] are both missing their outer vehicular shells, though both are mentioned in the text.
*Base mode is not shown for the [[ATV]].
*Only one-half of the [[Cannon Transport]] is shown (the same half, in mobile artillery mode, is shown with both partners.) Its base and combined transport modes are not shown at all.
*Mobile artillery and combined transport modes are not shown for the [[Missile Launcher]].
*The [[Tanker Truck]] is not shown at all, either with its respective Micromasters or in the Micromasters reference section.
*The [[Anti-Aircraft Base]]'s tank mode is not shown.
*Base and flight modes are not shown for the [[Battlefield Headquarters]].
*Powermaster Optimus Prime's smaller robot form is not shown.
*[[Flattop (Decepticon)|Flattop]]'s aircraft carrier is shown but not its 'interstellar jet' mode.

==Errors and critiques==
[[File:Eagleeyes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The shame of it is, that's perfectly good art of G2 Eagle Eye.]][[File:Mtmte-yeahright.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Surrrrrre he can turn into that truck.]]
[[File:RavageCassetteDreamwaveMTMTE.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The perfect disguise: a panther box.]]
[[File:StarscreamBioPicMTMTEDreamwave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Pat Lee's Starscream. Wait, why's everyone laughing?]]
*In issue #2, [[Eagle Eye (G1)|Eagle Eye]] was drawn with his [[Eagle Eye (G2)|''Generation 2'' Decepticon namesake]]'s jet mode. For the TPB, the art was edited somewhat to look more like the G1 character.
*In the trade paperback edition, the picture of Wingspan in robot mode has an Autobot [[insignia]].
*In the trade paperback edition, Nautilator's weapon mode is depicted differently on Nautilator's page and Piranacon's page. (On Nautilator's page, his beast mode head and claws surround the weapon barrel; on Piranacon's page, Nautilator's beast head and claws are at the rear of the weapon.)
*The character models for Blackout and Spaceshot were reversed, so that Spaceshot was portrayed as the front half of their combined vehicle mode and Blackout as the rear half. This error carried over into the bio text as well, so it is entirely possible that the personality assigned to Spaceshot was intended for Blackout, and vice versa. This error was never corrected, and may account for [[Blackout (Animated)|''Animated'' Blackout]]'s Spaceshotty color scheme.
*Not an error per se, but the alphabetization is inconsistent. Earlier subgroups like the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and the combiner teams are alphabetized by their subgroup names, while the [[Micromaster]] teams are split up by individuals. However, while a deliberate decision may have led to alphabetizing some characters by their individual names and others by the name of their subgroup, [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] are definitely alphabetized incorrectly.
*Likewise, Micromaster bases are inconsistently shown. Some appear with their owners; of these, many are only shown in one configuration. Others only show up in the special topics issue.
*Many characters had their art drawn by multiple artists, with Dreamwave's editors picking the versions they liked best or those that fitted best with the profile. For example, [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] also had artwork drawn for him by [[Matt Kuphaldt]] that was not used for the final product.<ref name="jackpot">[http://www.spektakle.com/ Artist Matt Kuphaldt's online portfolio], containing profile art for MTMTE not used for the final book.</ref> That doesn't necessarily mean what ended up being published was always the best ''quality'' art, though that's a highly subjective matter. What's ''not'' a subjective matter, however, is the fact that what was ultimately selected by the editors often resulted in different artists' artwork being used for the same characters' robot and [[alternate mode]]s in many instances, leading to some glaring incongruities when the two modes appear side-by-side. For example, the angled windshield on [[Oiler]]'s robot-mode chest (pictured at the top of this article) is a nearly-flat windshield on his truck mode. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (pictured to the right) has a similar problem as well as differently styled windows. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] is drawn by [[Joe Ng]] as a very angular robot, whereas the vehicle mode is a very accurate rendition of a classic Volkswagen Beetle. Bumblebee's alternate mode, by contrast, bears only very vague resemblance to both a classic Beetle and a New Beetle. Even the clones, [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] and [[Fastlane]], appear very different to each other, though their respective poses (Cloudraker stood up straight and calm, Fastlane in a rather haphazard action pose) don't help either.
*In addition, artwork for characters' alternate modes is, on occasion, a maddeningly literal drawing based on their toy, instead of any kind of accurate, in-universe representation of the actual object they transformed into. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s tape mode, for instance, is more of a folded-up-robot mode than an actual cassette tape.
*Octopunch's crab mode art is traced directly from his packaging art.
*Most of the Pretender shell penciling and colouring is ridiculously basic, but the Pretender Monster shells feature highly detailed pencils and colours (though their robot art suffers from the "literally being based on the toy" problem).
*Frustratingly, some of the best-known characters such as Megatron, Fortress Maximus, Starscream, Jetfire and Octane have some of the poorest artwork.
*In the IDW collected edition, at least, Darkwing's robot mode art has been incorrectly photoshopped with one image over the other, leaving him with an extra-thick torso, too many fins on the back and four arms, amongst other errors.

==Notes==
*The original version of issue 3's cover depicted [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], whose profile was published in issue 2, rather than [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]].<ref name="brooks1">[http://diablo2003.deviantart.com/art/Transformers-covers-143973822 Mark Brooks' original cover artwork for MTMTE #s 3 and 4] on Deviantart</ref>
*During the time that the Dreamwave were releasing the individual issues it became known that they only ever had the rights to release Transformers comics in North America. With immediate effect supply of Transformers comics to foreign countries was stopped. This left international Transfans with only a partially completed run of MTMTE, and having to resort to other methods to acquire the remainder.
*Additional profiles for characters such as [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] (rather notably absent in the MTMTE profile books) and the [[Female Autobots]] were to be released in [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual]]. However, Dreamwave went bankrupt before it would be produced.
*As alluded to below, the covers for the collected editions are... odd. Megatron and Optimus's bios are both in Volume 1, but Megatron is on the cover of Volume 2. However, Optimus ''does'' have a profile in Volume 2 for his Powermaster form. Likely, Optimus was used first for marketing reasons.
*Optimus Prime's Powermaster partner is called Ginrai rather than Hi-Q, to match the then-current [[Toys"R"Us]] [[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] reissue, though the character described is still Hi-Q.
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]] is mentioned as a pioneer of the Powermaster process.
*These profile books say that a front-end [[Micromaster Combiner]] can combine with any rear-end Combiner, and vice versa, implying that in Dreamwave's G1 continuity, front-end Combiners can not combine with each other and rear-end Combiners can not combine with each other (a limitation untrue for the toys or [http://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:Micromastercombiners-commercial.jpg other depictions of the characters]).

==Collections==
[[File:MTMTECollectionCoversDW.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|Unsurprisingly, Megatron's bio is actually in Volume 1.]]
Dreamwave released two trade paperbacks (TPB) of the entire collection. Volume 1 contained issues 1-4, Volume 2 contained issues 5-8. No changes were made to the order of articles, and as such the same criticisms apply. Both volumes are quite rare, and as a result can be expensive to acquire. It is much easier to obtain the original individual issues.

*DW Volume 1: [[October 27]], 2004 (ISBN 0973381760, ISBN 978-0973381764)
*DW Volume 2: [[December 8]], 2004 (ISBN 0973381779, ISBN 978-0973381771)

[[IDW Publishing]] later reprinted the ''Generation 1'' guides, unchanged from the Dreamwave originals (and thus reference the DW plots of the Great Shutdown, Shockwave's inventions of the Triple Changers, Duocons etc.).

*IDW Volume 1: [[October 1]], [[2008]] (ISBN 1600102506, ISBN 978-1600102509)
*IDW Volume 2: [[December 10]], 2008 (ISBN 1600102956, ISBN 978-1600102950)

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/dreamwave/guide/?s=mtmte Guide at TFArchive.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:More than Meets the Eye, Transformers}}
[[Category:Dreamwave titles]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Profile books]]

The Resurrection Gambit!

2015-01-27T21:26:21Z

Jerryteacup: /* Continuity notes */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #57
|prev=Back from the Dead
|next=All the Familiar Faces!
|title="The Resurrection Gambit!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #243–245
|prev2=Assault on the Ark!
|next2=Mind Games
|image=MarvelUS-57.jpg
|caption=Physician, heal thyself!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=June [[1989]]
|coverdate=October 1989
|story=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciling=[[José Delbo]]
|Inking=[[Dave Hunt]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Jim Massara]]
|editing=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''An actual Marvel US/UK crossover occurs this issue!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'s deep in denial, but [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] is indeed back. He even greets Ratchet like an old friend. He decides to skip the "How I Survived" story and move right into the "My Insane Scheme" story, introducing Ratchet to the prototype super [[Pretender]] armor he has designed to implement said scheme. As Ratchet begins to measure just how deep in it he is, he thinks back and regrets not being able to contact [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] earlier.

Several minutes ago and just after Optimus Prime and his team landed on [[Earth]] to confront the [[Air Strike Patrol]], the factions are in the middle of exchanging insults and ultimatums when Prime's comm suddenly chirps to life with Ratchet's voice. Before he can say much, though, the radio is blown to pieces by quick-draw Storm Cloud. Now Prime really knows something is up, and bashes his way through the other [[Micromaster]]s to wring it out of Storm Cloud. The cocky Decepticon says just the wrong thing, alerting Optimus to their real intentions: getting him away from Ratchet and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].

Before he can get any further in the interrogation, Optimus is interrupted by the arrival of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, whom the Air Strike Patrol had called in earlier. Though they actually owe allegiance to Megatron, it seems the Micromasters joined Scorponok's forces on Earth just for this opportunity—to call in their "fearless leader" for "rescue" and keep the [[Autobot]]s busy (and damaged) while Megatron's scheme unfolds on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

As for that scheme, Megatron explains to Ratchet that he's waiting for the delivery of a special guinea pig, who will be fully repaired into an instrument of destruction by the new Pretender shell. He needs Ratchet, however, to monitor and co-ordinate the process so that nothing goes wrong. When Ratchet balks, Megatron makes contact with [[Blackjack]] aboard the Ark, who has somehow managed to knock all the remaining Autobots on board offline, and is in the process of installing explosives that will destroy the entire ship at Megatron's command.

As Ratchet's situation sinks in for him, Megatron takes the opportunity to satisfy his earlier curiosity and relate the story of his survival. While he was believed dead after blowing up the [[space bridge]] several years ago while standing on it, Megatron was in fact blown clear of the explosion and crash-materialized on Cybertron. He lay deactivated for months before internal repair circuitry brought him back on-line in an extremely disoriented state. He only regained his full faculties after crossing some Autobots assaulting Blackjack. The combination of the Micromaster shouting out his name and the sight of the hated Autobot symbol kickstarted Megatron's personality routines. He destroyed the Autobot duo, and began making plans with the Micromasters to reclaim a position of strength in the Decepticon army, and destroy his enemies in the process. As his tale ends, Megatron leads Ratchet off to meet his newly-arriving patient. Realizing that Megatron only plans to use one of the four shells at his command, an idea begins to form in Ratchet's cerebral-circuitry...

Back on Earth, the battle between Optimus Prime and Scorponok's forces has begun in earnest. Optimus Prime is pissed, more than aware that he's been led around by the olfactory sensors all day, and can do nothing about it. As the Air Strike Patrol leave their "honored leader" to fight the battle for them, Prime sledgehammers his way through half of Scorponok's fighting force. He only stops himself when [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] of all robots reminds him of the danger to the [[human]]s still in the area. But while Prime's now ready to start a dialog, Scorponok is in no mood to talk after seeing his troops manhandled so severely, and begins stalking his way towards Optimus.

If seeing Megatron alive was a nightmare, Ratchet is now experiencing a psychotic episode. There's no way, no how, Megatron plans for him to reactivate [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], no matter what the reason. But it's true—Starscream will be Megatron's running dog. And the hits just keep coming...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (4)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (6)
*[[Getaway]] (7)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (8)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (9)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (10)
*[[Cloudburst]] (11)
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (12)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (13)
*? (27)
*? (28)
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] (6)
*[[Detour (G1)|Detour]] (7)
*[[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]] (8)
*[[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]] (14)
*[[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] (15)
*[[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] (16)
*[[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]] (17)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (19)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (20)
*[[Skullgrin]] (21)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (22)
*[[Skullcruncher]] (23)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (24)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (25)
*[[Blackjack]] (26)
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (29)
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (30)
*The various pieces of scrap metal formerly known as [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (31)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[James Campbell]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:DelboAirStrikePatrolSwipe2.jpg|thumb|200px|Just barely noticeable.]]
*After swiping the poses of several members of the [[Micromaster]] [[Air Strike Patrol]] from their [[package art]] for the previous issue, [[José Delbo]] does the same with [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] on page 5 of this issue. To his credit, the pose features a little variation, the panel doesn't show the full body and Delbo completely redrew his arm, holding a gun.
*Megatron is smiling like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man on page 2. Not necessarily an error... just really, really creepy.
*A [[bulk]]-sized [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]] is shown among the Autobots disabled by Blackjack.
*Members of the Sports Car Patrol and the Air Strike Patrol get their names mixed up during the first few pages. Most notably, Detour seems to be in command of the Sports Car Patrol at the beginning of the mission instead of Blackjack.

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
*The question UK readers had of "Well if that's Megatron, then who's...?" was answered around this time in UK #243–244, a flashback before this story of Megatron confronting Megatron II, aka Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]].
*A "[[Anatomic euphemism|reactor linkage]]" is located just where you think it is.
*Darkwing and Dreadwind's "breezy" mission to recover Starscream's broken body was shown in UK story "[[Race with the Devil]]", one of only a few instances of crossover on the US comic's part.
*Don't you just love the rare occasion that Optimus Prime is seen truely beating the exhaust out of the Decepticons?

===Real-life references===

===UK printing===
'''Issue #243:'''
*'''Additional Transformers Story:''' ''[[Mind Games]]''
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Evasion'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''Classic Covers Calendar:''' November [[Grudge Match!|#135]]
'''Issue #244:'''
*'''Additional Transformers Story:''' ''[[Two Megatrons!]]''
*'''Other strips:''' ''Action Force - Evasion'' and ''Combat Colin''
'''Issue #245:'''
*'''Additional Transformers Story:''' ''[[Underworld!]]''
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Evasion'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|GI Joe]] the Action Force - "Divided We Fall!"''
*Divided We Fall! was a mini-comic detailing how the European ''[[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]'' and its American counterpart ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' have merged to form ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'', a name change that would be carried over to the back-up comic strips from issue [[Fallen Star!|#248]] and the cover from issue [[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]], as well as the toyline. The mini-comic was also given away free in some toy shops.

===Other trivia===
*''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]], [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], and [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] are found after the main story.

===Covers (9)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-57.jpg|'''US issue #57''' - Come on Megatron, his toy is fragile enough...
File:MarvelUK-243.jpg|'''UK issue #243''' - Shadow boxing.
File:MarvelUK-244.jpg|'''UK issue #244''' - I've won! I am the right one, right?
File:MarvelUK-245.jpg|'''UK issue #245''' - In ''Japan'', blah blah blah...
</gallery>
*'''US issue #57 cover:''' Megatron blasts Ratchet by [[José Delbo]].
*'''UK issue #243 cover:''' Megatron and his mean shadow by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #244 cover:''' Megatron kills Megatron by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #245 cover:''' [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] in the [[Underworld]] by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:Titan-PrimalScreamSC.jpg|'''''Primal Scream'' TPB'''
File:Titan-PrimalScreamHC.jpg|'''''Primal Scream'' HC'''
File:Idw-tfmag4.GIF|'''''Transformers: Magazine'' #4'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''Primal Scream'' TPB cover:''' Grimlock, Goldbug, Pretender Starscream, and half of [[Primus]] by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Primal Scream'' Hardback cover:''' Grimlock victorious over the [[Sports Car Patrol]] by [[Dave Gibbons]].
*'''''Transformers: Magazine'' #4 cover:''' Megatron stands victorious over Ratchet, Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee by ???
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
<gallery>
File:TFClassicsVol5.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 5'''
</gallery>
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 5 cover:''' Prowl by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2002]] — ''[[Transformers: Primal Scream]]''
*[[2007]] — ''[[Transformers: Magazine]]'' #4
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 5]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Resurrection Gambit!}}
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Fire in the Sky

2015-01-27T11:43:32Z

Jerryteacup: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=7
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=62
|prev2=Masquerade
|next2=Fire on the Mountain (episode)
|image=FHE-FireInTheSky.jpg
|caption=
|title="Fire in the Sky"
|production code=#700-04
|airdate=[[December 8]], 1984
|written by=[[Alfred A. Pegal]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''While siphoning the Earth of its energy, the Decepticons uncover a long-lost colleague of Starscream.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:FireintheSky snowball.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|This snow isn't as fun as Spike said it was!]]

What’s this? A blanket of snow over the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s volcano? The Autobots and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] engaged in a snowball fight? In July? In the middle of the desert? Something is amiss with the world’s weather. According to [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s scans, temperatures are 40 degrees below normal and falling rapidly.

[[File:FireintheSky Reflector draincrystal.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Im in ur ice cave, steamcleanin ur crystal]]

Somewhere in the [[Arctic Circle]], the Decepticons have tapped a crystal shaft leading directly to the [[Earth's core]] to siphon the planet's heat energy into [[energon cube]]s. While excavating the icy caverns surrounding the crystal, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] uncovers a Transformer frozen in the ice. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] recognizes it as his old colleague [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]].

The Autobots finally pinpoint the source of the Earth’s energy drain, and Teletraan I confirms Decepticon activity surrounding a crystal outgrowth in the Arctic Circle. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] hastily assembles an assault team, and they [[roll out]], with Spike and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] accompanying.

[[File:FireintheSky DecepticonsrepairingSkyfire.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|I don't care if he is a fat bastard, Thundercracker. You don't weld a bot in the pills. It's just not cricket.]]

The Decepticons have hauled the frozen titan out of the ice and proceed to repair it. Starscream explains his past: [[MYA|millions of years ago]], before the final falling out between the Autobots and Decepticons, Starscream and Skyfire were both explorers. They were charting an unknown planet, Earth, when a storm separated the two and Skyfire was lost.

Skyfire awakens and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] welcomes him to the Decepticon cause. Though Skyfire is grateful for having been thawed out, he shows doubts about being a warrior rather than a scientist. He commits to the cause out of loyalty to Starscream. When the Autobots arrive in the Arctic, Skyfire targets them for destruction.

[[File:FireintheSky Skyfire peers in.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|I see you.]]

Skyfire opens fire, scattering the Autobots. Spike tumbles through the ice into the arctic waters. Sparkplug pulls him out, but they are trapped on an ice floe. They cry out for help. Skyfire is intrigued by the new lifeforms and tries to befriend them, not realizing that they are terrified by Decepticons. Spike and Sparkplug try to explain that it’s the Decepticons that are the true monsters. The naïve Skyfire takes the humans to Megatron to prove the Decepticons' good intentions. Megatron and Starscream promptly imprison Spike and Sparkplug behind bars of ice, and plan their execution, leaving Skyfire troubled.

[[File:FireintheSky pileofparts.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|They got better.]]

Optimus leads his Autobot team into the icy caverns, but a cave-in splits the team in two. Prime's group finds the humans and frees them, while the other team—including [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]—find the crystal shaft tap. Megatron discovers this second group and has his soldiers capture them. To test Skyfire's loyalty, Starscream orders Skyfire to execute the captives. Skyfire refuses, and in a fit of rage, Starscream blasts his old friend. Starscream then blasts the prisoners to pieces.

[[File:FireintheSky Skyfires magicAutobotsymbol.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|A changing faction symbol? It's Sideways! Get him!]]

Well, not really. Once again, one of Hound's holograms has saved the day, creating the illusion of blasted Autobot parts. When Starscream departs, Hound drops the illusion. An ailing Skyfire awakens and is pleased to see the Autobots functioning. The disparate Autobot teams unite as Ratchet repairs the fallen titan. [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] spies Ratchet's work and reports to Megatron. The Decepticon leader chews out Starscream for failing to kill the prisoners. Megatron orders his soldiers to attack.

[[File:FireintheSky Memorial.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Rest in peace, Skyfire." "[[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|I'm not dead!]]" "I can still hear his voice on the wind... *sniff*"]]

As the battle progresses, Prime and Megatron each grab shards of crystals and engage in a duel. Skyfire appears on the battlefield, and Megatron orders him to attack Prime. Skyfire refuses, and proudly declares himself an Autobot, attacking Megatron and his Decepticons instead.

The battle takes to the air as Starscream and Skyfire engage in an aerial dogfight. A midair collision sends Skyfire out of control. In a last ditch effort, his blasts bury the crystal, but Skyfire crashes into the ice. The Autobots mourn Skyfire’s heroic sacrifice.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (4)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (7)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (8)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (15)

|c2=
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (9)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (10)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (11)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (12)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (13)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (17)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (18)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (20)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"Not snowman, Spike. Snowbot! There's a flurry in a hurry!"
:—A snow-covered '''Jazz''', surprising Spike

"Okay, Spike. You rat on me, I'll splat on you!"
:—'''Bumblebee''', after Spike warns Ratchet about Bumblebee's incoming snowball

[[File:FireintheSky Gears crashes through ice.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Ironically, Gears is the one with the junk in his trunk. Well, truck bed, anyway.]]
"Ironhide's carrying too much lead in his caboose!"
:—'''Gears''', predating the "junk in the trunk" standard after they all fall through an ice sheet

"Lucky for you my laser has a defrost cycle."
:—'''Cliffjumper''' breaks Spike and Sparkplug out of an ice prison.

"Well, I'll be reprogrammed with a rivet roller."
:—'''Ironhide''' reveals yet another unusual piece of Cybertronian technology.

"I'm a scientist, not an executioner!"
:—'''Skyfire''' objecting to Starscream's demand that he execute the captives.

"You shall pay for your treachery!"
:—'''Starscream''' to Skyfire. You know what, Starscream-- never mind.

"He won't be forgotten, Spike. He will live forever... so long as freedom exists. We shall remember you, Skyfire."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eulogy for Skyfire

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[File:FireintheSky Gears AninconvienientTruth.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|ManBearPig - I'm serial!]]
* Jazz laughs at Spike's "I get the drift" line in Cliffjumper's voice.
* His voice apparently stolen by Jazz, Cliffjumper oophs and grunts in a Don Messick voice as he bangs into a tree. It's similar to the "What does it instantly immobilize?" flub from the later episode "[[The Immobilizer]]".
* As Optimus Prime muses about how the heat from the Earth's core is being drained away, Gears can be seen in the background sitting in front of a console with a very small screen. But during the closeup of Gears, the screen is ''much'' larger. The screen also makes a mechanical whirring noise as the view pans across a native village, as if the screen itself were moving.
* While Megatron and Starscream are talking at the energon cube-filler machine, Reflector places an already-filled energon cube at the machine, seemingly to have it filled. In the same shot, another Reflector bot's chest is all gray.
* Rumble's mouth moves after Skywarp taunts him, but rather uncharacteristically, he doesn't actually say anything.
* Coloring errors:
** As Starscream berates Skywarp and Rumble for standing around, Skywarp's cockpit fringe is gray instead of black, and Rumble's eyeband is gray.
** "Give him 50,000 volts" - Starscream's "collar" is red instead of gray.
** As Soundwave deploys the electrical device, his face is misdrawn with a strangely pointy faceplate, and his eyeband is colored gray instead of red.
** "I knew him once" - the tip of Starscream's gun turns the same blue as his glove as he gestures.
** "Hail Cybertron!" - Skyfire's face is white instead of gray.

