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Ring of Hate!

2025-02-19T18:06:13Z

Repowers: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]'' #1
|prev=
|next=Broken Glass!
|title="Ring of Hate!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #130–133
|prev2=Worlds Apart!
|next2=Kup's Story!
|image=MarvelHeadmasters-1.jpg
|caption="All-powerful"? But we haven't gotten to the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmasters]] yet.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=March [[1987]]
|coverdate=July 1987
|script=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|pencils=[[Frank Springer]]
|inks=[[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]]
|lettering=[[Diana Albers]]
|colors=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''A group of Autobots, tired of fighting an endless war, seek to escape by traveling to a world known for its peaceful ways. But can they prove their peaceable intentions?'''

==Synopsis==
Somewhere on war-torn [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a band of [[Decepticon]]s under the command of the cruel [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] leads captive [[Autobot]]s to their death at the [[smelting pool]]s. En route, however, a squadron of Autobots led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] attacks, driving off the Decepticons and freeing the prisoners. Overwhelmed, the Decepticons retreat, and the Autobots return to their hidden base.

The Autobot troops are jubilant in the wake of their victory, but Fortress Maximus silences them angrily—even when they win, the planet suffers, and lives are lost. Maximus has had enough, and intends to leave Cybertron and the endless cycle of war altogether; he has set his sights on the world of [[Nebulos]], a peaceful planet he has watched for many [[Units of time|vorns]]. His stunned troops have little option but to go along.

The Autobots construct a starcraft dubbed the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'', and Autobots from all over come to join the mission for peace. After a short warp across the void, the ship arrives on orbit around Nebulos.

[[File:Bonk.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|The Transformers' greatest battle on Nebulos.]]
The Autobots land in the planet's wilds; Fortress Maximus dispatches [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to make contact with the planet's inhabitants. Highbrow comes across [[Gort]] and [[Marita|his lover]] engaged in "[[Kiss|a primitive form of communication]]". Gort panics at the sight of Highbrow, and in his haste to fight off the monster for his lover, he trips and is injured. An apologetic Highbrow passes a small holo-projector to the woman, containing a message from Fortress Maximus, and leaves. In [[Koraja]] the next day, the [[Council of Peers]] meets to discuss the Autobots' message. [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]] eagerly attempts to stir the [[Nebulan]]s up into war. [[Galen]] disagrees, arguing that Nebulos has been peaceful for years and must make peace the first choice. [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] arrives in the capital city the next day, and began to speak of his desire to live in peace. However, [[Krunk]], one of Lord Zarak's henchmen, uses a weapon to magnetize Blurr's arm, causing him to dislodge a nearby sculpture and send it crashing into a crowd of panicked Nebulans. Under fire from the city's guards, Blurr retreats, his message of peace lost.

Soon, the Nebulans resurrect their long-buried machines of war and attack the Autobot encampment, wounding many of the Autobots. Under explicit orders from Fortress Maximus, the Autobots do not fight back and retreat further into the wilderness.

Several days later, Fortress Maximus and ten other Autobots march to the capital city and throw their weapons down, begging for peace one last time. Zarak urges Galen to fire, but Galen refuses. Fortress Maximus, Highbrow, [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] all pull their heads from their body and place them on the ground, rendering their bodies useless. Galen accepts the offering, stating that "there will be no war today."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (8)
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (9)
* [[Pointblank]] (10)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (11)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (12)
* [[Cog (G1)|Cog]] (13)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (14)
* [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (15)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (16)
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (17)
* [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (19)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (20)
* [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (21)
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (22)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (23)
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (24)
* [[Grotusque|Grotesque]] (25)
* [[Doublecross]] (26)

}}
|c2=
* [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] (1)
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (2)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (3)
* [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (4)
* [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (5)
* [[Apeface]] (6)
* [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (7)
* [[Fasttrack (G1)|Fasttrack]] (18)

|h3=[[Nebulan]]s|c3=
* [[Gort]] (27)
* [[Marita]] (28)
* [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (29)
* [[Sorgen]] (30)
* [[Galen]] (31)
* [[Krunk]] (32)
* [[Duros]] (33)
}}

==Quotes==

"We and the Decepticons are more '''partners''' than enemies! We are connected by a '''circle''' of war and hate and death!"
:— '''Fortress Maximus''' despairs of the ongoing war.

"We must be brave enough to wage peace."
:— '''Fortress Maximus''' to beleaguered Autobots

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
This mini-series in general is rife with mis-colorings, mis-namings and misused character models. From the top:
* Cover — Fortress Maximus is mostly grey and brown, while Brainstorm is brown and dark green. Scorponok is the wrong shade of green, and is missing half of his claw.
* Page 1 — Gort is in the line of prisoners. Brainstorm is also in the line of prisoners, even though he shows up among Fortress Maximus's troops at the start of the attack.
* Page 2/3 — Third panel: When Blurr transforms, his [[robot mode]] is drawn as Crosshairs; Cog is colored like Crosshairs. Fourth panel: Jet-mode Scattershot appears behind Fort Max, and (Fifth panel) Lightspeed appears driving into battle, even though the Technobots don't join Max's band until after the battle. Is that [[Fasttrack (G1)|Fasttrack]]? If so, he should be gray, rather than Optimus Prime colors. Snapdragon appears twice in the two-page battle spread, once in jet mode, once as a robot (colored pink instead of white.) In addition, there is a Chromedome-like robot, but Chromedome appears already in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].
* Page 4 —
** First panel: Blot (or a generic based on him) is colored light blue and orange. He should be dark blue and purple.
** Sixth panel: Fasttrack again, but his colors are reversed. Battletrap's truck component—an incongruous Earth vehicle—is visible as well.
* Page 5 —
** First panel: [[Cog (G1)|Cog]] is colored like Hardhead; Hardhead is colored like Cog. Hardhead's response sounds like he should have been Fortress Maximus. And is that the destroyed form of Apeface in the foreground? Guess he got better.
** Second Panel: Kup appears to be driving backwards (maybe Hot Rod is towing him?)
** Third panel: [[Cog (G1)|Gasket and Grommet]]'s vehicle modes are colored as Chromedome and Hardhead.
* Page 6 — Third panel: Hardhead is colored a brownish orange, as if he were a Technobot.
* Page 7 — Sixth panel: Why is [[Arcana]] there?
* Page 9 — Two Brainstorms are shown ferrying Autobots to the surface. A generic refers to Grotusque as Repugnus.
* Page 16 — Second panel: a green and yellow [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]/Galen. Third panel: Highbrow's face is yellow.
* Page 18 — Second panel: [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] being here is kind of iffy.
* Page 19 — First panel: More Cerebros and Spike/Galen.
* Page 21 — Hardhead has a red visor.
* Grotusque's name is (understandably) misspelled as "Grotesque".

===Continuity errors===
* It never occurs to any of the Autobots that the Decepticons might simply follow them and continue the war on Nebulos. Somehow, the Decepticons will only learn where the Autobots went upon receiving Zarak's transmission in "[[Broken Glass!]]".

===Continuity notes===
* The story concepts introduced in ''Headmasters''—two large crews of [[Transformer]]s traveling to a new world—was used to introduce many characters from the 1987 and 1988 toy assortments. When a new batch of characters had to be brought into the comic per Hasbro's mandate (such as the [[Powermaster]]s and [[Pretender]]s), they were simply introduced as part of the ships' crews who hadn't been shown before. This worked well as many of the new toys had [[alternate mode]]s clearly not based on Earth vehicles.
* On the flip side, the premise of the Autobots leaving in search of peace results in some exceedingly strange choices among the ''Steelhaven''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew. Rabblerousers like [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]], [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]], [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] are all seen to have left Cybertron to seek a peaceful existence, somewhat at odds with their characterization.
* The introductory narrative describes Cybertron as suffering physical pain during the course of the battle, as though it were a living being—long before the idea of Cybertron being the embodiment of the Transformers' living god, [[Primus]], had entered the American version of the mythos.

===Real-life references===
* The image of the kiss between Gort and Marita seems inspired by the Rodin sculpture ''{{w|The Kiss (Rodin sculpture)|The Kiss}}''.

===UK printing===
'''Issue #130'''
* '''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Worlds Apart!]]"
* '''Other strips:''' ''[[Robo-Capers]]''
'''Issue #131'''
* '''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "Worlds Apart!"
* '''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
'''Issue #132'''
* '''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Kup's Story!]]"
* '''Other strips:''' ''[[Spider-Man]]'' - "Children in Danger" and ''Robo-Capers''
'''Issue #133'''
* '''Additional Transformers story:''' "[[Headhunt]]"
* '''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
* '''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]

===Other trivia===
* The story takes place on Nebulos, the first time in the US continuity not on [[Earth]] or [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The UK continuity by this point had already been to [[Elpasos]] in "[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!]]".

===Covers (5)===
* '''Headmasters #1 cover:''' Fortress Maximus removes his head for the Nebulans, by [[Bob Budiansky]], [[Ian Akin]], and [[Brian Garvey]].
* '''UK issue #130 cover:''' the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] introduce themselves, by [[Geoff Senior]].
* '''UK issue #131 cover:''' Scorponok crushing Highbrow, by [[Lee Sullivan]].
* '''UK issue #132 cover:''' a giant hand squeezes Hot Rod, by [[Dan Reed]].
* '''UK issue #133 cover:''' [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] about to strike down Rodimus Prime, by [[Dave Gibbons]].

<gallery>
File:MarvelHeadmasters-1.jpg|'''Headmasters #1''' - Way to stick your neck out
File:MarvelUK-130.jpg|'''UK issue #130''' - Such polite chaps.
File:MarvelUK-131.jpg|'''UK issue #131''' - Sting the singer, or the wrestler?
File:MarvelUK-132.jpg|'''UK issue #132''' - Kup is a heartless bastard.
File:MarvelUK-133.jpg|'''UK issue #133''' - Uh, NO! No, you didn't!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
* [[M&M's]] - inside front cover
* [[Oreo Transformer|Oreo]] Cookies and the [[Mickey Mouse]] Club - between pages 4 & 5
* [[TakaraTomy|Tomy]]'s Aurora racing cars - between pages 5 & 6
* Tang - between pages 7 & 8
* ''Robotech'' RPG - between pages 8 & 9
* Rain-Blo/Super Bubble bubble gum - between pages 16 & 17
* Ninja Star Target Game / ''Amazing [[Spider-Man]]'' #290 / J&S Comics - between pages 17 & 18
* MPC Model Kits - between pages 19 & 20
* Bullpen Bulletins and semi-checklist - between pages 20 & 21
* Marvel subscription service
* ''House II: The Second Story'' - inside back cover
* TSR ''Dragonlance: The Magic of Krynn'' (back cover)

====UK====
'''Issue 130'''
* Transformers: The Movie video - page 9
* Headmasters video competition - page 15
* Targetmasters - back cover

'''Issue 131'''
* Cherry Coca-Cola - page 9
* Headmasters video competition - page 15
* Targetmasters - page 16
* Action Force AWE Striker - back cover

'''Issue 132'''
* Headmasters - page 9
* Action Force comic - page 22
* Transformers: The Movie video - back cover

'''Issue 133'''

===Reprints===
<small>Other than reprints of the [[The Transformers: Headmasters#Collections|full miniseries]]:</small>
* N/A

[[Category:Headmasters issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Prime Target (G1)

2025-01-30T01:30:11Z

Repowers: /* Real-world references */ Didn't catch the whole movie so who knows, maybe there's more!

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 episode|the live-action film series book|Prime Target (book)}}
{{episode
|image=Lord chumley plaque.jpg
|caption=...This pretty much speaks for itself.
|series=G1toon
|ep=51
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=51
|prev2=Blaster Blues
|next2=Auto-Bop
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=13
|prev3=The Golden Lagoon (episode)
|next3=War of the Dinobots
|title="Prime Target"
|season=2
|season ep=35
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]<br>[[Buzz Dixon]]
|production code=700-50
|airdate=[[November 14]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBcYNLUkYro
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The big-game hunter Lord Chumley begins hunting Autobots, and he's gunning for Optimus Prime.'''

==Synopsis==
Over the [[Arctic]], [[Daina|Oktober Guard One]] is flying an experimental jet, when it is suddenly speared by a submarine under the ice. She ejects, but the plane is captured. It turns out that the plane was stolen by [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], a game hunter, who tells his manservant [[Dinsmore]] that he needs one more thing to complete his collection... the head of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].

[[File:Primetargetchumleydinsmore.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Dinsmore, I believe the Autobots are about to suffer a series of unfortunate events!"]]
Heading into town, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] spot [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and head after them. However, the [[Decepticon]]s are revealed to be [[hologram]]s as part of a trap set by Chumley. Back at the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], the Autobots are watching a soap opera which is interrupted by a news broadcast about the theft of the plane. Apparently, the [[Soviet Union]] is accusing the [[United States of America]] of the theft, which the United States denies, and the two countries are ready to go to [[World War III|war]]. Having not heard back from Bumblebee and Tracks, Prime orders the Autobots to search for their friends. However, Chumley has devised several traps for the Autobots and manages to capture [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]], and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], the latter of whom sends a message to Prime about the capture. Not wanting to risk the others, Prime orders the Autobots to return to base.

[[File:Primetargetbotsintraps.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|And you thought Hasbro safety tests were tough.]]
While they regroup, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] sends a message to Prime, saying that he's found the missing bots, who are being held in (poorly designed) traps intended to prevent them from escaping. Chumley himself contacts Prime and requests his presence. Pissed at seeing his friends tortured, Prime overloads Chumley's screen and orders the Autobots to remain at the base.

However, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] has been keeping an eye on the events and feels that Chumley, though a flesh creature, may be useful...especially since he's done more in two days than Megatron has done in two years, which [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] takes the time to point out. Unaware that Chumley is only after Prime, Megatron sends Blitzwing and Astrotrain (surprise, surprise) to make a deal between Chumley and the [[Decepticon]]s.

Arriving at Chumley's castle, Prime finds himself in a "well researched" mock-up of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He unleashes a [[Beast of Borneo|monster]] on Prime, but Prime is able to defeat it. Heading down a corridor, Prime finds a young woman imprisoned, but leaves. Blitzwing investigates, and gets trapped in a goo-net intended for Prime, much to Astrotrain's irritation. Finally, Chumley sends out a [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|mechanical scorpion]], but Prime is shot in the back by Astrotrain and apparently killed. Furious that his prize has been ruined, Chumley takes the Decepticons prisoner and defuses their energy weapons.

[[File:PrimetargetOPvsspider.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Blackarachnia (disambiguation)|Blackarachnia]]'s debut was not the most glamorous.]]
Knowing that Prime is alive, Bumblebee sends their coordinates to the Autobot leader, who enters the castle. A [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|mechanical spider]] is dispatched, but Prime destroys it and heads into Chumley's control room. Dinsmore hides in a tank while Chumley frees the Decepticons on the promise that they'll fight the Autobot. Instead Astrotrain and Blitzwing go after Chumley to "See how he likes being hunted." The Autobots are freed by Prime, and Blitzwing and Astrotrain retreat after realizing that they are unarmed. Chumley is left at the mercy of Prime.

The Autobots return the plane to the Soviet Union, with Chumley strapped to its nose. The world thanks Optimus Prime for his efforts in solving the mystery.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (9)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (10)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (11)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (15)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (18)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (19)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (20)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (26)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (27)
}}
|c2=
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (7)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (8)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (22)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (23)
|c3=
*[[Daina|Oktober Guard One]] (1)
*[[Dinsmore]] (2)
*[[Chumley|Lord Chumley]] (3)
*[[Hector Ramirez]] (6)
*Soviet sentry (28)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:Lord chumley trophyroom.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|''Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat?<br>Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?'']]
"She's a lovely specimen, Lord Chumley, but, there's a frightful international row brewing over it."<br>
"Ahhh. These things blow over... Remember the [[Boer War]]?"<br>
"Painfully, sir."<br>
"Oh, yes, well. Everybody else has forgotten it."
:—'''Dinsmore''' and '''Chumley''' are older'n hell, apparently.

[[File:Kitchensinks-audience.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't ''you'' stand at attention when you're watching your stories?]]
'''News Announcer''': "We interrupt 'As the Kitchen Sinks' for this special news bulletin."<br>
'''Jazz, Blaster, Beachcomber''' and '''Grapple''' in unison: "Awwwwwwwww..."
:—The Autobots do not like to miss their soaps.

"Ah hah. Here comes the robot now. Dressed as a semi-truck. How very punctual!"
:—'''Chumley'''

"Where did he come from!? That blasted fool!"<br>
"You blasted fool!"
:-'''Chumley''' and '''Astrotrain''' on the same wavelength as '''Blitzwing''' falls for the booby trap.

"Amazing. A booby trap that actually catches boobies!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' says "boobies".

"Bah! Impenetrable! Blitzwing, how do you get into these messes?!"
:—'''Astrotrain''' vainly tries to free Blitzwing

"Help! Get me out of this damn thing!!"
:—'''Blitzwing's''' "MUFFLED call for help", according to the script, makes its way past Standards and Practices

"Decepticons! Trust them to spoil the hunt."<br>
"Yes, sir. Just like the Humane Society, in a way."
:—'''Chumley''' and '''Dinsmore'''

"Smashing! Simply smashing!"
:—'''Chumley''' does his best Nigel Thornberry impression.

"Drat! Outsmarted by a lorry!"
:—'''Chumley''' loses on ''Are You Smarter Than a Tractor-Trailer?''

'''Chumley''': I say, old chaps. If I free you, will you fight Optimus Prime?<br>
'''Astrotrain''': Trust us!<br>
'''Chumley''': There he is, lads! Ha ha! Give him a good thrashing!<br>
[''Astrotrain immediately tries to stomp Chumley'']<br>
'''Astrotrain''': See how ''you'' like being hunted!<br>
'''Chumley''': But—you said—<br>
'''Blitzwing''': Never trust Decepticons, flesh creature!
:—Chumley gets a lesson in Decepticon ethics.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 10th May 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:HectorRamirezPrimeTarget1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Not afraid to interrupt the Autobots' soaps, even if means a [[variable voltage harness]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1KT1QoSCT8#t=01m07s to the face.] ]]
*The Oktober Guard are a Soviet special operations force from the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' cartoons and comics.
*The newscaster the Autobots observe on television is [[Hector Ramirez]], a crossover character who originated in ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' and went on to appear in numerous other [[Hasbro]]/[[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] cartoons.
*Several of the Autobots are revealed to be fans of an Earth soap opera entitled ''[[As the Kitchen Sinks]]''. Clearly, they've been away from Cybertron too long. Even better, they all ''groan'' when it's interrupted.
*Beachcomber carries enough change with him to pay a tollbooth.
*Tracks and Bumblebee are on a "supply run". Sounds like they've ventured into [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]]!
*Starscream's sick burn that Lord Chumley's done more in two days than Megatron's done in two years sadly doesn't quite line up with reality, as ''The Transformers'' show had only been running about a year when this episode aired. But hey, maybe it's in-universe time?
*Optimus Prime calls Chumley "one royal pain in the diode".
*Points to this episode for keeping track of Optimus Prime's shoulder wounds–they appear very consistently after his battle with the dragon. They even become a plot point, as the robot scorpion uses them to grip Prime with its claws.
*Optimus Prime is quick to discount the possibility of the Decepticons being behind the theft of the experimental jet, despite them [[Blaster Blues|previously]] [[Traitor (episode)|stealing]] [[Enter the Nightbird|human]] [[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|tech]]. (And they [[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|would do]] [[Masquerade|so again]].)

===Real-world references===
[[File:Kitchensinks-show.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Using a hyper-advanced alien supercomputer to watch a soap opera may seem funny to you, but you're using more computing power than got us to the moon to look at ''this'', of all things.]]
*The plot of the episode appears to be loosely based on ''{{w|The Most Dangerous Game}}''.
*The episode has a couple of low-key nods to Disney's 1951 animated movie ''{{w|Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)|Alice in Wonderland}}'':
** Dinsmore laments Huffer's escape as "No cooperation, no cooperation at all", a direct quote from the Dodo as he tries to burn down the white rabbit's house.
** Optimus appraises one of Chumley's traps as "Neither impossible, nor impassable!", hearkening to a conversation early in the film between Alice and the magical doorknob.
*There was a 1914 silent film called ''{{w|Lord Chumley}}''. It probably didn't have Autobots in it.
*The episode script states Dinsmore's age at 101 (born in 1884) and so was indeed alive for the {{w|Second Boer War}}. Additionally, Chumley is stated to have been a 24 year-old English military officer during [[World War II]], when he downed the Stuka dive bomber whose propeller is seen in his trophy room, placing his age roughly in the mid-sixties.
*Chumley boasts of having hunted {{w|Javan Tiger|Javanese tigers}}... which were actually hunted to extinction by the late 1970s. ''Bastard.''
*The show ''As The Kitchen Sinks'' the Autobots were watching is a reference to the show ''As The World Turns''.
*Chumley bears some resemblance to Major Minor from Snagglepuss cartoons (even down to having a head plaque ready for his next target), just ''hugely'' more resourceful and effective.
*The news report refers to the capturing of the Soviet jet as the highest point in US-Soviet tensions since the {{w|Cuban Missile Crisis}}.
[[File:Primetarget beast of borneo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Stop dragon my heart around.]]
*There is a real-world legend of a dragon that lives in Borneo.<ref>[http://www.amazingborneo.com/travel/myths-legends-of-mount-kinabalu "Myths & Legends" section of a Borneo tourism site]</ref> Specifically, it dwells on {{w|Mount Kinabalu}}... which seems to be referenced indirectly when Lord Chumley talks about having studied "the Kibolaroo tribe in lower Songtanka... or was it the Songtanka tribe in lower Kibolaroo?" ("Songtanka" is also suspiciously close to "{{w|Sintang Regency|Sintang}}", another part of Borneo.)
**Moreover, [[Flint Dille]], who co-wrote "Prime Target", had a large hand in the development of [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]]'s ''[[Inhumanoids]]'' series, which featured another reptilian monster from Borneo in the form of [[Ssslither]].
**There ''is'' an actual Bornean lizard species called the Kinabalu crested dragon,<ref>[http://tinyurl.com/mn72yqe Entry for Kinabalu crested dragon in ''A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of South-East Asia'']</ref> but it has never been known to reach [[Autobot]]-threatening sizes.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/65695019@N07/6737074543 Video of Kinabalu crested dragon]</ref>

===Animation and technical errors===
*A large number of sound effects are missing or oddly truncated throughout the episode. Inferno smashes his way into the burning building without any smashy-smashy-type noises, and a second later his wrist communicator is snipped off in total silence. Prime shoots a bear trap with only about a fourth of his usual blaster sound effect; a second later he throws open a castle gate, which only makes half of a clang.
*Likewise, there are a few lines of dialogue present in the episode's shooting script that are dropped from the final version. This in and of itself is hardly unusual, except in one instance, an odd technical glitch results. In the script, after Prime flattens Chumley's robotic scorpion, Chumley entreats Astrotrain to "help [his] machine to its feet," and Astrotrain replies "Certainly!" In the finished episode, however, Chumley's request is removed but Astrotrain's response is ''not'', leaving the Decepticon randomly saying "Certainly!" for no apparent reason.
*And finally, quite a bit of the scene editing is disjointed, cutting from place to place almost at random.
*Coloring errors:
**One of Tracks' missile launchers is blue instead of white as he and Bumblebee walk up to the crowd in the city.
**When Optimus Prime and the Autobots at HQ first transform, Optimus' headlights aren't colored white (they're the same red as his body).
**One of Jazz's fenders is blue instead of white after he's captured.
**Mirage's missile is colored black instead of white as he listens to Cosmos' broadcast.
**After he first lands at Chumley's castle, one side of Blitzwing's helmet is yellow and the other side is purple.
*The collective groans of the Autobots at their interrupted soap don't match any of their actual voices.
*A billboard urging viewers to "Don't drink and drive" has a second message to "Don't fly drive".
*When the fire hose/tentacle trap ensnares Inferno it's shown breaking off his wrist communicator twice.
*When Optimus signals the Autobots of the change in plans, his cab is shown to have rear windows (it's probably a layering error where the front windows got copied).
*During the scene when [[Chumley]] contacts Optimus at the Autobots headquarters, both [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] can be seen standing next to Optimus even though earlier, they got captured by Chumley.
*When Chumley watches Optimus through his telescope as he approaches the castle, it appears as if Optimus is "driving" through the in the sky. While it might seen that the error here is that no ground has been drawn in, if you look closely, Prime is actually "wearing" an Autobot jetpack, affixed to the top of his trailer, with jet-exhaust effects and all—he really is ''supposed'' to be flying in truck mode! The real error in this scene is the display of Prime on Chumley's monitor which has no sky or ground, and just show Optimus floating in a purple background—plus the absence of any scene that shows him landing, as the very next shot shows he has already done. In addition, the non-descript purple background on Chumley's large screen is shared by the sky outside the window, making it seem like the castle itself is moving.
*After Prime frees himself from the net, the net and chain both vanish between shots.
*Blitzwing and Astrotrain's mouths don't move as they speak their lines while approaching the beartrap.
*"Don't you know it's dangerous to play with poison, Mrs. Blackwidow?" Optimus Prime means [http://snakebuddies.net/2014/08/18/did-you-get-stung-by-a-poisonous-snake/ ''venom'', not poison].
*When Blitzwing says "Never trust Decepticons, flesh creature", Chumley mouths along. A few seconds later Blitzwing says "Look out, the Autobots are free!" in Astrotrain's voice.
*The Russian guard drops his rifle in surprised reaction to something in front of him... then turns around to find the missing jet ''behind'' him.

====Rhino DVD release====
*In the [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] release of this episode, when Chumley chides Optimus for changing the rules of his twisted game, Chumley stands in place without stepping forward, with his mouth correctly animated to the entirety of his dialogue. In the broadcast master, Chumley's mouth is not animated to move to the last part of his line, and he subsequently steps forward out of shot. This short sequence was not replaced with the as-broadcast footage for the [[Shout! Factory]] DVD release.

===Continuity errors===
*Oktober Guard One received a sonar reading from beneath the ice while flying over in her jet. Sonar doesn't work that way.
*Any other cartoon (or real-life) jet would have completely exploded either upon being struck, or upon smashing nose-first into the ice.
*Why is footage of the "top secret Russian jet fighter" being shown on the American nightly news?
*The truck that Bumblebee pretty much just drives into has no roof. Couldn't he just transform and climb out? Unlike Tracks, he also doesn't seem to get zapped, so couldn't he also contact headquarters and activate the same homing signal he uses at the end of the episode?
*It looks like Blaster is simply "transformed" by the billboard hands (how they knew to do this to him specifically is a mystery; and how did they make him change ''size''?). Why doesn't he transform back when Chumley grabs him?
*Chumley's devices seem to change from "capture" to "kill" about the time Prime recalls the Autobots to base. Both Windcharger and Huffer narrowly escape traps that seem likely to inflict major damage, at the very least (an onrushing train and a drill descending from a streetlight, respectively).
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Jazz and Inferno are briefly seen at the Ark when they were actually captured by Lord Chumley. Jazz is Warpath's height.
**Some of the Autobots freed by Optimus Prime aren't the same ones that were captured: Ironhide, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Prowl, and Bluestreak bust into Chumley's control center along with Prime. Jazz and Bumblebee are there too (correctly), but what happened to the others who were captured (Tracks, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster and Inferno)?
*Both Tracks and Beachcomber seem to be in traps that they could easily escape from.
*Optimus Prime has spectacularly poor peripheral vision, failing to notice the giant monster right near him as he threatens that "you better hope I find ''them'' before I find ''you''."
*When Bumblebee radios Prime, the blades swinging at him conveniently disappear.
*Speaking of Bumblebee, the dialog implies that he and the others are running out of energy... yet they seem pretty lively when charging the Decepticons at the end!
*Optimus walks into a spiderweb ''that's right in front of him''.
*Because it's a crazy-huge castle, we can forgive some of the usual scale issues that let Transformers walk around inside human buildings–but Blitzwing and Astrotrain fly out of what must be one ''massive'' window opening.
*Though obviously scripted for comedic effect, it beggars belief that the Autobots were actually able to drop the jet off without the Russian soldier noticing.

===Trivia===
[[File:PrimeTarget scorpion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You can pretend I'm [[Scorpia (G2)|Scorpia]]! I've even got a little screen."]]
*Grapple's voice is much higher and more nasal than usual in this episode, presumably an attempt by Peter Renaday to distinguish him from Lord Chumley, whom he also voices.
*Chumley is one of the most outlandish characters in the entire series. He seems to be ''insanely'' rich, while having access to scads of ludicrous technology:
**He deploys some ''unfathomably'' improbable traps and devices. The most hilarious are a pair of giant hands that come to life from a billboard to fold up Blaster into his tape deck mode (somehow forcing him to shrink at the same time). The list also includes a [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|giant fully-animated mechanical scorpion]] that is impervious to Optimus Prime's laser fire, some sort of instant-hardening liquid which is ''also'' impervious to Astrotrain's blaster, a [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|giant mechanical black widow]], a self-animating energy net, a "[[holographic projection rifle]]" that projects fully-animated 3D images of Astrotrain and Blitzwing running through alleys and streets, complete with sound effects; giant mechanical tentacle arms (which can somehow be transported by a comparatively tiny forklift), a tube/hose/thing that is smart enough to wrap itself around Inferno ''and'' snip off his communicator, and a set of heavy steel girders which can assemble themselves into a cage while in freefall.
**Furthermore, he's somehow worked quite a few of his traps and gadgets right into publicly-owned infrastructure. A suction clamp comes snaking out of a toll booth; a giant drill comes out of a street lamp while clamps emerge from a manhole; and railroad crossing gates descend at his command.
**In addition to all the crazy technology he uses for recreational purposes, he's seen to own a submarine, a sprawling clifftop castle (with what looks like an abandoned [[oil]] refinery right next to it), a fully operational steam locomotive, a custom-modified car wash, an apartment building (which he casually burns), a veritable fleet of flatbed and other trucks, a heavy construction crane (and presumably the entire construction site where it's located), a taxi cab, a fire truck, and a barge.
**He also has the money to build a replica of part of Cybertron just to hunt Optimus in.
**Chumley's hunting and history includes:
***Hunting Javanese tigers
***Hunting a rhino in the veld
***Stalking a dragon-thing through the interior of Borneo
***Study of the "Kibularu tribe in lower Sontanga... or was it the Sontanga tribe in lower Kibularu?"
**Seriously. What does this guy ''do'' for a living??

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Optimus chassé'''" ("Optimus Hunted")
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''La cible mouvante'''" ("The Moving Target")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is present in the [[Déclic Images]] DVD collection, but due to the titles' general disorder, its title is also "Un jeu d'enfants", a copy of [[Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play]]'s French title.
::*Oktober Guard One is dubbed by a man, despite the presence of an unidentified voice actress in the episode to voice the crying girl and the character in ''As The Kitchen Sinks''.
::*The unpleasant voice effect from ''Kremzeek!'' is back for the Transformers.
::*Jazz, who usually is one of the only characters to roughly keep the same voice actor, is dubbed by [[Albert Augier]] in this episode.
::*Dodged names:
:::*Optimus Prime's line "Tracks and Bumblebee haven't reported in." becomes "and the ''other two'' still haven't called?".
:::*Jazz's conclusion "...but no sign of Tracks and Bumblebee" is dubbed by "I didn't see any trace of these imbeciles". Rude.
:::*Optimus Prime's line "... but Grapple is already beginning to fade" becomes "...but ''him'', on the other hand, is starting to weaken".
::*Missing lines:
:::*Beachcomber's line "Hey, don't be greedy! I'm not giving you one penny more! Huh, let go of me!" is missing.
:::*Grapple's line "Hey, you up there! I'm looking for some friends of mine." is missing.
:::*Blaster does not say a single word before being captured.
:::*Most of Inferno's lines are absent during his intervention. He only reports to Prime after discovering the child was a decoy.

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Jagd auf Prime'''" ("Hunt for Prime")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 23]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il cacciatore'''" ("The Hunter")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*When Tracks tells Bumblebee to "get help", the line is changed to: «Help! Let me go away! Help!». Thus, it looks like Bumbleebee is simply running away without caring about what happens to Tracks. Bumbleebee... you little...
::*The title of ''As the Kitchen Sinks'' is never pronounced. Hector simply says: «We interrupt the show [...]».
::*Starscream's line: «Especially since he has done more in two days than you have in two years!» is changed to: «And especially because he managed to do more than you [plural] in just two days than you [singular] in all these years!». If the sentence sounds weird to you it's not because it as been translated from Italian to English... but because it really is.
::*When Chumley says that Prime is "dressed as a semitruck", in Italian he says that he's "dressed as a truck". Prime is actually... well... a semitruck, not a truck.
::*Optimus's famous line: «Amazing. A booby trap that actually catches boobies!» is changed to: «Great. A trap for idiots that really catches idiots!» which is... waaaaay less funny.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Bersaglio Optimus'''" ("Target Optimus")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Target wa Convoy'''" (ターゲットはコンボイ, "The Target Is Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 4]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zhànlìpǐn Qíngtiānzhù '''" (战利品擎天柱, "Booty Optimus Prime")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Grande Alvo'''" ("The Great Target")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tsel nomer odin'''" (Цель номер один, "The Target Number One")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-33 [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Inferno]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2016)'''
:Inferno comes with a firehose and a pair of wrist-mounted comunicators based on the scene from this episode where he is caught by Lord Chumley.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2003]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 18 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180228132242/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-50.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NND8R7-mC1PYX9HxjlTOM7rk851fgxTP/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1j-TTS4nQr_V9R1Qg3PlWdPCf5aENGFH2 Episode dialogue script]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bhOHVcCIEs2kR9Dx1i5w1WKQInIKqaV9/view?usp=drive_link Episode model sheets]

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

The Transformers: The Movie

2024-08-30T18:10:54Z

Repowers: /* Continuity errors */

{{disambig3|Transformers: The Movie}}
{{movie|
|seriess=[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]
|prev=B.O.T. (episode)
|next=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1
|seriess2=[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]
|prev2=Scramble City: Mobilization
|next2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1
|title=''The Transformers: The Movie''
|image=Transformersanimatedfilmposter.jpg
|caption=A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....
|production code=4034
|production companies=[[Sunbow Productions]]<br>[[Marvel Productions]]
|distributor=[[Dino De Laurentiis|De Laurentiis Entertainment Group]]
|executive producer=[[Tom Griffin]]<br>[[Joe Bacal]]
|screenplay by=[[Ron Friedman]]
|directed by=[[Nelson Shin]]
|cinematography by=[[Masatoshi Fukui]]
|edited by=[[David Hankins]]
|music by=[[Vince DiCola]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|release date=[[August 8]], [[1986]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|runtime=85 minutes
|budget=$5–6 million
|box office=$2.6–5.8 million
|credits=The Transformers: The Movie/credits
}}
{{quote|Conceived in the epic tradition of ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''...|[[Victor Caroli]] ain't just whistling Dixie|[[The Transformers: The Movie promo|''The Transformers: The Movie'' promo]]}}

'''''The Transformers: The Movie''''' is an animated feature film based on the original ''Transformers'' toyline. It was released in the United States on Friday, August 8, 1986.

The film's storyline follows the same continuity as the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Transformers]]'' cartoon. It introduces a [[Scale|planet-sized Transformer]] called [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] who eats other planets, and is approaching [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As part of their continuing wars, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s have a [[Battle of Autobot City|fierce battle]] on [[Earth]] which sees both [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] mortally wounded. Prime passes the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and dies, and Megatron is transformed by Unicron into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (briefly) assumes leadership of the Decepticons, but is killed when Galvatron arrives at Cybertron. Galvatron then chases the surviving Autobots on Earth across space, splitting them up and taking the Matrix. The Autobots find their way back to each other, and follow Galvatron to Cybertron just as Unicron transforms into [[robot mode]] and begins to eat their world. Travelling inside Unicron, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] recovers the Matrix, transforms into Rodimus Prime, and uses the Matrix to destroy Unicron.

Often referred to by fans simply as "the movie" or "TFTM", the movie was a step up in almost every area from the television series, with a more sophisticated plot, more serious treatment of war and violence, a hugely ambitious scope and a greatly increased animation budget with well-known celebrities providing voice work. For these reasons, the film remains very popular with children of the 1980s.

The film opens with characters who had been featured in the first two years of the toyline and associated media (cartoons, comic books, etc.), but quickly introduces new characters and kills many of the old ones to make room. Of particular note, Optimus Prime and Starscream are both destroyed during the course of the film.

{{quote|The Japanese have funded a full-length animated cartoon about the doings of these toys, which is all bad outer-space stuff. I play a planet. I menace somebody called Something-or-other. Then I'm destroyed. My plan to destroy Whoever-it-is is thwarted and I tear myself apart on the screen.|Orson Welles<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=KlqsYy512WIC&source=gbs_navlinks_s "Orson Welles: A Biography"] page 522</ref>}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:TFTM Unicron Lithone.jpg|left|thumb|That's no moon.]]
[[Unicron/Generation 1|A mechanical planet]] travels through the depths of space, attacking [[Lithone (planet)|a metal planet]] which has [[Lithone (species)|robotic inhabitants]]. Robots, vehicles, buildings, and even large chunks of rock are sucked off the surface and devoured by the monstrous planet.

It is the year [[2005]], and the [[Decepticon]]s are now in control of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The [[Autobot]]s are preparing to launch an assault to retake the planet from hidden bases on two of Cybertron's moons. The Autobots launch a [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]] to pick up a final shipment of [[energon]] from [[Earth]] before they strike.

[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|thumb|Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans. And bring me the passengers; I want them alive!]]
Plans for the attack are overheard by [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]], who reports back to [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. The Decepticons attack the Autobot shuttle en route to Earth, wiping out its crew (including [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]). Using the Autobots' own shuttle, the Decepticons are able to get very close to the Autobots' base on Earth, [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], before they are detected, and begin a devastating surprise attack on the unprepared city.

During the [[Battle of Autobot City|battle at Autobot City]], both [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron suffer mortal injuries, and a number of others are also killed. Eventually the Decepticons retreat, but the damage suffered by the Autobots is severe.

[[File:Tftm1986b.jpg|left|thumb|If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.]]
Shortly after the battle, Prime lies on his deathbed. He passes the reins of leadership to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and gives him the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. (Though [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] actually touches the Matrix before Magnus does.) Prime relates a prophecy: "One day, an Autobot shall rise from our ranks, and use the power of the Matrix to light our [[darkest hour]]." He then gives the oath, "[['Til all are one]]", and [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|dies]]. This sequence of events is observed remotely by Unicron, the monstrous planet, who appears unusually concerned by the survival of the Matrix.

The Decepticons are making their escape aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], but are too heavy for him to get them all home under his own power. After putting the matter to a fair vote, the Decepticons decide to throw their injured members off the ship to better the chance of survival for the rest, including the mortally wounded Megatron. Too injured to save himself, Megatron is tossed out into space by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who claims leadership of the Decepticon army.

[[File:TFTM Starscream chucks Megatron.jpg|thumb|Into the garbage chute, flyboy.]]
Megatron and the other adrift Decepticons then encounter Unicron in interstellar space. Unicron offers to rebuild Megatron and his minions in exchange for their service. After some coercion on the planetoid's part, Megatron agrees, and is [[Reformatting|reformatted]] into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. The other Decepticons are turned into [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]. Unicron provides them with a [[Revenge (G1)|ship]], and sends them to kill Ultra Magnus and destroy the Matrix, stating that the Matrix is the only thing which can stand in his way.

[[File:Tftm1986c.jpg|left|thumb|Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed.]]
Galvatron first stops at Cybertron to take his revenge by killing Starscream and reclaiming leadership of the Decepticons. Almost immediately afterwards, Unicron arrives in Cybertron's vicinity and devours at least two moons—both of the Autobots' moon bases are destroyed. Under coercion by Unicron, Galvatron finally heads to Earth to kill Ultra Magnus, but Magnus and the other surviving Autobots flee in a pair of shuttles. Eventually Galvatron manages to cause one shuttle to crash on yet another metal planet ([[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]), and detonates the other with a volley of missiles. However, the Autobots in the second shuttle escape unnoticed by separating the front portion of their shuttle just before impact.

The Autobots in the crashed shuttle, Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], find themselves separated and in a hostile environment. Hot Rod and Kup battle a [[Sea squid|giant squid]], are captured by a pack of [[Allicon]]s and taken before a [[Quintesson]] [[Quintesson#Judges|judge]] and his court. While being held there, they learn the name and nature of Unicron from [[Kranix (G1)|Kranix]], a survivor of the planet destroyed in the opening of the film, which he calls [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]]. Meanwhile, the Dinobots encounter and befriend a young, wild Autobot named [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] who has been living alone on Quintessa. Together, they crash the trial just as Hot Rod and Kup are fighting losing odds against the Quintessons' [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. The tide is turned, and the Autobots commandeer a [[Quintesson Cruiser]].

[[File:Tftm1986d.jpg|thumb|What an incredible smell you've discovered!]]
The other group of Autobots has landed on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to make repairs, but are attacked yet again by Galvatron, who was tipped off to their survival by Unicron. During the battle, Ultra Magnus tries to open the Matrix to use its power, but is unable to do so, and instead is killed. Galvatron absconds with the Matrix, taking it away to Unicron. The remaining Autobots—[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]]'s son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]]—are then ambushed by [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], the eponymous natives of Junkion, who are also giant transforming robots. This battle is cut short, however, by the arrival of Hot Rod's group in their Quintesson ship. After exchanging the [[universal greeting]] they all make friends, and the Junkions restore Ultra Magnus to life. Together, the whole group travels to Cybertron to try to recover the Matrix and destroy Unicron.

[[File:TFTM Unicron smashes cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|Rebel base in range. You may fire when ready.]]
Galvatron attempts to open the Matrix to use its power against Unicron and force his master into submission, but is unable to open it. Unicron, not pleased with this attempted treachery, shocks Galvatron by transforming from a planet into a [[Scale|planet-sized robot]]. Unicron plucks Galvatron off his chest and swallows him, Matrix and all, and then begins attacking Cybertron itself. [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] scrambles the Decepticon forces to defend the planet, but they are ineffective against so large an enemy. Shortly the Autobots arrive from Junkion, and fly the Quintesson ship straight through Unicron's eye. This impact destroys the ship, and the Autobots fall out inside Unicron. Hot Rod, separated from the others, eventually runs into Galvatron. During their fight, Hot Rod gets his hands on the Matrix and hears Optimus's voice speak the words, "Arise, Rodimus Prime." Hot Rod grows in stature, adopts a much sterner demeanor, and quickly dispatches Galvatron by tossing him through Unicron's hull out into space. He then opens the Matrix, which fills Unicron with light and begins destroying him.

[[File:Tftm1986e.jpg|thumb|Use the Force, Luke.]]
In the meantime, the other Autobots inside Unicron have located some of their comrades from the moon bases who had been presumed dead, including [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and Daniel's father, Spike. The Autobots, including Rodimus, escape through Unicron's remaining eye just as he begins to fall apart and explode. The scene then immediately shifts to the surface of Cybertron, where—for unclear reasons—the Autobots seem to be in charge again. Rodimus predicts an era of peace and prosperity, and the film closes with a shot of Unicron's severed head still floating in orbit around Cybertron.

[['Til all are one]].
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] ([[Judd Nelson]])
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] ([[Robert Stack]])
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] ([[Lionel Stander]])
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] ([[Neil Ross]])
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] ([[Susan Blu]])
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] ([[John Moschitta]])
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] ([[Gregg Berger]])
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] ([[Paul Eiding]])
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] ([[Buster Jones]])
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] ([[Michael Bell]])
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (Neil Ross)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (Peter Cullen)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (Michael Bell)<ref group="fc" name="crednolines">Credited and appeared, but had no speaking lines.</ref>
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] ([[Scatman Crothers]])
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] ([[Dan Gilvezan]])
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] ([[Casey Kasem]])
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] ([[Corey Burton]])
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] ([[Don Messick]])<ref group="fc" name="creduncertain">Credited, but may or may not have appeared through an animation error.</ref>
*[[Auto-combatant]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Eject (G1)|Eject]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]]
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]<ref group="fc" name="crednoapp">Credited, but did not appear.</ref> ([[Walker Edmiston]])
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] ([[Chris Latta]])
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] ([[Roger C. Carmel]])
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] ([[Stan Jones]])
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] ([[Arthur Burghardt]])
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (Michael Bell)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (Neil Ross)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (Neil Ross)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (Don Messick)<ref group="fc" name="appearnocredit">Appeared and had speaking lines, but not credited.</ref>
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] ([[Hal Rayle]])
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] ([[Clive Revill]])
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] ([[Jack Angel]])
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (Corey Burton)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] ([[Bud Davis]])<ref group="fc" name="crednolines"/>
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] ([[Ed Gilbert]])
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (Frank Welker)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (Chris Latta)<ref group="fc" name="appearnocredit">Appeared and had speaking lines, but not credited.</ref>
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (Frank Welker)<ref group="fc" name="appearnocredit">Appeared and had speaking lines, but not credited.</ref>
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]]
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]
*[[Cyclonus's Armada]]
|h3=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c3=
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] ([[Eric Idle]])
*[[Junkyard (G1)|Junkyard]] (Bell)
*[[Scrapheap (G1)|Scrapheap]] (Welker)
*[[Rubbish]]
*[[Re-Cycle]]
*[[Trashbin]]
*[[HAZMAT]]
*[[Ashtray]]
*[[Wasteoid Gamma]]
*[[Greasestain]]
|h4=Others|c4=
'''[[Human]]s'''
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (Corey Burton)
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] ([[David Mendenhall]])

'''[[Lithone (species)|Lithones]]'''
*[[Kranix (G1)|Kranix]] ([[Norman Alden|Norm Alden]])
*[[Arblus]]

'''[[Quintesson]]s'''
*[[Quintesson Prosecutor|Quintesson leader]] (Roger C. Carmel)
*[[Quintesson Judge]] ([[Regis Cordic]])
*[[Quintesson Executioner]]
*[[Quintesson Bailiff]]
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]
*[[Allicon]]s

'''Other'''
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] ([[Orson Welles]])
|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group="fc"/>

==Quotes==
[[File:TFTM European intro.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.4|It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.]]
"Now all we need is a little energon and a lot of luck."<br />
"More than you imagine, Optimus Prime."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' tempt fate.

"Such heroic nonsense."
:—'''Megatron''' coldly finishes off Ironhide. The 'Cons always get the best lines.

"First, we crack the shell... then we crack the nuts inside."
:—'''Rumble''' bravely raids Autobot City.

"I've got better things to do tonight than die!"
:—'''Springer''', telling it like it is.

"One shall stand. One shall fall."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' uttering the most quoted line of the Movie. An ass kicker cometh.

"Why throw your life away so recklessly?"<br />
"That's a question you should ask yourself, Megatron."<br />
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''', about to engage in one last battle to the death.

"You, who are without mercy, now plead for it? I thought you were made of '''''sterner stuff'''''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s trash talk is actually [http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/sterner-stuff a lot cooler than it sounds].

"I would have waited an eternity for this! It's over, Prime."<br />
"'''''NEVER!'''''"
:—'''Megatron''' is about to learn that a wounded '''Optimus Prime''' has enough strength left for one good hit.

"Until that day...'til all are one..."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''{{'}}s final words.

"Oh, how it ''pains'' me to do this."<br />
"Wait! I still function!"<br />
"Wanna ''bet''?"
:—'''Starscream''' fights back the tears as he throws '''Megatron''' out of Astrotrain.

"Soundwave superior, Constructicons inferior."
:—'''Soundwave''' insults the combiner team.

"I have summoned you here for a purpose."<br/>
"Nobody summons Megatron!"<br/>
"Then it pleases me to be the first."
:—'''Unicron''' shows '''Megatron''' who's the boss.

"Who disrupts my coronation?"<br />
"Coronation, Starscream? This is bad comedy."<br />
"Megatron? Is that you?"<br />
"Here's a hint!"
:—'''Galvatron''' drops "hints" for '''Starscream''' like others drop anvils.

"Oh shit! What are we gonna do now!"
:—'''Spike''' says the movie’s most infamous line.

"Kup and Hot Rod just bought it!"<br />
"I can't deal with that now!"
:—'''Springer''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' assess the situation.

"Did we ''have'' to let them detonate three quarters of the ship?"<br />
"Seeing as how they would have detonated ''four'' quarters, I think it was a good choice."
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Springer''', debating the launch of their emergency shuttle.

"Spare me this mockery of justice!"
:—'''Kranix''' is upset at being found innocent.

"You check in, but you don't check out."
:—'''Wreck-Gar''' making a reference to the tagline from the "Roach Motel." commercials

"For a time... I considered ''sparing'' your wretched little planet Cybertron. But now... you shall witness... its ''dismemberment''!"
:—'''Unicron''' really needs to work on his anger management skills...

"Destiny... You cannot... destroy... my... destiny!"
:—'''Unicron'''{{'}}s final words.

"Let this mark the end of the Cybertronian Wars as we march forward into a new era of peace and happiness! 'Til all are one!"<br />
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' announces the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]...for now.

==Season 5==
When ''The Movie'' was broadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it was broken into 5 parts (designated "Days") and given new bookending segments with original story material.

===Day One===
[[File:TommyPrimeSeason5BumperMovie.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|You just watch yourself. We're wanted men. I have the death sentence on twelve systems.]]
[[Tommy Kennedy|Tommy]] meets up with [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] in the barren wasteland and Prime is concerned with the black eye and many bruises Tommy is sporting. Tommy explains that some "big guys" at school tried to rough him up (and by all visual evidence, succeeded). Tommy asks Prime if he'd ever faced any "big guys" in his many adventures and Prime decides to tell him about the time he faced the "biggest guy" of them all, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]...

Optimus leaves off at the point during the [[Battle of Autobot City]] when Megatron broke their defenses to let the slaughter begin. Optimus gruesomely teases his own death scene to a very confused and concerned Tommy, but reassures him that until he can be revived as a Powermaster, the Matrix must be passed on to someone else who is worthy. Tommy wants to hear all about it, but Optimus doesn't have the time. Apparently, he needs to meet up with [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] and help him [[Space bridge technician|repair]] the [[Space bridge]]. Tommy asks if he can tag along and Optimus tells him that if he can lift one of their two-ton screwdrivers, he can even help. They summarily blast off into space.
{{-}}

===Day Two===
[[File:PrimeExplodingMemoryChip.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|I've lost R2!]]
Tommy and Optimus meet up in the barren wasteland, though Prime isn't sure what Tommy wants. Tommy reminds him that he promised to tell him more about Unicron and Prime concedes that he's been having trouble with his memory chip, lately. Tommy tells him all about the Battle of Autobot City, but none if it rings a bell for Optimus. Prime asks Tommy to open up an access panel in the back of his head and check the circuit. Tommy repairs the circuit, jogging Prime's memory...

Prime leaves off at the point where [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] are eaten by Unicron. Tommy demands to hear more of the story, but Prime's memory chip explodes and smoke pours from the side of his head. All he sees are brief flashes of the further adventures of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and the rest. The furthest he can see, though, is the "death" of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] when his shuttle is blown up by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. Tommy expresses discontent, citing that the Autobots are "too cool to die". Prime says he knows there's more to the story, but with his faulty memory chip, he can't access the details. Tommy insists they get his chip fixed and so they blast off into space to do just that.
{{-}}

===Day Three===
[[File:TommyKennedyTraumatized.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|I can't even see. How am I supposed to fight?]]
Tommy finishes the repairs on Prime's memory chip, much to Prime's relief. Tommy asks Prime to test it out by continuing his story about the battle against Unicron. Prime indulges Tommy's request...

Prime leaves off at the point where [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and Hot Rod are taken to the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] pits and watch as the survivors of [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]] are executed. Tommy begs Prime to stop, claiming that the story thus far is too intense and depressing for him to handle. Prime asks if he wants to hear about how Kup and Hot Rod are fed to the Sharkticons, how the Autobots are menaced by "aliens made of junk" or how Ultra Magnus is blown to pieces by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. Tommy suddenly changes his mind and demands to hear all the gory, macabre details. Prime sets Tommy back down in the barren wasteland and promises to return soon to transform his day into an adventure. He then blasts off into space.
{{-}}

===Day Four===
[[File:PrimeTommyStopMotion.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|If there's a bright center to the universe, you're on the planet it's farthest from.]]
Tommy and Optimus meet up once again in the barren wasteland. Tommy asks why Prime is so late for their appointment and Prime confesses that [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] took a wrong turn on the way over. Prime wishes he hadn't let the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] fly the shuttle. Tommy asks if Prime has enough time to tell him more of the story and Prime assures him there's time enough...

Prime leaves off at the point where the Autobots team up with the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s to battle Unicron. Tommy is incredulous, wondering what a bunch of aliens made of junk could possibly contribute to the battle against Unicron. Prime informs him that great adversities often bring out the best in people, citing Hot Rod as an example. Tommy begs to hear how the story ends, but Prime says that he must first take Grimlock to have his "brain circuits" upgraded. Setting Tommy down, Prime promises to be back soon to transform his day into an adventure. Then he blasts off into space.
{{-}}

===Day Five===
[[File:StanBushTheTouchMusicVideoRecordLabelNotes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|He made a fair move. Screaming about it won't help you.]]
Meeting again in the barren wasteland, Optimus asks Tommy if he's ready to hear the end of the story. Contrary to all the enthusiasm Tommy has shown during past storytimes, the human child laments that he's forgotten most of the tale thus far (offering the flimsy excuse that his lack of an electronic brain makes remembering so many details impossible). Prime gives him "a quick rundown" (that takes ''four minutes'') and then proceeds to finish the epic yarn...

