MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Transformers: Armada (franchise)

2019-02-19T04:42:32Z

Jointdog: Moved section about Armada's reception as a franchise from the cartoon page.

{{disambigr|Armada|other uses of the word Armada|Armada (disambiguation)}}
{{nav-armada}}

'''''Transformers: Armada''''' is a Transformers [[franchise]] that launched in the year 2002. It was the first Transformers franchise to be completely co-developed by [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]. Until ''Armada'', every Transformers franchise had been led by one company or the other. It is the first franchise in the [[Unicron Trilogy]], and was followed by ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''.

Takara marketed the series as '''''Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers Micron Densetsu''''' (超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマーマイクロン伝説), officially translated as '''''Transformers: Legends of the Microns'''''.

The ''Armada'' franchise featured the following primary components:

*[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|A toyline]]
*[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|A cartoon series]]
*[[Linkage (comic)|A mini-comic series packed with the Japanese DVD releases of the cartoon]]
*[[Transformers: Armada (mini-comic)|A series of mini-comics that came packed with toys]]
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|An American comic book series by Dreamwave]]
*[[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|A British comic book series by Panini Comics]]
*[[Transformers (PS2)|A video game for PS2 based on Armada developed by Melbourne House]]
*A series of coloring and activity books by [[Funtastic Publishing]]
*An [[Transformers: Armada Official Guidebook|Official Guidebook]] published by [[Reader's Digest]].

''Armada'' also had a large amount of ancillary merchandise; examples include birthday cards, [[Bendon Publishing International, Inc.|storybooks]], and coloring books. Merchandise of this sort had been rare during the years of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.

''Armada'' also introduced a brand new faction to the Transformers multiverse: [[Mini-Con]]s.

==Reception==
Although fans had a [[Pokeformers|mixed reaction]] towards the product as a whole (which is [[Ruined FOREVER|typical]] of ''any'' new series), it was ''incredibly'' successful with the target audience, children ages 4–9. The toys sold like hotcakes, prompting Hasbro to pad out the tail end of the toyline with a number of ''Beast Wars'' redecos.

The success of ''Armada'' led to the more expensive R&D that went into the next two franchises, ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''. It also prompted the launch of the ''Transformers [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' subline, as demand for Transformers product continued to outstrip Hasbro's ability to develop new molds.

==Notes==
*Why is the franchise called Armada? The answer: we don’t know.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armada}}
[[Category:Armada| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy]]

Transformers: Armada (cartoon)

2019-02-19T04:42:25Z

Jointdog: Moved section about Armada's reception as a franchise to the franchise page.

{{nav-armada}}

[[File:Galactic Heroes Cybertron.jpg|thumb|400px]]
'''''Transformers: Armada''''', known as '''''Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers Micron Densetsu''''' (超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマーマイクロン伝説 "Super Robot Lifeform Transformers Legends of the Microns") in Japan, is a ''Transformers'' cartoon series that ran from [[2002]]–[[2003]], in support of the franchise of the same name. Animation for the series was produced by [[Actas Inc.]] (with animation for the Japanese [[title sequence]] being produced by [[Raretrick]]). The series initiated a total continuity reboot, setting up a brand new ''Transformers'' universe separate from any previous storyline. Together with its two sequels, this continuity family is now known as the [[Unicron Trilogy]].

''Micron Densetsu'' has the [[Japanese themes|opening songs]] "[[Transformer: Dream Again|TRANSFORMER -Dream Again-]]" and "[[Transformers: Kōtetsu no Yūki|Transformers ~Kōtetsu no Yūki~]]", with the ending songs "[[Never Ending Road]]" and "[[Don't Give Up!!]]".

:''Followed by: [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
** [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]
* [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
**[[Incinerator (Armada)|Incinerator]]
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Brent Miller]])
**[[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
**[[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]]
* [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]]
**[[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]]
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson]])
**[[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]]
* [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] ([[Ward Perry]])
**[[Rollbar (Armada)|Rollbar]]
* [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] ([[Sam Vincent]])
**[[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]]
* [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen/Hoist]] ([[Dale Wilson]])
**[[Liftor]]

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
**[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] ([[Don Brown]])
**[[Crumplezone (Armada)|Crumplezone]]
* [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] ([[Alvin Sanders]])
**[[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
**[[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]]
* [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] ([[Colin Murdoch]])
**[[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]]
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] ([[Doug Parker]])
**[[Ramjet (Armada)|Ramjet]]
* [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] ([[Michael Daingerfield]])

|c3=
* [[Rad White]] ([[Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Alexis Thi Dang]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] ([[Andrew Francis]])
* [[Carlos Lopez]] ([[Matt Hill]])
* [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] ([[Tony Sampson]])

|c4=
* [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] ([[Paul Dobson]]), ([[Mark Acheson]])
**[[Mirror]] (Paul Dobson)
***[[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]]
* [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]] ([[Paul Dobson]])
**[[Aerial Extermination Mini-Con Team]]: [[Vorpal Saber]]
* [[Unicron]] ([[Mark Acheson]])
**[[Dead End Drone]]s
*[[Narrator]] ([[Jim Conrad]])

|h5=[[Mini-Con]]s|c5=
*[[Street Action Mini-Con Team]]: [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] (?)
** [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] ([[Terry Klassen]])
** [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (?)
** [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (?)
* [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]]: [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]
** [[Jetstorm (Armada)|Jetstorm]]
** [[Runway (Armada)|Runway]]
** [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]]
* [[Race Mini-Con Team]]: [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]]
** [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]]
** [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]]
** [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]
* [[Space Mini-Con Team]]: [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]
** [[Astroscope]]
** [[Payload (Armada)|Payload]]
** [[Sky Blast (Armada)|Sky Blast]]
* [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Dune Runner (Armada)|Dune Runner]]
** [[Iceberg]]
** [[Ransack (Armada)|Ransack]]
* [[Air Military Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]]
** [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]]
** [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]]
* [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Buzzsaw (Armada)|Buzzsaw]]
** [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]]
** [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]]
* [[Emergency Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]]
** [[Makeshift (Armada)|Makeshift]]
** [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]]
* [[Land Military Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Bonecrusher (Armada)|Bonecrusher]]
** [[Knock Out (Armada)|Knock Out]]
** [[Wreckage (Armada)|Wreckage]]
* [[Sea Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Oceanglide]]
** [[Stormcloud (Armada)|Stormcloud]]
** [[Waterlog (Armada)|Waterlog]]
* [[Street Speed Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Backtrack (Armada)|Backtrack]]
** [[Oval]]
** [[Spiral]]
*[[Night Attack Mini-Con Team]]
**[[Broadside (Armada)|Broadside]]
**[[Fetch]]
**[[Scattor (Armada)|Scattor]]
*[[Unicron of Light]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Major locations==
* [[Lincoln, Nebraska]], U.S.A.
* [[High Desert]]
*[[Cybertron Base (Armada)|Cybertron Base]] (Autobot HQ)
*[[Cosmoscope Research Center]]

* [[Lunar Base (Armada)|Lunar Base]] (Decepticon HQ)
* [[Cybertron (planet)#Unicron Trilogy|Cybertron]]

==Storyline==
[[File:Alliance-Unicronmoon.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
''Armada''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s universe is most distinguished by the presence and importance of [[Mini-Con]]s, a race of human-sized Transformers that, when "[[powerlinx]]ed" to their larger brethren, would unleash a flood of energy. Because of the great potential for their exploitation, the Mini-Cons attempt to abstain from the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] war and flee [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], crashing on [[Earth]] and the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. When some Mini-Cons are accidentally reactivated in [[2010]] by clumsy teenagers, a beacon alerts both the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron, who track them to Earth and continue their battle here.