[[File:Fire in the sky.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"If I talk to you for two minutes, I consider you my friend."]]

** Skyfire's Decepticon symbol alternates between red and purple throughout the episode, but it is mostly red.
** As the Autobots roll toward Skyfire in profile, Jazz's fenders are colored windshield blue.
** "I'll take you to Megatron, my leader" - red Decepticon symbol on Skyfire again.
** Spike and Sparkplug's fur hats are beige instead of brown as they look at each other in fear.
** "We'd better find Optimus and the others before..." Ironhide's backside is entirely dark gray; there should be some red and light gray.
** "With pleasure, Megatron!" The bridge of Starscream's nose is light gray; it should be dark gray.
** In the wide shot of Ratchet repairing Skyfire, Skyfire's got a red Decepticon symbol yet again.
** Skywarp's nosecone is all orange as he transforms and takes off.
** Prime's bumper is yellow as he spins around to transform his trailer.
** Skyfire's thruster nozzles are white as he approaches the crystal.
** As the Autobots cheer for Skyfire's apparent victory, Optimus Prime's whole torso is colored blue.
* The first bit of Skyfire that's sticking out of the ice doesn't correspond to any actual part on his body.
* After Starscream melts away more of the ice, that first part of Skyfire is no longer sticking out.
* While watching the Sky Spy's footage, Spike describes a "weird light", but the screen shows nothing of the sort. The big, green, not-a-light crystal is plain as day, though.
* When the Autobots roll out, the background is moving far too quickly, making them appear to be sliding across frame while transforming. It doesn't help that they aren't drawn very well, either.
* Appearing / disappearing Autobots:
** Only Prime, Jazz, Ironhide and Hound are shown rolling out. Gears shows up in the convoy on the way to the north pole. Cliffjumper, Ratchet and Bumblebee finally show up when the group transforms in front of Skyfire.
* In Skyfire's memory monitor, a distant shot shows Starscream looking like a short, dumpy version of [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]].
* When Skyfire first wakes up and asks where he is, Starscream's mouth appears to be moving, but he isn't actually saying anything. In the same shot, the back of Thundercracker's head is white instead of black.
* The base of Megatron's fusion cannon is the same silver as his arm, as he introduces himself to Skyfire.
* When the Autobots stop in front of Skyfire, they're ''tiny'' - maybe as tall as his feet.
* When Spike yells for help, one of Hound's laser blasts comes out of mid-air instead of his gun.
[[File:Skyfire-Valkyrie-Arm-FitS.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Gotta admit it...that boy has really gotten a lot better.]]
* When Skyfire picks up Spike and Sparkplug, his entire right arm, including his gun, is drawn as the Macross Valkyrie-styled arm from his [[Jetfire (G1)#Notes|original animation model]].
* In a rather odd shot set up, Skyfire is too big to fit into a cave that Megatron and Starscream stand in. He’s forced to peer through the cave’s opening.
* After Starscream shoots his hand, Skyfire has an extra line on his face that makes him look like an old man (the same trick later used to distinguish [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] from his Rodimus Prime persona.) His arm jointing seems oddly drawn, as well.
* When Bumblebee tells Optimus that he can't find Ironhide and the others, the animation makes him look like he's floating a foot or two above the ground.
* Prime clearly drives into the caves without his trailer. When Bumblebee reports in, Prime does have his trailer. In the next shot, he lacks the trailer again. His smokestacks are rendered as thin red lines, too.

** Later, during the big fight at the end, Prime's trailer appears again so he can use its weapons.
* Gears is missing his forearm as he and the others peer at the green crystal.
* As Hound gets to his feet, he leaves a copy of his missile launcher behind, briefly giving him ''two'' launchers. In the same shot, Ratchet's mouth goes missing.
* Megatron's missing his back gun barrel as he spins 180 at the waist.
* Optimus is shown mouthing Megatron’s order to Skyfire (to destroy Optimus Prime!)
* Starscream fires strange cross-hatch lasers at Skyfire. As he swoops in, a purple Autobot symbol is briefly visible on his wing.
* Spike and Sparkplug are both shown mouthing Spike's "Belt him in the burners" line.

===Continuity errors===

* This episode's basic premise is one of the most bizarre and scientifically ludicrous conceits ever created by the cartoon - namely, the idea that draining the energy of the Earth's core would somehow severely and instantly affect its climate, causing plummeting temperatures world wide. If internal heat generates the planet's climate, why would there be big frozen zones at the poles? Doesn't Earth actually have a big [[Sun|external heat source]] that would offset the devastating loss of this (infinitesimal) heat source?

* Teletraan I says the global average temperature has dropped by 40 degrees. To put that in context, the average temperature was about 8 degrees less than the present day ''during the last ice age.''
* What exactly do green crystals have to do with the Earth's core?
* Superhuman Spike:
** Spike not only survives (without bruising, or bleeding) a watermelon-sized snowball headshot (to the face) powerful enough to knock him off a cliff, but also rolling down said cliff with enough velocity to knock over several full-sized Autobots without so much as breaking a bone. In fact, he just gets up and is *smiling*!
**Spike falls and nearly drowns in Arctic water, and somehow is not overcome by hypothermia. It probably helps that both he and his clothes dry out about five seconds after being pulled out.
** Both Spike and Sparkplug seem none the worse for wear after being casually tossed onto solid ice by Starscream.
* Someone forgot that the Seekers have a pre-Earth design; in a flashback to millions of years ago, Starscream is shown transforming into his F-15 jet mode (millions of years before his arrival on Earth, or the invention of jets.) The script for the episode ''did'' call for a Cybertronian alternate mode, but evidently the animators didn't get the message.
*The Autobots can apparently drive from the United States to the Arctic in a fairly short amount of time.
* Just where did Skyfire get this whole "evil Autobots" notion, anyway? Did he miss that whole "conquer the universe" bit in Megatron's speech?
* The ad hoc icicle 'prison' created for Spike and Sparkplug first contains gaps clearly large enough for them to be able to escape through.
* Gears says that his group had better go find Optimus before they're discovered by the Decepticons. The group then stands around doing nothing until, sure enough, they're discovered by the Decepticons.*
[[File:FireintheSky Reflector formation.jpg|upright=1.1|right|thumb|And then there's this. Did the script call for this? What the hell?]]
* Couldn't four Autobot prisoners overpower their captors (Starscream and Skyfire) with relative ease? Heck, Hound's still got his missile sitting there, ready to go!
* Starscream is apparently dumb enough to think that 2 piddly little null ray blasts are enough to reduce four Autobots to scrap.
* It's never adequately explained where Skyfire got an Autobot badge from. And he tears the old one off like it's made of paper.
* Why was Skyfire's whole sacrifice even necessary? Couldn't the Autobots have buried the crystal from the ground?

===Rhino DVD release===
[[File:G1toon starscream and skyfire.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Are you happier having a [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|red symbol]] [[Starscream (WFC)|than a purple one]], Starscream?" "Yes! It is far more exciting! And it goes so well with my red highlights!"]]

* At the beginning of the episode, the snow falls upwards and many snow effects are missing.
* In many instances Skyfire's symbol is miscolored.
* Right after he wakes up, Skyfire has a red Decepticon insignia in his chest in one shot, before they actually imprint the symbol on him.
* When Starscream blasts Skyfire, the laser blast is missing.
* The chapter stops for this episode on the Rhino DVD are Opening / Snowbot / At the Arctic Circle / "Destruction to Autobots" / An Illusion / Skyfire is Gone

===Continuity notes===
* Aside from astroseconds, Transformers also use astrominutes as units of time.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Soundwave can transform his right forearm into a cylindrical electricity firing module capable of generating a million volts.
** Ratchet uses the same forearm-mounted laser scalpel that he had in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".
** Laserbeak uses his forehead-mounted microphone... to broadcast a signal.
** Megatron receives that signal with a flashing of his pectoral rectangle things, a trope that will show up again in "Countdown to Extinction".
** Megatron can rotate his lower torso 180 degrees, which makes for some cool hand-to-hand combat maneuvers.
[[File:Combat deck.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* Prime’s [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]] cannons make a rare appearance in this episode, emerging from a non-transformed trailer.
* The first appearance of Skyfire, obviously.
* "We shall remember you, Skyfire!" Optimus solemnly vows. Yeah, especially [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|next time we need a ride somewhere]].

===Real-world references===
* "It's educational, kids!" - we get an appearance of the Aurora Borealis.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as the Seekers transform and take off.
** [[Death Star]] super laser as they launch their attack a second later.
** Exploding [[X-wing Fighter]] (or an explosion aboard the Death Star) as the Autobots flee from Decepticon bombs.
** Clashing [[lightsaber]]s as Ratchet gets blasted away from Skyfire.
** [[TIE Fighter]] roar as Skywarp and Thundercracker crash.
** Clashing lightsabers again as Prime knocks Megatron's cannon away.
** ''Falcon'' engine burst as Skyfire takes off.
** X-wings and TIE Fighter as Skyfire aims for the crystal.

===Trivia===
* This episode was produced as the seventh in the season, though it aired after the eighth-produced episode, "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]".
* This episode contains the first time that Prime gives the famous "Transform and roll out" order.
*Strangely, the official [[Sunbow Productions]] cast list entry for "Fire in the Sky" names "Decepticon Workers" who "resemble Skywarp" as silent characters ("no dialogue") appearing in the episode. No such legion of Skywarps actually appears.
* Spike and Sparkplug have fashionable fur-lined cold-weather hardhats with ear flaps.
* Skyfire gets what may be the only internal monologue in the entire series, as he reflects unhappily on the Decepticons ethos.
* If you don't get a laugh out of Megatron nonchalantly beaning Starscream with an energon cube, there's no hope for you.

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fogo no Céu'''" ("Fire in the Sky")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Sfida tra i ghiacci'''" ("Challenge in the Ice")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Fiamme nei cieli'''" ("Flames in the Skies")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Skyfire no Saisei'''" (スカイファイヤーの再生, "Skyfire's Resurrection")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 26]], [[1986]]
:*The Japanese ordering of this episode places it toward the end of the series. This was done as it featured Skyfire prominently and with his toy being of [[Bandai]] design (and not sold in Japan as a Transformer), that caused some legal concerns amongst Takara (many of Skyfire's smaller scenes in other episodes were cut entirely). Though the episodes featuring him as a main character were eventually shown, the scripts were not reworked to adjust to the new chronological placement, simply being more or less direct translations of the original English versions.
:*'''Cut:''' After Jazz makes his "snow fair" joke, the pan across to Bumblebee has been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' After Cliffjumper crashes ino the snow-covered tree, the scene of him shaking his head, Hound sliding by and crashing into a cactus have been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' The scene of Gears pointing to his monitor and blaming the snow on the Decepticons and Prime walking up and bending forward have been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' After Megatron makes his speech about gathering enough Energon cubes to conquer the universe, the pan across the ice cave toward Rumble has been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' Following Teletraan-1's line, "Abnormally large energy expenditure in the Artic Circle", the scene of the monitor panning across the frozen tundra toward the large green crystal cone has been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' After the Autobots all transform and leave the Ark, the scene of Prime driving next to the cliffside and Spike's line, "Arctic Circle, here we come" have been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' After Starscream tosses Spike and Sparkplug to the ground, the following scene of him pointing his arm gun toward them and the humans reacting in horror have been cut. The sequence resumes as his firing on the roof of the ice cave to create the ice bars.
:*'''Cut:''' Once Soundwave ejects Ravage at Megatron's command, the scene of Megatron pointing Ravage in a certain direction and Ravage charging down the cave have been cut. The sequence resumes at the inward pan of the empty cave and Jazz's line about "searching these tunnels for astro-minutes".
:*'''Cut:''' Immediately following ''that'' scene, the scene of Megatron sitting down and spinning an Energon cube in his hand has been cut. The sequence resumes at his blinking chest.

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ogonj v nebe'''" (Огонь в небе, "Fire in the Sky")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Vatra na nebu'''" (Ватра на небу, "Fire in the Sky")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 4: "Fire in the Sky" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1995 — ''The Transformers'' — The Autobots vs. The Decepticons ([[Malofilm]])
;[[Wikipedia:LaserDisc|LaserDisc]]
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Three ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Two (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/fire_in_the_sky.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2015-01-16T15:36:08Z

Jerryteacup:

{{suite}}
[[File:ClubCon flyme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Starscream had tried to get the others to name it "Club Scream!", but no game. For more than one reason.]]
He might have spent about a third its run asleep, but that didn't stop '''Starscream''' from being a big player in the Marvel Comics continuity!
{{TOC}}
==Generation 1==
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Glassgas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Millions of years ago, on the troubled planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Starscream acted as the figurehead leader for the controlling dictators of the city-state of [[Vos]]. Following a botched attempt at igniting war between [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], Vos itself went to war with Tarn, and both cities were destroyed by an exchange of [[photon missile]]s. The survivors of both cities—presumably including Starscream—were gathered together by the ex-gladiator [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who used their bitterness towards Iacon to unite them under his control as the [[Decepticon]]s.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

Four million years ago, Starscream was part of Megatron's attack raid on the [[Autobot]] [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which ended catastrophically when the ship crashed on [[Earth]], knocking all aboard offline. In 1984, a volcanic eruption jarred the ship's [[Aunty|computer]] back online, and it reactivated and rebuilt Starscream and all others aboard with new Earthly [[alternate mode]]s. The Decepticons were quick to begin hostilities on this new world, and during a battle at a drive-thru movie theater, Starscream was sent fleeing when a dose of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s [[glass gas]] shattered his chassis. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:PrisonerofWar starscream and sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
As the Decepticons sought new sources of fuel and power, Starscream attempted to undermine Megatron's decision to attack the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]] by proposing that [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] scout it first. Seeing the wisdom in the idea, Megatron sent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to do the job, and the effective strategies that the Decepticon leader formed based on the information retrieved reminded Starscream never to underestimate his commander's shrewdness. After the plant was seizing and its machinery use to construct a [[Fortress Sinister|base of operations]] for the Decepticons, the villains attacked the auto repair shop of the Autobots' new human ally [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], and Starscream abducted the human in order to pry from him the method he had created of converting earth fuels into a form Cybertronians could consume. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

[[File:EnemyWithin brawn vs starscream.jpg|left|thumb]]
While Sparkplug was put to work, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp were dispatched to [[United Kingdom|England]] to investigate a Cybertronian signal that was discovered to be emanating from an spaceship that had crashed there centuries before. Reports of this mission are contradictory, but at least one account identified Starscream as the killer of the ship's occupant, the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]]. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} Returning to America, the three jets were then unleashed upon the human military forces who attempted a hopeless attack on the Decepticons' base. Under cover of the attack, however, the Autobots were able to rescue Sparkplug. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} ''Starscream was soon to advocate pursuit, but Megatron refused, preferring caution, and the frustrated Starscream immediately began plotting against him. Intending to rally the Decepticons behind him by attacking humans in order to orchestrate a confrontation between the Autobots and Decepticons, Starscream was caught monologuing by Ravage, and was forced to try and kill the spy in order to keep his plans secret. Both his attack and his attempt to murder Ravage met with failure, however, and when [[Containment Manoeuvre Four-Eight|caught]], Starscream demanded a trial-by-combat. He was pitted against [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and won, but was then shot down by a revenge-seeking Ravage, who blamed the Autobots.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

[[File:Addstarscreamtothedamagereport.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|He'd better get used to this.]]
Powered up using the fuel Sparkplug had created for them and readying for a renewed attack on the Ark, Starscream berated Megatron for allowing Sparkplug to have been rescued, since the human would likely have shared his fuel with the Autobots. A blast from Megatron's [[fusion cannon]], along with the confirmation that Sparkplug had failed to convert fuel for the Autobots, led Starscream to meekly acquiesce to the attack plan. Battle ensuing, but just as the Decepticons appeared victorious, Starscream and the others doubled over in pain, victims of poisoned fuel courtesy of Sparkplug Witwicky. If not for the sudden appearance and intervention by the long-lost [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the Decepticons surely would have been defeated. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} Besting the weakened Autobots, Shockwave repaired Starscream and the others, {{storylink|The New Order}} establishing himself as leader by humiliating the weakened Megatron and parading him in front of Starscream and the Decepticons as a warning. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[File:Starscreamdisintegratedcircuits.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Starscream's treachery is a little more subtle when he's allowed to have thought balloons.]]
Under Shockwave's command, the Decepticons seized control of one of human [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s oil rigs, prompting the industrialist to build a super-weapon to fight back. Starscream convinced Shockwave to let him and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] destroy the weapon to boost morale, intending to steal it and use it to destroy Shockwave and take command. Attacking the unveiling ceremony at the Blackrock speedway, the two Decepticons were confronted by the Autobots [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and the robot-hating super-human [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]], whose electrical powers caused Starscream to lose control of his jet-mode engines, forcing him to rely on robot mode flight as he dragged Frenzy's body away in retreat. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

''After Shockwave and Megatron both went missing, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] assumed command, rejecting Starscream's leadership aspirations by labelling him a guileless, tactless "missile with a mouth". These insults notwithstanding, Starscream still proved pivotal in Soundwave's plan to capture [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], cutting off the Autobot scout's escape. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was subsequently challenged to fight his way through the Decepticons to rescue him, and although Starscream loudly boasted of being a "leader killer", his resolved was lost when he faced Optimus Prime alone, and he was quickly defeated.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}
[[File:RocknRollOut seekers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Returning to the Blackrock Industries oil rig, Starscream and his fellow jets soon found their makeshift base surrounded by government forces, leaving them trapped for weeks. Shockwave returned to help them make their getaway, and charged them using a [[power siphon]] he had built during his absence to convert sound energy from a [[Brick Springhorn|Brick Springstern]] concert into [[energon cube]]s, but they were bested in the attempt by Bumblebee and a group of new Autobot recruits. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} Soon after, Shockwave determined to brainwash Bumblebee and add him to the Decepticon ranks, and Starscream agree, joining him and the other Decepticons in relentlessly hunting the small Autobot when he was alone. It wasn't until human authorities and the Autobots arrived to rescue Bumblebee did the Decepticons abandon their hunt. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who joined Megatron on a mission to the [[space bridge]] to welcome reinforcements from Cybertron, only to discover that Autobots had arrived over the bridge instead. Before they could attack, Megatron was alerted to an Autobot raid on the Decepticons' base, but rather than return to aid in the defense, Megatron instead ordered an assault on the underguarded Ark. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they had no reckoned with the newest Autobot, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who deactivated almost all the Decepticons present, Starscream included. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Target2006 lesson in obedience.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
''The Autobots recovered the bodies of Starscream and the other deactivated Decepticons and placed them in life support capsules within the Ark, holding them imprisoned in stasis. Not long afterward, the Autobots were plunged into a state of disarray by the violent arrival of the enigmatic time-travelling Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] was in such a rush to depart the medical bay and attend a mission briefing that he failed to notice an alert signifying the malfunction of Starscream's capsule. Starscream awoke and punched his way out of the capsule, and proceeded to steal out of the medical area and listen in on the Autobots' briefing. He was shocked to overhear that the Autobots had teamed up with Megatron to defeat Galvatron, and Starscream immediately decided to sneak off to join forces with this powerhouse from the future. Galvatron went along with Starscream's toadying, as the irony amused him; Galvatron was, in fact, a recreated future incarnation of Megatron, and would go on to kill Starscream twenty years in the future! When Galvatron and his men faced Megatron once again, Starscream shot Megatron in the back, but had to be stopped short of killing him by Galvatron himself, who knocked Starscream unconscious in order to secure his own future existence. Starscream's body was placed back into its stasis capsule by the future Autobots [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], who then tricked Galvatron into returning to the future through a complicated plan that involved painting Skywarp to look like Starscream, and then duping Galvatron into destroying him. After killing "Starscream", Galvatron rationalized that he must have travelled back to a parallel timeline, since Starscream was not supposed to die until 2006, and returned to the future with his men.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Starscreammerrychristmas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|His heart grew three sizes that day.]]
''Rather than do the smart thing and return Starscream the Ark, the future Autobots rather unwisely left his capsule lying in the middle of a field. As happenstance would have it, Starscream lay there, undisturbed, until he awoke at [[Christmas]] the following year. Desolate, he wished he could go home again, and was in mid-mope when he was chanced upon by a [[Christmas kid|a human]] who sought to inform him of the meaning of Christmas. Urged to help a busload of elderly humans who had become stuck in a snowdrift, Starscream wanted to know what would be in it for him. As Starscream debated this good deed, he was suddenly attacked by [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], who suspected him to be up to his usual do-baddery. After a brief battle, the human intervened to chastise Streetwise, and Starscream proceeded to show up the Protectobot by saving the bus, purely out of spite.'' {{storylink|Stargazing}}

{{note|Starscream never awoke in the American stories—his deactivated body remained captive within the Ark for years, and was not rescued until the events of "[[Totaled!]]", when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces saved all the Decepticons aboard the craft. When this story was reprinted in the UK, Starscream's name was erased from the artwork. As far as the UK stories were concerned, Starscream sought out Ratbat's Decepticons to join up with them.}}
[[File:ClubCon starscream and ratbat.jpg|left|thumb]]
Starscream quickly ingratiated himself with Ratbat and became the manager and public face of [[Club Con]], a human island resort that covered their attempt to uncover subterranean information on the legendary [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} When a pair of Autobot audio and video tapes recording the loss of the Underbase were found, Starscream convinced Ratbat to let him watch the tapes with him. In the "[[Realvision]]" playback, he witnessed a young Optimus Prime thwart Megatron's early attempts to possess the Underbase by shooting the legendary database into space. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} Starscream then set about a chain of systematic betrayals in order to gain access to that power. He set loose [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], whom the Decepticons had been holding prisoner, with equipment that would lure the Autobots to the Decepticon's Antarctic base. The ensuing battle served to distract his fellow Decepticons as he then stole a ship from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to look for the Underbase. {{storylink|Cold War!}}