Prime finishes the story with the destruction of Unicron, the ascension of Rodimus Prime and the exile of the Decepticons. Prime asks Tommy if he's satisfied, but Tommy just has more questions. Like what was up with the [[Quintesson]]s? Did they drop Grimlock on his head when he was a kid? And how did they ever bring Prime back to life? Prime tells Tommy to slow down. He has to attend an interstellar peace conference, but until he returns, he leaves Tommy with... [[The Touch|THE TOUCH!!!]]
{{--}}

==Production timeline==
* First script outline by Ron Friedman: revisions from 15th August 1984 to 19th September 1984
* [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|First draft script]] by Ron Friedman: submitted November 12th 1984. Revised February 13th 1985.
* Reference photos of Powered Convoy toy designated as Ultra Magnus, provided to Ron Friedman: Taken 18th March 1985
* Second script outline by Ron Friedman: revised 28th March 1985
* Second draft script by Ron Friedman: completed 27th April 1985. Revised 2nd May 1985
* Model sheets approved 14th June 1985: Cyclonus, Galvatron (Marvel model with revised head), Hot Rod, Kranix (the pre-final model, can be seen with Granix name on it), Quintesson Judge (colour approved on 18th November 1985 by J. Bacal), Rodimus Prime, Scourge/Sweep, Sharkticon, Unicron robot mode, Wheelie, Wreck-gar
* Model sheets approved 24th June 1985: Ultra Magnus robot mode(first Powered Convoy version)
* Model sheets approved 2nd July 1985: Ultra Magnus (Initial Toei design. Colour revised on 20th July 1985)
* Model sheets approved 19th July 1985: Arblus robot mode, Spike (final model), Ultra Magnus vehicle mode(first Powered Convoy version)
* Model sheets approved 29th July 1985: Quintesson Prosecutor (a.k.a Quintesson leader. Approved by J. Bacal on 18th December 1985)
* Model sheets approved 31st July 1985: Arblus spaceship mode
* Model sheets approved 6th September 1985: Rewind flip side of the cassette mode
* Dialogue recording (main sessions): 10th and 11th September 1985
* Model sheets approved 3rd October 1985: Rewind and Eject
* Model sheets approved 8th October 1985: Lithonian Scientist, Lithonian Woman no.1

* Storyboard sequence 1 (Attack on Lithone): Final 31st October 1985
* Storyboard sequence 2 (Title sequence): Final 31st December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 3 (2005): Final 31st October 1985
* Storyboard sequence 4 (More Than You Imagine): Final 31st October 1985. Revised Final 14th November 1985.
* Storyboard sequence 5 (Attack On The Shuttle): Final 31st October 1985
* Storyboard sequence 6 (Gone Fishin'/Dare): Final 4th November 1985. Revised Final 14th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 7 (Battle Of Autobot City, part 1): Final 14th November 1985. Revised Final 25th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 8 (Battle Of Autobot City, part 2): Final 31st October 1985. Revised Final 14th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 9 (Death Of Optimus Prime): Final 7th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 10 (Witness To A Funeral): Final 7th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 11 (Contest For Leadership): Final 4th November 1985. Revised Final 13th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 12 (Transformation): Final 11th November 1985. Revised Final 26th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 13 (Coronation): Final 10th December 1985. Revised Final 18th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 14 (Destruction Of Moonbase One): Final 10th December 1985. Revised Final 19th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 15 (Escape): Final 16th December 1985. Revised Final 24th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 16 (Pursuit): Final 12th December 1985. Revised Final 26th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 17 (Nothin's Gonna Stand In Our Way): Final 11th November 1985. Revised Final 25th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 18 (Arrival On Junk): Final 12th November 1985. Revised Final 25th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 19 (Unwelcome Visitors): Final November 14th 1985. Revised Final 27th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 20 (The Matrix Survives): Final 12th November 1985. Revised Final 25th November 1985
* Storyboard sequence 21 (An Unexpected Friend): Final 18th December 1985. Revised Final 26th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 22 (Destruction Of Moonbase Two): Final 17th December 1985. Revised Final 26th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 23 (Ambush): Final 11th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 24 (Judgement/Rescue): Final 12th December 1985. Revised Final 26th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 25 (Another Leader Dies): Final 9th December 1985. Revised Final 26th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 26 (Unusual Allies): Final 19th December 1985. Revised Final 31st December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 27 (The Enemy Revealed): Final 12th December 1985. Revised Final 26th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 28 (Confrontation): Final 19th November 1985. Revised Final 6th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 29 (United Against The Enemy): Final 20th November 1985. Revised 4th December 1985. Revised Final 6th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 30 (In The Belly Of The Monster): Final 20th November 1985. Revised 3rd December 1985. Revised Final 6th December 1985
* Storyboard sequence 31 (Their Darkest Hour): Final 2nd December 1985. Revised 19th December 1985. Revised Final 31st December 1985

==Animation errors==
[[File:TFTM Unicron Small.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|We’re doomed.]]
*When Unicron is approaching Lithone at the start of the movie, at the line "Look, it's Unicron!", a [[Animation error#Sizing errors|cel stacking error]] results in Unicron's ring appearing in front of a building arch, [[Distribution|making Unicron look very tiny]] in that shot. In the next shot, it is clear that Unicron is several times larger than the entire planet of Lithone.
*The inside of one of the Lithonian ships being devoured by Unicron is visible for a couple of frames. The pilot of the ship appears to be Kranix, even though he apparently screams out Kranix's name, and Kranix appears later in the Quintesson prison.
*When Optimus Prime asks Jazz to report security status, it shows both Jazz and Cliffjumper. Cliffjumper is seen twiddling knobs above the actual drawn computer, as if a section was supposed to be present.
*Coloring errors:
**When the closeup of Cliffjumper doing his countdown is shown, his shoulders are blue (like his windows) instead of red.
**Scavenger's head is white instead of black as he ducks from Prowl's shot aboard the shuttle.
**Blaster's forehead is red instead of white after his "look out and shout!" line, and again after he returns to [[robot mode]].
**In the big lineup of firing Decepticons in Autobot City, Soundwave's cheek guards are blue instead of white.
**When Blaster asks Perceptor "What's shakin'?", a Dirge-colored Seeker flies by the window. However, it appears to be the standard Starscream/Thundercracker/Skywarp design, instead of having Dirge's unique wings.
**As Devastator lays into the walls, Shrapnel is white where he should be black.
**Megatron's pelvis is white instead of black as he gives the "let the slaughter begin!" order.
**When the Dinobots jump out of Optimus Prime's Shuttle, the shuttle is colored like the first shuttle, which Megatron boarded, instead of red-highlighted scheme of Prime's shuttle.
**When Prime says "No matter the cost", the shuttle is painted completely orange, when the front should have red and white highlights.
**When Prime drives up behind the Decepticons, Blitzwing's helmet is purple instead of yellow. Prime's trailer is missing its Autobot symbol as well.
**After Megatron asks, "Why throw away your life so recklessly?", Optimus' left hand is colored red instead of blue when he replies "That's a question you should ask yourself, Megatron".
**The gun Megatron uses to fatally injure Optimus is blue and white for most of the shots it is seen in, but when Megatron screams "Fall! FALL!" while shooting Prime again, it is black.
**Prime's antennae are white as he tries to stand after knocking Megatron off the ledge.
**Starscream's whole nosecone, rather than just the canopy, is yellow as he looms over the fallen Megatron.
**As Starscream prepares to toss Megatron out the door, Soundwave's eyes are painted white like his mask rather than red. (Maybe he was sleeping, his excuse for not stopping Starscream)
**Starscream's cockpit shell nearest his head is colored like a canopy rather than gray, as he nominates himself for leadership. Man, even the A-list animation team couldn't keep this straight.
**The red stripes on Starscream's wings are noticeably absent during most of the Coronation scene.
**When dragging Arcee into the shuttle and two shots later when flying into space Magnus's Shuttle has Blue highlights instead of Red.
**After Springer runs past him, Perceptor's gun changes from red to white for a few frames.
**When Cyclonus is strafing what appears via editing to be Hot Rod's shuttle, it has red highlights instead of blue.
**When Hot Rod's ship is being watched by Galvatron trailing smoke it has red highlights instead of blue.
**In the shot after Magnus announces that he cannot deal with that now, his ship has blue highlights instead of red.
**Shrapnel's lower legs are white when he lands on Junk, instead of black. Must be a side effect of being dead.
**When Hot Rod tells the Junkions the universal greeting, the Autobot insignia on his chest is colored black.
**After transforming, Unicron has all-white hands (instead of white with gold knuckles) and a white, rectangular chin (instead of the double-triangular chin with a goatee) he has later.
**As the Autobots fly through space after exiting Unicron's eye, Rodimus is painted in Ultra Magnus' colors (inverted).
*When the Decepticons blow a hole through the Autobot shuttle to get in, it is a clean break. However, Megatron is still shown ripping through random ship components to get in.
*When the Decepticons are killing the Autobot shuttle crew, there is one of the common Starscream/Skywarp/Thundercracker miscolors. Megatron transforms into gun mode and Starscream catches him, killing Brawn. When they cut back to the Decepticons, Starscream moves back to avoid the Autobots' fire, and a ''second'' Starscream is in front of the Constructicons without Megatron and is firing one of his arm rifles (this was probably meant to be Skywarp, as he flies into the shuttle and takes a seat at the controls once the Autobots are defeated). When they cut back to the Decepticons for the third time, Starscream has Megatron again and is finishing off the rest of the Autobots. In the shot of Starscream firing his own lasers, his wings are red instead of gray.
*When Brawn is shot, it can be seen for one frame that he is initially hit in the top of his chest. As he falls, the wound has moved to the front rounded part of his chest. Additionally, the wound changes from black to red for one frame.
*Per his standard cartoon appearance, Ratchet should have a [[Red Cross]] symbol on each shoulder. When he turns in his seat as Brawn is shot down, we can see one on his right shoulder, but when he stands to return fire on the Decepticons, the right shoulder's cross has vanished, and he's only got one on his left shoulder. Then, when he falls, the cross is missing from ''both'' shoulders.
*When the Decepticons fly to the shuttle's controls:
**All of the Autobots have changed positions from when they fell—Brawn is now on his back, for example, while Prowl is now face-down.
**Ironhide's chest is completely intact, despite having a bunch of holes blown in it.
**Prowl, who turned gray as he fell (evidently dead before he even hit the floor) seems to be back in his normal colors.
*The reflections of Hot Rod and Daniel in the lake rarely line up with where they should be.
*When Hot Rod catches a fish, it is barely the size of his finger. When he releases it, it's [[Scale|suddenly huge]].
*Hot Rod has at least two totally different transformation schemes during the course of the film.
*When Hot Rod begins to shoot at the hijacked Autobot shuttle, the yellow light on his forehead is misaligned.
*When Kup and several Autobots at the roadblock react to Hot Rod's attack on the hijacked Autobot shuttle, Bluestreak is represented by Prowl's [[Character model|animation model]], in Bluestreak's gray and black colors.
*Hound and Sunstreaker appear in Kup's group at the foot of Lookout Mountain as they observe Hot Rod firing on Ironhide's shuttle. Sunstreaker later appears as Optimus Prime's co-pilot when they arrive on Earth with the Dinobots, and is seen disembarking the shuttle along with Optimus Prime and Hound.
**In the movie's storyboard, only Hound is shown present with Kup during the roadblock scene. Sunstreaker's only appearance in the storyboard is when he exits the shuttle, meaning that his presence during the roadblock scene is purely an animation addition. Hound being in both places ''is'', however, an error in both the movie and the storyboard—''unless'', Optimus Prime and the Dinobots picked up Hound and Sunstreaker from Lookout Mountain enroute to Autobot City? Now there's an idea for the old [[Personal canon|headcanon]]!
**In a deleted scene from the storyboard that would've shown Hot Rod and Kup meeting up with Ultra Magnus inside Autobot City, Sideswipe is shown running alongside Wheeljack in the background. However, Sideswipe is mistakenly referred to as "Sunstreaker" in the script (how ''[[Sideswipe (G1)#Notes|ironic]]''). Whether this mislabelling had any bearing over Sunstreaker being present with the roadblock crew is anyone's guess.
[[File:ShockwaveBattleAutobotcity.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|We've picked up a new group of signals... enemy fighters heading your way.]]
*In a wide aerial shot of the city under attack, a Reflector flies by in Ironhide's color scheme. Shockwave also makes his only appearance in the battle; considering both his role as Cybertron's guardian and his absence from any other scenes during the battle, his presence is probably an animation error. Rumble also flies past, despite being inside Soundwave at this point.
*When Shrapnel and Kickback are eating the door, Shrapnel only has one antenna.
*A laser blast that should be behind Blaster is instead layered in front of him as he acknowledges Perceptor's orders.
[[File:TFTMRumbleFrenzytwored.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|[[FIRRIB|What]] about that [[R2-D2|blue one]]? We'll take that one.]]
*When [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] sends out his cassette troops, [[FIRRIB|Rumble is the same color as Frenzy]].
*Blaster first ejects what looks like Eject, who stays blue up until he gets to the edge of the screen. He then turns black like Rewind. Then Blaster ejects another blue cassette, which after about a second turns black. This one gets through half his transformation colored black, then turns blue for a split second then turns black again. Then, when the cassettes are fighting each other, Eject runs in from the left and jumps over Perceptor. And then he runs in from the left ''again'' to shoot Ravage.
*As Springer runs up to the launcher, Wheeljack's body is visible, but he's in the red, white and blue color scheme of Smokescreen - who, in the storyboards of this sequence, was intended to be the one lying there dead.
*While Springer and Arcee are trying to move the launcher into place, Springer's face is the same color as his helmet.
*During Devastator's combination sequence in Autobot City, his chest plate, portions of his pelvis, his forearms, and Bonecrusher's treads are all green. The chestplate and pelvis should be purple, as should Bonecrusher's treads (they're ''normally'' green when Bonecrusher is separate, but they turn purple when he combines), and his forearms should be black.
*For almost the entirety of his screen time during the battle in Autobot City, the "jet engine" on top of Devastator's chest plate is misinterpreted as a trapezoidal block. The only time it appears in its proper shape is when he high-kicks Grimlock. It appears as it should during the scuffle on Astrotrain.
*While Perceptor and Grapple are shooting, Swoop's lower half runs by in the foreground, long before the rest of him gets there.
*Prime's dramatic transformation sequence far outlasts the transformation sound that's supposed to go with it. It's also the wrong sound (ascending pitch) for his robot-to-vehicle transformation. His trailer is also missing the Autobot logo, which reappears for the rest of the scene.
*Prime is missing the transformation sound as he blasts back to robot mode.
*The gun Megatron fires uses the same sound effect as his fusion cannon.
*When Optimus Prime takes the Matrix out of his chest to give to Ultra Magnus, the animators forgot to remove the cel of the Matrix inside his chest, as it's still in there even as he's holding it in his hands. Since it's not supposed to be there, the luminous effect for the Matrix's core is missing from the duplicate in his chest, creating a visual trick that makes it look like Optimus might just have removed the core itself. (The [[Matrix of Leadership#Universe|''Universe'' comic]] would later use this error as a springboard to reconcile the visuals of Optimus's chest interior with their depiction in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.)
*When Ultra Magnus accepts the Matrix, he's seen inserting it into his chest twice, or at best readjusting its "fit".
*As the other Decepticons prepare to push him out, Bombshell's chest is rendered as a shapeless gray mass, rather than with its yellow canopy.
*The voice that says, "Brothers! Don't!" is nowhere close to the voices of any of the five Decepticons shown getting thrown out of Astrotrain.
*When Megatron says "Nobody summons Megatron" his chest emblem is colored gray like his chest. It looks like it should have been painted as a darker shade of purple, as it's the shadowed section. But was painted gray instead.
[[File:TFTMStarscreamCoronationErrors.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4| *''trumpet fanfare''*]]
*Even after the [[Battle of Autobot City]], characters who are supposedly dead continue to appear in crowd shots and battles. Shrapnel's role in the fight on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] is the most noticeable (and he was called for by name in the original script), but Thundercracker, Skywarp and Kickback can all be seen at Starscream's coronation. The two jets are later seen again, flying into Unicron's mouth.
*In the establishing shot of Starscream's coronation, there are only five Constructicons (Bonecrusher had better things to do tonight) and they are miscolored as purple and white rather than their usual purple and green color scheme.
*Hook has two eyes instead of his normal visor as he looks around in confusion during the trumpet scene.
*An early establishing shot clearly shows Cybertron with two and ''only'' two moons in low orbit. Yet a third moon is visible right after Unicron finishes eating the two Autobot bases.
*When Galvatron introduces himself to the Coronation party, Soundwave's chest window is drawn far too small.
*When Galvatron says "Decepticons, to Earth!", aside from his mouth being partially open, his mouth doesn't move. I guess being reformatted by Unicron gives you the ability to talk without moving your mouth?
*In the scene where Bumblebee and Spike are in the [[Autobot frigate]] and escaping Moonbase Two's destruction, when the two are cheering after believing that Unicron has been destroyed, Bumblebee's on the left side of Spike's seat. However, after Spike expresses his "colorful" reaction to Unicron remaining completely unscathed, and when the frigate is about to get sucked into Unicron, Bumblebee is on the right side of Spike's seat.
*When Cyclonus is strafing the Autobot shuttle in space, he briefly flies offscreen, and during that time his laser blasts come from a point that in no way matches his flight path.
*During the wide shot of the Autobots in the crashed ship on Junk, Blurr's entire head is white. Also so is Daniels head, which is drawn as an indistinct incomplete circle.
*Daniel's lips don't purse when he whistles.
*Wreck-Gar's mouth doesn't move at all during his first lines, despite the camera pushing in all close on his face.
*The pistol Ultra Magnus fires uses the same sound effect as Optimus Prime's rifle.
*During the Junkion chase scene, Trashbin attacks Arcee. When she fights him off his motorcycle, his model is switched for Junkyard's when he falls down. And his head then flickers between colors when mounting Junkyard.
*When Grimlock gets kissed, his eyes are round instead of triangular.(Probably intentional expression)
*As Hot Rod falls off one of Unicron's inner spikes, his lower body isn't drawn in. It looks like it should be blocked by our view of the spike, but is layered above it instead.
*Hot Rod's missing his Autobot symbol as he regains his footing inside Unicron.
*As the Dinobots fly around Unicron, both his eyes are intact. (The left one had at this point been shattered.)
*The third smelting victim (who looks a lot like another Bumblebee) doesn't fall from the conveyor belt; he simply vanishes.

== Continuity errors ==
[[File:G1TFTM Snarl cameo.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|He used to bulls-eye womp-rats in his T16 back home.]]

*The Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] is mysteriously absent from almost the entire movie, even though the Dinobots as a group are featured prominently. Copies of the script which have come into fans' hands repeatedly list the Dinobots, but never make mention of Snarl by name. In fact, at one point the script refers to "the four Dinobots". Despite this, Snarl does appear in three very brief shots—in which at least one other Dinobot (Swoop in one, Sludge in another) is entirely absent. Hmm.
** On the other hand, the original production ''storyboards'' for the scene where Snarl first appears in the movie only mentions "the Dinobots", not a specific amount of them. Additionally, Snarl also seems to have been in the scene with Kup telling the Dinobots a story in at least ''one'' version of the film; the Japanese trailer for the movie has finished footage of this scene...but it's very different from the one in the film; the Dinobots are all in their robot modes, and Snarl is present in the scene instead of Slag. It's completely unknown why Snarl's appearance in this scene was cut.
*Also curiously absent are the 1985 Autobot cars and Mini-Vehicles, such as Inferno, Smokescreen, Cosmos, Warpath, etc. It would seem that these characters were available at the time of the movie:
**Perceptor and Blaster both debuted at the same time in the cartoon as the 1985 cars, and both play prominent roles in the movie.
**Grapple is [[:File:BattleAutobotCity.jpg|seen ''very'' briefly]] during the battle for Autobot City. Or maybe it's [[Hauler]].
**The 1985 Decepticons (Astrotrain, Dirge, etc.) appear in the film.
**[[:File:TFTM-SideswipeRedAlertTracks.jpg|Tracks]], [[:File:TFTM-RedAlertDown.jpg|Red Alert]] and Smokescreen (who was supposed to be the corpse in place of Wheeljack next to Windcharger) all appeared in storyboards but not the finished film.
*Devastator is treated as ''the'' ultimate threat, while in the cartoon, his role (and apparent power) was already being [[Starscream's Brigade|severely diminished]], presumably because several other combiners had been introduced. In story terms, the absence of these newer combiners, not to mention the mighty Omega Supreme, is inexplicable. In real-life terms, those characters didn't exist when the film commenced production. (The ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' adaptation shows Omega Supreme, Superion and Defensor guarding the Ark against an attack by Bruticus and Menasor, attempting to [[retcon]] the problem away.)
*Possibly the biggest example of the film's tonal shift from the cartoon, shots from firearms that would previously knock another character down at best have since become lethal, best demonstrated when Brawn and Prowl are each killed with a single shot by the Decepticons during the movie's first act.
[[File:Cyclonus armada tftf.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|We'll be safe enough once we make the jump into lightspeed.]]
*The existence of Cybertron's moons is contentious ''at best''.
**On the one hand, in numerous close and distant shots of the planet throughout the first two seasons, not a single moon was seen. Ever. Even after it got knocked out of Earth's orbit.
**On the other hand, Megatron ''does'' refer to Cybertron as "land of the metal moon" (note the singular) during "[[Microbots]]", suggesting otherwise. The fact that he was overenergized at the time and lost consciousness in mid-sentence - just before he ''might'' have specified a plural number of moons, (in)conveniently enough - makes it unclear just how much credence we should lend this statement.
**The movie promptly introduces two (possibly three) moons over the planet. In continuity terms, they must either have highly elliptical orbits with periapsides (points in their orbits that bring them closest to the planet) that just happened to coincide with the timeframe of the movie or they were constructed sometime after 1986.
*During the Battle of Autobot City, Starscream gets his leg caught. He shoots downward and gets away while screaming "My foot!", but it's his shin that's smoking while his foot looks fine. Later he kicks Megatron with the same foot. Shouldn't that hurt, according to him?
*So Ultra Magnus just happens to have a ready-made Matrix chamber installed in his chest cavity? Is this standard issue for all Autobots?
*The cartoon had already established that Astrotrain increases his size when he transforms to shuttle mode, being large enough to carry a pair of Decepticons in his cockpit. However, within the movie itself, his size is [[scale|noticeably inconsistent]]: When he leaves Autobot City, he's just large enough for the Decepticon army to cram themselves in; later, he's so huge that the Constructicons can quite comfortably form Devastator inside him. Perhaps he continued expanding when transforming from train to shuttle mode?
*Speaking of which, Astrotrain's entire body flips over when he transforms from train to space shuttle to escape from Autobot City. While ''we'' applaud the [[Show-accuracy|toy-accuracy]], the Decepticons inside probably didn't.
*The damage suffered by Skywarp, Thundercracker, and the Insecticons basically appears out of nowhere when it's time for them to be jettisoned. While Shrapnel and Kickback are shown taking a beating early on, they appear shiny and new later in the battle, as do the two Seekers.
*Soundwave is loyal enough to pick up a wounded Megatron and save him, but then votes "aye" to jettisoning the wounded Decepticons, and when Starscream goes to throw Megatron out, Soundwave doesn't try to intervene. He even tries to steal the leadership once Megatron is gone. The "loyalty" attribute that has pertained so strongly to Soundwave seems to be alienated from the character in this scene.
*The number of minions created by Unicron changes throughout the film, with more Sweeps appearing as the story progresses. A second Cyclonus ("Cyclonus, the warrior, and [[Cyclonus's Armada|his armada]]") is shown being created but disappears shortly thereafter. At least ''seven'' new characters are shown at one point, created from only ''six'' Decepticons thrown from the shuttle.
*How can the Constructicons blow on those trumpets? Only [[Hook (G1)|three]] [[Bonecrusher (G1)|of]] [[Mixmaster (G1)|them]] have mouths.
*Given his relative position, Starscream's single shot through the trumpets defies all geometry.
[[File:SSBQ.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I've been looking forward to this for a long time."<br>"Yes, I bet you have."]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is capable of reducing [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to ashes with a single shot from his cannon mode. Though in later episodes Galvatron is shown blowing up even small ''[[Thrull|planets]]'' and being able to take down [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] with one shot from his cannon, his extraordinary killing power seems to be gone—like when he scores a direct hit in cannon mode on Ultra Magnus in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" and Magnus isn't especially hurt at all, or how a similar blast against Scourge in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]" only leaves the latter temporarily incapacitated. [[Marvel Comics]] bios explain this by suggesting that Galvatron had nearly limitless power through Unicron... but then again, Galvatron himself claims to be "more powerful than ever" after Unicron is dead in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]". [[To sell toys|Who knows.]]
*Why didn't the Autobots notice Unicron until he was within devouring distance of Cybertron's moons? Why doesn't Shockwave, who is ''on Cybertron,'' react until after Unicron has eaten these moons, transformed into a giant robot, and ''smashed his hand into the planet's surface?''
*Despite running out of energon goodies on Quintessa, Hot Rod has at least one to offer to the Junkions.
*How did Hot Rod and Kup know to fly from Quintessa to Junk?
[[File:TFTMStarscreamVsUnicron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|This is either Starscream or his stunt double; hard to tell.]]
*When the Decepticons on Cybertron launch a counterattack on Unicron, all three of the first-year Seekers are seen fighting alongside the Coneheads. Given that all three were either explicitly killed earlier in the movie (Starscream) or have been turned into Galvatron's troops by this point (Thundercracker and Skywarp), they're obviously not supposed to be ''around'' in these forms anymore; of course, they could also just be [[generic]]s reusing their colors...but, as noted above, Thundercracker and Skywarp ''also'' appear at Starscream's coronation.
*Daniel, who was just learning how to use his exo-suit, had to knock down the acid cover inside Unicron to save his loved ones. Why couldn't the more experienced Spike do the same with his suit from above? He had both of his arms free and a clear shot at the cover.
*It's not clear how Rodimus Prime (carrying two humans) and the other Autobots survived their jump out of Unicron's eye and their plunge towards the surface of Cybertron.
*It's also unclear just how the dozen or so Autobots (and one shipload of Junkions) managed to retake the whole planet of Cybertron. Did Unicron really wipe out ''that'' many Decepticons?
* Unicron's invincibility is extremely inconsistent; Moments before becoming Galvatron, Megatron creates visible damage to Unicron's horns simply by attempting to hold into something. Later, he doesn't suffer even a dent when one of Cybertron's moons is detonated in his mouth. Near the end, the Dinobots are capable of punching their way through his "skin", and Rodimus Prime just casually throws Galvatron into space through Unicron's side. Even without the Matrix, the small group of Autobots did pretty well against him.

===Not necessarily errors===
*Fans have noted throughout the years that Astrotrain, in his flight through zero-gravity space, should not have needed to "jettison some weight" in the literal sense. However, since the ejected Decepticons quickly fall behind Astrotrain instead of floating alongside him, he must still have been accelerating and thus would have needed to burn a greater amount of fuel in order to push a larger payload. Perhaps he should have said "jettison some ''mass''", but then again, just being a spaceship doesn't make him a rocket scientist.
*Springer escapes from Unicron's eye by transforming into helicopter mode and flying through outer space, where there shouldn't be an atmosphere for his rotors to provide lift. Maybe Unicron was still within Cybertron's atmosphere?

==Continuity notes==
*''The Transformers: The Movie'' has had a huge effect in shaping the mythos. Among the elements and characters which would reappear in many other iterations of ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' are:
**The notion that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has moons.
**The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] as a physical object, rather than the computer program previously depicted in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comics]]. Even the Marvel comics would eventually shoehorn this one in.
**[[Autobot City (disambiguation)|Autobot City]].
**[[Unicron]].
**The notion of [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] becoming [[Galvatron (disambiguation)|Galvatron]].
**The idea of "[[Prime (rank)|Prime]]" being a rank rather than simply a given name.
**[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|And it killed off Optimus Prime before it was cool]]!
*Cybertron's appearance in the post-titles establishing shot shows some major changes to the planet since our last look at it in Season 2. Many of the same buildings from the cartoon's stock image of the planet are there, but the giant pit near the planet's equator is mostly covered over, and the shredded portion of its southern hemisphere has been completely rebuilt.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Springer deploys a small flip-out twin laser from his wrist during the Autobot City battle.
**Arcee and Hot Rod both activate a long-distance scanner of some sort by lowering a red visor from under their helmets over their eyes.
**Megatron uses an "[[Lightsaber|Energy Dagger]]"<ref>[https://twitter.com/walruslaw/status/1204860124898181123 Reference sheets for various weapons used or planned for use in ''The Transformers: The Movie''] - TFRaw.com on Twitter</ref> during his one-on-one battle with Optimus Prime.
**Hot Rod uses a saw blade that extends from his retracted wrist.
**Blurr has the same kind of hooked welding tip used by various Autobots as far back as "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".
**Arcee unleashes a nasty barbed post from her fender to fend off a Junkion.
**Grimlock shows the never-before seen ability to [[GoBots|shoot lasers from his fists]].
*'''[[The Revenge of Bruticus|< <]]''' What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron's <s>dead</s> almost dead!

==Real-world references and Easter eggs==
[[File:TFTMUnicronSkyscrapers.jpg|thumb|I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.]]
*When the inside of Unicron is shown after he devours Lithone, the "blinking energy" effect of Unicron's innards shows, for a split second, what appear to be several images of post-apocalyptic buildings. These images look to be recycled background paintings from ''{{w|Fist of the North Star (1986 film)|Fist of the North Star}}'', a film [[Toei Animation|Toei]] had animated the same year. Regardless of animation efficiency/corner-cutting, the flashing images of ruined civilizations are eerily appropriate for Unicron.
[[File:TFTM Sludge Devastator.jpg|thumb|Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them.]]
*When Sludge gets haymakered by Devastator, his eyes pop out of their sockets in ''{{w|Looney Tunes}}'' fashion.
*Kup's storytelling sequence aboard the shuttle is drawn from the novel ''{{w|Of Mice and Men}}'', complete with Grimlock in the Lenny role asking Kup to "tell Grimlock about petrorabbits again".
*The Junkions speak almost entirely in pop culture quotes and pastiches. Littered among the generic phrases like "operators are standing by!", "Film at eleven" and "eliminate even the toughest stains" are more specific references, such as:
**"Don't look behind door #2, Monty!" - a reference to the game show ''[[Let's Make a Deal]]'' and its host, [[Monty]] Hall.
**"Ger-ronny-doo-ron-ron-ronny-mo!" - both the famous "{{w|Geronimo (exclamation)|Geronimo!}}" war cry, and the 1963 hit "{{w|Da Doo Ron Ron}}".
**"You check in, but you don't check out" - a parody of the tagline for {{w|Roach Motel (insect trap)|Roach Motel}} insect traps.
**"Breep, drit, aw rootie!" - part of {{w|Tutti Frutti (song)|"Tutti Frutti, aw rooty!"}}, from the 1955 song.
**"Happy motoring!" - the slogan of gas company [[Esso]].
**"Kill the Grand Poobah!" - a {{w|Grand Poobah|satirical term}} originating from {{w|Gilbert and Sullivan}}'s ''{{w|The Mikado}}'', likely referencing its use as the title of leaders of pseudo-Masonic lodges in ''{{w|The Flintstones}}'' and ''{{w|Happy Days}}''.
[[File:Tftm rosencrantz-and-guildenstern.jpg|thumb|Easy? You call that ''easy!?'']]
*The Quintesson jail cell includes robot debris ''strongly'' resembling [[:File:Tftm rosencrantz-and-guildenstern.jpg#parts|several mobile suits]] from 1985 Japanese animation ''{{w|Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam}}''.
*''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects (yes, even the high-budget Movie uses them):
**The ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst noise is used extensively throughout the film, over and over and over, almost any time a Decepticon takes flight.

**[[Luke Skywalker]]'s deactivating [[lightsaber]] is used as the sound of the Quintesson ship's ramp extending.
**Clashing lightsabers are used as Unicron fires eye-blasts at the attacking Transformers.

**An igniting lightsaber is used as Rodimus opens the Matrix.
**An AT-AT foot stomp sound is heard as the Autobot shuttle crash lands on Junk.
**The whir of an AT-AT's leg hydraulics can be heard part way through Unicron's transformation.
*The ''[[Star Trek]]'' sliding door sound is used as Wreck-Gar pulls out his <s>iPhone</s> mini-TV.
*The sound used for the communicators on ''Star Trek'' is used when Daniel activates his blaster to save Spike.

==Adaptations==
*[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|A comic adaptation of the movie]] was published by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1986, concurrently with the movie's theater run. It was based off a non-finalized version of the script, and differs in many details from the final film. Additionally, most of the major character models (and possibly their unedited original character write-ups) appear in issue #4 of the ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' series.
*[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|A storybook adaptation]] was released in the UK by [[Ladybird Books]].
*A four-part adaptation was released in 2006/2007 by [[IDW Publishing]], as part of the film's 20th anniversary celebration. It was titled ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' to differentiate it from the [[Michael Bay]] [[Transformers (film)|live-action film]]. Unlike its predecessor, it adheres rigidly to the script and plot of the finished movie.

==Soundtrack==
{{main|The Transformers: The Movie - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack}}

==Promotions==
*Early in the movie's production, a [[The Transformers: The Movie promo|promotional trailer]] was made to sell the project to potential investors.
*The movie was advertised on related 1986 toy packages via the [[Decipher the Decepticon]] Sweepstakes, which included a pack-in poster and contest.
*The movie was heavily advertised directly by TV [[commercial]]s, and tail-end segments on Transformer toy ads. Portions of its story were also retold in altered fashion by animation segments of commercials for the movie character toys, such as a spot showing Springer doing battle with Wreck-Gar.
*[[Ziploc]] sandwich bags featuring an iron-on patch in boxed to advertise the movie. Each box contained one of eight potential characters.

==In the comic continuity==
The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic]] made extensive use of the Movie as the basis for a series of stories involving the Transformers in the future. However, there are several differences between the events seen on screen and those referenced in the comic:

*The comic always dates the movie to [[2006]], following the date given in a treatment that was all [[Simon Furman]] had when he wrote "[[Target: 2006]]".
*In "Target: 2006", [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] states that he was previously "[[Life Spark]]".
*The Matrix is always called the "Creation Matrix" in the comic, a name that predates the "Matrix of Leadership" but which is now used for the same physical object.
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] both survive the events, both later appearing in "[[Space Pirates!]]" (set in [[2008]]).

In addition, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] definitely survives the attack by Unicron.

The US comic almost completely ignored the events of the Movie, though later in the run an alternative future is briefly shown in "[[Rhythms of Darkness!]]" and "[[A Savage Circle]]". In this timeline at least some of the events of the Movie took place such as the creation of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] from [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], which is dated to 2005, though [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]'s death was overlooked. [[Prowl (TM2)|Wouldn't be the first time. Or the last.]]
*The US version of the future story "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]" implicitly has the events of the movie as part of its backstory. However, since the rest of the US series ignored the movie, this issue's place in the continuity is questionable.

==Edits==
Several English-language versions of the film exist, with the following differences in content from the American theatrical run:

*In some versions (notably the European version) the opening credits are replaced with a scrolling text ("''Star Wars'' style") which provides backstory.
*In some versions (notably the European version) the film ends with [[Victor Caroli|a narrator]] reassuring the audience that Optimus Prime will return.
*Instances of swearing in the film (there are two) were edited out; sometimes one, sometimes both. Those instances are: Spike yelling, "Oh shit, what are we gonna do now?" after the self-destructing Moon Base 2 fails to scratch Unicron, and Ultra Magnus growling, "Open, damn it, open!" while trying to open the Matrix to fend off Galvatron and the Sweeps on Junkion. The United Kingdom cinema version had the swearing included but, when it was released on VHS in the United Kingdom, Spike's line was cut ("damn" not being considered especially offensive in the UK). However it has been restored on all United Kingdom DVD releases.
*In some early FHE video releases, the shot of the Matrix falling out of Optimus Prime's hand and being caught by Hot Rod is edited so that it appears that Ultra Magnus simply takes the Matrix from Prime. Why this was done is not known, and the replay of the Hot Rod catch on Unicron's monitors was left intact.
*The original FHE video release of the film painted out all instances of Megatron's green-colored "bleeding" from the end of the battle of Autobot City up to his meeting with Unicron.
*Instead of DEG, the {{w|Rank Organisation|Rank Film}} "{{w|Gongman}}" appears before the British release of the film, as Rank were the United Kingdom distributors. Ironically, the DEG logo at the beginning uses the "Gongman" sounds, rather than its own fanfare, possibly due to a plastering mistake.

None of these edits significantly affect the story. They should not be confused with various other sequences which were changed before the film's final release:

*Originally, Ultra Magnus's "death sequence" on Junkion called for him to be lassoed and drawn and quartered by the Sweeps' energy beams, but this was deemed too graphic for audiences, hence the less disturbing "shot to death" sequence seen instead. There is evidence that the original sequence had been fully animated when the decision was made, however; the Sweeps still kept their solid energy lassos when they fire upon Magnus, and Magnus is seen visibly straining against what appears to be said lassos (edited out and replaced with laser fire) before exploding. This also explains why the Junkions only have to put his limbs back on to repair him.
*A number of other sequences were illustrated as [[storyboard]]s but dropped, presumably without ever being animated. Among them were:
**A short scene showing Ironhide piloting the Autobot shuttle through ''huge chunks of ice'' from the tail of a passing comet, explaining how the Decepticons caught them unawares. In response to a reprimand by Prowl who prickishly disapproves of Ironhide's piloting shenanigans, Ironhide exclaims, "I can sure as shootin' dodge a couple of ice chunks". When the Autobots are suddenly jolted by the Decepticon strike force as Megatron and his troops attempt to enter the shuttle, Ironhide tells the others on board, "That was no ice chunk...". Heroic nonsense ensues...
**An extended sequence with Hot Rod and Daniel outside the city.
**A sequence of Mirage blasting Bombshell and being fired on by Megatron.
**The Autobots finally bringing down Devastator with a barrage of missiles (and the Constructicons subsequently shooting Red Alert in the back).
**The Decepticons dogpiling Optimus Prime, explaining why he seems to be standing up just before his fight with Megatron, and no longer holding his rifle. According to storyboards, Prime gets bum-rushed by Blitzwing (who causes Prime to drop his gun), Starscream, Astrotrain, and Skywarp. While it is not clear how Prime defeated the first four hand-to-hand combatants, Dirge is later shown attempting one final sneak attack (and gets his can handed back to him) as Prime is talking to Megatron before the two leaders' final fight.
**Trailbreaker is shown dead among the wreckage of Autobot City as the Decepticons begin their retreat.
:Some of these concepts were in earlier versions of the script, and hence made it into the comic adaptation.
*Rumors have occasionally circulated in the fandom of additional animated footage that was dropped from the film, such as ultra-violent battle scenes.<ref>https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/B0ZMv7tdDMk?hl=en#8aee0b30765b2b4a</ref> No evidence has ever surfaced to back these claims; the only known edits of any storyline or character importance are those listed in this section.
:{{see|Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#The Transformers: The Movie|Urban legends about ''The Transformers: The Movie''}}

==Reception and box office==
{{quote|''The Transformers'', in which Orson Welles plays a planet, is pure headache material. Target audience of cartoon-watchers also will probably find the film unintelligible, noisy and unoriginal. Boxoffice prospects are dismal.|2=[http://books.google.com/books?id=DHNZAAAAMAAJ&q=Hasbro+Transformers&dq=Hasbro+Transformers&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=1983&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2005&num=50&as_brr=0&cd=69 Variety's Film Reviews 1985-1986, Volume 19]}}

{{quote|Obnoxious animated feature about the title good guys, who defend the universe against an evil planet (which has a voice of its own... provided by Orson Welles.) That deafening rock score certainly doesn't help. Little more than a feature-length toy commercial.|Leonard Maltin, ''1987 Movie & Video Guide''}}

{{quote|While all this action may captivate young children, the animation is not spectacular enough to dazzle adults, and the Transformers have few truly human elements to lure parents along, even when their voices are supplied by well-known actors. |2=[http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/09/movies/screen-transformers-animation-for-children.html The New York Times]}}

{{quote|Transformers -- The Movie, a feature-length animated film inspired by the syndicated TV cartoon series inspired by the Hasbro toy imported from Japan, is utterly uninspired entertainment. |2=[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3CE8EA8D40CCA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM The Dallas Morning News]}}

{{quote|If you can swallow, without gagging, a large measure of sentimental and offensive religiosity - lines like "Do not grieve. Soon I will be one with the Matrix," whispered by a failing hunk of Autobot metal - then you have a better than even chance of leaving the theatre on your own two feet. |2=[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=01kiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W6gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2445,1286000&dq=transformers&hl=en The Montreal Gazette]}}

{{quote|Everything is poorly drawn and - when it's in focus - one dimensional. It is terribly hard to separate the robots from the backgrounds, and there is no easy way to tell the good guys from the bad guys. In an earlier movie based on the same sort of robot toys - "Go-Bots: The Battle of the Rock Lords" - the good guys were either white or colorful and the bad guys were dreary, and they had distinct personalities. Not this movie; everyone looks and sounds alike, except one pink robot who is a female good guy. Her tin voluptuousness makes her stand out. |2=[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kw4wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OgMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6957,6334152&dq=transformers&hl=en The Toledo Blade]}}

{{quote|Even with an all-star cast doing the voice overs... and a rock music score, this is still nothing more than a ripoff of a successful toy line. |2=[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AYckAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dtsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4192,1494652&dq=transformers&hl=en The Palm Beach Post]}}

{{quote|The great animated villains, like the Wicked Queen in Disney's "Snow White," had motivations as compelling as any live-action character. Unicron apparently destroys entire worlds because it has nothing else to do. |2=[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/57996397.html?dids=57996397:57996397&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+8%2C+1986&author=CHARLES+SOLOMON&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=8&desc=%60THE+TRANSFORMERS%27%3A+STRETCHING+A+POINT The LA Times]}}

{{quote|A surprisingly dark, emotional, and almost excessively cynical experience for Transformers fans.|2=[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_the_movie/ Rotten Tomatoes]}}

''The Transformers: The Movie'' was almost universally panned by professional critics upon its release.

Well-known film critic and animation enthusiast, Leonard Maltin, gave it a rating below 1 1/2 stars in his ''1987 Movie & Video Guide'', regarding it as a "bomb", then proceeded to write an unflattering blurb denouncing the film as a "feature-length toy commercial".

Caryn James of the ''New York Times'' admitted in the [[August 9]], 1986, edition of the paper that the film was intended for young children, pointing out that the kids in the audience were having a grand ole time with the ''Transformer'' toys and comics they brought with them to the theater, but derided the film as having little to no appeal to adults.

''Variety's Film Reviews 1985-1986, Volume 19 '' was far less even-handed in their review, claiming the film had no appeal to adults ''or'' children. They predicted the film would perform poorly in the box office (and were correct, in that regard).

Carrie Rickey of the ''Dallas Morning News'' chided the film in the [[August 13]], 1986, issue of the paper, describing it as "essentially a cartoon ''Star Wars'' about robots from a toybox galaxy far, far away". She then went on to say that the film "never takes off" and derided it as "uninspired".

Janice Kennedy of the ''Montreal Gazette'' verbally disemboweled the film in the [[August 23]], 1986, edition of the paper, criticizing it as overly commercial, profane, loud, violent, humorless, heavy-handed in its religious messages and chaulk-full of gratuitous celebrity voice-overs. Her only compliment: "But ''The Transformers: The Movie'' does have at least one good thing going for it, a howlingly appropriate song by [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]. It's title? ''Dare to be Stupid''." ''Ouch''.

Nanciann Cherry in the August 13, 1986, edition of the ''Toledo Blade'' claimed the robots in the movie had little personality and faded into the background. She even went on to say that ''[[GoBots]]: {{gb|GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords|Battle of the Rock Lords}}'' was a superior film! Her review was filled with inaccuracies, however, citing characters such as "Unicon" and claiming that the destruction of Cybertron's moons by "Unicon" is what caused the Autobots to travel to Autobot City, at which point Megatron attacked. To be fair, she readily admits, "About 20 minutes into the film, I gave up on the plot and tried to count all the ideas that were stolen from other sources. Now that kept me busy." So she wasn't really paying attention, anyway.

Kathryn Buxton in the [[August 22]], 1986, edition of the ''Palm Beach Post'' gave the film a whopping ''one'' star, calling it "a ripoff of a successful toyline", whatever ''that'' means. In the same article, she also gave David Cronenberg's ''[[Fly|The Fly]]'' one star, just for reference.

In the August 8, 1986, edition of the ''LA Times'', critic Charles Solomon made clear his dislike for the film centered primarily on the fact that none of the characters had interesting or believable motivation. He stated, "Not even the best actor can create a character out of nothing. Not one of the robots has a reason for doing what he does." Solomon then pointed to Unicron specifically as an example of the lack of deep, multi-dimensional motivations in the characters.

Over time, however, the movie has acquired something of a cult following beyond the core base of [[fandom|Transformers fans]], particularly among children of the '80s. It is sometimes screened as a midnight movie at colleges. Online, it is not hard to find amateur reviews lauding everything about it as utterly awesome, from the premise to the soundtrack, and dismissing more critical views out of hand. ''The Transformers: The Movie'' currently holds a 60% "fresh" rating based on 25 professional reviews at online review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_the_movie/</ref> In response to the film's cult following, several reviewers have compared the film in a favourable light to the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]]s (prior to the unprecedented critical success of [[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]), stating that they lack the heart or nostalgia of the '86 movie.<ref>https://www.inverse.com/article/7309-6-enduring-legacies-of-1986-s-animated-the-transformers-the-movie</ref><ref>https://slate.com/culture/2007/07/transformers-why-the-original-animated-movie-is-still-the-best.html</ref><ref>https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sorry-Michael-Bay-Why-1986-Transformers-Movie-Best-43582.html</ref>

===Box office===
An [[August 30]]th, 1987 ''Los Angeles Times'' article on the decline and fall of the DeLaurentiis Entertainment Group listed ''The Transformers: The Movie'' as grossing $2.6 million in the United States on a $5 million budget.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-30-fi-5144-story.html</ref> Both it and ''My Little Pony: The Movie'' (which earned $2.8 million on a $5.5 million budget per that same article) were financial failures, together losing Hasbro about $10 million in an otherwise profitable year.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=... we just accidentally found the budget for The Transformers: The Movie while skimming a book about My Little Pony. Thanks, @sherilyn! https://t.co/epw3GW83lE|link=https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/895169922678042625|name=TFWiki|site=Twitter|year=2017|month=08|day=09|(defunct=)}}</ref>

Confusingly, in comparison to the ''Los Angeles Times'' article, modern box office tracking sites<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers.htm</ref><ref>http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1986/0TRTM.php</ref> list ''The Transformers: The Movie'' as having made $5,849,647 in domestic (e.g., United States) theaters. Comparing this with the other online box office takes from animated films of 1986, the results are not particularly charitable; while it did better financially than ''{{gb|GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords}}''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gobots.htm</ref> ($1,338,264) and ''Heathcliff: The Movie''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=heathcliff.htm</ref> ($2,610,686), it performed worse than the 1986 ''[[My Little Pony]]'' movie<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mylittlepony.htm</ref> ($5,958,456) and the '''second''' ''Care Bears'' movie<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=carebearsmovie2.htm</ref> ($8,540,346). Bringing up ''The Great Mouse Detective''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=greatmousedetective.htm</ref> ($25,336,794) and ''An American Tail''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=americantail.htm</ref> ($47,483,002) would really just be overkill.

==Significance in Transfandom==
''The Transformers: The Movie'' remains one of the most important elements of the entire Transformers brand, both within the fiction and from the perspective of the brand's popularity and "mindshare".

Fictionally, it established several story concepts that have been used repeatedly in the years since 1986, some of which—such as Unicron and the Matrix—are now central to the entire Transformers mythos. The movie is also the centerpiece of the most well-known Transformers continuity: the Generation 1 animated universe. The ''Transformers'' cartoon is split into "pre-movie" and "post-movie" sections which feature different characters and settings, and even somewhat different visual styles. (Most pre-movie episodes were animated by the studio [[Toei Animation|Toei]], while most post-movie episodes were animated by [[AKOM]].)

On a practical note, it was widely available on videotape, and remained so long after the ''The Transformers'' cartoon had gone off the air. Only a [[Family Home Entertainment|handful of series episodes]] were available on video, making ''The Transformers: The Movie'' the logical choice for someone looking to pick up a ''Transformers'' cartoon; this made it far more well known among fans than any particular cartoon episode.

To an entire generation of young fans, the movie was the most visually spectacular and narratively epic ''Transformers'' experience of their entire youth. Events such as the death of Optimus Prime are widely reported to have reduced many kids to tears. It is hardly a surprise that these emotional experiences embedded themselves deeply in many fans' memories.

Latter-day ''Transformers'' stories have made uncountable references (though [[The Transformers: The Movie/references|we're trying]]) to the movie, lifting or borrowing elements of its [[Minus One|dialogue]], [[The Transformers: Autocracy|fight sequences]], [[A Flash Forward|subplots]], [[Heavy Is the Head|details]], [[Less Than Zero|settings]] and more, as writers have discovered that a shout-out to the movie is a quick and easy way to win cheers from [[GEEWUN|some segments]] of [[Fandom|their audience]]. Even Hasbro and Takara themselves have gotten in on the act, producing a variety of toys based on the minutia of the film: [[Starscream (Armada)#Cybertron|Starscream's crown]], [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#United|Galvatron's creation]], the awakening of [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Rodimus Prime]], and more. The fandom, for their part, pores over new ''Transformers'' fiction, often latching on to even the most tangential of details as a [[The Search for Alpha Trion#Quotes|"reference"]] to the movie, [[The Burden Hardest to Bear|coincidental or not]]. Call-outs, real or perceived, were once a rare treat - but now are so common that many fans are more likely to groan than cheer whenever some version of Optimus Prime declares that "[[One Shall Fall|One shall stand...]]" or a damaged character states that "[[Unfinished|I still function]]" or a vengeful blast is preceded by "[[The Illusion of Control|Here's a hint]]" or yet another Soundwave says yet another variation of "[[Human Error, Part II|Soundwave superior]]", or... well... this:

<center><gallery>
File:Transformersanimatedfilmposter.jpg|'86
File:TFTM1.jpg|'86 again
File:Botcon2000-movieposter.jpg|2000
File:TFvol1 31cvrRI.jpg|2010
File:Timelines10 diamonded.jpg|2014
File:Echoes and Fragments cover.jpg|2016
File:LL1 Riptcvr.jpg|2018
</gallery></center>

In 2016, thirty years after the release of the film, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] gave us perhaps one of the most meta comeback lines in franchise history. When [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] declares that "Today — one shall stand, and two shall fall!", Optimus simply punches him in the face with a flat "No cliches, Galvatron", voicing once and for all just how sick we've gotten of '86 quotes. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}}

{{quote|...wait, I only just noticed something. Did they actually manage to go the entire episode without quoting the 86 movie?|[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/94625-episode-65-beast-hunters-episode-13/page-4#entry2360303 Allspark poster Unit Eleven]}}

==Criticisms==
[[File:TFTM Ratchet dies.jpg|left|thumb|Only [[Stormtrooper (SW)|Imperial Stormtroopers]] are so precise.]]
All this is not all to say that the movie is a "masterpiece", exactly. The film met with extremely harsh critical reviews on its release, and some of those criticisms still ring true today.

The film displays an arguably cynical attitude towards itself as [[To sell toys|a vehicle for advertising toys]], especially in the way [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast|beloved characters]] are killed—sometimes gratuitously—for sake of justifying the story's focus on a new group of toys. (Note that with the exception of Laserbeak and possibly Buzzsaw, the poster at the top of this article features ''only'' new characters.)

Further, the two primary plot devices—[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]—have no prior establishment in the fiction. Unicron is given no backstory ([[Call of the Primitives|until season 3]]) or justification; he simply exists, is very dangerous, and is afraid of the Matrix, all for no adequately explained reason. The introduction of the Matrix itself is a heavy [[retcon]]. The story asks the audience to accept that this cosmically powerful artifact has been in Optimus Prime's possession all along (even though Prime's open-chested repair scene in "[[Divide and Conquer]]" and his X-ray scene in "[[A Prime Problem]]" show absolutely no signs of said Matrix), but has somehow never been relevant before. In fact, this lack of prior establishment is what led [[Simon Furman]] to develop the divinity backstory of Unicron and [[Primus]] in the UK comics run.

[[File:Megatronlightsaber.jpg|thumb|Your powers are weak, old man!]]
The movie bears many similarities to ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'': There are several character-parallels ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]] is a [[Han Solo]]-type and [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] even has Princess Leia's hairdo!), the primary threat is similar (it's the [[Death Star]]... [[Unicron/Generation 1|but it transforms!]]), and both feature a climactic battle where the [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|young hero]] hears the voice of his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|dead, wise mentor]] one last time before saving the day.

To be a bit more fair to ''The Transformers: The Movie'', however, most of these similarities are either superficial (Arcee's Leia-hair; Megatron's "lightsaber" he briefly uses in his duel against Optimus Prime) or can be seen as elements common to thousands of years' worth of epic storytelling through human history, not just common to ''Star Wars''. As a simple example, the phenomenon of two charismatic leaders dealing each other mortal injuries in battle hearkens back to some versions of the "[[King Arthur]]" myth; in their final battle, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arthur]] and his arch-enemy [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sir Mordred]] deal one another lethal injuries and both apparently expire—though Arthur according to the legend will [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|return]] when [[Cybertron (planet)|England]]'s need [[Darkest hour|is greatest]].
{{--}}

==Formatting==
[[File:Tftm widescreenesque.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The "widescreen" picture (left) actually ''cuts off'' the top and bottom of the fullscreen picture (right). Your eyes can deceive you; don't trust them.]]
Although it was billed in some advertisements before its theatrical release as being "widescreen", the movie was in fact animated in a 4:3 (fullscreen) aspect ratio. For its theatrical screenings, the film was matted down in the projector by the projectionist to a 16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen), chopping the top and bottom off the picture, but all video transfers of the movie were done without mattes, meaning that there was actually more picture visible in the fullscreen video and DVD releases than there would have been in theaters. Across 2006 and 2007, new editions of the DVD of the film were released by Sony BMG and [[Metrodome]] which applied the mattes in order to replicate the original theatrical presentation of the film for the first time in home entertainment. Some fans, however, didn't realize that the film wasn't actually ''animated'' in widescreen, and, hearing that the DVD was to be in widescreen, expected to see the fullscreen image with additional footage at the sides, causing them to complain that the top and bottom were cut off, thereby totally missing the point.
{{--}}

==International versions==
{{main|The Transformers: The Movie/dubs}}

==Commercial releases==
[[File:TFTM LaserDisc cover.jpg|thumb|The cover image from the original Japanese home media release of the movie.]]
*The movie was originally released in North America on VHS and Beta on [[September 17]], 1987<ref>http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19870911&id=YhAuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ls8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3198,2881581</ref> by [[Family Home Entertainment]], minus Spike's swear. Just days before, on [[September 14]], 1987<ref>https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003579/19870910/016/0016</ref>, it was released in the UK by [[Video Gems]]. This version featured the opening text crawl and closing narration inherent to the UK version of the film. In Australia, the film was released on video by RCA/Columbia Pictures/Hoyts. In Japan, [[Sohbi Kikaku|Hill Crane]] released a {{w|LaserDisc}} version alongside a VHS copy, both sporting a gorgeous painted cover that decorated many a fan's desktop back in the day.
*The movie was released spottily in the '90s, beginning with a budget VHS by Avid Home Entertainment in 1991. [[Malofilm]] released a VHS in Canada in 1995, notable for being the first home entertainment version to include Spike's swear. In 1998, Japanese company Pioneer produced another pair of LaserDisc and VHS releases. In 1999, things kicked off when American company [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] secured the Transformers license and released the film on VHS once again.
*The 21st century's flirtation with ''The Transformers: The Movie'' started with a UK budget VHS release of that country's version by [[Sony|Sony Wonder]], distributed by [[Maverick Entertainment]]. A Japanese company called CatCo followed this up with a VideoCD, and Malofilm—now Seville—were the first to release a DVD version of the film, though it was just a dump of their VHS version.
*In November 2000, ''The Transformers: The Movie'' got its first, full professional DVD release from Kid Rhino. This edition, labelled a "Special Collector's Edition", is the first to feature remastered video and audio, and several special features, including storyboards and an interview with [[Vince DiCola]]. Rhino concurrently released this version on VHS, sans extras.
*In 2001 in the UK, Sony Wonder released their own much-delayed DVD version of the film. It was the UK version of the film, but included Spike's swear. However, the release was burdened by badly interlaced video, though it notably included the [[Omni Productions]] dub version of the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]" as an extra. This version (including the ''Headmasters'' episode) was simultaneously released on VHS.
*The movie was released on DVD in Australia in 2003 by [[Madman Entertainment]], using the same video as the Maverick version, but distinguished by some nifty new cover art by [[Don Figueroa]], and special features not seen on other editions, such as ''[[Stan Bush|The Touch]]'' music video and 80s TV spots.
[[File:Tftm uk covers.jpg|thumb|The UK poster art (left) has been the most common DVD and VHS cover in its home country, but the Ultimate Edition featured new art by Andy Wildman (right).]]
*After acquiring the license to release ''Transformers'' DVDs in the UK, [[Metrodome]] focused on completing their run of series box sets before turning their attention to the movie properly, releasing only a cheap budget DVD of the UK version through Prism Leisure with no extras, and a UMD of the same version.
*In 2005, Metrodome released ''Transformers: The Movie - Reconstructed'', a new version of the film designed to expose as much of the animated picture as possible. This, however, only resulted in exposing the rough, unfinished edges of the animation, and an overly pale remaster was compounded by excessive interlacing due to an unnecessary NTSC to PAL transfer. This, coupled with a 5.1 remix from [[Magno Sound & Video]], featuring the same extra sound effects that they added to Rhino's season box sets, made this release both controversial and disappointing to many. This was the first time that the US version of the movie was released in the UK, and the first to feature the US poster art as a cover (although a Silverscreen store exclusive version of the disc included a reversible cover with the UK poster art as well). Extras include trailers, TV spots, the character biographies from the Madman release, a looped version of the Lion ''Transformers'' theme on the main menu, and a subtitled version of "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]".
[[File:Tftm sony covers.jpg|thumb|Sony's covers, by Don Figueroa.]]
*For the movie's 20th anniversary in 2006, new license holder [[Sony|Sony BMG]] released a two-disc special edition of the film, featuring both a high-quality widescreen remaster and the original fullscreen version, audio commentaries from crew and fans, several new featurettes interviewing those involved in the movie's production, storyboards, TV spots, American and Japanese commercials and more. Most notably, this version included the first Western release of "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]", albeit silent and unsubtitled, featuring only audio commentary. Also very notable is that this version includes an actual deleted scene from the animated film as an extra, though it is more of interest as a curiosity than anything it actually contains, being an approximately 2-second-long aerial view of the Autobots running towards the critically damaged Optimus Prime. This release featured two covers by Don Figueroa: one is of the '84-'85 cast that appear in the movie, and one is of the movie's new characters, available either as a lenticular hologram that switches between the two, or as a reversible sleeve with the images printed on either side.
[[File:Tftm madman covers.jpg|thumb|Madman's 2003 DVD cover (left), and their 2007 Special Edition cover (right).]]
*Delayed a bit to coincide with the hype for the 2007 [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], Metrodome also released a two-disc "Ultimate Edition" with a different widescreen master. Like "Reconstructed", this version used the US edition of the film, but this time, the UK version was also included, in fullscreen, on the second disc. Extras include TV spots, commercials, the Madman biographies, storyboards, commentary, "Scramble City" (with audio and subtitles), featurettes with [[Flint Dille]] and [[Peter Cullen]], and more. The double-disc edition was sold in a steel case featuring new art by [[Andrew Wildman]], with the UK poster art adorning the standard case inside. Various store exclusives were available, including postcards from Play.Com, a reversible cover with the US poster art from HMV, art cards from Virgin Megastore and [[posters]] from Woolworths and [[Toys"R"Us]]. It was also available in an extra-less single-disc version. This version was premiered at the Mid Ulster Film Festival in Ireland which was the only cinema showing of the remastered version of the film to date.
[[File:ShoutFactory TFTM BluDVD.jpg|thumb|Shout! Factory's 2016 Blu-ray cover.]]
*The film was released in Full HD 1080p on Blu-ray in the UK in October 2007. The Blu-ray is not region-locked, so it will play anywhere in the world. It features a 2.0 soundtrack, 5.1 Dolby Digital track, and a full bitrate DTS 5.1 track. The master used was the same used by Sony for their US DVD. Sadly, there are no extras on the DVD. The version of the film on the Blu-ray is the US one, complete with curse words.
*Madman produced their two-disc special edition through some collaboration with Metrodome, and consequently it features much of the same content, with additional extras taking the form of The Touch music video and a bonus episode of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. This release again features cover artwork by Don Figueroa, specifically the cover of [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' adaptation.
*For the film's 30th Anniversary, and after being out of print in the US for 10 years, the film was rereleased on Region 1 DVD and given its first Region A Blu-ray release on [[September 13]], [[2016]] by [[Shout! Factory]]. Both versions are sourced from a brand-new 4K transfer which underwent extensive color-correction and remastering, and a Steelbook packaging variant of the Blu-ray was also made available.<ref>[https://www.shoutfactory.com/film/action-adventure/the-transformers-the-movie-limited-edition-30th-anniversary-steelbook The Transformers: The Movie Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Steelbook]</ref> The Steelbook Blu-ray was released in the UK by [[Manga Entertainment]] as a limited edition on December 12, 2016, followed by a standard edition release a year later.
*On September 27, 2018, Fathom Events screened the movie at select theaters in the United States. The movie was preceded by an interview with [[Travis Knight]] and [[Hailee Steinfeld]] and a preview of a scene from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', and followed by a short featurette of Stan Bush discussing the music he contributed to the movie and performing acoustic versions of ''The Touch'' and ''Dare''.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/08/01/1986-transformers-movie-hitting-theaters-one-night-only-369314 1986 Transformers Movie Hitting Theaters One Night Only!]</ref> Cineplex would later show the movie in Canadian theaters on October 4.
*For the 35th anniversary, Shout! Factory produced the first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of the movie — presented in widescreen only — and a remastered fullscreen 1080p Blu-ray. Feature-length storyboards and the Stan Bush featurette from the 2018 Fathom Events screening were added as new bonus features. The two discs were first made available in a limited edition SteelBook with four art cards on [[August 3]], [[2021]]<ref>[https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-transformers-the-movie-35th-anniversary-limited-edition-steelbook?product_id=7636 The Transformers: The Movie [35th Anniversary Limited Edition Steelbook]]</ref>; a wide release in standard packaging followed on [[September 28]]<ref>[https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-transformers-the-movie-35th-anniversary-edition?product_id=7668 The Transformers: The Movie [35th Anniversary Edition]]</ref>, as did a third set comprised of the new fullscreen Blu-ray and a widescreen DVD<ref>[https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-transformers-the-movie-35th-anniversary-edition-1?product_id=7667 The Transformers: The Movie [35th Anniversary Edition]]</ref>. Cover art for the new releases was created by [[Matt Ferguson]].
**Region B versions of the Shout! Factory 35th Anniversary discs were distributed by Funimation and released on [[October 25]], and an additional collector's edition set was made exclusive to Zavvi, packaging the 4K and Blu-ray discs with an art book, poster and six art cards.<ref>[https://www.zavvi.com/blu-ray/the-transformers-the-movie-35th-anniversary-zavvi-exclusive-4k-ultra-hd-limited-collectors-edition-includes-blu-ray/13169855.html The Transformers: The Movie 35th Anniversary - Zavvi Exclusive 4K Ultra HD Limited Collectors Edition (Includes Blu-ray)]</ref> Zavvi also partnered with Ferguson to release a line of art prints and apparel featuring his cover art.
*Fathom Events once again returned the film to select theaters on [[September 26]]–[[September 27|27]], 2021, accompanied by a set of [[The Transformers: The Movie 35th Anniversary Stop Motions|stop-motion comedy videos]] inspired by the film.

