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Sparkdrinker

2015-08-11T05:05:43Z

Qaianna:

[[Image:Cyb ep40 take a whack.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"OK, who needs a haircut?"]]
'''Sparkdrinker''' is the colossal, multipurpose axe wielded by [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], leader of the planet [[Gigantion]]. In its normal state, the axe head can be spun like a saw blade to cut through objects such as giant I-beams. The axe head is also capable of acting as a fan when spun, creating a strong gust of wind capable of blowing smaller robots back. Finally, when the weapon is powered up with Metroplex's [[Cyber Key]], the head separates into two non-rotating axe blades for extra damage. In this form, it can be swung or hurled like a boomerang.

Sparkdrinker forms the excavation equipment of Metroplex's vehicle mode.

==Fiction==
===''Cybertron'' cartoon===
During his first battle with the [[Decepticon]]s, Metroplex brought the powered-up axe down on [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s head while the latter was in a Cyber Key-enhanced Dark Claw Mode. This resulted in Megatron being smashed through the floor and [[Nemesis Breaker]] being knocked against a wall so hard he disintegrated. {{storylink|Giant}}

After Megatron's upgrade into Galvatron, Metroplex tried unsuccessfully to use Sparkdrinker against him, only to have the weapon taken and used to knock the giant Autobot out. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] later wielded Sparkdrinker, powering it up with a Cyber Key and damaging Galvatron. {{storylink|Fury}}

Optimus would use Sparkdrinker twice more: once to punish [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] for holding [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] and [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] captive, {{storylink|City}} and against Galvatron for a second time. {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}}

Later, Metroplex wielded his axe against legions of [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak drones]], throwing it like a boomerang to destroy dozens of the mechanical birds. Unfortunately, dozens more pinned him down before he could get off a second shot. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}}

Sparkdrinker would be used against Galvatron one last time during the battle to reclaim the [[Omega Lock]] and [[Cyber Planet Key]]s from him. Optimus Prime and the other Autobot leaders summoned their Cyber Keys for extra power to bring down the now-super giant Galvatron. Saying, "I hope this stings a wee bit!" Metroplex hurled Sparkdrinker at Galvatron with all his might. Along with a back-cannon blast from Prime, shots from [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]]'s engine blaster, [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]]'s missiles, and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]]'s flames, it collided painfully with Galvatron, decreasing his power and rendering him stunned and barely able to move. {{storylink|End}}

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
[[Image:Cyb Metroplex toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Metroplex''' (Leader-Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GC-23'''
**''Accessories:'' "Sparkdrinker", gold Giant Planet Cyber Planet Key

: Metroplex transforms into a Cybertronic bucket-wheel excavator. In this mode, his bucket-wheel/shovel assembly is on a rotator and contains numerous ratchet-joints, plus the wheel can spin, though it does not do so freely. This assembly becomes Metroplex's colossal axe "[[Sparkdrinker]]" in robot mode, plus has a spot on the shovel to attach Drill Bit in his vehicle mode. Plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into the Key jack on Sparkdrinker opens up the wheel to form the axe-head, plus activates an electronic light.

: Like his fellow Gigantions [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] and [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]], Metroplex has two different robot modes: a full-sized standard mode and a shorter, sturdier "work" mode.

: He comes with his Mini-Con partner Drill Bit and a gold-bordered, Gigantion-style Cyber Planet Key. The [[Hasbro]] version has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''lm74'''" on the back of the Cyber Planet Key.

: Metroplex has a grand total of 14 Mini-Con hardpoints.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/Metroplex/metroplex.htm More info on Metroplex at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Gold}}
*'''Megalo Convoy gold edition'''

: A solid-gold-chromed version of Metroplex (and thus of Sparkdrinker) was given away as a contest prize in Japan. Limited to 15 pieces, it was available from ''[[TV Magazine]]'' and came with a gold-chromed version of [[Legends Class|Legends]]-scale ''Cybertron'' Optimus Prime.

{{-}}

==Notes==
* The name of the axe may be a play on a magical weapon from Dungeons and Dragons, 'Life-drinker'. Whether it really is +1 to hit and damage, and delivering negative levels to its enemies, is not shown or described in the fiction.

{{stub}}
[[Category:Blades]]
[[Category:Cybertron weapons]]
[[Category:Melee weapons]]

IDW Publishing

2013-06-16T21:36:47Z

Qaianna: Added note of MLP licence, since it's also listing GI Joe.