Mini-Cons can also form powerful weapons, which Megatron wants his greedy mitts on. Eventually, new recruits for the two factions appear, and the Transformers find out Unicron created the Mini-Cons, and is planning to feed on the hatred developed by the Transformers battling, and the Autobots and Decepticons unite to defeat the bigger bad.

==Production==
''Armada'' was the first Transformers cartoon to be co-developed in the United States and Japan. The show was produced in Japan with animation by [[Actas Inc.]], but the English localization by [[Voicebox Productions]] was the first to reach air; the "original" Japanese version was not broadcast in its home country until six months after the American premiere. Following a summer hiatus of the American broadcast in 2003, the "Hydra Cannon" episodes and the beginning of the Unicron Battles arc debuted on [[Canada|Canadian]] television, while the final nine episode of the series first aired in the [[United Kingdom]]. Even the Japanese versions of most of these post-hiatus episodes were aired in Japan ahead of the United States, except for the final three; these were burned off as part of a week-long run of daily broadcasts on Cartoon Network just two weeks before the Japanese broadcast of the series concluded.

When ''Armada'' was first announced, an unnamed Hasbro source was quoted as claiming [[Mainframe Entertainment]] had been "tapped" to make the show. Sadly, this didn't happen.<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/infozone/armada.php The 2002 Armada page at Seibertron]</ref>

==Criticisms==
[[File:TacticianMiniConChanges.jpg|thumb|250px|Between the American (top) and Japanese (bottom) airings, the entire back row of Mini-Cons was changed or recolored.]]
====The dub====
The English dub of ''Armada'' was plagued with errors—not deliberate changes in premise and dialogue (although those did exist), or other things that would make a typical anime fan claim the dub was "bad", but genuine, quantifiable technical faults on a scripting and production level that make it clear the show was put together hastily and haphazardly, and was, ultimately, simply not up to modern broadcast standards when it was released. Most explicit are the repeated instances of characters being referred to with the wrong name, particularly the Mini-Cons, but evidence strongly suggesting that many scripts were translated only very roughly, and never given proper re-writes to either adapt them for a Western audience, or to even check if they actually corroborated what was happening on-screen. Characters give long, rambling, semi-coherent monologues, react strangely to one another's dialogue, have very disjointed "conversations", reiterate obvious plot points to one another, and repeatedly use stock phrases such as "Hey, wait up!" Moments of intended silence are filled with babble, especially the dreaded "Uh?" every time a character reacts to anything.

====Art and animation====
''Armada'' is also well known for its widely fluctuating animation quality. Many of its episodes are ''riddled'' with not only animation errors, but woefully frequent, badly-drawn, off-model artwork that puts even some of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]]'s infamous animation errors to shame. ''Some'' of this animation was cleaned up for the show's later broadcast in Japan. The most publicized example is the episode "[[Linkup]]", which featured some significantly altered and corrected animation. Smaller alterations were made in many episodes, such as changing incongruous Mini-Con lineups or fixing blatant coloring mistakes, such as Cyclonus being colored as Demolishor for one scene in "[[Swoop (episode)|Swoop]]." However, on the whole it is not ''nearly'' as different as internet pundits may lead you to believe; most of the badly-drawn, off-model art remains unchanged. Generally speaking, it looks pretty much as bad in Japanese as it does in English.

[[File:Dotscream.jpg|thumb|250px|left]]

====American-Japanese co-production====
These problems are generally understood to be due in large part to an extremely rushed production schedule—a fact that should be obvious when one realizes that ''Armada'' was an English dub of a Japanese series that was not ready to air until ''six months after the dub premiered''. The cause of this rush job is still under speculation, but there appear to be two primary suspects:

* It was allegedly claimed that initial plans called for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] to supply character models for the series, but that never materialized, possibly throwing off production schedules.
* [[Cartoon Network]], the channel that aired the show, reportedly would not sign off on the series without a certain number of episodes already finished, forcing a rush job to get the cartoon out to coincide with the toy line's release.

====Writing====
Debuting with a premiere three-part "movie" at the same time as the 21st century reinventions of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' and ''Masters of the Universe'', the immediately-apparent twin flaws in dubbing and animation led ''Armada'' to stumble out of the gate into a torrent of hatred from the internet fandom that stands out as one of the rare moments in fan history when everyone seemed to be on the same page. Flak continued to pile up as the first quarter of the series proved to be a sequence of repetitive one-shot adventures in which the same small groups of Autobots and Decepticons hunt for Mini-Cons in one episode after another. The threat of Unicron, as well as the gradually expanding cast, eventually led to more wide-ranging stories, in particular a well-received story arc centering on Starscream, but the consistently poor animation and dubbing, coupled with the fact that by the time these stories came around, the show had been consigned to the 6am "death slot" on Cartoon Network, meant the show never truly recovered in the eyes of adult fans. In the grand scheme of things, it is only the existence of ''Armada''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s even-''worse''-received sequel, ''Energon'', that keeps it from being widely considered the worst Transformers TV series ever.

All of this, however, did not stop the toyline being a runaway success, spawning a new generation of Transformers fans for whom ''Armada'' was the gateway into the franchise. So, it's got that going for it, historically speaking.

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Armada episodes}}

{{collist|4|
#[[First Encounter]]
#[[Metamorphosis (Armada)|Metamorphosis]]
#[[Base]]
#[[Comrade]]
#[[Soldier (episode)|Soldier]]
#[[Jungle]]
#[[Carnival]]
#[[Palace]]
#[[Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation]]
#[[Underground (episode)|Underground]]
#[[Ruin]]
#[[Prehistory]]
#[[Swoop (episode)|Swoop]]
#[[Overmatch]]
#[[Gale]]
#[[Credulous]]
#[[Conspiracy]]
#[[Trust (Armada)|Trust]]
#[[Vacation]]
#[[Reinforcement]]
#[[Decisive Battle]]
#[[Vow]]
#[[Rebellion (Armada)|Rebellion]]
#[[Chase (episode)|Chase]]
#[[Tactician]]
#[[Linkup]]
#[[Detection]]{{dag|red}}
#[[Awakening (Armada)|Awakening]]
#[[Desperate]]
#[[Runaway]]
#[[Past]]
#[[Past II]]
#[[Sacrifice]]
#[[Regeneration (Armada)|Regeneration]]
#[[Rescue]]
#[[Mars (episode)|Mars]]
#[[Crack (episode)|Crack]]
#[[Threaten]]
#[[Crisis (Armada)|Crisis]]
#[[Remorse]]
#[[Depart]]
#[[Miracle]]
#[[Puppet]]
#[[Uprising (Armada)|Uprising]]
#[[Dash (episode)|Dash]]
#[[Drift (episode)|Drift]]
#[[Portent]]
#[[Cramp]]
#[[Alliance]]
#[[Union]]
#[[Origin]]
#[[Mortal Combat]]
}}
{{dag|red}} ''[[Clip show]]''