==Television broadcasts==
Following a segmented, five-part broadcast during [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season of ''The Transformers'']], the complete feature film was aired on American television in 1989 via Fox stations. Air dates and times were June 17 at Noon, July 30 at 11 A.M. and September 2 at 10 A.M. Of course, this was the language-edited video release from Family Home Entertainment.

The movie was aired on [[Hub Network|The Hub]] on February 18, 2012, following [[Orion Pax, Part 1|the Season 2 premiere]] of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' on what was called "Transformers Mega Saturday". Uniquely, this version combined the European opening narration with the US scrawl-free opening credits, muted the two swear words (rendering the lines as "It isn't even dented! ...What do we do now?!" and "Open... ''Open!''"), used the European closing narration at the end, and sped up the scroll of the end credits to cut it down for time, ending the lyrics of the [[theme song]] around the beginning of its second verse ("Strong enough to break the bravest heart..."). Subsequent re-airings on The Hub aired this version of the movie.

The American television airing of the feature film adds one extra sound effect, and it has never been heard in any other release. During the scene when Arcee is racing to jump aboard the departing Autobot shuttle, there is a distinctive sound effect when she jumps. In all other releases there is no sound effect.

A July 4, 2014 Hub broadcast of the movie markets it as ''Transformers: The Animated Movie'', distinguishing it from that computer animation/live action [[Transformers (film)|hybrid film]] with the similar title made two decades and one year later.

==Notes==
*According to [[Buzz Dixon]], Hasbro's decision to kill off Optimus Prime was actually an attempt to maintain some brand-storytelling parity with ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', as Dixon had just convinced them to allow the death of [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] in ''{{w|G.I. Joe: The Movie}}'' and both films were in production at the same time.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20151215034944/http://www.joeheadquarters.com/interviews_dixon.shtml</ref>

*After reading [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|first draft]] of the movie's script, [[Flint Dille]] and [[Jay Bacal]] hastily wrote and proposed a script of their own, "[[The Secret of Cybertron]]", which later informed the cartoon five-parter "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]". Elements of this script also supposedly made it into the finished film, but no copy of the script has ever surfaced.

*This film was the last professional performance by [[Orson Welles]], who died only a month later. According to production materials shown at [[BotCon 2000]] by Tim Finn, the voice recording sessions for ''The Transformers: The Movie'' were done on [[September 10]] and [[September 11|11]] of 1985. Welles died on [[October 10]] of that same year. It has often been speculated that Unicron's last line ("Destiny… you cannot destroy my destiny!") was recorded by another actor—possibly [[Leonard Nimoy|Nimoy]]—because it sounds different than the other lines. This speculation has been quashed by statements by Transformers voice director [[Wally Burr]].<ref>http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/wally-burr/wally-burr-3.html</ref>
[[File:Windcharger wheeljack otp.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru!!]]

*With the exception of Starscream and possibly Shockwave, only the Autobots suffered fatalities in the movie. All of the other "dead" Decepticons from the Autobot City battle were rebuilt into Galvatron's new troops, and although more Decepticons were shown taking heavy damage and suffering huge casualties while fighting Unicron, their identities and their final condition are uncertain. Additionally, both Starscream and Unicron survived in the post-movie series in some form or another. Shockwave's death in the finished film is highly uncertain, although in the script it is fairly strongly implied. Regardless, Shockwave was originally intended to appear in the immediate post-movie story "Five Faces of Darkness", serving in the role that was ultimately given to Blitzwing, before an internal [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] memo clarified that his character had been dropped from the series.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bid3TK_q2HxH7NR5MDAlGsKe5AlcbBnU/view Partial outline of "Five Faces of Darkness", covering Parts 3 to 5]</ref> Shockwave does make some miscolored appearances in crowd shots in later cartoon episodes, but these are probably examples of the fairly common animation errors in those episodes.

*Somewhat ironically, though only three of the original eighteen Autobots — [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] — are definitively shown to have survived the movie, two would quite literally never be heard from again: [[Scatman Crothers]] passed away (though this didn't stop Jazz from making any number of background cameos) while Casey Kasem [[Casey Kasem#Notes|quit the show early in the third season]]. Fate's finger is fickle indeed.

*The Dinobots spend the majority of the film in their dinosaur modes, a practice that would eventually carry into season 3 of the cartoon. Swoop is the only one to spend extended amounts of time in robot mode, due to the anatomical issues of walking in a flight-based mode. However, there are some instances where they're briefly shown in robot mode for blink-and-you-miss-it moments, for no reason whatsoever. Additionally, despite his constant presence among the Dinobots, Sludge has no lines in the film at all.

*Unicron's roars in the movie were stock vocalizations originally created for Marvel Productions' 1982 ''The Incredible Hulk'' animated series and performed by voice actor Bob Holt, who voiced the [[Hulk]] in that show. Holt otherwise never voiced a character in the Marvel/Sunbow Transformers series (although he was a regular member of the ''{{gb|Challenge of the GoBots (cartoon)|Challenge of the GoBots}}'' cast as the original voice of [[Cop-Tur (GoBots)|Cop-Tur]]), and had passed away the year before ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was released in 1986. Thus, Unicron has the distinction of featuring ''two'' posthumous performances for the same Transformers character in a single production.

*[[:File:TFTM-MaybeBeachcomber.jpg|A robot resembling Beachcomber]] appears alongside Spike and the Autobots inside Unicron seconds before Daniel blasts the acid cover. Whether this was actually meant to be Beachcomber or just coincidental coloring is unknown, but regardless, Beachcomber shows up alive and well in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]".

*Pieces of music from the movie would later be used in the [[Commodore 64]] version of ''Turrican''. For instance, basically unaltered bits of "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWFx-Go6Y6A Escape]" make up [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6jjpwpDVNY Subsong Two of the game's title theme].
{{--}}

===Foreign names===
*''German:'' '''''Transformers: Der Kampf um Cybertron''''' ("Transformers: The Battle for Cybertron", TV airings only)
*''French:'' '''''La Guerre des Robots''''' ("The War of the Robots")
*''Japanese:'' '''''トランスフォーマーザ・ムービー''''' ("Transformers: The Movie")

==External links==
*[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3212281345/weekend/ ''The Transformers: The Movie''{{'}}s box office domestic gross]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/mp-4034-transformers-movie-sunbow.html ''The Transformers: The Movie'' outlines, scripts, storyboards, concept art and model sheets]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20211021062746/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/movie/movie.html ''The Transformers: The Movie'' Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080426020409/http://www.tftm.net/ ''The Transformers: The Movie'' "Unofficial Fansite", an extremely thorough site about the movie] (archived)
*[http://zobovor.tripod.com/transformers_the_movie_bloopers.html ''The Transformers: The Movie'' bloopers]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 1 media]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Space Bots

2024-05-20T06:36:21Z

Repowers: /* Real-world references */ how'd we miss this??

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]'' ep 38
|prev=What Rises Above
|next=The Island of Misfit Tech
|image=SpaceBots Heatwave flying in space.jpg
|caption=Don't let go.
|title="Space Bots"
|season=2
|season ep=12
|airdate=[[May 10]], [[2014]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|animation studio=[[Vision Animation]]
|writer=[[Greg Johnson]]
|director=[[Nathan Chew]]
}}

'''When Doc Greene and Graham are stranded in orbit, the Rescue Bots take to the stars to rescue them.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:SpaceBots last second save.jpg|thumb|left|250px|No, no, no, Houston, don't be anxious. Anxiety is bad for the heart.]]
[[Huxley Prescott]] introduces a new space elevator, the ''[[Asgard]]'', which will launch into space on a [[laser]]. In mission control, [[Anna Baranova|Professor Baranova]] is wondering where the ship's crew is — as it turns out, [[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]]'s plain forgotten about the launch, while [[Graham Burns]] is having launch day jitters. The [[Rescue Bot]]s try to help by reminding Graham that they have experience with space travel, but Graham's not convinced. Soon everything is ready though, and the countdown underway. Prescott, excited to bring his viewers a front row seat, sends his [[Robo-camera|hover camera]] in, but the device accidentally gets too close and interrupts one of the laser beams for the elevator. With the laser nearing overload, there's a danger the ''Asgard'' will be destroyed. Graham and Doc Greene attempt to escape but find they're sealed in, and are forced to return to their launch chairs. The Rescue Bots swing into action, lifting the craft so that [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] can get to the camera and remove it from the laser, and the launch goes off successfully.

[[File:SpaceBots astronauts.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I know I'm devastatingly good looking, but you gotta stop staring at me.]]
[[Frankie Greene|Frankie]], [[Cody Burns|Cody]] and the [[Charlie Burns|Chief]] check with Baranova, who says everything went fine post-launch, so they return to the fire house to use the telescope on the roof. As the ''Asgard'' heads upwards, Doc Greene suspects he's forgotten something, while Graham panics every time something minor happens. The elevator finally reaches the top, at which point Graham is violently sick into Doc Greene's lunch bag—the Doc forgot the motion sickness bags. Down on Earth, Frankie peers at the ''Asgard'' through the telescope, while the Rescue Bots wonder if one of them should have gone too, though they admit to never having done a space rescue before. They spot a meteor through the telescope, though Frankie says it's not going to go near the ''Asgard''. Unfortunately the meteor happens to plough through a cluster of asteroids, sending a number of them spinning. Graham and the Doc are about to go get lunch when the impact alarm sounds, and an errant asteroid strikes the ship, sheering off one of the pods.

[[File:SpaceBots Boulder saves hippos.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Clear skies with a chance of satellite debris.]]
Baranova reports that the ship's comms are down, but they're retracting the elevator to bring the ''Asgard'' back to Earth. Of more concern, debris from the ''Asgard'' is about to rain down on the island, so the team swings into action. [[Chase (RB)|Chase]] and [[Boulder]] use foam to contain two of the pieces, while Heatwave punches one into the ocean, and [[Blades (RB)|Blades]] uses a deft maneuver involving his scoop claw to take out the last two. With the island safe, the team returns to the launch pad, however when the laser finally deactivates, the ''Asgard'' is nowhere to be seen. They realize that the ''Asgard'' has been knocked from the laser beam. Baranova rings [[NASA]], but they don't have any way to launch a rescue mission on short notice. Luckily the Chief has a contingency plan.

[[File:SpaceBots Heatwave vented.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Either I make it down there in one piece and I have one hell of a story to tell. Or I burn up in the next ten minutes. Either way whichever way, no harm no foul. Cos either way, it'll be one hell of a ride. I'm ready.]]
On the ''Asgard'', Graham and Doc Greene discover that their air supply has been leaking away, and they have a half-hour of air left. Help isn't far away, as the rescue team enters the hidden hanger containing the Rescue Bots' ship, the ''[[Sigma]]''. Meanwhile Graham and Doc realize that they have an oxygen supply in the form of the greenhouse pod. They seal themselves in there, unaware that one of the exterior windows is cracked. The ''Sigma'' lifts off from its hanger under the [[basketball]] court, and the Rescue Bots discover Cody is aboard, having accidentally stowed away while bringing a first aid kit. Heatwave has Cody get into his passenger compartment for safety. Doc Greene notices the swiftly-spreading crack in the window, however the ''Sigma'' arrives soon enough, and Heatwave space-walks over to the ''Asgard''. Entering the other ship, he finds Doc and Graham and has them climb inside him, just before the window breaks. Heatwave clings on, but is ultimately sucked out into space. All seems lost until Cody has the idea of using Heatwave's water reserves as propulsion, and they're able to jet back to the ''Sigma''.

Some time later, the ''Sigma'' carries the ''Asgard'' back to Earth on a cable, and lands. The space travelers are reunited with their family on the ground. They quickly come up with a splashdown explanation to give Baranova. The Rescue Bots muse it was nice to take the ''Sigma'' for a spin again.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Boulder]] (7)
*[[Chase (RB)|Chase]] (8)
*[[Blades (RB)|Blades]] (9)
*[[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] (10)

|c3=
*[[Huxley Prescott]] (1)
*[[Anna Baranova]] (2)
*[[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]] (3)
*[[Frankie Greene]] (4)
*[[Graham Burns]] (5)
*[[Cody Burns]] (6)
*[[Charlie Burns]] (11)
*[[Kade Burns]] (12)
*[[Dani Burns]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
"The good news is, once you're at zero gravity you can't plummet back down to Earth."
:—'''Blades''' trying to help calm Graham's nerves.

"I get sick riding teeter totters."
:—'''Graham'''

"Difficult to believe that we're still connected to Griffin Rock, a hundred and forty miles below us. That's over seven hundred and thirty nine thousand sandwiches stacked end to end."
:—'''Doc Greene''' puts distance into perspective.

"Now what?! We did not train for this! At least I didn't. I may have missed that day."
:—'''Blades'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The ''Asgard'' uses a similar design aesthetic to the ''[[Midgard]]'', Baranova's previous design from "[[The Griffin Rock Triangle]]", which was also her introductory episode.
* Chase and Boulder use Energize tool versions of the [[Collision Foam Cannon]] from "[[Blame the Gremlins]]".

===Transformers references===
* (tbd)

===Real-world references===
* Baranova contacts [[NASA]].
* The idea of a {{w|space elevator}} has roots as far back as 1895, with multiple concepts having been explored during the mid 20th century using tools such as carbon nanotubes.
* Like the ''Midgard'', the ''Asgard'' takes its name from Norse mythology—{{w|Asgard}} being the realm inhabited by the gods.
* The ''Sigma'' emerges from a slide-open basketball court, homaging the launch of the X-Jet in the first live-action X-Men movie, complete with a basketball falling into the opening doors.

===Animation and technical errors===
* Before the title sequence, the countdown is down to 7 seconds. It takes somewhat longer than that for the Rescue Bots to remove the camera.
* At several points, the ''Asgard'' experiences periods of weightlessness. It's later revealed to have a waterfall and stream in one of the pods, which ought to have caused problems.
* In the shot of Griffin Rock as the laser first activates, parts of the scene seem to be colored as though it's night. Noticeably the normally light brown sand is rendered dark brown, and all of the buildings have lights on.
* Chase's arm clips through the hinge on the ''Sigma''{{'}}s ramp as he exits the ship.
* When Heatwave inserts Cody in his chest, his windshield lowers like a typical car's side window. In all other instances of his chest opening, it bends at the base.

===Trivia===
* This episode was later adapted into storybook form as ''[[Blast Off!]]''.
* The point of having a countdown for launches is that you can halt it if something's wrong. Clearly Griffin Rock mission control missed the memo!
* Apparently a meteoroid, which is a {{w|Meteoroid|small piece of rock in space}}, can give great velocity to a gigantic object {{w|Asteroid|that is classified as a small planet}}!
* When Heatwave sprays water to propel himself, the water trail accumulates into large droplets. This is how water behaves in space, and it’s a really nice touch on the part of the animators!

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La conquête de l'espace'''" ("The Space Conquest")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Űrbotok'''" ("Space Bots")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 20|20 November]] [[2014]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''I Rescue Bot nello spazio'''" ("Rescue Bots in Space")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 15|15 July]] [[2017]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Missão Espacial'''" ("Space Mission")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 1|1 April]] [[2015]] (Netflix)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Rescue Bots'' — "Space Bots" ([[Beyond Home Entertainment]])<br />

[[Category:Rescue Bots episodes]]

Bumblebee (G1)

2024-02-26T03:30:11Z

Repowers: Nicknames moved to trivia.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|ascenticon|decepticon|primusvanguard|hofsilver}}
{{Disambigm|Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Goldbug (disambiguation)}}
{{suite}}
:''Bumblebee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:BumblebeeRIC.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|Ahoy-hoy!]]
'''Bumblebee''' is one of the smallest and physically weakest Autobots. While his stature allows him to do his job better than most Autobots could manage, he is self-conscious about his size. Maybe this is why he makes fast friends among the humans. He looks up (so to speak) to the other Autobots, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but what he doesn't realize is that ''they'' look up to ''him''. He may be small, but he's brave, and he's one of the most well-liked Autobots around. Bumblebee already has the respect he craves.

As '''Goldbug''' (or '''Goldfire''')—his [[Renaming|rebuilt]] and "matured" form—Bumblebee retains most of his earlier strengths and weaknesses, but without his crippling need for approval. (This is true of some "matured" versions of Bumblebee without new names or bodies, as well, but is quite markedly associated with the change to Goldbug).

{{quote|Some of my best friends are humans.|Bumblebee, on his kid-friendly nature|"[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|This iteration's not too fond of freelance peacekeeping agents.]]
{{Main|Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
Bumblebee was one of the several [[Autobot]]s who were carving a path through space for their planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when the [[Decepticon]]s attacked their spacecraft, the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], forcing them to crash-land on [[Earth]] 4 million years ago. When Bumblebee and the others were awoken in 1984, Bumblebee quickly befriended the [[human]] teenager [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]].

A few years later, Bumblebee was destroyed either by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] or [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt into a more formidable form, Goldbug. In this form he joined [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and the [[Throttlebot]]s and exiled the Autobots while they were under the rule of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. After being destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and the [[Underbase]], Goldbug was rebuilt by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] into a [[Pretender]] form and was restored as Bumblebee. He participated in the [[Matrix Quest]] and survived their race's united battle against the Chaos Bringer, [[Unicron]].

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:PlagueOfInsecticons Bumblebee and Spike hide.jpg|left|thumb|I wonder if he wanted a job as a mechanic?]]
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

Bumblebee was one of the several [[Autobot]]s who were searching for energy when the [[Decepticon]]s attacked their [[Ark (G1)|spacecraft]], forcing them to crash-land on [[Earth]] 4 million years ago. When Bumblebee and the others were awoken in 1984, Bumblebee quickly befriended the [[human]] teenager [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]].

Bumblebee and Spike would remain friends up through Spike's adulthood, and were stationed on one of Cybertron's moons in 2005 after the Decepticons conquered Cybertron. Bumblebee survived [[Unicron]]'s attack on Cybertron, and remained in action during the leadership of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]].

When Bumblebee was damaged badly during the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in 2006, he had to be rebuilt into a new form, Goldbug. Goldbug would live to see the next Cybertronian Golden Age.

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
Bumblebee spied on Megatron and Soundwave in [[Mato Grosso (state)|Mato Grosso]], [[Brazil]]. He overheard the two Decepticons talking about their latest scheme; they were planning to use an enormous diamond-lens attached to a satellite to melt the [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]] and use the oil that would gush forth to destroy the Autobots and conquer the galaxy. With this information, he reported back to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Satellite of Doom}}

Bumblebee was sent out to stop the Decepticons' deforestation operation in Mato Grosso. When Skyfire managed to pinpoint Megatron's location, Bumblebee accompanied him and Optimus in forcing the Decepticons into retreating once again. {{storylink|Storms of Destruction}}

Bumblebee was sent out on a patrol mission in the southwest pacific. During the mission, he was captured by the Insecticons, and made into a mindless slave. He was presumably rescued after Optimus, Prowl and the Dinobots defeated the Insecticons controlling the island of [[Buru]]. {{storylink|Slaves of the Insecticons}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
While continuing their ongoing repairs on the Autobots' ship, Bumblebee commented how odd it was that the Decepticons had not attack for an extended period of time. Taking advantage of the situation, Optimus left on a trip. After his leader had left, Bumblebee and Gears discovered to their horror that the Autobots’ entire fuel supply had been stolen.Thankfully, Optimus returned just in time with a new shipment of fuel.Re-energized, the Autobots forced the Decepticons to flee once again. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons}}

After Optimus had been knocked unconscious during a Decepticon attack, Bumblebee stood by his bedise in the Autobots’ medi-bay. He was relieved to see his commander reawaken after the Autobots repaired him. {{storylink|Return to Cybertron}}

===Deadly Paradise===
[[File:Novasuspensionbridge.jpg|thumb]]
Sideswipe was convicted of destroying the [[Nova Suspension Bridge]] and deactivated, despite his pleas of innoncence, in order to ease the strain on human/Autobot relations. Prowl became suspicious of the Decepticons being somehow involved, and sent Bumblebee to investigate the crime scene. There, Bumblebee found a suspicious piece of jagged metal and return to base with it. After being scanned, the piece of metal was found to be made out of a very rare ore, only found on one island on the planet. Bumblebee accompanied Prowl, Windcharger, Brawn, Hound and Ratchet and headed to [[Carob Island]]. Upon landfall, Prowl discovered a cave from where suspicious sounds were coming from. Leaving Bumblebee and Hound behind to guard the entrance, Prowl, Windcharger, Brawn and Ratchet went inside. While they were standing guard, Bumblebee and Hound were somehow captured and deactivated by Madame [[Cee]] and her army of pig-robots. They were eventually reactivated inside Madame Cee's workshop, where they learned that the Decepticons were forcing her to help build Autobot duplicates. After learning of the location of Megatron's temporary base on the island, Bumblebee and the rest of the group entered it, finding themselves wandering in a vast, underground labyrinth. They finally came upon an open area, only to be captured in force cages by the Decepticons. Prowl managed to free the rest of the group, and Bumblebee helped them defeat Starscream and Skywarp while Prowl dealt with Megatron. The Autobots managed to escape Megatron's megamaze when it turned out that Ratchet's lubricant container had earlier been damaged, and left them a trail to find their way out of the maze. The Autobots returned to their headquarters where they were able to clear Sideswipes name, and presumably reactivated him. {{storylink|Deadly Paradise}}

===Marvel storybooks continuity===
[[File:Autobothuddle-ASW.jpeg|thumb|left]]
Bumblebee was one of the thirty-five active Autobots on Earth. When Megatron put into motion his latest plot to take over the planet, Bumblebee joined in on the battles that ensued. Once the Autobots had emerged victorious, he drove back to Autobot base alongside Optimus and the other Autobots. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

Bumblebee was present when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] conveyed a message to Optimus from Megatron. The Autobots learned that Megatron had taken [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] captive, and was demanding the Autobots to surrender. Though the Autobots sent out a rescue party, it failed to liberate their comrade. Bumblebee and the other Autobots became frightened as the situation appeared hopeless, but thanks to an inspirational speech courtesy of [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], they regained their courage. Bumblebee then helped the Autobots build a statue of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to act as a [[w:Trojan Horse|Trojan Horse]] of sorts. The statue was wheeled up before the Decepticons' base, and the Autobots burst forth from it at the exact right moment to take the Decepticons by surprise. The Autobots emerged victorious from the battle that ensued. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
[[File:SearchForTreasure Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|I've heard of toy-accuracy, but this is overdoing it a bit.]]
Bumblebee overheard the Decepticons plotting to raid sunken ships and warned the Autobots. The Autobots headed out in a ship built by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and Bumblebee was sent on an underwater scouting mission. Unfortunately he ran into [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who took him prisoner. The Autobots prevailed anyway. {{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}} On another occasion, Bumblebee was the only Autobot to escape being captured and put in a [[special Autobot prison]]. With [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s help, he created a diversion for the Decepticons in the form of a [[giant fake Autobot]] so he could rescue the others. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] sent Bumblebee and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] out scouting, and they spotted [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] mistaking a factory for an Autobot production plant. {{storylink|Decepticon Patrol}} After rescuing Sparkplug and [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Decepticons, Bumblebee and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] were sent scouting and spotted the Decepticons attacking [[Hoover Dam]]. The pair went and alerted the other Autobots, and the dam was eventually saved. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}} When the Decepticons started draining gasoline using their [[molecular transfer device]], Bumblebee was one of the Autobots who broke into the Decepticon stronghold. He turned the weapon on the Decepticons, disabling them. {{storylink|Summertime Coloring Book}}

Bumblebee was left guarding the base one day when he had to respond to a call from a rescue mission soon to arrive on Earth, leaving the base unguarded. He discovered too late that it was a diversion so the Decepticons could conquer the Ark and had to get the other Autobots to help him retake the base. {{storylink|A Message From Outer Space}} Bumblebee and the other Autobots were on vacation in the forest when they stumbled on the Decepticons wrecking the place. After a short battle, including Bumblebee causing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to plunge off a cliff, the Decepticons retreated and the Autobots started cleaning up the forest. {{storylink|Forest Rescue Mission}}

Upset at being dismissed by the other Autobots, Bumblebee drove into the nearby mountains. There, he spotted some incoming Decepticons who were using jet engine silencers, and rushed back to warn the others. Though [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] ignored his worries, Optimus Prime paid attention and the Decepticon attack was routed. {{storylink|Bumblebee's Dangerous Mission}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}} {{storylink|The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp}}}}

Some Autobots, including Bumblebee and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], were out driving when they stopped for a break and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] told a story about a lost shipment of [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Hot Rod's Escape}}}}

===Big Looker storybooks===
[[File:Battle For Cybertron SCALE.jpg|thumb|left|I'm definitely the right size for humans, why do you ask?]]
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] called for volunteers to help save their endangered world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Bumblebee was the first to speak up. Their ship was attacked by [[Decepticon]]s and crashed on [[Earth]], where the [[Transformer]]s lay dormant for four million years. When they were finally repaired by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Bumblebee ventured outside and ran into [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and persuaded them to help repair the rest of the [[Autobot]]s. When the Autobots subsequently had to go into battle, the two humans were left in Bumblebee's care. The trio were able to warn the other Autobots when the Decepticons tried to flank them. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

When the Autobots entered the [[Big Car Rally]], Bumblebee and Optimus waited at the finish line. Bumblebee spotted the fact that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] was interfering with [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], enabling the Autobot leader to lend a hand. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}} Bumblebee was one of the Autobots who responded when the Decepticons tried to hi-jack a truck, and drove the confused drivers back to the city. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

Bumblebee saw some Decepticons driving through a mountain pass, but waited until the next day when he, Optimus and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] were sitting under a tree to mention it. When [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] was captured by the Decepticons, Bumnblebee was among the Autobots who attacked the Decepticon base. Afterwards he joked that the Decepticons must have worse headaches than Grapple. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}} Bumblebee and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] took part in building work on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] stumbled on a Decepticon plan, Bumblebee and the other Autobots entered a car show and turned the tables on their foe. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:AutobotsFightBack Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|[[Thrust (Armada)|How would he like to called flathead?]]]]
Assigned a scouting mission by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]], Bumblebee sneaked into the Decepticon mountain stronghold and spied on them discussing plans to test their ion drive. Though he was spotted, he eluded [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] by blinding the cat in his headlights and returned to base to report to Prime. Bumblebee's subsequent scouting mission revealed that the Decepticons had already relocated to a testing site. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

After a Decepticon attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], Bumblebee and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] tailed [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] as he carried away his wounded comrades. While spying on the Decepticons, Bumblebee had to evade [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] by hiding in his Volkswagen form. While hiding, he was so deep in thought that he was almost picked up by a magnet, but Spike managed to save him and he reported back to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

===Listen 'n Fun audiobooks continuity===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ordered Bumblebee and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] to plant false information indicating that the Autobots had located a new source of energy in order to mislead the Decepticons. Unfortunately the Autobots were still left with the problem that they actually needed to locate a new source of energy. {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Fun)}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
When the Autobots discovered that the Decepticons were kidnapping humans, Bumblebee volunteered to be the one to scout the enemy base. After sneaking inside thanks to the carelessness of [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], he spotted the missing humans being used for slave labor, and also managed to steal the [[global crystal]] from the Decepticons' computer. He managed to escape the Decepticon base and hid at the bottom of a lake while the Decepticons searched fruitlessly. Bumblebee's report and the stolen global crystal allowed [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to force the Decepticons to free their prisoners. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}}

Bumblebee, along with [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] maintained a 24-hour watch on the Decepticon base in shifts. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}} He didn't like the very idea of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] defecting to the Autobots. Bumblebee spied on the Decepticon base until he saw Megatron's forces leaving on the wild goose chase which Optimus and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] had tricked Starscream into sending them on. The Autobots were then able to destroy the Decepticon base. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Dinobots Strike Back====
[[File:DinobotsStrikeBackBumbleandSkidsinSub.jpg|thumb|left|"What's the plan?"<br>"Track him. Find him. Kill him."]]
In a path where Mirage used a hologram of Optimus Prime to lure the four [[cerebro-shell]]-controlled [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] over the edge of [[Bandit's Bluff]] and into the ocean, Bumblebee was one of the Autobots crewing [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]'s that helped haul the unconscious quartet aboard for safe transport back to the Ark.

In an alternate path, Optimus Prime assigned [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and Bumblebee to investigate suspicious activity in [[Dolphin's Bay]] using [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[star mini-submarine|new mini-sub]]. [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], considering himself the best water-fighter, also wanted in on the mission, but Optimus could tell that Bumblebee and Skids didn't want him along.

If Optimus sent the pair without Sludge, they faced the option of detouring down a suspicious trail through the woods. If they did, a trap landed them in a cell in a supermodern lab, where [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] and [[Gravedigger]] disassembled them and used their remains as the first components of the [[Autobot Memorial Power Plant]].

If they continued to Dolphin's Bay and the sub, they traced electromagnetic waves back to some [[black coral]]. Bumblebee exited the hatch to break a piece off, triggering an explosion which trapped him in a canyon beneath broken columns of crimson coral. Without underwater gear, Skids's only options were to use the computer to translate some nearby [[dolphin]]s' language and ask them for help, or go back to the channel where he could radio Seaspray. If he went back for help, Seaspray used his laser to free Bumblebee, but then [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] blew all three of them up with a cluster bomb. If Skids tried translating the dolphins' language, he succeeded in five minutes, talking the three largest dolphins into moving the broken coral. Bumblebee brought the black coral and his report back to Optimus Prime, ensuring an Autobot victory.

If Prime ''did'' include Sludge on Bumblebee and Skids's mission, Bumblebee used an underwater cave to infiltrate [[Mount Lomas]], where he heard [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] making a speech about Operation Black Coral vanquishing the Autobots in less than a day. He radioed the info to Skids, but [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] intercepted the transmission. Bumblebee dove back into the water, only to be paralyzed by the sonic attack of [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]. From that point, there are four possible endings, all of which include an Autobot victory and Bumblebee's rescue. {{storylink|Dinobots Strike Back}}

====Battle Drive====
[[File:BattledriveBumblebeevsBlitzwingStarscream.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee was on a scouting mission, looking for signs of Decepticon activity. Just before Bumblebee decided to head back to base, several vehicles sped past him, being chased by the Decepticon planes Blitzwing and Starscream. As the two flying Decepticons wreaked havoc on the farmland, Bumblebee had to decide whether he would fight them or hide.
If Bumblebee decided to take on the Decepticons by himself, he managed to sucker-punch Blitzwing, causing him to fall out of the sky and crash. Bumblebee then managed to overpower Starscream, but not before Starscream called for reinforcements. With Bombshell arriving on-scene to backup Starscream, Bumblebee was forced to flee. If Bumblebee decided to make a dash through a nearby cornfield, he was stunned by Starscream's null rays and is left to the Decepticon's mercy. If he decided to double back to a nearby town and hide in a used-car parking lot instead, he managed to evade the Decepticons' fire long enough to successfully conceal himself. With Bumblebee hiding in plain sight, he overheard Starscream talking to Megatron over the radio; the Decepticons planned to destroy the humans' food supply by destroying their farmlands. As soon as the coast was clear, Bumblebee decided to return to Autobot headquarters, only to run into Prowl, Hound and Swoop. The Autobots debated whether it would be smarter to return to Autobot headquarters and inform Optimus of the situation, or to take on the Decepticons immediately before they caused more damage.

If they decided to report back to Optimus, they became stranded in the middle of nowhere due to a sudden storm, unable to deliver their message. Because of this, humans were doomed to either slavery or starvation at the Decepticons' hands.

If the small troop of Autobots instead decided to take on the Decepticons on their own, they are spied upon by Soundwave, who warns Megatron of their approach. Before they encountered any Decepticons, however, Bumblebee and company ran into Buster Witwicky. Buster informed them that the Decepticons were after his father, who had discovered of a fatal flaw in Decepticon circuitry. With this new information presented to them, Bumblebee and the Autobots had to make yet another decision; stick to their original plan, or rescue Sparkplug immediately.

If Bumblebee decided that the Decepticons destroying farmland was a more important matter to attend to, they are ambushed by the Decepticons almost immediately, and are subsequently destroyed.

If Bumblebee and company went after Sparkplug instead, they soon found him hiding in the hills, trapped in a cave surrounded by Decepticons. In one sequence of events, Bumblebee's team manages to rescue Sparkplug mainly due to Swoop's heroic actions. In another version of the events that followed, Swoop led as many Decepticons as he could away from the cave, leaving Bumblebee, Prowl and Hound to defend the humans in the cave from the remaining evil robots.

If the remaining team decided to stick together, they had to fend off over a dozen Decepticons, including Megatron, on their own. The ensuing battle lasted for two days before Sparkplug noticed a light coming from the rear of the cave. If the Autobots decided to attempt to escape the cave by driving towards this light however, they doomed themselves by tumbling down a pit concealed by the cave's darkness. If Bumblebee and company held out a little longer instead, their reinforcements finally arrived, and drove away the Decepticons. Unfortunately, Sparkplug's blueprints were destroyed in battle, leading to Bumblebee to bemoan that the whole ordeal they suffered through was for nothing. If Bumblebee had earlier decided to send out Prowl with Sparkplug to reach the rest of the Autobots, the whole adventure turned out to be nothing but a dream...

If Bumblebee's initially had decided to pretend to be a damaged car on the side of the road instead of fighting Blitzwing and Starscream, the two Decepticons transform to overlook their handiwork, and discuss between each-other their plan to starve the humans by burning their farmland, within earshot of Bumblebee. With this newly acquired knowledge, Bumblebee returned to Autobot headquarters and reported back to Optimus. Although Optimus initially wished to leave Bumblebee behind as he redeployed Autobots to stop the Decepticons, Bumblebee's insistence on coming along convinced the Autobot leader to allow Bumblebee to join them. Unfortunately, Blitzwing and Starscream's discussion turned out to be a ruse; the Decepticons' true ploy was to goad the Autobots into open farmland, where they would be easy targets for the airborne Decepticons. Any attempt [[you]] made in helping the Autobots only yielded their doom, and so Bumblebee and the Autobots had to take on the Decepticons by themselves if they were to have a chance at success. Left to their own devices, the Autobots soon found themselves in a vulnerable position as the Decepticon jets approached them. If Optimus decided to keep his forces together, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots made a break for a nearby bridge, only for them to be blasted before they reached it. If however, Optimus decided to split his forces, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots managed to live to fight another day. {{storylink|Battle Drive}}

====Attack of the Insecticons====
Bumblebee was present while [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] was testing a new device of Sparkplug's invention, the Sun-Pak. When the Decepticons subsequently ambushed the Autubots' underground testing facility to steal the Sun-Pak, Bumble found a tunnel and possible escape route for the Autobots to use. He informed Optimus Prime of this passage, and awaited his leader's decision on whether to use the escape route, or continue to fight the Decepticons, despite the Autobots' waning power levels.

If the Optimus decides to not only fight the Decepticons, but have all the Autobots concentrate their fire upon Starscream, refusing the Decepticon's surrender even once the odds have turned against the leader of the Decepticons' raiding party, the Decepticons manage to kidnap Sparkplug. Bumblebee, alongside Blaster and Buster, are sent on a rescue mission while the rest of the Autobots return to base to recharge. Tracking Starscream's location to a museum in the suburbs, Bumblebee is forced to wait outside, in the museum's parking lot, while Buster and a disguised Blaster investigate. If Blaster and Buster later return to Bumblebee for assistance, informing the little yellow Autobot that Starscream and Bombshell are alone in the museum with their captive, and intend to use a Cerebro-Shell to mind-control Sparkplug, Bumblebee formulates a plan. Using Bumblebee's speed and Blaster's Electro-Scramblers, the Autobots spoil Bombshell's aim and have him hit Starscream with his Cerebro-Shell in-lieu of Sparkplug. The easily manipulated Seeker is then tricked by the Autobots to release Sparkplug and forestall Bombshell, as Bumblebee, Blaster, Buster and Sparkplug make their way to Autobot base, laughing all the way at the Decepticons' misfortune.

If Optimus decides to have his Autobots follow Bumblebee into the tunnel the little yellow Autobot discovered at any point during their initial encounter with the Decepticon forces, Bumblebee encounters a fork in the tunnel that he admits was not there when he first discovered the tunnel. Not knowing which leads to the surface, the Autobots are once again forced to make a choice. And though one tunnel does indeed lead to the surface, the other leads to the Insecticons' nest!

In the event that the Autobots choose the tunnel leading to the surface, the Autobots lose possession of the Sun-Pak to the Insecticons nonetheless. If Optimus decides to have the Autobots return to base to refuel in light of these events, Bumblebee is the one to discover the booby-trapped Sun-Pak in Decepticon territory once the Autobots have ventured there in an attempt to diplomatically retrieve the device from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightDrunkenDecepticons.jpg|thumb|left]]
Bumblebee was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission. When the convoy heard a large explosion in the distance, Optimus sent Cosmos to investigate the noise.

If Cosmos radioed his findings to Optimus immediately, Optimus's convoy moved in to investigate a nearby Decepticon base. En route, the Autobots passed near a human town, but began floating in mid-air before being able to reach it. Evidently, the phenomenon was caused by a Decepticon anti-gravity weapon.

If Optimus ordered his troops to come to the humans’ aid, they found themselves taking part in a struggle in futility, as the entire town was near-weightless, meaning they couldn't put the humans anywhere where they wouldn't float away once more. Then, the Autobots heard Decepticons approaching. Helpless in their current position, the Autobots were quickly eradicated by the Decepticons.

If Optimus ordered his troops to attack the Decepticon base, they soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence, though not before Bumblebee took the time to goof off a bit in the gravity-deprived environment. They were then attacked by a small fleet of Decepticons. The Decepticons were quickly forced to break off their attack and retreated. But with the battle over, the Autobots noticed a small human boy at their feet. The Autobots then headed for the Decepticon base, with their stowaway. Megatron delivered an ultimatum; if the Autobots did not surrender Optimus Prime to the Decepticons immediately, he would use his gravity beam to have the nearby humans float off into space.

If the Autobots decided to continue with their initial plan to simply attack the Decepticon base, their advance was halted by a force field. Megatron then fired his beam in all directions, causing a ripple effect that sent everything not fastened down to the Earth's surface to float helplessly out into space.

Alternatively, the Autobots could concoct a plan where Optimus would pretend to allow himself to be taken prisoner, per Buddy's suggestion. In actuality, Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots were hidden away inside Optimus's trailer. The Autobots then led a surprise attack on their unsuspecting foes.

In the event that Buddy tampered with the gravity gun in the ensuing battle, the Autobots would emerge victorious.

In the event that Buddy instead entered a space-time anomaly created throughout the course of the battle, the Autobots would lose their fight against the Decepticons, and Bumblebee wound up either injured or dead.

If Optimus destroyed the duplicate Cosmos, the real one would inform the Autobots of the Decepticons’ schemes, and the convoy would roll out to take on their adversaries. They were soon met by a squad of flying Decepticons, but were at a strict disadvantage against their adversaries as their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s possessed no weapons. The Autobots nonetheless managed to fight their way to the Decepticons’ base, one way or another, and defeated the Decepticons by using their own gravity weapon against them. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}

====Decepticon Poison====
[[File:Decepticon Poison Laserbeak.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee was amongst the Autobots about to be topped up with their latest batch of fuel when Red Alert burst into Autobot headquarters, warning everyone about Ramjet being spotted nearby. Red Alert's warning came in just in time, as the Autobots’ fuel had been poisoned, and Bumblebee would have been left unable to transform had he ingested any of it.

In one possible scenario that ensued, Bumblebee was part of the Autobots’ back-up squadron, as they attempted to defend the Autobot base against the Decepticons. In one version of the ensuing events, the Autobots were able to beat back the Decepticons, though not without receiving some grievous injuries themselves.

In another possible scenario, where Optimus followed a plan courtesy of Prowl, the Autobot leader instructed his troops to transform into vehicle mode and play dead. The Decepticons, believing the Autobots’ ruse, disarmed themselves in order to carry out the Autobots’ "carcasses." Now with the element of surprise against unarmed opponent, the Autobots Transformed and were able to easily defeat the evil robots.

In another possible turn of events, Perceptor gave out too much of his antidote to cure each poisoned Autobot. The Autobots who received the antidote soon found themselves falling apart, leaving Bumblebee and the rest outmatched against the greater number of Decepticons.

In yet another possible scenario, Optimus opted to use the tainted fuel as a weapon against an encroaching Decepticon squadron. Bumblebee was impressed by Grapple powerful crane, as the later lifted the vat of liquid and carried it outside Autobot headquarters. The plan was carried out successfully, and the Autobots celebrated another victory over the Decepticons.

In a completely different scenario, Optimus agreed to Prowl's plan to go on the offensive and try and discover the full extent of the Decepticons’ plans. Optimus nominated Prowl, Bumblebee and Mirage to go along with him on the mission. The group refuelled with the gas that Sparkplug brought back from the Autobots’ secret storage area, and took off on their mission. The group soon happened upon the Decepticons’ lab in the middle of a barren, polluted wasteland.

If all four Autobots ventured together into the Decepticons’ lab, they first encountered Laserbeak, only to quickly dispatch him. Venturing further into the lab, the group soon spotted the antidote they were after, and sent Mirage to fetch it. Mirage returned with the beaker and news; he had heard Ramjet and Starscream talking about using a new poison to turn humans into mindless slaves. Bumblebee suggested that the Autobots return to base and cure the allies in order to combat the Decepticons’ newest ploy.

If Optimus ordered his squad to instead return to Autobot headquarters immediately, his squad returned to find their comrades nearly dead from the poison. But with Ratchet's help, the antidote was quickly distributed, and the Autobots sprung back to life.

If Optimus led his troops back to the Decepticons’ poison lab, Bumblebee was amongst the Autobot convoy that drove into action. Happening upon the Decepticons hauling barrels of poison out of their base, the Autobots devised a couple of possible plans to take them out.

One such plan had Windcharger, Prowl, Jazz and Warpath work together to ignite the poison over the Decepticons, forcing them to retreat back within their base before destroying the lab. Bumblebee was giddy watching his fellow Autobots perform their tasks. The Autobots then drove back to base victoriously.

If however Optimus ordered his troops to deal with the Decepticons before returning to base with the antidote, the Autobots were faced with another decision; deal with Starscream and Ramjet first, or to attempt to destroy the containers of poison first, as per Prowl's suggestion.

If the Autobots went along with Prowl's strategy, the resulting heat from the explosion caused the Autobots’ circuits to overheat, rendering them unconscious. Upon reawakening, the Autobots found themselves captives of Megatron, who informed them that their fellow Autobots would soon perish, and that the humans would be conquered by the Decepticons shortly after.

If Optimus instead decided to deal with Ramjet and Starscream first, his troop easily overpowered the pair, Bumblebee stuffing a rock in Starscream's mouth in order to keep him quiet. After having destroyed the lab, the Autobots returned to their headquarters with the antidote.

If instead of going into the Decepticons’ poison lab together, the Autobots sent Bumblebee to go in alone, the little Autobot snuck by Laserbeak, sleeping at his post, before finding the antidote to the poison coursing through the Autobots’ fuel lines. Though he attempted to escape the laboratory without incident, Laserbeak awoke before he could leave, and the cruel Decepticon ordered Bumblebee to surrender.

If Bumblebee made a break for it, he narrowly escaped the Decepticons’ lab and rejoined Optimus and the others. Together, the Autobots escaped from the [[Decepticon Poison Lab|Valley of Poison]] and returned to Autobot headquarters. Once the other Autobots were cured, they all drank a toast to Bumblebee, to celebrate his part in the mission.

If Bumblebee heeded Laserbeak's commands, the cruel Decepticon retrieved the antidote before beginning his torture of the little Autobot, in order to make him talk. Bumblebee refused to break, thinking only of his hero, Optimus Prime, as Laserbeak presumably did unspeakable things to the little Autobot. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}

====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertBumblebeedisguise.jpg|left|thumb]]
While out on patrol, Bumblebee spotted Astrotrain hovering about in a valley near Autobot headquarters. Assuming it was nothing more than Astrotrain acting as a transport for his fellow Decepticons, he paid the sighting no heed.

The next day, Bumblebee was watching a game of baseball on television when the broadcast was highjacked by the Decepticons. He informed the Autobots’ commander, Ultra Magnus of this development immediately. Though the Autobots learned that in addition to the crisis in Earth orbit, the Decepticons had also attacked a nearby research base, Bumblebee still considered the attack on Earth's satellites to be a more urgent matter.

If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize the Decepticons satellite hijacking plot, Bumblebee caught sight of Hot Rod in a nearby corner, sulking over not being picked for the mission. As Bumblebee had not been picked for the mission either, he informed Hot Rod on what he had seen the previous night, and suggested the two of them go on their own clandestine mission to investigate Astrotrain's activities. Hot Rod gladly obliged. They brought along a supply of "laser-ignited explosives" and went on their way. Soon happening upon the Decepticons’ control centre, the pair set out to sabotage the Decepticons’ operation. While Bumblebee wanted to sabotage the Decepticons’ communication centre on Earth, Hot Rod was in favour of sneaking aboard Astrotrain before he launched, and sabotage the Decepticons out in space.

If Hot Rod convinced Bumblebee to go along with his plan, the pair snuck aboard Astrotrain by concealing themselves within a trailer filled with bombs. As Astrotrain launched, Hot Rod drew Bumblebee's attention to a room filled with Decepticon space gear. The two Autobots donned the suits in order to disguise themselves. The disguises proved effective as Thrust and Starscream walked past the pair, none the wiser. Bumblebee was nonetheless unwilling to push their luck too much, and suggested that they find a hiding spot and use the weapons they brought along as soon as possible. Just then, Hot Rod spotted the Autobots’ shuttle heading into a Decepticon trap through one of Astrotrain's windows.

If Hot Rod decided to try and commandeer Astrotrain's military control station, Bumblebee nervously followed him, advising the young Autobot to act like he knows what he's doing in order to fool the guards. The pair bypassed the guards easily, but were not able to fool Scourge, who happened upon them soon after. Bumblebee alerted Hot Rod of Scourge's approach, and urged him to fire Astrotrain's weapons as soon as possible. Hot Rod succeeded in firing Astrotrain's weapons at Cyclonus, warning the Autobot shuttle of the Decepticons, but both he and Bumblebee were quickly overpowered by Scourge. They were then flung out into the blackness of space by Scourge, stranded in zero-gravity, waiting for a rescue that might never come.

If instead Hot Rod and Bumblebee decided to find themselves a hiding spot, the pair snuck into a room labelled "Dirty Tricks Department" in order to dodge the incoming Laserbeak. After Hot Rod successfully shot down Cyclonus from their hiding spot, Hot Rod and Bumblebee hid out for the rest of the mission inside the Dirty Tricks department room, finding a way to escape later when it docked.

If instead of boarding Astrotrain, Hot Rod and Bumblebee decided to infiltrate the Decepticons’ command centre on Earth, the two used Astrotrain's take-off as cover for sneaking into the facility. The pair soon found themselves overhearing Galvatron's latest pirate broadcast. As the nearby Decepticons troops were busy bowing the their leader's image, Bumblebee and Hot Rod managed to find the Decepticons’ main computer room. Now in a position to thoroughly sabotage the Decepticons’ operation, Bumblebee strained to remember a code he had learned in Advanced Espionage which would, when input, scramble the Decepticons’ computer program. Hot Rod was more in favour of pressing a button labelled "TOP SECURITY/DESTRUCT SYSTEM!"

If Bumblebee insisted on them using his code, the Decepticons’ plan fell into disarray, and Bumblebee and Hot Rod made their way back to the Autobots’ base safely as the command centre blew itself apart behind them.

If Hot Rod went ahead and pressed the button, he and Bumblebee soon discovered that it was a Decepticon trap, as sirens began blaring across the Decepticon base and iron bars prevented them from escaping. Galvatron's image appeared on a nearby monitor, explaining that both Hot Rod and Bumblebee would be used as hostages in order to secure a Decepticon victory.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, wherein Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize the theft of the coded message, Bumblebee was part of the captive audience that listened to Kup divulge information about an ancient Autobot formula. Bumblebee took off towards the Autobots’ desert research centre along with a number of other Autobots. Once there, they learned from Springer that the Cybertite sphere containing the formula was discovered by humans during the 16th century. If the Decepticons had decoded Springer's message, they would be searching off the coast of [[California]], where the ship containing the sphere had sunk. If they hadn't decoded the message, the Decepticons would still be digging in the nearby crater.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Bumblebee was part of the main group of Autobots led to the coast by Ultra Magnus. Ultra Magnus's troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching. The Autobots then needed to decide whether they would raise the ship themselves, or try and ambush the Decepticons after they had done so.

In one of the possible plans concocted by Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee was to work with Grapple and Hot Rod to retrieve the sphere. Bumblebee rode down the boom at the end of Grapple's crane, and fastened it to the sunken ship. He then signalled Grapple to un-submerge the ship, only to find himself and the ship remain immobile. Grapple's crane had suffered a mechanical breakdown, and though the Autobots managed to fix it, valuable time was lost. The Autobots were unable to retrieve the sphere before the Decepticons arrived, and Bumblebee and his friends found themselves being pummelled by superior Decepticon fire raining down upon them. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

====Project Brain Drain====
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainBumblebeeChargesGalvatron.jpg|thumb]]
In one possible scenario, Bumblebee ran into Sparkplug on the way to Metroplex city. Sparkplug informed Bumblebee that he had learned of a Decepticon plot to use a [[Brain Drain device]] to rob a crowd of concertgoers of their intelligence, and the two of them rushed to inform Ultra Magnus of this development.

If Ultra Magnus decided to head for the rock concert and deal with the Decepticons there, Bumblebee brought Sparkplug along to the concert location. Once there, he was ordered to blend in with the various cars parked around the concert, and lie in wait for the Decepticons to show themselves.

Once the Decepticons appeared, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops to transform in unison and open fire on their enemies. But Galvatron had planned to light afire the parking lot in which the Autobots were standing in order to trap the humans. Being drenched from above by Decepticon jets dumping gasoline upon them, Ultra Magnus needed to decide whether the Autobots needed to retreat, or to keep on fighting and hope that they could defeat the Decepticons before the fire consumed them.

If Ultra Magnus decided on a retreat, Bumblebee rushed out of the blazing inferno and moved in closer to the humans in order to protect them. As the other Autobots battled the Decepticon jets swooping down towards them, Bumblebee noticed Galvatron beyond the wall of flame preparing to activate the Brain Drain device. Despite the fire between them, Bumblebee transformed into vehicle mode and darted towards Galvatron in order to stop him. Knowing that none of the weapons on him would harm Galvatron, Bumblebee devised two possible plans of attack, even as the fire around him began to break him down. He could either ram into Galvatron, hoping to make him drop the Brain Drain device, shattering the delicate instrument, or he could transform at the last moment and throw a flaming car towards the device to destroy it while in Galvatron's grasp.

If Bumblebee decided to crash directly into Galvatron, his initial assault fails, with Galvatron managing to regain his balance before he drops the device. However, having been reduced to a burning heap by the inferno, Bumblebee exploded after his gas tank catches fire, destroying the device in the process. Bumblebee sacrificed himself, but the Decepticons’ plot has been stopped.

If Bumblebee decided to launch a truck at Galvatron instead, the oil tanker he grabbed hold of exploded before Bumblebee had a chance to launch it, reducing the little Autobot to nothing more than a smouldering windshield whipper.

In another possible scenario wherein the Autobots remained in the parking lot to battle the Decepticons at close-quarters, both Bumblebee and Hot Rod saw Soundwave pass the Brain Drain device to Galvatron after the latter had flung Ultra Magnus away.

If Bumblebee attempted to stop Galvatron, the Decepticon leader laughed at Bumblebee's efforts, and effortlessly crushed him underfoot before he had a chance to stop them.