[[Image:Idw logo.png|thumb|right|*DING!*]]
'''Idea and Design Works, LLC''' currently owns the [[Transformers brand|Transformers]] [[Comics|comic book]] license as of May [[2005]], following the financial collapse of the previous license holder, [[Dreamwave Productions]], at the tail-end of 2004.

IDW's flagship storyline is a [[IDW timeline|rebooted Generation 1 continuity]], which started out being written by longtime Transformers scribe [[Simon Furman]] and told through a succession of mini-series and one-shot [[The Transformers: Spotlight|''Spotlight''s]], before finally producing a monthly comic in [[2009]]. IDW has also been authorized to re-release trade paperbacks published by [[Dreamwave Productions]], such as the ''[[War and Peace]]'' mini-series and ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. In May 2008, IDW's relationship with [[Hasbro]] proved to be quite healthy indeed as they snapped up the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic book license as well. Then in 2012 they started publishing [[My Little Pony]] comics. Hasbro definitely seems to like them.

IDW used to mock your nerdy belief that writers and editors should be able to remember things that happened in previous issues, but then they hired [[John Barber]].

==Series published==
=== G1 rebooted ===
Initial ideas for IDW's Transformer line included a ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''-style story crossing over with the new [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]], starting ongoings in both G1 and ''Cybertron'' continuity. The G1 cast would suffer Cybertron's destruction and learn [[Unicron]]'s death had destabilized the entire [[omniverse]], forcing them to try and assemble an artifact called the "Decepticon Matrix" in order to ''resurrect'' Unicron. This would parallel with the ''Cybertron'' plot, in which the Autobots seek out the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to revive [[Primus]], and [[Vector Prime]] would have appeared as a guide in both series. It seems that series would then have come together with the concurrent ''Cybertron'' comic as Transformers from across the [[multiverse]] were brought together for a final, epic clash.<ref>Pitch printed in ''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman]]''</ref>

This was considered too confusing for new readers, however, and dropped for a [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|continuity reboot of ''Generation 1'']]. Furman mostly oversaw this, creating a more sophisticated universe around the familiar characters and tropes: Marvel Comics' ''Ultimate'' line was the inspiration, and Furman deliberately borrowed the more leisurely pacing of Ultimate Marvel.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSyBtqe67uk Moonbase 2m AA2010 interview]</ref>

Instead of an ongoing civil war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] which spills over to [[Earth]] by accident, Furman presented us with an interstellar war between the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, a war of [[Code of Interplanetary Conflict]] and alt-form-and-dagger covert operations, with [[energon]] the prize and whole planets at stake. A surprising development on Earth heats up the war and turns our planet from just another proxy battleground into the ultimate prize.

This slow, measured storyline was eventually abandoned in an attempt to bring in more casual fans with a more G1 Cartoon-inspired revamp in ''All Hail Megatron''. This failed to have the desired effect both in terms of sales and fan-response, so ''another'' revamp was attempted with the start of ''The Transformers'' ongoing series. It was met with sharp fan criticism as well. Yet '''another''' revamp was attempted with two concurrent ongoing series, ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots In Disguise''. Positive fan response came at last.

The general order of publications to date is as follows:

* ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration]]'' ([[2005]]–[[2006]]) Establishes the presence of the Transformers on modern-day Earth and re-establishes the theme of "robots in disguise" as central to the new continuity; a seven-issue story arc (issues #0 to #6).
* ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight]]'' (2006–present) Series of one-shot stories focusing on a single Transformer per issue; this series has no fixed publication format and is ongoing. It went on hiatus after "[[Spotlight: Metroplex]]" while the new ongoing series was getting established, but has since returned, although at a greatly reduced pace.
* ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer]]'' (2006) A four-issue miniseries tie-in to ''Infiltration'', establishing Cybertron's current situation in the re-boot and focusing squarely on the Transformers.
* ''[[The Transformers: Escalation]]'' (2006–[[2007]]) Sequel to ''Infiltration''; a six-issue story arc detailing a conflict with the Decepticons in [[Brasnya]] and the abduction of [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Hunter O'Nion]].
* ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]'' (2007) A collaboration between [[Marvel Comics]] and IDW featuring the first ever crossover between the Transformers and New [[Avengers]]. Though it has minimal effects on the overall universe, it was specifically designed to fit into continuity between ''Infiltration'' and ''Escalation''.
* ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]'' (2007) A four-issue story arc detailing the events surrounding [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'s rise to power and the founding of the Decepticon faction.
* ''[[The Transformers: Devastation]]'' (2007–[[2008]]) Sequel to ''Escalation''; a six-issue story arc following up on what happened to Sunstreaker, as well as the Decepticons' battle with the [[Reaper]]s and seeds are planted for the upcoming [[Dead Universe]] arc.
* ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'' (2008) Sequel to ''Devastation''; composed of 4 ''Spotlight''s; [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Doubledealer]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. This series wraps up the first set of [[Dead Universe]]-related events.
{{note|The sequel to ''Revelation'' at one point was to be titled '''Expansion''', but it was canceled in favor of ''All Hail Megatron''. However, Furman stated that some of the ideas from the series may pop up in other series.}}
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' (2008–[[2009]]) A twelve-issue maxi-series, extended to sixteen to include the ''All Hail Megatron Coda'' series. It chronicles the aftermath of the defeat of the Autobots and the Decepticon conquest of Earth. The publication schedule overlaps with ''Revelation'' and ''Maximum Dinobots''. Issues 13–16 each consist of two 11-page stories that help strengthen the flaws in ''All Hail Megatron'' and tie into the ongoing series.
* ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots]]'' (2008–2009) A five-issue which takes place chronologically between ''Revelation'' and ''All Hail Megatron'' (which it was published concurrently with). The series wraps up Furman's story arcs with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], Sunstreaker, the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]], [[Skywatch]] and the [[Machination]].
* ''[[The Transformers Continuum]]'' (2009) — A one-shot intended as a 'catch-up' for new readers, ahead of the new ongoing series.
* ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' (2009–[[2011]]) An ongoing series which began in November 2009 [http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/idw/guide.php?s=ongoing]. The series is penned by [[Mike Costa]] with art on the first arc by [[Don Figueroa]]. Different artists have contributed as well.
* ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'' (2009–[[2010]]) A four-issue miniseries chronicling Bumblebee's journey on Earth after the events of ''All Hail Megatron'', focusing on the conflicts and decisions 'Bee makes (sort of like a ''Spotlight''). It began in December 2009, written by [[Zander Cannon]] with art by [[Chee Yang Ong]] (the team that worked on the second story of [[All Hail Megatron issue 16|''All Hail Megatron'' #16]]).
* ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' (2010) A five-issue miniseries which began in January 2010, written by [[Nick Roche]] and [[James Roberts]] and drawn by Roche with colors by [[Josh Burcham]]. It chronicles the actions of the [[Wrecker]]s in deep space after ''All Hail Megatron''.
* ''[[The Transformers: Ironhide]]'' (2010) A four-issue miniseries covering Ironhide, with story by Mike Costa and art by [[Casey Coller]]. It was published from May through August, 2010.
* ''[[The Transformers: Drift]]'' (2010) A four-issue miniseries that chronicles [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]'s origins as the Decepticon Deadlock to becoming an Autobot. It's written by Shane McCarthy, with art by Alex Milne and colors by Josh Perez. It was released bi-weekly in September, 2010.
* ''[[Infestation (IDW)|The Transformers: Infestation]]'' (2011) A two-issue story set within the larger ''Infestation'', a cross-over in which zombies invade multiple IDW properties. In addition to ''Transformers'', ''[[Star Trek]]'', ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''Ghostbusters'' are all invaded by the cross-dimensional zombies. The Transformers segment involves the Autobots teaming up with [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron's]] crew to stop the menace. It is written by [[Dan Abnett]] and [[Andy Lanning]], with art by Nick Roche and colors by Joana Lafuente and Josh Perez. The entire series was released weekly over 10 weeks, starting in February, 2011.
* ''[[The Transformers: Heart of Darkness]]'' (2011) A four-issue miniseries featuring Galvatron and crew, following the events in ''Infestation''. It's written by Abnett and Lanning, with art by [[Ulises Farinas]]. Released March through June, 2011.
* ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime]]'' ([[2011]]) IDW #125 written by James Roberts and John Barber, with art by Nick Roche.
* ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' ([[2012]]) An new ongoing written by James Roberts, with art by Alex Milne.
* ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy]]'' (2012) A twelve-issue digital comic starring Orion Pax and featuring his transformation into Optimus Prime. It's written by [[Flint Dille]] and [[Chris Metzen]], with art by [[Livio Ramondelli]], and was released bi-weekly from January to June, 2012.
* ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' (2012) Another new ongoing written by [[John Barber]], with art by [[Andrew Griffith]].
* ''[[The Transformers: Monstrosity]]'' (2013) The sequel to ''Autocracy'' by the same creative team.