[[File:DarkStar underbase powered starscream.jpg|thumb]]
Upon finding the ancient database, Starscream began absorbing its power but was unable to finish the task as he was blasted by Ratbat's ship, piloted by a temporary Autobot/Decepticon alliance. However, while the light of the Underbase had only shone on Starscream for a moment, that moment had been enough to fill him with its awesome power, and the now-cosmically-powered Air Commander survived the attack. Growing to monumental proportions, Starscream hurled his ship at Ratbat's craft, and promptly headed for Earth with the intention of proving his power by destroying [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Buenos Aires]]. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled to those locations to try and stop Starscream, but they ultimately failed, as a massive amount of the Transformers active on Earth were badly damaged and incapacitated by Starscream's Underbase-powered rampage. Starscream only stopped after intercepting a radio transmission between [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Optimus Prime, and realized that the great Autobot leader was elsewhere, plotting against him. Starscream fled back out into space to find Prime, and rediscovered the Underbase. Starscream attempted to finish absorbing its power, only to have the absolute knowledge overwhelm him, which resulted in his destruction. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:ZombieScream1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Braaaiiiinnnssss!]]
''Starscream's corpse crashed in [[South America]], but the Decepticon still clung to some semblance of life, as his shattered husk was reanimated by the residual energy of the Underbase that still saturated it, and driven by Starscream's own murderous impulses into an insane rampage. After nearly killing [[Susan Hoffman]] and [[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|her Assistants]], the [[zombie]]-like Starscream was confronted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], who had been sent by Megatron to recover Starscream's body, and the Autobot [[Triggerbot]]s. Triggerbot [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] was able to appeal to the fraction of the Underbase that was still within Starscream and convinced it to try and regain control of itself, but as soon as it did, Dreadwind and Darkwing had their [[Powermaster]] partners [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] siphon all the Underbase's remaining power from the walking cadaver. Starscream's corpse returned to being an inanimate pile of scrap, which the pair quickly collected.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

Starscream's remains were delivered to Megatron [[Megatron's base|in his Cybertronian base]], who kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and forced him to rebuild Starscream with a powerful [[Pretender]] shell. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} After the shell had finished healing the body inside, Megatron sent the resurrected, supposedly mind-wiped Starscream to Earth, where he attacked in the middle of a tense meeting between the forces of Scorponok and Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}[[File:Starscreamskindeep.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb|These are the Delboest panels ever.]] Starscream's new form was powerful, but what gave him his true edge was how much he spooked his victims. He was believed to be a ghost, an invincible force of revenge, and most of Scorponok's troops quickly fled the battlefield. It wasn't until Hot Rod manned up and shot their attacker did they realize that this was no ghost at all, but rather a physical being that could [[Furmanism|feel pain and be destroyed.]] This was further sold by Starscream's sudden display of cowardice: Ratchet had arranged for Starscream's true personality to eventually surface, and Hot Rod's blast had knocked it free. Completely outmatched, Starscream surrendered and begged Scorponok for forgiveness. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}
[[File:FallenStar laughing at me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Although permitted to join Scorponok's Decepticons, Starscream began to wallow in self-pity, believing that all the other Decepticons considered him a joke for his many failed takeover attempts and defeats. His self-esteem crumbled every time the other Decepticons refused to speak to him or spoke about him behind his back. In reality, the other Decepticons were terribly frightened of Starscream (thanks to that whole Underbase thing) and were avoiding him so they wouldn't be killed. Starscream sulked about it for a while until he defeated and captured a few Autobots and his confidence began to return.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

Starscream was a source of dissension among the Decepticons, who were angry with Scorponok for letting him back in. {{storylink|The Primal Scream|Primal Scream}}—and it ''was'' pretty dumb, as Starscream tried to capture the mutant [[Dynamo]] and use him as a [[Powermaster]] so he could challenge Scorponok. He failed, but was then approached by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], believed to be dead at the time, with the proposition of declaring war on Scorponok and taking leadership for themselves. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} Naturally viewing Shockwave as a stepping stone to claiming sole power, Starscream agreed and helped press-gang [[Triggerhappy]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] into their group. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} After strategizing in Shockwave's sub-oceanic staging base, they launched their attack on Scorponok's [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] base, levelling it from above. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Starscream was first into the wreckage to dig out and finish off any survivors, but he had the bad luck of coming upon Scorponok first, who crushed his leg and took him out of the fight. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} The intervention of the human superhero team the [[Neo-Knights]] ended the conflict, {{storylink|Out of Time!}} after which all Transformers present were teleported to Cybertron by [[Primus]] in advance of the coming of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:Ratchetjollies.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ooooh, better leave this one off the resume.]]
When Unicron appeared, Starscream and Shockwave opted for the better part of valor, leaving the rest of their armies to take up the fight. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Although the chaos-bringer was defeated, mysterious tremors began to tear Cybertron apart, so the pair set about repairing the Ark {{storylink|Still Life!}} and used it to escape the planet. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Partway into their journey, the sudden appearance of life signals on the supposedly deserted ship prompted Starscream to investigate, and he was horrified to discover that Megatron was on board, having been in a life-support pod. Starscream immediately prostrated himself before his original leader, but Shockwave ordered him away to check the other pods while he dealt with Megatron. Starscream discovered that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] had also awoken and thought the fight would be an easy one, but his callous jokes about the enjoyment he would derive from killing the medic earned him a merciless pummeling. Starscream attempted to shoot Ratchet in the back, but the Autobot doctor jostled his shot, deliberately causing the detonation of a tank of [[Nucleon]]. The explosion caused enough of a chain reaction to send the Ark into a crash-landing on Earth. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}
{{-}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Bugged starscream insecticons.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
In an alternate series of events, Starscream and Shockwave's army grew much larger, and their main competition was not Scorponok, but a revived Megatron and his group of Decepticons. As Shockwave's second-in-command, Starscream had few responsibilities, and even less power. The final indignity came when he was assigned to mere monitor duty at their undersea base. Still, even that ignoble assignment presented an opportunity, as Starscream caught Megatron's spies, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], trying to tune in to Shockwave's war room. After incapacitating the bugs, Starscream surprised them by offering to let them go free, if they would report back to Megatron that Shockwave would be alone at a certain spot the next day, ensuring that Megatron would go out to battle him alone. {{storylink|Bugged!}} With the trap baited, Starscream contacted his opposite number, Megatron's second-in-command Soundwave, and proposed an alliance. Soundwave had already been playing both sides by feeding information to him, and so the two of them conspired to join the Decepticon factions under their joint rule. Sure enough, after Megatron and Shockwave's private battle came under Autobot fire (Autobots who had been anonymously tipped off by Starscream), they radioed their respective bases only to hear that the Decepticons no longer considered the two of them leaders. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

Starscream's first major action as Decepticon leader was the ol' "bait and switch"—sending Soundwave and a Decepticon strike force to keep the Autobots busy at their Earthbase, while he personally attended to stealing a supply of oil from a tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It seemed, however, that Starscream's plan hadn't accounted for Earthforce's newest recruits: the [[Survivors]]. A quick 1-2-3 by [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] took the fight out of Starscream, and so he retreated, radioing his troops to do the same. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
[[File:ExternalForces starscream vs soundwave.jpg|thumb|225px]]
Sometime later, returning to the [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|Decepticon base in the Louisiana bayous]], Starscream suddenly found himself fighting for his life against [[Louisiana bounty hunters|several mismatched bounty hunters and mercenaries]]. Believing his co-commander Soundwave must have been responsible for the contract, Starscream stormed back to their headquarters to confront him. {{storylink|Assassins}} He wasted no words in confronting his "treacherous" partner, but fortunately Soundwave had had the foresight to prerecord an explanation. While trading blows and dodging laser fire in person, Soundwave's recording outlined how the situation was clearly a set-up to make them fight each other. Fortunately, Starscream believed him. Unfortunately, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] stormed in at that moment, having been paid by the true contractors, Megatron and Shockwave, to eliminate anyone left standing. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The two Decepticons would have been overwhelmed if they hadn't received aid from an unlikely source: Earthforce. It seemed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was dying of [[Corrodia Gravis]], a wasting disease which required an energy transfer from a compatible Transformer, and Starscream fit the bill. After driving off Megatron, Shockwave and the Mayhems, Starscream made a deal with Earthforce to help Snarl in exchange for their aid against any future uprising by the former Decepticon leaders. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

Soon afterwards, Starscream and Soundwave engaged in Project: Smear, a campaign to ruin the Autobots' good name among the humans, and ensure they received no additional aid in the war. A straightforward attempt to brainwash [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] into wrecking a human settlement didn't pan out, {{storylink|Inside Story!}} so a more subtle plan was engineered. Starscream had [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] use his [[cerebro-shell]]s to subvert the will of a human reporter, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], and compel him to write a story bashing the Autobots and portraying them as kidnappers, or worse. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

==''Generation 2''==
{{Note|Starscream first appeared, in silhouette, in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' issue]] "[[Unfoldings!]]", in which he and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were seen talking about the [[Silent Castle|possibility that there was another Decepticon left]] on [[Earth]]. Starscream would not reappear during the ''G.I. Joe'' crossover, and when the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] proper began, Megatron was seen repairing his deactivated form, [[retcon]]ning his ''G.I. Joe'' appearance away.}}

[[File:TalesofEarth2 megatron and starscream.jpg|left|225px|thumb|Who have you been talking to, Starscream?]]
Starscream was deactivated by the Ark's crash to Earth and remained offline for several years. Eventually, Megatron, who had survived the impact and spent the time repairing the ship and now required troops to stage his comeback, grudgingly elected to repair and reactivate him, questioning his good judgement in the process. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} Rescued from the destruction of the Ark at the hands of Fortress Maximus and back in one piece, Starscream flew Megatron to a confrontation with current Decepticon leader [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales of Earth #1}} but wisely kept out of the battle for leadership, instead betting [[Fangry]] five triliters of [[evergon resin]] that Megatron would win. Unsurprisingly, Starscream won the bet. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth #2}} Although back in command, Megatron continued to enact the late Bludgeon's last plan, attacking Earth in order to drawn out Optimus Prime. Starscream joined the Decepticons in assaulting [[Washington, D.C.]], jovially chatting all the way through, and radioed to Megatron when Prime appeared on the scene. Starscream then watched as Megatron defeated Prime and tore the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] from him. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who raided [[Tykos]] to steal its [[Rheanimum]], where he grew increasingly aware of the fact that his usefulness to Megatron was rapidly coming to an end. Following the success of the mission, the Decepticons were attacked by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], but Megatron ignored Starscream's plea for retreat. {{storylink|New Dawn}} To combat this new threat, Megatron allied the Decepticons with the Autobots, a move that was the last straw for Starscream. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Stealing away, he approached Jhiaxus and led his army to the allied Autobot/Decepticon forces at [[Autobase|Autobase Earth]] in return to the promise of an eminent position in his empire. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}

[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|thumb|225px]]
This, of course, was also a feint: while the three factions were battling, Starscream led a small squad of Cybertronians to seize of the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], where he used the Creation Matrix to fuse himself with the giant ship, transforming it and himself into a living weapon. {{storylink|Total War!}} As Optimus Prime and Megatron entered the possessed ship to try and stop him, Starscream exhibited a startling control over the physical nature of the vessel, turning the ''Warworld'' into an ever-shifting maze of horrors to torment the two leaders. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}} Starscream was soon to find, however, that merging with the Matrix cut both ways: when Jhiaxus turned his fleet against the Earth, Starscream was suddenly compelled to protect the planet, and was horrified to discover that the inherent purity of the Matrix was prompting him to be "good". {{storylink|Dark Shadows!#"Tales of Earth Part Eight"|Tales of Earth #8}} Unable to override the heroic compulsions and with no desire to be a hero, let alone a dead one, Starscream returned the Matrix to Optimus and reverted to normal. Fortunately, he was able to avoid any major repercussions for his deceit thanks to the arrival of a much larger threat in the form of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. Megatron put Starscream to work loading the Rheanimum into a shuttle so it could be distributed among the Autobots and Decepticons to protect them from the Swarm's destructive touch, after which, he left him on the Warworld. Starscream then used a tractor beam to rescue Prime from the Swarm and gave him a canister of Rheanimum before departing for parts unknown, reflecting that his final actions had been highly uncharacteristic and worrying that the Matrix might have done him some permanent damage. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==''Generation 2'' (UK)==
[[File:Megatron starscream warzone.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
Starscream waited nearby as Megatron confronted Optimus Prime in [[London]]. When the former Decepticon leader was overwhelmed by Grimlock's Dinobots, Prime's Autobots and Bludgeon's Decepticons, Starscream flew in and rescued him. {{storylink|War Zone}} Some time later, they travelled to confront Bludgeon once again {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales of Earth #1}} and Starscream bet [[Fangry]] five triliters of [[evergon resin]] that Megatron would win. Fangry (and Bludgeon) lost. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth #2}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum}}}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:CrossingOver starscream smacked.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Through unknown means, Starscream was able to escape the Ark before the ship crash-landed in the Arctic. Venturing out of his own, Starscream soon found himself at a total loss: with no troops to command, he found that he lacked the ability to accomplish anything without a leader to organize things for him. He fell off the grid, eventually resurfacing years later after news reached him that Megatron had also re-emerged on Earth. Left genuinely humbled by his experiences, Starscream simply walked up to the front of the Decepticon base in the remains of the Ark and begged to be allowed entrance, which Megatron permitted. However, once he was upgraded into a new body and feeling himself again, Starscream soon fell back into his old scheming patterns, albeit with much greater patience than before. Now that he had Megatron to reunite the Decepticons, Starscream would bide his time until all their enemies were destroyed, and then he would make his move. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|''Classics'' Starscream profile}}

When Megatron returned to the Ark with a mysterious new Decepticon named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], who claimed to have come from another dimension, Starscream dismissed his story as lies, earning a backhand from the his leader. Soon after, the Decepticons departed to investigate a mysterious new energy signal, and Starscream led the attack against the human forces who got in their way. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2|Crossing Over #2}} When the Autobots arrived to join the flight, Starscream and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] engaged in a dogfight; Starscream called on [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] for help, but he was busy following other orders. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6|Crossing Over #6}}

[[File:GamesofDeception-Seekers.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Popular Marvelverse term, "the Seekers."]]
Not long after the battle's end, Starscream surreptitiously took Skywarp and Ramjet to meet with a squad of new Decepticon arrivals on Earth—representatives from the larger Decepticon army operating out in space under the command of Bludgeon—with a view to forming an alliance with the rival group against Megatron. Unfortunately, their leader [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] proved to be as duplicitous as him: when they were distracted by the discover that [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] had been spying on them, Starscream and his fellow jets were tagged with [[cerebro-shell]]s that put them under Bug Bite's control. At his new master's command, Starscream led Bug Bite and his men back to the Ark, where he turned them on Megatron until Autobot intervention jammed the cerebro-shells and set them free. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

When Megatron prepared his final strike against Bludgeon, he sent out three warships to menace the skeletal warrior, commanded by Starscream, Thundercracker and [[Octane (G1)|Octane]]. Somewhat reluctantly, Starscream did nothing but languish in his command chair in space above Bludgeon's headquarters, as the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s acted on Megatron's order to betray and eliminate Bludgeon from within. Starscream just waited for Astrotrain and Soundwave to inform him the deed was done, and the Decepticons below were surrendering and powering down their weapons. A bit cleaner than he would've liked it, but Starscream still had to admire Megatron's skill at deception. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Battle sled loose ends 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|WHEEE!!!!!]]
Twenty-one years after Starscream had been taken offline by the second Ark crash, he was once again drafted into Megatron's service as part of his [[zombie]] army. Unlike the other mindless conscripts—most of whom were Starscream's victims during the Underbase saga—Megatron allowed him to retain a sliver of individuality within him so that he would always suffer the knowledge of his diminished position, though he was at least allowed to ride on the back of the [[battle sled]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}}

Despite Megatron's best efforts, the bit of sentience in Starscream fought to get out, in an attempt to say just two words. All he could manage initially was a choked "kllrtch!", which Megatron dismissed as he assigned Starscream to prepare to ambush the approaching [[Wrecker]]s, as they sought to rescue the [[Scraplet]]-stricken [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. However, even as Megatron was able to get the best of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Starscream managed to make his way over to Kup. Just when Optimus Prime showed up to confront Megatron, Starscream was able to force out those two words, just intelligible enough so that Kup could understand their meaning: "kill Ratchet!" {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}}

All Starscream could do then was watch as Kup struggled to reach his gun. Eventually, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] reached Kup and provided him with an antitoxin. As Kup regained his strength, he demanded First Aid's weapon, took aim at Ratchet's head on the battle sled, and did what Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to do all those years ago, despite Ratchet's plea then. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} By fulfilling Starscream's request and destroying Ratchet, Kup gave Optimus the opening he needs to terminate Megatron once and for all.{{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Starscream's body was the last to be dumped into the pit in [[West Virginia]] where the remains of Megatron's army had been gathered, to be incinerated from orbit. However, Starscream was not quite dead yet, and flew out of the pit just before the blast came. He made his way back to the [[Yukon]], where he snuck by [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] to enter the Ark. Unknown to Starscream, he was followed... by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]! {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

Galvatron greeted Starscream inside the Ark by smacking his cannon-arm across Starscream's face. The time-displaced Decepticon threatened to destroy him (as Galvatron notes, it would be for [[The Transformers: The Movie|a second time]]) unless the Seeker explained why he would return to the now-deactivated starship. Realizing Starscream's inability to speak, Galvatron decided to have Starscream lead him to the reason: the body of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], whose cranial unit was directly connected to the Ark. This discovery pleased Galvatron. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}}

Starscream continued to help Galvatron prepare the Ark for departure, {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} though both were unaware that Optimus Prime was on his way to destroy the Ark, or that Shockwave was beginning to show signs of consciousness. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

As Galvatron continued his work elsewhere aboard the Ark, Starscream was snapped out of his haze by a voice—Shockwave's! He was even more surprised to find that his own voice had returned. Shockwave revealed that since Auntie was wiped out, he'd been steadily regaining consciousness, and had become one with the Ark's computer. However, he couldn't operate the Ark by himself; he still required a pilot. Starscream, fully conscious for the first time in years, immediately reverted to his old patterns, and began to plot against Galvatron. The time-displaced Decepticon, however, had already completed repairs to the Ark, and proceeded to take it into the air, just as Optimus Prime arrived on the scene. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

==Notes==
[[File:Starscreamg1early.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Confusing Nelson Yomtov since 1984.]]
[[Image:Delbostarscreamears.jpg|right|thumb|Van Gogh-Bot.]]
*For the first half of the American [[Marvel Comics]] series, Starscream's chest was colored dark blue, versus the red seen on the toy and in the cartoon. The apparent reason for this discrepancy is hinted at in animated segments in early [[commercial]] footage (see right), where Starscream's chest and forearms are black. Lack of color depth in comic books at the time required black to be represented by dark blue. Starscream's "true" colors began appearing in the American Marvel Comics when he made his return in issue 47, "[[Club Con!]]"
*Even then, though, the bits of Starscream that are ''supposed'' to be blue (such as his forearms) were consistently colored exactly the same way as the bits that are supposed to be ''black'' (such as his head). Both ''Generation 2'' and ''Regeneration One'' carried over this coloring quirk.
* Another note about his appearance: thanks to the way Starscream is depicted in his Transformers Universe profile, [[Jose Delbo|José Delbo]] interpreted that his head is asymmetrical and routineusly drew him with only one ear.

[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Regeneration One zombies]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2015-01-16T15:31:26Z

Jerryteacup: /* Notes */

{{suite}}
[[File:ClubCon flyme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Starscream had tried to get the others to name it "Club Scream!", but no game. For more than one reason.]]
He might have spent about a third its run asleep, but that didn't stop '''Starscream''' from being a big player in the Marvel Comics continuity!
{{TOC}}
==Generation 1==
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Glassgas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Millions of years ago, on the troubled planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Starscream acted as the figurehead leader for the controlling dictators of the city-state of [[Vos]]. Following a botched attempt at igniting war between [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], Vos itself went to war with Tarn, and both cities were destroyed by an exchange of [[photon missile]]s. The survivors of both cities—presumably including Starscream—were gathered together by the ex-gladiator [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who used their bitterness towards Iacon to unite them under his control as the [[Decepticon]]s.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

Four million years ago, Starscream was part of Megatron's attack raid on the [[Autobot]] [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which ended catastrophically when the ship crashed on [[Earth]], knocking all aboard offline. In 1984, a volcanic eruption jarred the ship's [[Aunty|computer]] back online, and it reactivated and rebuilt Starscream and all others aboard with new Earthly [[alternate mode]]s. The Decepticons were quick to begin hostilities on this new world, and during a battle at a drive-thru movie theater, Starscream was sent fleeing when a dose of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s [[glass gas]] shattered his chassis. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:PrisonerofWar starscream and sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
As the Decepticons sought new sources of fuel and power, Starscream attempted to undermine Megatron's decision to attack the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]] by proposing that [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] scout it first. Seeing the wisdom in the idea, Megatron sent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to do the job, and the effective strategies that the Decepticon leader formed based on the information retrieved reminded Starscream never to underestimate his commander's shrewdness. After the plant was seizing and its machinery use to construct a [[Fortress Sinister|base of operations]] for the Decepticons, the villains attacked the auto repair shop of the Autobots' new human ally [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], and Starscream abducted the human in order to pry from him the method he had created of converting earth fuels into a form Cybertronians could consume. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

[[File:EnemyWithin brawn vs starscream.jpg|left|thumb]]
While Sparkplug was put to work, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp were dispatched to [[United Kingdom|England]] to investigate a Cybertronian signal that was discovered to be emanating from an spaceship that had crashed there centuries before. Reports of this mission are contradictory, but at least one account identified Starscream as the killer of the ship's occupant, the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]]. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} Returning to America, the three jets were then unleashed upon the human military forces who attempted a hopeless attack on the Decepticons' base. Under cover of the attack, however, the Autobots were able to rescue Sparkplug. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} ''Starscream was soon to advocate pursuit, but Megatron refused, preferring caution, and the frustrated Starscream immediately began plotting against him. Intending to rally the Decepticons behind him by attacking humans in order to orchestrate a confrontation between the Autobots and Decepticons, Starscream was caught monologuing by Ravage, and was forced to try and kill the spy in order to keep his plans secret. Both his attack and his attempt to murder Ravage met with failure, however, and when [[Containment Manoeuvre Four-Eight|caught]], Starscream demanded a trial-by-combat. He was pitted against [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and won, but was then shot down by a revenge-seeking Ravage, who blamed the Autobots.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

[[File:Addstarscreamtothedamagereport.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|He'd better get used to this.]]
Powered up using the fuel Sparkplug had created for them and readying for a renewed attack on the Ark, Starscream berated Megatron for allowing Sparkplug to have been rescued, since the human would likely have shared his fuel with the Autobots. A blast from Megatron's [[fusion cannon]], along with the confirmation that Sparkplug had failed to convert fuel for the Autobots, led Starscream to meekly acquiesce to the attack plan. Battle ensuing, but just as the Decepticons appeared victorious, Starscream and the others doubled over in pain, victims of poisoned fuel courtesy of Sparkplug Witwicky. If not for the sudden appearance and intervention by the long-lost [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the Decepticons surely would have been defeated. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} Besting the weakened Autobots, Shockwave repaired Starscream and the others, {{storylink|The New Order}} establishing himself as leader by humiliating the weakened Megatron and parading him in front of Starscream and the Decepticons as a warning. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[File:Starscreamdisintegratedcircuits.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Starscream's treachery is a little more subtle when he's allowed to have thought balloons.]]
Under Shockwave's command, the Decepticons seized control of one of human [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s oil rigs, prompting the industrialist to build a super-weapon to fight back. Starscream convinced Shockwave to let him and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] destroy the weapon to boost morale, intending to steal it and use it to destroy Shockwave and take command. Attacking the unveiling ceremony at the Blackrock speedway, the two Decepticons were confronted by the Autobots [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and the robot-hating super-human [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]], whose electrical powers caused Starscream to lose control of his jet-mode engines, forcing him to rely on robot mode flight as he dragged Frenzy's body away in retreat. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