If Hot Rod attempted to stop Galvatron, the Autobots were eventually successfully in destroying the device, and Bumblebee and the other Autobots received a standing ovation as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Bumblebee trailbreaker war within.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
At the death of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Bumblebee was part of an Autobot unit defending [[Altihex]] from the Decepticons, but it was ultimately declared a lost cause. [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] had to pull him aboard the shuttle once they realized there was nothing left to do. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] ordered him, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and others to the ruins of [[Praxus]], where Grimlock declared that if the new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] was unable to lead successfully, they would take control of the war's leadership... and take out the Prime. Bumblebee was among the group that was present for the Matrix transfer ceremony, where Optronix became [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. When a Decepticon assassination squad arrived and Optimus kicked some exhaust port, Bumblebee declared that he was "awesome". However, Prime then ordered the Autobots to prepare an evacuation of Cybertron. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} When Prime went underground looking for Megatron, Bumblebee was surprised he'd gone alone, but the Autobots suddenly had bigger problems, as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with a host of Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} During the attack, Bumblebee manned a turret in the [[Decagon]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} Eventually, Prowl ordered the Autobots to take them on individually, and Bumblebee went out carrying a cannon that was as [[Scale|big]] as him. At this time, Optimus also beheld a vision of a possible future, in which Bumblebee helped defend a hydro-electric dam on Earth against the forces of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Back in reality, Bumblebee survived the destruction of Iacon, and escaped to its outskirts. Prime then met with his troops, and reversed his order of evacuation. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}} During the Dark Ages and the disappearance of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee remained with Prowl's faction of Autobots, huddled in the ruins of Iacon. He was present in the [[Autobase]] when [[The Fallen]] broke in to abduct [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], then being held within one of the Autobots' cells. Though Bumblebee attempted to contain the villain with a forcefield, The Fallen proved to be more than the base's systems could handle. Feedback shot back through its computers struck Bumblebee as The Fallen made his escape with his prize in-hand. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}} Though left relatively unharmed, Bumblebee did not head back into the field afterwards, when The Fallen's base of operations was uncovered and a cross-faction army rushed it. Instead, he stayed behind at the Autobase to coordinate the troops. At Jetfire's prompting, Bumblebee erected a forcefield around The Fallen once more, this time trapping him atop of the [[Seal of Primus]]. Primus's essence was then able to reach out and smite The Fallen, putting an end to his scheme. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

Bumblebee would later aid [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in his struggle to re-unite Cybertron under the Autobot banner. The unification of their race nearly succeeded... only for Megatron to return. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}}

[[File:DWPrimeDirective2 Bumblebee destruction.jpg|left|thumb|Someone has to pay for the little things.]]
Bumblebee was one of the Ark crew that crashed on Earth and awoke in 1984. During that time, he met Spike Witwicky, becoming close friends with the human. In 1999, the Autobots and humans allied and managed to capture the Decepticons, taking them in the ''[[Ark II]]'' back to Cybertron, along with [[Magnificent Seven|seven humans]], including [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], Spike's father. However, the ''Ark II'' was sabotaged by rogue elements of the United States military (apparently as part of a plan by Shockwave). {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} The humans were all killed, but a number of Transformers, including Bumblebee, survived, but in [[stasis lock]]. Bumblebee's body was recovered by [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] and [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], but Rook stole Bumblebee and a number of other Transformers, intent on selling them to various terrorists to feed his greed. As part of a demonstration to prospective buyers, Rook had Bumblebee join an assault against the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside half a dozen Transformers. Soon after this exercise in carnage, Megatron wrestled his mind free from Lazarus's control, and brought ruin onto the human's organization. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Once they had been freed from Lazarus's control as well, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], to satisfy their sadism, disassembled and played with Bumblebee's various components. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

[[File:PrimeDirective5-neverfear.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Optimus Prime's team later rescued Bumblebee and the remaining Autobots. Bumblebee was reassembled while the bulk of the Autobot forces travelled to [[San Francisco]] to stop a large-scale Decepticon assault on the city. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} All Autobots left behind at Lazarus's base were put to work in combating Megatron's latest doomsday weapon, a techno-virus rapidly enveloping the globe. Using devices designed by Wheeljack, Bumblebee and the others began pushing back the virus, at the expense of their own energy supplies. Unfortunately, the [[Canada|Canadian]] military, skittish over the recent Transformer violence, attacked the Autobots as they worked. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Despite this, Bumblebee tried to save as many of the soldiers as he could before the virus could kill them. The virus was ultimately neutralized, though Wheeljack had to put himself in a deep state of stasis lock to accomplish the task. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''In the following weeks, the Autobots tried their best to re-establish good relations with the people of Earth, but had little luck. After Optimus Prime, Megatron, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] vanished from the streets of Tokyo with roughly 200 human civilians, the public was understandably critical of the Transformers and their war. Bumblebee didn't help any when [[Chris Killah]], a reporter for MNT, interviewed him on the scene while he and Prowl were looking for clues to the disappearance. Bumblebee's knowledge of Earth idioms and slang normally worked to the Autobots' benefit, but he got "stage fright" in front of the TV cameras and referred to the massive property damage and loss of human life as a "bummer". Duuuuude...no. ''

''With both sides effectively leaderless at first, Bumblebee and Prowl did their best to contain the fallout of Megatron and Prime's disappearance. Acting on a tip, they tracked [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] to an airport in [[Mesa Verde]], [[Mexico]], where he was running guns with some human terrorists. The battle was memorable, but brief, thanks largely to the arrival of the renegade Autobot known as Grimlock. Having heard the Starscream had taken over the human city of [[Las Vegas]], Grimlock had commissioned a human black ops army and invited Bumblebee and Prowl to join him in assaulting the Decepticon position. Already frustrated at the [[United Nations]]' orders to stay out of Vegas, for fear of civilian casualties, Bumblebee and Prowl accepted the offer. After fighting their way through [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and the other [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] on the outskirts of town, the Autobots managed to make it to the center of the Strip to confront Soundwave. Fortunately, the Autobots had long since developed internal jammers to prevent Soundwave from reading their thoughts during a battle, but that didn't make things easy. Fighting their way around the casinos, Bumblebee finally collapsed a massive neon sign on top of Soundwave, temporarily ending the fight. Bumblebee and Prowl's luck turned sour, though, with the arrival of Starscream and the mighty Devastator. The sudden appearance of a spatial gateway depositing Optimus and the other lost Transformers, along with their captors the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]], was just one set of complications on top of another. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}''

{{charstubfiction|[[The Transformers Trilogy]] ({{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} / {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}})}}

Sometime later, as they were entrenched against the Decepticons on the Alsakan shore, the Autobots received visitors from Cybertron. Representing a united Cybertronian government of both Autobots and Decepticons, they claimed the Transformers on Earth were a throwback to darker days, and wanted to take them into custody to prevent their "anachronistic" feud from upsetting Cybertron's populace. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], leader of the united Cybertronians, unleashed his triple-changing troops to take in both Optimus and Megatron's followers by force, and though the Decepticons were taken in, the Autobots escaped. {{storylink|New World Order}} The Autobots under Optimus Prime split into two groups, with Bumblebee and several others joining their leader in surrendering to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (another member of the United Cybertron force), while Jazz led a small group away from the Ark to continue monitoring activities on Earth. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Once they arrived on Cybertron, it became clear that there was a rotten core to the new government, namely Shockwave. Thankfully, there were dissidents in Shockwave's government, and Bumblebee, Optimus, Prowl, and Gears were freed from their holding cell by Sandstorm and Broadside. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} The liberated Autobots were then ferried away to meet with the leaders of Cybertron's underground resistance. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} They then helped overthrow Shockwave's reign, reinstating Autobot rule over Cybertron. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

[[File:Bumblebeebattlemask.jpg|left|thumb|25 years before someone realized his toy has no face.]]
After Cybertron settled down, Bumblebee commanded the Autobot Shuttle ''[[Orion]]'' and a small crew, traveling back to Earth with supplies for Jazz's team at the Ark. Starscream and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were in the midst of an attack on the Ark when the ''Orion'' arrived. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} The little ship managed to damage [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] significantly before the super-powerful zealot [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] shorted out its engines and it crashed. Bumblebee and his crew walked away from their rough landing unharmed however, and Sunstorm flew off in pursuit of Starscream. Bumblebee set about returning his ship to operational status, and a few hours later, the ''Orion'' was once more in working order. Bumblebee was ready to lie back and recharge... only for Starscream to return to the scene, now accompanied by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} The Autobots were forced into an uneasy alliance with Starscream to combat Sunstorm's greater threat. Pooling their knowledge with Jetfire's, the Autobots were able to concoct a plan that had a chance of disabling their powerful foe. But all throughout their preparations, Bumblebee had to put up with his crew's doubts towards his capabilities. Bumblebee retorted that though he was "no Prime," none of them were, and that they'd have to pull through nonetheless. Deciding that he would once and for all prove to the others that he "had what it took," Bumblebee led the assault against Sunstorm when he inevitably returned. His shuttle was downed again by Sunstorm's radiation, but thanks to Jetfire distracting the clone at a pivotal moment, Bumblebee was able to attach an energy-siphon onto the super-clone, forcing him to flee as his power began to drain. But Jetfire warned Bumblebee that so long as Sunstorm was on the loose, he was a potential source of trouble. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} Bumblebee and the others returned to the ''Orion'', finding all of its remaining crew disabled by Starscream, who had himself fled. While the Autobots were tending to the injured, they heard a distant explosion, signifying that their last ace-in-the-hole, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], had tracked down and engaged Sunstorm. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

Unfortunately, Omega Supreme did not emerge victorious from this confrontation. Bumblebee and the others found him unconscious, with the energy-siphon they had attached to Sunstorm nearby, broken and disabled. Omega Supreme rebooted, and began recovering, but Bumblebee still felt guilty about not leading the Autobots towards more favorable results. He accompanied Jetfire in tracking down Sunstorm, and Bumblebee admitted he had begun to feel disillusioned in his role as the two flew off. They then came upon Starscream opening an ancient Cybertronian bunker, and swooped down to stop whatever machinations he was partaking in. Despite Sunstorm's interference, the two Autobots managed to follow Starscream underground. Jetfire managed to subdue Starscream once more, but Bumblebee received a disabling dose of radiation from Sunstorm. Before he briefly slipped into unconsciousness, Bumblebee witnessed Starscream defeat both his clone and Jetfire. {{storylink|Original Sin}}

Opening his optics, Bumblebee found himself staring down Starscream's gun-barrel. Starscream mocked the young Autobot, telling him how utterly clueless he was about the events unfolding around him. In the midst of his rant, Sunstorm re-emerged, the energies within him now erupting more violently than ever. Tired of his "brother's" constant betrayals, Sunstorm denounced Starscream, and instead claimed that ''Bumblebee'' had divine purpose to him. As Sunstorm readied to strike Bumblebee for apparently having usurped his divine mission, an explosion tore through the clone's arm.. from within! Jetfire recovered, and both he and Bumblebee tried to pin down Sunstorm to no avail. Jetfire was forced to grab Sunstorm and push him up into orbit to prevent his inevitable melt-down from causing further harm to the Earth. Starscream, out of begrudging gratitude towards his former friend, returned Bumblebee to the surface. Bumblebee then begged Starscream to take him up so they could both help Jetfire escape as Sunstorm went critical. But Starscream refused, stating that he wasn't looking to help anyone beyond himself. Bumblebee was forced to watch helplessly as Jetfire was blown to oblivion. Thoroughly distraught over what had transpired, Bumblebee deserted the Autobot army. {{storylink|Atonement}} He headed to Spike's house, but Spike, resentful of the death of Sparkplug, lashed out at him. {{storylink|Extermination}} Afterward, Spike finally realized he was being harsh on his old friend, and the two went for a night on the town, where they stopped a mugging. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

Some time in the future, he was augmented with the Pretender technology. Jazz wrote in Bumblebee's profile that even though Bumblebee had become stronger, the latter would eventually realise that there are always someone tougher out there, and that the important thing is that Bumblebee always had heart regardless of his physical strength. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #7|Pretender Bumblebee's ''More Than Meets The Eye'' profile}} Bumblebee was upgraded once again, becoming the Throttlebot Goldbug. While still fun-loving and supportive, he finally matured and stopped trying to prove his worth to others. His hero worship of the other Autobots also turned into serious respect for them. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #2|Goldbug's ''More Than Meets The Eye'' profile}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bumblebee GIJoevsTFs2.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee was aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed on Earth millions of years in the past, leaving its passengers deactivated. Along with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], he was sealed off from the rest of the crew in the crash, and therefore avoided capture when [[Cobra]] broke into the ship and stole the dormant Transformers therein. Bumblebee and Wheeljack were eventually revived by [[Teletraan I|Teletran-One]], only to find their friends missing. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

Attempting to find the missing Transformers, Bumblebee disguised himself as a Volkswagen Beetle, an altmode that really got on his nerves after months of fruitless searching. Eventually, Wheeljack came up with some leads on Cobra's next target, while Bumblebee just grumbled that Wheeljack got all the good [[Hologram|holographic]] drivers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} When Cobra attacked the [[SPS Research Facility]], the Autobots were waiting for them, and Bumblebee punched out a brainwashed [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] before helping [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'s [[Laser Squad]] get out of some rubble. Unfortunately, the humans didn't quite trust the giant robots, and [[Cover Girl]] fired a missile at 'Bee, who ''grabbed the projectile in mid-air'' and threw it at Rumble instead. He and Wheeljack eventually convinced G.I. Joe they were good guys, and the humans provided them with the information needed to undo Cobra's reprogramming of the other Transformers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

[[File:Bumblebee GIJoevsTFs6.jpg|thumb|left]]
As G.I. Joe prepared to attack [[Cobra Island]], Bumblebee and Wheeljack came with them. However, the United States government preferred to [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] the island and dissect the two aliens at [[Area 51]], and Bumblebee was struck with a magnetic pulse and incapacitated. Luckily, Wheeljack convinced [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] that a nuclear strike on Cobra's [[energon]] stockpile would lead to worldwide devastation, so G.I. Joe broke orders and took the Autobots with them to attack Cobra Island anyway. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Upon arrival, Bumblebee watched as the [[SPS Satellite]]'s energy beam struck an energy-gathering dish on the island, then helped G.I. Joe take down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] after the giant Decepticon killed [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

It soon transpired that the United States government were sending the nukes regardless of G.I. Joe's presence on the island, so the Autobots and humans made their way to the SPS Satellite's controls, where Bumblebee found a cowering [[Doctor Mindbender]]. While Mindbender was forced to calibrate the satellite's beams to shoot down the approaching nuclear warheads, the facility came under attack by [[Storm Shadow]], [[Firefly]] and various Cobra troopers. During the battle, Bumblebee defeated Storm Shadow and his heavily damaged [[S.N.A.K.E.]] suit. He then cheered as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] defeated Megatron and shot down the SPS Satellite, and he later returned to Cybertron aboard a new ''Ark''. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

Two years later, Bumblebee was sent back through time to [[1970]]'s [[San Francisco]] by a malfunctioning [[Teletran 3]], and was left dormant in the form of a Ford Pinto. He was found and reactivated by several G.I. Joes and Cobra members sent to get him back to the future, but both Bumblebee and [[Zartan]] were disappointed with his altmode compared to the much fancier car his fellow time-lost Autobot [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] turned into. After hunting down [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the same era, the team returned to their own time. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on present-day Cybertron, Bumblebee and the others had no choice but to wait inside [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s force field until the three other teams returned with more lost Transformers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}} When the whole affair was over, Bumblebee curiously inspected Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

[[File:GIJoevsTFArtofwar3 BumblebeeDeath.jpg|right|thumb|Crossovers are not kind to Bumblebee.]]

An agreement was made between the Autobots and G.I. Joe to decommission any Cybertronian technology left on Earth, and Bumblebee was sent back to Earth along with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the last of whom he was very flirty with. When [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]] came under attack from Cobra, Bumblebee noticed that [[Cobra Commander]] was using the attack as a diversion to infiltrate the facility's lower levels. He pursued the Commander, but was rendered unconscious when Zartan planted an electromagnetic scrambler on him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Just when Cobra Commander was about to smash the robot's face in with a lead pipe, the other Autobots and G.I. Joes arrived and saved him. While Arcee was worried about his low energy levels, Bumblebee assured her that seeing her was all the recharge he needed. However, it was soon revealed what Cobra Commander had come for: [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], a biotechnological weapon created from Megatron's remains. He was also just as power-hungry as Megatron, and took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joe's battle suits]] and pitted them against the four Autobots to distract them while he warped to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Along with a group of Joes, the Autobots followed Serpent O.R. to their home planet, and ended up getting attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s in a junkyard. As they retreated to avoid human casualties, Bumblebee tried to extort a kiss from Arcee if he could outrace her, but she upped the bet by offering to rotate his tires if he could pull it off. Bumblebee accelerated in anticipation... and drove straight into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], who stomped him unconscious. Serpent O.R., who had recruited Predaking alongside various other Decepticons, complimented the little Autobot's courage and resilience, noting that he could probably survive with the proper medical attention. Then he crushed Bumblebee to death with his tentacles. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Following the defeat of Serpent O.R., a funeral was held for Bumblebee and a statue was built in his honor. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

Bumblebee's death had a large impact on Optimus Prime, who blamed himself for his friend's death. Unwilling to send anyone else to their death, he went on a dangerous mission on Earth all by himself. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2|Black Horizon, Part 1}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Scarlett Bumblebee-Wolves.jpg|thumb|left]]
After laying dormant among the [[Fera Islands]] for three million years, Bumblebee and his friends were reactivated in [[1939]] when [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] attacked [[Cobra]]'s headquarters in the archipelago. He was reformatted into a [[World War II]]-era motorcycle, complete with sidecar, and thought Optimus Prime was a bit pessimistic when he worried that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] might no longer exist. {{storylink|Transformed}} The Autobots subsequently joined G.I. Joe on their mission to eliminate Cobra and their Decepticon allies. Bumblebee overheard [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] and [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] discussing that [[Snake-Eyes]] had vanished, and tried to reassure [[Scarlett]] that the missing Joe would show up eventually. Before long, the group came under attack from Cobra paratroopers, but the bullets merely bounced off Bumblebee, who happily suggested that the Autobots should try out their new bodies in action. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}}

Upon entering combat, the Autobots were faced with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who was easily taking out the larger tank Autobots with his earthquakes. While Bumblebee was busy explaining who Rumble was, Scarlett commandeered him (noting how "sweet" it was that he had never been driven before) and drove into action, jumping above the Decepticon and destroying him with a grenade. Bumblebee felt that he and Scarlett made a nice team, and sheepishly told her that she could drive him anytime. How cheeky! {{storylink|Wolves}} When they reached Cobra's fortress, the [[Terrordrome]], the Autobots were attacked by a raging [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], whom Bumblebee noted that he had never seen before. In the end, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had to be destroyed in order to stop Bruticus, which killed Bumblebee and all the other Transformers in the process. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}
{{--}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Bumblebee participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons. He watched on in horror as [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]] rampaged across the battlefield, killing Autobots and Decepticons alike. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

Bumblebee later rode in Optimus Prime's trailer as the Autobots attempted to outrun The Beast. Thankfully, Jetfire showed up just in time to rescue Prime's passengers, save Skids, who was crushed moments before Jetfire's arrival. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}

===''Universe'' comic===
{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]] (English)}}
During the [[Universe War]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] built a device to counteract [[Unicron]]'s attempts to abduct Transformers from across the multiverse. Two such attempts were only partially successful, sending the would-be abductees to a barren, icy planetoid and necessitating the deployment of a rescue team. As a side effect, the device also sucked in the Autobot stellar freighter ''[[OTFCC (ship)|OTFCC]]'', carrying Bumblebee, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] from the past. The past Autobots worked together with the present-day rescue team and the victims to fight off Unicron's Decepticons, and the past Autobots were returned to their own time. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
In a reality where the Dinobots consisted of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], and [[Paddles (G1)|Paddles]], Bumblebee gained the latter's friendship and trust. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}

Bumblebee dropped Spike off at school and waited around in the carpark, where he was stolen by two car thieves, [[Jack (thief)|Jack]] and [[Rick (thief)|Rick]]. The Autobot let them have some fun for a while before taking control and giving them the ride of their lives. After letting them out, Bumblebee went back to pick up Spike, who wondered why the seat was wet. {{storylink|Joyride (story)|Joyride}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}

===Descent into Evil===
[[File:Timelines-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|You know you want me, baby.]]
Having been on the trail of the Decepticon agent [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] for a long, long time, now-[[espionage director]] Bumblebee made his move, interrupting a supposedly-secure secret communication between Flamewar and the [[Tripredacus Council]]. He revealed that his agent, [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]] had installed a degenerating virus into [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s [[Virulent Clone|clone army]]. Oh, and that since the Autobots now ''knew'' Flamewar's whereabouts and who she was working for, the Tripredacus Council would certainly consider her a liability. Which they did. So they blew [[Flamewar's ship|her ship]] up. {{storylink|Descent into Evil}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{note|For information pertaining to Goldbug, a separate individual in the IDW continuity, see [[Goldbug (IDW)]].}}
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
[[File:BeforeTheDawn-BumblebeeKRONCH.jpg|thumb|left]]
Having been part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s team during the latter days of the Decepticon uprising and [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s reign, millions of years later, Bumblebee was a member of [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s tactical response unit, stationed on Earth, and aided [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] in tracking down the original Decepticon [[infiltration protocol|infiltration bunker]], while noting that the doctor's human friends were ultimately "acceptable losses" if it came to it.

After the Decepticon [[Surge (event)|Surge]] and their subsequent retreat from Earth, Optimus Prime gave himself up to [[Skywatch]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] took a splinter group with the aim of getting off the planet by any means necessary, Bumblebee was elected leader by the remaining Autobots. What followed was a leadership in a constant state of crisis, as few respected his authority, with many continuing to defer to the returned Optimus Prime. After the Chaos War, Bumblebee found himself in nominal charge of the reborn Cybertron as Optimus Prime once again departed, this time in the face of a hostile [[NAIL|civilian population]], and the renamed "Rodimus" again took a splinter group of Autobots elsewhere, this time on a quixotic quest for the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. Played by all, an uprising led by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] proved the final straw for the civilian "NAILs" with both factions, and with [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] renouncing his faction and grasping the opportunity, both Bumblebee's Autobots and the Decepticons were exiled to the Cybertronian wilderness.

Shortly afterward, in the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" crisis, Bumblebee was killed by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]. Oddly enough, the Transformer most bothered by this was Megatron. However Bumblebee ''did'' survive, in a sense, his consciousness ending up in [[Infraspace]], where he would bug Starscream as a ghost, before eventually restored after briefly joining with [[Pyra Magna]]. In the aftermath of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s apocalyptic attack, Prowl turned Megatron over to the [[Galactic Council]] for a trial, the act allowing the Cybertronians a chance to finally join the organization, Bumblebee acting as their representative, accompanied by the ghost of Starscream.
{{--}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:Beeawakens-HOS1.jpg|thumb|The upstairs neighbors are at it again...]]
In an alternate universe, the Transformers landed on Earth before the Ice Age, taking on the forms of dinosaurs and giant insects; Bumblebee took on the form of a ''{{w|Gastonia (dinosaur)|Gastonia}}''-like dinosaur. When the climate became too cold for [[Ice Age Wars|the war]] to continue, Bumblebee and the other Autobots entered into [[stasis lock]] to prevent further damage. Thousands of years later, Bumblebee awoke to the age of humans from the noise of John Henry's hammering. Bumblebee was impressed by the humans' industriousness, and disguised himself as a small steam locomotive with no control cab, and a built in steam-hammer for driving spikes. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} Initially, 'Bee directly competed with steel-driving legend [[John Henry]]. After Bumblebee revealed himself in robot form to Henry, Henry set aside his mistrust of automation after realizing that Bumblebee was a living being (not just a machine) who wanted to put in a fair day's work. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

[[File:BeeandJohnHenry-HOS2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
Bumblebee woke several of his fellow Autobots, who soon discovered that the Decepticons were also active in this era. After taking on locomotive alt modes themselves, {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} Bumblebee, the Autobots, and their new human friends worked together to prevent the Decepticons' mighty [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] from reaching [[New York City]]. With the Decepticons defeated, Bumblebee and the Autobots returned to their slumber. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

Years later when the Autobots learned of the rise of an [[Elder God]], they realized they needed the power of Optimus Prime, but didn't have enough energy to awaken him from stasis lock. Disguising himself in a new streetcar mode, Bumblebee made contact with [[Tobias Muldoon]], an inventor he had befriended during his earlier adventure, and requested his help in gathering electricity. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}}

The Autobots continued to stand guard over humanity until the modern day, when Ratchet was captured by the human organization [[Skylogic Systems]], prompting Bumblebee and Optimus Prime to investigate. Their search led them to the [[Lone Gunmen]], three humans who revealed that they were out to stop Skylogic from producing a virus made partially from Ratchet's DNA. Joining forces, the Autobots and Gunmen captured and interrogated Skylogic scientist [[David Simmons]], learning the location of where Ratchet was being held. Being the smaller of the Autobots, Bumblebee took the form of a military vehicle (to his chagrin) and infiltrated the facility with the Gunmen, hitting it off particularly well with his "ninja buddy" [[Richard Langly]]. While freeing Ratchet he was paralyzed by a Skylogic weapon, and though he urged the others to run, Langly turned back and destroyed the weapon, allowing him to escape. The Autobots then said goodbye to their new allies and took off elsewhere in an attempt to lure away Skylogic pursuers. {{storylink|The X-Files: Conspiracy: The Transformers}}

{{note|Events identical to those of ''Hearts of Steel'' and ''Infestation 2'' occurred in the [[2005 IDW continuity]]; however, they happened to [[Maximal]] explorers brainwashed by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] into believing they were the Autobots and Decepticons of the Great War. Bumblebee's identity was taken by the Maximal named [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]].}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
On a shopping trip, Bumblebee became frustrated over the fact that he was never able to find the toys he wanted on store shelves.

Later, a vending machine caught his eye, and he wound up spending all his money on "her." Bumblebee asked Ultra Magnus to borrow him some money, only for Magnus to claim the vending machine was just using him. Bumblebee denied this, claiming that what they had was true love.

Later still, some jerk in a [[Spider-Man]] outfit led a legion of [[Clone trooper]]s to smash Bumblebee and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s [[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] [[Transformers: Crossovers]] toys. Bumblebee's pleas for him to stop were left unheeded. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''TransTech''===
{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]] (English)}}
A Bumblebee with a Cybertronian alternate-mode was among the many off-worlders being processed when [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] arrived in Axiom Nexus. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Bee in the City 2: Electric Bugaloo}}}}

[[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] reported that a Bumblebee on the last stellar cycle's Starlogged was a [[Pretender]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 1}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 4}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 6}}}}

===Titan Magazines===
After a hard day of fighting the most despiscable enemies the universe has to offer, [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Transformers (2007)|Slumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers (2007)|Softimus Prime]]
like nothing more than to hit the couch and hug their favorite humans. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Slumber Party}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
[[File:Henkei bumblebee pack in.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.5]]

When [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Megatron]] and the Decepticons attacked Earth in the 21st century, Bumblebee and the Autobots were there to stop them. During a battle in Tokyo, Bumblebee got the drop on [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Starscream]], dousing him with a fire engine's hose and leaving him open for a thrashing from [[Grimlock (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 1}}

Later, Bumblebee helped shield human bystanders from injury when [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Astrotrain]] went on a rampage, {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} and cheered when they were joined in their fight by [[Hot Rod (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Rodimus]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}}

Bumblebee was last seen helping to once more protect humans when the Decepticons attacked a power plant with their newest member, the reluctant [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Skyfire]]. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===
[[File:Henkei chpt 01 first meeting.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75]]

Bumblebee was part of a small Autobot team led by Optimus Prime who left Cybertron to pursue the [[Energon cube#Henkei! Henkei! Comic Bun Bun pack-in manga|Energon Cube]] through space. When the giant energy source crashed on Earth, in the Japanese town of [[Hoshinochō]], it shattered into fragments that were scattered far and wide. Bumblebee and the other Autobots set up a subterranean base below the Cube's impact crater, and began their search for the shards, taking the forms of local vehicles to hide their activities. Despite their attempts at remaining unseen, glimpses of the Autobots only magnified the reputation the crash of the Cube (believed by humans to be a meteor) had given Hoshinochō: that of a hotbed of rumored alien and UFO activity, Japan's answer to [[United States of America|America]]'s [[Roswell]].

[[File:Henkei bumblebee and wataru.jpg|left|thumb|20 years later, Wataru still has this hanging on his wall.|upright=0.75]]

Eleven years later, the driverless [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] Bumblebee was spotted by a schoolchild in the vicinity of the [[Star Dome]], a building since constructed over the Cube crater. Hearing the story from this witness, fame-seeking schoolboy [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]] ditched school to investigate the Star Dome, only for coincidence to lead him to step right in front of the speeding Bumblebee! Bumblebee was forced to transform and vault over the boy to prevent injuring him, but was able to make his escape before Wataru got a good look at him. Bumblebee hastily continued on his way to the Star Dome, and arrived to find it under attack by [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Starscream]] and [[Ramjet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ramjet]]. Wataru, too, had made it to the Dome, and Bumblebee saved him from Starscream before realizing with surprise that he was the same boy from earlier. {{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} The other Autobots soon arrived to join the fight, and Bumblebee tried to protect Wataru from injury by scooping him up and tossing him to the relative safety of the stands. For his trouble, the small Autobot was pinned by Starscream, but Wataru returned the favor by blinding the Decepticon with a fire extinguisher. The battle was then joined by the Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]], who attempted to make an example of Bumblebee and Wataru by blasting them with his fusion cannon, but at the last second, Optimus Prime was apparently able to deflect Megatron's shot with one of his own. Megatron covered the Decepticons' subsequent retreat by collapsing a part of the Star Dome, but Bumblebee protected Wataru from the rubble by shielding him with his own body. The pair then properly introduced themselves to one another, and Wataru was invited into the Autobots' base for an explanation. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}}

Bumblebee and Prime showed Wataru through their base on their way to the medical bay, where Bumblebee was to be treated for repairs. Bumblebee did not relish Optimus's medical ministrations, and the two Autobots were so busy trying to get through the process that they did not notice Wataru touching the large shard of the Energon Cube that they had recovered in their time on Earth. A bizarre energy discharge resulted that not only showed the Autobots images of [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|another time and place]], but also healed all of Bumblebee's wounds. Prime pulled Wataru away from the shard and things returned to normal, leaving Bumblebee and the boy to marvel over what had occurred, and Prime to ponder what it might mean. Bumblebee then took Wataru back to school, but when he nearly blabbed everything that had happened to him to the assembled teachers, students and police, Bumblebee was forced to bump into him from behind shut him up. Unfortunately for 'Bee, he then had to beat a hast retreat as the police came chasing after him for his "hit and run" offense! {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

[[File:Henkei bumblebee medical treatment.jpg|thumb|Who knew alien-robots could be {{w|Trypanophobia|trypanophobic}}?]]

Bumblebee was next called into action when Starscream attacked a hydro-electric power plant with the help of his brainwashed comrade, [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]]. {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} Once again, Bumblebee tried to save Wataru from the Decepticons and was blasted as a result. This time, however, the pair were both saved by Skyfire, who was struggling against the mind-controlling influence of the helmet Starscream had placed on his head. All the combatants were shocked when a surge of familiar surge of energy erupted from Wataru's body; again, Bumblebee's wounds were healed, and Skyfire was empowered to overcome the helmet. Skyfire helped fend the Decepticons off and joined the Autobots, returning with them to their base where Prime explained to Bumblebee what he had come to understand about Wataru: he was a being known as a "[[Booster]]", born with the ability to control the energies of the Energon Cube. Both Bumblebee and Wataru were very excited at the idea that Wataru would now be able to help the Autobots in their fight. {{storylink|Wataru's Power}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Optimus Prime's Secret}} {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}} {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}} {{storylink|Revenge (Henkei)|Revenge}} {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
[[File:FfE Bumblebee.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Is he Schwarzebee... or Bumblenegger?]]
Bumblebee was one of the many oppressed Cybertronians who sought freedom when their planet's halls of power grew dark with corruption, greed and malice. He was one of the first Autobots to travel to Earth, and took on an alternate form to disguise himself amongst its populace. {{storylink|Action Blast 1}}

Bumblebee and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] were out for a drive when they discovered [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] mining fuel near an abandoned [[Rock-It Fuel|gas station]]. Bumblebee wanted to rush in but Optimus Prime suggested they create a diversion. They caused an explosion which distracted Cyclonus. Bumblebee attacked and kept him busy while Optimus Prime snuck up and hit him over the head with his [[energon-axe]]. Megatron chose to blow up the mining operation and retreat with Cyclonus. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee drove off leaving the flaming wreckage of the mining operation behind. {{storylink|Fight for Energon}}

===Robot Heroes===
Bumblebee was one of Optimus Prime's many Autobot friends who joined him on a journey to Earth. After hiding their ship, the Autobots helped defend the planet from the Decepticons; Bumblebee took on Blitzwing. The evil robots were defeated, but the Autobots knew they would come back one day, and swore to continue their vigil over the Earth. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
Millions of years ago, Megatron thought Optimus Prime to be forever vanquished. He was proven wrong when the Autobot leader rushed into battle alongside Bumblebee and his other compatriots against him in a surprise attack. {{storylink|A New Battle!}}

Bumblebee was amongst the victims of a deadly nano-virus. Thankfully, a team of Autobots were successfully in retrieving a cure for the disease from the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]. Fully recovered, Bumblebee attended the ceremony that commended the Autobots responsible for saving his life. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Autobots to her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]], so that he could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Bumblebee could be seen being ordered forward by Optimus Prime on one of Synergy's view-screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''BeCool'' shorts===
{{voiceactor|[[Yuka Hoshi]] (Japanese)}}
'''Yellow Sports Car''' (黄色のスポーツカー ''Kiiro no Supōtsu Kā'') was a confident racer who liked adventure. {{storylink|The Self-Introduction Chapter}} Among others, he was caught in a traffic jam, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Trailer]] made them all transform into robot modes so that they could walk past the jam. {{storylink|The Story of the Surprising and Big Traffic Jam!}} Yellow Sports Car was again stuck with others because of a hole in the road. When Trailer used his body to fill the hole, Yellow Sports Car became starry-eyed, and wanted to try out being nice. However, Trailer sped off, leaving Yellow Sports Car in the hole. {{storylink|The Story of Mister Trailer's Big Success!}}

While exploring a forest, Yellow Sports Car became lost. He found [[Powerglide (G1)|Red Jet]], who was also lost, and the two agreed to find a means to escape the forest together. {{storylink|The Story of the Lost Plane!}} Yellow Sports Car was later part of the ''Quiz! BeCool'' show, where he was on a team with [[Jazz (G1)|Green Sports Car]]. Despite answering the first question correctly, their team ended up losing. {{storylink|The Story of Quiz! BeCool}} Interacting with [[you]], Yellow Sports Car explained his ''BeCool'' marks, which he thought were cool. He soon spotted Trailer sleeping, with the appropriate "Zzz..." mark showing. {{storylink|The Story of What Do I Know About the BeCool Mark?}}

Yellow Sports Car was driving through the city when he inadvertently slipped on a [[banana]] peel left by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Garbage Truck]]. Spinning out of control, he passed a red light, leading [[Prowl (G1)|Patrol Car]] and [[Barricade (Movie)|American Patrol Car]] to admonish him for not following traffic laws. {{storylink|The Story of Protecting the Signal!}} Yellow Sports Car later played part in a movie being directed by [[Megatron (G1)|Tank Lorry]]. However, his cries for "help" atop a fake burning building were misinterpreted by the local fire brigade and he was "rescued". {{storylink|The Story of the Fire Brigade Dispatch!}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}} {{storylink|Another Episode, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Fated Rival, Once Again...}} {{storylink|To Earth}} {{storylink|Reunion and Parting}} {{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)|Revenge}} {{storylink|The False Power}} {{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}}}

===''Construct-Bots'' cartoon===
[[File:Construct-Bots short Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Bumblebee told [[you]] about Construct-bots, and took showed off his jet mode. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tried to shoot him down, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] came to his rescue! {{storylink|Toys & App TV Commercial}}

Optimus and Bumblebee snuck into the [[Decepticon]]s' base, and found their enemies upgrading themselves with [[Autobot]] parts. The pair took offense to this, and Bumblebee set about sabotaging the process. Thanks to his mucking about with the Decepticons' computer, Megatron wound up getting a gumball machine strapped to his chest. Enraged, he tossed the candy dispenser to the ground, and wound up tripping on the gumballs that spilled all over the floor. Megatron wound up tripping on the gumballs and had his parts come off his chassis when he fell to the ground. Optimus and Bumblebee congratulated each other on a prank well done! {{storylink|Intro!}}

Bumblebee was out and about with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] when they came upon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] preening in front of a full-length mirror. The narcissistic Decepticon was then attacked by [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], who scattered his pieces. As Starscream put himself back together, Bumblebee swapped out his wings for some wheels. When Starscream tried to take off, he predictably enough fell to a nasty drop. Bumblebee then attached the wings to himself and took off skywards. {{storylink|Take Flight!}}

Bumblebee tussled with Megatron. Throughout the fight, both 'bots' parts got rearranged in bizarre ways. At the end of the struggle, Bumblebee stood properly assembled, while Megatron found his chassis stripped of its parts! Humiliated, Megatron took off. {{storylink|Switcheroo!}}

Optimus later helped Bumblebee put his parts back on his bare chassis. During the dress-up, Bumblebee managed to accidentally swallow his Autobot badge. Choking, he coughed up a bird and a bike horn before the badge came back out. With his airway now clear, he sang a little bit. When he noted that Optimus didn't think much of the tune, he asked if the other Autobot wanted "piece of him". {{storylink|Bumblebee Speaks!}}

On another occasion, Optimus got a little carried away with strapping new parts onto Bumblebee. Bumblebee tried to protest Optimus attaching a rocket to his shoulder, but the booster activated and sent Bumblebee wheeling through the air. Bumblebee eventually came crashing back down, and gave a "thumbs up" to show he was okay. {{storylink|Strength!}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:FormFollowsFunction-Bumblecycle.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Starscream pursued Bumblebee through space, determined to use him to lure [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] out of hiding. During the chase, Bumblebee's [[Autobot Resistance Karrier|A.R.K.]] took severe damage, forcing him to set it down on planet [[Earth]]. He landed near a [[Cobra]] base under assault by the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]s. Entering the site, Bumblebee hid among a collection of cars by adopting a similar form. When [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] came about and engaged Starscream in combat, Bumblebee broke cover to help the ninja escape. Starscream then managed to grab a hold of Bumblebee and pulled him up into the air. The following battle between the Joes and Cobra resulted in a huge explosion of [[G.I.Rocket|Creeper]] vines, which tore into Bumblebee's body. Starscream grabbed hold of Bumblebee's head, leaving the Autobot's body in the Joes' possession.

Starscream then brought Bumblebee's head to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as a gift. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}} Megatron attached it to a chain and wore it around his neck as a trophy. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Back on Earth, Bumblebee's body was rebuilt into a transforming "Bumblecycle", which [[General Flagg]] used to defend the [[USS Flagg|U.S.S. ''Flagg'']] from a "Decepticobra" attack. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} After being allowed use of the Bumblecycle in his arcane experiments, [[Doctor Venom]] turned it into a robot suit through which he was able to [[binary bonding|binary-bond]] with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s body. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:PaxMegatronus-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Optimus Prime was furious to hear of Bumblebee's death, and traveled to Earth to confront G.I. Joe and retrieve his friend's remains. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} Doctor Venom attacked him with his Bumblebee/Soundwave patchwork robot, but Prime tore its head off and returned with the Bumblebee suit to Cybertron. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} Meanwhile, Bumblebee's head was placed within [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where [[Doctor B]] claimed it was a robotics project based on a cartoon as part of the city's [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]] facade. After [[Scarlett]] was able to take control of Scorponok, she returned Bumblebee's head to Optimus Prime who finally reunited it with its body. {{storylink|Headmasters (issue)|Headmasters}} Bumblebee became whole once more, and gained the ability to fly! But celebrations were to be short-lived; Optimus met Megatron in a duel, which ended with the Decepticons dog-pilling both Optimus and Bumblebee. Though Bumblebee managed to break free of the Decepticon holding him down, he was too late to save Optimus from getting a hole blown through his chest. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}}

When the Jotobot alliance prepared to march on Trypticon, Bumblebee took part in rousing Metroplex's fighting spirit. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} The following battle saw [[Primus]] wrap Earth's star in a dyson sphere as he feasted on its energy, before [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] heralded the return of Optimus Prime. After some weird and trippy events, a game of "hot potato" began for the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bumblebee claiming it from some Cobra mooks before delivering it back to Optimus. Unfortunately, not even the words of the Prime could tame Primus' hunger, the deity having to be stopped by [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], the robot mode of Earth. As peace settled among both humans and Cybertronians, Bumblebee joined the crew of the [[Ark II|''Ark 2'']], confirming their heading towards [[Quadrant X]] on their hunt for the [[Quintesson|Makers]]. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

===''Transformers × Evangelion''===
Bumblebee was among the Autobots who traveled to Earth to investigate strange energy readings and found a [[Tokyo-3]] under attack by [[Angel]]s. {{storylink|Mode "Eva" chapter 1}} They bore witness to the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possessing one of the Angels, becoming "Angel"-scream. {{storylink|Mode "Eva" chapter 2}} During the battle with the monster, Bumblebee used his size to his advantage and drove circles around "Angel"-scream, who stumbled in his attempts to catch the little Autobot. {{storylink|Mode "Eva" chapter 4}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
[[File:ABTF 1 BumblebeegetsAllSpark.jpg|thumb|left]]
When Decepticons attacked the Autobot shuttle carrying the [[AllSpark]], Bumblebee was charged by Optimus Prime with taking the relic and running away. He was chased down and cornered by Starscream, but the Decepticon's attack missed and shattered a window, causing the AllSpark to be sucked into space and a [[Unspace|quantum tunnel]]. Bumblebee wasn't discouraged, though, promising they'd keep looking for it as he captured Starscream. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} Turns out they didn't have to, as the AllSpark later came crashing back through another window while the Autobots were discussing where to look next. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
On Earth in the 1980s, Bumblebee led a team of Minibots against the Decepticons when they attacked the [[British Museum]] shielding [[Noah Acton|Noah]] and [[Leah Acton]] from falling debris. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] lamented that all the great and famous Cybertronians, including Bumblebee, were long gone by the time that Cybertron was controlled by the [[Builder Assembly]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:Of Masters and Mayhem flashback.jpeg|thumb|right|250px]]
In one universe, Bumblebee fought alongside his fellow Autobots against Megatron's Decepticons until the Cybertronian civil war led to the creation of the monstrous combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Thunder Mayhem turned on his masters, ultimately leading to him rampaging across Cybertron. Bumblebee presumably perished during the reckoning of his homeworld. {{storylink|History}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:AwYeah1-earthquake.jpg|thumb|left]]
Along with Arcee and Optimus Prime, Bumblebee was fighting the Decepticons on Earth before seismic activity forced everyone away. As the Autobots rolled out, Optimus was teleported away by [[Baron Karza]]. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}} Optimus returned soon enough, rallying a force of Autobots that counted Bumblebee among them. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 3|Aw Yeah Revolution! #3}}

===When Worlds Collide===
When trying to retrieve the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bumblebee and the Autobots joined forces with a variety of humans and other beings in their fight against Megatron and Cobra Commander's forces. Though the combined forces of good were ready for their ultimate battle, the showdown was delayed when the two kids imagining the scenario were called away to dinner. {{storylink|When Worlds Collide}}
{{--}}

===''Bumblebee'' graphic novels===
[[File:GoForTheGold-BumblebeeTransforms.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Bumblebee joined Optimus Prime as he and his Autobot team battled [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] for control of a recently landed [[cybertonium]] meteorite. As the other Autobots swung into action, however, Bumblebee found himself unable to meaningfully contribute to the skirmish between the Autobots and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, and as [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] reported that that the volatile cocktail of exotic materials in the meteorite made it liable to erupt in a devastating explosion, Prime sent Bumblebee to rescue some human scientists who had come under attack from [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]—the Autobot leader counted on Bumblebee's ability to make new friends to help the humans out of the situation safely.

Even though Bumblebee quickly got the humans to safety, their comments about his nonthreatening appearance got under his skin and led him to drop off the humans at a safe distance before racing back to the crash site. As the meteor went critical, Starscream prepared to abscond with a fragment of the cybertonium... until Bumblebee vaulted himself off a nearby ramp to tackle the flying Decepticon head-on. As the pair struggled in mid-air, the fragment exploded; although Starscream and the Constructicons retreated empty-handed, the stunt left Bumblebee badly injured. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}

[[File:WinIfYouDare-Bumblebeealtmode.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

After [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] helped to rebuild the little Autobot, Optimus put Bumblebee on standby until he had completed his road tests. While mulling over his perceived uselessness while driving through [[Yosemite National Park]], Bumblebee intervened in a dangerous street race and wound up rescuing the human [[Mateo Cruz]] after his aggressive competitor ran him off the road. Bumblebee towed Mateo's Jeep back to his country home and the pair became friends along the way, with the human explaining the nature of his prosthetic limbs to the Autobot. Mateo offered to repair Bumblebee, and the next morning the two headed into town to confront the owner of the mystery Jeep racer and began their search at the garage where [[Nicole]] worked. In spite of Mateo's romantic awkwardness around the flirty mechanic, 'Bee tried to get his friend to confess his feelings and invite her to the school dance that night, but to no avail.

Nicole's information then sent the pair then headed to [[Herman's Military Surplus and Museum|a run-down airfield]] on the outskirts of town; when Mateo went poking inside the building, however, he stumbled upon a scheme to steal the top-secret [[B-2 stealth bomber]] that [[Angela Cruz|Mateo's mother]] had been working on—a plan headed by the mystery street racer... the Decepticon [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]! The pair chased Swindle as he made a break for it, but were unable to stop him from swerving behind a passing train and making good his escape. With no way to capture Swindle, and Mateo's prosthetic leg destroyed in the chase, Bumblebee persuaded his friend to spend his night at the school dance, using the upgraded mechanical limb he and his mother had built. After a quick pep-talk from Bumblebee, the Autobot revealed that he had wired Mateo's legs with a two-way signal, allowing him to remotely control Mateo's limbs from afar—and using that connection to help Mateo wow Nicole on the dance floor. This elation was short lived, however; when 'Bee spied a helicopter buzzing overhead, he quickly realized it to be the Combaticon [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], who jammed his communications and moved in for the kill.

[[File:WinIfYouDare-WeCanFly.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

With an angry Vortex on his tail, Bumblebee headed to the local [[Sierra Station|military base]] to get whatever reinforcements he could find while Mateo and Nicole pursued Bumblebee in her own car. Mateo's mother,having escaped from Combaticon custody by commandeering an abandoned plane, confirmed that the local military was woefully underprepared to take on the Decepticons... especially after they combined into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Though he briefly lost his composure in the face of the rampaging combiner, Mateo pulled up just in time to spur him into action by using Bumblebee's own advice: by showing them who he ''really'' was, and relying on ''his'' strengths, he could win by doing what he did best—and for Bumblebee, that strength was the power of teamwork. While Bumblebee distracted Bruticus long enough for the human soldiers to hammer Bruticus with artillery fire until he split up, he and his three new friends headed to a nearby hangar, where Angela and Mateo piloted the stealth bomber right over the disoriented Combaticons, with Bumblebee delivering the final coup de grâce by paralyzing them with an EMP bomb.

The next morning, Optimus and the other Autobots arrive to take the Combaticons into custody, while Optimus apologized to Bumblebee for underestimating him in the field. Before Bumblebee returned home, however, he had time for one more race with his new friends, and promptly drove off into the sunrise. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:Star Trek Windblade.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Four million years ago, Bumblebee was among the Autobots who left Cybertron aboard the ''Ark'' to clear a path through an [[asteroid belt]]. Though they succeeded in this task, Megatron's Decepticons attacked, boarded the ''Ark'', and sent the ship crashing towards Earth. In the year [[1984]], a volcanic eruption reawoke the ship's complement and a secret war began for the Earth's energon supply. During the conflict, Bumblebee developed a reputation for getting along well with humans, but when humanity found itself embroiled in the vicious [[Eugenics Wars]] and the later [[World War III]], the Autobots felt that they could no longer trust humans and fled the planet aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. After decades in space, the Autobots picked up an energon signal on the planet [[Cygnus Seven]] only to be attacked by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], whose attack once again sent the Autobot ship hurtling down towards a primitive planet and locking all aboard in emergency stasis. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

In the 23rd century, the [[Federation]] established a mining outpost on Cygnus Seven, and while excavating a mineshaft a team of Federation miners stumbled onto the buried ship and accidentally tripped Maximus's autonomous repair systems. As it had on Earth, these emergency protocols reactivated the Decepticons first, then Optimus Prime, who promptly rushed out to defend the mine while the rest of the Autobots came online. The group promptly came face to face with [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]]'s away team from the from the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']], with Jazz demanding to know what they'd done with Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart3-BumblebeeVsSoundwave.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Believing that the humans had killed Optimus Prime, the two factions briefly clashed; Bumblebee subdued [[M'Ress]] before Captain [[James T. Kirk]] convinced the Autobots of their good intentions. Once cooler heads began to prevail, Jazz had Bumblebee recount how the Autobots had wound up on Cygnus Seven before a Decepticon attack collapsed the mineshaft, sealing the group underground. Undaunted, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] said that they'd have to reactivate Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} After the doctor had set up a [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] between the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] and the human captain, the former extracted the blueprints of the USS ''Enterprise'' to reformat and heal himself, leading the Autobots out onto the surface, only for the ground force to be caught in Trypticon's [[fire-breath]]. When Maximus transformed to robot mode, Bumblebee noted that, unlike M'Ress, he did such things every day. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart4-beamingover.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

As the two Titans duelled, Bumblebee stood up for Kirk's ability to reign in Maximus's desire for revenge before he and Jazz engaged Megatron as he turned on his [[Klingon]] allies. Soon enough however, Starscream doublecrossed Megatron, prompting the tyrant to withdraw his forces so that he could pursue his traitorous second. As the Autobot/[[Starfleet]] alliance prepared to pursue, they first travelled to the original, and disabled, ''Enterprise'' where Bumblebee, along with his fellow Autobots, was beamed aboard the human ship so that Cybertronian knowledge could accelerate its repairs. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

The two ships set out for [[Kronos]], capital of the [[Klingon Empire]], constructing [[Crewbot]]s so that the organics could fight on a Cybertronian footing. Though the Autobots and Starfleet, joined by the Klingons, held the numerical advantage, Soundwave incapacitated everyone with his audio disruptor waves. Fortunately, the Klingons were deaf to the frequency that the communication chief used allowing them to summon a [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]] fleet that defeated the invaders. In the aftermath, the Autobots were allowed to go free. Though Kirk asked them if they would return to Earth, Optimus politely refused the offer, instead choosing to lead the Autobots elsewhere in the universe. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part One|''Transformers'' issue #1]]}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPartTwo-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Wow, Bumblebee, when I get older, can I run over Soundwave too?"]]

Bumblebee was forged during the reign of [[Nominus Prime]], and emerged from the [[Forge Pyramid]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with great fanfare. Within the first few minutes of his life, he had already befriended [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], and been introduced to his mentor, [[Shutter]], who helped him get accustomed to life on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} In time, Bumblebee would choose an alternate mode for himself and join [[Security Operations]] alongside Windblade, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} where he worked as a recon scout. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One}} Bumblebee soon became a very popular bot, making friends far and wide, and his fame was such that the [[Probat (species)|inhabitants]] of the Cybertronian colony world [[Probat (planet)|Probat]] would come to worship him as their savior after he helped set up an energon refinery on their homeworld. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 1}} However, this period in his life would end disastrously; under unrevealed circumstances, Bumblebee would be expelled from Security Operations. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}} Eventually, Bumblebee joined Cybertron's search and rescue division; {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} ''how'' exactly this came about is unknown, but Bumblebee would later note that he was in "debt" to Senator [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

With Cybertron's ability to forge new [[protoform]]s limited by the terms of the [[Nominus Edict]], Bumblebee was overjoyed when he learned that he had been selected to mentor one such new Transformer, and introduce them to every facet of life on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} Bumblebee first met his new charge, a little 'bot named [[Rubble]], at the customary forging ceremony that marked Rubble's proper introduction to the world. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}} Under Bumblebee's tutelage, Rubble learned more and more about life on Cybertron and the many potential careers available to him; however, this era of Cybertronian society was also a volatile one, with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] rallies inflaming an already fraught political situation. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} Bumblebee remained disinterested in politics, however, and chose not to affiliate with the Autobots, Ascenticons, or any of the minor political parties represented in the Cybertronian Senate. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPartThree-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

One evening, on Rubble's forty-first cycle of existence, Bumblebee took his young ward to the badlands that lay beyond Iacon so as to introduce him to [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], who worked at a nearby [[energon transmission station]]. After meeting a [[Voin]] scavenger and Windblade, the three made it to the station... only to learn that Brainstorm had been murdered, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} in a way that seemingly incriminated the violent Ascenticon splinter group known as "[[The Rise]]." Wanting to shield Rubble from this unpleasant business, and uninterested in dealing with [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s [[Security Operations]] taskforce, Bumblebee instead shuttled Rubble to the next leg of their journey, the massive space elevator known as the [[Tether]], which connected Cybertron to the [[Winged Moon]]. Bumblebee introduced Rubble to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and left him for the day so that Rubble could experience life as part of Wheeljack's engineering corps... but not before warning him to keep quiet regarding Brainstorm's death. That evening, Bumblebee returned to pick up Rubble, and the pair watched as the Winged Moon began its nightly harvest while Bumblebee filled in his protégé on Cybertron's political situation. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

Later, Bumblebee tried teaching Rubble about [[alternate mode]]s, even using the passing shape of [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] as an object lesson, though Rubble was more interested in the moon. Bumblebee promised that they would visit the Winged Moon one day; however, he was called away by the [[Senate]] before he could finish the lesson. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} Bumblebee spoke with Orion Pax, worried that a botched attack at Megatron's latest Ascenticon rally had been suspiciously incompetent, requested that Bumblebee join the recently founded [[Ascenticon Guard]] in order to keep an eye on Megatron's operations. Though initially hesitant, Bumblebee's debt to Orion compelled him to agree; {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}} over the coming days, Bumblebee attended a forging celebration with Rubble, and intervened in a scuffle between an Autobot and an Ascenticon sympathizer, before leaving Rubble again to attend Brainstorm's funeral. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPartFive-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bumblebee would never trust dating sites again.]]

Some time afterwards, Bumblebee would finally contact the Ascenticons and request permission to join the Guard, leaving Rubble to walk home by himself after another shift on the Tether. While he expected to deal with his friend [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]], he instead found himself confronted by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who planted an [[Electromagnetic suppressor spear|electromagnetic suppressor]] to ensure that their conversation wold not be monitored. Revealing that he had once been expelled from Security Operations, Bumblebee confessed that he found the Ascenticons and their message of stability resonated with him... and that, more than anything, he wanted to ensure that Rubble would enjoy a safe future. Tragically, the electromagnetic damper meant that Bumblebee was unaware that Rubble was calling him for help—his young friend had encountered the unstable Ascenticon [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], and was swiftly beaten to death by the Ascenticon berserker. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

Learning of Rubble's fate, but not his killer, Bumblebee fell into a deep, guilt-ridden depression, despite the best efforts of both Windblade and Orion. Finally galvanized to avenge Rubble by ensuring that nobody else would have to experience what he experienced, Bumblebee met with Elita-1 at [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Ascenticon Headquarters]] and announced his intentions to join the Guard. Despite the mockery of fellow recruits [[Flywheels|Skytread]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]], Bumblebee was able to best them both in physical combat before Elita separated them. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One}} Bumblebee's attitude impressed Elita, who wished that her fellow Guard members possessed his professionalism. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two}} Another ex-security 'bot, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]], quickly joined the Guard, far more easily than 'Bee had, which caused the yellow Autobot to suspect something was amiss. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three}}

[[File:TheChangeInYourNaturePt1 BumblebeeBeatsSkytread.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How Krillin wins most of his fights too.]]

Shortly before [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s return to Cybertron, Bumblebee and Elita were assigned to guard Megatron himself as he made his way to the Senate, and stood guard outside. However, an anti-Ascenticon protest quickly became a mob, and the pair were pushed into using physical force to get them to disperse. In the aftermath, Bumblebee and Elita both wondered if their actions felt right. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} Bumblebee later spoke with Pax, who offered to let him leave the Guard in light of Rubble's demise, only for Bumblebee to double down on the mission. When the Ascenticons prepared for an attack that evening, Bumblebee followed the shifty looking Barricade, coming to blows with [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and his cell of [[The Rise|Risers]] only to be electrocuted by Skytread. That night, Bumblebee was part of the group shot as Megatron rebranded the Ascenticons. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

After receiving the new insignia, Bumblebee went to confront Skytread, contemptuously decking the [[Duocon]], before Elita pulled him away for a scolding. Far from being intimidated, Bumblebee pointed out the suspicious nature of Barricade's abduction and later tried to hack into Soundwave's files to discover the truth. When Elita found out, she decided to humor him, finding that both Barricade and Quake's profiles had been deleted, the latter on the same cycle that Rubble had died, by Soundwave himself. The communications chief then arrived and told them both to come with him to the [[Cybertronian Mountains]]. Elita warned Bumblebee that they'd gotten extremely lucky this time. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part One}}

When the trio arrived, Soundwave waved [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] aside and went off to negotiate with the Risers holed up within the immersant [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. As Elita questioned Soundwave's choice of words, Bumblebee jumped in after the Senator overhearing some of the negotiation. When Soundwave made to leave, Bumblebee scampered back to the surface, noting to Elita that an electromagnetic suppressor had been left behind, before Soundwave arrived with a falsified account of events. Off to the side, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] questioned his spy, [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] on when Bumblebee had joined the Guard before the Titan's corpse exploded. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}}

[[File:AllFallDown-getfragged.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Shortly afterwards, Bumblebee made his way to Orion and Chromia and reported his findings to them. After the two confirmed his information, Orion revealed the mounting evidence that Quake had killed Rubble. Though initially angry at this deception, Bumblebee soon accepted Pax's reasoning for concealing this information. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Three}} In one of their discussions, Starscream revealed to Megatron some information of Bumblebee's expulsion from Security Operations and planted the seeds of doubt in the former gladiator's mind regarding the yellow 'bot, enough that he consulted Elita-1, who had nothing but good things to say about her friend. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Four}}

After the Tether fell, Megatron decided that both Elita and Bumblebee had served their purposes, arranging for [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] and [[Catgut]] to assassinate the ex-Security Operative. Delegated by Skytread, now the head of the Guard, to search for survivors in the wreckage, Bumblebee, suspecting a trap, called Chromia for backup. After finding a mangled corpse, Bumblebee was assaulted by Catgut but managed to quickly shake him off only to be pounced on by Treadshot. Though managing to hold both off, Bumblebee was left near death before Chromia arrived and scared the two off. After Chromia confirmed that the Guard had abandoned him, she relieved Bumblebee of his mission and praised him for a job well done. Despondently, Bumblebee disagreed noting that he hadn't changed anything and that Rubble was still dead. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

His cover now exposed, Bumblebee was put under witness protection by Security and hidden in a safe house. Guarded by [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]], he chafed at being inactive while those he held responsible for Rubble's murder still ran free. Windblade paid him a welcome visit, but they were interrupted by a massive hologram of Megatron that appeared over Iacon to decry the Autobots. Windblade departed after that, leaving Bumblebee to continuing stewing in his perceived helplessness. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}}

[[File:Prisoners BumblebeeQuake.jpg|thumb|left|250px|He wants to get at Barricade as well... looks like Bee's been taking notes from [[Bumblebee (Movie)|his Movie self]].]]