==Home video releases==
{{anchor|DVD}}
===''Micron Densetsu''===
{{main|Columbia Music Entertainment}}
The ''Micron Densetsu'' version of ''Armada'' was released on DVD by Columbia Music Entertainment in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air for a total of thirteen volumes. Initial releases of each volume included a bonus Mini-Con figure and [[Linkage (comic)|an original comic side story]] which helped to fill in some of the series's gaps.
[[File:Tf micron legend vol 01.jpg|thumb|150px]]
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 1 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 2 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 3 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 4 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 5 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 6 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 7 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 8 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 9 (2003)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 10 (2004)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 11 (2004)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 12 (2004)
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' 13 (2004)

{{main|Geneon Universal Entertainment}}
Geneon Universal Entertainment will release the entire episodes in one set.
*''Transformers: Micron Densetsu'' DVD Set (2016)
{{-}}

===''Armada''===
====United Kingdom====
{{main|Universal}}
[[File:Armada Collector's Edition DVD.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Universal released several DVD collections of ''Armada'' in the UK.
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:01 (2003)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:02 (2003)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:03 (2005)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Triple Collection (2005)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:04 (2005)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Collector's Edition (2007)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Bumper Double DVD Collection (2008)
{{-}}

====Australia====
{{main|Warner Bros.}}
Warner Music Video released a random assortment of ''Armada'' DVD collections in Australia.
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:02 (2003)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:04 (2003)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:09 (2003)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:10 (2003)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Vol:14 (2003)
{{-}}

====United States====
{{main|Rhino Entertainment}}
[[File:KidRhinoTransformersArmadaPart1.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Kid Rhino released a few DVD collections in the United States, before releasing the entire series in two box sets.
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Battles (2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Flashbacks (2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Battle for the Mini-Cons ([[June 22]], 2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Power of the Mini-Cons ([[June 22]], 2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Best of the Autobots (2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Best of the Decepticons (2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One (2004)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part Two (2006)

:Additionally, three episodes were released by [[Tiger Electronics]] as a boxed set for their Video Now system.
{{-}}
{{main|Shout! Factory}}
Shout! Factory released the complete series on an eight-disc DVD set in 2014.
*''Transformers Armada'': The Complete Series (2014)
{{-}}

====Germany====
{{main|New KSM}}
KSMFilm released two DVD boxsets in Germany, each including 26 episodes with German and English audio. A complete collection of the series was released in 2011.
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One (2008)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume Two (2009)
*''Transformers: Armada'' — Superbox (2011)

====Russia====
{{main|Union Video}}
Union Video released a DVD collection in Russia.

====China====
{{main|Sihaiyizu Release}}
Sihaiyizu Release released a full DVD collection in China in 2006.
{{--}}

==Foreign names==
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Léitíng Jiànduì''''' (China, 变形金刚：雷霆舰队, "Transformers: Thunder Fleet")

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Knight/6670/my_micron/armada-legend.html Site comparing animation differences between ''Armada'' and ''Micron Densetsu'']

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armada (cartoon)}}
[[Category:Armada media| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Hot Shot (Armada)/toys

2019-02-01T00:15:24Z

Jointdog: Fixed link.

{{suite}}

[[File:GHC Hot Shot Redgun.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]

'''[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]''' has many toys! And merchandise! [[User:ItsWalky|No sane person]] would own all of them!

==Toys==
===''Armada''===
{{anchor|ArDx1}}
[[File:Hotshotarmadatoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|mY liFE iS PaIn.]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Super-Con, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MC-03'''
**''Accessories'': Missile, engine-block

:''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Hot Shot transforms into a modified yellow {{w|Audi TT}}. He is packaged with [[Mini-Con]] helicopter [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]], who can peg onto the trunk of Hot Shot's vehicle mode to act as a rear-mounted "speed boosting" propeller. Jolt's gun plugs into Hot Shot's hood, releasing a pair of "driving claws" from his front bumper; these function as his feet in robot mode, so activating these is a necessary step in transforming him. When Hot Shot is in robot mode, attaching Jolt or any Mini-Con to the port on his butt flips his rear axle up over his head; pushing up on the port then rotates the axle to face forward, automatically launching a spring-loaded missile. Hot Shot's visor can also flip down over his face, and Jolt's gun can attach to his chest as armor.

:"Hot Rod," [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Micron Legend'' version of Hot Shot, was released in altered colors, with a more saturated yellow and some dark gray paint in places instead of navy blue. Additionally, more of the belt straps on his chest were painted silver, his pelvis was painted a darker red, and there was clearer paint on his Autobot symbol. A [[retool]] (or vice versa) of [[Hasbro]]'s Hot Shot, his right arm houses a light-up LED (for accommodating the translucent Star Saber sword) that glows when his side-view mirror is pressed, a feature that was dropped from the American version due to price-point concerns.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed and [[retool]]ed for the [[#ArDxPx|"Powerlinx" Hot Shot]] version of the character. That retool was scheduled to be [[redeco]]ed for ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' "[[Battle in a Box]]" [[Smokescreen (Cybertron)|Smokescreen]], but that set was canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|ArDxADT}}
*'''Hot Rod w/ Jolt and Air Defense Microns''' (2002)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MS-01'''
**''Accessories'': Missile, engine-block

:Takara's Hot Rod was also released in a box set with the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]]. Each item in the set is identical to their individual versions.

{{anchor|McD}}
[[File:Mcdonaldshotshot1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can't have too many of these.]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Happy Meal, 2002)

:A Hot Shot toy was part of McDonald's Happy Meal ''Armada'' promotion. Like the Deluxe-class Hot Shot, McDonald's Hot Shot transformed from robot to yellow car, but this version was much simpler and had fewer parts. He had a Powerlinx peg on each shoulder and Powerlinx pegholes under each foot, which enabled him to combine with the other McDonald's Autobots to form [[Mighty Robot]]. (They also allowed Hot Shots to be stacked on top of each other in a pyramid formation.) Hot Shot's vehicle mode included a pull-back motor as well.