====See also====
* [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
* [[IDW timeline]]

===''Beast Wars''===
Taking place within the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon universe, this line eschews the previous [[3H Productions]] fan club comics that previously continued the show's story to strike out in a new direction, focusing mainly on the non-show toy characters.

* ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' (2006) A four-issue mini-series marking the 10th anniversary of the ''Beast Wars'' franchise.
* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending]]'' (2007–08) A four-issue sequel to ''The Gathering'' that began publication in October 2007.
*''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' (2007) profile series of the Beast Era.
====See also====
* [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)]]

===''Evolutions''===
Intended to be a series of [[wikipedia:Elseworlds|Elseworlds]]-like stories that exist in their own separate continuities, each taking different takes on Transformers. Only one has so-far been produced. (Reportedly, Hasbro has asked IDW to hold back on ''Evolutions'' as to not confuse customers looking for merchandise based on the 2007 film.){{fact}} [[Chris Ryall]] stated that with the Movie and ''Animated'' series, it is unlikely we will see any more of these series.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=3845&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 Post by Chris Ryall at IDW's forums]</ref>

* ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' (2006) Places the Generation 1 Transformers in the American West during the Industrial Revolution.
* ''[[Infestation 2]]'' (2012) The sequel to ''Infestation''. This time, it's Lovecraftian demons that invade the various licensed properties. The Transformers-specific issues take place in the ''Hearts of Steel'' universe.

===Live-action film series===
* ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel]]'' (2007) A four-part series detailing the lead-up to the [[Transformers (film)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]].
* "[[Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall]]" and "[[Interlude]]" (2007) [[Target]] [[exclusive]] prequel comics for the 2007 film.
* ''[[Transformers: Movie Adaptation]]'' (2007) A four-part comic adaptation of the film, released weekly in June 2007.
* ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream]]'' (2008) IDW's official sequel to the 2007 film, continuing where the ''Movie Adaptation'' left off. It began in May 2008.
* ''[[Transformers: Saga of the Allspark]]'' (2008) Reprinting the [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|UK Movie comics]] from Titan Magazine.
* ''[[Transformers: Destiny]]'' (2008–2009) The 2-miniseries prequel to ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''.
** ''[[Transformers: Alliance]]'' (2008-2009) A 4-issue prequel to ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''.
** ''[[Transformers: Defiance]]'' (2008–2009) A 4-issue prequel to ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation]]'' (2009) A four-part comic adaptation of the film, released weekly in May and June 2009.
* ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen]]'' (2009–2010) A series of spotlights for six ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' characters.
* ''[[Transformers: Nefarious]]'' (2010) A 6-issue sequel to ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''.
* ''[[Transformers: Sector 7]]'' (2010-2011) A 5-issue series telling the history of Sector 7. The first prequel to ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Foundation]]'' (2011) A 4-issue series telling the history of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] on Cybertron. Second prequel to ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''.
* ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' (2011) A 4-issue series. Third prequel to ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''.
* ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation]]'' (2011) A four-part comic adaptation of the film that will be released in July 2011.
** ''[[Transformers: Convergence]]'' (2011) A prose story published in the adaptation's individual issues.

===''Transformers Animated''===
* ''[[Transformers Animated (IDW Publishing)|Transformers Animated]]'' (2008) — An ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' cartoon adaptation series with screenshots from the series.
* ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival]]'' (2008) — A six-issue mini-series set in the same continuity as the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' cartoon.
* ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac]]'' (2009) — Covers ''The Arrival'' and seasons 1 and 2 of the cartoon.
* ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' (2010) — Covers season 3 of the cartoon and other information.

===''Regeneration One''===
* ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' (2012–2013) — A limited series set in the main [[Marvel Comics continuity]] that continues on from the [[End of the Road! (US)|final issue]] of the Marvel's original ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers]]'' series 21 years later, ignoring the event of both of the Marvel UK material and the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics.