After Quake was finally apprehended, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] made a spectacle of his capture, having the murderer paraded through the streets. Bumblebee watched the procession from his safe house with Stakeout, worryingly noting how many Ascenticon supporters were in the crowds, When a riot erupted and the bound Quake managed to make a break for it, Bumblebee immediately left the house, determined to prevent the killer's escape. He caught up with Quake in an alley, with the vicious Ascenticon having just fended off an attack by the Voin, who were also seeking retribution upon him. Freed of his bonds and gravely wounded, Quake slowly began to shift into his tank mode for a getaway. Fearing Quake would escape justice again, Bumblebee seized one of the Voin's fallen swords and leaped onto Quake's back while he was transforming. He stabbed Quake straight through the back of the neck, then wrenched the brute's entire [[spark]] chamber and head clean out of his body, killing him. Stakeout and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] caught up to the scene to find Bumblebee kneeling next to Quake's corpse and had no choice but to place him under arrest. Smokescreen tried to tell the Bumblebee that it was over, but the spy grimly noted that Barricade was still out there, unpunished. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}

Imprisoned, Bumblebee was paid a visit by Starscream, who told him that things were going to drastically change on Cybertron ''very'' shortly and proposed an alliance. Starscream promised his protection when the spy's recent covert actions were brought to light, but Bumblebee remained silent and unmoved by the offer. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}} Bumblebee was then broken free from prison by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and reluctantly joined his group, though Bumblebee only cared about getting revenge on Barricade. After arriving at Swindle's hidden bunker beneath [[Swindle's|his casino]], Bumblebee was surprised to see numerous [[Simultronic|multiworld simulation]] couches and the long-missing [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] sealed in one. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}}

[[File:SwindlesII-ChargerBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

During his time working for Swindle, his boss passed on an anonymous tip that Elita-1 was set to be moved to a Decepticon prison facility that night. Realizing that he had a debt to pay, Bumblebee joined forces with Swindle's hitmen [[Charger]] and [[Fire Beast]] to interrupt the transfer and ran into Barricade by accident. Bumblebee was initially prepared to kill Barricade for his role in Rubble's murder, but changed his mind upon remembering his time with Orion Pax before Rubble's forging ceremony and decided to be a better 'bot. Upon returning to Swindle's, and learning that his boss had somehow obtained information relating to the lost [[Enigma of Combination]], Bumblebee suggested getting in contact with the Autobots to pass this information on. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}}

When a small team of Autobots infiltrated Iacon to rescue [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from Decepticon captivity, the Decepticons retaliated by launching an attack on Swindle's bar. Bumblebee and Elita-1 joined the battle on the side of the Autobots and joined them when they used a hidden network of subterranean tunnels to retreat back to [[Crystal City]]. On the way back, Bumblebee gladly reunited with his friend Windblade. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three}}

[[File:ADustOfCrystals-BumblebeeWindblade.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

The group returned to Crystal City in time to fend off the Decepticon assault, but Bumblebee first met with the newly minted Optimus Prime, who'd become the leader of the Autobots after he inherited the Matrix from his predecessor. Although Prime apologized for having led his friend down this dark path, Bumblebee told Prime that he'd already forgiven him and would be joining the other Autobots in battle. Soon, however, the Decepticon advance forced the Autobots into a retreat until the Titan [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] arrived to shift the tide. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}} Although the arrival of reinforcements and the threat of a resurgent [[Exarchon]] prompted Optimus and Megatron to agree on a temporary truce, the battle left Crystal City in ruins and prompted the Autobots as they set out for [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. While on the way, however, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his soldiers took advantage of a swarm of onrushing [[rust worm]]s to box in the Autobots with an artillery barrage and leave them easy prey for the monsteres. {{storylink|Radical Time}} As the Autobots struggled to keep the worms at bay, Prime's ally [[Termagax]] successfully reprogrammed the [[Insecticon clone|Insecticlone]]s, who promptly began devouring the worms. As the Autobots trekked through the liquid rust that the worms left behind, they came under attack from an [[imploder]]-wielding [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and the other Decepticons. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Thanks to some Autobot intervention, Prime and the others successfully made it to Darkmount to begin the final phase of their evacuation. As the Decepticons laid siege to the city to prevent them from leaving the planet, Optimus entreated Bumblebee not to lose himself to anger and become someone Rubble wouldn't recognize, and Bumblebee promised he wouldn't. When [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] made a last stand to cover the Autobots' escape, Bumblebee helped usher a hesitant Optimus away, and they boarded the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to leave the planet. [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], Sky Lynx, and the ''Ark'' headed toward the ruins of the Winged Moon, and as Optimus Prime gave a speech to the assembled Autobots on approach, a somber Bumblebee was reminded of Rubble's amazement at seeing the Moon for the first time. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

====Alternate future====
[[File:TestFlightII-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

In an alternate future where Exarchon had conquered Cybertron, Bumblebee led a small group of Cybertronian rebels—[[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]], [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]—against the Threefold Spark, and had been forced to subsist on [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]] for so long that they'd lost the ability to transform. The group rescued a time-tossed [[Jumpstream]] from Thraal mercenaries and tried to get to safety before [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] and [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] ambushed and slaughtered his team. With time running out, Bumblebee donated his last reserves of nucleon to Jumpstream so that she could recharge her teleport harness and return home, moments before Bumblebee made his final stand against the next wave of Exarchon's warriors. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|Test Flight II}}
{{--}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
[[File:MazingerVsTransformers-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Bumblebee joined Optimus and the other Autobots as they battled the Decepticons near a [[space bridge]], until a bizarre space-time warp pulled them into the Japan of an alternate universe. On arriving, Prime and his men encountered the recently defeated [[Baron Ashura]]; the evil cyborg misled the heroes into supporting the nefarious [[Doctor Hell]] and his [[Iron Mask Army]] in their campaign against [[Kōji Kabuto]]'s [[Mazinger Z]]. Not realizing the nature of the deception, Prime and the other Autobots obligingly supported their new ally when Ashura and the [[Mechanical Beast]]s made a second run on the [[Photonic Power Laboratory]], but found themselves outmatched by the human-built super robots. Amidst the mayhem, Mazinger Z grabbed Bumblebee; Optimus's concern for the smallest Autobot prompted him to call off the attack so that they could free their comrade, and Optimus's concern for his soldier spurred a realization from Kōji: these new robots talked, unlike the Mechanical Beasts he fought. Realizing that they'd been on the wrong side all along, the Autobots teamed up with Mazinger Z and [[Boss Borot]], drove the villains off, then formally introduced themselves to each other.

As the Autobots got to know their new friends, Bumblebee, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] faced off against Kōji in a game of [[Mecha-soccer|soccer]] until a combined Mechanical Beast-Decepticon alliance launched another attack on the Photonic Power Laboratory. Bumblebee joined Grimlock and Boss Borot as they faced off against the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s; the arrival of the [[Jet Scrander]] turned the tide in favor of the Autobots until Starscream arrived, now sporting a gigantic Mazinger body! Autobots, Decepticons, Mazinger, and Mechanical Beasts alike teamed up to try and bring down the out-of-control "Mazinscream", but the dramatic battle ended with the photonic power fatally overloading his body, creating a rift that sucked the other Cybertronians back to their own dimension to continue their war. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsOfCybertronPart1-autobots.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
Bumblebee was among the Autobots who fled Cybertron at the end of the Great War, being spared the destruction of Cybertron and the near-extinction of the Cybertronian race at the hands of [[Gozer]]. A thousand or so years later, Cliffjumper and Bumblebee's attention was seized by [[Ectotron|Ectronymous Diamatron]]'s eager shout. Running the two minibots were shocked to see that a Cybertronian signal had been picked up from the nearby Earth, Bumblebee dragging Ectronymous to inform Optimus Prime of these findings while reminding the scientist of the importance of addressing people by their proper titles that they'd worked so hard to attain. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPart2-stopit.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Before the war, Bumblebee was a member of Cybertron's search and rescue division, but later became a scout for the Autobots. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}} When the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] reactivated the Cybertronians aboard the ''Ark'', Megatron killed Optimus Prime and went on to conquer the Earth. Though Bumblebee survived their first attack on the starship, he died at some point before the creation of [[Skynet]], and by the year [[2029]] his corpse was part of a mass Cybertronian grave in the ruins of downtown [[Los Angeles]]. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}} {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

In an attempt to negate this timeline, a lone [[T-800]] travelled back in time to when the ''Ark'' was reactivated in 1984. The unit's unwilling companion, a waitress named [[Sarah Connor]] managed to direct the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s repair beam on Bumblebee, his reactivation proving incentive enough for the Decepticons to fall back for the time being. As Bumblebee helped Prime up, the T-800 attacked again before Sarah called for calm. Though thoroughly unmoved by the robot's origin story, Bumblebee agreed to work with it after Optimus proposed an alliance. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPart3-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] had been healed, Bumblebee bonded with Sarah before being assigned to take her home. After a stopover at [[Stockton]] so Sarah could make a change of clothes, the two found the Decepticons attacking a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility. After calling for backup, Bumblebee was found by Skywarp. Though failing to have Skywarp crash into Megatron, Bumblebee was saved by the arrival of the other Autobots. Shielding Sarah from the blasts, he instructed her to flee and contact the ''Ark'' for reinforcements. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

Though Arcee had managed to slay [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], the Autobots were still outnumbered and boxed in. A chance came when Starscream turned on the Decepticons and shot Soundwave in the back. Taking advantage of the distraction, Arcee downed the other two Seekers while Bumblebee and Velocity maneuvered the other two Insecticons into disabling each other. Sarah then called out to Bumblebee, informing him that the ''Ark'' hadn't answered, and requesting his help in assisting the now bisected T-800. Bumblebee tossed the android to Velocity who tossed him to Arcee who lobbed him into Megatron's open wound, killing the warlord. In the aftermath, Bumblebee comforted Sarah but she turned down his offer to come with him. Arriving back to the ''Ark'', the Autobots and Decepticons found it destroyed by the duplicitous T-800 before Optimus Prime proposed a truce, one that was quickly agreed to. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

===Precursor World===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling a blue Bumblebee was a member of the [[Blue Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. He and his comrades followed their commander [[Blue Big Convoy]] into battle when a duel between [[G1 World|dimension-tossed]] future warriors [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Generations Selects Special Comic (1)|Ultra Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]] threatened the [[Blue Planet (GS)|Blue Planet]] and [[Beast People|its people]]. {{Storylink|Super Megatron comic 2}}

In short order the battle went sideways when the traitorous [[Straxus (G1)#Precursor World|Straxus twins]] unleashed a rage virus to destroy the corps from within, and the Warrior was slain in the ensuing free-for-all. Vanguard supreme leader [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] later loaded his lingering [[spark]] into his [[Golden Noah]] in an attempt to ferry his soul to the [[G1 World|next world]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}} Unfortunately, this did not work. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}

===''War For Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
Closer than ever to reaching the [[AllSpark]], the Autobots awakened after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth. While battling the Decepticons, both sides were joined by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, their epic battle changing their combined destinies.

Bumblebee's function was keeper of the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]], and he [[trans-scan]]ed into an Earth car. The Alpha Trion Protocols and his [[Stinger (weapon)|sting blaster]] were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his candid attitude, steadfastness, and passion. Bumblebee's message from the future was that not all orders should be followed. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

After obtaining the Allspark, Bumblebee escaped through a [[space bridge]] to protect it from the Decepticons. Arriving in an alternate universe, he faced new beast threats including [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] and [[Brisko]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and [[Nemesis Primal]]. {{storylink|Source:Buzzworthy Bumblebee Worlds Collide|Worlds Collide}}

In a possible destiny recorded on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|''Voyager'' Golden Disk]], Bumblebee bore witness to Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] leading Cybertron to a new golden age. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk cards}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Joe Zieja]] (English), [[Ryōhei Kimura]] (Japanese)|[[Daniele Raffaeli]] (Italian), [[Gil Mesquita]] (Portuguese), [[Guillaume Bourboulon]] (French), [[Boris Tessmann]] (German), [[Fernando Cabrera]] (Castilian Spanish), [[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Mohak Ninad]] (Hindi)}}

[[File:SiegeEp1-BumblebeeWheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|300px|It's like Sunbow, but with more sandblasting.]]

Bumblebee used to go racing on [[Velocitron]], traveling via Cybertronian [[space bridge]]s, until they were destroyed by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} Much later into the civil war, Bumblebee remained a neutral energon scavenger who wanted no part in the raging Autobot-Decepticon conflict, and frequently traded with the unaligned mercenary [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} At one point, the Autobots hired him for an energon procurement mission along with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. The pair discovered a disused space bridge along with a cache of energon, but despite Wheeljack's enthusiasm Bumblebee bluntly reminded him that he had no interest in helping the Autobots beyond what they paid him for—but the subsequent arrival of both Optimus ''and'' Megatron forced Bumblebee's hand, and the yellow 'bot made the decision to retreat with the Autobots back to their base aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Though Bumblebee accepted medical aid from [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], he again refused to assist the Autobots in their mission and left. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} Later, Bumblebee stole a cache of Energon that had been deliberately planted by the Decepticons as bait for the Autobot forces. {{storylink|Siege episode 2}}

[[File:WFC-Siege-Ep4-Bee-with-Alpha-Trion-Protocols.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Bumblebee tried to return to his old life, but while accepting payment for the stolen shipment he suddenly found himself overwhelmed by a surge of energy—one that contained the ancient [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] had carried and was activated due to his recent death. Realizing that he had been pulled into something greater against his will, Bumblebee tried to return to the ''Ark'' to seek out Prime's assistance but instead found himself pulled into his own mind where he confronted a simulacrum of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] himself; Bumblebee learned that he had been chosen to carry this information to support Optimus Prime in his efforts to escape, information that included a map to the [[AllSpark]] itself. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

While Prime led a team to secure the AllSpark in anticipation of their final evacuation effort, Bumblebee, Arcee, and [[Cog (G1)|Cog]] traveled to Soundblaster's fortress to try and gain control of the mercenary's large supply of energon, but found themselves outmatched and outgunned by the mercenary and his guards. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} Before the guards could finish them off, however, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s computer virus attacked the base, which caused a power outage and knocked Bumblebee unconscious; by the time he awoke in the ''Ark''{{'}}s medical bay, he discovered that the virus had attacked his mind and erased the Alpha Trion Protocols from his systems. Undaunted, Bumblebee nevertheless took up arms and help repel the Decepticon invasion force. Bumblebee then took part in the final battle on the site of the reactivated spacebridge and bought time for Optimus to throw the AllSpark through the portal and put it beyond Megatron's grasp, with the assistance of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Bumblebee then joined the Autobots as they boarded the ''Ark'' and lifted off. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

[[File:EarthriseEpisode2-DeseeusArmyDrones.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

The trip through the space bridge knocked everyone aboard the ''Ark'' offline. Bumblebee was the first to recover; upon encountering his doppelganger [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] and discovered that a crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] led by [[Doubledealer]] had boarded their ship and were in the process of towing it to the planet [[Chaar]] to meet with their employer [[Deseeus]]. The insane [[Quintesson]] planned to kill the Cybertronian captives, but despite Bumblebee's desire to strike first the Mercenaries turned on the Quintessons and gave the Autobots a chance to escape amidst the confusion. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

At some point afterwards, Bumblebee decided to officially join the Autobots and marked the occasion by painting their insignia on his chest. While discussing his change of heart with Optimus, the Autobot leader admitted he'd been wrong to jettison the AllSpark and that they needed to find the artifact before their planet died. Upon arriving at the nearby [[Nebulos]] system to use a spacebridge, the Autobots found the bridge blocked by the derelict [[Nebulon Station]]. Optimus and Bumblebee travelled into the station to plant explosive charges, and found the other side of the bridge led to a lush world of ruined cities. After arming their bombs, the pair received a distress signal from Wheeljack and arrived to find their teammates under attack from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Despite momentarily seeing off Scorpoonk, Megatron's group of Decepticons finally caught up with the Autobots. Bumblebee took part in the ensuing battle against Starscream and Soundwave until a wounded Megatron and Optimus arrived. When Scorponok returned, Bumblebee deduced that Scorponok's head was his weak point and ordered everyone to aim for the head. While the Decepticons were distracted, Bumblebee and the others escaped. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

[[File:KingdomEp1-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After a trip through the [[Dead Universe]], {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} both the ''Ark'' and the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' materialized over prehistoric [[Earth]], where they came under attack from Deseeus, who'd hijacked both the Mercenaries and their starship. In the chaotic three-way battle, the Autobots and Decepticons first teamed up to take the Quintesson out of the fight before the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark''. As Megatron overpowered Prime and stole the Matrix from his chest, Bumblebee managed to intervene just in time and caused the Decepticon leader to retreat with his prize. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

Following the crash, Bumblebee observed some native creatures behaving oddly using the ship's sensors. When these creatures attacked, they were revealed to be the [[Maximal]]s, time-travelling Cybertronians from a dystopian future in which the AllSpark never returned to Cybertron. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} After agreeing to help the Maximals recover the AllSpark, Bumblebee stayed behind aboard the ''Ark'' with Wheeljack, Ratchet, and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] to help get their ship spaceworthy again. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} When it seemed that Prime might not survive the battle, the Autobot leader contacted Bumblebee and told him that if he didn't make it back then Bumblebee would lead the Autobots in his place. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 3}}

[[File:KingdomEp5-GoldenDisk.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"Hey, this thing plays Chuck Berry!"]]

By the time that Optimus had recovered the AllSpark and the Matrix, Wheeljack and his team had repaired the ''Ark'', but weren't able to achieve liftoff. As the Autobots and Maximals boarded the ''Ark'' ahead of a full-scale Decepticon-[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] invasion, Bumblebee received a panicked transmission from Starscream, who had used the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] to divine the future, and had come to the disturbing conclusion that the entire war had been orchestrated by some malevolent architect. Admitting that he didn't have the strength to do what was needed, he passed the Disk to Bumblebee, who promptly shattered it before advising Starscream to confront the future with courage. As the ''Nemesis'' hammered the Autobot starship with firepower, Optimus ordered a full-scale evacuation... only for the ''Ark'' itself to assume a towering robot mode and take out the Decepticon starship once and for all. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}

Once they'd taken the remaining Decepticons and Predacons captive, the Autobots jumped home to Cybertron using the space bridge network, but after crash-landing on the planet discovered that Cybertron was now a dead, frozen world without the AllSpark. Optimus Prime commanded Bumblebee to salvage what was left of Iacon with the others, though he instead ran off to follow Optimus. As Bumblebee did his best to console Optimus upon discovering the frozen corpse of Elita-1, the time-travelling [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked. While Prime held off his evil doppelganger, Bumblebee was able to make his escape and brought the AllSpark to the [[Temple of the Allspark]] nearby. After being recognized as the keeper of the Alpha Trion Protocols, Bumblebee was able to return the artifact to its rightful place, which brought countless Cybertronian spirits back to the material world to mark the rebirth of their homeworld. With the planet restored, Bumblebee and the other Autobots and Maximals came together with the Decepticons and Predacons to mark a tentative end to the Great War. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}}

{{--}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:Finale-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While battling for control of a malfunctioning [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], Bumblebee was among the many Cybertronians [[magic]]ally transported to [[Equestria]] by [[Queen Chrysalis]]. As he and Optimus fell victim to the planet's gravity field, they were saved by [[Twilight Sparkle]]. After being informed that the ponies had never seen Cybertronians, Bumblebee displayed his vehicle mode as an idea of blending in only to be informed that the ponies weren't a judgmental species and would likely accept their robot modes. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}}

Bumblebee, Optimus, and Twilight traveled across Equestria gathering allies in anticipation of a final showdown against Megatron's forces, arrived at the [[Crystal Empire]] just in time to prevent the Decepticon-changeling alliance from conquering the city. Bumblebee complimented [[Princess Cadance]]'s taste in decorations, then stood by as several [[unicorn]]s blasted [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] with their combined magic power. Once the villains had been vanquished and the Decepticons banished back to Cybertron, he and the other Autobots took part in their goodbye party before traveling back to Cybertron and severing the link between their two worlds. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

During [[King Sombra]]'s invasion of Cybertron, Bumblebee took part in the final battle against Sombra and his minions. He struggled against a brainwashed [[Pinkie Pie]] and [[Fluttershy]] before [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] attacked, and later came under attack from [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] before [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] helped him return his friends to normal. After the day was saved, he saw the ponies off at the spacebridge. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===

[[File:BTTFTF1-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the year [[1985]], Bumblebee was scouting [[Hill Valley]] where he found [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] in the [[Lyon Estates]] neighborhood, clashing with them as he updated Optimus Prime. When the humans [[Doc Brown]] and [[Marty McFly]] stumbled on the battle, everyone reverted to alternate mode, Bumblebee taking the chance to kill Ravage by crushing him under his tire. After Rumble had fled, Bumblebee bore witness to Brown using a modified Delorean to [[time travel]] before he set out for the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}}

In an altered timeline where [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] had reactivated [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] early and allowed for a complete Decepticon takeover of Earth, Bumblebee and [[Gigawatt]] had joined [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]'s Autobot resistance by the year [[2015]]. After Gigawatt had brought [[Marty McFly]] and [[Skilz]] to join the resistance, {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}} the group received a distress signal from Hill Valley. Discovering that Marty's parents and Doc Brown were to be executed, the Autobots were forced to run in after Marty, with Bumblebee facing off against [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. Once the Decepticons had been defeated, however, the Hill Valley courthouse revealed itself as the Decepticon [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}} Pitted against the enormous Decepticon Bumblebee, Rodimus, and Skilz did what they could to buy time for Marty and Gigawatt to make their escape back to the past, but Bumblebee soon fell to the giant's heavy artillery.

When Marty and Gigawatt travelled back to 1984, they awoke the Autobots ahead of schedule and prevented Rumble from reactivating Megatron and the other Decepticons. With the help of [[Biff Tannen]], the Autobots became secret protectors of Earth and maintained their position for thirty years until 2015, when a time-travelling Marty caught up with them to return the original DeLorean time machine to its owner. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo1-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

The impulsive Bumblebee served as Optimus Prime's top scout, although his excitability sometimes got the best of him. {{storylink|We Are Transformers!}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] once stole Bumblebee's [[energon cube]], but Optimus Prime recovered it after punching Megatron into the sky. {{storylink|Where Is the Energon?}} While on patrol with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee veered off to scout a different area while Optimus helped some humans cross a washed-out bridge. {{storylink|How to Use a Big Body}}

While touring [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Bumblebee stood by as Wheeljack unveiled his new jetpack invention, and chased after Optimus when the demonstration spiralled out of control. {{storylink|Big Invention, Big Trouble?}} Bumblebee was on patrol with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] when the older Autobot decided to set up an impromptu concert, until Optimus angrily ordered them both to get back to work. {{storylink|Justice, Peace, and Rock 'n' Roll}} After [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s explosive burps accidentally blew a hole in the Autobot base, Bumblebee watched him clean up and provided some encouragement. {{storylink|Mission: Snacks, All to Myself!}}

[[File:TheEvilLeadersBigMiscalculation-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

While fighting [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and Megatron alone, Bumblebee missed his shot, which knocked a sign off a [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|nearby building]], causing Starscream to accidentally lob a bomb into Megatron's gun turret. The subsequent explosion sent the two villains flying, while Bumblebee celebrated his completely accidental victory. {{storylink|The Evil Leader's Big Miscalculation}} Bumblebee was part of a team of Autobots who travelled to a [[Planet of Games]] in search of energon. However, they discovered that the Decepticons had arrived on the planet for the same reason, and the Autobots rolled out to stop them. {{storylink|Great Adventure on the Planet of Games!}} Bumblebee and Optimus Prime were driving through the forest when they failed to trip one of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s booby traps. While Starscream sky-wrote a rude message to Megatron, the pair were enjoying a day in the sun with some fruit juice. {{storylink|Careless Scream}}

In the fall, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee encountered Megatron and [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] on their day off. Optimus and Megatron decided to hold a fishing contest, with Bumblebee acting as the referee, but when the competition came to an end Bumblebee admitted that they hadn't laid down any actual rules before they started. {{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}} During a skirmish against the Decepticons, Bumblebee sustained an injury and had to be repaired by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. However, Ratchet decided to fix ''Starscream'', as well, ignoring his comrade's pleas for him to stop. {{storylink|The Iron Man of Repair}}

[[File:Unpredictable-minicassettes.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

On Optimus Prime's birthday, Bumblebee considered several potential gifts for his leader before deciding to bake him an enormous cake shaped like the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Commander's Birthday}} Bumblebee and Optimus Prime faced off against [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], but when the Decepticon unleashed his [[Mini-Cassette]]s, the Autobots thought that they were cute and quickly befriended [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. {{storylink|Unpredictable}}

One day, Bumblebee went fishing with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and Bumblebee watched in awe as Hot Rod fought, landed, and eventually cooked a giant robotic shark. {{storylink|Marvelous! Fire Shark Fishing!!}} Bumblebee and Optimus Prime attended a strategy meeting with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], until Bumblebee pointed out that Hot Rod hadn't arrived yet. {{storylink|Don't Oversleep and Forget Things!!}}

Bumblebee helped organize a rap battle between Soundwave and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] when the two rivals crossed paths. The pair admitted a grudging fondness for each other, but quickly collapsed back into fighting, much to Bumblebee's exasperation {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 13|Go! Go! #13}} At one point, Bumblebee had trouble keeping up with Wheeljack's homework assignments. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 14|Go! Go! #14}} Bumblebee and the other Autobots battled Megatron and the Decepticons over the perfect place to hold a barbeque. {{storylink|I Want to Protect This Place}} Bumblebee despaired when Starscream stole his energon, until [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] helped him and Optimus build their muscles and become the "[[Muscle Autobots]]", who intimidated Starscream into fleeing. {{storylink|Muscle Revolution! Ya!}} When [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s overzealous idea of "security" sound up injuring Optimus Prime, Bumblebee helped Ratchet bandage up their wounded leader. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 17|Go! Go! #17}}

[[File:GoGo18-snowmachine.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|"Jane, stop this crazy thing!"]]

One winter's day, the Autobots were having a snowball fight when Wheeljack unveiled his latest invention, a gigantic snowball-throwing robot. However, the machine malfunctioned, and Bumblebee had to turn it off while the other Autobots provided covering fire. That night, the Autobots all relaxed in an igloo they created from the excess snow. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 18|Go! Go! #18}} On [[Christmas]] Eve, the Autobots filled in for [[Santa Claus]] and helped deliver presents to children around the world. {{storylink|The Big Operation to Help Santa!}} On New Year's Day, the Autobots were enjoying a quiet day when the Decepticons attacked, but the Autobots sent them packing and resumed their cleaning. {{storylink|The Transformers' Explosive New Years' Battle!}} Optimus Prime and Bumblebee attempted to wish their readers a happy New Year's and introduce the year's zodiac animal, but [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] burst in to advertise [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|his new movie]]. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 19|Go! Go! #19}}

While walking down the street one day, Bumblebee and Optimus were excited to learn that their adventures had been compliled into a [[Transformers Go! Go!|manga]], and helped spread the word. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 26|Go! Go! #26}} When Optimus Prime's [[Morphobot]] grew too big, Bumblebee suggested that Prime teleport it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Sprout Up}}

[[File:GoGo29-templeescape.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Bumblebee denied it at first, but eventually he had to accept that he had a monkey on his back.]]

While on an adventure with Optimus Primal, Bumblebee watched as Optimus Prime powered up with a new color scheme to defeat the two Megatrons. {{storylink|Go! Go! Fan Book 2023 special|Fan Book 2023}} While Bumblebee took a break from patrol, Starscream swooped in and stole his [[energon goodie|energon snack]]s again. This time, Bumblebee enlisted [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] to help him nab the thief. {{storylink|Autobot Police Dispatched!}}

Bumblebee and Arcee were driving through the jungle when they encountered Optimus Primal and Cheetor, who were in search of a legendary treasure. The four allies agreed to work together in the ensuing jungle trek, but their attempt to ford a rickety rope bridge ended with them crashing through the bridge and careening off a waterfall. Fortunately, they washed up directly in front of the ancient temple they'd been seeking. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 28|Go! Go! #28}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 29}} The group worked together to navigate the temple's various tricks and traps; Bumblebee's agility came in handy when the time came to secure the treasure chest from a deposit of [[energon crystal]]s. However, Bumblebee wasn't as agile as he'd hoped, and his clumsiness accidentally instigated a chain reaction that caused the entire energon horde to explode. After escaping the collapsing temple, the friends opened the treasure chest... only to discover that it contained a payload of [[energon bomb]]s that sent them blasting sky-high. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 29}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Protect Freedom! Optimus!}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 30}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 31}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 32}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 33}}}}

After a tough day of fighting Decepticons, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] took an exhausted Bumblebee on vacation. However, Arcee's high-impact approach to vacationing left Bumblebee even more tired than before. {{storylink|The Trick to a Healthy Autobot Warrior}}

{{--}}

===''Visitors from Cybertron''===
[[File:VisitorsFromCybertron-PrimeLook.jpg|thumb|left|"Prime! Look! The person reading this wiki page needs to go outside!"]]

Bumblebee and Optimus Prime were battling Megatron on Cybertron when a sudden space-time portal pulled them to the [[Land of Dawn]] before Megatron could finish off the yellow Autobot. After arriving, the villainous cyborg [[X.BORG]] deceived Bumblebee into attacking the heroic [[Johnson (MLBB)|Johnson]] before Optimus convinced his friend to stand down. When a second mysterious flash illuminated the sky, the three rolled off to investigate. {{storylink|Visitors from Cybertron}}

===''History of the Transformers''===
Bumblebee was the youngest member of Optimus Prime's Autobot team, a stealthy scout with a love of Earth culture. One night, he and the other Autobots visited a drive-in theater in [[Idaho]]. {{storylink|History of the Transformers}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 1 Starscream blasts Bumblebee.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=0.75|Times certainly have changed since the [[Mike Costa]] days.]]
Bumblebee was one of the [[Autobot]]s aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed on Earth. When [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] reactivated [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the [[Decepticon]]'s first instinct was to kill the nearest Autobot and blasted Bumblebee's head before he could be revived. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] would briefly mourn Bumblebee's death during his own fight with Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}} In the aftermath, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] expressed condolences for Optimus's loss, with Optimus regarding Bumblebee as family. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:PunchClonescommercial-Goldbug.jpg|left|thumb|They finally remembered to draw his model sheet's latissimus dorsi trapezoid!]]
[[File:Micromasterbasescommercial.jpg|right|thumb|"Also I've brought in this little blue microcassette recorder, Prime!"]]
*Goldbug looked on as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] handed their agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] an important device to carry. Punch assured the Autobots that they could trust him, and he sped off... to meet with the Decepticons! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Punch and Clones|Punch/Counterpunch and Clones commercial}}
*Bumblebee was reunited with Optimus, emerging from his shell alongside Jazz and running up to help him fight Starscream in a darkened city. Prime gave them both a hug. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Classic Pretenders|Classic Pretenders commercial}}
*Bumblebee and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] managed to capture two of the Decepticons' Micromaster vehicles, and hauled them within an Autobot base to show [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]]. The Autobots were sent scrambling when a team of Decepticon Micromasters sprung up, and transformed the vehicles into mini-bases, using them to attack Bumblebee and company! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster micro bases|Micromaster micro bases commercial}}
*"Bot Shots" Bumblebee burst through a display of the Bot Shots toyline, and exclaimed "BOT SHOTS!" before lunging forwards with his fist. {{storylink|Commercial#Bot Shots|Bot Shots toy commercial}}
*"Hero Mashers" Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Grimlock took on Megatron in the middle of a busy city. After Optimus started swapping pieces with everyone, Bumblebee and Grimlock took a break from the fight to arm wrestle. They were interrupted by Optimus crashing between them, and the Autobots scrambled their pieces into one another to take down Megatron for good. The trio then returned to their normal configurations (though it took them more than one try to do so!) {{storylink|Commercial#Hero Mashers|Hero Mashers commercial}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
Bumblebee was amongst the Autobots abducted and held captive by the Decepticons, prompting Optimus Prime to enter the Decepticons' maze-like base in a rescue operation. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===The Transformers (1985)===
Bumblebee was among the few remaining Autobots in the wake of the Decepticon creation of ROBO-CLONING technology. With his energy-starved comrades, he desperately sought pieces of the Autobot Energon Cube before the Decepticons could get their hands on them. {{storylink|The Transformers (Commodore 64)|The Transformers}}

===The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth===
[[File:C64Bumblebee.gif|thumb]]

Along with his fellow Autobots, Bumblebee protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. He was ostensibly under the command of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}
{{--}}

===Transformers: Mystery of Convoy===
Bumblebee could come to Ultra Magnus's (or Rodimus Prime's) aid under special circumstances at certain points during the mission to uncover Optimus Prime's whereabouts. Upon destroying a red, white and orange seeker, Ultra Magnus/Rodimus Prime would be escorted by Bumblebee to another location, allowing to bypass entire areas that the Autobot would have to otherwise battled their way through. The first possible instance of this occurring is in the [[Temple Ruins]], with Bumblebee leading the Autobot warrior to the [[Subspace Zone]]. Bumblebee could come to the Autobot's aid once more in the [[Glacier Zone]], leading them directly to the [[Underground Machine City]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Bumblebee was one of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in a fight against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s Decepticon army. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Merluzzi]]}}

Bumblebee was one of the Autobots present on [[Zel Samine]] during the Decepticon attacks. He joined up with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s party after they secured the wind power plant from the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers Battle Circuit''===
Bumblebee, one of the "greatest Transformers of all time," was part of an Autobot team that participated in a tournament on Cybertron. He faced off against a team of Decepticons in a series of one-on-one matches. If he managed to defeat Menasor, Trypticon, Astrotrain, Starscream and Megatron, Bumblebee was declared to be the tournament's champion! {{storylink|Transformers Battle Circuit}}

===''Sector Seven'' game===
Footage of "NBE A684" was captured within a parking garage by a security camera, where it transformed out of its Volkswagen Beetle mode and stomped on another nearby vehicle. This footage was later leaked onto the internet. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers G1: Awakening''===
[[File:Gluawakening bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Bumblebee was among the Autobots who left Cybertron in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and spent four million years in stasis after the ship crashed on Earth thanks to a Decepticon attack. When he woke up, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] gave him the news that most of the other Autobots were damaged and needed [[energon]] to wake them up. Bumblebee was soon put to work gathering energy from nearby power plants. He was soon overjoyed when Optimus Prime was recovered enough to lead them again. After discovering the Decepticon [[space bridge]], the Autobots used it to return to Cybertron, only to find that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had conquered it. Stripped of their weapons, they were imprisoned, but Bumblebee and Ratchet soon escaped and freed their fellows, leading to an escape back to Earth.

Following more adventures on Earth, including helping [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and repelling an assault on the Ark, Bumblebee and the other Autobots returned to Cybertron, intending to free their enslaved fellows there. Bumblebee scouted the fortress, allowing them to take out the defenses by taking out the power generators. After fighting their way through more Decepticons, Optimus and Bumblebee found themselves confronting Shockwave himself. Though Prime ordered Bumblebee to go free as many Autobots as possible, Bumblebee staunchly stood by his leader, and they soon defeated Shockwave with Grimlock's help. {{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{--}}

===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
[[File:BotShots Bumblebee.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! {{storylink|Bot Shots Battle Game!}}

===Transformers Legends===
In the early days of the war, Bumblebee and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] battled [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], who were under orders to breach Iacon's defences. The Autobots emerged victorious when [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] awakened and joined the fray. {{storylink|Assault on Iacon}} On their way back to Iacon after an energon scavenging mission, Bumblebee and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] were forced to evade a Decepticon team headed by [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (Legends)|More than Meets the Eye}}

Bumblebee, having received impressive new upgrades making him capable of "incredible feats of bravery and heroism", recruited Gears, Huffer, and Beachcomber to form the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. The Deluxe [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], led by [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], managed to stop them attacking Decepticon bases. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} Bumblebee took part in the defense of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] during a Decepticon assault, but was unable to prevent their advance. {{storylink|One Shall Fall...}} Bumblebee led a team including [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to hunt down the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] before they could do too much damage to the Autobot forces. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives (Legends)|Call of the Primitives}} Bumblebee and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] spent a night out testing [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s new sound system, only to return to base and find that the other Autobots had been turned evil thanks to Megatron's sabotage of the [[recharging chamber]]. While Sparkplug worked on an antidote, Bumblebee and Jazz went to halt the Autobot attack on [[Rutter U.S. Military Base|Rutter Military Base]]. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (Legends)|Attack of the Autobots}}

When [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his minions set their sights on the secrets of [[Gravitronic Energy]], Bumblebee and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] had to save the human scientists and their research. {{storylink|Box Trap}}

Bumblebee was among the Transformers who attempted to make contact with the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]], and subsequently had to battle it. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Chuck (AB)#As Bumblebee}}
Bumblebee appears as the second unlockable character. He is portrayed by Chuck. He also appears as [[Chuck (AB)#As Energon Bumblebee|Energon]], [[Chuck (AB)#As High-Octane Bumblebee|High-Octane]] and [[Chuck (AB)#As Classic Bumblebee|Classic]] versions. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
Bumblebee participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in four different bodies:
*''Bumblebee'' — This Common character could be recruited by collecting 12 units of cybermetal.
*''Bumblebee (Gen)'' — This Uncommon character could be recruited by collecting 45 units of cybermetal and 20 units of transmetal.
*''Goldfire'' — This Uncommon character could be recruited by collecting 135 units of cybermetal and 64 units of transmetal.
*''Bumblebee (G2)'' — This Super Rare character first appeared in the "Generation 2 Episode 1 " event, and could be recruited by collecting 250 units of cybermetal, 75 units of transmetal, 35 event cores, and 10 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Goldfire.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Bumblebee-(Gen).jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Bumblebee-(G2).jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.2]]
{{!}}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
[[file:Bumblebee_TransformersDevastation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]

{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]]}}
Bumblebee joined a team of Autobots to prevent the [[cyberforming]] of [[New York City]]. Despite being the overall weakest and most fragile of the bunch, he used his small size and agility to great effect against the Decepticons, dodging or even sliding between the legs of larger opponents to score back-shots against them. When things got tough, he would deploy a barrage of grenades to clear out opponents. Bumblebee had some other tricks up his sleeve, being the only Autobot to perform a "Saddle Slam", and his heavy rush attack being a "Tornado Kick" instead of the "Dropkick". While exploring the ''[[Proudstar]]'', Bumblebee was told his future by [[Teletraan Alpha]], who revealed he would one day be known as "The World's Bridge", "Goldbug", "Race-Welder", and "Goldfire".

{{Note|A Goldfire costume for Bumblebee appears as downloadable content.}} {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}
{{charstubgame}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{Charstubgames|{{Storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers Operation Omega''===
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers Operation Omega}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===

[[file:BumblebeeEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75| HEY!!!! No touchy! Nooo touchy! No touch!]]

Bumblebee is among the most open and receptive of all the Autobots in terms of befriending other species.
His wide-eyed wonder at his surroundings and his irrepressible enthusiasm, combined with a genuinely affable personality, make him perfect for first contact with an alien species.
But don't let that fool you, he may be small but Bumblebee packs a punch in any battle, and he's unflinchingly loyal to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bumblebee Bio}}

Bumblebee arrived on Earth in time for the fight for the Codex Key. The Autobots retrieve it with Bumblebee's help. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars|Transformers: Earth Wars - The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Bumblebee uses a Stun Gun to stun defenses, but it doesn't deal much damage. And he can also somersault to dodge Auto Cannon and Mortar shots.
*'''Ability: EMP Bomb''' - Throw an EMP Bomb that explodes stunning nearby targets for several seconds and deals 33% attack damage every second.
**'''Cost''': 2 ability points +2 for reuses.

[[File:Goldfire_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|left|''All things bright and glittery, and of course I look fantastiiiiiic'']]

As Rodimus Unicronus started to collect the Prime cores forcibly, Bumblebee tried to defend the Vector Prime core from Rodimus Unicronus, but in a last ditch attempt to keep the core out of Rodimus' hands, Bumblebee shot the Prime core, blasting him and the core into the past!

Later, he woke up to find himself in 1987, with Harmony Keen keeping watch over him. He learns that Harmony is Melody's mom, and finds out Ramjet is heading into the facility! Bumblebee asked for Harmony to use the developmenta tech to transfer his spark over into their new "Goldfire" prototype body. When he was beaten down into submission, "Goldfire" told Harmony to activate the tech again, transferring his spark back into his old body. He zapped Ramjet into submission, but once Harmony was threatened, Bumblebee reluctantly gave up the Vector Prime Core. Once she was out of the picture though, Bumblebee knocked Ramjet out.
He gave Harmony a hailing frequency telling her to call it, and used the Vector Prime Core to teleport himself and Ramjet back into the present.

Returning to the present in his new body, He noted to Cliffjumper and Mirage that he was the same bot, before telling Melody to pick up her phone once it rang, wishing her a Merry Christmas, before heading out. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating''': 2 stars
*'''Weapons''': Goldfire uses his specially modified blasters to shoot down targets. Once he does, he walks up and smashes them with his hands.
*'''Ability''': Blazing Charge - Rush into combat setting buildings on fire and dealing damage to each of them over time. The effect will spread if the building is destroyed during this time.
**'''Cost''': 3 (+3 for reuses.)

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:Bumblebee Bumblebee on Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
<br>
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:Goldfire Goldfire on Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
[[File:Bumblebee TFO.jpg|thumb]]
{{bigquote|Best take caution and anticipate anything.}}

Before the [[AllSpark]] went into hibernation, Bumblebee was one of the last Transformers created. By natural selection, he was appointed to be Optimus Prime's scout. In his limited capacity, Bumblebee would look up to model authority such as Optimus Prime. He desired to be recognized, which forced him to try to seize the opportunity to display his courage. Thus, Bumblebee would perform some seemingly foolhardy and risky tasks in an attempt to impress his teammates. In secrecy, though, he is a competent scout like no other.

In battle, Bumblebee wielded the "[[Laser Blade]]" and the "[[Skullbuster]]" shotgun. His active skill was "Lightning Laceration":
*'''Lightning Laceration''' — Bumblebee vanishes into thin air, enabling him to dish out 300 points of damage to his opponent 5 times in succession. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero2.shtml Bumblebee on the Transformers Online website]</ref>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:ForgedToFight-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|"Tiny but Mighty!"]]
{{charstubgames}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBumblebee.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[File:BBOStealthBumblebee.jpg|thumb]]
Bumblebee took part in a series of attacks against multiple Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. Sometimes, he would change from his regular form to a stronger one known as Stealth Bumblebee. 300 Armor, 300 Blaster Strength, Score x1, Coins x1, Blaster Speed: Very Fast (stats for Normal Bumblebee)
Stealth Bumblebee took part in a series of multiple attacks against Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. 1300 Armor, 1300 Blaster Strength, Score x12, Coins x4, Blaster Speed: Fast
{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{--}}

===''World of Warships: Transformers''===
{{voiceactor|[[Daman Mills]] (English)}}
[[Image:WoW Bumblebee camo 1.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|World of Warships: Transformers}}}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Heavy Metal''===
[[File:TFHeavyMetal Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right]]
When the Decepticons invaded Earth in search of Energon, Bumblebee and Hound set up the [[Guardian Program]], teaming humans up with Autobots to combat the invaders. While inducting [[You|one human]] into the program, Bumblebee successfully fought off Starscream. Aiming to defeat Starscream once again, Bumblebee did his best to track down the different types of Decepticon and master fighting him. [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] had a particular dislike for him which he wasn't sure about the root cause of. {{storylink|Transformers: Heavy Metal}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Bumblebee's good-natured optimism allowed him to make friends with a wide range of species, including [[human]]s. He was wholeheartedly devoted to Optimus Prime and viewed the Autobot commander as a kind of father figure; in turn, he served as a mentor to [[Rubble]]. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

==Toys==
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise}}

==Notes==
*The original Bumblebee toy was taken from the Japanese ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, where it was available in yellow, red, and blue versions.
* Early reference material gives his nicknames as '''Bee''' (which has seen occasional use in fiction) and '''Beeper''' (mercifully unused).<ref>According to [[Jim Sorenson]], Bumblebee had Bee and Beeper listed as his nicknames in [[Bob Budiansky]]'s personal Transformers comic bible. Nicknames for other characters could be found in early ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]. In the Marvel Comics, Blackrock referred to him as Bum.</ref>
*Bumblebee appeared in one of five [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]] [[public service announcement]]s, informing children that they shouldn't run away from home because it's "mean". This from the guy who ditched the Autobots for no real reason.
[[File:PretenderBumblebeeModel.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Bumblebee's rarely-seen Classic Pretenders character model. (Optimus Prime wants Goldbug back.)]]
*A 1986 [[Panini]] stickerbook sold in Belgium and the Netherlands gave Bumblebee the alternate French language name "Bonnebille". Whether this name was used in any other media made for French-speaking regions is unknown. No such thing in Quebec for sure.
*When Bumblebee reappeared in the Marvel Comics as a [[Classic Pretender]], he returned to his original toy's [[character model]], rather than one based on his new form. A new character model did appear in various toy commercials, however. These included one which introduced him and the other Classic Pretenders, and one where he and Jazz stupidly drag [[Micromaster]] bases into Autobot headquarters, causing everyone to flee when they transform and attack.
*According to [[Battle for Cybertron]], Bumblebee is a code-name.
*Bumblebee/Goldbug was clearly a "top-tier" character in the first decade of ''Transformers'': he was the only 1984 Autobot still shipping in 1986; he received more toys during Generation 1 than any other character; he had a toy shipping during seven of Generation 1's eight-year run. However, [[Hasbro]] lost the right to use "Bumblebee" as a toy [[trademark]] during the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' years, when Generation 1 names were in disuse. That's right, the name "Bumblebee" was lost during the years everyone turned into animals. Hence why [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Unicron Trilogy Hot Shot]] could not be named Bumblebee despite the obvious yellow kid-appeal tradition.
*The ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]], [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] is pretty clearly an [[homage]] to Bumblebee, from the coloration, placement of car-parts in [[robot mode]], segmented-pipe biceps and even the head design.
*A robot using Bumblebee's character model is shown in a still-shot flashback as a member of the [[Rodimus's crew|Autobot group]] led by [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]]. Whether this robot is an alternate-universe incarnation of Bumblebee or simply a similar-looking robot is—like all [[Unicron Trilogy]] character-model cameos—left to conjecture.
*Goldbug was actually a preliminary name for Bumblebee during early treatments for the Marvel Comics!<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-bob-budiansky-panel-coverage-170041/ Bob Budiansky BotCon Panel Coverage]</ref>
*A vehicle resembling Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] appears at the end of ''[[Transformers: The Ride – 3D]]''.

===Foreign names===
====Bumblebee====
*''Japanese:'' '''Bumble''' (バンブル ''Banburu''), '''Bumblebee''' (バンブルビー ''Banburubī'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Daai Wong Fung''' (大黃蜂, "Hornet")
*''Czech:'' '''Čmelák''' ("Bumblebee")
*''French:'' '''Bourdon''' (Canada, "Bumblebee"), '''Coccinelle''' (Canada, "Ladybug" or "Beetle"),<ref>The Volkswagen Beetle was called "Coccinelle" in French areas, which is the French word for ladybug.</ref> '''Balbee''' (European French cartoon dub)
*''Hebrew:'' '''Dabúr''' (דבור, "Hornet")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Űrdongó''' ("Space-bumblebee"), '''Dongó''' (''The Movie'', "Bumblebee")
*''Italian:'' '''Maggiolino''' ("Beetle"), '''Saetta''' ("Set Commandos" four-pack), '''Defensor''' (Action Master)
*''Korean:'' '''Bumblebee''' (범블비 ''Beombeulbi'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dàhuángfēng''' (大黄蜂, "Bumblebee" or "Hornet")
*''Polish:'' '''Trzmiel''' ("Bumblebee")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Moscardo''' (Portugal comics, "Hornet"), '''Furão''' (Brazil comics, "Ferret"), '''Volks''' (Brazil toys)
*''Russian:'' '''Shershen'''' (dub, Шершень, "Hornet")
*''Spanish:'' '''Volks'''
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Dzhmil'''' (ICTV, Джміль, "Bumblebee")

====Goldbug====
*''Japanese:'' '''Goldback''' (ゴールドバック ''Gōrudobakku''), '''Goldbug''' (ゴールドバグ ''Gōrudobagu''), '''Goldfire''' (ゴールドファイア ''Gōrudofaia'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Aranybogár''' ("Goldbug")
*''Italian:'' '''Wagenbot'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jīn Jiǎchóng''' (Taiwan, 金甲蟲, "Golden Beetle")

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=Bumblebee
|disambig=Bumblebee (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], the voiceless yellow one-man franchise from the [[live-action film series]].
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], the hothead yellow kid-appeal character from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]].''
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], the yellow kid-appeal character turned leader from the [[Aligned continuity family]].
*[[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]], the amnesiac yellow kid-appeal character from ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Transformers: Cyberverse]].''}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini_frame.php?art=whitemexbee White Mexican Bumblebee gallery at TF-1.com]

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Hound (G1)

2024-02-26T03:25:43Z

Repowers: Nicknames moved to trivia.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|ozsa}}
{{disambig3|Hound}}{{suite}}
:''Hound is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:G1 Hound reissueart1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Rejected as [[kid-appeal character]]. Why? Not [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|yellow]] enough.]]
'''Hound''' wishes he were [[human]]. The dark, barren metalscapes of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] no longer interest him. Now that Hound has been shipwrecked on [[Earth]], he considers this planet his home. He sees humankind as beautiful and wishes he could interact with their ecosphere the same way they do, to feel what they feel and to see what they see.

He treasures his job as an Autobot scout, making good use of his ability to project [[hologram]]s for added disguise. He uses this opportunity to explore the breathtaking caverns and mountainous expanses that Earth provides. He's a meek, benevolent soul, even compared to his fellow Autobots. He gets along with the [[Cliffjumper (G1)|more blood-thirsty of their ranks]] but not the [[Blades (G1)|''most'' blood-thirsty of their ranks]].

{{quote|It gives me an excuse to do a little earth-style sightseeing.|Hound|"[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Houndfirstappearance.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Hi, I'm friendly!]]
''In the early years of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hound was serving alongside [[Tempest (G1)|Tempest]] and [[Pulsar (G1)|Pulsar]] under [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] shortly before he was made overall Autobot leader by the [[Council of Autobot Elders|High Council]].'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} Hound was a part of the crew on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed into [[Earth]] four million years ago while clearing an asteroid field in the path of Cybertron. Upon reviving in [[1984]], Hound marveled at this world's strange and diverse lifeforms, and couldn't wait to explore its surface—not for business, but for pleasure. However, Optimus Prime cautioned him, reminding Hound that their primary purpose was to spare Earth's inhabitants from the onslaught of the Decepticons. Hound was chosen as part of the first field expedition into the world under [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]'s command, and his new surroundings overwhelmed him. His sensors alerted them to a [[Community Drive-In|drive-in movie theatre]], a serene scene that quickly turned into a battle when the Decepticons arrived. Hound was able to divert [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] with a [[Hologram|holographic]] [[missile]] from his [[turret gun]], though Hound worried more about [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]]'s whereabouts, as the small scout had gone missing. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:Tellhimwhodefeatedyouthisday.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Ravage, who defeated you this day?!"<br> "Uh, the guy that Jazz keeps getting colored as, I think?"]]
Fortunately, Bumblebee was later able to radio his location to Hound, who informed the other Autobots. Better still, he had located a [[human]] who could convert Earth fuel into a substance they could use! Hound and the others traveled to the home (and auto repair shop) of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], where they were, of course, attacked again by the Decepticons! [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] apologized for leaping in front of Hound to get closer to their enemies, but Hound was fine with it so long as Decepticons were destroyed one way or the other. Unfortunately, the Decepticons left the battle with their prize, Sparkplug Witwicky, in the hopes that the human could convert fuel for them instead! {{storylink|Power Play!}}

The battle left Hound and Sideswipe low on fuel, so Optimus Prime offered to carry the two home inside his trailer. After Hound had been attended to, he and the other Autobots met with the amazing [[Spider-Man]], who offered to help them rescue Sparkplug from the Decepticons' [[Fortress Sinister|cliffside headquarters]]. Hound drove Spider-Man past the Earth military blockade himself with Spider-Man posing as his driver, but Hound stayed behind to help draw the Decepticons' fire while Spider-Man and [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] slipped into the headquarters. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

''Following this, he was present when the Autobots countered the Decepticons when the latter attacked the [[Sherman Dam]], hoping to steal its energy. At Prime's order, Hound submerged into the water to locate the source of the dam's problems and found [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. After a fight between the two, Hound was blasted out of the water by Rumble's piledrivers. The sight of this distracted Optimus Prime during his fight with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] atop the dam, and Megatron was able to use this distraction to knock Prime from the dam.'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} ''Back at the Ark, Hound alerted Optimus Prime to an imminent Decepticon attack.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

When Hound was next seen, he was hanging from the ceiling of the Ark with the other Autobots, the work of the evil Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], who had returned and taken leadership of the Decepticons for himself. [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] was shocked to discover this terrible development, and the human returned to tell [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], the sole Autobot survivor. {{storylink|The New Order}} Ratchet was eventually able to restore the Ark to the Autobots after outwitting Megatron, and Hound and the others were repaired. However, Optimus Prime's head was still in the hands of the Decepticons. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

Hound's next mission involved stopping [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] from sending a message to the Decepticons back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but matters were complicated when they faced the newly created [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Their merging into the mighty [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] did not help things, either, but thanks to help from [[Bomber Bill]], a human trucker, the communications array was destroyed before the entire message could be sent. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

[[File:Houndholomap.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|Google Maps later rendered Hound obsolete.]]

The conversations of Shockwave's Decepticons, stationed at [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]], were being listened in on by Hound and the other Autobots, and so they overheard Shockwave's plans to dispose of Prime's head now that he was no longer useful to them. Hound led a long Autobot convoy out to rescue their leader, {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} and headed to the swamp where Shockwave planned to dump Prime's head. They were able to form a human-chain to rescue the head from sinking to the bottom of it, but when the head was placed on Optimus Prime's body, it attacked them. This was not the real head of Optimus Prime, but an imposter head controlled by Shockwave! A group of Decepticons led by Soundwave joined the imposter Optimus Prime in destroying them, but during the course of battle the real head was restored and the Decepticons defeated. Hound was one of the few Autobots left standing. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[File:Houndravagecrisisofcommand.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Noticing a pattern?]]

''Now that Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] had been returned to them, Hound was one of the Autobots who opposed using the Matrix to create [[Ultimate Autobot|super-warriors]]. Soon after, he assisted [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] in capturing Ravage, who had been spying on the Autobots' debate. But Ravage's capture was part of the Decepticon's plan; once Ravage learned what he wanted to know, he escaped. Hound learned of the spy's departure when Optimus demanded to know why he was still in the base instead of chasing Ravage down; Bumblebee had been tasked with telling Hound of their prisoner's escape, but had opted to try and recapture Ravage himself! The Autobots learned that Bumblebee in turn had gotten himself captured, and Optimus was the one who ultimately retrieved him. His sense of self rejuvenated by the experience, Prime announced before Hound and the others that he had settled on not creating super-warriors, and that the debate was closed.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''When the rogue [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], under the control of the human [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]], attacked the Ark, it fell to Hound and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] to give him the "old Autobot one-two". It worked, though upon recovering his mind, Swoop flew away. Following him to a [[Roxxon Oil]] facility, Hound and the other Autobots found the Dinobot lucid—for all of about two seconds before his primary [[cybo-dendron]]s, damaged after four million years in a tar pit, finally burned out and he attacked them again. With the assistance of Morris and his [[neural relay link]], they were able to subdue Swoop and return him to the Ark for treatment.'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}}

Hound was next seen being reconstructed, along with a handful of other Autobots. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Hound watched Megatron and Shockwave battling in a [[Wyoming base|coal mine]] on a monitor at the Ark. When he asked if Optimus had seen it, Prime replied that it was in hand and that Bumblebee was keeping an eye on the situation.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] made their time-jump to [[1986]], Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Prowl were lost in [[Limbo]]. Suspecting Decepticon involvement, Hound and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] were sent to spy on their foes. Cyclonus discovered the spying Autobots and attacked, taking out Jazz and beating Hound within an inch of his life while expositing about his [[Life Spark|past self]]. Only the arrival of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] saved Hound.''

[[File:Target2006-houndandmagnus.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|Well, someone had the scale guide, at least.]]

''After getting a lift back to the Ark from Magnus, Hound tried several times to get Ultra Magnus to assist the Autobots against Galvatron; he also defended their strategy of allying with Megatron. Hound was part of the raiding party which captured Scourge, though he took a critical view of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s tactics, especially as the Autobots were beaten again and again.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''In the wake of Galvatron's trip from the future, Optimus Prime faked his death to teach the Autobots how to survive without him. Hound was one of the Autobots who attended his funeral, moments before Optimus Prime reappeared.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

When [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] fought on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] for leadership of the Autobots, Hound was among the dozens who disembarked from the Ark to be spectators. {{storylink|Totaled!}} Some time after, he and the other Autobots answered a distress call from Buster Witwicky, but when they arrived to rescue him, they were attacked by both Earth-based Decepticon armies. Hound was pounced upon by [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]]. The battle was discovered to be a ruse by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] to cover his efforts to claim the powers of the [[Underbase]], and Hound was subsequently part of a team sent to confront Starscream in [[New York City]]. Unfortunately, Hound and several of his peers were annihilated by the Underbase-empowered Starscream on the Brooklyn Bridge. {{storylink|Dark Star}} Later, Ratchet was seen tinkering with Hound's decapitated head. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}}

{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{Earthforcefiction}}
When Optimus Prime visited the [[Earthbase]] he brought with him a number of deactivated Autobots from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], including Hound and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], to be revived in [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Body Shop]]. However while Tracks was eventually revived (despite a series of unexplained "accidents") Hound was not seen to be repaired. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:G2houndprimalfear.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"This is my O Face!!"]]
Later revived through unknown means, Hound joined [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s unit in leaving Cybertron to find new conflicts and fought against the [[Outpost B-67 exo-structuring party|technoforming fleets]] of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. He hesitated to gun down what appeared to be a surrendering enemy, only for [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] to do the work for him. He afterwards expressed his disgust over the bloodlust shown by his comrade. Blades, in turn, berated Hound for being a liability and revealed that the Cybertronian had a gun concealed behind his back. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Following this, he was the only Autobot not infected by the [[Shadow parasite|psychic parasites]] of the [[K'tord Nebula]], due to a blow to the head that knocked him off-line. After Prime and [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] managed to temporarily cease fighting long enough to deal with the parasites, Hound scanned the Transformers for any remnants in their systems. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

As one of the more level-headed Autobots, Hound did not participate in Grimlock's ill-advised strike on the Liege Centuro and his fleet. Instead, he helped Optimus free Grimlock and his strike team after they had been taken prisoners by the enemy.{{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} Still, Hound knew good sense when he heard it, even from Grimlock, and when Prime thought it was a good idea for him to go meet the Decepticons alone, Hound arrived with Grimlock and a rescue battalion just in time to keep Megatron from destroying his old nemesis. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} The Autobots set up an Earthbase as Prime recuperated. Hound was on guard when Megatron forced his way into the camp, fresh from his own conflict with the Cybertronian Empire. {{storylink|New Dawn|Tales of Earth, Part Four}}

Later, Hound also got involved in protecting the planet [[Ethos]] from genocide. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}

[[File:Hound death war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|[[The Great Car Rally|You sure go to pieces when a missile hits you, Hound.]]]]

By [[2012]], Hound was alive again. When Optimus Prime was alerted to Megatron's devastation of Earth, Hound was among the detachment of Autobots he took to confront the tyrant. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} In the ensuing battle against Megatron's [[zombie]] army, Hound took down [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}} Returning to Cybertron aboard the ''[[Valiant (G1)|Valiant]]'', Hound and the other Autobots were unwittingly targeted by surface-to-air missiles as the [[Civil Defense Hub]] had been overtaken by the Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]] [[Pounce]] and [[Wingspan]], under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}} Though the missiles were called off at the last moment, the Autobots aboard the ''Valiant'' were now alerted to the threat and prepared for immediate deployment. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

Though the threat of Scorponok had been neutralised, it wasn't long before Cybertron was invaded by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Blitz Engine]]s. Hound found himself fighting on the front lines along with [[Siren (G1)|Siren]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and a host of [[generic]] Autobots, most of whom were slaughtered in the first action. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} Having survived that battle, Hound formed part of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s forces in an attack on the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]]. Landing alongside [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] at area 59, subdivision 17.4, branch 5: Z-9-#J-4 with a plan to take down the entire Hub in one fell swoop. However, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] had anticipated their strategy, and the Autobots soon found themselves fighting for their lives. Swarmed by [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] fliers, Hound managed to get some good shots in but was hit in return, set on fire, careered off the edge of a ledge and exploded when he hit the bottom. Ouch. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}

{{--}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:TF84-Arkpassengers.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Hound would never again fly coach.]]