''After Shockwave and Megatron both went missing, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] assumed command, rejecting Starscream's leadership aspirations by labelling him a guileless, tactless "missile with a mouth". These insults notwithstanding, Starscream still proved pivotal in Soundwave's plan to capture [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], cutting off the Autobot scout's escape. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was subsequently challenged to fight his way through the Decepticons to rescue him, and although Starscream loudly boasted of being a "leader killer", his resolved was lost when he faced Optimus Prime alone, and he was quickly defeated.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}
[[File:RocknRollOut seekers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Returning to the Blackrock Industries oil rig, Starscream and his fellow jets soon found their makeshift base surrounded by government forces, leaving them trapped for weeks. Shockwave returned to help them make their getaway, and charged them using a [[power siphon]] he had built during his absence to convert sound energy from a [[Brick Springhorn|Brick Springstern]] concert into [[energon cube]]s, but they were bested in the attempt by Bumblebee and a group of new Autobot recruits. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} Soon after, Shockwave determined to brainwash Bumblebee and add him to the Decepticon ranks, and Starscream agree, joining him and the other Decepticons in relentlessly hunting the small Autobot when he was alone. It wasn't until human authorities and the Autobots arrived to rescue Bumblebee did the Decepticons abandon their hunt. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who joined Megatron on a mission to the [[space bridge]] to welcome reinforcements from Cybertron, only to discover that Autobots had arrived over the bridge instead. Before they could attack, Megatron was alerted to an Autobot raid on the Decepticons' base, but rather than return to aid in the defense, Megatron instead ordered an assault on the underguarded Ark. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they had no reckoned with the newest Autobot, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who deactivated almost all the Decepticons present, Starscream included. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Target2006 lesson in obedience.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
''The Autobots recovered the bodies of Starscream and the other deactivated Decepticons and placed them in life support capsules within the Ark, holding them imprisoned in stasis. Not long afterward, the Autobots were plunged into a state of disarray by the violent arrival of the enigmatic time-travelling Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] was in such a rush to depart the medical bay and attend a mission briefing that he failed to notice an alert signifying the malfunction of Starscream's capsule. Starscream awoke and punched his way out of the capsule, and proceeded to steal out of the medical area and listen in on the Autobots' briefing. He was shocked to overhear that the Autobots had teamed up with Megatron to defeat Galvatron, and Starscream immediately decided to sneak off to join forces with this powerhouse from the future. Galvatron went along with Starscream's toadying, as the irony amused him; Galvatron was, in fact, a recreated future incarnation of Megatron, and would go on to kill Starscream twenty years in the future! When Galvatron and his men faced Megatron once again, Starscream shot Megatron in the back, but had to be stopped short of killing him by Galvatron himself, who knocked Starscream unconscious in order to secure his own future existence. Starscream's body was placed back into its stasis capsule by the future Autobots [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], who then tricked Galvatron into returning to the future through a complicated plan that involved painting Skywarp to look like Starscream, and then duping Galvatron into destroying him. After killing "Starscream", Galvatron rationalized that he must have travelled back to a parallel timeline, since Starscream was not supposed to die until 2006, and returned to the future with his men.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Starscreammerrychristmas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|His heart grew three sizes that day.]]
''Rather than do the smart thing and return Starscream the Ark, the future Autobots rather unwisely left his capsule lying in the middle of a field. As happenstance would have it, Starscream lay there, undisturbed, until he awoke at [[Christmas]] the following year. Desolate, he wished he could go home again, and was in mid-mope when he was chanced upon by a [[Christmas kid|a human]] who sought to inform him of the meaning of Christmas. Urged to help a busload of elderly humans who had become stuck in a snowdrift, Starscream wanted to know what would be in it for him. As Starscream debated this good deed, he was suddenly attacked by [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], who suspected him to be up to his usual do-baddery. After a brief battle, the human intervened to chastise Streetwise, and Starscream proceeded to show up the Protectobot by saving the bus, purely out of spite.'' {{storylink|Stargazing}}

{{note|Starscream never awoke in the American stories—his deactivated body remained captive within the Ark for years, and was not rescued until the events of "[[Totaled!]]", when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces saved all the Decepticons aboard the craft. When this story was reprinted in the UK, Starscream's name was erased from the artwork. As far as the UK stories were concerned, Starscream sought out Ratbat's Decepticons to join up with them.}}
[[File:ClubCon starscream and ratbat.jpg|left|thumb]]
Starscream quickly ingratiated himself with Ratbat and became the manager and public face of [[Club Con]], a human island resort that covered their attempt to uncover subterranean information on the legendary [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} When a pair of Autobot audio and video tapes recording the loss of the Underbase were found, Starscream convinced Ratbat to let him watch the tapes with him. In the "[[Realvision]]" playback, he witnessed a young Optimus Prime thwart Megatron's early attempts to possess the Underbase by shooting the legendary database into space. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} Starscream then set about a chain of systematic betrayals in order to gain access to that power. He set loose [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], whom the Decepticons had been holding prisoner, with equipment that would lure the Autobots to the Decepticon's Antarctic base. The ensuing battle served to distract his fellow Decepticons as he then stole a ship from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to look for the Underbase. {{storylink|Cold War!}}

[[File:DarkStar underbase powered starscream.jpg|thumb]]
Upon finding the ancient database, Starscream began absorbing its power but was unable to finish the task as he was blasted by Ratbat's ship, piloted by a temporary Autobot/Decepticon alliance. However, while the light of the Underbase had only shone on Starscream for a moment, that moment had been enough to fill him with its awesome power, and the now-cosmically-powered Air Commander survived the attack. Growing to monumental proportions, Starscream hurled his ship at Ratbat's craft, and promptly headed for Earth with the intention of proving his power by destroying [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Buenos Aires]]. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled to those locations to try and stop Starscream, but they ultimately failed, as a massive amount of the Transformers active on Earth were badly damaged and incapacitated by Starscream's Underbase-powered rampage. Starscream only stopped after intercepting a radio transmission between [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Optimus Prime, and realized that the great Autobot leader was elsewhere, plotting against him. Starscream fled back out into space to find Prime, and rediscovered the Underbase. Starscream attempted to finish absorbing its power, only to have the absolute knowledge overwhelm him, which resulted in his destruction. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:ZombieScream1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Braaaiiiinnnssss!]]
''Starscream's corpse crashed in [[South America]], but the Decepticon still clung to some semblance of life, as his shattered husk was reanimated by the residual energy of the Underbase that still saturated it, and driven by Starscream's own murderous impulses into an insane rampage. After nearly killing [[Susan Hoffman]] and [[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|her Assistants]], the [[zombie]]-like Starscream was confronted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], who had been sent by Megatron to recover Starscream's body, and the Autobot [[Triggerbot]]s. Triggerbot [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] was able to appeal to the fraction of the Underbase that was still within Starscream and convinced it to try and regain control of itself, but as soon as it did, Dreadwind and Darkwing had their [[Powermaster]] partners [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] siphon all the Underbase's remaining power from the walking cadaver. Starscream's corpse returned to being an inanimate pile of scrap, which the pair quickly collected.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

Starscream's remains were delivered to Megatron [[Megatron's base|in his Cybertronian base]], who kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and forced him to rebuild Starscream with a powerful [[Pretender]] shell. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} After the shell had finished healing the body inside, Megatron sent the resurrected, supposedly mind-wiped Starscream to Earth, where he attacked in the middle of a tense meeting between the forces of Scorponok and Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}[[File:Starscreamskindeep.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb|These are the Delboest panels ever.]] Starscream's new form was powerful, but what gave him his true edge was how much he spooked his victims. He was believed to be a ghost, an invincible force of revenge, and most of Scorponok's troops quickly fled the battlefield. It wasn't until Hot Rod manned up and shot their attacker did they realize that this was no ghost at all, but rather a physical being that could [[Furmanism|feel pain and be destroyed.]] This was further sold by Starscream's sudden display of cowardice: Ratchet had arranged for Starscream's true personality to eventually surface, and Hot Rod's blast had knocked it free. Completely outmatched, Starscream surrendered and begged Scorponok for forgiveness. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}
[[File:FallenStar laughing at me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Although permitted to join Scorponok's Decepticons, Starscream began to wallow in self-pity, believing that all the other Decepticons considered him a joke for his many failed takeover attempts and defeats. His self-esteem crumbled every time the other Decepticons refused to speak to him or spoke about him behind his back. In reality, the other Decepticons were terribly frightened of Starscream (thanks to that whole Underbase thing) and were avoiding him so they wouldn't be killed. Starscream sulked about it for a while until he defeated and captured a few Autobots and his confidence began to return.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

Starscream was a source of dissension among the Decepticons, who were angry with Scorponok for letting him back in. {{storylink|The Primal Scream|Primal Scream}}—and it ''was'' pretty dumb, as Starscream tried to capture the mutant [[Dynamo]] and use him as a [[Powermaster]] so he could challenge Scorponok. He failed, but was then approached by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], believed to be dead at the time, with the proposition of declaring war on Scorponok and taking leadership for themselves. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} Naturally viewing Shockwave as a stepping stone to claiming sole power, Starscream agreed and helped press-gang [[Triggerhappy]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] into their group. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} After strategizing in Shockwave's sub-oceanic staging base, they launched their attack on Scorponok's [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] base, levelling it from above. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Starscream was first into the wreckage to dig out and finish off any survivors, but he had the bad luck of coming upon Scorponok first, who crushed his leg and took him out of the fight. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} The intervention of the human superhero team the [[Neo-Knights]] ended the conflict, {{storylink|Out of Time!}} after which all Transformers present were teleported to Cybertron by [[Primus]] in advance of the coming of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:Ratchetjollies.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ooooh, better leave this one off the resume.]]
When Unicron appeared, Starscream and Shockwave opted for the better part of valor, leaving the rest of their armies to take up the fight. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Although the chaos-bringer was defeated, mysterious tremors began to tear Cybertron apart, so the pair set about repairing the Ark {{storylink|Still Life!}} and used it to escape the planet. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Partway into their journey, the sudden appearance of life signals on the supposedly deserted ship prompted Starscream to investigate, and he was horrified to discover that Megatron was on board, having been in a life-support pod. Starscream immediately prostrated himself before his original leader, but Shockwave ordered him away to check the other pods while he dealt with Megatron. Starscream discovered that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] had also awoken and thought the fight would be an easy one, but his callous jokes about the enjoyment he would derive from killing the medic earned him a merciless pummeling. Starscream attempted to shoot Ratchet in the back, but the Autobot doctor jostled his shot, deliberately causing the detonation of a tank of [[Nucleon]]. The explosion caused enough of a chain reaction to send the Ark into a crash-landing on Earth. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}
{{-}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Bugged starscream insecticons.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
In an alternate series of events, Starscream and Shockwave's army grew much larger, and their main competition was not Scorponok, but a revived Megatron and his group of Decepticons. As Shockwave's second-in-command, Starscream had few responsibilities, and even less power. The final indignity came when he was assigned to mere monitor duty at their undersea base. Still, even that ignoble assignment presented an opportunity, as Starscream caught Megatron's spies, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], trying to tune in to Shockwave's war room. After incapacitating the bugs, Starscream surprised them by offering to let them go free, if they would report back to Megatron that Shockwave would be alone at a certain spot the next day, ensuring that Megatron would go out to battle him alone. {{storylink|Bugged!}} With the trap baited, Starscream contacted his opposite number, Megatron's second-in-command Soundwave, and proposed an alliance. Soundwave had already been playing both sides by feeding information to him, and so the two of them conspired to join the Decepticon factions under their joint rule. Sure enough, after Megatron and Shockwave's private battle came under Autobot fire (Autobots who had been anonymously tipped off by Starscream), they radioed their respective bases only to hear that the Decepticons no longer considered the two of them leaders. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

Starscream's first major action as Decepticon leader was the ol' "bait and switch"—sending Soundwave and a Decepticon strike force to keep the Autobots busy at their Earthbase, while he personally attended to stealing a supply of oil from a tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It seemed, however, that Starscream's plan hadn't accounted for Earthforce's newest recruits: the [[Survivors]]. A quick 1-2-3 by [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] took the fight out of Starscream, and so he retreated, radioing his troops to do the same. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
[[File:ExternalForces starscream vs soundwave.jpg|thumb|225px]]
Sometime later, returning to the [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|Decepticon base in the Louisiana bayous]], Starscream suddenly found himself fighting for his life against [[Louisiana bounty hunters|several mismatched bounty hunters and mercenaries]]. Believing his co-commander Soundwave must have been responsible for the contract, Starscream stormed back to their headquarters to confront him. {{storylink|Assassins}} He wasted no words in confronting his "treacherous" partner, but fortunately Soundwave had had the foresight to prerecord an explanation. While trading blows and dodging laser fire in person, Soundwave's recording outlined how the situation was clearly a set-up to make them fight each other. Fortunately, Starscream believed him. Unfortunately, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] stormed in at that moment, having been paid by the true contractors, Megatron and Shockwave, to eliminate anyone left standing. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The two Decepticons would have been overwhelmed if they hadn't received aid from an unlikely source: Earthforce. It seemed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was dying of [[Corrodia Gravis]], a wasting disease which required an energy transfer from a compatible Transformer, and Starscream fit the bill. After driving off Megatron, Shockwave and the Mayhems, Starscream made a deal with Earthforce to help Snarl in exchange for their aid against any future uprising by the former Decepticon leaders. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

Soon afterwards, Starscream and Soundwave engaged in Project: Smear, a campaign to ruin the Autobots' good name among the humans, and ensure they received no additional aid in the war. A straightforward attempt to brainwash [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] into wrecking a human settlement didn't pan out, {{storylink|Inside Story!}} so a more subtle plan was engineered. Starscream had [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] use his [[cerebro-shell]]s to subvert the will of a human reporter, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], and compel him to write a story bashing the Autobots and portraying them as kidnappers, or worse. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

==''Generation 2''==
{{Note|Starscream first appeared, in silhouette, in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' issue]] "[[Unfoldings!]]", in which he and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were seen talking about the [[Silent Castle|possibility that there was another Decepticon left]] on [[Earth]]. Starscream would not reappear during the ''G.I. Joe'' crossover, and when the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] proper began, Megatron was seen repairing his deactivated form, [[retcon]]ning his ''G.I. Joe'' appearance away.}}

[[File:TalesofEarth2 megatron and starscream.jpg|left|225px|thumb|Who have you been talking to, Starscream?]]
Starscream was deactivated by the Ark's crash to Earth and remained offline for several years. Eventually, Megatron, who had survived the impact and spent the time repairing the ship and now required troops to stage his comeback, grudgingly elected to repair and reactivate him, questioning his good judgement in the process. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} Rescued from the destruction of the Ark at the hands of Fortress Maximus and back in one piece, Starscream flew Megatron to a confrontation with current Decepticon leader [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales of Earth #1}} but wisely kept out of the battle for leadership, instead betting [[Fangry]] five triliters of [[evergon resin]] that Megatron would win. Unsurprisingly, Starscream won the bet. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth #2}} Although back in command, Megatron continued to enact the late Bludgeon's last plan, attacking Earth in order to drawn out Optimus Prime. Starscream joined the Decepticons in assaulting [[Washington, D.C.]], jovially chatting all the way through, and radioed to Megatron when Prime appeared on the scene. Starscream then watched as Megatron defeated Prime and tore the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] from him. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who raided [[Tykos]] to steal its [[Rheanimum]], where he grew increasingly aware of the fact that his usefulness to Megatron was rapidly coming to an end. Following the success of the mission, the Decepticons were attacked by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], but Megatron ignored Starscream's plea for retreat. {{storylink|New Dawn}} To combat this new threat, Megatron allied the Decepticons with the Autobots, a move that was the last straw for Starscream. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Stealing away, he approached Jhiaxus and led his army to the allied Autobot/Decepticon forces at [[Autobase|Autobase Earth]] in return to the promise of an eminent position in his empire. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}

[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|thumb|225px]]
This, of course, was also a feint: while the three factions were battling, Starscream led a small squad of Cybertronians to seize of the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], where he used the Creation Matrix to fuse himself with the giant ship, transforming it and himself into a living weapon. {{storylink|Total War!}} As Optimus Prime and Megatron entered the possessed ship to try and stop him, Starscream exhibited a startling control over the physical nature of the vessel, turning the ''Warworld'' into an ever-shifting maze of horrors to torment the two leaders. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}} Starscream was soon to find, however, that merging with the Matrix cut both ways: when Jhiaxus turned his fleet against the Earth, Starscream was suddenly compelled to protect the planet, and was horrified to discover that the inherent purity of the Matrix was prompting him to be "good". {{storylink|Dark Shadows!#"Tales of Earth Part Eight"|Tales of Earth #8}} Unable to override the heroic compulsions and with no desire to be a hero, let alone a dead one, Starscream returned the Matrix to Optimus and reverted to normal. Fortunately, he was able to avoid any major repercussions for his deceit thanks to the arrival of a much larger threat in the form of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. Megatron put Starscream to work loading the Rheanimum into a shuttle so it could be distributed among the Autobots and Decepticons to protect them from the Swarm's destructive touch, after which, he left him on the Warworld. Starscream then used a tractor beam to rescue Prime from the Swarm and gave him a canister of Rheanimum before departing for parts unknown, reflecting that his final actions had been highly uncharacteristic and worrying that the Matrix might have done him some permanent damage. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==''Generation 2'' (UK)==
[[File:Megatron starscream warzone.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
Starscream waited nearby as Megatron confronted Optimus Prime in [[London]]. When the former Decepticon leader was overwhelmed by Grimlock's Dinobots, Prime's Autobots and Bludgeon's Decepticons, Starscream flew in and rescued him. {{storylink|War Zone}} Some time later, they travelled to confront Bludgeon once again {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales of Earth #1}} and Starscream bet [[Fangry]] five triliters of [[evergon resin]] that Megatron would win. Fangry (and Bludgeon) lost. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth #2}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum}}}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:CrossingOver starscream smacked.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Through unknown means, Starscream was able to escape the Ark before the ship crash-landed in the Arctic. Venturing out of his own, Starscream soon found himself at a total loss: with no troops to command, he found that he lacked the ability to accomplish anything without a leader to organize things for him. He fell off the grid, eventually resurfacing years later after news reached him that Megatron had also re-emerged on Earth. Left genuinely humbled by his experiences, Starscream simply walked up to the front of the Decepticon base in the remains of the Ark and begged to be allowed entrance, which Megatron permitted. However, once he was upgraded into a new body and feeling himself again, Starscream soon fell back into his old scheming patterns, albeit with much greater patience than before. Now that he had Megatron to reunite the Decepticons, Starscream would bide his time until all their enemies were destroyed, and then he would make his move. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|''Classics'' Starscream profile}}

When Megatron returned to the Ark with a mysterious new Decepticon named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], who claimed to have come from another dimension, Starscream dismissed his story as lies, earning a backhand from the his leader. Soon after, the Decepticons departed to investigate a mysterious new energy signal, and Starscream led the attack against the human forces who got in their way. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2|Crossing Over #2}} When the Autobots arrived to join the flight, Starscream and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] engaged in a dogfight; Starscream called on [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] for help, but he was busy following other orders. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6|Crossing Over #6}}

[[File:GamesofDeception-Seekers.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Popular Marvelverse term, "the Seekers."]]
Not long after the battle's end, Starscream surreptitiously took Skywarp and Ramjet to meet with a squad of new Decepticon arrivals on Earth—representatives from the larger Decepticon army operating out in space under the command of Bludgeon—with a view to forming an alliance with the rival group against Megatron. Unfortunately, their leader [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] proved to be as duplicitous as him: when they were distracted by the discover that [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] had been spying on them, Starscream and his fellow jets were tagged with [[cerebro-shell]]s that put them under Bug Bite's control. At his new master's command, Starscream led Bug Bite and his men back to the Ark, where he turned them on Megatron until Autobot intervention jammed the cerebro-shells and set them free. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

When Megatron prepared his final strike against Bludgeon, he sent out three warships to menace the skeletal warrior, commanded by Starscream, Thundercracker and [[Octane (G1)|Octane]]. Somewhat reluctantly, Starscream did nothing but languish in his command chair in space above Bludgeon's headquarters, as the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s acted on Megatron's order to betray and eliminate Bludgeon from within. Starscream just waited for Astrotrain and Soundwave to inform him the deed was done, and the Decepticons below were surrendering and powering down their weapons. A bit cleaner than he would've liked it, but Starscream still had to admire Megatron's skill at deception. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Battle sled loose ends 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|WHEEE!!!!!]]
Twenty-one years after Starscream had been taken offline by the second Ark crash, he was once again drafted into Megatron's service as part of his [[zombie]] army. Unlike the other mindless conscripts—most of whom were Starscream's victims during the Underbase saga—Megatron allowed him to retain a sliver of individuality within him so that he would always suffer the knowledge of his diminished position, though he was at least allowed to ride on the back of the [[battle sled]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}}

Despite Megatron's best efforts, the bit of sentience in Starscream fought to get out, in an attempt to say just two words. All he could manage initially was a choked "kllrtch!", which Megatron dismissed as he assigned Starscream to prepare to ambush the approaching [[Wrecker]]s, as they sought to rescue the [[Scraplet]]-stricken [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. However, even as Megatron was able to get the best of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Starscream managed to make his way over to Kup. Just when Optimus Prime showed up to confront Megatron, Starscream was able to force out those two words, just intelligible enough so that Kup could understand their meaning: "kill Ratchet!" {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}}

All Starscream could do then was watch as Kup struggled to reach his gun. Eventually, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] reached Kup and provided him with an antitoxin. As Kup regained his strength, he demanded First Aid's weapon, took aim at Ratchet's head on the battle sled, and did what Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to do all those years ago, despite Ratchet's plea then. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} By fulfilling Starscream's request and destroying Ratchet, Kup gave Optimus the opening he needs to terminate Megatron once and for all.{{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Starscream's body was the last to be dumped into the pit in [[West Virginia]] where the remains of Megatron's army had been gathered, to be incinerated from orbit. However, Starscream was not quite dead yet, and flew out of the pit just before the blast came. He made his way back to the [[Yukon]], where he snuck by [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] to enter the Ark. Unknown to Starscream, he was followed... by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]! {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

Galvatron greeted Starscream inside the Ark by smacking his cannon-arm across Starscream's face. The time-displaced Decepticon threatened to destroy him (as Galvatron notes, it would be for [[The Transformers: The Movie|a second time]]) unless the Seeker explained why he would return to the now-deactivated starship. Realizing Starscream's inability to speak, Galvatron decided to have Starscream lead him to the reason: the body of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], whose cranial unit was directly connected to the Ark. This discovery pleased Galvatron. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}}

Starscream continued to help Galvatron prepare the Ark for departure, {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} though both were unaware that Optimus Prime was on his way to destroy the Ark, or that Shockwave was beginning to show signs of consciousness. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

As Galvatron continued his work elsewhere aboard the Ark, Starscream was snapped out of his haze by a voice—Shockwave's! He was even more surprised to find that his own voice had returned. Shockwave revealed that since Auntie was wiped out, he'd been steadily regaining consciousness, and had become one with the Ark's computer. However, he couldn't operate the Ark by himself; he still required a pilot. Starscream, fully conscious for the first time in years, immediately reverted to his old patterns, and began to plot against Galvatron. The time-displaced Decepticon, however, had already completed repairs to the Ark, and proceeded to take it into the air, just as Optimus Prime arrived on the scene. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

==Notes==
[[File:Starscreamg1early.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Confusing Nelson Yomtov since 1984.]]
*For the first half of the American [[Marvel Comics]] series, Starscream's chest was colored dark blue, versus the red seen on the toy and in the cartoon. The apparent reason for this discrepancy is hinted at in animated segments in early [[commercial]] footage (see right), where Starscream's chest and forearms are black. Lack of color depth in comic books at the time required black to be represented by dark blue. Starscream's "true" colors began appearing in the American Marvel Comics when he made his return in issue 47, "[[Club Con!]]"
*Even then, though, the bits of Starscream that are ''supposed'' to be blue (such as his forearms) were consistently colored exactly the same way as the bits that are supposed to be ''black'' (such as his head). Both ''Generation 2'' and ''Regeneration One'' carried over this coloring quirk.
* Another note about his appearance: thanks to the way Starscream is depicted in his Transformers Universe profile, [[Jose Delbo|José Delbo]] interpreted that his head is asymmetrical and routineusly drew him with only one ear.