:[[File:Mcdonaldshotshot2.jpg|left|150px|thumb|An ''Armada'' Hot Shot with transparent windows? Gasp!]]
:In some Asian markets, a slightly different Hot Shot toy was available. The robot arms did not form from the roof of the car; instead the roof was a separate transparent piece which detached during transformation and pegged into his robot mode's back. The reason for this version's existence is not known.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/McHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on McDonald's Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|ArDxPx}}
[[File:Hotshotpowerlinx.jpg|right|300px|thumb|i eAt yOuR bAbIEs!!]]
*'''Powerlinx Hot Shot''' (Super-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MC-13'''
**''Accessories'': Missile, engine-block

:A red, yellow, and black [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of the first Hot Shot, Powerlinx Hot Shot has a new head that has a more "serious" look, though his visor, sculpted directly into the new head, is no longer articulated. Intended to be an [[homage]] to ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], he has a yellow spoiler and flames on his hood. Due to a factory error, his forehead is painted gray instead of left red. The Japanese version, "Hot Rod Super Mode", fixed this forehead mistake, replaced the gold flames with yellow, painted the shoulder symbol more clearly, and retained the LED light-up arm the first Japanese version featured.

:Later in the line, a running change granted Powerlinx Hot Shot with a cleaner faction symbol. Even later in the run, the forehead paint application was removed, but that particular version is extremely rare.

:In November of 2003, US Toys "R" Us stores had special bonus pack Max-Con (Deluxe) toys, which came with a single bonus Mini-Con attached to the card over their sticker, for ''less'' than the price of a normal Max-Con during Toys "R" Us' post-Thanksgiving-day sale. Like Powerlinx [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], Powerlinx Hot Shot could come with one of the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]] members: [[Dune Runner (Armada)|Dune Runner]], [[Iceberg]] or [[Ransack (Armada)|Ransack]].

:This mold was scheduled to be [[redeco]]ed for ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' "[[Battle in a Box]]" [[Smokescreen (Cybertron)|Smokescreen]], but that set was ultimately canceled.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/PXHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Powerlinx Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Built to Rule''===
[[File:BTRhotshot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|BuILd jaAm? WHY?]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Built to Rule, 2003)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

:''[[Built to Rule]]'' Hot Shot is a building-block set that must be assembled in each form then disassembled and rebuilt to "convert" from robot to car and back again. He comes with a building-block version of Jolt, and features a massive double spring-loaded missile launcher that activates by turning a round "swivel block" on the top of each barrel.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/BTRHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Built to Rule Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:Universe2003toy-OptimusPrimeSuper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Seriously, it's not that hard to get hold of a Matrix of Leadership. Have you tried asking nicely?]]
{{listen
|OpthimuthPrimeMaxthimithe.ogg
|OpthimuthPrimeMaxthimithe.ogg
|Sound Chip Sounds from Universe Optimus Prime.
|96 Kb
}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Supreme, 2003)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles
{{note|''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as "Shotimus Prime".}}
: A Sam's Club [[exclusive]], the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' release of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime basically swapped out all of his red plastic for a yellow-orange color. He transforms into a Japanese Hino Brandlier fire truck. Harkening back to Generation 1 toys, he features chromed wheels with rubber tires. The forward section of his truck detaches to become his standard [[robot mode]]. His '[[trailer]]' can be reconfigured into a sort of battle station. The station can then be disassembled and attached around the robot to form his Battle Mode. For some reason, the Autobot symbol on his chest in Battle Mode is left unpainted. His standard robot can combine with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] to form [[Omega Prime]]. As an undocumented feature, Optimus Prime's pistol can be stored on the right side of a backpack.

: The toy incorrectly proclaims that Optimus Prime's transformation into super mode uses the code-phrase "[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|maximize]]"). Additionally, the toy has the unfortunate tendency for its rubber tires to split down its molding connection. The ladder comes complete with missiles allowing them to be launched one-at-a-time via individual triggers. The standard [[robot mode]] has four [[Mini-Con]] ports on his arms, despite the original toy coming out ''before'' they were used in ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''.

: He came packed in [[robot mode]] in an upright display package, which featured a sticker on the front with a hilariously mistransformed [[Omega Prime]], advertising the toy's combining ability with the simultaneously-released, slightly-redecoed Sam's Club exclusive ''Universe'' release of ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Defensor (OTFCC)#Universe .282003.29|OTFCC Defensor]], but that toy ended up unreleased.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/TFUOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Energon''===
[[File:Energontoy-HotShot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hot Shot, part deux.]]
[[File:SLtoy-HotShot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Electric Boogaloo.]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''SC-02'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, missile, "radar" panel attachment

:In ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', Hot Shot was updated as a modified yellow {{w|Aston Martin Vanquish}}. He can carry a transparent red spring-loaded missile-launching weapon in either mode, and features a small Autobot [[spark crystal]] on his chest on which [[Energon star|Energon chips]] can be mounted. Like nearly all other Autobots in the ''Energon'' line, he can [[powerlinx]] with like-designed toys to form the top or bottom of a super robot.

:This toy saw a running change during its second wave of production. While the first wave Hot Shot figures had gray faces, later releases had silver painted faces.

:Takara released "Hotshot" in similar colors, changing the slate blue plastic to a dark, nearly-black blue, dropping the black paint on his car roof, and adding metallic blue paint to his chest. His head is also a nearly-identical-but-different sculpt, most noticeably around the mouth, chin, and eyes. The reason for this is unknown.

:This mold was later redecoed to make the [[#EnDxEn|"Energon" powered-up version of the character]]. It was also [[retool]]ed to make the ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' incarnation of [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Nightbeat (SG)|Nightbeat]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/HotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Energon Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{EnergonHotShotMold}}
{{-}}
{{anchor|EnDxJ2pk}}
[[File:En-toy HotShotInfernoSet.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hot Shot and Inferno, dare we say... jammed together?]]
*'''Hotshot / Inferno Super Link Set''' (Multi-pack, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SS-01'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, missile, "radar" panel attachment

:In Japan, Takara released "Hotshot" both individually and in a single "Super Link Set" with [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]]. Both toys are identical to their individual (Japanese) releases.
{{EnergonHotShotMold}}
{{-}}
{{anchor|EnDxEn}}
[[File:Energontoy-EnergonHotShot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Silver on the outside, Armada colors on the inside!]]
[[File:SLtoy-HotShotFire.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He has a heart that [[Burning justice|burns for justice]]. Try some Tums, Hot Shot!]]
*'''Energon Hot Shot''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''SC-23'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, missile, "radar" panel attachment

:''Energon'' Energon Hot Shot gave the car mode a silver-painted finish and the robot parts a dark blue, yellow, and red color scheme reminiscent of ''Armada'' Hot Shot's colors. Energon Hot Shot uses the Hasbro version of Hot Shot's head (see above).