A member of [[Autobot High Command]], Hound was part of the crew chosen for the Ark. When Optimus Prime was late for the launch, Hound assured a worried Bumblebee that the Prime simply had a busy schedule. Along with all the others, Hound was a sacrifice of Optimus' gambit to isolate Megatron from Cybertron, and wound up on Earth in stasis lock until the day they reactivated in 1984. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}

{{--}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====

{{voiceactor|[[Ken Sansom]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Ken Narita]] (Japanese, "Attack of the Autobots" and "Day of the Machines")|[[Liu Qin]] (Chinese), [[Crock Krumbiegel]] (German, ''Generation 2'' "More than Meets the Eye", "S.O.S. Dinobots", "Dinobot Island, Part 2"), [[Vladimiro Conti]] (Italian, second dub), [[Javier Pontón]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Júlio César]] (Portuguese), [[Francisco José]] (Portuguese, "Heavy Metal War"), [[Márcio Seixas]] (Portuguese, "Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1"), [[Mauro Castro]] (Portuguese, DVD dub), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French, "Roll for it" & "Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1"), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "Attack of the Autobots"), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Masquerade")}}

[[File:MTMTE1 Hound and Cliffjumper roll out.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Those seats look surprisingly comfortable for a jeep.]]

Hound was one of the Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crash-landed on [[Earth]] four million years ago. When awakened in [[1984]], he was reformatted into a terrestrial military jeep alternate mode. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] dispatched Hound on a recon mission to find the [[Decepticon]]s; however, the impetuous [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] tagged along uninvited, itching to start a fight, and took a pot shot at [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] once Hound sniffed out the Decepticon base. Cliffjumper missed, and the Decepticons gave chase. [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] pursued the two Autobot eavesdroppers across a winding mountain road and Hound crashed into a ravine after taking the brunt of the assault. Hound was too injured even to transform, so [[Hauler]] had to lift him out of the gulch so he could be dragged back to the Ark for repairs. Despite the mishap, Hound bore no ill will against Cliffjumper. The scout had heard enough about Megatron's plans to plunder the Earth's resources that Optimus immediately launched a mission to stop the Decepticons. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

Later, when the [[Autobot]]s counter-attacked the Decepticon siege of [[Sherman Dam]], Hound got into an underwater fight with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. The pint-sized Decepticon managed to trap Hound under a pile of boulders so that he couldn't move until [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] jumped in and freed him. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} After they came back from the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]], Hound and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] came up with a plan to fool the Decepticons by creating a hologram of a rocket fuel base, then springing a trap when the Decepticons tried to use its resources to create [[energon cube]]s. Optimus Prime agreed, and allowed their prisoner [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to escape with the false information. However, Megatron outsmarted the Autobots, went to the real rocket fuel base and used its resources. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

[[File:RollForIt-holographictwins.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Illusion, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money...or candy.]]

After [[Chip Chase]] was kidnapped by the Decepticons, who were after the antimatter formula, Hound and Mirage used their respective powers to sneak into the antimatter laboratory in order to mount a rescue. While Hound distracted Megatron with an army of holographic duplicates, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and Spike swooped in to save the prisoner, and the Autobots beat a hasty retreat through a fourth-floor window. Megatron had already obtained the formula, and he attacked Autobot Headquarters. When [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] unleashed the power of the antimatter gun in his direction, Hound ended up buried up to his waist in rubble. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

Hound again defended the base when Optimus Prime was incapacitated and required a new [[Cosmitron]]. Though the fight didn't go well for the Autobots, they held off the Decepticons long enough for Optimus to be repaired. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} After enjoying a snowball fight in mid-summer, the Autobot traced the source of the strange temperature drops to the [[Arctic]]. Hound was one of the Autobots who went there to investigate and immediately encountered a new Decepticon, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]. When Spike and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] became trapped on the ice, Hound was unable to rescue them and watched helplessly as they were carried off by Skyfire. As the Autobots followed, Hound, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], Ratchet and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] were separated from the others and subsequently captured by the Decepticons. Skyfire was ordered to eliminate the foursome as a test of loyalty, but refused and was blasted by Starscream. Hound employed his holograms to fake their own destruction; once they'd repaired Skyfire, the jet happily defected, but ended up buried in ice following the defeat of Megatron's plan. Unable to retrieve his body, the Autobots held a memorial for him. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[File:SOSDinobot Hound radios in.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Yes, hello, I'm looking for a Mrs. Hugginkiss, first name Amanda..."]]

After the Autobots discovered fossilized [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] bones inside Autobot Headquarters, Hound accompanied Spike on a trip to the nearby museum. He scanned three dinosaur skeletons with his hologram gun, and the resulting holographic simulation inspired [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and Ratchet to build the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. However, [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] severely damaged [[Teletraan I]] when the exceptionally dim-witted Dinobots went on a rampage, forcing Hound and Spike to scout for Decepticon activity while the Autobot base computer was being repaired. Hound didn't mind the extra work, as it allowed him to do sightseeing of the surrounding Earth landscape. After detecting Decepticon activity at the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power facility, he relayed information to Optimus Prime; although impressed by the falls, he found no Decepticons in sight when they arrived, but was one of the Autobots later taken captive by the Decepticons. Fortunately, Wheeljack and the Dinobots saved the day and freed the heroes. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

Hound joined the Autobots on a mission to [[Peru]] to thwart Megatron's exploitation of the [[Crystal of Power]]. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}} Next, Hound was on the Autobot squad, along with the Dinobots, which was on-hand when [[Meteorini Chipperoni|a meteor]] crashed to Earth in a ghost town. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

[[File:UltimateDoom2 Bumblebee in Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Taking carpooling to the next level.]]

After Laserbeak abducted Sparkplug, Hound took part in a diversionary attack on the Decepticon base while a small team went in and rescued Sparkplug. Later, he and the rest of the Autobots attempted to stop Megatron from activating a giant [[space bridge]]. They failed, and Cybertron was drawn into Earth's orbit. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} During the retreat back to Headquarters, Hound and Bluestreak had to save Spike from Laserbeak. Hound used his sensors to locate Bumblebee, who'd fallen into a crevasse, so that [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] could haul the diminutive Autobot out. As he was out of gas, Bumblebee had to ride back to Headquarters in Hound. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}

Hound took part in the cleanup efforts after Cybertron was ejected from Earth's orbit. After the Decepticons were spotted on the move, the Autobots gave chase. After a brief stop in a quicksand trap, they caught up with the Decepticons outside [[Doctor Arkeville]]'s secret laboratory and prevented the explosion of the [[Exponential Generator]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}} Hound turned out to cheer on Optimus Prime during the Autobot leader's one-on-one fight against Megatron. To the shock of all of the Autobots, Prime lost, and they were legally obligated to vacate the planet. Once they returned to base, they discovered that Megatron had cheated, and the results of the fight were void. Faced with the Decepticon's huge new warrior, [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], Hound projected an [[Halonix Maximus|even bigger Autobot]], distracting the combiner long enough for Optimus defeat him. The Autobots subsequently blasted the Decepticons into a crevasse filled with lava. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

After Spike's mind was transferred into a [[Autobot X (G1)|robot body]], the process affected the boy and Megatron turned him against the Autobots. Hound rolled out to bring Spike back to Autobot Headquarters and stood by his bedside as his mind was transferred back. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}} Hound was later on another mission to a gold mine. The mission didn't go well, resulting in the Autobots being battered by energised boulders, and Gears being kidnapped. When Megatron activated his [[Solar Needle]], the Autobots were obliged to travel to [[Africa]] to shut down the operation and rescue Gears. They did briefly consider leaving him with his temporary affable personality, but were overruled by Gears himself. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

[[File:CityofSteel Hound tracking.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

The Autobots visited [[New York City]] when the Decepticons began replacing buildings with Cybertronian architecture. Optimus Prime was captured by the Decepticons, and Hound, along with Spike, Bumblebee, Ratchet and Mirage, entered the sewer system in an attempt to rescue their leader. After tangling with an [[Alligaticon]], Hound became confused by the fact that his sensors detected Prime ''behind'' them. His sensors were correct—the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s had built the Alligaticon out of Prime's parts. Hound, Mirage and Ratchet ended up wrangling it so Optimus could be rebuilt. During the battle for New York, Hound found himself battling [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in a subway with Bluestreak, then consoling Wheeljack after the scientist's remote-controlled helicopters failed to stop Devastator. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

When Megatron used a [[personality destabilizer device]] on the Autobot [[recharging chamber]], Hound was one of the Autobots who turned evil. He and Ratchet went after [[Harding|Doctor Harding]], who had plans for a new solar satellite. When she escaped them at the lab by jumping out of a window, Hound pursued her into an alleyway, where she jumped into one of the dumpsters. As he picked up the dumpster she was in, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] arrived and distracted him long enough for Sparkplug to use an [[attitude exchanger]] to restore Hound's good nature. The Autobots set about finding the rest of their number, and Hound struck on the idea of firing the exchangers from their guns to restore the rest of the Autobots. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}}

During a test of Wheeljack's new [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]], Hound projected a hologram of Laserbeak, only for Ironhide to mistake it for the real thing. The Autobots dove for cover as he fired, and the only casualty was the Immobilizer itself. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} Hound took part in an Autobot charity event, during which the Decepticons took the opportunity to test out their new [[Transfixatron]]. Stuck in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], the Autobots were taken to a ghost town, but Hound was able to use his holographic gun to beam a message to the Autobots at headquarters. Though [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] blasted his gun, the Autobots back at base got the message and came to the rescue with an [[anti-transfixation grenade]]. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

[[File:Houndfootball.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Another potentially humorous image ruined by some pedant calculating that the football has to be about ten feet long.]]

Hound bravely participated in a game of football against the Dinobots, resulting in him coming off second best when he ran into [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] while heading for a touchdown. Investigating strange energy readings, he and the other Autobots encountered the [[Sub-Atlantica]]ns and Decepticons beneath the sea. The Autobots raced for Washington, which their combined enemies intended to conquer. Hound warned the other Autobots to be careful that they didn't damage any of the historical structures there as they fought, but all of the Autobots were overcome by [[Nergill]]'s [[magnetic dysfunction ray]]. It wasn't until the Dinobots arrived and the weapon was destroyed that the Autobots were freed from its power. The Autobots assaulted Sub-Atlantica, and the city was destroyed by Nergill's own hand. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

While the bulk of the Autobot forces went to investigate the reprogramming of [[TORQ III]] at [[Quantum Laboratories]], Hound, Spike and Skyfire were left on their own to check out why the world's fleet of [[oil tanker]]s were converging on a spot near the Decepticon base. They found the Decepticons had built an oil platform, and they used one of the tankers to sneak aboard, only to be almost immediately captured. Spike's deft use of an electromagnet broke the trio out, and Hound was able to destroy the shield generator protecting the platform. The main Autobot force stormed the base, and Prime helped the trio get clear before it was destroyed. {{storylink|Day of the Machines}}
After [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], a human-invented robot, was reprogrammed by the Decepticons and stole the [[World Energy Chip]] from Autobot Headquarters, the Autobots gave chase. Hound used his infrared sensors to track her down, but it was only after a prolonged fight that they got the chip back and Nightbird was disabled. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} On one strange occasion when the Autobots found that they had two Optimus Primes, Hound accompanied the Autobot forces to a crevasse from which strange energy readings were emanating, and he ended up fighting Starscream briefly. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Houndlifting.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Let's start buildin' some Hurtin' Bombs.]]

Hound, [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and Bumblebee investigated reports of chewed-up trees and quickly realised that the Insecticons were behind it. After tracking down their quarry, the three Autobots, along with Spike and [[Jeff (ranger)|Ranger Jeff]], were chased off a cliff by a fallen tree trunk. They were able to take shelter on a small ledge, and Hound used a hologram to fool the Insecticons into thinking the Autobots had been destroyed. After radioing base to warn them that the Insecticons and their Decepticon allies intended to attack the [[Nova Power Plant]], the trio headed to the target themselves, but were too late to prevent the Insecticons from devouring the [[Nova Power Core]]. Hound and Jazz ended up pulling Wheeljack out of the wreckage of a pylon. The Autobots tried to head off a subsequent attack on [[Iron Mountain]], but the power-saturated Insecticons blasted them. Hound ended up under [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], who was under a ton of rock. He then ended up at ground zero as the Insecticons were about to explode, but swift work by the Autobots prevented too much of a disaster. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}}

Hound was witness to another of the Dinobots' rampages at headquarters, after which they were sent to the newly discovered [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] to work on their technique. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Responding to strange energy readings in the city, Hound used his sensors to locate Bumblebee and Spike under some rubble, before taking part in the effort to round up a bunch of barbarians on [[mammoth]]s who'd wandered through a time warp. He and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] kept the warp open long enough for the barbarians to be returned through it. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[File:MMP2 Hound scans ahead.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

The Autobots were taking part in an [[Autobot Day]] parade to celebrate their accomplishments, when a tape was shown which incriminated them all for energy theft. Hound and the others were put on trial, swiftly found guilty, and ordered to leave the planet. With little other choice but to obey the law, they boarded a spacecraft supplied by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} When Cliffjumper proved unable to alter the ship's flight path, Hound pinpointed their destination: the [[Sun]]! Unable to prevent the ship's destruction, they used one of [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s force fields to link to [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and were able to return to Earth. There, Megatron's frame-up had already been exposed, and the Autobots brought the full might of their forces down on the enemy. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

Hound attended a demonstration of the [[Ultra Plane]], only for the experimental drone craft to be destroyed by the Decepticons. He took part in the defense of the lab behind the Ultra Plane, using s hologram fired from his [[Hologram gun|gun]] to trick Starscream and Soundwave into believing that Megatron had retreated. A short while later, he and the rest of the Autobots were afflicted by [[Cybertonium]] depletion and were unable to function. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} Luckily, Spike, [[Carly]] and the Dinobots were able to retrieve some more from Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} Hound rolled out to prevent the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]] and again later to help the humans when Megatron used the device to block radio waves planet-wide. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[File:TFTM Hound Cameo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Hound was part of a second wave of Autobots who went up against [[electrum]]-coated Decepticons. They didn't have much better luck than the first wave. Once they found the pool of electrum that the Decepticons had been utilising, the Autobots were able to even the odds. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Hound rolled out to rescue [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] from a Decepticon trap, and he was presumably subsequently struck down by the same [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] that afflicted the other Autobots. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust}} After the Autobots captured the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], who were out on a mission for Megatron, Hound probed their memory banks but only came up with a map to a crater. A number of the Autobots, including Optimus, disguised themselves as the Decepticon team, but after they'd gone to uncover Megatron's plan, the real Stunticons broke out of their cells. Hound came to see what all the noise was, and was blasted by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as the combiner departed. The damaged Autobots recovered in time to provide much-needed reinforcement to Prime's team. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

In the year [[2005]], Hound was stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth. Shortly before [[Battle of Autobot City|the Decepticon attack]], Hound was part of [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]'s detail, placing a roadblock on the trail to Lookout Mountain. During the battle, he managed to get to the shuttle landing pad as Optimus Prime began his counterattack on the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Hound’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====e-HOBBY comics=====
During a Decepticon attack on Autobot headquarters, Hound was concerned as to the whereabouts of Optimus Prime. He became even more concerned when Wheeljack informed him that their leader was taking on Megatron unarmed. {{storylink|Destron Leader Megatron Black Ver.}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
Shortly after the Transformers arrived on Earth, Hound was a participant in a battle in [[New York City]]. The Autobots were victorious that day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)|Broadcasting on TV! Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers}}
One day, Hound decided to participate in a friendly race amongst the Autobots, though his Jeep mode wasn't expected to bring him a victory against the numerous race and sports cars he was up against. Little did anyone know, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] was aware of the race and set a trap within a narrow canyon. Once inside, all the racecars became trapped and were unable to escape due to their poor traction over the rough terrain. Soundwave began firing upon them and his victory seemed assured. However, Hound's Jeep mode proved the ''real'' victor, as it allowed the Autobot to traverse the rugged landscape, transform and punch Soundwave so hard it shattered his chest. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)|Anime Theater 2: Sic 'em, Hound!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Hound battled Megatron when he was the only Decepticon remaining in the wake of a failed attack on the Autobot base. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

=====Full Throttle Scramble Power!=====
Hound was dispatched alongside human agents [[Tōru]] and [[Jenny (G1)|Jenny]] to investigate the Decepticons' [[Omega Wave Cannon]]. They were almost immediately captured by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and Starscream and locked in a cage by Megatron. Hound was helpless to do anything, but his human companions figured out a means of escape and successfully sabotaged the Omega Wave Cannon. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
[[File:Awakenings-Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Hound was amongst the Autobots present at the ceremony the humans had prepared for the formal welcoming of the Autobots to Earth. He shared Bumblebee's opinion that the Autobots should relax and enjoy their moment in the spotlight as crowds of earthlings cheered them on. {{storylink|First Contact (Star Gate)|First Contact}}
Hound attended a lecture on Earth about the human's earthquake-prediction technology. After the conference, Hound met with Professor Ohnishi, and asked to be included in the next forum. Before any plans could be made, a small earthquake shook the ground beneath him, and Hound became suspicious that recent geological activity was not natural. Contacting Optimus Prime, he told his commanding officer that he suspected the Decepticons were behind the recent seismic activity, and was granted permission to stay in Japan for a while and investigate. Hound and a team of Autobots did discover Decepticon activity behind the earthquake, and Hound engaged Rumble and Frenzy, the cause of the artificial earthquakes, while the others dealt with Starscream, Megatron and Astrotrain. Hound managed to trounce the duo thanks to his holographic projections {{storylink|Activation}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
Hound was one of many Autobots who suffered from the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] virus when [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] unleashed it upon them. Working together with the humans, the Autobots created the [[Binaltech (technology)|Binaltech]] Project as a means of transferring the injured Autobots' sparks into super-powered new bodies created from human technology. Along with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], Hound was part of the first wave of Binaltech warriors, who assembled on Earth under the command of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Binaltech Is... (Chapter 1)|Binaltech Is...}}

======BT World======
In the 2008 of an [[BT World|alternate universe]], Hound and Grimlock were on patrol on Earth when they crossed paths with Bluestreak—but not the Bluestreak of their world. This Bluestreak had travelled from [[G1 World|another timeline]] to inform the Binaltech Autobots that the spark of their Prowl (previously lost in a subspace accident) had appeared in his home universe, and begun to destabilize. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Michitaka Kobayashi]] (Japanese)|[[Simon Broad]] (English, Omni Productions dub), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)}}

[[File:FourWarriors HotRod Hound.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|Hey, it's that green guy!]]

In the year [[2011]], Hound was stationed at the Autobot base on [[Athenia]]. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] wondered how the Decepticons had managed to invade Cybertron so easily, Hound correctly theorized that releasing the energy of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] might have destabilized [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}
{{--}}

=====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''=====
[[File:SkyReignChapter-Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]

Following the devastation of Cybertron in 2011, Hound joined a [[Disaster Relief Team|rescue team]] that searched the ruined planet for survivors, locating Vector Sigma. The supercomputer reformatted them into new bodies with improved powers so that they could rebuild and defend Cybertron, granting Hound the ability to scan Transformers' minds and project holograms of their memories as well as combine with his teammates into the mighty [[Sky Reign]]. The team went on to restore Cybertron to a habitable state and defended it from [[Grand Galvatron]]'s attack in [[2021]]. Though he found invading the memories of others distasteful, Hound nonetheless scanned [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]'s mind and distracted him with a hologram of [[Knock Out (Prime)|someone he wished to meet again]], then joined with the others to form Sky Reign. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} After their combination was undone by [[Megaempress]], [[Moonheart]] subdued Hound and the others with [[healing pheromones]] and amputated their combiner joints for the [[joint energon]] within. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}}

When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] showed up to make Cybertron his new body, Hound despaired that the planet they'd worked to restore was being taken over. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Vector Sigma then restored his and his teammates' combiner joints so that they could help expel Unicron in the form of Sky Reign. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}} In the peaceful days that followed, the team set up their own stage musical, with Hound contributing holographic special effects. {{storylink|Invitation to the Dress Rehearsal!}}

The Disaster Relief Team was deployed to the [[Legends World]] to help rebuild [[Akihabara]] after it was wrecked by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} There, Spike asked Hound asked for his help in bringing [[Fastlane]] and [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]], deemed criminals by the [[Galactic Peace Alliance]], to justice. Cloudraker's claims that Spike was an impostor put some doubts into Hound's mind, however, and he realized it must be true when Spike ordered him to kill the fugitives on the spot. After Fastlane revealed the true identity of "Spike" to be that of [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], Hound took care of the incriminating evidence and promised to hunt Old Snake down. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 58|Bonus Edition Vol. 58}}
{{--}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Hound identified a time warp opening on Earth in the vicinity of Dinobot Island. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
[[File:4WheeldriveBrigade1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

When [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] attacked [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] in [[Arizona]] with nearly the entire Decepticon army, Hound responded with the rest of the Autobots in defense. They eventually won the day, though the attack was little more than a diversion while [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] performed ''evil'' in Japan. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}}

As leader of the [[Four-Wheel Drive Corps]], Hound responded to a Decepticon threat within a crater in [[Kyushu]]. The threat turned out to be the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], who trapped the Corps within a smoking pit thanks to some well-placed landmines. Hound "combined" (er, ''formed a human pyramid'') with the other members of the Corps, creating the "Four-Wheel Drive Robo Combination Scrumbuster" attack, which busted the Insecticons' scrum and sent them into retreat. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

Later, Hound accompanied [[Kenji]], [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]], and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] on a mission to an island utopia so they could reconvene with another Autobot unit. Upon arriving, however, they found [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] and his troops being held captive by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]! Turns out that Megatron had chosen the island utopia as the perfect place to complete the creation of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. With the giant transforming city standing before them, Perceptor and Hound concocted a clever scheme to defeat the villain. While [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] protected the local wildlife, Hound projected a hologram of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] through Perceptor's lenses, enlarging it. Trypticon mistook the phony Metroplex for the real deal and rushed it, passing through the hologram and falling into the sea. Hound and the other Autobots then put the captive Constructicons to work, restoring the island utopia to its former beauty. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

{{--}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
While Hound was out driving with Bumblebee and Spike, the trio happened on a badly-injured Starscream, whom Hound's sensors told him had fallen down the side of a nearby mountain. Hound initially feared it was a trap, but Bumblebee persuaded him to carry the Decepticon back to the Ark. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

====''Cloud''====
Prior to his departure on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', Hound was witness to the incursion into their spacetime by another [[Optimus Prime (Cloud)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] from [[Cloud World]]. He got knocked around as the foreign Megatron unleashed the power of [[SARA]]. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
[[File:RevengeOfTheDecepticons-Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]

Hound helped fend off a Decepticon attack. He and the other Autobots then enjoyed an unusual lull in Decepticon activities for the next several days, only to find out they had been lulled into a false sense of security; the Decepticons had stolen the Autobots’ entire supply of fuel during this quiet time. Even as Windcharger headed out to fetch more fuel, Hound informed him it was too late; his radar detected that the Decepticons were already on their way. Hound and the other Autobots nonetheless attempted to fend off the Decepticons once more. Thankfully, Optimus returned just in time with a new shipment of fuel. Re-energized, the Autobots forced the Decepticons to flee once again. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons}}

{{--}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
[[File:BattleForEarth-Hound.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|For tonight's showing, Hound will be played by the Great Gazoo.]]

Hound was among the Autobots who vowed to stop Decepticon activity on Earth. He and the other Autobots cheered so loudly at Optimus's proclamation that "Freedom was the right of all sentient beings" that they nearly caused a volcano to erupt. Later, Hound was involved in the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons that was a result of Megatron taking millions of humans hostage in a bid to get the Earth to surrender to the Decepticons. Hound participated both in the invasion of the Decepticons' base and the subsequent fight against The Devastator. The Autobots were eventually victorious, and Hound drove away with the rest of his comrades after Optimus declared the war between Autobots and Decepticons to be over. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

{{--}}

===Marvel coloring books===
[[File:ForestRescueMission Hound transforms.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]

After [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] alerted the Autobots to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s latest plan, they took to the seas in a boat [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] built. When [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] pointed out a strangely-behaving iceberg to Hound, the ship was boarded by [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], who promptly fell for one of Hound's holographic tricks. The Autobots later defeated the Decepticons and confiscated the treasure they'd found. {{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}} When the Decepticons came up with a new plan to steal Earth's fuel, Hound and Bumblebee volunteered as scouts to locate their enemy. Hound found the Decepticons at [[Hoover Dam]] and after alerting the other Autobots, took part in the battle to save it. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}}

The Decepticons developed a [[molecular transfer device]] to steal Earth's fuel, and Hound joined in on a raid on the Decepticon stronghold, though he accidentally set off the alarm as they entered. {{storylink|Summertime Coloring Book}} Later, Hound and the other Autobots rolled out to meet with what they assumed was a rescue mission from Cybertron, only for Bumblebee to warn them that the message they received was a ruse designed to lure them away from their base. {{storylink|A Message From Outer Space}}

While the Autobots were relaxing in the woods one day, Hound stumbled on Megatron and his goons trashing the place. He reported to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]], who was feeding a [[bunny rabbit|bunny]] and the Autobots set about defending the forest from the Decepticons. Hound created [[Butch Witwicky (G1)|Butch]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] holograms so Megatron came up empty-handed when he made a grab for them. {{storylink|Forest Rescue Mission}} Forewarned of an incoming Decepticon strike, Hound and the other Autobots broke up their camp and retreated twenty miles south, then caught the Decepticons in a counter-ambush. {{storylink|Bumblebee's Dangerous Mission}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}}}

When the Decepticons attacked [[Oil Valley]], Hound was part of a convoy of Autobots that turned up to fight them. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}} [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] told Hound and some other Autobots about a stash of [[energon cube]]s hidden somewhere on Earth, and they decided to try to find it. They headed to [[Mount St. Hilary]], only to find the Decepticons were already there searching. Naturally another battle ensued, which ended when [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ate all the energon cubes. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===Big Looker Story Books===
[[File:Ratchetgreatcarrally.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Ow."]]

Hound was among the Autobots who volunteered to go on a mission to save [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and ended up on [[Earth]]. After [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] got the help of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] in repairing Hound and the other Autobots, Hound gave Sparkplug and his son [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] home to [[Kimball]], only to find the Decepticons were already there raiding the city. Hound raced back to base and fetched the rest of the Autobots so they could chase the Decepticons off. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}} Hoping to win a year's oil, the Autobots entered the [[Big Car Rally]]. Hound drove the mountain leg, helped by [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] who repaired a bridge [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] had taken out. When he reached [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s stage, Hound saved his comrade by jumping in front of [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s blast, at the cost of needing some repairs from [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}} Optimus, Bumblebee and Hound lazed around under a tree outside Autobot HQ one sunny day. They later had to go rescue [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}
{{-}}

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
[[File:StormsOfDestruction Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|When the cartoon was cancelled, Hound joined Cirque du Soleil as a trapeze artist.]]

When a human working at [[Prodhoe Bay]] had made a deal with the Decepticons, promising to turn a blind eye to the disappearance of several gallons of crude oil in exchange of a new jeep, Hound infiltrated the Decepticon operation and posed as the jeep to be delivered. He then signalled Autobot headquarters, who were able to send Skyfire to deal with the Decepticons. {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

After [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] caved in a section of [[Brazil]], Hound took part in an aerial attack, flying over the Decepticons in his jeep mode and raining down lasers. {{storylink|Storms of Destruction}}
{{-}}

===Listen 'n Play audiobooks continuity===
{{voiceactor|? (English)}}
When the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were abducting humans to ransom for fuel, Hound took part in a raid on the warehouse where the hostages were being kept, using his sensors to track the approach of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s squad as they came to investigate what was up. {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Play)}}

===Deadly Paradise===
[[File:Carob megamaze.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Sideswipe was convicted of destroying the [[Nova Suspension Bridge]] and deactivated, despite his pleas of innoncence, in order to ease the strain on human/Autobot relations. Prowl became suspicious of the Decepticons being somehow involved, and discovered evidence that lead to the remote [[Carob Island]]. Hound accompanied Prowl, Windcharger, Brawn, Bumblebee and Ratchet and headed to said island. Upon landfall, Prowl discovered a cave from where suspicious sounds were coming from. Leaving Bumblebee and Hound behind to guard the entrance, Prowl, Windcharger, Brawn and Ratchet went inside. While they were standing guard, Bumblebee and Hound were somehow captured and deactivated by Madame [[Cee]] and her army of pig-robots. They were eventually reactivated inside Madame Cee's workshop, where they learned that the Decepticons were forcing her to help build Autobot duplicates. After learning of the location of Megatron's temporary base on the island, Hound and the rest of the group entered it, finding themselves wandering in a vast, underground labyrinth. They finally came upon an open area, only to be captured in force cages by the Decepticons. Prowl managed to free the rest of the group, and Hound helped them defeat Starscream and Skywarp while Prowl dealt with Megatron. In the process of fighting the Decepticons, Hound damaged his leg. Ratchet prepared to repair it, only to find that his lubricant container was empty. The Autobots managed to escape Megatron's megamaze when they realized that Ratchet's lubricant container had been leaking all day, thus leaving them a trail that led out of Megatron's megamaze that surrounded the facility. Using his keen sensors, Hound was able to follow the trail, even in the dark. The Autobots returned to their headquarters where they were able to clear Sideswipes name, and presumably reactivated him. {{storylink|Deadly Paradise}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:MegatronsFightForPower Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Tony Romo gets sacked again, and it looks like the Cowboys will miss the playoffs yet another year."]]

After a lightning storm, Hound marveled at how a strike had changed a nearby mountain. Huffer built a lightning rod to harness the power of Earth's storms, which Hound thought he detected the Decepticons snooping around but didn't bother telling anyone. It later turned out he was right, though the Decepticons had mistaken the rod for a radio mast, and they retreated after being shocked by it. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}} When [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] detected the Decepticons, Hound used his radar and infrared to determine that their foe was headed for the desert. They subsequently caught the Decepticons raiding an experimental solar energy plant. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

When Bumblebee discovered that the Decepticons were planning to build an ion drive to power their ship, Optimus Prime sent Hound to keep a listening watch for Decepticon radio signals. Hound soon recorded a lot of Decepticon radio activity, and reported back to Optimus with his findings. Thanks to the information gathered by Hound, the Autobots were able to pinpoint to location of the Decepticons’ construction site. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

Hound eavesdropped on [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]'s attempts to scout out human life forms. After Laserbeak's transmission was cut off, Hound and Spike went to investigate what the Decepticon was doing and found a windmill. When they found the Decepticons were involved, they called in the rest of the Autobots, and unfortunately the windmill was destroyed in the ensuing battle. {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}} When [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] picked up radio signals from a cloaked Decepticon space station, Hound decoded the signals. He later impersonated [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and gave the three cloaked space stations instructions that caused them to crash into each other. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} Following the triggering of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s Decepticon alarms, Hound reported that they'd merely detected a Decepticon recovery crew. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

{{--}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
While [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] led an Autobot team to [[South America]] to hunt for energy, Hound and the rest of the Autobots stayed in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. They were briefly spied on by [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] who reported their status to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Terror of Mount Sheelah}}
{{--}}

===''Find Your Fate Junior''===
{{notemultipath}}
====Dinobots Strike Back====
Near the beginning of most branches in one micro-continuity-nexus, Hound reported back to the Ark that four of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had inexplicably ditched lookout duty in [[Hidden Valley]] to go on a rampage through farm country. {{storylink|Dinobots Strike Back}}

====Battle Drive====
[[File:BattledriveAutobotsfindBuster.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Ohh...I've just had a terrible nightmare of an insane git singing at me...]]
When Optimus began to worry that Bumblebee failed to report in a timely manner while out on patrol, he dispatched Hound alongside Prowl and Swoop to check up on the little Autobot. When they met up with Bumblebee, who informed them of the Decepticon's ploy to destroy acres of farmland in order to starve humanity into submission, Hound suggested they headed back to Autobot headquarters immediately, in order to report back to Optimus. Doing so, however, led them straight into a violent storm, stranding them in the middle of nowhere and ending their adventure.

Alternatively, if the small group of Autobots decided to try and stop the Decepticon plot on their own, they were surprised to find Buster Witwicky on the road. The boy informed them that his father had discovered a fatal flaw in Decepticon circuitry, from whom Sparkplug was now on the run from. If the Autobots decided not to postpone their current mission for Sparkplug's sake, they were ambushed and destroyed by the Decepticons.

If they decided to rescue Buster's father, Hound and the Autobots drove into the mountains, they quickly discovered Sparkplug holed up in a cave surrounded by Decepticons. While Swoop flew ahead to distract the Decepticons, Hound and the rest of the earthbound Autobots met up with Sparkplug in his cave, and decided whether or not to make a stand against the Decepticons. Depending on some choices other bots made, Hound's battle to defend the cave alongside Bumblebee and Prowl was more or less difficult.

In one version of the following events, Hound, Prowl, Bumblebee and the Witwickys fell to their deaths in an attempt to find an alternate route out of the cave.

In another version of the subsequent events, Hound, Prowl and Bumblebee successfully held out against the Decepticons until Autobot reinforcements arrived to turn the tide of battle.

In yet another version of these events, Hound successfully used his hologram gun to create a diversion, and allowed Prowl to make a mad dash back to Autobot headquarters with Sparkplug.

In a completely different sequence of events, Hound was chosen along with Jazz, Prowl, Wheeljack, and Swoop by Optimus Prime to stop the Decepticon plot, when Bumblebee made it back to the Autobots' headquarters on his own. The group, joined by Bumblebee, was ambushed as soon as they arrived in the open countryside of the farmland. If [[you]] attempted to interfere, the Autobots were doomed. However, when the Autobots were left to their own devices, Hound and the rest of the group realized on their own that they had stumbled into a Decepticon trap. Whether or not the group made it back to their base depended on the decisions Optimus Prime made.{{storylink|Battle Drive}}
{{-}}

====Desert Flight====
Hound was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission. When the convoy heard a large explosion in the distance, Optimus sent Cosmos to investigate the noise.

If Cosmos radioed his findings to Optimus immediately, Optimus's convoy moved in to investigate a nearby Decepticon base. En route, the Autobots passed near a human town, but began floating in mid-air before being able to reach it. Evidently, the phenomenon was caused by a Decepticon anti-gravity weapon.

If Optimus ordered his troops to come to the humans’ aid, they found themselves taking part in a struggle in futility, as the entire town was near-weightless, meaning they couldn't put the humans anywhere where they wouldn't float away once more. Then, the Autobots heard Decepticons approaching. Helpless in their current position, the Autobots were quickly eradicated by the Decepticons.

If Optimus ordered his troops to attack the Decepticon base, they soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence. They were then attacked by a small fleet of Decepticons. The Decepticons were quickly forced to break off their attack and retreated. But with the battle over, the Autobots noticed a small human boy at their feet. The Autobots then headed for the Decepticon base, with their stowaway. Megatron delivered an ultimatum; if the Autobots did not surrender Optimus Prime to the Decepticons immediately, he would use his gravity beam to have the nearby humans float off into space.

If the Autobots decided to continue with their initial plan to simply attack the Decepticon base, their advance was halted by a force field. Megatron then fired his beam in all directions, causing a ripple effect that sent everything not fastened down to the Earth's surface to float helplessly out into space.

Alternatively, the Autobots could concoct a plan where Optimus would pretend to allow himself to be taken prisoner, per Buddy's suggestion. In actuality, Hound and the rest of the Autobots were hidden away inside Optimus's trailer. The Autobots then led a surprise attack on their unsuspecting foes.

In the event that Buddy tampered with the gravity gun in the ensuing battle, the Autobots would emerge victorious.

In the event that Buddy instead entered a space-time anomaly created throughout the course of the battle, the Autobots would lose their fight against the Decepticons, and Hound wound up either injured or dead.

If Optimus destroyed the duplicate Cosmos, the real one would inform the Autobots of the Decepticons’ schemes, and the convoy would roll out to take on their adversaries. They were soon met by a squad of flying Decepticons, but were at a strict disadvantage against their adversaries as their vehicle modes possessed no weapons. The Autobots nonetheless managed to fight their way to the Decepticons’ base, one way or another, and defeated the Decepticons by using their own gravity weapon against them. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}
{{-}}

====Decepticon Poison====
In one possible scenario, Hound was amongst the troops that Optimus brought to the Decepticons’ poison lab, in order to foil the Decepticons’ plan of poisoning the humans’ nearby water supply.

If the Autobots decided to launch a full-frontal assault, as suggested by Ironhide, Hound was one of the Autobots Optimus called forth to gun down the laboratory. The laboratory then caved in on itself, signalling an Autobot victory.

Alternatively, if Optimus decided to send his troops to the water reservoir instead of the lab, Hound was amongst the group of Autobots that found the reservoir swarmed by Decepticons upon their arrival. In one possible sequence of events, Hound was killed by Megatron in the battle that ensued. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}
{{-}}

====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertMetroplex.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Hound was present at the Autobot city of Metroplex when an Autobot Alert sounded.

He and the other Autobots learned of two Decepticon plots simultaneously occurring. One of which was the theft of a coded message meant for Ultra Magnus's eyes only. If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize theft of the coded message, Hound was part of the captive audience that listened to Kup divulge information about an ancient Autobot formula. Hound took off towards the Autobots’ desert research centre along with a number of other Autobots. Once there, they learned from Springer that the Cybertite sphere containing the formula was discovered by humans during the 16th century. If the Decepticons had decoded Springer's message, they would be searching off the coast of California, where the ship containing the sphere had sunk. If they hadn't decoded the message, the Decepticons would still be digging in the nearby crater.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Hound was sent ahead to scout out the best route to the California coast. Catching up with Hound, Ultra Magnus's troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching. The Autobots then needed to decide whether they would raise the ship themselves, or try and ambush the Decepticons after they had done so. Whether the Autobots failed or succeeded from this point forward depended on the actions of other Autobots. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
{{-}}

===Frito-Lay posters===
Hound was one of the many Autobots who fought the Decepticons in the desert. {{storylink|The Power Struggle}} When the Decepticons attacked [[Sherman Dam|Boulder Dam]], Hound was alongside Slag as they both rumbled in for the final crisis! The Decepticons were successfully driven away by the Autobots. {{storylink|Battle in the Desert Valley}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin1-Hound.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

After the death of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and the fall of [[Altihex]], Hound was one of several Autobots called upon by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to meet with him in the ruins of [[Praxus]]. Here, Grimlock announced his plans to take command of the Autobots himself, by force if need be, should the next appointed Prime not prove to be capable of leading them in combat. The group attended the inauguration of Optronix into [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and when an enemy attempt was made against the new Prime, Hound helped fend off the assassins. He and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] gunned down [[Backbite (G1)|Backbite]], causing him to explode spectacularly. Optimus then took care of the other assassins, winning several Autobots over... only to then announce that he planned a planet-wide evacuation. Hound was visibly shocked over this decision. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

Though he helped in loading up the Autobots' shuttles needed for this exodus, Hound bemoaned the oath of allegiance he had long ago taken to the Autobots all the while, and talked with Ironhide over how wrong the evacuation felt. Grimlock chimed in as well, reiterating his doubts over Prime's ability to head the Autobots. Though Grimlock stormed off, Hound and the rest of his team remained to continue at their task. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} Shortly after this transpired, Megatron and Optimus were fed visions of the future through the Matrix of Leadership. In one of these visions, they witnessed Hound help defend a hydro-electric dam from a Decepticon attack on Earth. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

[[File:Revelation-Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], when Prime disappeared and the Autobots fractioned into several smaller armies, Hound remained with the primary Autobot faction under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s leadership. He reported the bad news that the Decepticons' new [[Trypticon (G1)|assault base]] was almost operational. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} This information proved slightly out of date; Trypticon was not only already operational, but battle-ready. When the giant Decepticon proved too much for Prowl's team to handle, Hound rustled up some reinforcements and lent a hand. Everything the Autobots threw at their enemy still wasn't enough to even slow it down however, and the Autobots only managed to survive the encounter because Trypticon was called away mid-battle. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}} Hound's group returned to base for repairs, only to come under attack by [[The Fallen]]. The ancient Transformer broke into the Autobots' holding cells, reappropriated [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] from one of them, and then took off. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}} It was Shockwave's Decepticons who wound up tracking down The Fallen to his base of operations, information that was conveyed back to Hound and the Autobots by [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. Though the opposing factions joined forces to put an end to The Fallen's machinations, Hound was not among the soldiers who arrived on the battlefield in time to see any action. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

Afterwards, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] managed to unite the Autobots once more, and under his leadership gained a significant hold over Cybertron's resources and territories. This eventually forced the [[Ultracon]]s and Shockwave's Decepticons to sign a peace treaty with the Autobots. Hound was in attendance at the ceremony, which was interrupted by a bombing engineered by Starscream and his [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]]s. This attack only served to strengthen the alliance between the factions, and they struck back as a united front against the aggressors. However, the dramatic return of Megatron with his cloned [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] ended any ideas of truce whatsoever. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} Megatron quickly took over the planet, and enslaved the majority of Autobots. Hound was among the many unfortunates captured, and put to work in [[Internment Camp Pi]]. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

{{unreleased WW comic}}

[[File:PrimeDirective1-Hound.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

Optimus returned to Cybertron, and the Autobots were freed from slavery. {{Storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}

Four million years ago, Hound was part of the crew of the Ark spaceship, and crashlanded on the planet Earth after a conflict with the Decepticons. The Autobots and Decepticons on board remained in [[stasis lock]], buried at the base of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in Oregon, until the volcano exploded in [[1984]], freeing them. Hound and the other Autobots under Prime's command waged war against the Decepticons on Earth, until they finally captured them all. In [[1999]], the Autobots planned to return to Cybertron with their prisoners aboard the ''[[Ark II]]''., but sabotage led to the spaceship exploding on its maiden voyage, and all aboard were believed dead.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, a human mercenary named [[Lazarus]] had recovered a great number of the Transformers that had been on board, including Hound. He went to work on these deactivated robots, installing programming directives that would turn the Cybertronians into mindless drones for his own purposes. In [[2002]], Hound was repurposed as Lazarus' transport jeep when he entertained the "freedom fighter" [[Bishop (human)|Bishop]], and stood guard against anybody following them. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} Lazarus was prepared to unleash his robot soldiers on the world, only to fail at the starting gate when Megatron reasserted control over his own programming and resumed the war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Hound, along with the other Autobots Lazarus had salvaged, were used to power Megatron's latest doomsday weapon: a metallic virus that would cyber-form the planet into a new Cybertron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} The Decepticons soon after left to attack San Francisco, allowing Hound's allies to extract him from the machinery powering the virus. As he looked him over, [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] reported that Hound was alive, although he had been left in a barely functional state. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}

[[File:Atonement-warroom.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Not long thereafter, Hound and the Autobots were entrenched against the Decepticons in [[Alaska]] when they were confronted with an envoy from Cybertron, which had apparently ended the war sometime ago, creating a Unified Cybertronian government. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], leader of this new regime, demanded the Autobots surrender themselves as war criminals. The Autobots escaped from his troops' clutches, and Hound was sent out as part of a scouting party to gather more information on the newcomers. While out on their patrol, they were ambushed and approached by a team headed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|New World Order}} Allegedly in order to prevent the warlike Transformers of Earth from igniting old passions, Hound and many of his fellow Autobots were captured by this group. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Brought back to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], Hound and the Autobots were removed from their prison cells by the [[Triple Changer]] named [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], and brought into contact with a resistance cell led by [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]. It seemed Shockwave actually had a hidden agenda (of course), and many Autobots had begun taking up arms again to fight back against his regime. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Hound joined in the insurrection at [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], and the resistance ultimately pushed Shockwave out of command, retaking Cybertron for the Autobots. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

As Ultra Magnus began re-establishing Autobot control over the planet, Prowl decided that Hound and the rest of the Ark's crew would be best served by returning to Earth and establishing a permanent base of operations there. {{storylink|Original Sin}} Being the Earth-lover that he was, Hound was all for the idea. Several others objected, unwilling to leave Cybertron after returning to it for such a brief period of time, but Hound reminded them that they had responsibilities towards their human friends. {{storylink|Atonement}} As the Autobots blasted off from Cybertron, Hound looked over a display of Earth on their ship's bridge. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

Hound was last seen at the site of the future [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], using his holograms to help [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] visualize his plans. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoevsTF5 Hound dies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Hound's career as "[[To sell toys|hi-and-die]]" was short-lived.]]

Hound was present during the chaotic battle on [[Cobra Island]] between the Autobots, Decepticons, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]]. He was blasted in half by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], sending [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] into a fit of rage. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Hound Wheeljack-The Iron Fist.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Hound lay dormant and buried on the [[Fera Islands]] for a long time, until he and his comrades were awakened in [[1939]] thanks to the battle between [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]]. After he was reformatted into a military jeep and had the situation explained to him by [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], Hound was eager to help the Joes with their mission. {{storylink|Transformed}} As the battle began in earnest, he proved ignorant as to the existence of paratroopers. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}}

During a run-in with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], Hound sat around in vehicle mode and got dented by the Decepticon's earthquakes, but was otherwise unharmed. {{storylink|Wolves}} As the Autobots advanced towards the [[Terrordrome]], Hound's scanners detected Cobra soldiers forcing slaves to act as human shields, so he suggested that they clear out a nearby trench to hide the slaves in. {{storylink|Trenches}} When a few of the slaves fell in the ocean, Hound and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] helped G.I. Joe pull them up. Unfortunately, both Autobots were killed in battle shortly afterwards. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

{{--}}

===Shell Game===
[[File:Hound%27s_head_torn_from_shell_game.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Hound was one of [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s loyal Autobots. On the eve of a vital confrontation with Megazarak, however, several of Hound's Autobot comrades disappeared (as a result of [[Unicron]] abducting them to fight in the [[Universe War]]), and though they tried their best, Optimus, Hound, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], and [[X-Brawn]] fell to Megazarak's onslaught. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

Megazarak ripped Hound's head off his torso, and Hound's corpse littered the ground with the bodies of the other Autobots. {{storylink|Shell Game}}

{{--}}

===''The Beast Within''===
After a brutal battle during which [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], a monstrous gestalt of unimaginable power, was released, Hound's butchered form lay smoldering in a mass grave of both Autobot and Decepticon corpses. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}
{{-}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:MegsOrigin4 Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|It's rainin' Hounds!]]

'''Hound of [[Lower Monoplex]]''' {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} was [[Reproduction|forged]]. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} A veteran Autobot peacekeeper, Hound brought his stern, by-the-books approach to the [[Primal Vanguard]], {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} and, later, worked under [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] as a member of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]'s Security Services. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} During [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s mass prison break, Hound and the other Autobot security forces struggled to hold the line against the rioting malcontents. After Sentinel Prime returned to the battlefield clad in the [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]], Hound served as an optic scout and helped and helped Sentinel's heads-up scanners target Megatron. However, Megatron found Hound's position, took him out of the fight, and destroyed Sentinel's helmet by hurling Hound's unconscious body at the Autobot commander. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

Hound survived and became a tracker for [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s unit once the Autobots abandoned Kaon and fell under [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s rule. At one time they arrested the Decepticon [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] as he was selling [[phase-charge]]s to dissidents in [[Nyon]]. {{storylink|Law and Disorder}} He later participated in a hunt for [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], but just as he and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] caught up with him, the spy released [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] to attack them. Hound managed to take the cat down before passing out from his injuries. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} Together with the rest of his unit, he then rescued Orion Pax after the Decepticons took him to Kaon. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}}

[[File:Purge Ironhide Hound.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

A search for the insurgent [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] brought Orion's team to the [[Acropolex]] in Nyon. Hound was very impressed by the building, being reminded of the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]] who had supposedly led their species with wisdom and justice before the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]]. He then found some strangely unarmed [[Phase-charge|plasma mine]]s and began to suspect Hot Rod wasn't trying to kill them as they thought. Indeed, once they found him, he just wanted to show them proof of Zeta Prime's atrocities. {{storylink|Ruins}} When Prime then attacked Nyon to destroy all who opposed him, Orion Pax and his unit turned on him. They tried to take out one of his [[Guardian robot|Omega Destructors]] by luring it onto Hound's [[graviton-mine]]s and pouring all their firepower on it, but the plan failed and they were defeated by Zeta Prime himself. {{storylink|Purge}} Their lives were saved by none other than Megatron, who brought them to Kaon, had them repaired and convinced Orion to join forces with him against Zeta. {{storylink|Choices}}

[[File:SpotlightGalvatron Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|[[Obi-Wan Kenobi|LET HER GO, ANAKIN!]]]]

As soon as Zeta Prime was dead, Megatron had the Autobots imprisoned in the [[Citadel (building)|Citadel]]. After he and some others managed to escape their cell, Hound sniffed out an escape route through the building's substructure and made his way to Nyon, where he and the others were surprised to find that Orion Pax had now become Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Rise}} Under Prime's command, they returned to the Citadel with an army in tow and fought the Decepticons for control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Once the Autobots retook [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Hound was glad to see that the ancient [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] had become the city's new capital. {{storylink|Endgame}}

During the [[Exodus (event)|Exodus]], Hound was part of the security team stationed at [[Starsreach Spaceport]], {{storylink|Massacre}} and fought [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s minions during his rampage across the planet. {{storylink|Annihilation}} Hound defended [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] against the Decepticon army when Megatron arranged a full-scale assault on the city. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}} At one point he worked with Prime, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], [[Groove (G1)|Groove]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] in defending one of Cybertron's cities as Megatron's forces began expanding his empire. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

Four million years later, Hound's unit--[[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]], and [[Skram (G2)|Skram]]—manned a permanent guard post over [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s abandoned base in [[Thunderhead Pass]]. As Sideswipe went behind Hound's back to request a transfer to [[Earth]] to find his missing brother [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] attacked the base, killed Leadfoot, and stole [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s inactive body. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} In the middle of briefing Optimus Prime on this event, {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} Hound was again interrupted by Sideswipe expressing his concern for Sunstreaker. To Hound's surprise, Optimus agreed and called the team to Earth, {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} only for him to then order them to [[Garrus-9]] instead when the "[[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]" escaped captivity. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

As they headed off in ''[[Ark-12]]'', Hound had to listen to Sideswipe's complaints, but his angry retort to take it up with Prime was interrupted by an attack from [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]; Hound followed protocol in fighting him off and prepared to carry on instead of investigating the incident, only for the seemingly-dead Cyclonus to rise again and keep shooting. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] received Hound's distress call from and drove off the threat, but Sideswipe eventually convinced Hound to divert from their mission and investigate. At [[Corata-Vaz]], Sideswipe goaded Cyclonus into attacking instead of surrendering; more than a match for the Autobot team, Cyclonus's necrotic [[Dead Universe]] powers affected Hound's arm before he awakened Thunderwing to swat all the Autobots aside. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Prowl regarded the battle with Hound's unit and the [[Wreckers]] versus Thunderwing as suicidal. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} Observing that the battle was not going well, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] decided to try and take control of Thunderwing using Bludgeon's [[axis cradle]], and told [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] to take their forces into the [[Nega-Core]] chamber as quickly as possible should he be successful. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} Hound's unit was pulled out of Corata-Vaz and joined Fortress Maximus to disrupt the enemy's [[space bridge|spacebridge]] on [[Earth]]. Hound's men mobilized through the portals to grab all the [[Nega-Core]]s and retrieve [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]], while Sideswipe volunteered to keep the enemy forces off their backs. Hound didn't understand Sideswipe's reasons but admitted he'd been wrong about the mech, and announced it was an honour to have served with him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:AHM8 Hound Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

Some time later, Hound was still on Earth with Optimus Prime's team when they were all lured into a Decepticon trap. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} While their enemies rampaged across a helpless Earth, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} the defeated Autobots were deliberately marooned on Cybertron in the hopes that the [[Insecticon swarm]] would finish them off, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Frustrated at being stranded, Hound listened to [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]'s story about [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] to pass the time. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} During one battle with the swarm, Hound let [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] ride him in vehicle mode, although his Earth mode had traction problems on the planet's metallic surface. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} Hound later watched in silence as the leaderless Autobots broke into one argument after another. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} When the Insecticon swarm came skittering towards the Autobots, Hound helped fend them off until Omega Supreme turned up and drove them away. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

Following the Autobots' return to Earth, Hound located [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], who had helped them defeat the Decepticons by sniping Megatron, and brought him to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} He was later part of an Autobot squad sent to retrieve Bumblebee after he went missing in the ruins of [[New York City|New York]]. {{storylink|Everything in Its Right Place}} {{storylink|Hidden (G1)|Hidden}}

[[File:Ride Along Hound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]

In the immediate aftermath of the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], Hound was one of the Autobots who remained stranded on Earth as the anti-Cybertronian [[Skywatch]] alliance forced the Autobots and any Decepticon stragglers into hiding. During this time, Hound helped set up the Autobot communications hub. {{storylink|Ride-Along}} After two years of lying low, Hound was present when Hot Rod demanded to go on a rescue mission for Prowl, and again when Prime abdicated his leadership role in the wake of [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]'s death. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} He watched as Hot Rod led a group of secessionist Autobots {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} and as Ultra Magnus arrived to perform his internal affairs report on Ironhide's murder. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

Hound was among those who cheered when Bumblebee was nominated as the new leader of the Autobots. He went with [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and Bumblebee to investigate [[Gordon Horiuchi]]'s proposed alliance between the Autobots and his loyalists in Skywatch. Hound's scans didn't turn up anything improper, though, and so the Autobots became Skywatch's newest robot hunters. They captured [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Axer (G1)|Axer]], and several others in the hopes of building up enough goodwill for Skywatch's governing body to recognize that they weren't a threat. Their hopes were dashed, however, when Horiuchi demanded they capture one of their own deserters, Blurr. He also demonstrated a hidden failsafe measure in the badges Skywatch had provided them, letting him remotely mode-lock any Autobot who disobeyed orders. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}}

Hound and the others reluctantly captured Blurr, but refused to turn him over. Bumblebee's badge was damaged in combat, and so the Autobots worked out a ruse so that he could roam free and find a means of freeing them from Skywatch. {{storylink|The Impossible Knot}} Hound and the others continued to play along with Horiuchi while Bumblebee ran his solo mission. {{storylink|The Gift Horse}} Eventually, Bumblebee successfully disabled the badges and, to accommodate his new role as leader, he had Hound and [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] upgrade his body with additional strength and armor. {{storylink|Wings of Wax}} Several months later, Hound and most other Autobots left Earth to return to Cybertron. He was among those who were curious about how Optimus Prime would interrogate a captive Megatron. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory #1}} Hound helped fight against Galvatron's [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] hordes, {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}} then joined the battle against an escaped Megatron's own troops in what would prove to be the final battle of the Great War. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}}

[[File:Interiors Hound guessing game.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

With the war over and Cybertron once again capable of supporting life, Hound joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' to search for the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]], where he became part of the ship's bridge crew.. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} He was present among the assembled Autobots after their tumble through quantum space as Rodimus addressed the troops. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} Later, Hound attended the secret grand opening of the ship's bar, [[Swerve's]]. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

To demonstrate [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome's]] ability to identify an Autobot based on their [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sounds]], Trailbreaker got Hound to transform and Chromedome managed to identify him without looking. {{storylink|Interiors}} While [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] was recovering from getting his head shot off, he and Hound had a brief interaction where Hound showed a tendency to still use Earth-based terminology; Rung found it curious he referred to his sedentary circuit slab as a "wheelchair." {{storylink|Signal to Noise}} Hound volunteered for the mission to [[Temptoria]] to see if a Decepticon force there was holding the [[Circle of Light]] prisoner. On the way he discussed [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]'s recent decapitation with [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and realized that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s new title was the longest ever. {{storylink|Before & After}} When [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] escaped captivity, Hound joined the crew as they tried to take down the enormous Decepticon, and was later seen holding a wounded [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}}

[[File:TheDeadAreNotEnough FieldCommanderHound.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Sgt. Hound and his Howling Lost Lighters]]

Together with Gears and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], Hound defended the ''Lost Light'' when [[Solomus|Chief Justice Tyrest]]'s [[Legislator]]s attacked. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} After the battle was over, he and some other regulars helped [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] rebuild his wrecked bar. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} Later while serving on the bridge, he received a transmission from [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] on Cybertron. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} This led to a series of events that caused the ''Lost Light'' to go searching for Metroplex and end up underwater on [[Hydrophena]] where they were attacked by [[Ammonite]]s. With the higher-ranked crew members absent, Hound became acting field commander and led his fellow Autobots into combat. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}}

The revived Metroplex used his spacebridge to teleport himself and the ''Lost Light'' back to Cybertron, where Hound was reunited with Bumblebee's Autobots (and Megatron) and got them up to speed on Metroplex's condition. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} He coordinated with the factions led by Bumblebee and Soundwave while the rest of the crew caught their breath after the fall of the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]. Hours later, Hound was amazed at how easily the Autobots and Decepticons got along in the aftermath—all it took was some strong [[engex]] and a bar to sing in. Badly. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} When the Ammonites invaded soon after, Hound got the ''Lost Light'' back in the air to counter the billions of invaders. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Working with [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] and [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] on the bridge, they rammed Monstructor as he fought Devastator. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}} Hound later attended the trial of Megatron on [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:TwentyPlusOne HoundFindsRavage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Cat cannot hide from Dog. Dog will always find Cat. Dog will give Cat no rest.]]