[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Regeneration One zombies]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2015-01-16T15:31:01Z

Jerryteacup: /* Notes */

{{suite}}
[[File:ClubCon flyme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Starscream had tried to get the others to name it "Club Scream!", but no game. For more than one reason.]]
He might have spent about a third its run asleep, but that didn't stop '''Starscream''' from being a big player in the Marvel Comics continuity!
{{TOC}}
==Generation 1==
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Glassgas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Millions of years ago, on the troubled planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Starscream acted as the figurehead leader for the controlling dictators of the city-state of [[Vos]]. Following a botched attempt at igniting war between [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], Vos itself went to war with Tarn, and both cities were destroyed by an exchange of [[photon missile]]s. The survivors of both cities—presumably including Starscream—were gathered together by the ex-gladiator [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who used their bitterness towards Iacon to unite them under his control as the [[Decepticon]]s.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

Four million years ago, Starscream was part of Megatron's attack raid on the [[Autobot]] [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which ended catastrophically when the ship crashed on [[Earth]], knocking all aboard offline. In 1984, a volcanic eruption jarred the ship's [[Aunty|computer]] back online, and it reactivated and rebuilt Starscream and all others aboard with new Earthly [[alternate mode]]s. The Decepticons were quick to begin hostilities on this new world, and during a battle at a drive-thru movie theater, Starscream was sent fleeing when a dose of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s [[glass gas]] shattered his chassis. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:PrisonerofWar starscream and sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
As the Decepticons sought new sources of fuel and power, Starscream attempted to undermine Megatron's decision to attack the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]] by proposing that [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] scout it first. Seeing the wisdom in the idea, Megatron sent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to do the job, and the effective strategies that the Decepticon leader formed based on the information retrieved reminded Starscream never to underestimate his commander's shrewdness. After the plant was seizing and its machinery use to construct a [[Fortress Sinister|base of operations]] for the Decepticons, the villains attacked the auto repair shop of the Autobots' new human ally [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], and Starscream abducted the human in order to pry from him the method he had created of converting earth fuels into a form Cybertronians could consume. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

[[File:EnemyWithin brawn vs starscream.jpg|left|thumb]]
While Sparkplug was put to work, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp were dispatched to [[United Kingdom|England]] to investigate a Cybertronian signal that was discovered to be emanating from an spaceship that had crashed there centuries before. Reports of this mission are contradictory, but at least one account identified Starscream as the killer of the ship's occupant, the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]]. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} Returning to America, the three jets were then unleashed upon the human military forces who attempted a hopeless attack on the Decepticons' base. Under cover of the attack, however, the Autobots were able to rescue Sparkplug. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} ''Starscream was soon to advocate pursuit, but Megatron refused, preferring caution, and the frustrated Starscream immediately began plotting against him. Intending to rally the Decepticons behind him by attacking humans in order to orchestrate a confrontation between the Autobots and Decepticons, Starscream was caught monologuing by Ravage, and was forced to try and kill the spy in order to keep his plans secret. Both his attack and his attempt to murder Ravage met with failure, however, and when [[Containment Manoeuvre Four-Eight|caught]], Starscream demanded a trial-by-combat. He was pitted against [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and won, but was then shot down by a revenge-seeking Ravage, who blamed the Autobots.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

[[File:Addstarscreamtothedamagereport.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|He'd better get used to this.]]
Powered up using the fuel Sparkplug had created for them and readying for a renewed attack on the Ark, Starscream berated Megatron for allowing Sparkplug to have been rescued, since the human would likely have shared his fuel with the Autobots. A blast from Megatron's [[fusion cannon]], along with the confirmation that Sparkplug had failed to convert fuel for the Autobots, led Starscream to meekly acquiesce to the attack plan. Battle ensuing, but just as the Decepticons appeared victorious, Starscream and the others doubled over in pain, victims of poisoned fuel courtesy of Sparkplug Witwicky. If not for the sudden appearance and intervention by the long-lost [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the Decepticons surely would have been defeated. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} Besting the weakened Autobots, Shockwave repaired Starscream and the others, {{storylink|The New Order}} establishing himself as leader by humiliating the weakened Megatron and parading him in front of Starscream and the Decepticons as a warning. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[File:Starscreamdisintegratedcircuits.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Starscream's treachery is a little more subtle when he's allowed to have thought balloons.]]
Under Shockwave's command, the Decepticons seized control of one of human [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s oil rigs, prompting the industrialist to build a super-weapon to fight back. Starscream convinced Shockwave to let him and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] destroy the weapon to boost morale, intending to steal it and use it to destroy Shockwave and take command. Attacking the unveiling ceremony at the Blackrock speedway, the two Decepticons were confronted by the Autobots [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and the robot-hating super-human [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]], whose electrical powers caused Starscream to lose control of his jet-mode engines, forcing him to rely on robot mode flight as he dragged Frenzy's body away in retreat. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

''After Shockwave and Megatron both went missing, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] assumed command, rejecting Starscream's leadership aspirations by labelling him a guileless, tactless "missile with a mouth". These insults notwithstanding, Starscream still proved pivotal in Soundwave's plan to capture [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], cutting off the Autobot scout's escape. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was subsequently challenged to fight his way through the Decepticons to rescue him, and although Starscream loudly boasted of being a "leader killer", his resolved was lost when he faced Optimus Prime alone, and he was quickly defeated.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}
[[File:RocknRollOut seekers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Returning to the Blackrock Industries oil rig, Starscream and his fellow jets soon found their makeshift base surrounded by government forces, leaving them trapped for weeks. Shockwave returned to help them make their getaway, and charged them using a [[power siphon]] he had built during his absence to convert sound energy from a [[Brick Springhorn|Brick Springstern]] concert into [[energon cube]]s, but they were bested in the attempt by Bumblebee and a group of new Autobot recruits. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} Soon after, Shockwave determined to brainwash Bumblebee and add him to the Decepticon ranks, and Starscream agree, joining him and the other Decepticons in relentlessly hunting the small Autobot when he was alone. It wasn't until human authorities and the Autobots arrived to rescue Bumblebee did the Decepticons abandon their hunt. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who joined Megatron on a mission to the [[space bridge]] to welcome reinforcements from Cybertron, only to discover that Autobots had arrived over the bridge instead. Before they could attack, Megatron was alerted to an Autobot raid on the Decepticons' base, but rather than return to aid in the defense, Megatron instead ordered an assault on the underguarded Ark. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they had no reckoned with the newest Autobot, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who deactivated almost all the Decepticons present, Starscream included. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Target2006 lesson in obedience.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
''The Autobots recovered the bodies of Starscream and the other deactivated Decepticons and placed them in life support capsules within the Ark, holding them imprisoned in stasis. Not long afterward, the Autobots were plunged into a state of disarray by the violent arrival of the enigmatic time-travelling Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] was in such a rush to depart the medical bay and attend a mission briefing that he failed to notice an alert signifying the malfunction of Starscream's capsule. Starscream awoke and punched his way out of the capsule, and proceeded to steal out of the medical area and listen in on the Autobots' briefing. He was shocked to overhear that the Autobots had teamed up with Megatron to defeat Galvatron, and Starscream immediately decided to sneak off to join forces with this powerhouse from the future. Galvatron went along with Starscream's toadying, as the irony amused him; Galvatron was, in fact, a recreated future incarnation of Megatron, and would go on to kill Starscream twenty years in the future! When Galvatron and his men faced Megatron once again, Starscream shot Megatron in the back, but had to be stopped short of killing him by Galvatron himself, who knocked Starscream unconscious in order to secure his own future existence. Starscream's body was placed back into its stasis capsule by the future Autobots [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], who then tricked Galvatron into returning to the future through a complicated plan that involved painting Skywarp to look like Starscream, and then duping Galvatron into destroying him. After killing "Starscream", Galvatron rationalized that he must have travelled back to a parallel timeline, since Starscream was not supposed to die until 2006, and returned to the future with his men.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Starscreammerrychristmas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|His heart grew three sizes that day.]]
''Rather than do the smart thing and return Starscream the Ark, the future Autobots rather unwisely left his capsule lying in the middle of a field. As happenstance would have it, Starscream lay there, undisturbed, until he awoke at [[Christmas]] the following year. Desolate, he wished he could go home again, and was in mid-mope when he was chanced upon by a [[Christmas kid|a human]] who sought to inform him of the meaning of Christmas. Urged to help a busload of elderly humans who had become stuck in a snowdrift, Starscream wanted to know what would be in it for him. As Starscream debated this good deed, he was suddenly attacked by [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], who suspected him to be up to his usual do-baddery. After a brief battle, the human intervened to chastise Streetwise, and Starscream proceeded to show up the Protectobot by saving the bus, purely out of spite.'' {{storylink|Stargazing}}

{{note|Starscream never awoke in the American stories—his deactivated body remained captive within the Ark for years, and was not rescued until the events of "[[Totaled!]]", when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces saved all the Decepticons aboard the craft. When this story was reprinted in the UK, Starscream's name was erased from the artwork. As far as the UK stories were concerned, Starscream sought out Ratbat's Decepticons to join up with them.}}
[[File:ClubCon starscream and ratbat.jpg|left|thumb]]
Starscream quickly ingratiated himself with Ratbat and became the manager and public face of [[Club Con]], a human island resort that covered their attempt to uncover subterranean information on the legendary [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} When a pair of Autobot audio and video tapes recording the loss of the Underbase were found, Starscream convinced Ratbat to let him watch the tapes with him. In the "[[Realvision]]" playback, he witnessed a young Optimus Prime thwart Megatron's early attempts to possess the Underbase by shooting the legendary database into space. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} Starscream then set about a chain of systematic betrayals in order to gain access to that power. He set loose [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], whom the Decepticons had been holding prisoner, with equipment that would lure the Autobots to the Decepticon's Antarctic base. The ensuing battle served to distract his fellow Decepticons as he then stole a ship from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to look for the Underbase. {{storylink|Cold War!}}

[[File:DarkStar underbase powered starscream.jpg|thumb]]
Upon finding the ancient database, Starscream began absorbing its power but was unable to finish the task as he was blasted by Ratbat's ship, piloted by a temporary Autobot/Decepticon alliance. However, while the light of the Underbase had only shone on Starscream for a moment, that moment had been enough to fill him with its awesome power, and the now-cosmically-powered Air Commander survived the attack. Growing to monumental proportions, Starscream hurled his ship at Ratbat's craft, and promptly headed for Earth with the intention of proving his power by destroying [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Buenos Aires]]. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled to those locations to try and stop Starscream, but they ultimately failed, as a massive amount of the Transformers active on Earth were badly damaged and incapacitated by Starscream's Underbase-powered rampage. Starscream only stopped after intercepting a radio transmission between [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Optimus Prime, and realized that the great Autobot leader was elsewhere, plotting against him. Starscream fled back out into space to find Prime, and rediscovered the Underbase. Starscream attempted to finish absorbing its power, only to have the absolute knowledge overwhelm him, which resulted in his destruction. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:ZombieScream1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Braaaiiiinnnssss!]]
''Starscream's corpse crashed in [[South America]], but the Decepticon still clung to some semblance of life, as his shattered husk was reanimated by the residual energy of the Underbase that still saturated it, and driven by Starscream's own murderous impulses into an insane rampage. After nearly killing [[Susan Hoffman]] and [[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|her Assistants]], the [[zombie]]-like Starscream was confronted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], who had been sent by Megatron to recover Starscream's body, and the Autobot [[Triggerbot]]s. Triggerbot [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] was able to appeal to the fraction of the Underbase that was still within Starscream and convinced it to try and regain control of itself, but as soon as it did, Dreadwind and Darkwing had their [[Powermaster]] partners [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] siphon all the Underbase's remaining power from the walking cadaver. Starscream's corpse returned to being an inanimate pile of scrap, which the pair quickly collected.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

Starscream's remains were delivered to Megatron [[Megatron's base|in his Cybertronian base]], who kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and forced him to rebuild Starscream with a powerful [[Pretender]] shell. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} After the shell had finished healing the body inside, Megatron sent the resurrected, supposedly mind-wiped Starscream to Earth, where he attacked in the middle of a tense meeting between the forces of Scorponok and Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}[[File:Starscreamskindeep.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb|These are the Delboest panels ever.]] Starscream's new form was powerful, but what gave him his true edge was how much he spooked his victims. He was believed to be a ghost, an invincible force of revenge, and most of Scorponok's troops quickly fled the battlefield. It wasn't until Hot Rod manned up and shot their attacker did they realize that this was no ghost at all, but rather a physical being that could [[Furmanism|feel pain and be destroyed.]] This was further sold by Starscream's sudden display of cowardice: Ratchet had arranged for Starscream's true personality to eventually surface, and Hot Rod's blast had knocked it free. Completely outmatched, Starscream surrendered and begged Scorponok for forgiveness. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}
[[File:FallenStar laughing at me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Although permitted to join Scorponok's Decepticons, Starscream began to wallow in self-pity, believing that all the other Decepticons considered him a joke for his many failed takeover attempts and defeats. His self-esteem crumbled every time the other Decepticons refused to speak to him or spoke about him behind his back. In reality, the other Decepticons were terribly frightened of Starscream (thanks to that whole Underbase thing) and were avoiding him so they wouldn't be killed. Starscream sulked about it for a while until he defeated and captured a few Autobots and his confidence began to return.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

Starscream was a source of dissension among the Decepticons, who were angry with Scorponok for letting him back in. {{storylink|The Primal Scream|Primal Scream}}—and it ''was'' pretty dumb, as Starscream tried to capture the mutant [[Dynamo]] and use him as a [[Powermaster]] so he could challenge Scorponok. He failed, but was then approached by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], believed to be dead at the time, with the proposition of declaring war on Scorponok and taking leadership for themselves. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} Naturally viewing Shockwave as a stepping stone to claiming sole power, Starscream agreed and helped press-gang [[Triggerhappy]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] into their group. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} After strategizing in Shockwave's sub-oceanic staging base, they launched their attack on Scorponok's [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] base, levelling it from above. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Starscream was first into the wreckage to dig out and finish off any survivors, but he had the bad luck of coming upon Scorponok first, who crushed his leg and took him out of the fight. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} The intervention of the human superhero team the [[Neo-Knights]] ended the conflict, {{storylink|Out of Time!}} after which all Transformers present were teleported to Cybertron by [[Primus]] in advance of the coming of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:Ratchetjollies.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ooooh, better leave this one off the resume.]]
When Unicron appeared, Starscream and Shockwave opted for the better part of valor, leaving the rest of their armies to take up the fight. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Although the chaos-bringer was defeated, mysterious tremors began to tear Cybertron apart, so the pair set about repairing the Ark {{storylink|Still Life!}} and used it to escape the planet. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Partway into their journey, the sudden appearance of life signals on the supposedly deserted ship prompted Starscream to investigate, and he was horrified to discover that Megatron was on board, having been in a life-support pod. Starscream immediately prostrated himself before his original leader, but Shockwave ordered him away to check the other pods while he dealt with Megatron. Starscream discovered that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] had also awoken and thought the fight would be an easy one, but his callous jokes about the enjoyment he would derive from killing the medic earned him a merciless pummeling. Starscream attempted to shoot Ratchet in the back, but the Autobot doctor jostled his shot, deliberately causing the detonation of a tank of [[Nucleon]]. The explosion caused enough of a chain reaction to send the Ark into a crash-landing on Earth. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}
{{-}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Bugged starscream insecticons.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
In an alternate series of events, Starscream and Shockwave's army grew much larger, and their main competition was not Scorponok, but a revived Megatron and his group of Decepticons. As Shockwave's second-in-command, Starscream had few responsibilities, and even less power. The final indignity came when he was assigned to mere monitor duty at their undersea base. Still, even that ignoble assignment presented an opportunity, as Starscream caught Megatron's spies, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], trying to tune in to Shockwave's war room. After incapacitating the bugs, Starscream surprised them by offering to let them go free, if they would report back to Megatron that Shockwave would be alone at a certain spot the next day, ensuring that Megatron would go out to battle him alone. {{storylink|Bugged!}} With the trap baited, Starscream contacted his opposite number, Megatron's second-in-command Soundwave, and proposed an alliance. Soundwave had already been playing both sides by feeding information to him, and so the two of them conspired to join the Decepticon factions under their joint rule. Sure enough, after Megatron and Shockwave's private battle came under Autobot fire (Autobots who had been anonymously tipped off by Starscream), they radioed their respective bases only to hear that the Decepticons no longer considered the two of them leaders. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

Starscream's first major action as Decepticon leader was the ol' "bait and switch"—sending Soundwave and a Decepticon strike force to keep the Autobots busy at their Earthbase, while he personally attended to stealing a supply of oil from a tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It seemed, however, that Starscream's plan hadn't accounted for Earthforce's newest recruits: the [[Survivors]]. A quick 1-2-3 by [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] took the fight out of Starscream, and so he retreated, radioing his troops to do the same. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
[[File:ExternalForces starscream vs soundwave.jpg|thumb|225px]]
Sometime later, returning to the [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|Decepticon base in the Louisiana bayous]], Starscream suddenly found himself fighting for his life against [[Louisiana bounty hunters|several mismatched bounty hunters and mercenaries]]. Believing his co-commander Soundwave must have been responsible for the contract, Starscream stormed back to their headquarters to confront him. {{storylink|Assassins}} He wasted no words in confronting his "treacherous" partner, but fortunately Soundwave had had the foresight to prerecord an explanation. While trading blows and dodging laser fire in person, Soundwave's recording outlined how the situation was clearly a set-up to make them fight each other. Fortunately, Starscream believed him. Unfortunately, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] stormed in at that moment, having been paid by the true contractors, Megatron and Shockwave, to eliminate anyone left standing. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The two Decepticons would have been overwhelmed if they hadn't received aid from an unlikely source: Earthforce. It seemed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was dying of [[Corrodia Gravis]], a wasting disease which required an energy transfer from a compatible Transformer, and Starscream fit the bill. After driving off Megatron, Shockwave and the Mayhems, Starscream made a deal with Earthforce to help Snarl in exchange for their aid against any future uprising by the former Decepticon leaders. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

Soon afterwards, Starscream and Soundwave engaged in Project: Smear, a campaign to ruin the Autobots' good name among the humans, and ensure they received no additional aid in the war. A straightforward attempt to brainwash [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] into wrecking a human settlement didn't pan out, {{storylink|Inside Story!}} so a more subtle plan was engineered. Starscream had [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] use his [[cerebro-shell]]s to subvert the will of a human reporter, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], and compel him to write a story bashing the Autobots and portraying them as kidnappers, or worse. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

==''Generation 2''==
{{Note|Starscream first appeared, in silhouette, in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' issue]] "[[Unfoldings!]]", in which he and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were seen talking about the [[Silent Castle|possibility that there was another Decepticon left]] on [[Earth]]. Starscream would not reappear during the ''G.I. Joe'' crossover, and when the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] proper began, Megatron was seen repairing his deactivated form, [[retcon]]ning his ''G.I. Joe'' appearance away.}}

[[File:TalesofEarth2 megatron and starscream.jpg|left|225px|thumb|Who have you been talking to, Starscream?]]
Starscream was deactivated by the Ark's crash to Earth and remained offline for several years. Eventually, Megatron, who had survived the impact and spent the time repairing the ship and now required troops to stage his comeback, grudgingly elected to repair and reactivate him, questioning his good judgement in the process. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} Rescued from the destruction of the Ark at the hands of Fortress Maximus and back in one piece, Starscream flew Megatron to a confrontation with current Decepticon leader [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales of Earth #1}} but wisely kept out of the battle for leadership, instead betting [[Fangry]] five triliters of [[evergon resin]] that Megatron would win. Unsurprisingly, Starscream won the bet. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth #2}} Although back in command, Megatron continued to enact the late Bludgeon's last plan, attacking Earth in order to drawn out Optimus Prime. Starscream joined the Decepticons in assaulting [[Washington, D.C.]], jovially chatting all the way through, and radioed to Megatron when Prime appeared on the scene. Starscream then watched as Megatron defeated Prime and tore the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] from him. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who raided [[Tykos]] to steal its [[Rheanimum]], where he grew increasingly aware of the fact that his usefulness to Megatron was rapidly coming to an end. Following the success of the mission, the Decepticons were attacked by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], but Megatron ignored Starscream's plea for retreat. {{storylink|New Dawn}} To combat this new threat, Megatron allied the Decepticons with the Autobots, a move that was the last straw for Starscream. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Stealing away, he approached Jhiaxus and led his army to the allied Autobot/Decepticon forces at [[Autobase|Autobase Earth]] in return to the promise of an eminent position in his empire. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}