:When he was released in Japan as "Hotshot Fire," his car mode was changed to an unpainted silver, and additionally the yellow plastic was changed to a sherbet orange, the dark blue plastic to black, and the transparent orange plastic to a transparent crimson red. He also came packaged with the [[Energon weapon|Energy Cutter]], a transparent watermelon-red redeco of [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]'s [[energon weapon]], plus a matching [[Energon star|energon chip]]. Hotshot Fire uses the Takara version of Hot Shot's head.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/EHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Energon Energon Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{EnergonHotShotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Cybertron''===
[[File:Hotshotcybertrontoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hot Shot's Blue Period.]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Deluxe Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''GC-02'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, missile, Speed Planet Cyber Key

:A [[homage]] to [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] in design but not in color scheme, ''Cybertron'' Hot Shot transforms into a modified blue {{w|Chrysler ME Four-Twelve}}. He comes with a [[Velocitron|Speed Planet]] [[Cyber Key]] that deploys transparent yellow wings from his spoiler when the key is inserted into the rear of the car. The toy also comes with a spring-loaded missile-launching gun that can be carried in robot mode or pegged into the roof of the car mode. References to the original Rod design include the triple-guns on his forearms, the leg transformations, the yellow markings on his lower legs, the car roof having to be rotated, the spoiler, a chest sculpt resembling Hot Rod's car-hood chest, and some of his head sculpt. The rest of the head sculpt takes cues from [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]].

:The Japanese release, "Exillion," is completely identical other than a slight molding difference; two screws on either side of the spoiler are visible in the American release and all subsequent uses of the mold, but the original Japanese use of the mold had these screws buried.

:This sculpt was used to make Exillion Red Version [[#CyDVD|(see below)]], [[Excellion (Cybertron)#Cybertron|Excellion]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]''/''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Timelines|Goldbug]] (with a new head sculpt) and [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 movie series]] [[Breakaway (Movie)#Transformers (2007)|Breakaway]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/HotShot/hotshot.htm More information on CybertronHot Shot at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CyLoC1}}
[[File:Hotshotlegendsblue.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I may be the worst ''Legends of Cybertron'' toy!]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005/2006)

:A smaller, simplified version of ''Cybertron'' Hot Shot was released as part of the first wave of ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' toys. He features limited articulation of the arms and legs, and he retains the flip-out wings.

:This mold was used to make a [[#CyLoC2|second Legends of Cybertron Hot Shot (see below)]], ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], and 2008's ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)#Universe (2008)|Red Alert]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/LOCHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Legends of Cybertron Hot Shot at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CyCDF}}
[[File:Hotshotcybertrondefensetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He's full of tiny missiles. Bubbles, not so much.]]
*'''Cybertron Defense Hot Shot''' (Deluxe Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''GC-19'''
**''Accessories'': Knife, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] Autobot [[Cyber Key]], Scrapmetal standee (Takara release only)

:Cybertron Defense Hot Shot transforms into a modified {{w|M1117 Armored Security Vehicle|M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle}}, in the same blue, navy, and red color scheme as the previous ''Cybertron'' Hot Shot. A Cybertron Cyber Key is included and when the key is inserted into the back of the turret, the two gun barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile launchers. Compartments on his shoulders and his thighs can also open up to reveal additional missile launchers. Cybertron Defense Hot Shot also comes with a dagger that stows between his legs and sort-of acts as an exhaust pipe in vehicle mode, and when in robot mode, the dagger can be hand-held, peg into the front of his fist, or be stored on a sheath on his left leg. The same sheath can be used to store his Cyber Key in vehicle mode.

:The instructions for this toy contain some minor visual errors: his black shoulder panels have been swapped, and some steps apparently have him flipped (with the sword/key sheath on his left leg instead of his right).

:[[File:CDHotShot-cardback.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Variant enthusiasts, I tease you.]]
:"Exigeyser", Cybertron Defense Hot Shot's Japanese counterpart, is completely identical, but also came with a cardboard standup depicting three [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]]. The American version of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot was at some point intended to have a slightly altered deco, which is shown in the [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the back of the packaging, but this altered deco for some reason never superseded the Japanese deco for American release. This unreleased deco featured mud splashes painted around the wheel wells and some re-arranged deco on the robot chest.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Springer (G1)/toys#Timelines|Springer]] and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2008)|Roadbuster]]. It also served as the basis of the non-toy ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnation of [[Hardhead (BWN)|Hard Head]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/CDHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Cybertron Defense Hot Shot at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CyDVD}}
[[File:Redexillion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[David Willis|Someone]] had to sell porn to afford this.]]
*'''Exillion Red Version''' (DVD exclusive, 2005-[[June 22|06-22]])
**''Accessories'': Launcher, missile, Speed Planet Cyber Key

:Exillion Red Version is a redeco of the ''Cybertron'' Hot Shot toy in red, dark red, and orange, with transparent blue. Aside from the retooled screwholes, he's a straight-on color swap from ''Galaxy Force'' Exillion with the same [[paint operation]] layout. Limited to 500, it came with the first ''Galaxy Force'' DVD and an empty box set to prepare for the next few ''Galaxy Force'' DVD releases. This redeco took advantage of the toy's homage to ''Generation 1'' Hot Rod, completing the homage with appropriate colors, though the toy is still supposed to represent the Hot Shot/Exillion character.

:Before the toy saw official release, several stolen [[prototype|test shots]] entered the market, though in a [http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act368/ slightly altered color treatment] than the final. Originally, the dark red was a brighter red.

:This toy was the indirect inspiration for ''Cybertron'' [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]], who is marketed as a separate character, unlike this toy. (The direct inspiration, of course, being the original Hot Rod.)

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/DVDExillion/exillion.htm More information on Exillion Red Version at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CyLoC2}}
[[File:LOCExcellion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Bitin' Excellion's style.]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

:This redeco of [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] Hot Shot uses Excellion's approximate coloration and paint scheme; however, the toy is not actually labelled "Excellion", merely "Hot Shot". The reason for this is unclear.

:This mold was later redecoed to make ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Legends [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#LOC|Bumblebee]], and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Red Alert]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/LOCHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Legends of Cybertron recolor Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Classics''===
*'''Hot Shot''' (Legends class, 2007)

:Bizarrely enough, Hot Shot was one of three [[rebranding|rebranded]] ''Cybertron'' Legends toys released in ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' packaging, though with the modifier "Cybertron Collection" printed on the cardfront. The toy itself is identical to the ''Cybertron'' release.

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:UniverseHotShotJolt.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hasbro hates the fans, plural, but loves [[David Willis]].]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Deluxe, 2009)

:An update of his ''Armada'' form, Hot Shot transforms from a sleek yellow Audi TT-like hot rod sports car with transparent windows and headlights into a fully poseable robot. Jolt is able to attach via a Mini-Con peg on Hot Shot's shoulder, but this doesn't activate any features. Jolt plugs into Hot Shot's vehicle mode by pushing the arms/engines through slots under the spoiler; Jolt cannot fold so that his propeller faces back like the original toy. Additionally, Hot Shot's fist holes are smaller than the standard 5mm, making him incompatible with all weapons from his previous forms. Because there is no gap molded into the rear bumper to accommodate missile launchers (see below), the car kibble over his shoulders bumps together and cannot sit properly. He's also infamous for having a horribly finicky transformation, with his windshield, door, and roof pieces refusing to lock together and continually detaching from their proper position.