Six months later, the crew of the ''Lost Light'' had returned to their quest when the ship itself began disappearing. Hound evacuated the vessel along with the rest of the crew and was one of the twenty to escape in the [[Rodpod]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} As a standoff brewed between Megatron and the other stragglers, Hound seemingly pointed his gun at [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]—in reality, however, he'd found Ravage lurking in the shadows. Megatron apprehended Ravage after a brief struggle, leaving Hound to question how Ravage got on the ship to begin with before he abruptly vanished. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

The few Autobots that didn't disappear soon came across a wrecked duplicate of the ''Lost Light'', created when the ship's [[quantum generator|quantum engines]] had malfunctioned upon its original launch. On board the vessel, Megatron and Ravage found the body of Hound with a sword impaled in his chest and his brain module shoved in his mouth, leaving the former Decepticon leader to conclude he'd been killed by [[Helex (G1)|Helex]] of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} This Hound was thus on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s list of deceased Transformers. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}} When the duplicate quantum engines were shut down, Hound reappeared back on the Rodpod, along with the rest of the crew. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}

Hound remained on the ''Lost Light'' when certain members of the crew went back in time after [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]]. When they had brought back the latter, Hound was among the Autobots who attended movie night at Swerve's. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} He later visited [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]'s bar, [["Visages"]]. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} Hound was present when the crew gathered to listen to an announcement by Rodimus that they'd located [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] and were set to attend his "pre-wake". {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}} After they'd done so, Hound went to the "EarthDance" party at Swerve's. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}} He was among the crew members who visited the [[Necroworld]], which surprised the Necrobot who thought him and the others dead after having recorded the deaths of their duplicates. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

[[File:FillingInTheBlanks GetawayFakeNews.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

In his spare time, Hound attended Megatron's lectures. However, he was one of the many crewmates who had, without his knowing, agreed to support [[Getaway]]'s prospective mutiny against Megatron; {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}} when the time came, Hound rallied behind Getaway as he engineered a crisis to get rid of Megatron, Rodimus, and multiple other Autobots deemed too close to Megatron, and abandon them to the mercies of the [[Galactic Council]]. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} Hound believed that with Rodimus, Megatron, and Ultra Magnus off-ship, he was next in line to take command of the mission. However, Getaway claimed that the only way to keep him accountable for his actions would be by making ''him'' captain; as a result, Hound would be third-in-command after [[Atomizer]]. Some time later, at a team meeting regarding the [[Warren]], Hound and his teammates were horrified when they received a transmission from Rodimus, revealing that Getaway had really thrown Megatron and their comrades to the Decepticon Justice Division. Faced with the prospect of a ''second'' mutiny, Getaway convinced the mnemosurgeon [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] to reprogram Getaway's crew into believing that Rodimus and the others had deliberately abandoned the crew to find [[Cyberutopia]] themselves, and that they'd agreed to put Getaway in charge. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}

[[File:YouAreHere AutobotSparkeaters.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|And then Hound was a zombie.]]

When the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s returned to the ''Lost Light'' and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] questioned Hound about this, he had trouble justifying the idea in hindsight. The security team seemed to prefer Getaway and they ''were'' making progress, so the ends seemed to justify the means. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|Full Circle}} Everything collapsed, however, when they reached Cyberutopia. The promised land was, in fact, the euthanasia moon of [[Mederi]], and the ''Lost Light'' came under attack by the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]] and his [[Phantom Fleet]] of [[Worldsweeper]]s. Desperate to save his own skin, Getaway made a deal with the Architect to spare him in exchange for his help against Rodimus. To that end, the Architect's ally [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] subjected Hound and the other Autobots to a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] virus, changing them into mindless, acid-vomiting monsters. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}}

When Rodimus and his team arrived on Cyberutopia, Hound was among the first wave of ''Lost Light'' shipmates dispatched to "greet" their friends. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Hound and the Sparkeaters threatened Rodimus and his growing collection of allies as they opposed the Grand Architect's forces. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} Eventually, First Aid discovered a form of concussive medicine that would transmit a kinetic program code to eliminate the Sparkeater virus, incapacitating the crew but seemingly curing them of their infection. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} After Rodimus reclaimed the ''Lost Light'', he had Hound and his ailing crew brought aboard for Ratchet and First Aid to continue treating as they confronted the Grand Architect. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}
After the crisis was over, Hound joined the rest of the crew for one last "victory lap" aboard the ''Lost Light''. As the crew prepared to quantum jump home, the science team proposed the risky gamble of recreating the malfunctioning launch, thereby quantum duplicating themselves before then shunting the duplicates into a parallel universe to ensure that the Lost Light's adventures would never truly end. When the time to jump came, the crew simply wound up back on Cybertron, unaware that, in some distant corner of the multiverse, the duplicate ''Lost Light'' with its version of Hound materialized, ready to set sail for an infinity of new adventures.

Years later, Hound was one of the attendees at Ratchet's funeral. He seemed particularly distraught at one of his oldest comrades' passing and had to be led away by Blaster. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

{{--}}

====''Spotlight: Mirage''====
[[File:SpotlightMirage Hound dies.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Second death, but it still doesn't count.]]
On Earth, Hound's friend Mirage was seriously injured, and as he recuperated, he was haunted repeatedly by dreams of being a Decepticon. In this dream, Hound was among the last of the Autobots holding out in a losing battle with the Decepticons. He was working on a way to convert the cross-dimensional [[Zodiac]] energy for consumption in lieu of energon when Mirage tricked the Autobots into letting him enter their hideout. During the subsequent scuffle, Hound killed Soundwave, but the Autobots were forced to surrender when Mirage held Jetfire hostage, yet promised to spare their lives. Unfortunately for Hound, Mirage was ordered by Megatron to execute the Autobots, and Hound was killed by Mirage as defiance to Optimus Prime's pleas for him to see reason.

But it was just Mirage's dream, so it didn't matter... right? {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

{{--}}

===''Lil Formers''===
Hound claimed that upcoming ''Lil Formers'' strips would contain "62% more funny." {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:HoundTrailblazerInfestation2-2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Using his caboose alternate mode, Hound formed a train with Ratchet and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailblazer]] to carry [[Nikola Tesla]] and [[Tobias Muldoon]] to Optimus Prime's dormant body in northern [[Canada]]. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} Hound, Ratchet, and Trailblazer realized an electrical charge was necessary to reawaken Optimus Prime and they gave their energy to a balloon to set a charge. When Optimus Prime awakened, he gave the trio energy from his energon reserves. They left for Port Cenotaph to fight the [[Elder God]] possessed Ironhide. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}
{{IDW HOS}}

{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
Hound was chasing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] after the sneaky Mini-Cassette snatched a sack full of energon cubes. He lost the cat for a while, and caught up just in time to see [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] overpower Ravage and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] while re-enacting the Circle of Life. They made friends, and Hound promised to return to the safari park and visit soon. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 8|Henkei! Henkei! #8}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 10}}}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
Hound was among the Autobots terrorized by the [[Decepticon]]s' [[Alligaticon]]. {{storylink|Negligence Is the Greatest Enemy! Optimus Became a Monster!?}}

===''TransTech''===
Sergeant Hound, who hailed from [[Primax 096.0 Beta]], {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/06}} was a scout for [[Optimus Prime (G1)#General Optimus|General Optimus Prime]] throughout the [[Great War (G1)|third Cybertronian war]]. {{storylink|Hound (G1)/toys#Timelines|BotCon 2015 Sgt. Hound profile card}} In the Battle of [[Sherman Dam]], he kept [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] from interfering in the fight between the General and [[Megatron (G1)#ATB Megatron|ATB Megatron]]. Things seemed dire until the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] showed up. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/06}}

Later, the Sarge and special operations officer [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] provided valuable intelligence that allowed Prime's reconstituted [[Firestormer|Firestormer Squadron]] to strike at Megatron's [[Decepticon Empire|Decepticon Star Empire]] in the latter stages of the war. During the final battle on [[Mirtonia]], the Autobots emerged victorious when the Decepticons accidentally blew up an experimental energon refinery and themselves with it, though this explosion also blew the General and Hound out of their own universe and into [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]].

Though the war in his own universe was over, Sergeant Hound only knew his years of military service, and when the General joined the [[Convoy (group)|Convoy]], Hound joined the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration|Offworlder Zone Security Administration]] to serve under his commanding officer once more. {{storylink|Hound (G1)/toys#Timelines|BotCon 2015 Sgt. Hound profile card}}

[[File:Offworldercop-CMW.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0]]
Sergeant Hound was one of the policebots who pursued the criminal [[Megatron (Movie)|C-81]] and his band of miscreants after one of their botched raids. With the assistance of fellow officers [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]], [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Prowl II|Prowl]], and [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]], Sergeant Hound managed to corner the group of Cybertron's most wanted in [[Seeker-Shinai]]. During the arrest, Hound noted that a nearby Seeker recognized that C-81 was a "Megatron". Hound was skeptical of this claim, but nonetheless reported the comment to his superiors after bringing the criminals to the Offworlder maximum security prison.

Later the same day, the TransTechs ceased functioning on a planet-wide scale. Sergeant Hound and General Optimus Prime had to deal with the ensuing chaos. Thankfully, the prison was still (mostly) secured, and Sergeant Hound was content to allow the prisoners fight it out amongst themselves to tucker them out. The Sergeant and the General went off to investigate the source of the shutdown. They soon discovered the source of the problem: a nest of [[Waruder]] invaders deep within Axiom Nexus's underground network.

Arriving at the nest, Hound and Optimus found a battle already in progress between the Waruders and the group of escaped criminals led by C-81. The Cybertronians were soon joined by [[Lift-Ticket (Diaclone)|Lift-Ticket]] and [[Burn Out (Diaclone)|Burn Out]], the latter of which impressed Hound thoroughly with her heavy armament and precision aim. Despite these reinforcements, Hound and company found themselves on the losing side of the battle. Thankfully, C-81 managed to grab a hold of the Waruders' [[Beet-Chit|leader]] and forced him into peaceful negotiations. The discussion ended with an agreement that the Waruders would be allowed safe passage to a deserted Cybertron. As the invaders migrated via C-81's interuniversal gate, the Sergeant conversed with Burn Out's pilot, [[Dia Cinders|Dia]], and explained to her the circumstances that led to the Waruders building such an evolved and dangerous hive. Sergeant Hound and General Optimus Prime then allowed C-81's band to "slip away" as a way of thanking them for their part in thwarting the Waruder invasion. {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}

A few months later, Hound was part of [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]]'s OZSA team which tried to arrest [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] at the [[Axiom Nexus News]] offices. Unfortunately, Cy-Kill had his troops on the scene as backup, and they managed to escape. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Renegade Rhetoric (1), 2015/10/21}}
{{-}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mystery of Return of Convoy}}}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12-Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|150px]]

Hound took part in the final battle against the combined forces of [[Cobra]] and the Decepticons, and stood behind Wheeljack as [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] unleashed a powerful sonic attack. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:POTP vote Hound.jpeg|thumb|right|150px]]
{{quote|We must remember those that led us here. To turn back now would be to turn our backs on them.}}

Hound was a potential bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. As a force for honor, Hound planned to continue Optimus Prime's legacy by vowing to protect all living beings on Cybertron from tyranny. Instead, the Matrix went to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Source:Power of the Primes Fan Vote|''Power of the Primes'' fan poll}}
{{--}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
One of a number of Autobots away from the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' on a goodwill mission, Hound helped rescue a cat from a tree. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
[[File:MazingerZvsTF-MechanicalBeasts.jpg|thumb|left|250px|It's not the size of your giant robot that matters, it's how you use it.]]

Hound was one of several Autobots battling the Decepticons for control of a [[space bridge]] until a freak accident transported them into the [[Japan]] of an alternate reality. The Autobots encountered the evil [[Baron Ashura]], who misled them into supporting [[Doctor Hell]] and his [[Iron Mask Army]] in their campaign against [[Kōji Kabuto]]'s [[Mazinger Z]]. Not realising that they'd been deceived, the Autobots supported the villains as they attacked the [[Photonic Power Laboratory]] and faced off against Mazinger Z. Once the Autobots realized they'd been deceived, they promptly changed sides, drove the villains into a retreat, and agreed to support the humans.

Hound took part in the battle to repel Megatron's forces, and watched in horror when Starscream made his own play for power by using photonic power and Mazinger's own parts to transform himself into the powerful "Mazinscream". When Mazinscream was destroyed, the resulting explosion opened a second rift that pulled all of the remaining Cybertronians back into their native dimension, including Hound. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Siege-Hound-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
On Cybertron, Hound was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Command Infantry Sergeant]], who specialized in recon. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' webpage}}<ref name=Siege>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/siege ''Siege'' website]</ref> During the final days of the war for Cybertron, Hound was dispatched to the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] as a scout. Its toxic, armor-stripping climate made the region difficult to inhabit, and was considered a possible safe zone for the Autobots to position—as long as they could find a way to shield themselves from the toxic atmosphere.

The mission proved to be a success, as the [[Firestormer|Autobot Alphastrike Counterforce]] later inhabited an [[Underground Safe Zone|underground base]] on the outer edge of the Sea of Rust that shielded them from the toxic atmosphere. {{storylink|Source:Teletraan-1 Data Files|''Siege'' Teletraan-1 Data Files}} From there, Alphastrike was able to analyze the [[Phantomstrike Squadron|Decepticon Phantomstrike Squadron]]'s attack patterns to anticipate their next strike on key Autobot positions. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Siege#Exclusives|Final Strike Figure Series marketing material}}<ref>[https://www.amazon.com.au/TRANSFORMERS-Generations-War-Cybertron-Siege/dp/B07NZ7W14Z Autobot Alphastrike Counterforce on Amazon Australia]</ref>
{{--}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[JW Stafford]] (English), [[Taichi Takeda]] (Japanese)|[[Mike Fédée]] (French), [[Hans-Eckart Eckhardt]] (German), [[Juan Carlos Lozano]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Jorge Badillo]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Lacarv]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:SiegeEpisode2-Hound.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Hound was part of Optimus Prime's Autobot resistance stationed aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. When Prime brought an injured [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] back to their concealed headquarters, Hound worried that the neutral scavenger might reveal their location to the enemy before the Autobot leader ordered them to let Bumblebee go. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} Hound later attended Prime's briefing, where the Autobot leader warned them that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] had abandoned the Autobots to try and negotiate with Megatron. Using falsified intel regarding the [[AllSpark]]'s location, the Decepticons lured the Autobots to the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and ambushed them, but Hound and the others successfully withdrew and retreated back to their base. {{storylink|Siege episode 2}}

Hound was present when Optimus Prime informed the Autobots that the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] had been activated as a result of Ultra Magnus's death, and stood by with the other Autobots as Optimus explained his plan to find the [[AllSpark]] . Later, Hound joined [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to intercept an injured [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] when the ex-Decepticon crashed near their base. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

[[File:SiegeEp5PrimeTeamIntoSeaofRust.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Hound joined Optimus, Prowl, Jetfire, and [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] on a voyage to the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] to find the AllSpark, which soon became a battle for survival against the treacherous terrain and the [[Sparkless]] creatures that inhabited the dead zone. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} Once Prime had secured the AllSpark, Hound and the surviving Autobots returned to Iacon in time to make a stand against Megatron at the recently repaired [[space bridge]] portal, a free-for-all battle that ended when Prime put the sacred implement beyond Megatron's reach to prevent the Decepticon leader from weaponizing its life-giving energies. To recover it, Prime took most of his forces aboard the Ark as it flew through the space bridge and on to an unknown region of space. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

[[Doubledealer]] and his crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] found and reactivated the Ark and Hound was taken prisoner along with the other Autobots and shipped to the desolate world of [[Chaar]] to meet with the insane Quintesson [[Deseeus]] before escaping. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} Much later, after the Ark escaped from the [[Dead Universe]], Hound took part in the final three-way battle between the Autobots, Decepticons, and Deseeus over prehistoric [[Earth]], shielding the Autobot ship from the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'' before the Autobots and Decepticons crashed on the planet below. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

[[File:Kingdomep1-HoundVsRhinox.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

As the stranded Autobots took stock of their surroundings, they encountered [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and his [[Maximal]]s, time-travelling Cybertronians from a dystopian future timeline. After Hound briefly put his alternate mode to the test against [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]'s beast mode, the two factions were able to call a truce and teamed up to retrieve the AllSpark. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} Hound and Arcee joined the Maximals as they investigated the crashed ''[[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]]'' and attempted to cloak their energy signatures while [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] broke into the starship to free his comrade [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]]. The stealth mission was only partially successful, however; although the Predacons and Decepticons found the heroes, they quickly fell to infighting and allowed Hound and the others to make an escape. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}}

Hound was on board the ''Ark'' when it returned to Cybertron with a complement of Decepticon prisoners. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}} After returning to Cybertron, Hound took part in the final battle against a time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}}

{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four|''Transformers'' issue #10]]}}

[[File:SwindlesHound.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Hound was a high-ranking [[Colonial Security]] officer and a member of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s innermost retinue. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} Long ago, he visited the [[A'ovan]] [[Na'conda|homeworld]] on a diplomatic mission with [[Meteorfire (G1)|Meteorfire]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]]. Meteorfire introduced him to the planet's fragile beauty; when the [[Thraal]] later bombarded the planet with nuclear weapons, Hound was unable to forgive them for their actions. {{storylink|Escape Part Two}} Just before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Hound joined Sentinel Prime for a diplomatic tour of the Cybertronian commonwealth aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]]. However, following the unprecedented murders of both [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Rubble]], Sentinel Prime cut the tour short to head home and deal with the looming crisis. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} Although [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] uncovered signs of a Thraal plot to sabotage the ship, they opted to leave Hound out of the situation, as his dislike for the aliens blinded the normally levelheaded 'bot and prevented him from taking a rational course of action. {{storylink|Nautica: Home}}

Hound and [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] began integrating Colonial Security forces with the homeguard Security Operations at Sentinel Prime's command. [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] would remain in command of Investigations, but Enforcement now fell to them. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Three}} Hound began assembling a team for heavy work, while Novastar constructed a recon and rapid response unit in the wake of the [[Tether]]'s fall. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}} Making his way to [[A'ovan habitat]], Hound surveyed the damage with [[Pra'tyne]] before [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] approached him to request a transfer to Hound's new counterterroism unit only for Hound to reject the youth based on his lack of experience and overall immaturity. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}}

After Megatron overthrew the Senate and eliminated Sentinel Prime, Orion Pax inherited the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to become Optimus Prime. Hound was one of the many prospective Autobots who attended his first speech. {{storylink|War World: Awakenings|Awakenings}}

[[File:EscapePart1-Xenos.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Hound responded to a distress call from the A'ovans and discovered that their arcology had come under attack from the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, who'd discovered a taste for organic flesh. Hound teamed up with [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] to see them off; keenly aware that the growing civil unrest in Iacon would imperil the city's organic denizens, Hound and Nautica brought this information to Optimus Prime, determined to uphold their promise to protect the A'ovan race from extinction. Hound, Nautica, Road Rage, and Wheeljack gathered as many civilians as they could—both mechanical and organic—with the intent of leading a refugee convoy out from the city to [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], where they could refit the city's mothballed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''-class starships and use them to escape the planet. Although he told Pra'tyne that their saviour [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] had already gone [[immersant]], {{storylink|Escape Part One}} the ex-general returned from his comatose state when A'ovan children triggered a distress beacon keyed to his personal frequency. When [[Flywheels|Skytread]]'s Decepticons attacked the convoy just out of the city limits, Dai Atlas arrived in time to scatter the Decepticons, but the Autobots discovered that Dai Atlas had renounced violence and had no intention of helping them repel the Decepticons. When the three Insecticons attacked the rear of their caravan, Hound quickly redeployed to protect the A'ovans. {{storylink|Escape Part Two}}

[[File:EscapePartFive-HoundCromar.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bite my shooty Cromar ass.]]

Hound, Road Rage, and [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]] struggled to keep the Insecticons at bay, but were able to keep the monsters from killing too many organics before more Autobot reinforcements arrived and forced them into a retreat. Despite the mounting casualties and Hound's insistence that he take up arms once more, Dai Atlas steadfastly refused; when the convoy finally reached Darkmount after picking up a few more civilians along the way, the city's reclusive Senator [[Straxus (G1)|Straxxus]] ordered them to keep out of the city walls while he prepared his citizens for evacuation. {{storylink|Escape Part Three}} While Wheeljack and Nautica went off to discuss logistics with Straxxus, Hound tried to entertain Wheeljack's mentee [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] until he ran off to help repair [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]]. While discussing the outcome of the meeting with Nautica, Hound and the others discovered that, despite their best attempts to escape disaster, catastrophe had finally found them—the crash of the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] released a swarm of ravenous [[Insecticon clone]]s bent on devouring everything in the city. With doom on the horizon, Hound once again implored Dai Atlas to choose between his morals and extinction—and for the first time in kilocycles, Dai Atlas drew his blade. {{storylink|Escape Part Four}}

In the ensuing battle, Hound unsuccessfully tried to keep the clones off of Leviathan before the swarm dragged her down. While the remaining civilians stormed the gates of Darkmount, Hound teamed up with [[Cromar]] to buy time, but found that the clones had broken off their attack in favour of a juicier target: Straxxus's ''Ark'' ships, stocked full of energon and terraforming equipment. Though the Insecticons had been momentarily vanquished, the Autobots found they only had one working ''Ark'' left and unanimously agreed to use it to get as many organics as possible off Cybertron under the protection of Dai Atlas. {{storylink|Escape Part Five}} As the conflict boiled over into global war, Hound and Wheeljack worked together to turn Darkmount into a sanctuary for neutrals and organics fleeing Decepticon persecution. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}}

[[File:EndOfTime-TapOutHound.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Hound continued to defend Darkmount, working with Road Rage, [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]] and other volunteers. It was a war of attrition, though, with the Insecticon swarm continuing to replenish itself and the defenders slowly faltering. {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} The thinking 'bots came up with a plan to use the Insecticlones against the [[rust worm]]s, killing two birds with one stone. They needed an intact Insecticon to transmit a [[data-bomb]], though, and Hound was tapped to bring them a Trojan horse. {{storylink|Radical Time}} As the next swarm attacked, Hound and his comrades fought to stay alive and capture the Insecticon they needed. One clone was finally snared, but the largest swarm yet was bearing down upon them. Wheeljack got him the thing-y, and Hound implanted the clone, sending a new program through the entire hive successfully. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Hound was ready when Optimus Prime and the remaining Autobots arrived from Crystal City, with the entire Decepticon army at their heels. The last ''Ark'' was prepped for launch along with the injured Titan, [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], to ferry all the aliens, civilians, and non-combatants away from Megatron-controlled Cybertron. The Autobots held off the invading army long enough for the launch to take-off, living to fight another day. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF1-Hound.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Hound was present on the bridge of the ''Ark'' when Bumblebee reported to Optimus Prime on Decepticon activity in [[Hill Valley]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}}

{{--}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:StuntFlying-RainbowDash.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

One of the many Autobots brainwashed by [[King Sombra]], Hound shot at the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s and [[Wonderbolt]]s until [[Rainbow Dash]]'s powerful "Sonic Rainboom" attack sent him flying. {{storylink|Stunt Flying}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
Hound, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] fled from a Decepticon attack, and hid behind a mountain concealing the Autobots' newest warrior, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Jetfire and Shockwave|Jetfire and Shockwave commercial}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Hound could come to Optimus Prime's aid, offering different routes through the Decepticons' maze-like base. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===The Transformers (1985)===
Hound was among the few remaining Autobots in the wake of the Decepticon creation of ROBO-CLONING technology. With his energy-starved comrades, he desperately sought pieces of the Autobot Energon Cube before the Decepticons could get their hands on them. {{storylink|The Transformers (Commodore 64)|The Transformers}}

===The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth===
[[File:C64Hound.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|"Fold in the middle! *flump*"]]
Along with his fellow Autobots, Hound protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. He was ostensibly under the command of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
Hound was one of the Autobots present on [[Zel Samine]] during the Decepticon attacks. He joined up with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s party after they secured the geothermal power plant from the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
A (probably time-displaced) Hound was present on Cybertron during Nova Prime's peaceful reign. {{storylink|Prime Evil}}

Hound participated in a battle against the Insecticons. {{storylink|Harvest of the Insecticons}}

When the [[Military Patrol]] was unleashed on [[New York City|New York]], Hound joined [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] in driving the Decepticon team out of the city. {{storylink|Full Assault}} An Autobot team led by Hound arrived on a battlefield and joined in the ongoing battle. {{storylink|By Land, Sea, or Air}} Hound was among the Autobots affected when Megatron sabotaged the [[recharging chamber]], turning them evil. He attacked [[Rutter U.S. Military Base|Rutter Military Base]]. He and the other Autobots were returned to normal by [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s [[attitude exchanger]]. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (Legends)|Attack of the Autobots}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Terence (AB)#As Hound}}
Hound appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by Terence. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:HoundEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
'''Hound'''

Hound came to Earth and was out exploring when he stumbled upon a race track, and saw [[Drag Strip (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Drag Strip]] on the track! The Decepticon forces Hound and his fellow Autobots into a deadly race, threatening to endanger nearby humans if the they don't partake. And the Autobots apparently won the race. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Raceday Mayhem event}}

Afterwards, he returned to base, and Cliffjumper was surprised to see him. Then he sets off to explore and map this new world with Cliff and Ironhide.

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Weapons''': Hound uses a standard issue [[grenade launcher]].
*'''Ability: Release the Hounds!''' - sends out 5 holo bombs that deal damage to main target and 4 random targets around it. Deals double damage to resource buildings!
**'''Cost''': 7 ability points, +2 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:hound Hound at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

'''Hound [[VAMP|V.A.M.P.]]'''
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

[[File:Hound GiJoe EarthWars.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: G.I. Joe Command''' - Follow [[Duke (G.I. Joe)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Duke]]’s command! Aim at a defence and the V.A.M.P. will deal some damage. Defences in the area receive 20% (2-Stars) / 30% (3-Stars) / 40% (4-Stars) more damage and get prioritized by all bots for 3.5 seconds.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +3 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:hound-v-a-m-p Hound V.A.M.P. at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Heavy Metal''===
[[File:TFHeavyMetal Hound.jpg|thumb|right|220px]]
When the Decepticons invaded Earth in search of Energon, Bumblebee and Hound set up the [[Guardian Program]], teaming humans up with Autobots to combat the invaders. During a conflict in [[Capitol City]], Hound went up against Devastator, and the combiner punched his jaw clean off, resulting in him not being able to talk for a week until Wheeljack replaced it. {{storylink|Transformers: Heavy Metal}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Hound quickly took to life on Earth, and used his holograms to see the planet up close and personal. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hound (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Hound (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Hound braver roadking armada generics.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
*The Hound toy was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "J59 Jeep", coming with a blue-and-white pilot figure and several IP-infringing decals.
* Early bio material gives his (unused) nicknames as '''Sarge''', '''Nose''', and '''Sniffer'''.<ref>''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]''</ref>
*Ken Sansom's voice for Hound sounds not unlike famous actor {{w|James Stewart (actor)|Jimmy Stewart}}.
*Due to the [[character model|animation model]] of the character being based on [[package art]] as much as the actual toy, Hound's holographic rifle was misinterpreted as a small pistol thanks to the foreshortening used. The Alternators toy uses the "pistol", which led people more familiar with the original figure's gigantic rifle to quip that his new weapon was "far too small".
*Hound's head design has several elements that alternate frequently between two different interpretations among the various toys and art renditions: On the original toy, the center of his helmet sports a raised ridge that's only slightly indented compared to the sides of the helmet on the front end. The animation model, based on the toy's package art that depicts the section in question in a way that's open to misinterpretation, changes that to an ''entirely'' indented middle section of the helmet ''without'' a ridge. Since then, comic book artists have mostly followed the animation model, with the exception of [[Don Figueroa]] ([[Transformers: The War Within|''The War Within'' volume 1]] and IDW's [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing title]], the latter drawn in his new "live action movie"-inspired style) and [[Andrew Wildman]] ([[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|''The War Within'' volume 2]]). The toys (''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'', ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]], and ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' figures) have mostly remained faithful to the original toy, with the exception of the ''Universe'' Deluxe Class toy. In addition, the usually raised "earmuff" sections on the sides of the helmet, which were ''indented'' on the original toy, alternate heavily between "round" and "squared", sometimes even between different comics drawn by the same artist (notably [[E. J. Su]] and [[Guido Guidi]]).
*Like those of many Generation 1 characters, Hound's animation model has appeared as an unnamed cameo in the [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]]. He is visible both reacting to the [[Mini-Con]] beacon alongside [[Braver]] and [[Road King]] in "[[First Encounter]]" (seen at right), and in a flashback in "[[Prehistory]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Hound''' (ハウンド ''Haundo'')
*''Czech:'' '''Vtipálek'''
*''Danish:'' '''Spejder''' (Danish cartoon dub, "Scout")
*''French:'' '''Dépisteur''' (Canada, "Tracker")
*''Hebrew:'' '''Kélev Tsáyid''' (כלב ציד, "Hound")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Vadászeb''' ("Hound")
*''Italian:'' '''Canguro''' ("Kangaroo")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Lièquǎn''' (Taiwan, 獵犬, "Hound"), '''Tànzhǎng''' (China, 探长, "Chief Detective")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Caçador''' (Portugal comics, "Hunter"), '''Rastreador''' (Brazil comics, "Tracker")
*''Russian:'' '''Ohotnik''' (Охотник, "Hunter")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Primal Vanguard]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Trackers]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]

Gears (G1)

2024-02-26T03:21:27Z

Repowers: These things have always bugged me, sitting up there like they are an important part of his bio.

{{factions|autobot|cobra}}
{{disambig3|Gears}}
:''Gears is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Gearsg1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Gears, ironically, hates [[Neon|bright colors]].]]
'''Gears''' hates [[Earth]], a lush, green planet practically as unlike his cozy, gray, metallic [[Cybertron (planet)|homeworld]] as possible. He grumbles and complains about being shipwrecked on it—complains and grumbles to a ridiculous extent, until he becomes a source of amusement, rather than negativity. This is usually his intent—unlike his fellow [[Mini Vehicle]] [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], Gears has a desire to help his fellow Autobots see good in a bad situation. Still, he does get depressed from time to time.

Gears is strong and tough, not so much in lifting but in endurance, and carrying heavy loads with little effort, be they energon cubes, disabled Autobots, or potatoes for the farmers' market. He is fitted with infrared vision sensors.

In [[robot mode]], Gears can release controlled bursts of compressed air from his feet, launching himself to altitudes over 100,000 feet, and floating back down. In doing so, he must be careful not to lose air pressure before coming close enough to the ground for a safe landing.

{{bigquote|What did you do to Gears, you monster? You turned him...''nice!''|[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]|''[[Changing Gears]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Gearsg1firstappearance.jpg|left|upright=1.5|thumb|Wish we saw more of the design on the right. Yikes!]]
{{quote|The only thing '''Gears''' wants to learn about this planet is how to get off it. I hate this place already. I just know you're going to use me as a mobile transport unit again, once we have to set up. Nuts. Let's go home.|The worst words out of his mouth.}}

''Gears was one of Cybertron's great warriors and fought alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] during [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], placing [[shatter bomb]]s on the support struts of the last bridge into the [[Polities of Cybertron|city-state]].'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} Later, he was chosen to join the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] mission to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt—a mission that saw him stranded on [[Earth]] for four million years. Once he woke up in [[1984]] and was rebuilt as an Earthen truck, he immediately began complaining. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:Spider-man.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Spider-Man's amazing friend.]]
Gears participated in the battle outside of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s house and while driving away from the battle scared a cop by yelling at him to get out of his way, leaving the man stunned. Shortly after, Gears teamed up with [[Spider-Man]], using his ability to launch himself upward using compressed air and fly alongside the superhero in an attempt to reach the mountaintop [[Decepticon]] fortress. When Gears ran low on power, he began to fall before Spidey caught him in webbing. Although Spider-Man's webbing was extremely strong, the Autobot's weight threatened to break it. Thankfully they had little left to climb, and Spider-Man completed Gears' ascent using the webbing for assistance. After a fight with [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], blind-siding [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], and knocking out [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], they came face to face with Megatron, who blasted a hole under Gears, causing him (and human [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]) to fall from the fortress. Although Spidey was able to rescue Sparkplug, and attempted to catch Gears as he had done before, the added momentum of the fall proved too much strain on the webbing, and Gears crashed to the ground. Gears was quickly patched up enough to tell the Autobots that Megatron had gotten what he wanted (a fuel conversion process) from Sparkplug. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} His complete restoration was seemingly interrupted when, following recriminations, [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] needed to drive Sparkplug to the hospital to treat his sudden heart attack. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

''Nonetheless back on his feet soon afterwards, Gears helped restrain [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] after his teammate had gone haywire, following him suffering an electrical feedback while repairing the Ark. But the mighty Brawn escaped from his grasp, and began rampaging in a nearby town. Gears and the others quickly caught up to the renegade Autobot, and returned him to his senses with another electrical shock.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''Soon afterwards, the Decepticons launched a full-on siege on the Ark. Gears faced off against [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] during the scuffle, until the Ark's computer, [[Aunty|Auntie]], was awakened by Optimus Prime. Deranged due to a circuit malfunction, Auntie put an end to the clash by magnetizing all combatants onto the Ark's walls. While Gears was so incapacitated, Auntie was deactivated once more thanks to the efforts of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and Ravage. The Decepticons retreated afterwards, and Gears was happy for the victory, but Optimus warned him they had gained only a brief reprieve, as the Decepticons had sworn to return and take vengeance.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

[[File:Buzzsawyikes2.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb|Ow ow ow.]]
During the Decepticons' next assault on the Ark, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] managed to incapacitate nearly all of the Autobots. Gears' deactivated form was strung up from the Ark's ceiling, alongside most of his teammates. {{storylink|The New Order}} {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} By teaming up with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], Ratchet managed to retake control of the Ark, and went about putting his comrades back in working order. Subsequently, to make sure all of the Autobots were back in fighting shape, Ratchet had Gears and the others go on a diagnostics run through the open plains. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

When the Autobots overheard Shockwave's plans to dispose of the captured head of their leader, Optimus Prime, Gears accompanied a convoy out to rescue him. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} He and the others arrived at a nearby swamp, where the Decepticons had dumped the head, with Optimus's body in tow. However, the head was actually a decoy head, which, when attached to the body, caused it to go on a murderous rampage. Several Decepticons then arrived to help the false Prime batter the Autobots, and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] shot Gears right in the face! {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''Though in time Optimus was restored and retook command of the Autobots, he had been left troubled by his ordeal. At this time, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] suggested the Autobots use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to create a breed of Autobot [[Ultimate Autobot|super warriors]], which could swiftly end the war for them. Gears was among the Autobots who argued against this course of action, seeing it as a perversion of the Matrix's purpose. Following an encounter with Ravage, Bumblebee shortly thereafter went missing. Upon detecting his signal returning towards the Ark, Gears ran out to welcome the scout, only to be met with Bumblebee's severed arm; the Decepticons had challenged Optimus Prime to retrieve their prisoner alone. The ensuing rescue only served to snap Prime out of a funk however, and he returned to announce his decision against building the "Ultimate Autobots."'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

[[File:Cliffjumperuk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|right]]
''Gears joined [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and Windcharger in searching for [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] during the Dinobot Hunt. Their mission was suddenly cut short by the arrival of Soundwave and the Decepticons, who shot the Minibots in the back and took them prisoner. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] soon rescued his disabled comrades from the captured [[Ark shuttlecraft]].'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} However, the injuries Gears suffered were grave. Alongside many other Autobots, he was brought to Ratchet's repair bay to be patched up. Due to a lack of supplies, Ratchet only had faint hopes of reviving all of the damaged troops. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Gears was witness to Optimus, Ratchet, and Prowl suddenly de-materializing within the Ark. Though at the time they had assumed that the Decepticons had somehow managed to slay the trio, the Autobots soon learned otherwise. Optimus and the others had been transported to [[Limbo|another dimension]] as part of a [[Mass substitution|mass displacement]] effect, triggered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] traveling to their present from twenty years in the future. A first strike against the time-traveling tyrant and his cronies ended in [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]'s capture, and Gears participated in the subsequent effort to free his fellow Autobot but the future-Decepticons wielded unimaginable power, and Gears was brought low by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Gears was repaired in time to help his fellow Autobots gather up what they believed were Optimus Prime's remains; the Autobot leader had apparently been slain in combat against the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Little did they know that the body they had found was a [[facsimile construct]], planted by Prime to fake his own death.'' {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}}

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|left|Barely snuck into the margins during his own death scene.]]
Though Gears was left inoperative ''once more'', Ratchet began gathering the necessary parts to fix him and the other severely damaged Autobots. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}}

He was back on his feet by the time the Ark was launched into the Earth's orbit. At this time, Optimus was gone and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] had taken control of the Autobot forces, though his leadership proved unpopular among the troops. Gears begged the deserter [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] to usurp the Dinobot alongside the bulk of the Autobot forces. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}} This led into Gears witnessing a battle between Grimlock and Blaster for Autobot leadership on [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. While Autobots around him cheered vehemently for either combatant, Gears chose to watch in stoic silence. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

Gears was among the Autobots who answered Buster Witwicky's distress call from just outside the Decepticons' [[Club Con|headquarters]] in the Arctic. Shortly thereafter, when an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] announced that he would "destroy the cities of [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]], and [[Buenos Aires]]", Gears was among the allied Autobot/Decepticon teams sent ahead to New York City. As Starscream approached, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] led a team of Autobots which included Gears, and the entire team was destroyed with a "single wave of <s>[[To sell toys|a market executive]]'s</s> Starscream's hand"! Oops. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

Gears' torso, head, and right arm were shown in the midst of attempted repairs while Optimus Prime explained the bleak condition of their fallen to [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers '84''====
Gears was among the Autobots preparing to leave Cybertron aboard the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}} He was thrown by an explosion when the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark'' in flight. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Don Messick]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese), [[Ken Shiroyama]] (Japanese, "Transport to Oblivion", "Fire in the Sky")|[[Yao Huang]] (Chinese), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Peter Bertram]] (German, "Transport To Oblivion"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French, "Fire in the Sky"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French, "B.O.T."), [[Nelson Batista]] (Portuguese), [[Orlando Prado]] (Portuguese, "The Core"), [[Přemysl Přichystal]] (Czech)}}
[[File:Hufferg1animated.jpg|left|upright=1.34|thumb|A competition of who complains the most!]]

Gears was one of the original crew of Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] spaceship when it crash-landed on Earth millions of years ago. When he awoke in 1984, he was reformatted by [[Teletraan I]] so that his [[alternate mode]] was an Earth-based pickup truck. Not a true combatant by nature, he didn't participate in many of the Autobots' more famous battles against the Decepticons, but he did his part despite his complaints. Gears first saw action on Earth at an off-shore oil rig, fighting one of the Seekers with his partner, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Gears' infrared sensors were useful in capturing [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] when the Decepticon was caught trespassing at the Autobot headquarters. By modifying his searchlight wavelength, Gears could illuminate Ravage's heat traces and neutralize the jaguar's ability to hide in shadows. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} When Prime was injured in an explosion outside the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]], Gears discarded the complaining facade he often wore, in order to encourage [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] to push himself into returning to [[robot mode]]. He later donned a lab coat to help sell [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s holographic rocket base idea, although it didn't do much good. In the final battle to stop the launch of the Decepticon space cruiser, Gears and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] were engaged in battling [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] until [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] called for a retreat. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Gears was part of the Team of Autobots who fought the Decepticons at a hydroelectric dam, though a thrown piece of equipment blew up the Decepticons Energon cache and had to retreat. {{storylink|Roll for It}} Gears assembled for battle when the Decepticons returned to attack a solar power plant, and chastised [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] for missing roll call. At the plant, Gears and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] attempted to stop the Seekers from taking off with the energon cubes, but [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] knocked them aside with a concussion blast. Later, after Bumblebee led the Autobots to the supposed site of the new [[space bridge]], only to find a deserted cave, Gears offered to electrocute the 'Bee in order to juice up his memory circuits. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}} When Optimus Prime was heavily damaged in battle, Gears returned from patrol with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and Windcharger to check on his condition. None of them, however, was sharp-eyed enough to spot [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] swoop down and land on Brawn's shoulder as they entered the base. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:FireintheSky Gears crashes through ice.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
After it started snowing, in July, in the middle of the desert, Optimus Prime got suspicious and consulted Teletraan I for a weather report. Gears, who was performing reconnaissance scans on the now-frozen tropical region of the planet, concurred with Teletraan I's conclusions, that Megatron and the Decepticons must somehow be draining heat energy right out of the [[Earth's core]]. In the Arctic, as the Autobots prepared to enter the Decepticons' cavernous base of operations, Gears stalled outside the entrance on the sneaking suspicion the Autobots were falling into a trap. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy—by lingering too long on the ice, the combined weight of Gears, Hound, [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] caused the tunnel to collapse beneath them. Gears and his buddies were briefly captured by the Decepticons, but escaped thanks to Hound's holograms. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[File:SOSDinobots Soundwave shoots Gears.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Hey! Being shot in the face plays havoc with my sinuses."]]
Gears attended the unveiling of [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]]'s latest science project, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], and managed to stay out of the way after they ran amok. He joined Optimus Prime and the other Autobots on a mission to the [[Great Falls]]. Being one of the few Autobots who can fly (usually), Gears took to the air to fight [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] face-to-face, but was quickly shot down by the more experienced Decepticon. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} On one mission, Gears travelled to Peru to help the Autobots remove the [[Crystal of Power]] from Megatron's control. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}} He was also involved in the dino-design project that created [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Following a Decepticon attack on the Ark, Gears was briefly seen cleaning up the deadly fire extinguisher foam which drove them away. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} In the aftermath of Cybertron's orbit around Earth, Gears worked on the massive repairs necessary to rebuild human society. He also participated in the raid on [[Doctor Arkeville]]'s laboratory. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

[[File:ChangingGears Gears Bee acrobatics.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Bumblebee and Gears - [[Powerlinx]]!!]]
During an Autobot Alert(!!!), the Ark's crew all leapt into action at high speed...well, except for Gears. The alarm interrupted his plan to "lube his cables", making the cranky Gears slow to respond to the call of duty. He might have trudged even slower if he knew the entire alert was a ruse by Megatron, designed solely for the purpose of capturing Gears. It seemed that Megatron's newest toy, the [[Solar Needle]], required a specific circuit board in order to be properly completed, and Gears contained just such a circuit board in his chest. A curious side effect of removing the circuit board was that it negated Gears' inclination towards squawking and complaining. He was now a compulsively good-natured people-pleaser, unable to refuse requests by anyone, even Megatron. With the solar needle activated, the Decepticons put Gears to work harvesting energon cubes, filled by the sun's mighty power.

Despite the alterations to his personality, Gears tried to remain true to himself. Even while helping Megatron's energy pilfering, he still managed to toss an insult or two at the Decepticon leader. In a good-natured way, of course. And, after the Autobots arrived to destroy the solar needle and drew the Decepticons' attention, Gears made a break for the control panel to retrieve his circuit board and restore his real personality. He was interrupted by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who had been looking for an excuse to blast Gears all day, but Bumblebee knocked the Seeker aside before he could eliminate the tiny Autobot. Also, when Megatron hurled Prime out of control into the solar needle's incinerating energy grid, Gears used the holdout blaster in his sleeve to disrupt the grid and save Optimus. Still, once Megatron got the drop on the Autobots, he was able to exploit Gears' new personality glitch to make him repair the solar needle while the Decepticons held his teammates at gunpoint. Megatron gloated too much about the nature of Gears' problem, though, allowing Optimus Prime to circumvent his control over Gears. Tricking Megatron into agreeing to honor his last request "as a condemned mechanism", Prime turned the tables on Megatron by asking Gears for a favor of his own. Gears was all too happy to oblige...and destroy the solar needle for Optimus.

[[File:ChangingGears got a bang out of that.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|In the uncut version, Gears farts.]]
With the fight back on, Gears happily got in on the action and tossed Starscream for a loop. The Decepticons abandoned the field of battle, leaving the Autobots behind to clean up the mess caused by their solar needle. As the needle was being dismantled, Prime was ready to return Gears' circuit board to him when [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] stepped in. Seems the Autobots took a vote, and they would rather not restore Gears' talent for complaining, and whining, and hypochondria, and...well. After a quick joke, though, they did return the circuit board, and Gears showed his gratitude by going "whine, whine, whine" all the way home. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

Gears was seen awaiting his turn at the [[recharging chamber]]s, but did not appear later on rampaging with the other Autobots afflicted by the [[personality destabilizer device]]. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}} He attended Wheeljack's demonstration of the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]]. When the Decepticons got their metal mitts on the device, Gears was trapped in mid-transformation by the device's rays. He was restored to normal after [[Carly]] fiddled with the controls to reverse its effects. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

[[File:AutobotRun Gears lifts ground.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Stupid Mother Earth!!!]]
Like most of the Autobots, Gears was temporarily trapped in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] after Megatron unleashed his [[Transfixatron]] on them during a car rally for charity. Wheeljack came up with an [[anti-transfixation grenade]] to reverse the process (even his cures explode!), but that only revived the Autobots in time to deal with Plan B: [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. While he isn't in Brawn or Prime's class, Gears is still one strong little Autobot, and demonstrated his strength by ripping out huge chunks of rock to hurl at the massive Decepticon. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} Sometime later, Gears helped install [[detection plate]]s around the Ark as an early warning system against any intruders. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} He was also briefly seen gawking at the two Optimus Primes who showed up in the dirt. After a sharpshooting contest and car race failed to uncover the imposter, the Autobots rode into battle anyway with both Primes at their side. Gears didn't have much fun in the following melee: first he got sent face-first into the dirt by one of the opening salvos, and was later overmatched in single combat against [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. He was saved only by the continuation of Megatron and Starscream's cockeyed, overly-elaborate scheme of clones killing clones. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

Gears was on patrol with the team when they suddenly came across an empty riverbed. After a quick mud massage from Jazz's spinning tires, Gears and the others decided to follow the river's trail to see where it had been diverted. What they found was trouble: [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. The Autobots barely escaped battle with Devastator to report on Megatron's activities to Prime. {{storylink|The Core}}

Gears attended Wheeljack's demonstration of how he had taught [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] "finesse". The resulting chaos and destruction was predictable, but memorable. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Despite not being seen in the battle at all, Gears was injured fighting Megatron and the [[Heart of Cybertron]] in [[South America]]. All the repairs and none of the glory. Boy, he must have been ''craaaanky''...{{storylink|Microbots}}

[[File:MMP2 Seaspray and Gears shooting.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Gears and many of his fellow Autobots showed up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] for the Autobot Day parade and celebration. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} The city soon turned on the Autobots, thanks to Megatron's machinations, but they returned to help drive the Decepticons away once the humans were temporarily enslaved. Gears was seen among the horde of Autobots that overwhelmed the Decepticon slave-drivers. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} He was also one of the Autobots cheering for the Dinobots when they returned from Cybertron with a fresh supply of [[cybertonium]]. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} Gears was part of the third wave of Autobots to confront the invulnerable Decepticons, but fared no better than his predecessors against their [[electrum]] coating. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Gears stood by as [[Chip Chase]] and Teletraan I tried to locate the Autobots lost aboard the Space Bridge. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} He was also seen applying [[Corrostop]] to the Statue of Liberty. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

When Megatron and the Decepticons attacked the Ark looking for the [[Combaticon (G1)|renegade Decepticons]], Gears joined Optimus Prime in fending off their assault. Megatron soon retreated once he realized Prime had no slaggin' idea what he was talking about. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

Gears, Ironhide and Bumblebee responded to an S.O.S. from [[Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School]] and found themselves chasing [[B.O.T. (G1)|B.O.T.]] around the city. They were beaten to it by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], who needed to get back [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]'s personality component, and Gears later found himself defending Autobot Headquarters from [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}
{{--}}

====''Legends'' comic====
[[File:Legends Jumpstarters Chapter Gears annoyed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|How come [[Topspin (G1)|you]] [[Twin Twist|two]] get new toys but mine is just a vintage re-release!]]
Gears watched Megatron depart in the wake of the battle over the [[Transform Super Cog]]. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}} Like most Autobots, he was annoyed by [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] and [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]'s antics, commenting that the two were hopeless. {{storylink|Jumpstarter Chapter}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
Gears was amongst the Autobots who defended [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] in [[Arizona]] from a Decepticon attack. Although the Autobots won the day, the attack was actually just a distraction so that [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] could go do evil in Japan or something unspecified. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}}

====Full Throttle Scramble Power!====
Gears accompanied the massive Autobot reinforcements called in to counter Megatron's nefarious [[Omega Wave Cannon]]. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
To alleviate the Transformers' energy woes, a team of Autobots including Gears was formed to crew the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which soon departed. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

====''Cloud''====
The Gears of "OG001 Spacetime" was caught up in the tussle between the [[Optimus Prime (Cloud)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]] when they came to his spacetime. {{storylink|TFC-A01}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
In the aftermath of a battle with the Decepticons, the Autobots found that Decepticon activities had seemingly stopped altogether. Taking advantage of the situation, Optimus went on a trip. Once he had left, Gears found out, to his horror, that the Autobots’ entire fuel supply had been stolen. Gears and the others tried to fend off the Decepticons nonetheless when they attacked once more. Thankfully, Optimus returned just in time with a new shipment of fuel. Re-energized, the Autobots forced the Decepticons to flee once again. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
Gears was one of the thirty-five active Autobots stationed on Earth. He participated in the battle against the Decepticons that ensued after Megatron put into motion his plan to take hostage millions of humans to gain the Earth's unconditional surrender. After the Autobots had emerged victorious from the conflict, Gears drove away with the rest of his comrades back to Autobot headquarters. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

Gears was present when the Decepticons sent a communication to Autobot headquarters, informing them that not only was [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] their captive hostage, but that the rescue party that tried to liberate him had been captured as well. Gears was shaken by the message, and the Autobots questioned their next move. Thankfully, Optimus Prime renewed morale by coming up with a clever plan to trick the Decepticons. The Autobots hid within a false peace-offering, a life-size statue of Devastator. When the Decepticons approached the statue with their guard down, the Autobots burst forth, taking them by surprise. The Autobots were ultimately victorious that day. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
[[File:G1 GearsPotatoes AutobotSmasher.jpg|upright=0.95|thumb|Steve Ditko is noted for his superb use of shading, his handling of facial expressions, and his ability to do cosmic vistas of mystery. Here he was asked to do a line drawing of a truck carrying potatoes.]]
Gears and Optimus were attacked by Rumble, who used his Earthquake-inducing abilities to bury the two Autobots in a landslide. Though they managed to dig their way out of the rubble, Gears was ws rendered immobile when Soundwave snuck up on him and unplugged a cable inside his back. Gears was brought to Megatron's newly constructed prison and incarcerated within. Thankfully, Bumblebee had evaded capture, and managed to free the rest of his teammates. Upon release, Gears and the other Autobots gave Bumblebee three cheers! {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

Gears was one of the many Autobots who stopped the Decepticons from harming Sparkplug and Buster Witwicky. Later, he helped the Autobots in protecting Hoover Dam from the evil robots. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}} On a rainy day, Gears read a book inside the Ark. {{storylink|A Message From Outer Space}} Gears was counting how many gasoline barrels the Autobots had in storage when Bumblebee asked if he could help. When Bumblebee admitted he couldn't reach the higher stacks of barrels, Gears dismissed him and grumbled he'd do the job himself. {{storylink|Bumblebee's Dangerous Mission}}

Gears was hauling a load of potatoes, with plans to sell them for oil and gas money. (Really.) He was tricked by the Decepticons into taking a detour, which led him to their "[[Autobot Rest Stop]]"—a car crusher disguised with pillows and a set of curtains. Gears rolled into the Rest Stop and was enjoying himself when [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] activated the machine, crushing Gears flat.