===Aligned continuity family===
* ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' (2010) — A partial adaptation of the novel ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* ''[[Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime]]'' (2010) — A graphic novel prequel to the television series, later released as four issues.
* ''[[Transformers: Prime (comic series)|Transformers: Prime]]'' (2011) — A ''Prime'' cartoon adaptation series with screenshots from the series.
* ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'' (2012) — A digital-first prequel/tie-in to the video game, focusing on the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots]].
* ''[[Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots]]'' (2012-2013) — A four-part mini-series which continues the Dinobots' story and leads into the television series' third season.
* ''[[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic)|Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters]]'' (2013) — An ongoing series depicting the Dinobots' efforts to survive on a desolate Cybertron.

===Reprint series===
* ''[[The Transformers: Generations]]'' — Reprints old [[Marvel Comics]] issues, specifically ones that did not feature Marvel-owned characters such as [[Circuit Breaker]].
* ''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Transformers: Magazine]] (2007)'' — Reprints three comics per issue from the Marvel, [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]], and IDW runs.
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Space Pirates]]'' (2008)
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Time Wars]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Classic Transformers]]'' (2008) — Collects old [[Marvel Comics]] issues in trade paperback format, starting with [[The Transformers (issue)|Transformers #1]] and summarizing those featuring Marvel-owned characters such as [[Spider-Man]] and [[Circuit Breaker]] (until Volume 5, by which point the Marvel-owned characters are allowed).
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: City of Fear]]'' (2009)
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Prey]]'' (2009)
* ''[[The Transformers Classics]]'' (2011) - Second run of Classic Transformers with the missing issues restored
* ''[[The Transformers Classics UK]]'' (2011)

===Others===
* ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' (2006) A four-issue adaptation of the original ''Transformers'' film, 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''; marks the film's 20th anniversary and new DVD release.
* ''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Transformers: The Best of Don Figueroa]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Art of IDW's Transformers]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Transformers: The Premiere Collection#Volume 1|The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 1]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Transformers: Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Transformers: The Ark]]'' (2007) — A Complete Compendium Of Transformers Animation Models
* ''[[Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Transformers: The Ark II]]'' (2008) — A Compendium of Japanese Character Designs
* ''[[Transformers: War Within Omnibus]]'' (2009)
* ''[[The Transformers: The Premiere Collection#Volume 2|The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 2]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Transformers: The Complete Ark]]'' (2009) — Combines the first and second volumes.
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of Optimus Prime]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of Megatron]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of Grimlock]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The Transformers: Best of Starscream]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Alex Milne Sketchbook: The Transformers]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'' (2012)

==External links==
*[http://www.idwpublishing.com/ IDW Publishing]
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/idw/guide.php?s=ongoing TF Archive's guide to the Ongoing ''Transformers'' comic]

==Footnotes==
<references />
[[Category:Comics]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing| ]]

Missile

2013-06-16T06:27:01Z

Qaianna: Added conventional missile/rocket differentiation.

[[Image:SunstreakerBlastsSkywarp.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]

'''Missiles''' are projectile weapons that are released and fly through the air toward a target. An ICBM, an arrow, or a flung beer bottle—all are missiles, though their effectiveness varies. '''Rockets''' are a certain type of missile that includes entirely self-contained propellant. [[Transformer]]s use a variety of different kinds of missiles. Examples include [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s wire-guided incendiary missiles, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'s laser-guided, ground-to-air missiles, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s drone rockets, and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s heat seeking missiles.

Typically, though, the term 'missile' refers to a self-propelled weapon that may or may not have some sort of guidance system to get where it's going. Those without them usually end up bearing the 'rocket' label.

==Fiction==

Um, they get used a lot.
{{stub}}
==Toys==
[[Image:Our missiles.jpg|right|300px|thumb|OUR MISSILES!!!!]]
Many ''Transformers'' toys include simulated missiles. Some are nonfunctional dummies, partly or wholly visible as a removable, affixed, or molded-on detail. Functioning Transformer missiles operate in several ways:

*'''Spring-launched'''

: Loading the missile compresses a spring. At full compression, a lock of some sort engages the missile. When released, the spring recoils, propelling the projectile into the air, towards unsuspecting [[Decepticon]]s, [[Butch Witwicky (G1)|siblings]], or [[Chear|cats]].