[[File:G210 starscream warworld.jpg|thumb|225px]]
This, of course, was also a feint: while the three factions were battling, Starscream led a small squad of Cybertronians to seize of the Decepticons' [[Warworld]], where he used the Creation Matrix to fuse himself with the giant ship, transforming it and himself into a living weapon. {{storylink|Total War!}} As Optimus Prime and Megatron entered the possessed ship to try and stop him, Starscream exhibited a startling control over the physical nature of the vessel, turning the ''Warworld'' into an ever-shifting maze of horrors to torment the two leaders. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}} Starscream was soon to find, however, that merging with the Matrix cut both ways: when Jhiaxus turned his fleet against the Earth, Starscream was suddenly compelled to protect the planet, and was horrified to discover that the inherent purity of the Matrix was prompting him to be "good". {{storylink|Dark Shadows!#"Tales of Earth Part Eight"|Tales of Earth #8}} Unable to override the heroic compulsions and with no desire to be a hero, let alone a dead one, Starscream returned the Matrix to Optimus and reverted to normal. Fortunately, he was able to avoid any major repercussions for his deceit thanks to the arrival of a much larger threat in the form of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. Megatron put Starscream to work loading the Rheanimum into a shuttle so it could be distributed among the Autobots and Decepticons to protect them from the Swarm's destructive touch, after which, he left him on the Warworld. Starscream then used a tractor beam to rescue Prime from the Swarm and gave him a canister of Rheanimum before departing for parts unknown, reflecting that his final actions had been highly uncharacteristic and worrying that the Matrix might have done him some permanent damage. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==''Generation 2'' (UK)==
[[File:Megatron starscream warzone.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
Starscream waited nearby as Megatron confronted Optimus Prime in [[London]]. When the former Decepticon leader was overwhelmed by Grimlock's Dinobots, Prime's Autobots and Bludgeon's Decepticons, Starscream flew in and rescued him. {{storylink|War Zone}} Some time later, they travelled to confront Bludgeon once again {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales of Earth #1}} and Starscream bet [[Fangry]] five triliters of [[evergon resin]] that Megatron would win. Fangry (and Bludgeon) lost. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth #2}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum}}}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:CrossingOver starscream smacked.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Through unknown means, Starscream was able to escape the Ark before the ship crash-landed in the Arctic. Venturing out of his own, Starscream soon found himself at a total loss: with no troops to command, he found that he lacked the ability to accomplish anything without a leader to organize things for him. He fell off the grid, eventually resurfacing years later after news reached him that Megatron had also re-emerged on Earth. Left genuinely humbled by his experiences, Starscream simply walked up to the front of the Decepticon base in the remains of the Ark and begged to be allowed entrance, which Megatron permitted. However, once he was upgraded into a new body and feeling himself again, Starscream soon fell back into his old scheming patterns, albeit with much greater patience than before. Now that he had Megatron to reunite the Decepticons, Starscream would bide his time until all their enemies were destroyed, and then he would make his move. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|''Classics'' Starscream profile}}

When Megatron returned to the Ark with a mysterious new Decepticon named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], who claimed to have come from another dimension, Starscream dismissed his story as lies, earning a backhand from the his leader. Soon after, the Decepticons departed to investigate a mysterious new energy signal, and Starscream led the attack against the human forces who got in their way. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2|Crossing Over #2}} When the Autobots arrived to join the flight, Starscream and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] engaged in a dogfight; Starscream called on [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] for help, but he was busy following other orders. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6|Crossing Over #6}}

[[File:GamesofDeception-Seekers.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Popular Marvelverse term, "the Seekers."]]
Not long after the battle's end, Starscream surreptitiously took Skywarp and Ramjet to meet with a squad of new Decepticon arrivals on Earth—representatives from the larger Decepticon army operating out in space under the command of Bludgeon—with a view to forming an alliance with the rival group against Megatron. Unfortunately, their leader [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] proved to be as duplicitous as him: when they were distracted by the discover that [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] had been spying on them, Starscream and his fellow jets were tagged with [[cerebro-shell]]s that put them under Bug Bite's control. At his new master's command, Starscream led Bug Bite and his men back to the Ark, where he turned them on Megatron until Autobot intervention jammed the cerebro-shells and set them free. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

When Megatron prepared his final strike against Bludgeon, he sent out three warships to menace the skeletal warrior, commanded by Starscream, Thundercracker and [[Octane (G1)|Octane]]. Somewhat reluctantly, Starscream did nothing but languish in his command chair in space above Bludgeon's headquarters, as the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s acted on Megatron's order to betray and eliminate Bludgeon from within. Starscream just waited for Astrotrain and Soundwave to inform him the deed was done, and the Decepticons below were surrendering and powering down their weapons. A bit cleaner than he would've liked it, but Starscream still had to admire Megatron's skill at deception. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Battle sled loose ends 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|WHEEE!!!!!]]
Twenty-one years after Starscream had been taken offline by the second Ark crash, he was once again drafted into Megatron's service as part of his [[zombie]] army. Unlike the other mindless conscripts—most of whom were Starscream's victims during the Underbase saga—Megatron allowed him to retain a sliver of individuality within him so that he would always suffer the knowledge of his diminished position, though he was at least allowed to ride on the back of the [[battle sled]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}}

Despite Megatron's best efforts, the bit of sentience in Starscream fought to get out, in an attempt to say just two words. All he could manage initially was a choked "kllrtch!", which Megatron dismissed as he assigned Starscream to prepare to ambush the approaching [[Wrecker]]s, as they sought to rescue the [[Scraplet]]-stricken [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. However, even as Megatron was able to get the best of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Starscream managed to make his way over to Kup. Just when Optimus Prime showed up to confront Megatron, Starscream was able to force out those two words, just intelligible enough so that Kup could understand their meaning: "kill Ratchet!" {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}}

All Starscream could do then was watch as Kup struggled to reach his gun. Eventually, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] reached Kup and provided him with an antitoxin. As Kup regained his strength, he demanded First Aid's weapon, took aim at Ratchet's head on the battle sled, and did what Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to do all those years ago, despite Ratchet's plea then. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} By fulfilling Starscream's request and destroying Ratchet, Kup gave Optimus the opening he needs to terminate Megatron once and for all.{{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Starscream's body was the last to be dumped into the pit in [[West Virginia]] where the remains of Megatron's army had been gathered, to be incinerated from orbit. However, Starscream was not quite dead yet, and flew out of the pit just before the blast came. He made his way back to the [[Yukon]], where he snuck by [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] to enter the Ark. Unknown to Starscream, he was followed... by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]! {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

Galvatron greeted Starscream inside the Ark by smacking his cannon-arm across Starscream's face. The time-displaced Decepticon threatened to destroy him (as Galvatron notes, it would be for [[The Transformers: The Movie|a second time]]) unless the Seeker explained why he would return to the now-deactivated starship. Realizing Starscream's inability to speak, Galvatron decided to have Starscream lead him to the reason: the body of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], whose cranial unit was directly connected to the Ark. This discovery pleased Galvatron. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}}

Starscream continued to help Galvatron prepare the Ark for departure, {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} though both were unaware that Optimus Prime was on his way to destroy the Ark, or that Shockwave was beginning to show signs of consciousness. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

As Galvatron continued his work elsewhere aboard the Ark, Starscream was snapped out of his haze by a voice—Shockwave's! He was even more surprised to find that his own voice had returned. Shockwave revealed that since Auntie was wiped out, he'd been steadily regaining consciousness, and had become one with the Ark's computer. However, he couldn't operate the Ark by himself; he still required a pilot. Starscream, fully conscious for the first time in years, immediately reverted to his old patterns, and began to plot against Galvatron. The time-displaced Decepticon, however, had already completed repairs to the Ark, and proceeded to take it into the air, just as Optimus Prime arrived on the scene. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

==Notes==
[[File:Starscreamg1early.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Confusing Nelson Yomtov since 1984.]]
*For the first half of the American [[Marvel Comics]] series, Starscream's chest was colored dark blue, versus the red seen on the toy and in the cartoon. The apparent reason for this discrepancy is hinted at in animated segments in early [[commercial]] footage (see right), where Starscream's chest and forearms are black. Lack of color depth in comic books at the time required black to be represented by dark blue. Starscream's "true" colors began appearing in the American Marvel Comics when he made his return in issue 47, "[[Club Con!]]"
*Even then, though, the bits of Starscream that are ''supposed'' to be blue (such as his forearms) were consistently colored exactly the same way as the bits that are supposed to be ''black'' (such as his head). Both ''Generation 2'' and ''Regeneration One'' carried over this coloring quirk.
* Another note of his appearance: thanks to the way Starscream is depicted in his Transformers Universe profile, [[Jose Delbo|José Delbo]] interpreted that his head is asymmetrical and routineusly drew him with only one ear.

[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Regeneration One zombies]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Dark Star

2015-01-14T09:42:07Z

Jerryteacup: /* Casualty Notes */

{{disambig3|Dark Star}}

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #50
|prev=Cold War!
|next=The Man in the Machine!
|title="Dark Star"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #208–210
|prev2=Cold War!
|next2=The Man in the Machine!
|image=MarvelUS-50.jpg
|caption=<s>Fred Hembeck</s> <s>The Punisher</s> <s>Deadpool</s> Starscream '''''KILLS''''' the Marvel Transformers Universe!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November [[1988]]
|coverdate=March [[1989]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[José Delbo]]
|inker=[[Dave Hunt]]
|color=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The end of the Underbase Saga... and the Transformers?'''

==Synopsis==

===Prologue===
Out in the vacuum of space, the [[Underbase]] travels ever closer to [[Earth]].

===Chapter One===
On Earth, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] are the first to respond to the alert beacon triggered by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Seeing the responsible party, they quickly radio back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. A full [[Autobot]] response battalion arrives within a matter of minutes. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is reunited with his brother only to find him on the brink of death. He places Buster within a heating unit in Fortress Maximus's chest to fight off the effects of exposure and frostbite. As the Autobots gather their wits enough to question the situation at hand, though, they are treated to a full scale [[Decepticon]] attack, as [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have detected their approach.

The following battle is quick and merciless, and comes to a stop only when Ratbat ends up confronting Fortress Maximus and his own former prisoner, Buster. Buster outlays what [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] told him before departing, and makes Ratbat see reason about putting his feud with the Autobots on hold until the larger issue can be dealt with. The various faction leaders agree to work together and make a space-worthy craft to hunt down Starscream.

===Chapter Two===
At the edge of space, the most treacherous Decepticon of all leaves his star cruiser to bathe directly in the light of the Underbase's powerful knowledge and knowledgeable power. Before he absorbs much, however, he is blasted out of the way by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], manning the guns on the [[Club Con|island starship]]. Unfortunately, that momentary exposure was enough to supercharge Starscream, and he manages to grab hold of the entire star cruiser he stole and toss it straight through the island ship, leaving the combined armies crippled and stranded in space, and the Decepticons in particular without any means of star travel from then on.

===Chapter Three===
For some reason, Starscream chooses to let them live drifting in the vacuum of space. He also chooses to return to Earth and attack it instead of chasing down the Underbase to fulfill his lust for power. He also announces in advance the exact set of cities he plans to assault. Clearly, the "knowledge" part of the Underbase takes awhile to set in.

Optimus Prime enacts Plan B and summons the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to pick them all up and speed back to Earth ahead of Starscream. As the factions begin splitting into teams to cover Starscream's previously identified destinations, Optimus makes the stunning announcement that he will stay aboard the Ark and not confront Starscream. The Decepticons quickly dismiss this as pure cowardice, and leave for Earth in disgust.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Never again shall you take up catalog space that could be devoted to my magnificence!"]]
Autobots and Decepticons alike confront Starscream one after another and in groups, but ultimately he slaughters them all. The only difficulties he runs into are the [[Pretender]]s and those who are [[binary bonding|binary bonded]], as the organic outer shells and bonding prove somehow resistant to his destructive energies. As the battles continue, both Ratbat and Scorponok become suspicious that Optimus Prime's alleged cowardice might actually be greed to capture the Underbase for himself, and abandon their respective battles to return to the Ark and confront him.

Aboard the Ark, Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] are guarding Buster Witwicky, while constructing a rocket with reflective panels, designed to catch the Underbase and change its course. Buster makes the mistake of radioing his brother during the battle, though, and Starscream realizes the potential threat an absent Optimus Prime poses to him. He takes off for space to intercept the Autobot leader and the Ark.

===Chapter Four===
Ratbat and Scorponok arrive on the ark and confront Prime. After Scorponok blasts Prime and annihilates Ratbat, he heads off to reach the redirected Underbase on his own. Optimus manages to replace his [[Powermaster]] engine in time to go after Scorponok, and physically drags the two of them out of the Underbase's path. Starscream arrives just in time for the underbase to hit him instead of Earth. The combined power of the Underbase mutates Starscream until he is overwhelmed with power, and is obliterated.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime explains to Scorponok that he learned his lesson about the Underbase millions of years ago. He arranged for the reflector rocket and for Buster's "ill-timed" radio message to Fortress Maximus in order to lure Starscream back out into space, where he would surely try to take all of the Underbase's power and destroy himself. The [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] leaders part in peace, but Scorponok makes it clear that the war will begin anew, tomorrow...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (2)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (3)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (4)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (20)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (21)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (22)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (23)
*? (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (26)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (27)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (29)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (31)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (32)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (33)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (34)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (35)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (36)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (37)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (38)
*? (41)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (43)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (44)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (45)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (50)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (54)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (56)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (57)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (59)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (60)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (61)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (62)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (67)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (68)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (69)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (70)
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wide Load]] (71)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (74)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (81)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (82)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (83)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (84)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (85)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (5)
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]] (6)
*? (7)
*[[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]] (8)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (9)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (13)
*? (14)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*? (16)
*[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] (17)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (19)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (39)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (47)
*[[Finback]] (48)
*[[Skullgrin]] (49)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (51)
*[[Apeface]] (52)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (53)
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (55)
*[[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]] (58)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (63)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (64)
*[[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] (65)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (72)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (73)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (75)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (76)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (77)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (78)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (79)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (80)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (87)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (86)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grr]] (87)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (28)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (66)
}}

==Notes==

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Some of the artwork is copied directly from [[Totaled!]]. This includes:
**The entire sequence of Cerebros and Spike transforming out of their respective head modes.
**The background shot of Prowl under attack from Scorponok
**Fortress Maximus's Autobots are completely absent from the first half of the issue, most notably from the Autobot-Decepticon battle.
*Cerebros' name is misspelled as "Cerebro" during the Cerebros transforming shot.
*On page 11, panel 2 Fortress Maximus has only 3 fingers on his left hand. Ratbat could have ''possibly'' eaten it off panel...''maybe''.

===Casualty Notes===
[[File:DarkStar Throttlebots die.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Kill 'em all; let Hasbro sort 'em out."]]
[[File:Skalorjetfiredie.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:DarkStar-Jazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
*This issue features the biggest battle toll of any issue, including the battle with [[Unicron]]. Among the confirmed casualties are the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], Bluestreak, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], Goldbug, Jazz, the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], Jetfire, Blaster, the [[Throttlebot]]s, Thundercracker, Skywarp, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], [[Octane (G1)|Octane]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], Omega Supreme, Ratbat and, of course, Starscream.
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] can (arguably) be retroactively added to this issue's casualty list as Beachcomber is later seen laying in Ratchet's repair bay in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", and Powerglide is confirmed deactivated in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]".
*Bob Budiansky's reasoning for the mass murder was that he needed a big end for the story, he had too many characters, and Hasbro wouldn't care about characters that didn't have toys for sale. And hey, they weren't getting any panel-time these days anyway, "so they were already just about dead". [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html]
*Many people also assume that the rest of the earlier armies, those not possessing organic enhancements like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and Pretenders (save the ever '''''"lucky"''''' Ratchet), were also wiped out behind the scenes. Though unconfirmed, there's something to be said for this theory. Many Transformers like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are never seen again (within the course of the G1 series). Later issues show Prime mourning the loss of warriors not seen killed in the Underbase Saga, such as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (and again, Powerglide), while [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] are variously shown as deactivated during "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]", "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" and "[[Makin' Tracks!]]". The greatest support for this theory is the story "[[Flashback!]]", which shows Prowl being destroyed by Starscream in San Francisco, a moment not shown in Dark Star, proving that there was indeed at least one "off panel" casualty. Still, it remains a point for debate as the Autobot Headmasters (besides Fortress Maximus) and Pretenders are a no-show for the entire issue, and while the Decepticon Headmasters (aside from [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] and [[Fangry]]) are all featured in the early pages and in the first battle - [[Apeface]] and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] even show up in the Ark - they don't bother to show up against Starscream. All the Targetmasters also had better things to do, save for [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] who subsequently decided to skip the fight against Starscream. A lot of these guys show up in perfect working order in the later issues.
*Prime refers to the casualties as "destroyed", but later issues make it clear that at least some of them could be repaired. The Dinobots, Jazz, Goldbug, Blaster and Silverbolt are all revived later in the series. Ratchet is also seen working to restore Omega Supreme. The task of repairing them all will have [[Back from the Dead|consequences]] very shortly.
*Soundwave is explicitly blasted by Starscream, but apparently either survives unscathed or is promptly repaired, as he soon appears in later issues. This is never explained (he has no organic components to ensure his survival), other than Soundwave is BADASS!
*This is clearly [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]'s worst day ever. He gets left behind by his fellow Aerialbots when they go pick up Buster, is ionically-disrupted by Astrotrain, transforms into jet mode only to get strafed by a Decepticon flying patrol, and finally is atomized battling Starscream. Some people just can't catch a break.
*The Seacons got axed 3 issues after their [[Club Con!|debut appearance]] (though Marvel UK had them appearing sooner). Even [[Nemesis Breaker]] lasted longer than that.
{{-}}

===Continuity errors===
*Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)
*The next issue shows [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] among the survivors, though by the time "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]" saw print, he is shown and referred to as deactivated.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue is double-length in honor of its milestone issue number. Accordingly, it also cost 50 cents more than a standard issue.
**To accommodate this extra length, the UK comic printed the story across three issues instead of the usual two.
*Optimus Prime returns to the US cover corner box, although it's his original form as it appeared on the first 29 issues. This image of Prime will remain in the corner box for the next 25 issues.
*Starscream's actions would inevitably haunt the Decepticons for some time when he was reborn. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Several]] [[Triggerhappy|Decepticons]] [[Dirge (G1)|would]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|actually]] [[Thrust (G1)|desert]] in various continuities, because Starscream was among them.
*With Ratbat's demise, Scorponok is now in charge of all the Decepticons of Earth. Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, that's probably not much of a promotion.

===Real-life references===

===UK printing===
====Issue #208====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Desperate Moves'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
====Issue #209====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''
====Issue #210====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''

===Covers (9)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-50.jpg|'''US issue #50''' - He may be powered up, but he's still only got one ear.
File:MarvelUK-208.jpg|'''UK issue #208''' - Starscream needs to learn to share his toys.
File:MarvelUK-209.jpg|'''UK issue #209''' - Sure Prime, sure...
File:MarvelUK-210.jpg|'''UK issue #210''' - Mummy, what's the bad man doing?
</gallery>
*'''US issue #50 cover:''' Starscream supreme, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #208 cover:''' Starscream bathing in the Underbase, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #209 cover:''' Starscream on the attack, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #210 cover:''' Scorponok, having just blasted Prime, by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:Titan-DarkStarSC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' TPB'''
File:Titan-DarkStarHC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' HC'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4'''
File:BestofStarscream.jpg|'''''Best of Starscream'''''
</gallery>
*'''''Dark Star'' TPB cover:''' Starscream, [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], Overbite, [[Dogfight]], and half a [[Mecannibal]] by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Dark Star'' Hardback cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Seth Fisher]] and [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''''Best of Starscream'' cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Klaus Scherwinski]].
<gallery>
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4 cover:''' Starscream by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Dark Star]]''
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4]]

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Dark Star

2015-01-14T09:41:08Z

Jerryteacup: /* Casualty Notes */

{{disambig3|Dark Star}}

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #50
|prev=Cold War!
|next=The Man in the Machine!
|title="Dark Star"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #208–210
|prev2=Cold War!
|next2=The Man in the Machine!
|image=MarvelUS-50.jpg
|caption=<s>Fred Hembeck</s> <s>The Punisher</s> <s>Deadpool</s> Starscream '''''KILLS''''' the Marvel Transformers Universe!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November [[1988]]
|coverdate=March [[1989]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[José Delbo]]
|inker=[[Dave Hunt]]
|color=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The end of the Underbase Saga... and the Transformers?'''

==Synopsis==

===Prologue===
Out in the vacuum of space, the [[Underbase]] travels ever closer to [[Earth]].

===Chapter One===
On Earth, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] are the first to respond to the alert beacon triggered by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Seeing the responsible party, they quickly radio back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. A full [[Autobot]] response battalion arrives within a matter of minutes. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is reunited with his brother only to find him on the brink of death. He places Buster within a heating unit in Fortress Maximus's chest to fight off the effects of exposure and frostbite. As the Autobots gather their wits enough to question the situation at hand, though, they are treated to a full scale [[Decepticon]] attack, as [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have detected their approach.

The following battle is quick and merciless, and comes to a stop only when Ratbat ends up confronting Fortress Maximus and his own former prisoner, Buster. Buster outlays what [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] told him before departing, and makes Ratbat see reason about putting his feud with the Autobots on hold until the larger issue can be dealt with. The various faction leaders agree to work together and make a space-worthy craft to hunt down Starscream.

===Chapter Two===
At the edge of space, the most treacherous Decepticon of all leaves his star cruiser to bathe directly in the light of the Underbase's powerful knowledge and knowledgeable power. Before he absorbs much, however, he is blasted out of the way by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], manning the guns on the [[Club Con|island starship]]. Unfortunately, that momentary exposure was enough to supercharge Starscream, and he manages to grab hold of the entire star cruiser he stole and toss it straight through the island ship, leaving the combined armies crippled and stranded in space, and the Decepticons in particular without any means of star travel from then on.

===Chapter Three===
For some reason, Starscream chooses to let them live drifting in the vacuum of space. He also chooses to return to Earth and attack it instead of chasing down the Underbase to fulfill his lust for power. He also announces in advance the exact set of cities he plans to assault. Clearly, the "knowledge" part of the Underbase takes awhile to set in.

Optimus Prime enacts Plan B and summons the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to pick them all up and speed back to Earth ahead of Starscream. As the factions begin splitting into teams to cover Starscream's previously identified destinations, Optimus makes the stunning announcement that he will stay aboard the Ark and not confront Starscream. The Decepticons quickly dismiss this as pure cowardice, and leave for Earth in disgust.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Never again shall you take up catalog space that could be devoted to my magnificence!"]]
Autobots and Decepticons alike confront Starscream one after another and in groups, but ultimately he slaughters them all. The only difficulties he runs into are the [[Pretender]]s and those who are [[binary bonding|binary bonded]], as the organic outer shells and bonding prove somehow resistant to his destructive energies. As the battles continue, both Ratbat and Scorponok become suspicious that Optimus Prime's alleged cowardice might actually be greed to capture the Underbase for himself, and abandon their respective battles to return to the Ark and confront him.

Aboard the Ark, Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] are guarding Buster Witwicky, while constructing a rocket with reflective panels, designed to catch the Underbase and change its course. Buster makes the mistake of radioing his brother during the battle, though, and Starscream realizes the potential threat an absent Optimus Prime poses to him. He takes off for space to intercept the Autobot leader and the Ark.