:Hot Shot's prototype featured transparent plastic on his side windows to match his windshield and rear window, but was replaced with painted opaque windows on the final toy.

:''Universe'' Hot Shot was [[redeco]]ed and [[retool]]ed into ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)|Hot Rod]]. The ''Henkei! Henkei!'' version retains missile launchers originally planned for the Hasbro release. The ''Henkei! Henkei!'' version of the mold was redecoed as the Transformers Collectors' Club 2010 freebie, [[Dion (G1)|Elite Guard Dion]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on ''Universe'' Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Reader's Digest 3D Model''===
[[File:Hotshotarmadaplasticcardfigurine.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Not much less poseable than the actual toy!]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (3D Model, 2002)
:A plastic punch-out "exclusive collectible 3-D model" of Hot Shot was a prize packaged with Reader's Digest's ''[[Decepticon Attack!]]'' and ''[[Enter the Mini-Cons]]'' storybooks. Hot Shot was one of eight characters available, and each book came with two randomized characters. The assembled figure stands two inches tall. {{-}}

===''Super Collection Figure''===
[[File:Hotshotscf.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[JaAm]] in stereo.]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Super Collection Figure, 2002)

:A PVC figure of Hot Shot was available in Act 9 of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s [[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]] series in both full color and solid-pewter finish. All SCF figures were [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] and came with a little stand.
{{-}}

===''Mega Super Collection Figure''===
[[File:MegaSCFHotRod.jpg|right|100px|thumb|wh3rE jAm cOpToR?]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)

:Mega SCF Hot Rod is a larger, articulated non-transforming PVC action figure of Hot Shot, based upon his cartoon model. He came with his engine gun and a small, non-transformable PVC figurine of his [[Mini-Con]] partner, [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]].
{{-}}

===''Big Transformers''===
[[File:Bigtransformershotrod.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Well, "big" is relative.]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Big Transformers, 2002)

:[[Kabaya]] released a set of three separately-boxed ''Micron Legends'' figurines, dubbed "Big Transformers", which featured nontransformable, lightly-articulated plastic toys of Hot Shot, Megatron, and Optimus Prime. Each came with a tiny plastic representation of their respective Mini-Con partners in vehicle mode, which could peg onto them. Like most Kabaya toys, Hot Shot came with barely-edible gum.
{{-}}

===''Majorette Die-Cast Car''===
[[File:Majorettehotrod.jpg|right|100px|thumb|You will regret eating the gum.]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Majorette die-cast car, 2002)

:[[Majorette]] and Kabaya offered a small range of ''Micron Legend''-themed die-cast cars. Hot Shot was represented by a yellow Audi TT, perfectly enough, with painted markings of himself, the Autobot symbol, and the ''Micron Legend'' logo across the surface of the car. It also comes with a package of terrible gum.
{{-}}

===''Puzzle''===
*'''Hot Shot puzzle'''

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

===''Battle for Cybertron Game''===
[[File:Armadaboardgamehotshot.jpg|right|100px|thumb|whoop whoop whoop whoop whoop]]
*'''Transformers Armada: Battle for Cybertron Game''' (board game, 2002)

:[[Transformers Armada: Battle for Cybertron Game]] came with eight fully-painted PVC figurines, one of which was Hot Shot.
{{-}}

===''Bubble Twist''===
[[File:Hotshotbubbletwist.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Taste the [[JaAm]] rainbow.]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Bubble Twist, 2003)

:In 2003, Toys "R" Us carried a line of candy toys called [[Bubble Twist]], which dispensed gum from its capsule-shaped container when twisted. Also contained in the capsule was an unpainted rubber figurine of a ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' or ''Transformers [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' character, including Hot Shot. Blindpacked, each figure came in several different possible colors.
{{-}}

===''Backpack''===
*'''Hot Shot backpack'''
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

===''Attacktix''===
[[File:Attacktix CybHotShot.jpg|right|150px|thumb|yAy, jaAm shOoToR!!1]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Booster, 2006)
{{attacktix
|ID=TF09
|faction=Autobot
|class=Warrior
|special=Rally - 10/26 (38%) success ratio
|cost=40
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (Energy Blast)
}}
{{-}}

:Part of the first assortment of ''[[Attacktix]]'' Booster Packs, Hot Shot is a "Super Rare" piece with a spring-loaded "shield-missile" attack. His Special Power "Rally" allows you to return one of your previously-defeated [[Autobot]] pieces back into play. The figure commonly has a black base, but like all Boosters, a rarer chrome-silver-base version was randomly packed into boxes as well.

:This mold was also used to make ''Attacktix'' Excellion, who was also a wave-1 Booster piece.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AttacktixHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on ''Attacktix'' Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:Hotshotprotocolor.jpg|right|150px|thumb|WhY mY ShOuLdErS hUrT?]]
*[[#ArDx1|''Armada'' Hot Shot's toy]] had to be completely re-engineered close to release. Due to a structural flaw (and gravity), Hot Shot's arms were not able to attach securely to his shoulders. Furthermore, designer [[Aaron Archer]] felt the early design's wide, football player-like physique was inappropriate to the character archetype. Last-minute changes were made to the design to rework the transformation of the arms, necessitating the dropping of some articulation and the addition of [[kibble]] elsewhere to compensate.
[[File:ArcherSays.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Lay off the [[JaAm]], pal.]]
*''Armada'' Hot Shot's infamous "[[JaAm]]" grin was actually a misinterpretation of Aaron Archer's original concept art which depicted Hot Shot clenching his teeth together in an open-lipped, determined expression. The head of the original tooling had a maniacal, perhaps unhinged-looking smile in response to this concept art, so the grin was scaled back on the final toy. The grin was removed completely and replaced with a neutral, stern expression when the head was resculpted for [[#ArDxPx|Powerlinx Hot Shot]].
*The rear axle (the "Axelzooka") on the original Hot Shot figure has sculpted shock absorbers in an interesting display of attention to detail. However, they are sculpted 90 degrees in the wrong direction, which would make them useless in reality.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] was originally conceived as an exclusive toy for [[BotCon 2007]] from the [[#CyCDF|Cybertron Defense Force version]] of Hot Shot. While the mold does bear a decent resemblance to the IDW incarnation of Sentinel, he was dropped in favor of [[Springer (G1)/toys#Timelines|Springer]], who fit the mold and the story/theme better.

[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Built to Rule]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Autobots]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Velocitron]]

Under Cold Blue Stars

2019-01-13T07:56:54Z

Jointdog: Blanking offensive caption.