*'''Pressure-launched'''

[[Image:Cyberjet launcher.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Wind Sheer's pressure-launcher.]]
: Also called "marble-shooter" missiles, these were first seen on the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Cyberjet]]s. A rounded, annular protrusion on the missile rests in a claw-like holder. The missile is held in place due to tension in the launcher, because the launcher's sides have to be bent slightly outward in order to insert the missile. The tail of the missile protrudes from the launcher. To fire, finger pressure is applied to the missile's tail. When the missile's bulb begins to push out of the launcher's grip, the tension becomes even stronger, and once the bulb has passed the halfway point, the launcher squeezes the missile out at high speed. This speed may be increased further by force from the operator's finger, which accelerates after the missile's release, but briefly remains in contact with its tail.

:[[Megatron (RID)|''Robots In Disguise'' Megatron]] and the Galvatron redeco use a variation of the pressure launcher in which a finger-pressed jaw squeezes the "marble" directly, instead of built-in tension.

:This entire mechanism can be scaled up to create a "Disk Launcher", firing disks of two to three inches in diameter. These usually incorporate a lever mechanism to push the disks, rather than direct contact from a finger. They also commonly incorporate a gravity-feed magazine to deliver multiple projectiles in succession.
:Toys such as [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Laser Optimus Prime]] and all his various repaints, and more recently the Fast Action Battlers and Robot Replica versions of [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] feature such launchers. [[Hailstorm (TF 2010)|Hailstorm]] and [[Mindset (TF 2010)|Mindset]] each feature eight(!) pressure-launched missiles.

*'''Air-launched'''

:These use air pressure to drive the projectile from its launcher. On the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Laser Optimus Prime]], Combat Hero Prime, and [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Combat Hero Megatron]] figures, the missiles are hollow and fit over the open mouth of a tube with one closed end, which communicates via a flexible hose with a plastic bellows. Depressing the bellows compresses air, displacing it into the tube, and launching the missile. However, the rubber tubing tends to wear down over time, and thus the air-launching technology was widely phased out.

[[For safety reasons]], missiles in ''Transformers'' have to satisfy a number of length, hardness, and pointiness requirements. Before these requirements, and to this day in countries where they are not in effect, some missiles were quite small. For instance, [[Inferno (G1)|Generation 1 Inferno]]'s fists can be launched as missiles from his original toy, but the springs of his 1985 US release were quite weak.

[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Weapons]]

Laserbeak (Cybertron)

2007-11-08T11:06:15Z

Qaianna: /* Cybertron */ Added info on toy

{{disambig2|the Cybertron Decepticon bird|all other Laserbeaks|Laserbeak (disambiguation)}}

''Laserbeak is a [[Planet X]] [[Decepticon]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]].''

Mistakenly believed to be a [[Mini-Con]], '''Laserbeak''' is actually an extension of his partner [[Soundwave (UT)|Soundwave]]. Laserbeak is a mere drone whose programming is taken from a small portion of Soundwave's personality. The small bird is perfect for infiltration, sporting a stealth mode, smokescreens, cutting lasers, and various retractable tools for manipulating and retrieving objects. Though Laserbeak's form is that of an [[Laserbeak drone|expendable drone]] created by the inhabitants of Planet X, Soundwave is excessively protective of him.

==Fiction==
===Animated continuity===
====''Cybertron''====
====Fun Publications Cybertron comic====
Laserbeak infiltrated the Iacon Archives to retrieve the [[Dead Matrix]] for Soundwave. With the artifact, Soundwave was able to extract [[Unicron]]'s dark essence from the [[Unicron Singularity]].

==Related characters==
===Condor drone===
They're like Laserbeaks, but in plural.

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
* '''Soundwave''' w/ '''Laserbeak''' (Voyager class, 2005/2006)

Laserbeak is packaged with his partner [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]. His alternate mode is one of Soundwave's bombs, and in this form can be stored in Soundwave's chest compartment, reminiscent of where another [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] spent his nights. No other smaller robots were ever noted, though. If there were, [[FIRRIB|Frenzy would be green and Rumble would be yellow]].

Laserbeak could, in his condor form, perch on the tips of Soundwave's wings by inserting his peg into one of the trailing edge holes. Since Laserbeak is NOT a Mini-con, he does not have a Powerlinx adapter. He also doesn't bear the Mini-con insignia.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/Laserbeak/laserbeak.htm Laserbeak at TFU.info]

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[[Category: Cybertron characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category:Drones]]
[[Category: Planet X]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>