===Chapter Four===
Ratbat and Scorponok arrive on the ark and confront Prime. After Scorponok blasts Prime and annihilates Ratbat, he heads off to reach the redirected Underbase on his own. Optimus manages to replace his [[Powermaster]] engine in time to go after Scorponok, and physically drags the two of them out of the Underbase's path. Starscream arrives just in time for the underbase to hit him instead of Earth. The combined power of the Underbase mutates Starscream until he is overwhelmed with power, and is obliterated.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime explains to Scorponok that he learned his lesson about the Underbase millions of years ago. He arranged for the reflector rocket and for Buster's "ill-timed" radio message to Fortress Maximus in order to lure Starscream back out into space, where he would surely try to take all of the Underbase's power and destroy himself. The [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] leaders part in peace, but Scorponok makes it clear that the war will begin anew, tomorrow...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (2)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (3)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (4)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (20)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (21)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (22)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (23)
*? (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (26)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (27)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (29)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (31)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (32)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (33)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (34)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (35)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (36)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (37)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (38)
*? (41)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (43)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (44)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (45)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (50)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (54)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (56)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (57)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (59)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (60)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (61)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (62)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (67)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (68)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (69)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (70)
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wide Load]] (71)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (74)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (81)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (82)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (83)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (84)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (85)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (5)
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]] (6)
*? (7)
*[[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]] (8)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (9)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (13)
*? (14)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*? (16)
*[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] (17)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (19)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (39)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (47)
*[[Finback]] (48)
*[[Skullgrin]] (49)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (51)
*[[Apeface]] (52)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (53)
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (55)
*[[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]] (58)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (63)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (64)
*[[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] (65)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (72)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (73)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (75)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (76)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (77)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (78)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (79)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (80)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (87)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (86)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grr]] (87)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (28)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (66)
}}

==Notes==

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Some of the artwork is copied directly from [[Totaled!]]. This includes:
**The entire sequence of Cerebros and Spike transforming out of their respective head modes.
**The background shot of Prowl under attack from Scorponok
**Fortress Maximus's Autobots are completely absent from the first half of the issue, most notably from the Autobot-Decepticon battle.
*Cerebros' name is misspelled as "Cerebro" during the Cerebros transforming shot.
*On page 11, panel 2 Fortress Maximus has only 3 fingers on his left hand. Ratbat could have ''possibly'' eaten it off panel...''maybe''.

===Casualty Notes===
[[File:DarkStar Throttlebots die.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Kill 'em all; let Hasbro sort 'em out."]]
[[File:Skalorjetfiredie.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:DarkStar-Jazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
*This issue features the biggest battle toll of any issue, including the battle with [[Unicron]]. Among the confirmed casualties are the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], Bluestreak, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], Goldbug, Jazz, the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], Jetfire, Blaster, the [[Throttlebot]]s, Thundercracker, Skywarp, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], [[Octane (G1)|Octane]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], Omega Supreme, Ratbat and, of course, Starscream.
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] can (arguably) be retroactively added to this issue's casualty list as Beachcomber is later seen laying in Ratchet's repair bay in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", and Powerglide is confirmed deactivated in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]".
*Bob Budiansky's reasoning for the mass murder was that he needed a big end for the story, he had too many characters, and Hasbro wouldn't care about characters that didn't have toys for sale. And hey, they weren't getting any panel-time these days anyway, "so they were already just about dead". [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html]
*Many people also assume that the rest of the earlier armies, those not possessing organic enhancements like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and Pretenders (save the ever '''''"lucky"''''' Ratchet), were also wiped out behind the scenes. Though unconfirmed, there's something to be said for this theory. Many Transformers like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are never seen again (within the course of the G1 series). Later issues show Prime mourning the loss of warriors not seen killed in the Underbase Saga, such as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (and again, Powerglide), while [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] are variously shown as deactivated during "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]", "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" and "[[Makin' Tracks!]]". The greatest support for this theory is the story "[[Flashback!]]", which shows Prowl being destroyed by Starscream in San Francisco, a moment not shown in Dark Star, proving that there was indeed at least one "off panel" casualty. Still, it remains a point for debate as the Autobot Headmasters (besides Fortress Maximus) and Pretenders are a no-show for the entire issue, and while the Decepticon Headmasters (aside from [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] ,[[Fangry]]) are all featured in the early pages and in the first battle - [[Apeface]] and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] even shows up in the Ark - they don't bother to show up against Starscream. All the Targetmasters also had better things to do, save for [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] who subsequently decided to skip the fight against Starscream. A lot of these guys show up in perfect working order in the later issues.
*Prime refers to the casualties as "destroyed", but later issues make it clear that at least some of them could be repaired. The Dinobots, Jazz, Goldbug, Blaster and Silverbolt are all revived later in the series. Ratchet is also seen working to restore Omega Supreme. The task of repairing them all will have [[Back from the Dead|consequences]] very shortly.
*Soundwave is explicitly blasted by Starscream, but apparently either survives unscathed or is promptly repaired, as he soon appears in later issues. This is never explained (he has no organic components to ensure his survival), other than Soundwave is BADASS!
*This is clearly [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]'s worst day ever. He gets left behind by his fellow Aerialbots when they go pick up Buster, is ionically-disrupted by Astrotrain, transforms into jet mode only to get strafed by a Decepticon flying patrol, and finally is atomized battling Starscream. Some people just can't catch a break.
*The Seacons got axed 3 issues after their [[Club Con!|debut appearance]] (though Marvel UK had them appearing sooner). Even [[Nemesis Breaker]] lasted longer than that.
{{-}}

===Continuity errors===
*Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)
*The next issue shows [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] among the survivors, though by the time "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]" saw print, he is shown and referred to as deactivated.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue is double-length in honor of its milestone issue number. Accordingly, it also cost 50 cents more than a standard issue.
**To accommodate this extra length, the UK comic printed the story across three issues instead of the usual two.
*Optimus Prime returns to the US cover corner box, although it's his original form as it appeared on the first 29 issues. This image of Prime will remain in the corner box for the next 25 issues.
*Starscream's actions would inevitably haunt the Decepticons for some time when he was reborn. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Several]] [[Triggerhappy|Decepticons]] [[Dirge (G1)|would]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|actually]] [[Thrust (G1)|desert]] in various continuities, because Starscream was among them.
*With Ratbat's demise, Scorponok is now in charge of all the Decepticons of Earth. Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, that's probably not much of a promotion.

===Real-life references===

===UK printing===
====Issue #208====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Desperate Moves'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
====Issue #209====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''
====Issue #210====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''

===Covers (9)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-50.jpg|'''US issue #50''' - He may be powered up, but he's still only got one ear.
File:MarvelUK-208.jpg|'''UK issue #208''' - Starscream needs to learn to share his toys.
File:MarvelUK-209.jpg|'''UK issue #209''' - Sure Prime, sure...
File:MarvelUK-210.jpg|'''UK issue #210''' - Mummy, what's the bad man doing?
</gallery>
*'''US issue #50 cover:''' Starscream supreme, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #208 cover:''' Starscream bathing in the Underbase, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #209 cover:''' Starscream on the attack, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #210 cover:''' Scorponok, having just blasted Prime, by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:Titan-DarkStarSC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' TPB'''
File:Titan-DarkStarHC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' HC'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4'''
File:BestofStarscream.jpg|'''''Best of Starscream'''''
</gallery>
*'''''Dark Star'' TPB cover:''' Starscream, [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], Overbite, [[Dogfight]], and half a [[Mecannibal]] by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Dark Star'' Hardback cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Seth Fisher]] and [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''''Best of Starscream'' cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Klaus Scherwinski]].
<gallery>
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4 cover:''' Starscream by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Dark Star]]''
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4]]

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Dark Star

2015-01-14T09:38:53Z

Jerryteacup: /* Casualty Notes */

{{disambig3|Dark Star}}

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #50
|prev=Cold War!
|next=The Man in the Machine!
|title="Dark Star"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #208–210
|prev2=Cold War!
|next2=The Man in the Machine!
|image=MarvelUS-50.jpg
|caption=<s>Fred Hembeck</s> <s>The Punisher</s> <s>Deadpool</s> Starscream '''''KILLS''''' the Marvel Transformers Universe!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November [[1988]]
|coverdate=March [[1989]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[José Delbo]]
|inker=[[Dave Hunt]]
|color=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The end of the Underbase Saga... and the Transformers?'''

==Synopsis==

===Prologue===
Out in the vacuum of space, the [[Underbase]] travels ever closer to [[Earth]].

===Chapter One===
On Earth, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] are the first to respond to the alert beacon triggered by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Seeing the responsible party, they quickly radio back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. A full [[Autobot]] response battalion arrives within a matter of minutes. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is reunited with his brother only to find him on the brink of death. He places Buster within a heating unit in Fortress Maximus's chest to fight off the effects of exposure and frostbite. As the Autobots gather their wits enough to question the situation at hand, though, they are treated to a full scale [[Decepticon]] attack, as [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have detected their approach.

The following battle is quick and merciless, and comes to a stop only when Ratbat ends up confronting Fortress Maximus and his own former prisoner, Buster. Buster outlays what [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] told him before departing, and makes Ratbat see reason about putting his feud with the Autobots on hold until the larger issue can be dealt with. The various faction leaders agree to work together and make a space-worthy craft to hunt down Starscream.

===Chapter Two===
At the edge of space, the most treacherous Decepticon of all leaves his star cruiser to bathe directly in the light of the Underbase's powerful knowledge and knowledgeable power. Before he absorbs much, however, he is blasted out of the way by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], manning the guns on the [[Club Con|island starship]]. Unfortunately, that momentary exposure was enough to supercharge Starscream, and he manages to grab hold of the entire star cruiser he stole and toss it straight through the island ship, leaving the combined armies crippled and stranded in space, and the Decepticons in particular without any means of star travel from then on.

===Chapter Three===
For some reason, Starscream chooses to let them live drifting in the vacuum of space. He also chooses to return to Earth and attack it instead of chasing down the Underbase to fulfill his lust for power. He also announces in advance the exact set of cities he plans to assault. Clearly, the "knowledge" part of the Underbase takes awhile to set in.

Optimus Prime enacts Plan B and summons the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to pick them all up and speed back to Earth ahead of Starscream. As the factions begin splitting into teams to cover Starscream's previously identified destinations, Optimus makes the stunning announcement that he will stay aboard the Ark and not confront Starscream. The Decepticons quickly dismiss this as pure cowardice, and leave for Earth in disgust.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Never again shall you take up catalog space that could be devoted to my magnificence!"]]
Autobots and Decepticons alike confront Starscream one after another and in groups, but ultimately he slaughters them all. The only difficulties he runs into are the [[Pretender]]s and those who are [[binary bonding|binary bonded]], as the organic outer shells and bonding prove somehow resistant to his destructive energies. As the battles continue, both Ratbat and Scorponok become suspicious that Optimus Prime's alleged cowardice might actually be greed to capture the Underbase for himself, and abandon their respective battles to return to the Ark and confront him.

Aboard the Ark, Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] are guarding Buster Witwicky, while constructing a rocket with reflective panels, designed to catch the Underbase and change its course. Buster makes the mistake of radioing his brother during the battle, though, and Starscream realizes the potential threat an absent Optimus Prime poses to him. He takes off for space to intercept the Autobot leader and the Ark.

===Chapter Four===
Ratbat and Scorponok arrive on the ark and confront Prime. After Scorponok blasts Prime and annihilates Ratbat, he heads off to reach the redirected Underbase on his own. Optimus manages to replace his [[Powermaster]] engine in time to go after Scorponok, and physically drags the two of them out of the Underbase's path. Starscream arrives just in time for the underbase to hit him instead of Earth. The combined power of the Underbase mutates Starscream until he is overwhelmed with power, and is obliterated.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime explains to Scorponok that he learned his lesson about the Underbase millions of years ago. He arranged for the reflector rocket and for Buster's "ill-timed" radio message to Fortress Maximus in order to lure Starscream back out into space, where he would surely try to take all of the Underbase's power and destroy himself. The [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] leaders part in peace, but Scorponok makes it clear that the war will begin anew, tomorrow...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (2)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (3)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (4)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (20)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (21)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (22)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (23)
*? (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (26)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (27)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (29)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (31)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (32)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (33)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (34)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (35)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (36)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (37)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (38)
*? (41)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (43)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (44)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (45)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (50)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (54)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (56)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (57)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (59)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (60)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (61)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (62)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (67)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (68)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (69)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (70)
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wide Load]] (71)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (74)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (81)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (82)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (83)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (84)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (85)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (5)
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]] (6)
*? (7)
*[[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]] (8)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (9)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (13)
*? (14)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*? (16)
*[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] (17)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (19)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (39)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (47)
*[[Finback]] (48)
*[[Skullgrin]] (49)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (51)
*[[Apeface]] (52)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (53)
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (55)
*[[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]] (58)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (63)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (64)
*[[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] (65)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (72)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (73)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (75)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (76)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (77)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (78)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (79)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (80)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (87)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (86)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grr]] (87)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (28)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (66)
}}

==Notes==

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Some of the artwork is copied directly from [[Totaled!]]. This includes:
**The entire sequence of Cerebros and Spike transforming out of their respective head modes.
**The background shot of Prowl under attack from Scorponok
**Fortress Maximus's Autobots are completely absent from the first half of the issue, most notably from the Autobot-Decepticon battle.
*Cerebros' name is misspelled as "Cerebro" during the Cerebros transforming shot.
*On page 11, panel 2 Fortress Maximus has only 3 fingers on his left hand. Ratbat could have ''possibly'' eaten it off panel...''maybe''.

===Casualty Notes===
[[File:DarkStar Throttlebots die.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Kill 'em all; let Hasbro sort 'em out."]]
[[File:Skalorjetfiredie.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:DarkStar-Jazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
*This issue features the biggest battle toll of any issue, including the battle with [[Unicron]]. Among the confirmed casualties are the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], Bluestreak, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], Goldbug, Jazz, the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], Jetfire, Blaster, the [[Throttlebot]]s, Thundercracker, Skywarp, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], [[Octane (G1)|Octane]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], Omega Supreme, Ratbat and, of course, Starscream.
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] can (arguably) be retroactively added to this issue's casualty list as Beachcomber is later seen laying in Ratchet's repair bay in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", and Powerglide is confirmed deactivated in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]".
*Bob Budiansky's reasoning for the mass murder was that he needed a big end for the story, he had too many characters, and Hasbro wouldn't care about characters that didn't have toys for sale. And hey, they weren't getting any panel-time these days anyway, "so they were already just about dead". [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html]
*Many people also assume that the rest of the earlier armies, those not possessing organic enhancements like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and Pretenders (save the ever '''''"lucky"''''' Ratchet), were also wiped out behind the scenes. Though unconfirmed, there's something to be said for this theory. Many Transformers like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are never seen again (within the course of the G1 series). Later issues show Prime mourning the loss of warriors not seen killed in the Underbase Saga, such as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (and again, Powerglide), while [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] are variously shown as deactivated during "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]", "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" and "[[Makin' Tracks!]]". The greatest support for this theory is the story "[[Flashback!]]", which shows Prowl being destroyed by Starscream in San Francisco, a moment not shown in Dark Star, proving that there was indeed at least one "off panel" casualty. Still, it remains a point for debate as the Autobot Headmasters (besides Fortress Maximus) and Pretenders are a no-show for the entire issue, and while the Decepticon Headmasters (aside from [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] and [[Fangry]]) are all featured in the early pages and the first battle - [[Apeface]] and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] even shows up in the Ark - they don't bother to show up against Starscream. All the Targetmasters also had better things to do, save for [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] who subsequently decided to skip the fight against Starscream. A lot of these guys show up in perfect working order in the later issues.
*Prime refers to the casualties as "destroyed", but later issues make it clear that at least some of them could be repaired. The Dinobots, Jazz, Goldbug, Blaster and Silverbolt are all revived later in the series. Ratchet is also seen working to restore Omega Supreme. The task of repairing them all will have [[Back from the Dead|consequences]] very shortly.
*Soundwave is explicitly blasted by Starscream, but apparently either survives unscathed or is promptly repaired, as he soon appears in later issues. This is never explained (he has no organic components to ensure his survival), other than Soundwave is BADASS!
*This is clearly [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]'s worst day ever. He gets left behind by his fellow Aerialbots when they go pick up Buster, is ionically-disrupted by Astrotrain, transforms into jet mode only to get strafed by a Decepticon flying patrol, and finally is atomized battling Starscream. Some people just can't catch a break.
*The Seacons got axed 3 issues after their [[Club Con!|debut appearance]] (though Marvel UK had them appearing sooner). Even [[Nemesis Breaker]] lasted longer than that.
{{-}}

===Continuity errors===
*Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)
*The next issue shows [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] among the survivors, though by the time "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]" saw print, he is shown and referred to as deactivated.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue is double-length in honor of its milestone issue number. Accordingly, it also cost 50 cents more than a standard issue.
**To accommodate this extra length, the UK comic printed the story across three issues instead of the usual two.
*Optimus Prime returns to the US cover corner box, although it's his original form as it appeared on the first 29 issues. This image of Prime will remain in the corner box for the next 25 issues.
*Starscream's actions would inevitably haunt the Decepticons for some time when he was reborn. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Several]] [[Triggerhappy|Decepticons]] [[Dirge (G1)|would]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|actually]] [[Thrust (G1)|desert]] in various continuities, because Starscream was among them.
*With Ratbat's demise, Scorponok is now in charge of all the Decepticons of Earth. Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, that's probably not much of a promotion.

===Real-life references===

===UK printing===
====Issue #208====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Desperate Moves'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
====Issue #209====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''
====Issue #210====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''

===Covers (9)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-50.jpg|'''US issue #50''' - He may be powered up, but he's still only got one ear.
File:MarvelUK-208.jpg|'''UK issue #208''' - Starscream needs to learn to share his toys.
File:MarvelUK-209.jpg|'''UK issue #209''' - Sure Prime, sure...
File:MarvelUK-210.jpg|'''UK issue #210''' - Mummy, what's the bad man doing?
</gallery>
*'''US issue #50 cover:''' Starscream supreme, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #208 cover:''' Starscream bathing in the Underbase, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #209 cover:''' Starscream on the attack, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #210 cover:''' Scorponok, having just blasted Prime, by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:Titan-DarkStarSC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' TPB'''
File:Titan-DarkStarHC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' HC'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4'''
File:BestofStarscream.jpg|'''''Best of Starscream'''''
</gallery>
*'''''Dark Star'' TPB cover:''' Starscream, [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], Overbite, [[Dogfight]], and half a [[Mecannibal]] by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Dark Star'' Hardback cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Seth Fisher]] and [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''''Best of Starscream'' cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Klaus Scherwinski]].
<gallery>
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4 cover:''' Starscream by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Dark Star]]''
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4]]

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Dark Star

2015-01-14T09:28:55Z

Jerryteacup: /* Casualty Notes */

{{disambig3|Dark Star}}

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #50
|prev=Cold War!
|next=The Man in the Machine!
|title="Dark Star"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #208–210
|prev2=Cold War!
|next2=The Man in the Machine!
|image=MarvelUS-50.jpg
|caption=<s>Fred Hembeck</s> <s>The Punisher</s> <s>Deadpool</s> Starscream '''''KILLS''''' the Marvel Transformers Universe!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November [[1988]]
|coverdate=March [[1989]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[José Delbo]]
|inker=[[Dave Hunt]]
|color=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The end of the Underbase Saga... and the Transformers?'''

==Synopsis==

===Prologue===
Out in the vacuum of space, the [[Underbase]] travels ever closer to [[Earth]].

===Chapter One===
On Earth, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] are the first to respond to the alert beacon triggered by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Seeing the responsible party, they quickly radio back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. A full [[Autobot]] response battalion arrives within a matter of minutes. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is reunited with his brother only to find him on the brink of death. He places Buster within a heating unit in Fortress Maximus's chest to fight off the effects of exposure and frostbite. As the Autobots gather their wits enough to question the situation at hand, though, they are treated to a full scale [[Decepticon]] attack, as [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have detected their approach.

The following battle is quick and merciless, and comes to a stop only when Ratbat ends up confronting Fortress Maximus and his own former prisoner, Buster. Buster outlays what [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] told him before departing, and makes Ratbat see reason about putting his feud with the Autobots on hold until the larger issue can be dealt with. The various faction leaders agree to work together and make a space-worthy craft to hunt down Starscream.

===Chapter Two===
At the edge of space, the most treacherous Decepticon of all leaves his star cruiser to bathe directly in the light of the Underbase's powerful knowledge and knowledgeable power. Before he absorbs much, however, he is blasted out of the way by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], manning the guns on the [[Club Con|island starship]]. Unfortunately, that momentary exposure was enough to supercharge Starscream, and he manages to grab hold of the entire star cruiser he stole and toss it straight through the island ship, leaving the combined armies crippled and stranded in space, and the Decepticons in particular without any means of star travel from then on.

===Chapter Three===
For some reason, Starscream chooses to let them live drifting in the vacuum of space. He also chooses to return to Earth and attack it instead of chasing down the Underbase to fulfill his lust for power. He also announces in advance the exact set of cities he plans to assault. Clearly, the "knowledge" part of the Underbase takes awhile to set in.

Optimus Prime enacts Plan B and summons the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to pick them all up and speed back to Earth ahead of Starscream. As the factions begin splitting into teams to cover Starscream's previously identified destinations, Optimus makes the stunning announcement that he will stay aboard the Ark and not confront Starscream. The Decepticons quickly dismiss this as pure cowardice, and leave for Earth in disgust.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Never again shall you take up catalog space that could be devoted to my magnificence!"]]
Autobots and Decepticons alike confront Starscream one after another and in groups, but ultimately he slaughters them all. The only difficulties he runs into are the [[Pretender]]s and those who are [[binary bonding|binary bonded]], as the organic outer shells and bonding prove somehow resistant to his destructive energies. As the battles continue, both Ratbat and Scorponok become suspicious that Optimus Prime's alleged cowardice might actually be greed to capture the Underbase for himself, and abandon their respective battles to return to the Ark and confront him.

Aboard the Ark, Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] are guarding Buster Witwicky, while constructing a rocket with reflective panels, designed to catch the Underbase and change its course. Buster makes the mistake of radioing his brother during the battle, though, and Starscream realizes the potential threat an absent Optimus Prime poses to him. He takes off for space to intercept the Autobot leader and the Ark.