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=15
|prev=Remembrance Day
|next=The Gloaming
|caption=''I knew in all the world that there existed no can large enough for us to ever cram them all back in.''
|image=MTMTE15 cvrA.jpg
|title="Under Cold Blue Stars"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 20]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=March 2013
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]]
|inks by=Alex Milne, [[Marc Deering]], [[Brian Shearer]] and [[Phyllis Novin]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] with [[Josh Perez]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|assistant editor=[[Mariel Romero-Ocaranza]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}
'''Chromedome must face the consequences of his actions as Overlord runs wild on the ''Lost Light'', and not everyone survives...'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Overlord bigfight UnderColdBlueStars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|''They see the face of the tiger.'']]
''Mere seconds pass as [[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] overcomes his brief paralysis and races to open the [[slow cell]] [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] left him in. But thirty minutes have passed outside the cell, and Chromedome steps out into a warzone!''

''Thirty minutes earlier...''

As the ''Lost Light'' is currently passing through an asteroid belt, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] has been charged with cutting a path for the ship through the space-rocks, but lets [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] vent a little of his frustration by allowing him to blow up one of the asteroids with the ship's targeting system. The pair are then joined on the bridge by [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], who is inquiring if Blaster has made contact with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] yet; he has not, and is unlikely to, but Pipes leaves him with a message to send to [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] on the offchance that contact is made while he is attending movie night. Puttering down the ship's corridors in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], Pipes rounds a corridor and bumps into someone's foot, and briefly starts to apologise before looking up to see the sole of Overlord's gigantic boot coming down toward him. Stomped repeatedly by the Decepticon until his body is utterly shattered beyond repair, Pipes's [[spark]] extinguishes, but not before he is able to trigger the alarm system.

Across the ''Lost Light'', life is proceeding as normal. [[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] visits [[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] in his lab, concerned from recent nightmares of Chromedome's that his partner and the scientist are up to something, and is accompanied by [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], who accidentally subjects himself to the effects of Brainstorm's [[metafictional bomb]], which makes him think he is a fictional character; [[Perceptor (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Perceptor]] tells [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] that the map within the [[Matrix of Leadership]] cannot be copied; [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] visits [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Fortress Maximus]] in the brig and forgives him for his actions; and [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] works on an unseen project in [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]'s workshop, until [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] rushes in to warn him that [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] is furious, having discovered that movie night is to be held in the pair's quarters. All of these domestic scenes are loudly interrupted by the sounding of the alarm, which also prompts [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]], down in the medibay, to radio up to Rodimus for information. The medibay is also chosen by Overlord as his first port of call, but Ratchet is able to detect his presence and hold him off long enough for [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] to arrive and join him in squaring off against the Decepticon titan.

Rodimus and the vast majority of the rest of the crew arrive to the sight of a legless Drift and a badly beaten Ratchet, and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] is the first to charge into action, still carrying guilt over the fates of the Wreckers he left to face Overlord on [[Garrus-9]]. After a brief beating, Overlord seizes Magnus's fist with ease and begins to laugh: he has realised that Ultra Magnus has not been holding back, while he himself has. Overlord stabs Magnus through the spark with Drift's [[Great Sword]], and is then set upon by the rest of the crew; [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] rushes to the fallen Magnus's aid, but regretfully confirms that while he may be able to slow the rate of his spark's shrinkage, he will not be able to save him.

Chromedome arrives on the scene just as Overlord seizes Rodimus and prepares to turn his finger-drills on him, asking the Autobot leader for any last words. When Rodimus replies "[['Til all are one]]", however, the result is most unexpected: Overlord goes wide-eyed, drops him, and begins panicking. As the liberated Fortress Maximus appears on the scene to take up the fight, eager for revenge against Overlord, Chromedome explains to Drift that while in Overlord's mind, he carried out a process known as "[[Trepan's Trigger]]", altering the Decepticon's memories so that the phrase was associated with all his past defeats; thus, when Rodimus ''inevitably'' said it, it would trigger Overlord's pathological fear of defeat. Hurt and confused by what he hears of the conversation, Rewind tries to talk to his partner, but greater matters take priority: Chromedome assures him they will talk later as he has Maximus force the shell-shocked Overlord back into the slow cell, intending to jettison it from the ship. But another of Drift's stolen swords sticks in the doors and prevents them from closing all the way, so Rewind bravely squeezes through the small gap between the doors and pulls it free, even as Chromedome reaches out to stop him. The doors slam shut, severing Chromedome's arm and trapping Rewind in the cell, and the ejection countdown begins. Chromedome tries to tell Rewind something, but his words go unheard through the door's glass, while Rewind, equally unheard, apologises to his partner for things not working out. As the cell falls away from the ship, Rewind turns to see Overlord looming over him...

Chromedome races to the ship's bridge, and locks onto the cell with the targeting system. Intent on sparing Rewind the horror of being trapped with Overlord, he fires upon the cell in an act of mercy. As it explodes, Chromedome collapses in anguish.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (2)
*[[Powerflash]] (3)
*[[Aquafend]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (6)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (7)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (8)
*[[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] (9)
*[[Ambulon]] (10)
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]] (11)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (12)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (15)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (16)
*[[Hound (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hound]] (17)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (18)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (19)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (20)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (21)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (22)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (23)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (24)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (25)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (26)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (28)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Perceptor]] (29)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Fortress Maximus]] (35)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (38)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (39)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (40)
*[[Xaaron]] (41)
*[[Atomizer]] (42)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (43)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sunstreaker]] (44)
*[[Pointblank]] (45)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (1)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (30)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (31)
*Three other prisoners (32-34)
|c4=
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (36)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (37)
}}

==Quotes==

"What makes you think I've even '''seen''' Chromedome?" 
"Because you're friends with him, and because... because..." 
"Come on, '''Rewind''', 'because...'" 
"Because he's been saying your name in his sleep." 
"Whoa! Who's more embarrassed, you or me? Clue: IT'S YOU."
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Rewind'''

"Oi—ship's genius—what happens if I press this button?" 
"Don't press it. Did you press it? '''Swerve?''' Tell me you didn't press it." 
"Course I didn't press it... but what if I '''had''' pressed it?" 
:—'''Swerve''' and '''Brainstorm''', pre meta-bomb

"Guess what? I pressed it. Nothing happened." 
"I didn't see you press it..." 
"Yeah, it must have happened '''off-panel.'''" 
:—'''Swerve''' and '''Rewind''', post meta-bomb

"Rodimus? Tool up and get down to the medibay. Bring EVERYONE. And if anything happens to me, tell '''First Aid''' he's ready, tell '''Whirl''' he can have my hands, and tell all my '''patients'''... that they'll have to make new appointments."
:—'''Ratchet''', badass.

"Everyone can die. Trust me, I know about these things."
:—'''Cyclonus''', also badass.