===Chapter Four===
Ratbat and Scorponok arrive on the ark and confront Prime. After Scorponok blasts Prime and annihilates Ratbat, he heads off to reach the redirected Underbase on his own. Optimus manages to replace his [[Powermaster]] engine in time to go after Scorponok, and physically drags the two of them out of the Underbase's path. Starscream arrives just in time for the underbase to hit him instead of Earth. The combined power of the Underbase mutates Starscream until he is overwhelmed with power, and is obliterated.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime explains to Scorponok that he learned his lesson about the Underbase millions of years ago. He arranged for the reflector rocket and for Buster's "ill-timed" radio message to Fortress Maximus in order to lure Starscream back out into space, where he would surely try to take all of the Underbase's power and destroy himself. The [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] leaders part in peace, but Scorponok makes it clear that the war will begin anew, tomorrow...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (2)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (3)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (4)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (20)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (21)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (22)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (23)
*? (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (26)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (27)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (29)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (30)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (31)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (32)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (33)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (34)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (35)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (36)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (37)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (38)
*? (41)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (43)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (44)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (45)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (50)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (54)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (56)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (57)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (59)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (60)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (61)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (62)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (67)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (68)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (69)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (70)
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wide Load]] (71)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (74)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (81)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (82)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (83)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (84)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (85)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (5)
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]] (6)
*? (7)
*[[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]] (8)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (9)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (13)
*? (14)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (15)
*? (16)
*[[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] (17)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (19)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (39)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (47)
*[[Finback]] (48)
*[[Skullgrin]] (49)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (51)
*[[Apeface]] (52)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (53)
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (55)
*[[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]] (58)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (63)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (64)
*[[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] (65)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (72)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (73)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (75)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (76)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (77)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (78)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (79)
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (80)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (87)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (86)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grr]] (87)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (28)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (66)
}}

==Notes==

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Some of the artwork is copied directly from [[Totaled!]]. This includes:
**The entire sequence of Cerebros and Spike transforming out of their respective head modes.
**The background shot of Prowl under attack from Scorponok
**Fortress Maximus's Autobots are completely absent from the first half of the issue, most notably from the Autobot-Decepticon battle.
*Cerebros' name is misspelled as "Cerebro" during the Cerebros transforming shot.
*On page 11, panel 2 Fortress Maximus has only 3 fingers on his left hand. Ratbat could have ''possibly'' eaten it off panel...''maybe''.

===Casualty Notes===
[[File:DarkStar Throttlebots die.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Kill 'em all; let Hasbro sort 'em out."]]
[[File:Skalorjetfiredie.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:DarkStar-Jazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4| ]]
*This issue features the biggest battle toll of any issue, including the battle with [[Unicron]]. Among the confirmed casualties are the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], Bluestreak, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], Goldbug, Jazz, the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], Jetfire, Blaster, the [[Throttlebot]]s, Thundercracker, Skywarp, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], [[Octane (G1)|Octane]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], Omega Supreme, Ratbat and, of course, Starscream.
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] can (arguably) be retroactively added to this issue's casualty list as Beachcomber is later seen laying in Ratchet's repair bay in "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]", and Powerglide is confirmed deactivated in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]".
*Bob Budiansky's reasoning for the mass murder was that he needed a big end for the story, he had too many characters, and Hasbro wouldn't care about characters that didn't have toys for sale. And hey, they weren't getting any panel-time these days anyway, "so they were already just about dead". [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html]
*Many people also assume that the rest of the earlier armies, those not possessing organic enhancements like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and Pretenders (save the ever '''''"lucky"''''' Ratchet), were also wiped out behind the scenes. Though unconfirmed, there's something to be said for this theory. Many Transformers like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are never seen again (within the course of the G1 series). Later issues show Prime mourning the loss of warriors not seen killed in the Underbase Saga, such as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (and again, Powerglide), while [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] are variously shown as deactivated during "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]", "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" and "[[Makin' Tracks!]]". The greatest support for this theory is the story "[[Flashback!]]", which shows Prowl being destroyed by Starscream in San Francisco, a moment not shown in Dark Star, proving that there was indeed at least one "off panel" casualty. Still, it remains a point for debate as the Autobot Headmasters (besides Fortress Maximus) are a no-show for the entire issue, and while the Decepticon Headmasters (aside from [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] and [[Fangry]]) are all featured in the early pages and the first battle - [[Apeface]] and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] even shows up in the Ark - they don't bother to show up against Starscream. All the Targetmasters also had better things to do, save for [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] who subsequently decided to skip the fight against Starscream.
*Prime refers to the casualties as "destroyed", but later issues make it clear that at least some of them could be repaired. The Dinobots, Jazz, Goldbug, Blaster and Silverbolt are all revived later in the series. Ratchet is also seen working to restore Omega Supreme. The task of repairing them all will have [[Back from the Dead|consequences]] very shortly.
*Soundwave is explicitly blasted by Starscream, but apparently either survives unscathed or is promptly repaired, as he soon appears in later issues. This is never explained (he has no organic components to ensure his survival), other than Soundwave is BADASS!
*This is clearly [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]'s worst day ever. He gets left behind by his fellow Aerialbots when they go pick up Buster, is ionically-disrupted by Astrotrain, transforms into jet mode only to get strafed by a Decepticon flying patrol, and finally is atomized battling Starscream. Some people just can't catch a break.
*The Seacons got axed 3 issues after their [[Club Con!|debut appearance]] (though Marvel UK had them appearing sooner). Even [[Nemesis Breaker]] lasted longer than that.
{{-}}

===Continuity errors===
*Ratbat and Scorponok figure out that Starscream stole the spacecraft to go after the Underbase... and then Buster inexplicably needs to explain it to Ratbat all over again a few pages later. (The only new information Buster gives him is that Starscream arranged for the Autobots to show up.)
*The next issue shows [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] among the survivors, though by the time "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]" saw print, he is shown and referred to as deactivated.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue is double-length in honor of its milestone issue number. Accordingly, it also cost 50 cents more than a standard issue.
**To accommodate this extra length, the UK comic printed the story across three issues instead of the usual two.
*Optimus Prime returns to the US cover corner box, although it's his original form as it appeared on the first 29 issues. This image of Prime will remain in the corner box for the next 25 issues.
*Starscream's actions would inevitably haunt the Decepticons for some time when he was reborn. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Several]] [[Triggerhappy|Decepticons]] [[Dirge (G1)|would]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|actually]] [[Thrust (G1)|desert]] in various continuities, because Starscream was among them.
*With Ratbat's demise, Scorponok is now in charge of all the Decepticons of Earth. Since most of them were wiped out in this issue, that's probably not much of a promotion.

===Real-life references===

===UK printing===
====Issue #208====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]] - Desperate Moves'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
====Issue #209====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''
====Issue #210====
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force - Desperate Moves'' and ''Combat Colin''

===Covers (9)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-50.jpg|'''US issue #50''' - He may be powered up, but he's still only got one ear.
File:MarvelUK-208.jpg|'''UK issue #208''' - Starscream needs to learn to share his toys.
File:MarvelUK-209.jpg|'''UK issue #209''' - Sure Prime, sure...
File:MarvelUK-210.jpg|'''UK issue #210''' - Mummy, what's the bad man doing?
</gallery>
*'''US issue #50 cover:''' Starscream supreme, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #208 cover:''' Starscream bathing in the Underbase, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #209 cover:''' Starscream on the attack, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #210 cover:''' Scorponok, having just blasted Prime, by Andrew Wildman.
<gallery>
File:Titan-DarkStarSC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' TPB'''
File:Titan-DarkStarHC.jpg|'''''Dark Star'' HC'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4'''
File:BestofStarscream.jpg|'''''Best of Starscream'''''
</gallery>
*'''''Dark Star'' TPB cover:''' Starscream, [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], Overbite, [[Dogfight]], and half a [[Mecannibal]] by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Dark Star'' Hardback cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Seth Fisher]] and [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''''Best of Starscream'' cover:''' Starscream victorious by [[Klaus Scherwinski]].
<gallery>
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4 cover:''' Starscream by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Dark Star]]''
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4]]

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

File:MarvelUK-250.jpg

2015-01-14T08:54:44Z

Jerryteacup:

{{MarvelUKcover|[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Swindler]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Detour (G1)|Detour]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]]'s legs, [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Tailspin]], [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] and [[Free Wheeler]] attend the [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party.|250|The Greatest Gift of All!|89|artist=Andrew Wildman}}

File:MarvelUK-250.jpg

2015-01-14T08:53:44Z

Jerryteacup:

{{MarvelUKcover|[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Swindler]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Detour (G1)|Detour]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Tailspin]], [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]]'s legs, [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] and [[Free Wheeler]] attend the [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party.|250|The Greatest Gift of All!|89|artist=Andrew Wildman}}

Aerialbots over America!

2015-01-13T20:49:35Z

Jerryteacup: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #21
|prev=Showdown!
|next=Heavy Traffic!
|title="Aerialbots over America!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #89–90
|prev2=Cybertron: The Middle Years!
|next2=Heavy Traffic!
|image=MarvelUS-21.jpg
|caption=Insert your own tasteless 9/11 joke here.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=June [[1986]]
|coverdate=October 1986
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Don Perlin]]
|inkers=[[Ian Akin]] and [[Brian Garvey]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|editor=[[Michael Carlin]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Bombshell controls a human with a cerebro shell and is challenged by the Aerialbots.'''

==Synopsis==
Recent arrival [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] uses a [[cerebro-shell]] to force hydroelectric engineer [[Ricky Vasquez]] to bring [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] into the plant at [[Hoover Dam]], as part of a plan to steal the plant's energy and transport it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Meanwhile, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] returns to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] with [[Donny Finkleberg]] to inform them that [[Cybertron Seven|seven Autobots]] were accidentally transported to [[Earth]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] sends [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and Finkleberg to investigate. The [[Autobot]]s then receive word of the invasion of the hydroelectric plant, and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], recently created by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] using the stolen [[combiner]] technology, are dispatched to deal with the situation.

[[File:Aerialbots disassemble marvel 21.jpg|thumb|left]]
Only the Aerialbot leader, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], has been given a complete personality, and the other Aerialbots are not yet programmed to defend [[human]] life. When the Aerialbots combine into Superion, Silverbolt must fight to influence the combined form from within in order to keep Superion from killing Vasquez. Forced to disassemble rather than kill Vasquez, the mission seems doomed to failure.

But Vasquez, seeing [[Maria Vasquez|his daughter]] break through the police line to call out to her daddy, breaks through the cerebro-shell's programming, and fires Megatron into the [[space bridge]], causing it to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As the Aerialbots fly away, Bombshell hitches a ride on Silverbolt's wing.

Meanwhile, at an airstrip in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]], the newly arrived Autobots from Cybertron have been found by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]], led by [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (10)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (12)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (16)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (17)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (18)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (19)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (20)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (25)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (26)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (29)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (30)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (31)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (32)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (33)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (34)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (1)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (7)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (22)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (23)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (24)
|c3=
*[[Maria Vasquez]] (2)
*[[Ricky Vasquez]] (3)
*[[Carmen Vasquez]] (4)
*[[Donny Finkleberg]] (11)
*[[Billy (G1)|Billy]] (14)
*[[Lyle Scoggins]] (21)
*[[Kurtz]] (27)
*[[Winowski]] (28)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] (35)
}}

==Quotes==
"I'm pleased you are still functional, Skids. We thought you were dead."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', showing very little concern.

"Pull my trigger, fleshling! '''Pull my trigger!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' says terrible things to a mind-controlled Ricky Vasquez

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:Coneheads aerialbots over america.jpg|thumb|150px]]
*Dirge's wings and cockpit are ''pink'' on pages 10 and 15.
*Ramjet is colored just red and black in 2 panels at the bottom of page 16.
*Blaster's head is blue on the last page.
*The Coneheads' conversation after initially driving off the Aerialbots is several flavors of screwed up, presumably due to misdirected speech balloons:
::'''Thrust:''' "We showed them who's boss of the skies, right, Thrust?"
::'''Dirge:''' "Right, Ramjet!"
::'''Ramjet:''' "..."
*For the most part of the story, Silverbolt's jet mode atually makes an attempt to be [[Scale|''in scale'']] with the rest of the jets!

===Continuity errors===
*On page 12, Jetfire refers to [[Basketrek|a game]] they played on Cybertron. Yet, having been given life on Earth (immediately preceding issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]), Jetfire has never been to Cybertron.
*Megatron seems to need the fleshling to pull his trigger to be able to fire, yet in previous issues Megatron would fire in gun mode without anyone pulling the trigger.
*The security guard doesn't notice that Ricky is carrying a large gun.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue takes place on [[July 4]], [[1986]].
*The [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and [[Conehead|second year Decepticon jets]] first arrive on Earth in this issue.
*Prime is seen nursing an injury he received saving Skids' life in issue [[Command Performances!|#19]]. This injury would play a big part in the next couple of issues.
*The cliffhanger features Circuit Breaker mounting the heads of the [[Cybertron Seven]] on the wall of her RAAT base. This also happened in issue #19..

===Real-life references===
* The issue is mostly set in and around Hoover Dam.

===UK printing===
*Issue #89 featured the debut of a new feature called ''[[Transformers AtoZ]]''. This was merely reprinting (sometimes slightly truncated) profiles from the ''[[The Transformers Universe]]'' limited series. #89 featured nearly unreadable (due to the background they were printed on) profiles on Air Raid and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]].
*The injury Prime is nursing in this issue is actually the source of a subtle continuity change between the US and UK comics. The cause of the injury is different depending on which version of the comic you're reading:
**In the US version, Prime was wounded fighting to save Skids during "[[Command Performances!]]", 2 issues previously. In the UK version, there was a 17-issue gap between this story and "Command Performances", so the hole in his side was repaired, and he was later re-injured in ''exactly the same spot''.
**The exact origin of Prime's new injury remained a mystery until issue [[Distant Thunder!|#100]]. All we knew at this point was that Prime was somehow damaged while he was displaced in limbo during "[[Target: 2006]]".
*In a similar vein, it is a little odd, in the UK print, to hear Optimus refer to the arrival of the [[Cybertron Seven]] over the [[space bridge]] as the most significant turn of events since the Transformers landed on Earth, when his Autobots have spent the last nine issues or so in the company of Ultra Magnus, an Autobot sent over the Space Bridge from Cybertron, and fighting Galvatron, a Decepticon from the future. Unless his troops just didn't ''tell'' Optimus about Magnus.

===Other trivia===
*In the issue's publication info on page 1, the cover date is printed as October [[1987]] rather than 1986. (The month is correct, as Marvel consistently listed issues four months ahead of their release date.)
*When this issue was reprinted in ''[[Classic Transformers Volume 2]]'', the image of Circuit Breaker was replaced with a silhouette and the speech bubble with her name was removed for copyright reasons.

===Covers (7)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-21.jpg|'''US issue #21''' - Wait, wrong way!
File:MarvelUK-089.jpg|'''UK issue #89''' - Actually, [[Slaves of the Insecticons]] is a different book altogether.
File:MarvelUK-090.jpg|'''UK issue #90''' - UK Silverbolt seems to be a robo-racist.
File:Titan-ShowdownSC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Showdown'' TPB'''
</gallery>
*'''US cover:''' Aerialbots vs. Coneheads, by [[Herb Trimpe]].
*'''UK issue #89 cover:''' Insecticons control Ricky Vasquez, by [[Robin Smith]].
*'''UK issue #90 cover:''' reuse of art from US cover with new coloring by [[Robin Bouttell]].
*'''''Transformers: Showdown'' TPB cover:''' [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and half of the [[space bridge]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
<gallery>
File:Titan-ShowdownHC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Showdown'' hardback'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol2.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2'''
File:TFClassicsVol2.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 2'''
</gallery>
*'''''Transformers: Showdown'' hardback cover:''' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head by [[Alan Davis]], [[Mark Farmer]], & [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Showdown!|#20]] and [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]].
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 2 cover:''' [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2003]] — ''[[Transformers: Showdown]]''
*[[2008]] — ''[[Classic Transformers Volume 2]]''
*[[2012]] — ''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2]]''

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Aerialbots over America!

2015-01-13T20:47:51Z

Jerryteacup: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #21
|prev=Showdown!
|next=Heavy Traffic!
|title="Aerialbots over America!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #89–90
|prev2=Cybertron: The Middle Years!
|next2=Heavy Traffic!
|image=MarvelUS-21.jpg
|caption=Insert your own tasteless 9/11 joke here.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=June [[1986]]
|coverdate=October 1986
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Don Perlin]]
|inkers=[[Ian Akin]] and [[Brian Garvey]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|editor=[[Michael Carlin]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Bombshell controls a human with a cerebro shell and is challenged by the Aerialbots.'''

==Synopsis==
Recent arrival [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] uses a [[cerebro-shell]] to force hydroelectric engineer [[Ricky Vasquez]] to bring [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] into the plant at [[Hoover Dam]], as part of a plan to steal the plant's energy and transport it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Meanwhile, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] returns to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] with [[Donny Finkleberg]] to inform them that [[Cybertron Seven|seven Autobots]] were accidentally transported to [[Earth]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] sends [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and Finkleberg to investigate. The [[Autobot]]s then receive word of the invasion of the hydroelectric plant, and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], recently created by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] using the stolen [[combiner]] technology, are dispatched to deal with the situation.

[[File:Aerialbots disassemble marvel 21.jpg|thumb|left]]
Only the Aerialbot leader, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], has been given a complete personality, and the other Aerialbots are not yet programmed to defend [[human]] life. When the Aerialbots combine into Superion, Silverbolt must fight to influence the combined form from within in order to keep Superion from killing Vasquez. Forced to disassemble rather than kill Vasquez, the mission seems doomed to failure.

But Vasquez, seeing [[Maria Vasquez|his daughter]] break through the police line to call out to her daddy, breaks through the cerebro-shell's programming, and fires Megatron into the [[space bridge]], causing it to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As the Aerialbots fly away, Bombshell hitches a ride on Silverbolt's wing.

Meanwhile, at an airstrip in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]], the newly arrived Autobots from Cybertron have been found by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]], led by [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (10)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (12)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (16)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (17)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (18)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (19)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (20)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (25)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (26)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (29)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (30)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (31)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (32)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (33)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (34)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (1)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (7)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (22)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (23)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (24)
|c3=
*[[Maria Vasquez]] (2)
*[[Ricky Vasquez]] (3)
*[[Carmen Vasquez]] (4)
*[[Donny Finkleberg]] (11)
*[[Billy (G1)|Billy]] (14)
*[[Lyle Scoggins]] (21)
*[[Kurtz]] (27)
*[[Winowski]] (28)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] (35)
}}

==Quotes==
"I'm pleased you are still functional, Skids. We thought you were dead."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', showing very little concern.

"Pull my trigger, fleshling! '''Pull my trigger!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' says terrible things to a mind-controlled Ricky Vasquez

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:Coneheads aerialbots over america.jpg|thumb|150px]]
*Dirge's wings and cockpit are ''pink'' on pages 10 and 15.
*Ramjet is colored just red and black in 2 panels at the bottom of page 16.
*Blaster's head is blue on the last page.
*The Coneheads' conversation after initially driving off the Aerialbots is several flavors of screwed up, presumably due to misdirected speech balloons:
::'''Thrust:''' "We showed them who's boss of the skies, right, Thrust?"
::'''Dirge:''' "Right, Ramjet!"
::'''Ramjet:''' "..."
*For the most part of the story, compared to the other jets Silverbolt's jet mode makes an attempt to be in [[Scale|scale]]!

===Continuity errors===
*On page 12, Jetfire refers to [[Basketrek|a game]] they played on Cybertron. Yet, having been given life on Earth (immediately preceding issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]), Jetfire has never been to Cybertron.
*Megatron seems to need the fleshling to pull his trigger to be able to fire, yet in previous issues Megatron would fire in gun mode without anyone pulling the trigger.
*The security guard doesn't notice that Ricky is carrying a large gun.

===Continuity notes===
*This issue takes place on [[July 4]], [[1986]].
*The [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and [[Conehead|second year Decepticon jets]] first arrive on Earth in this issue.
*Prime is seen nursing an injury he received saving Skids' life in issue [[Command Performances!|#19]]. This injury would play a big part in the next couple of issues.
*The cliffhanger features Circuit Breaker mounting the heads of the [[Cybertron Seven]] on the wall of her RAAT base. This also happened in issue #19..

===Real-life references===
* The issue is mostly set in and around Hoover Dam.

===UK printing===
*Issue #89 featured the debut of a new feature called ''[[Transformers AtoZ]]''. This was merely reprinting (sometimes slightly truncated) profiles from the ''[[The Transformers Universe]]'' limited series. #89 featured nearly unreadable (due to the background they were printed on) profiles on Air Raid and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]].
*The injury Prime is nursing in this issue is actually the source of a subtle continuity change between the US and UK comics. The cause of the injury is different depending on which version of the comic you're reading:
**In the US version, Prime was wounded fighting to save Skids during "[[Command Performances!]]", 2 issues previously. In the UK version, there was a 17-issue gap between this story and "Command Performances", so the hole in his side was repaired, and he was later re-injured in ''exactly the same spot''.
**The exact origin of Prime's new injury remained a mystery until issue [[Distant Thunder!|#100]]. All we knew at this point was that Prime was somehow damaged while he was displaced in limbo during "[[Target: 2006]]".
*In a similar vein, it is a little odd, in the UK print, to hear Optimus refer to the arrival of the [[Cybertron Seven]] over the [[space bridge]] as the most significant turn of events since the Transformers landed on Earth, when his Autobots have spent the last nine issues or so in the company of Ultra Magnus, an Autobot sent over the Space Bridge from Cybertron, and fighting Galvatron, a Decepticon from the future. Unless his troops just didn't ''tell'' Optimus about Magnus.

===Other trivia===
*In the issue's publication info on page 1, the cover date is printed as October [[1987]] rather than 1986. (The month is correct, as Marvel consistently listed issues four months ahead of their release date.)
*When this issue was reprinted in ''[[Classic Transformers Volume 2]]'', the image of Circuit Breaker was replaced with a silhouette and the speech bubble with her name was removed for copyright reasons.

===Covers (7)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-21.jpg|'''US issue #21''' - Wait, wrong way!
File:MarvelUK-089.jpg|'''UK issue #89''' - Actually, [[Slaves of the Insecticons]] is a different book altogether.
File:MarvelUK-090.jpg|'''UK issue #90''' - UK Silverbolt seems to be a robo-racist.
File:Titan-ShowdownSC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Showdown'' TPB'''
</gallery>
*'''US cover:''' Aerialbots vs. Coneheads, by [[Herb Trimpe]].
*'''UK issue #89 cover:''' Insecticons control Ricky Vasquez, by [[Robin Smith]].
*'''UK issue #90 cover:''' reuse of art from US cover with new coloring by [[Robin Bouttell]].
*'''''Transformers: Showdown'' TPB cover:''' [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and half of the [[space bridge]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
<gallery>
File:Titan-ShowdownHC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Showdown'' hardback'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol2.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2'''
File:TFClassicsVol2.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 2'''
</gallery>
*'''''Transformers: Showdown'' hardback cover:''' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head by [[Alan Davis]], [[Mark Farmer]], & [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Showdown!|#20]] and [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]].
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 2 cover:''' [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2003]] — ''[[Transformers: Showdown]]''
*[[2008]] — ''[[Classic Transformers Volume 2]]''
*[[2012]] — ''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2]]''

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]