"You're angry." 
"No, I'm past that. It's—what I feel is worse than anger. In fact I don't know—" 
"What?" 
"I really don't know if I can forgive you for this." 
"We'll finish this conversation later. We will. I promise."
:—'''Chromedome''' and '''Rewind'''

"I'm sorry, Domey. I'm sorry things didn't work out."
:—'''Rewind'''

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
*The weapons systems that are oh-so-key to the opening and closing scenes of this issue are evidently the new [[proton missile]] launchers that the Autobots picked up while on [[Hedonia]] in [[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|issue #13]], as noted in the "[[Signal to Noise]]" story.
*All the Autobots appearing in the issue's opening double-page spread are ones who have been seen among the ship's crew of 200-ish already, save one—[[Blades (G1)|Blades]], who, true to form, is looking a bit ''too'' excited about the possibility of a bloody good scrap.
*Also in the double-page spread, Ambulon is crashing a [[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay|M.A.R.B.]] into Overlord's back. The arrows in Overlord's torso, meanwhile, indicate that bow-fancier [[Atomizer]] got a few good shots in.
*The subspace communicator's failure to work was noted in [[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|issue #13]]'s "[[Signal to Noise]]".
*Pipes refers to when he "got a bit sick"—with [[Red Rust]], back in [[Life After the Big Bang|issue #5]]—and "a bit shot"—by Fortress Maximus ([[Interiors|#6]]), Decepticons ([[Before & After|#12]]), and Brainstorm (mentioned in [[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|#13]]). His streak of bad luck culminates in the ultimate in misfortune that befalls him this issue, as he is the first of the crew to die by Overlord's hand. Er, foot.
*The Decepticons in the brig have been prisoners there since their capture in [[Before & After|issue #12]]. Their identities are hard to discern as they are all cast in blue light, but the one with the squid tentacles is assuredly [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]], not least of all because the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s were among those involved in that adventure.
*Ultra Magnus left the Wreckers off at Garrus-9 in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #2]], before going off to join the proceedings in the [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]]. A bad decision on many levels.
*First Aid uses exactly the same sentence to describe Magnus's diminishing spark—"His spark is shrinking by the second"—as he used to summarize the wounded Rewind's condition in issue #12. Foreshadowing the events of this issue, he remarked in #12 that "A bigger 'bot—a Magnus—would bounce back." Oooooh, guess not.
*Speaking of foreshadowing for Magnus's fate, it's really been painted all over the series from the outset. Magnus's [http://ryalltime.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/mtmte-teaser-ultra-magnus/ original promotional image for the series] promised that "Ultra Magnus won't make it", and his looming expiry has even been thematically alluded to with such visuals as his name written on the side of [[Torque (G1)|a bomb]] in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]]. That, and, uh, Overlord is punching straight through his stomach on the cover of this very issue. Not to mention the fact that the Necrobot was seen in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|an earlier issue]] with a data pad that listed a number of characters as dead, including Magnus. Marked for death, indeed.
*All of this said? Magnus is not actually seen to die on-panel.
*Overlord has finger-drills as part of his rudimentary training in [[mnemosurgery]]; he notes that he wanted to have needles, like the other practitioners of the science we have seen, such as Chromedome and [[Trepan]], for whom "Trepan's Trigger" is named. Probably not good for anybody that Chromedome's arm got sliced off and ended up in Overlord's cell, then.
*"'Til all are one" appeared amongst Overlord's memories a few times last issue, and most readers noticed it, since it was added into one scene we had seen before where it was not originally spoken.
*As he squeezes through the door to remove the sword, Rewind remarks that "Every shape serves a purpose", a slogan we have heard a few times during ''More than Meets the Eye'', which originated back in the days of [[Functionism]]. Specifically, though, we ''first'' heard it waaay back in the [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|very first issue]]... when Rewind uttered it in response to being teased over his [[alternate mode]]. We can't handle this much foreshadowing, you guys.
*We don't know what Chromedome is trying to tell Rewind, of course he could be trying to say "[[Transformer romance|I love you]]", but a possible dark slant is suggested by last issue's revelation that Chromedome has kept a horrible secret about his past from Rewind.

===Transformers references===
[[File:IDWMtMtE15-FortMaxOverlordThwok.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I prefer to CAPSMAK, myself. Others enjoy a good DETHTRPPP. But Max is just a THWOK sorta guy.]]
*The schematic on the screen behind Brainstorm is of a spaceship mode Fortress Maximus. Note that this isn't Max's alternate mode in IDW continuity; we get our first fleeting glimpse of his vehicle form on page 17 of this issue (right).
*Two very small Perceptor-like scientific instruments were among those on Brainstorm's desk last issue; between then and now, he has clearly abandoned all pretense, as a ''huge'' Perceptor-like microscope is sitting on view in his lab.
[[File:Brainstorm-PerceptorEnvyscopes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Compensating for something?]]

===Real-life references===
*This issue is named after the indie folk album ''{{w|Under Cold Blue Stars}}'' by {{w|Josh Rouse}}.
*We hardly need to explain the real-life concept of the {{w|fourth wall}} to you, do we?

===Trivia===
*When Swerve starts speechifying during the battle ("Death in the ranks!" etc.), he is actually quoting IDW's original catalogue solicitation for this issue, under the influence of the meta-bomb.
*This issue's "Meet the Cast" pages is modified to add large red X's over Ultra Magnus, Rewind and Pipes.
*''All'' the letters in this issue's letters page are from women. That's pretty awesome.

===Errors===
*In the Story So Far section Decepticon is misspelt Deceoticon.
*During his talk with Rewind, Brainstorm's eyes are colored blue instead of his characteristic yellow-orange.
*Page 17, Panel 3: "Mneumonic" is possibly another one of MTMTE's trademark Big Ideas, a portmanteau of mnemonic and pneumonic that hints at the weird, alien nature of robot memory... or it's, y'know, a typo for "mnemonic." As it was corrected to "mnemonic" for the TPB we can fairly assume the latter.
*Seems like the letters page included in this issue was originally intended to see print in issue #14, given the reply to Catherine's letter, which remarks on several features of that issue's story, and not this one's.

===Crew manifest===
*Pipes is killed and Ultra Magnus is fatally wounded by Overlord; Chromedome kills Rewind in an act of mercy.
*7 deaths, 1 fatal wounding, 5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders), and 1 boxed since the launch.

===Soundtrack===

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPascN45Yrw "The First of the Gang to Die"] by {{w|Morrissey}}
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24TcOAjhonU "The Mercy Seat"] by {{w|Johnny Cash}}
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVfxReLQ7tQ "Brothers and Sisters"] by {{w|Duels (band)|Duels}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Overlord on the rampage and the Autobots suffering the consequences, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' An abstract image of Rodimus floating in space as Overlord's sumptuous lips close in around him, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Monochrome green bust shot of Overlord, by [[Marcelo Matere]], continuing the previous two months' "bust" theme for the RI covers, paralleling the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Plan for Everything|#15]].

<gallery>
File:MTMTE15 cvrA.jpg|SPOILER ALERT!
File:MTMTE15 cvrB.jpg|La la la laaaaaaaa!
File:MTMTE15 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part Four|#89]]
*''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] Micro-Series: Rainbow Dash''
*''The New Ghostbusters'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t11957/ Preview]
*[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-ongoing-15-creator-commentary-with-james-roberts/26917/ Creator Commentary with James Roberts]