Gears was later restored by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with no ill effects. {{storylink|The Autobot Smasher!}}
{{note|This coloring book was illustrated by [[Steve Ditko]], co-creator of none other than... the amazing [[Spider-Man]]! Coincidence? Probably.}}

When the Autobots on Earth received word from [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] that the Decepticons were razing a human village to build a fuel plant in its place, they assumed their vehicle forms to sneak upon their enemies as they were working. Once they were in close enough proximity to the Decepticons, the Autobots transformed and launched a surprise attack. Cosmos continued to observe the battlefield from his post in orbit, and warned Gears and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] when [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] attempted to flank the Autobots to attack them from behind. Gears restrained Kickback, spoiling the bug's attempt to catch [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] off-guard. The Autobots then beat up the rest of the Decepticons, shoved them down a pit, and covered them with quick-drying cement to keep them out of further trouble. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}}}
{{-}}

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
When the Cybertronian civil war had yet to leave the planet, Optimus asked his Autobots to join him in leaving their home world behind and travel out into space. When Bumblebee volunteered to join Optimus, Gears and the rest of the Autobots jumped in as well. After crash-landing on Earth and being offline for about 65 million years, Gears and the rest of the Autobots met Sparkplug and his son Spike. With the Decepticons still not in the know of what forms the Autobots had taken, Gears was one of the troops that Optimus led into the desert in order to ambush their enemies. Though they successfully took by surprise a squadron of Decepticons, the Autobots had not anticipated a second group flying in from the opposite direction. Thanks to a warning from Spike and Sparkplug, the Autobots managed to fend off the Decepticons, and came to accept Earth as their new home. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:Miscolored minibots.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|right|Crazy [[Estrela]] colors?]]
When Optimus Prime hoped to harness the power of lightning as an energy source, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] was commissioned to do the design. Huffer requested Gears to assist him with the work, and together the pair worked diligently while trying to out-complain each other. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Gears assisted his fellow Autobots in the construction of their space cruiser. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
Gears was one of a group of Autobots who traveled to [[South America]] in search of energy. When they spotted [[Mount Sheelah]], Gears was put to work clearing rocks so they could ascend it for a closer look, though he grumbled almost as much as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] while doing so. He helped repel a subsequent Decepticon attack and retreated before the volcano erupted. {{storylink|Terror of Mount Sheelah}} After a hard day spent making repairs on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] he and the other Autobots relaxed by watching [[television]], and were alerted by a news bulletin to the fact that the Decepticons were kidnapping humans. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} After [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] pretended to defect and the Autobots tricked him, allowing them to destroy the Decepticon base, Gears wondered if they were going to keep Starscream prisoner indefinitely. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] opted to let Starscream go. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Prowldarkagesvehicle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|right]]
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] vanished in a space bridge during the war on Cybertron, their respective factions were split into several smaller groups. Gears remained in the main Autobot faction, now under the command of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} He was part of a team who scouted out the [[Praetorus Wharf]] in search of the Decepticons' new mobile command base. Unfortunately, it was a bit [[Trypticon (G1)|''too'' mobile]] for them to handle. {{storylink|Devastation (issue)|Devastation}} Trypticon proceeded to shrug off everything the Autobots threw at it, forcing the Autobots to try and outrun it instead. This too proved ineffectual. Even assistance from the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] helped little against the giant Decepticon. In the end, the Autobots were spared when their target just left in response to other orders it received. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}} Later, when [[The Fallen]] broke into [[Autobase]], Gears was eager to get out there and do something about it. Prowl opted for trying to contain the villain instead, but he turned out to be unstoppable anyway. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

Gears was part of the Ark's original crew, crash-landing on Earth four million years ago and awakening in 1984. Like all the Transformers of Earth, he was believed dead for many years after the mid-air explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]''. In fact, Gears was one of many robots who were salvaged by the mercenary known as [[Lazarus]], who began the time-consuming process of installing remote control programming into his inert Cybertronian captives. Lazarus was doomed to failure, however, for Megatron regained control of his own body shortly after the human reactivated him. With the Decepticons back in action thanks to Megatron, Gears and the other Autobots held captive by Lazarus were left at their mercy. Although a small group of Autobots were free under Optimus Prime's command to combat the Decepticons, most of the 'bots recovered by Lazarus (including Gears) were too badly damaged to be reactivated for that first battle. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

[[File:PassiveAggression GearsGrumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
Gears and the other deactivated Autobots were recovered, though, and were back to full functionality by the time [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived from Cybertron, denouncing all Earthbound Transformers as war criminals. {{storylink|New World Order}} As the Autobot forces split in two, Gears went with Optimus Prime and his contingent back to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], peacefully surrendering to Magnus, while another secret team would be left to move freely and uncover the truth behind this turn of events. Despite them being treated as prisoners on the trip home, Gears remained optimistic that the war was finally over, and they could say goodbye to Earth permanently. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} But the Autobots were treated no better on Cybertron. Gears and the rest of his group were locked up in cages, while footage of the Autobots and Decepticons' battles on Earth were broadcast around the planet to turn public opinion against them. Thankfully, there were dissidents in Shockwave's regime, and the Autobots were sprung from their cells. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} While [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] took Prime through the [[Old Slave Trails]] to see [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s rebel team, Gears and the others were taken by Broadside to meet with the Autobots rebels [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] was aligned with. En route, Bluestreak tried to have Gears fess up that it had been foolish to trust Shockwave in the first place. Bitter over where events had taken them, Gears replied that Bluestreak should "blow it out of [his] waste regulator!" {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Afterwards, Gears participated in the insurrection by Autobot dissidents against the rule of Shockwave. After an Autobot victory, Gears cuffed several Decepticons, and led them away from the battlefield. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Much to his dismay, Gears was soon put in the position of having to return to Earth. {{storylink|Original Sin}} With Prime temporarily out of action due to injuries, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] had assumed command of the Ark's crew on Cybertron, and made the decision that a new base of operations needed to be constructed on Earth, to fortify Autobot interests there. Gears griped throughout the meeting discussing this, {{storylink|Atonement}} but eventually agreed to leave his beloved homeworld behind to return to Earth. His mood wasn't much improved by A) having to work with Bluestreak and B) Bluestreak dropping boxes on his feet during the loading of the shuttle. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Once they arrived, Gears and the others began work on the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoevsTF4 Gears Brawn FlightPods.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Cobra Commander finds out about the "Trouble" part of the "Trouble Bubble"]]
Gears was among the dormant Transformers found by the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and reprogrammed to be under the humans' control. In the process, he and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] were rebuilt to transform into Cobra [[Flight Pod]]s. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} The two may have participated in an attack on the [[SPS Research Facility]], or it may have just been two regular Flight Pods. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} When [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] hacked Cobra's computers and undid his comrades' reprogramming, Gears and Brawn hunted down [[Cobra Commander]] and blew up the ship he was going to escape from [[Cobra Island]] with. However, before the Autobots could capture the commander, they were taken out by [[Storm Shadow]]'s [[S.N.A.K.E.]] mech. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

Gears didn't give up so easily, however, as he joined several other Autobots and located Cobra Commander and his S.N.A.K.E. guards again. Storm Shadow fought back and killed [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], sending Gears and the others into a berserker rage as they ripped his S.N.A.K.E. apart. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
After a brutal battle during which [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], a monstrous gestalt of unimaginable power, was released, Gears's butchered form lay smoldering in a mass grave of both Autobot and Decepticon corpses. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
Gears stood behind Optimus Prime with his fellow Autobots, ready to fight. {{storylink|Visualize Shot 1}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Megatron Origin issue 3|''Megatron Origin'' #3]]; [[...For All Mankind|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #1]] (modern era, mentioned), [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|#16]] (depicted)}}

Gears was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]] during the first wave, presumably as part of the [[Silver Harvest]]. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Millions of years ago, Gears was one of several mourners seen at the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]], after [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] killed them. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

[[File:WokenFuries GearsIsHurt.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|"There will be only half as much complaining if we leave him behind!"]]
At some point after [[Surge (event)|a widespread Decepticon attack]], Gears made it to Earth, where he was captured by [[Skywatch]], along with [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and later, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} He was eventually released once Skywatch realized their misgivings in regards to the Autobots. After a Decepticon attack on their base, Gears and the other Autobots tried to flee and regroup at [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but were attacked by armed civilians with a grudge against the Transformers. Gears was injured and had to be carried inside [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer. Before they could reach safety, the Autobots were attacked again, this time by Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|Woken Furies}}

The Decepticon leader scattered the Autobots with extreme firepower, then left them beaten and bruised on a school playground inside Albuquerque city limits. Gears and his comrades were held hostage by two humans carrying Megatron-based handguns, unable to fight back or defend themselves without risking human lives. The dilemma was ultimately taken out of their hands by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], whose special ops training kicked in and led to him blasting one of the humans. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|Burning Chrome}} {{storylink|Earthfall Part 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}}

Like most Autobots, Gears left Earth a few months later, intending to return to Cybertron. On board Omega Supreme's rocket mode, he gathered with a few others who sought to witness a conversation between Optimus Prime and Megatron. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} Once the Autobots arrived at Cybertron, they battled [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

[[File:FecundMoon-Impressive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He's the red and blue guy who's basically Swerve.]]
After the Chaos War ended, Gears joined [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] and the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in their search for the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} He was one of the crew members invited to [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]'s first story session meant to cure [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} and later watched ships land in Shuttle Bay 3. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} When [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] was let loose on the ship, Gears rushed into action only to be beaten down. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} After recovering, he and many others gathered on the observation deck to witness the discovery of a mysterious portal just hanging in space. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Gears battled the [[Legislator]]s alongside [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] when they suddenly teleported on board. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} After the Legislators were defeated, he was one of a group of Autobots who helped repair [[Swerve's]]. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} When the ''Lost Light'' finally returned to Cybertron, Gears participated in the celebrations. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

Gears continued to serve aboard the ''Lost Light'' as it searched for the Knights of Cybertron, and was present on the [[Rodpod]] when the quantum duplicates of the ship and its crew began to cancel out. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

Gears and many other members of the ''Lost Light'' crew were present when Rodimus gave his speech about [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]'s pre-wake. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}}

Gears was willingly complicit in [[Getaway]]'s mutiny against the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s command team. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}} He was seen socializing with Siren (...perhaps unwillingly) at [["Visages"]] once the search was underway again under Getaway. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|Full Circle}} When Cyberutopia turned out to be a hoax, Getaway sold out his crew to the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], turning them into [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeaters]]. Gears was subjected to concussive medicine by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], apparently clearing him of the Sparkeater virus. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} Gears later attended the ''Lost Light'' farewell party. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:GearsVictorianEra-HOS4.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0]]
Gears and his fellow Autobots battled the Decepticons in Earth's distant past, until an ice age came around and forced them to go underground and wait it out. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} They eventually woke up in the mid-19th century, and learned that the Decepticons were up and going as well. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}} In order to pursue the [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Gears took on the form of what appeared to be a coal car and linked up with his friends to form an Autobot train. During the chase, much of the train was trapped when the Decepticons collapsed a tunnel on it, although Gears made it out safe and sound. He was hammered by Decepticon fire as he helped clear away rubble, but survived and went back to sleep underground after the Decepticons were defeated. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
During the final showdown between the Autobot/[[G.I. Joe (team)|Joe]] and Decepticon/[[Cobra]] alliances, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] punched into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s chest and unleashed several soldier into the Decepticon base's interior, Gears among them. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|''Transformers'' #2]]

[[File:TheChangeInYourNaturePartFive-Gears.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Gears was forged in the years leading up to the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and worked with his [[mentor]] [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] on the [[Tether]], the great space elevator that linked [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the [[Winged Moon]]. While most other newly forged Cybertronians found their calling and went their own ways a little more than two kilocycles after their creation, Gears chose to stay with his mentor longer than was usual—more than ten thousand cycles. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} Overenthusiastic, and more than a little accident-prone, Gears would frequently lose his footing on the Tether and drift off into space, necessitating frequent rescues from Chief of Space Security [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. {{storylink|Open Comms}} {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} During one workshift on the Tether, Gears spent some time helping another new Cybertronian, [[Rubble]], understand the basics of engineering alongside Wheeljack. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} At the end of Rubble's second trial shift, one of Gears' coworkers sprayed him with a hose. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

Wheeljack brought Gears with him when he and his engineering team investigated the Winged Moon for signs of sabotage, and discovered that a member of [[The Rise]] had planted an [[energon siphon]] on the moon with the intent of redirecting it to their former headquarters underneath the [[Memorial Crater]] outside of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Gears unsuccessful attempted to dismantle the device; the resulting explosion knocked him into space again and necessitated another impromptu rescue from Wheeljack. When the rogue Titan [[Vigilem]] attacked the Tether, Gears fled with the other workers into the deepest parts of the Winged Moon, where they remained even after Vigilem severed the Tether itself. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}}

[[File:WheeljackOrbitalDecay-WheeljackGears.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I am effectively the 23 year old guy still living in his parent's basement]]

Ripped free from its orbit, the Winged Moon's new trajectory put it on a direct path towarsd Cybertron's sun; while most of the other workers evacuated the moon, Gears stayed behind with his mentor and a small team of engineers to see if they could save the moon within seven cycles before it plummeted into the sun. After first attempting to overpressurize the moon's [[energon]] reserves, then unsuccessfully trying to manually reactivate the moon's rotational jets, the team had to take shelter as the moon drifted through the [[Croaton (G1)|Croaton]] cloud, then discovered and interrogated [[Enemy (G1)|Enemy]], the culprit responsible for sabotaging the moon in the first place. Finally, however, the team hit upon a last-ditch solution to manually detonate the moon's wings, giving them enough delta-vee to push them out onto a wider orbit—while Cosmos carried out the actual demolitions work, Wheeljack taught Gears how to manually keep the moon's panels correctly aligned and later laid into Huffer when he suggested that Wheeljack was too nice to his mentee. The plan went off without a hitch, and the team celebrated their victory... only for a [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] and her team of Decepticons to invade the moon at that moment. {{storylink|Wheeljack: Orbital Decay}}

While Wheeljack went to get help, Gears and the other stayed behind on the moon and did what they could to make the central control room inaccessible to the invaders, including rigging the corridors with booby-traps and other annoyances. The team successfully kept the Decepticons out long enough for [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] and her Autobots to rescue them, and the engineers made the desperate decision to keep the Winged Moon and its energon stores out of Decepticon hands by creating a miniature singularity that destroyed most of the moon's energon reserves. With the moon now all but lost, Gears and the other engineers returned to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. {{storylink|War World: Moon|Moon}}

[[File:EscapePartFive-WheeljackGears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right]]
Gears joined up with a refugee convoy made up of organic aliens and neutral Cybertronians, and reunited with his mentor, who had helped organize the exodus from Iacon, soon after they arrived at the city of Darkmount [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Escape Part Three}} Later, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] tried to keep him entertained by showing him some of the flora and fauna they'd recovered from Iacon's destroyed [[A'ovan habitat]], but Gears eventually ran off to see if he could help [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] repair [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]]. {{storylink|Escape Part Four}} When a swarm of [[Insecticon clone]]s invaded the city, Wheeljack and Gears used some jury-rigged alien technology to rescue a fallen Leviathan from the monsters, but over-energized their weapons and collapsed from fuel depletion. The pair awoke just in time to see an exploding ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''-class ship take out the majority of the swarm. {{storylink|Escape Part Five}}

Gears remained at Darkmount, helping to defend against the frequent Insecticlone raids. {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} Eventually, he joined the rest of the Autobots aboard the last ''Ark'' as they left Cybertron behind. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
In a post-apocalyptic [[2029]] where [[Skynet]] waged war against the [[Decepticon]]s, Gears's shattered remains lay in a ruined [[Los Angeles]] overpass alongside many other Cybertronian casualties. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons''===
Gears, along with several other Autobots, was abducted and held captive by the Decepticons. Optimus Prime undertook a rescue operation to free his friends from Megatron's clutches, entering the Decepticons' labyrinthine base in order to do so. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Bumblebee recruited Gears to join the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} [[Bluestreak (G1)|Silverstreak]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], and Gears were sent to [[South America]] where the Decepticons were attempting to build a cannon to harness the energy of the [[Crystal of Power]]. Even joined by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], the Autobots were unable to prevent the cannon's completion, but later destroyed it and capped the shaft on which the crystal had stood. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (Legends)|Fire on the Mountain}} After [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] was inflicted on the Autobots, Gears and Beachcomber managed to sneak past the Decepticons and get a sample of [[corrostop]] from the [[Statue of Liberty]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (Legends)|Cosmic Rust}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsGears.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2| I'm just a starter character that everyone soon forgets. ''grumble''.]]
Gears participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Common character that could be recruited for 8 units of Cybermetal. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Gears.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Grumble... I suppose they want me to supply my own penny..."<br>(''Rubsign variant not pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gears''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1984]]/[[1985]])}}</ul>
{{toydesigner|[[Masaki Maruyama]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Gears was part of the first assortment of ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s released in 1984, transforming into a red and blue pickup truck of indeterminable model (though some details resemble an old Dodge Power Wagon or Kaiser Jeep M715), with some likewise indeterminable ''stuff'' in the truck bed.

: In 1984, Gears and the other Mini Vehicles came packaged in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. In 1985, they were switched to come in [[robot mode]], a change preceded by the addition of a picture of their vehicle modes to the front of their cards. The same year, the Autobot [[insignia]] on Gears's hood was replaced with a heat-activated [[rubsign]] placed on his roof, plus the re-released first-year Mini-Vehicles came packaged with [[Mini-spy#Toys|Mini-spies]]: Gears (and [[Brawn (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Brawn]]) always came with a yellow one.

: For reasons unknown, Gears was the only Mini Vehicle not made available as part of Takara's original retail line in any capacity (while [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] were not available at normal retail, both were offered as mail-away toys).

: The mold was first released in 1983 as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Micro Change]]'' line with a slightly darker blue coloration as the "Micro Robot 04 4WD Off-Road," but evidence exists to suggest it was originally designed by defunct American toy company Knickerbocker for the cancelled toyline, ''[[Mysterians]]''.

: This mold was used to make the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Pick-Up (Malignus)#Toys|Pick-Up]], the Autobot [[Small Foot#Toys|Small Foot]] and was [[retool]]ed to make [[Swerve (G1)#Toys|Swerve]] (except in Mexico, where Swerve was a straight redeco of Gears).

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-gears/47/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Gears at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Gears/gears.htm More information on G1 Gears at TFU.info]''
{{G1GearsMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Pick-Up''' (Robocar, 1985)}}</ul>

: Released by [[Estrela]] in Brazil, "Pick-Up" was available in two different colorations: the original toy's blue-and-red, or orange-and-lighter-orange. This release lacks the Autobot symbols, instead having a variation of the original ''Micro Change'' groin-sticker in robot mode. This sticker is of considerably cheaper quality, and is rarely left on loose samples.

: Whether or not he is the same character as either the [[Bat-Robô]] [[Pick-Up (Bat-Robô)|Pick-Up]] or the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Pick-Up (Malignus)#Toys|Pick-Up]] is unknown.

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gears''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)}}</ul>

: Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, these releases of Gears lacked paint, stickers or [[vacuum metallizing|chrome]]. Yes, plural releases. So far, three different colorations have been confirmed: the original blue-and-red, dark-blue-and-yellow, and orange-and-yellow. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Gears all told, with the three others being unique to that market, but no-one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}
{{-}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
[[File:G1Gears toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibots Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2004]])}}</ul>
:*''Set ID number'': '''12'''
:*''Individual ID number'': '''85'''

: Gears was ''finally'' put out at Japanese retail in 2004, as part of ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' "Minibots Team" set. This version is slightly different from the original Hasbro releases, in that his truck mode has ''both'' the Autobot sigil sticker on his hood and the [[rubsign]] sticker on top of his roof.

: This set also includes a retooled [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Bumble]], [[Cosmos (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Adams]], [[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Drag]], [[Powerglide (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Powerglide]], and [[Warpath (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Warpath]].

: This set was later [[redeco]]ed to make the [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] [[G1 GoBots]] team.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/ReGears/gears.htm More information on ''The Transformers Collection'' Gears at TFU.info]''
{{G1GearsMold}}
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-Gears with Eclipse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Swerve used to be ''my'' retool... ''grumble.''"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Gears & Autobot Eclipse''' (Legends, [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''Series / Number'': '''02 / #010'''
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

:''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Gears is a retool of ''Generations Thrilling 30'' [[Swerve (G1)#Thrilling 30|Swerve]] with a new head based on his fictional appearances rather than his original faceless toy. He transforms into a modernized 4-wheel-drive pickup truck of a made-up model and comes with [[Eagle Eye (G1)#Generations|Eclipse]], who transforms into either a jet or a weapon for Gears to wield via its 5mm handle.

:Gears and Eclipse's [[Hasbro]] product number, A6686, was originally occupied by a '[[Brawn (G1)/toys|Brawn]] & [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]' pack, leading [[Amazon]] to erroneously list them under those names.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service database 'leak' on The Allspark (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

:The original version of this mold was redecoed and given a shell to make [[BotCon 2015]] [[Oilmaster#Timelines|Oilmaster]]. It also served as the basis of the non-toy ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[Swerve (SG)|Swerve]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenGears/gears.htm More information on ''Generations'' Gears at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"I'm still going to end up amidst a debris field of building blocks anyway."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Gears''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''''Age of Extinction'' Collection 2'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo brick, blaster

: Part of the sixth regular assortment of [[blindpacking|blind-bagged]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Gears can be rebuilt into a teeny pickup truck. He sports [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]]'s helmet.

:Unlike prior Micro-Changer assortments, this series does not have any sort identification code for the bags' actual contents, meaning you'd best be good at the feel-though-the-bag method.

:This assortment was originally slated to be a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]], but US stores dropped the line before its release. It was still available in Canada, Australia and Chinese/Asian markets. In 2015, the Collection appeared in US Dollar Tree stores, with a price tag of a whopping $1 a pop. They didn't last long.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:Kreon-Class-of-1984-Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"And I'm still going to be trapped in a display case, never to be free."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)}}</ul>
:*''Set number'': '''B0090'''
:*''Voted'': Class Grouch
:*''Accessories'': Double-barreled pistol

: This version of Gears has more extensive [[tampograph]]s than his prior version, including a masked-and-visored face, and silver paint on his helmet.

:He was only available in a pack of 30 Kreons dubbed "Class of 1984", [[exclusive]] to [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014. Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, but there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OGears/gears.htm More information on Class of 1984 Gears at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Vintage G1''===
[[File:VG1-toy Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Second again... ''grumble''"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gears''' ("Legion Class" reissue, 2019)}}</ul>

:Part of the second wave "Legion Class" figures in the ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'' line, Gears is a reissue of his [[#Generation 1|Generation 1 figure]]. Like his prior ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' release, he has both a [[rubsign]] and a normal foil Autobot insignia sticker in vehicle mode. The rubsign is an all-new type used on all of the ''Vintage G1'' toys; the insignia only turns red rather than the mood-ring multicolor of older rubsigns, plus the silver border is mirror-level reflective. This version also has production information tampographed onto his inner right foot.

:Like all ''Vintage G1'' figures, Gears was [[exclusive]] to [[Walmart]] in the United States and Canada.

{{G1GearsMold}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
*'''Gears''' (St. Louis McDonald's promotion, 1985)
{{charstubtoys}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5AutobotGears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Gears, Transport & Reconnaissance''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T02/T46'''
**''Stars: ''7

:Autobot Gears, Transport & Reconnaissance is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''Generations'' Legends-class Gears toy, with line-art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] and colors by [[Alex Tarca]] for both modes.

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFTM-MaybeGears.jpg|thumb|I sign on to a major movie, and all I get is a lousy cameo appearance?!]]

*Early bio material gives his (unused) nicknames as '''Ox''' and '''Sourball'''.<ref>Nicknames found in early ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]</ref>
*In his first Marvel Comics appearance, Gears sported a more humanoid [[character model]] that looked less like his toy than his final animation model. He would also use this model in the UK annual story "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]", while ''[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'' was inexplicably drawn with this model in the earlier UK story "[[The Enemy Within!]]".
*The dialogue script for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' reveals that Gears was supposed to appear in the film during the [[Battle of Autobot City]], speaking a single line in horrified reaction to the formation of Devastator ("We're finished! Aaaaahh!"). He was cut from the finished feature, but actor Don Messick recorded the line and remains listed in the film's credits as Gears (but not, oddly enough, as [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]], who ''does'' speak). A 'bot with Gears's color scheme appears on Moonbase One, but is probably not supposed to be him.
**The script provides no context for Gears's scream, so it might be intended to imply that Devastator proceeded to kill him in some fashion. This would fit with the earliest draft of the film, which also saw Gears killed off, albeit in a different way: blown to pieces in a carpet-bombing run by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] during [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s attack on the city.<ref>http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html</ref>
*Gears appeared in a [[:File:PulseCon-Kingdom-promo-art.jpg|concept poster]] for ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'', suggesting a new toy of him was considered for inclusion in the toyline, but such toy ultimately never materialized.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gears''' (ギアーズ ''Giāzu'')
*''Czech:'' '''Převodovka'''
*''French:'' '''Rollo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Fuvaros''' ("Hauler")
*''Italian:'' '''Mulo'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Biànsùxiāng''' (变速箱, "Transmission")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Mecano''' (Portugal comics), '''Engrenagem''' (Brazil comics), '''Pick-Up''' (Brazil toys)
*''Russian:'' '''Privod''' (Привод, "Drive")
*''South American:'' '''Pick-Up'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]

Hosehead (G1)

2024-02-24T03:27:17Z

Repowers: Undo revision 1748895 by Saix (talk) We do not remove information in the name of formatting.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Hosehead}}
:''Hosehead is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Hosehead boxart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"No, ''you'' take off!"]]

'''Hosehead''' (aka '''Horsehead''') ... well, he's got a nice personality. He's a fine guy, kind and well-meaning, courageous and willing to carry out his dangerous search and rescue function. Sometimes he even does it quite well. But he gets ''very'' flustered under pressure, to the point that he can do as much damage as good. His [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Nebulan star athlete [[Lug (G1)|Lug]] seems to be improving this problem.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Lugbigshutdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"You killed him! He's dead! I'm a witness! Police! Police! My brother's a murderer!"<br>"I didn't do nothin'- take off!"]]
Before the war, Hosehead was a low-level microchip counter in a transistor factory. He left to join the Autobots to prove to himself that he could do something more worthwhile. {{storylink|The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Hosehead's ''Transformers Universe'' profile}}

''Under unrevealed circumstances, Hosehead was binary-bonded to the Nebulan named Lug, and then taken prisoner by the Decepticons on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As a field test for the new Decepticon lord [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], Hosehead was released free on [[Earth]] alongside his fellow prisoners [[Playback (G1)|Playback]] and [[Horsepower (G1)|Horsepower]]. Thunderwing was to hunt down and execute them in an uncontrolled environment. The Decepticon made the mistake of toying with his prey, however, killing Playback and then leisurely pursuing the others. Playback's death caught the attention of two Autobots from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Siren (G1)|Siren]]. The latter chased Hosehead and Horsepower down, learning after cornering them that they were all on the same side. But while Siren and Hosehead squabbled over the misunderstanding, Horsepower was killed by Thunderwing. Upon rejoining Nightbeat, Hosehead was knocked aside by one of the Decepticon's blasts. Thankfully, Nightbeat managed to best Thunderwing with his wits, and the remaining three Autobots became inseparable from then on as Hosehead joined the Ark's crew.'' {{storylink|The Big Shutdown!}} {{storylink|Rage!}}

[[File:Hosehead2.jpg|left|thumb|We found this mouse in a bottle of YOUR BEER, eh. Like, we was at a party and a friend of ours - a COP - had some, and HE PUKED. And he said, come here and get free beer, or he'll press charges.]]
''When the Autobots received a distress call from Earth's surface, Nightbeat assembled a combat team that included Hosehead, Siren, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], [[Getaway]], and himself. Under Optimus Prime's command, they rushed to Earth to help their fallen comrades, but there they found the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]], who had come to cleanse the planet of life. Ironically, Deathbringer was powered by the energies of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], rendering it seemingly invulnerable to all attacks! Hosehead and the others fought valiantly, but were getting slaughtered. Using a plan hatched by Nightbeat, Optimus used the Deathbringer's own programming against it, and caused it to self-destruct, removing Hosehead and the others from danger.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

The Chaos-Bringer, [[Unicron]] was awakened and was headed towards Cybertron, but only the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] could stop him! Even worse, the Matrix was fired into space inside the body of Optimus Prime and was presumed lost. To this end, Hosehead joined Siren and Nightbeat on a mission to [[Pz-Zazz]], a planet in a star system where the Matrix might have landed. On the seedy, crime-ridden planet, he and Siren acted as Nightbeat's less-than-eager backup as the brazen detective interrogated some unsavory types on the street. The pair carried out a rather undiginified retreat after finding themselves caught in a gangster crossfire, part of a gang war between [[Gutt]] and [[B'hgdad]]. The trio stopped in at a low-life bar, where they encountered the dubiously motivated Ms. [[Fatale]]. Hosehead and Siren accompanied Fatale to the former location of the planet's missing "font of life", only to be held at gunpoint by Gutt and his men. When Nightbeat arrived shortly afterwards with the missing artifact, Hosehead and Siren were able to turn the tables on Gutt's men with some quick reflexes and weapons set to stun. Hosehead was witness to the planet's rebirth after Nightbeat returned the artifact to its rightful place... only to be blasted in the back and captured by Thunderwing. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}}

[[File:Thunderwingmindleech.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"My brother and I used to say that drownin' in beer was like heaven, eh? Now he's not here, and I've got two soakers... this isn't heaven; this sucks!"]]
Hosehead proved able to resist Thunderwing's [[Mind Leech]] device, revealing nothing about the [[Matrix Quest]], but Nightbeat wasn't as stalwart. {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} Hosehead and the others were freed when the device's equipment was damaged after Thunderwing lashed out against [[Ruckus (G1)|one]] of his insubordinate troops, and violently knocked him into a control panel. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} Learning that Thunderwing had successfully found the Matrix in their absence and was planning to sneak aboard the Ark in a stolen Autobot shuttle, Hosehead and pals stowed away on the shuttle in the hopes of disrupting the Decepticons' schemes somehow. Upon arriving at the Ark, Thunderwing went on a Matrix-fueled rampage, easily overpowering all those who opposed him. Hosehead, Nightbeat, and Siren worked together to stop Thunderwing when all others failed; Hosehead deactivated the Ark's [[artificial gravity]] per Nightbeat's order, while Nightbeat himself harpooned the Decepticon to an Autobot shuttle and released its landing-clamps. With the hangar bay's door opened, Thunderwing was dragged out of the ship, and into the void of space, where the shuttle self-destructed. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:Hosehead3.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|There wasn't much to do. All the bowling alleys had been wrecked. So's I spent most of my time looking for beer.]]

In the aftermath of this showdown, Siren and Hosehead relaxed by watching televised murder mysteries. Later, Siren told Hosehead a joke he'd already heard. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

Hosehead and the rest of the Earthbound Transformers were warped to Cybertron by [[Primus]] to do battle with Unicron, where their creator explained to them the history of their race. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} At [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders, he manned a building-sized cannon, which he fired at the Chaos Bringer. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} However, Hosehead was ultimately among the casualties of the battle; his wrecked vehicle form was shown among the dead. {{storylink|Still Life!}}
{{--}}
=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
In an alternate [[2009]], Hosehead was one of the Autobots who had to abandon Cybertron to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons after the [[Time Wars]] rebooted history. To make matters worse, their [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|ship]] crashed on Earth after their leader, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], was possessed by Unicron's corrupting influence. Hosehead and [[Doubleheader]] were seen taking a shot at the insane Rodimus, but their fire bounced off his "aura of evil" and he blasted right back at them. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Horsehead {{sic}} was present when Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots against the joint Decepticon leaders Shockwave and Megatron, who had tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. He complained that there were too many Decepticons to fight, and that they needed to be picked off one-by-one. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targeting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Attack at Dawn}}

Horsehead was among the Autobots monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in New York City, and had to tell [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] to stop shouting at the Decepticons.. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of Snaptrap that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Optimus Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|The Troy Principle}} Those events were recorded on a videotape that was later found and watched by Autobots on Cybertron after a [[City of Fear!|nuclear disaster]] in [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 21|In Memory of Earth}}

Horsehead joined an absolutely massive team of Autobots sent to protect the US [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear arsenal]], [[Nevada Alpha]]. Under Plan C, he and Nightbeat ganged up on [[Snarler]] so he'd have to drop his stolen warhead. The battle caused fires across the bus and he put them out in fire engine mode while moaning about it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Save Nevada Alpha}}

During an absolutely ''massive'' global battle, Horsehead witnessed Bumblebee and Siren fall to laser fire and said their only hope was to force the Decepticons to split up. Nobody seemed to have paid attention until Optimus said it later. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|He Who Laughs Last ...}}

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

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
When [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] were turned into this giant... raging... THING, it was Horsehead who named it "[[Majin Zarak]]" after the ancient Predacon in the [[Covenant of Primus]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/10}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
After Hosehead's demise in the battle against Unicron, Lug wound up trapped within the Autobot's remains for three days before he was rescued. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|''Classics'' Lug profile}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Shadow-leeches the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|"Fleshy headed mutant! Are you friendly?"<br>"No way, eh. Radiation has made me an enemy of civilization!"]]
Following [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s return to Cybertron, the Autobot leader [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] called Hosehead, [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], and [[Siren (G1)|Siren]] to the [[Senate Forum]] to leave them in charge of Grimlock's incarceration at the [[Bastion-five lock-up]] while he went into Cybertron's core to look for the [[Primus]] chamber. Shortly afterwards, Grimlock escaped. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}} With most of the population under the control of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s [[Gene Key]], Hosehead, Grapple, [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] found that they were the only Autobots unaffected by its influence. The group reconvened within the deserted Forum Senate, and thanks to Grapple's knowledge on the place's architecture, made their way to a secret passage which allowed them to bypass the chaos taking place outside. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} Alerted by a sudden burst of enemy comm-chatter about taking down Grimlock at the [[Nursery (Cybertron)|Nursery]], they arrived to find the facility on fire so Hosehead transformed to fire engine mode to tackle the blaze, revealing Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], united once more. Hosehead then tended to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]'s [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]-induced heat-retention issues while Grimlock recruited the others into his near-suicidal effort to stop Scorponok's plans {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}} in which Hosehead helped storm the [[Civil Defense Hub]]. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

After [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s attack on Cybertron, Hosehead assisted with the clean-up, putting out fires alongside [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} Having survived Rodimus Prime's assault on [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], Hosehead was killed by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Dark Matrix]] creature's [[shadow-leech]]es on his return to Cybertron. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|[[Blain Fairman]] (English)}}
After [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] was kidnapped, Optimus Prime was forced to submit himself to the Decepticons in exchange. Knowing the Decepticons would never release Highbrow as they promised, Prime recruited Hosehead and [[Fizzle]] to help him. Sneaking the two into the area in the back of his trailer, Optimus turned himself over to the Decepticons while Hosehead and Fizzle worked to free the prisoners. Finding Highbrow under the influence of a magnetic immobilizer, Hosehead sent his Headmaster partner in close enough to remove the device. Next, they located Optimus imprisoned behind a wall of electrical fire. In fire truck mode, Hosehead used his water spray to disrupt the field. As the quartet of Autobots made their escape, Fizzle and [[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]] got into a fire vs. fire fight that reached a stalemate. Hosehead turned it into a fire vs. water fight, once again using his water tanks this time to extinguish the Firecon's breath by spraying right down his throat. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:TWW AgeofWrath3 Hosehead.jpg|thumb|left|I was like a one-man army, like Charlton Heston in ''Omega Man''. You ever see it? Beauty.]]
During the [[Age of Internment]], Hosehead remained free from Decepticon rule under [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s resistance cell. He was working with Nightbeat on a strike team to capture a member of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] for study. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2|The Age of Wrath #2}} After two drones were destroyed, the final one suddenly reactivated and attacked them. Hosehead prevented the drone from executing Nightbeat, but it retaliated with a pulse that scrambled his circuits. Fortunately, Getaway attached the [[inhibitor claw]] onto the Aerospace drone, shutting it down. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.3|The Age of Wrath #3}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Stick Together|''Robots in Disguise'' #3]]}}

[[File:TowardsPeace-eavesdroppers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|There's lots of ideas in here, so listen, and don't get stuck!]]

Hosehead helped search for survivors (and corpses) in the blast crater left by a mysterious explosion on Cybertron. {{storylink|Stick Together}} He was later among the forces defending the planet against an army of [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} About six months later, he joined the ''[[Lost Light]]'' on its second departure from Cybertron and was one of many among the crew to try to eavesdrop on [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s psychiatric examination of its new captain [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

When quantum flux began to cause the ''Lost Light'' to disappear, Hosehead was among the crew making their way for the escape ships. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} Later on, Hosehead, [[Siren (G1)|Siren]], and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] almost [[Headmaster (technology)|lost their heads]] thanks to Tailgate's hoverboard antics. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}}

[[File:OurStepsWillAlwaysRhyme TailgateHoverboard.jpg|thumb]]

Hosehead was one of the Autobots who gathered when [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] announced the news about [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]'s prewake. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}} He sided with [[Getaway]] during the mutiny aboard the ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:SmallHeadmastersCommercial autobots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Me and my brother here are nude. So like, imagine us - there he is - there's hosehead, with no clothes on. He's really built, eh."]]
Hosehead raced across the surface of an unknown planet in alternate mode alongside Nightbeat and Siren. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Small Headmasters|Small Headmasters commercial}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1Hosehead toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"There's no way I'll crash this! This is a beer truck, eh!"]]
*'''Hosehead''' (Headmaster, [[1988]])
:*''Accessories'': Lug Headmaster driver, seat/helmet, [[accelerator rifle]], left and right [[laser pistol]]s
:Hosehead transforms into a sweet fire truck of undetermined model. The area between the cabin and the rear of the truck has a seat that Headmaster unit, Lug, can sit on, but he can also be stowed inside the cabin itself. (This method isn't as secure, however.) The ladder base has a ratcheted joint, allowing it to rotate, while the ladder itself can extend out to 22cm in length and also has a movable compound nozzle. His head guns can be stored on the sides of the vehicle while his rifle can be plugged onto the ladder.

:In [[robot mode]], like all Headmaster toys, Hosehead has a flip-down panel on his chest which covers a spring-loaded mini-[[Tech Spec|Tech-Spec]]-meter which gives readouts for Speed, Strength and Intelligence. The tumblers are activated when Lug (or any other Headmaster unit) is plugged into his neck socket. Lug has Hosehead's face plainly visible on his back because, as a smaller Headmaster toy, he lacks the flip-down panel featured on larger Headmasters. As another consequence of being a smaller Headmaster, Hosehead's chest cavity was apparently too small for 3 individual tumblers. As a result, all Headmaster heads inserted will display Hosehead's pre-molded (and painted) Speed, Strength, and Intelligence readings (5, 8, 6) on one large sliding plate.

:This toy was released in Japan as the [[Headmaster Junior]] [[Cab (human)|Cab]], with few or no changes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/Hosehead/hosehead.htm More information on Hosehead at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
*For whatever reason, Hosehead's [[character model]] treats his "goggles" as a colorless transparent visor covering a pair of standard optic sensors, despite his toy having the same kind of outwardly-opaque visor as numerous other Transformers. Just more small Headmaster Autobot [[Nightbeat (G1)|weirdness...]]

===Foreign names===
*''French:'' '''Boyau''' (Canada)

[[Category:Firefighters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]

Hosehead (G1)

2024-02-23T18:30:58Z

Repowers: Images are good. We like images. We don't randomly delete images, or their captions.

Atlantis, Arise!

2024-02-05T17:45:54Z

Repowers:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Trivia===
[[File:Nergill & Troops.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|''The antediluvian kings colonized the world<br>
All the Gods who play in the mythological dramas<br>
In all legends from all lands were from fair Atlantis'']]
*This episode is one of a handful that begins with a (rather pointless) narrative voiceover from [[Victor Caroli]].
*When played back at a slower speed, Nergill says telepathically to his people:
**"Never mind. Put your weapons away. We don't want to put them on guard."
**"Take no aggressive action. They suspect."
*While not as annoying as "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]" and "[[Heavy Metal War]]", the Shout! Factory release of this episode has most of the sound effects noticeably softer than the music and spoken lines.
*The scene of Megatron turning the Lincoln Memorial into a throne would later be homaged in ''[[Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers: The Game]]'', ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]],'' and ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]].''
*They have in fact seen the last of Nergill.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''Atlantis apparaît'''" ("Atlantis appears")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''L'apparition de l'Atlantis'''" ("The appearance of Atlantis")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''L'Atlantis'''" ("The Atlantis")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*[[Jacques Ferrière]] is back and takes back all his characters. We didn't hear him since ''[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]''.
::*Wheeljack's line "Okay guys going under" is absent from the dub.
::*As usual, to avoid pronouncing their names, Soundwave's line "Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, attack!" is dubbed by "Attack those idiots, destroy them!" as he ejects the cassettes.
::*Megatron's line "Blast them to mini-microns!" is absent from the dub.
::*Instead of saying "Washington D.C.", Wheeljack tells the Dinobots that the Decepticons have invaded "the capital".
::*Soundwave's line "The autobots and their human friend must not return" is absent from the dub.
::*In English, when Optimus Prime asks Spike and Bumblebee if they are okay, he then says "Grimlock! I never thought I'd see you here". Grimlock's name was here replaced by "Fortunately! I thought I would never see you again!", which makes it an answer to Spike's "yeah!". Consequently, Grimlock's phrase just after lacks of context.

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

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il segreto di Atlantide'''" ("The Secret of Atlantis")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Football is called "rugby".
::*Megatron's line: «Blast them to mini-microns!» weirdly became: «Blast them '''with''' mini-microns». "Micron" is also pluralized as "microns" despite being an invariable noun in Italian. This could make you wonder if whoever wrote the Italian script even knew what microns are.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Atlantide risorge'''" ("Atlantis Arises")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

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

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

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

Maximum Dinobots issue 3

2024-01-31T18:13:42Z

Repowers: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|series=maxdinos|issueno=3
|prev=Maximum Dinobots issue 2
|next=Maximum Dinobots issue 4
|image=MaximumDinobots 3b.jpg
|caption=Peekaboo! Shockwave sees you!
|publisher=IDW Publishing
|date=[[February 18]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=February 2009
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#2006-7|Maximum Dinobots]]
}}
'''The Dinobots come apart at the seams, and the Headmasters hit Fallon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] is brought online by [[Skywatch]]. Rather than try and usurp his will, [[Joshua Red|Agent Red]] has placed a bomb in his head which will explode in 24 hours if a signal is not transmitted. This is how much time Shockwave has to hunt down [[Laserbeak (G1)|the]] [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|seekers]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Thunder-Lizards]]. Shockwave seems compliant, until he chillingly states that he could lay waste to a substantial portion of the planet in 24 hours, leaving Agent Red and his team to worry.

The [[Sunstreaker clone]]s break through Skywatch's blockade and are ordered by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to concentrate on [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]], as he is curious to see whether or not the other Dynobots will come to his rescue. Regardless of the results, however, none of them are getting out of [[Fallon]] alive.

[[File:Dynobots divided MaximumDinos.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Grimlock, believing he's brought the others over to his side, is brought down to earth when [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], whose hard-won trust made him think they were all part of something bigger than themselves, accuses him of throwing all they had away on a whim. Swoop wonders if Grimlock ever cared about any of them and decides to abandon the team. Following his example, the others leave, despite Grimlock's pleas. Angered, Grimlock starts saying from now on he'll only look out for number one, but is blasted in the chest mid-sentence. The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] arrive on scene in far greater numbers than their previous encounter, and Grimlock uses them to vent his frustrations as the other Dynobots watch on.

[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] seems rather unimpressed with Scorponok's oh-so-grand plan of him becoming a CEO. An increasingly irritated Scorponok points out Hot Rod is well aware this is only the first stage of many, and if Hot Rod wants to remain alive, he should show a little more awe.

Grimlock is overwhelming the clones, but a massive volley from those out of biting range does serious damage. Repeated blasts look ready to finish him off, but [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] barrels straight through them. [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and a returned Swoop quickly following suit. The attack on Grimlock has reminded them that they are always Dynobots, regardless of their differences, although Swoop makes certain Grimlock knows this time it's on Swoop's terms. The reconciliation is cut short, however, as more and more Headmasters appear, until the Dynobots find themselves at the business end of dozens of weapons. Scorponok gives the order to execute them.

In [[Dallas]], [[Hunter O'Nion]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] come up on the [[Machination]] HQ. Hunter takes over and forces Sunstreaker to hide while he transforms to his human body. He believes that of the two, he's the only one whose likely to keep a level head, and therefore he's going to be the one to check out the situation.

[[File:DoublecrossGrotusqueMaximumDinos.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Dynobots attack, but the sheer weight of numbers is too much. As they are overwhelmed, Swoop says he'd rather be in a fight with his team than on his own. Grimlock, in turn, admits that he created the Dynobots for all the wrong reasons, but he's glad that the five of them are together in the end. However, as the Headmasters swarm over them, an energy blast hits, freeing the Dynobots. A ship hovers overhead. Slag realizes who's inside and is less than happy over who Grimlock contacted to help fix the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]'', as the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s descend onto the battlefield. [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]], [[Doublecross]], and [[Grotusque]] quickly take over the fight, telling Grimlock that their trip had better have been worth it and to remember that, while they're all outcasts, the Monsterbots are not a soft touch. Taking a breather, the Dynobots are extremely disgruntled by the Monsterbots' arrival, and Swoop wonders at them being referred to as outcasts, but Grimlock isn't about to let the Monsterbots take over the fight, and he orders the Dynobots to attack. Slag, Snarl and Sludge grin even as Swoop marvels that after all he's put them through, they don't hesitate to obey. As one, the Dynobots leap into the fray. The Headmasters' confidence is shattered, and they try to make a run for it.

Hot Rod bursts out laughing, reveling in the fact that Scorponok's master plan hinged on one of the most unpredictable and uncontrollable bunch of Cybertronians there is. Scorponok has had enough, and he orders two Headmasters to take Hot Rod outside and shoot him. Hot Rod continues to laugh as he's dragged out, and his executioners wonder if he's snapped. As they enter the elevator to the surface, one notices it getting hotter, which makes sense, as Hot Rod suddenly bursts into flame, killing them both. As the elevator door opens, Hot Rod tries to stumble out, but his crippled leg gives way and he collapses. Hot Rod seems resigned to his fate, and Hunter stares into the compound.

In [[Portland]], Shockwave tracks down who was interfering with Skywatch's seekers: [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (6)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (7)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (8)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (9)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] (10)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] (11)
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (13)
* [[Doublecross]] (14)
* [[Grotusque]] (15)
|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] (1)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] (16)
|c3=
* [[Joshua Red]] (2)
* [[Hunter O'Nion]] (12)
|c4=
* [[Sunstreaker clone]]s (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Twenty-four hours. Agent Red, do you have any conception of how much ''damage'' I could do to this insubstantial world in that time?"
:—A scary '''Shockwave'''

"Say we get off this planet. What then? Can you honestly tell me there's one single, solitary bridge... that hasn't been ''burned!''"
:—A bitter '''Swoop'''

"Swoop, ''wait!'' Don't--We're... a team. <br />
Fine. Frag you all. I don't need you. I ''never'' needed you."
:—A pissy '''Grimlock'''

"I would caution you, Hot Rod, to maintain a degree of awe in any future vocalizations. For when you cease to be impressed...you cease to ''be''."
:—'''Scorponok''' taking bad-guy exposition to the next level.

"I was wrong, Grimlock. Better in battle with warrior brothers than in quiet solitude."<br />
"I pulled us together for all the ''wrong'' reasons. But at least we're together... one last time."
:—'''Swoop''' and '''Grimlock''', making up

"All I'll say, Grimlock, is whatever it is you've ''got'' for us... it'd better be good!"<br />
"It's not like we do this stuff for ''fun''! Okay, we ''do'', but there's a principle here, you understand."<br />
:—'''Repugnus''' and '''Grotusque'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Grimlock bisects a Sunstreaker drone with his sword... including the head! Great, now someone's gotta explain this to that head's family.
* Grimlock's quote is surprisingly accurate -- in the subsequent ten years of published IDW stories, Grimlock never reunited with the other Dinobots.

===Transformers references===
* The artwork on Cover B bears a striking similarity to the cover of [[End of the Road! (US)|the final issue of Marvel's run]], but it is unknown if this was intentional.

===Real-world references===
[[File:Eugenesis easteregg.jpg|thumb|200px|James Roberts E.]]
* Grimlock's interrupted line "it's all about me, griml-" is likely a reference to his caveman-like speech pattern from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]], where he'd frequently refer to himself as "me, Grimlock".
* Among the books perched on the shelf in the final panel of the issue is a tome by James Roberts, its title mostly off-panel but beginning with an E. This is a reference to ''[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/features/eugenesis/ Eugenesis]'', an unofficial Transformers novel published in the United Kingdom in 2001, penned by fan [[James Roberts]], which grew out of the "[[Transmasters UK|Transmasters]]" circle of authors and artists of which Nick Roche was originally part and in which he rose to prominence.
* In addition to ''Eugenesis'', Soundwave's [[Devastation issue 4|80s-obsessed "owner"]] has a book titled "Kneedeep in the Hoopla" by "Marcus Benatar". ''{{w|Knee Deep in the Hoopla}}'' is the mid-80s {{w|Starship (musical group)|Starship}} album that gave us the power-schlock classic "{{w|We Built This City}}". The author's name is presumably a sidelong reference to 80s icon {{w|Pat Benatar}}.

===Errors===
* Hey, Repugnus, wasn't your Spark [[Garrus-9|in jail]] back in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]"?
* An incorrect copy-paste ends Hot Rod's internal monologue incorrectly. "Face it, Hot Rod..." should end with some kind of observation about the trouble he's currently in; instead, the concluding bubble repeats Swoop's "...we still do." from a few pages back.

===Trivia===
* When the Headmasters first blast Grimlock, they shoot right through the torso of one of their own. Damn.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Swoop hovering over a "Welcome to Fallon" sign, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Joana Lafuente]].
* '''Cover B:''' Grimlock holding a clone's severed head, with Shockwave looming behind, by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover RI:''' B&W version of cover A

<gallery>
File:MaximumDinobots 3a.jpg|'''Cover A''' - Welcome to Fallon. Hey, it's better than Jersey!
File:MaximumDinobots 3b.jpg|'''Cover B''' - Grimlock was determined to get a'''head''' in the world.
File:MaximumDinobots 3ri.jpg|'''Cover RI''' - Fallon's so crappy even colors don't wanna be there!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' TV series (interior)
* ''Dollhouse'' TV series (interior)
* [[Maximum Dinobots issue 4|''Maximum Dinobots'' #4]]
* {{i|G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' comic}}
* ''[[Transformers Animated (IDW)|Transformers Animated]]'' screencap comic volumes
* ''Classic [[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' Volume One
* ''[[Doctor Who]]: The Whispering Gallery''
* ''Doctor Who: Classics Series 2''
* ''[[Star Trek]]: Countdown''
* ''{{i|G.I. Joe: Origins}}''
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' TPB Volume 1 (back cover)

===Reprints===
<small>Other than [[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots#Collections|collections of the full series]].</small>
* N/A

Maximum Dinobots issue 5

2024-01-31T17:25:19Z

Repowers: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|series=maxdinos|issueno=5
|prev=Maximum Dinobots issue 4
|next=All Hail Megatron issue 1
|image=MaximumDinobots 5b.jpg
|caption=Old [[Klingon]] proverb: Revenge is a dish that is best served cold.
|publisher=IDW Publishing
|date=[[April 15]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=April 2009
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Nick Roche]] and [[James Raiz]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]] and [[Andy Schmidt]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]
}}
'''Is this the Dynobots' last stand?'''

==Synopsis==
In [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] stares down at [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]'s dead body, brooding about how it's his fault Sludge is dead... while there's still a battle raging on around him, as [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] points out while tackling Grimlock out of the way of a stray blast. The battle in question is between [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], unable to agree on who has the greater claim to killing [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]]s. The mechs being fought over, meanwhile, are watching the spectacle with bemusement. Eventually Snarl, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] decide to get to the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s' ship while the getting's good, but both Grimlock and Hot Rod choose to stay in the fight for their own personal reasons.

Elsewhere, [[Joshua Red|Agent Red]] gets word from one of his field units that they have reacquired [[Laserbeak (G1)|Seekers One]] and [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Two]] from the coordinates Shockwave provided them with. He also learns that Shockwave is currently battling an "unidentified mecha" in another location, and one of the techs asks if she should transmit the disarm code for the bomb in Shockwave's head. Red tells her to hold off as long as possible, as he wants all of their stray robots recovered first. If Shockwave recovers them all before the time is up, she should let the bomb detonate instead.

Back in Dallas, Grimlock tries infusing some of his [[spark]] energy into Sludge to revive him, but it seems to have no effect. Meanwhile, Shockwave notes that, while the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster process]] has increased Scorponok's abilities greatly, the fear from his [[Abraham Dante|organic component]] has decreased his overall functioning just enough for Shockwave to get the upper hand. He pins Scorponok down and further notes that, though he could kill Scorponok easily, he has no real reason to do so, and is willing to let Scorponok escape. Scorponok takes him up on the offer, and uses his "exit strategy" as soon as Shockwave lets him up. Grimlock turns from Sludge's body and tries to attack Scorponok in vengeance, but he's too late to stop Scorponok's escape. As he yells in frustration, Shockwave tells Grimlock how many years he's cost him. That goads Grimlock into attacking Shockwave, as the timer on the bomb in Shockwave's head counts down to being 12 minutes from going off.

''Shockwave and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] strike a deal—Soundwave will clone the [[Skywatch]] disarm code, if Shockwave will tell him how to break the [[alternate mode]] lock he's been placed under.''

Somewhere east of the battle, Slag, Snarl, and Swoop have all arrived at the Monsterbots' ship. [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] notices that there's only three of them but doesn't seem to care, telling them to hurry up and board the ship. He says they should just accept the fact that they and the Monsterbots are the same type of mech—rebels who only care about themselves. The Dynobots don't seem at all happy at this revelation.

While all this was going on, Hot Rod had struck out on his own to re-enter [[Machination]] central, and he finally locates Scorponok's original head. [[Hunter O'Nion]] arrives soon after and explains that the head is what's keeping Scorponok alive, and how Hot Rod can disconnect him for good. Before Hot Rod can do so, however, he gets yanked into the air by the rest of Scorponok.

Grimlock and Shockwave are too busy fighting to notice the return of Slag, Snarl, and Swoop, who reasoned that, while helping Grimlock might not be much of a cause, it still beats being no better than the Monsterbots. They ''are'' noticed by Sludge, however, who seems to have recovered due to Grimlock's treatment after all. The four of them dive into the fray proper, but Grimlock orders them to go after Scorponok instead, then tackles Shockwave through the wall of a nearby building.

Agent Red boards a helicopter, wanting to see the battle first-hand, and tells the tech she can transmit the disarm code. As she does so, Soundwave intercepts the code and clones it for Shockwave, who in turn tells Soundwave how to free himself. As Soundwave does, he wakes up Ravage and Laserbeak, who easily escape their own re-confinement. Shockwave then tells Grimlock that their battle this day has all been a charade, and that he never cared one bit about vengeance. He tries walking away with a statement that he's willing to forget the matter entirely as long as Grimlock doesn't interfere with him further. Grimlock will have none of that, and activates a grenade that blows the building they're in sky-high, the blast narrowly missing Agent Red's helicopter.

Underneath, in the middle of Machination central, Hot Rod is about to get squished by Scorponok, until the remaining Dynobots show up in just the nick of time. At Hot Rod's urgings, Swoop severs the connections keeping Scorponok's head conscious. But before they can kill the rest of Scorponok, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] shows up (having been sent a message earlier by Hot Rod) and tells them that Scorponok will be revived and made to answer to a tribunal instead. He then says they should purge the entire Machination facility, gather up all related Machination technology, and get as far away from [[Earth]] as possible as soon as possible—a plan that the Dynobots, Hot Rod, and Hunter are all perfectly okay with.

[[File:Maximum Dinos cast.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|Most of the cast of ''Maximum Dinobots'', pictured here trying to follow [[Michael Bay]]'s camerawork.]]
Three days later, on the ''[[Ark-32]]'', Hunter is told by [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] that [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] will need time in the [[CR chamber]], but should recover, as his spark kept him going after Hunter disconnected him. Furthermore, Ratchet was able to make so that Hunter will no longer be able to hear Sunstreaker's thoughts, though he doesn't know how to remove Hunter's implants completely. Hunter then receives a happy surprise in the form of an apparently perfectly healthy [[Jimmy Pink]] and [[Verity Carlo]], who run over to give him greetings and hugs.

Ultra Magnus tells [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] that, while he purged as much of the Machination as he could, Skywatch still knows all about them. Optimus says it can't be helped and that he hopes Skywatch believes everything Cybertronian was destroyed, as an unhappy looking Agent Red walks away from the debris left behind by the day's carnage.

Down in the brig, Ultra Magnus tells Grimlock that having Scorponok and Shockwave in custody should help offset Grimlock's own sentence. Grimlock says he doesn't care, so long as it's clear that it was his decision alone to go after Shockwave. Ultra Magnus assures him that the other Dynobots' warrants have been canceled, and Grimlock is content with that and the fact that Sludge is alive again thanks to him. The Dynobots meanwhile happily repair the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]''.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (1)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] (2)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (3)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] (6)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (7)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (8)
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (13)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (15)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] (16)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] (19)
}}
|c2=
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (4)
* [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (10)
* [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] (11)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
|c3=
* [[Joshua Red]] (9)
* [[Hunter O'Nion]] (14)
* [[Jimmy Pink]] (20)
* [[Verity Carlo]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==
"Sludge. Loyal. Resolute. Dependable. ''Dead.'' Because of me."
:—'''Grimlock'''

"See, generally it's easier keepin' tags on who we ''haven't'' ticked off."
:—'''Slag''' on the Dynobots' popularity

"Sludge got his circuits crispy fried, sure, but that goes with the territory. We don't ''do'' recriminations and we never, ever get all 'band of brothers.'"<br>
"I know, Snarl, I know. More's the pity. Because if we did, this might actually ''mean'' something. Instead it's just another meaningless statistic in a miserable excuse for a life."
:—'''Snarl''' and '''Grimlock'''

"At this distance, a focused ion blast will penetrate even your armour plating. The [[Abraham Dante|creature]] at the heart of you will perish. As I have no overriding imperative to truncate your existence it would be logical to stand down your weapons systems ''immediately''."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"The humans have a saying, payback's a '''bitch'''!"
:—'''Grimlock''' picks up the local lingo.

"I care nothing for this inconsequential duel, Grimlock. Here, today, it served a purpose. But now I say... let it ''end''. If you follow me, or persist in harassing me, I will kill you."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"Strange... it's like half of me is missing... I'm not sure who I am anymore.<br>
"You're our friend."<br>
"Welcome back Hunter."<br>
:—'''Hunter''', '''Jimmy''' and '''Verity''' are finally reunited.

"Sludge. Loyal. Resolute. Dependable. ''Alive.'' Because of me."
:—'''Grimlock'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* At the end of the story, Hot Rod reformats to his original Generation 1 form, thus <s>excusing</s> explaining (almost) his appearance in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' in that state.
* Likewise, in the CR Chamber, Sunstreaker is in a kind of transition from his IDW body to his ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' body. The transition looks almost complete—the only bit left from the IDW body is his head.
* Verity's hair has grown somewhat—her hair now spills out onto her shoulders, instead of just touching her neck.
*Speaking of Verity, both she and Jimmy were last seen being taken care of by Ratchet in [[Devastation issue 5|Devastation]] and were supposedly on the ark [[Devastation issue 6|when the Autobots left earth]].
* The Dinobots, sans Grimlock, would next be seen years later in [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|''Robots in Disguise'' #8]]. Meanwhile, Grimlock would reappear in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More than Meets the Eye'' #7]].

===Errors===
* Sludge is ''still'' drawn continuously with two different [[robot mode]] heads.
* Even though he carries Sludge's discarded [[energo weapon|energo-sword]] when he re-enters Machination HQ, Hot Rod apparently trades it for a dinky little metal pipe by the time he reaches the chamber that houses Scorponok's real head.
* In one panel, Shockwave's gun arm has a normal hand instead of the gun.
* There are some text balloon mix ups in a few areas. These are corrected in the trade.
* The "Before" box describing Shockwave's conversation with Soundwave is a panel too soon.
* Grimlock's ''T. rex'' mode is considerably less accurate in this issue, with the hands, head and posture all portrayed in a more "generic killer dinosaur" fashion, than the more realistic versions seen in earlier issues.

===Trivia===
* Snarl can use his ''Stegosaurus'' mode's dorsal plates as daggers.
* This issue was released on the same day as [[All Hail Megatron issue 10|''All Hail Megatron'' #10]]. Coincidentally, both issues feature someone (Ultra Magnus here) arriving after having received a distress call sent by Hot Rod in a [[Maximum Dinobots issue 4|previous]] [[All Hail Megatron issue 4|issue]].
* [[Hasbro]] wouldn't let [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''All Hail Megatron'' #1]] show a bit of blood on a shoe.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080924195510/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=4270&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45 Responses by Shane McCarthy at the IDW forums.</ref> They don't seem as bothered with ''sprays'' of the stuff being caused by Ravage and Laserbeak murdering people here.

===Covers (2)===
* '''Cover A:''' Scorponok, the Dynobots, Grimlock in dinosaur mode, and Hot Rod all look on over Sunstreaker driving away from an explosion: art by [[Nick Roche]] and colors by [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover B:''' Grimlock battles Shockwave as the Dynobots look on, with art by [[Marcelo Matere]] and colors by Priscilla Tramontano.

<gallery>
File:MaximumDinobots_5a.jpg|'''Cover A''' - Thank you, Simon!
File:MaximumDinobots_5b.jpg|'''Cover B''' - Gimme that gun, you one-eyed freak!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation|Revenge of the Fallen]]''
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* ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival]]'' TPB
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===Reprints===
<small>Other than [[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots#Collections|collections of the full series]].</small>
* N/A

==References==
{{reflist}}

Maximum Dinobots issue 3

2024-01-31T17:24:13Z

Repowers: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=maxdinos|issueno=3
|prev=Maximum Dinobots issue 2
|next=Maximum Dinobots issue 4
|image=MaximumDinobots 3b.jpg
|caption=Peekaboo! Shockwave sees you!
|publisher=IDW Publishing
|date=[[February 18]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=February 2009
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#2006-7|Maximum Dinobots]]
}}
'''The Dinobots come apart at the seams, and the Headmasters hit Fallon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] is brought online by [[Skywatch]]. Rather than try and usurp his will, [[Joshua Red|Agent Red]] has placed a bomb in his head which will explode in 24 hours if a signal is not transmitted. This is how much time Shockwave has to hunt down [[Laserbeak (G1)|the]] [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|seekers]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Thunder-Lizards]]. Shockwave seems compliant, until he chillingly states that he could lay waste to a substantial portion of the planet in 24 hours, leaving Agent Red and his team to worry.

The [[Sunstreaker clone]]s break through Skywatch's blockade and are ordered by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to concentrate on [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]], as he is curious to see whether or not the other Dynobots will come to his rescue. Regardless of the results, however, none of them are getting out of [[Fallon]] alive.

[[File:Dynobots divided MaximumDinos.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Grimlock, believing he's brought the others over to his side, is brought down to earth when [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], whose hard-won trust made him think they were all part of something bigger than themselves, accuses him of throwing all they had away on a whim. Swoop wonders if Grimlock ever cared about any of them and decides to abandon the team. Following his example, the others leave, despite Grimlock's pleas. Angered, Grimlock starts saying from now on he'll only look out for number one, but is blasted in the chest mid-sentence. The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] arrive on scene in far greater numbers than their previous encounter, and Grimlock uses them to vent his frustrations as the other Dynobots watch on.

[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] seems rather unimpressed with Scorponok's oh-so-grand plan of him becoming a CEO. An increasingly irritated Scorponok points out Hot Rod is well aware this is only the first stage of many, and if Hot Rod wants to remain alive, he should show a little more awe.

Grimlock is overwhelming the clones, but a massive volley from those out of biting range does serious damage. Repeated blasts look ready to finish him off, but [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] barrels straight through them. [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and a returned Swoop quickly following suit. The attack on Grimlock has reminded them that they are always Dynobots, regardless of their differences, although Swoop makes certain Grimlock knows this time it's on Swoop's terms. The reconciliation is cut short, however, as more and more Headmasters appear, until the Dynobots find themselves at the business end of dozens of weapons. Scorponok gives the order to execute them.

In [[Dallas]], [[Hunter O'Nion]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] come up on the [[Machination]] HQ. Hunter takes over and forces Sunstreaker to hide while he transforms to his human body. He believes that of the two, he's the only one whose likely to keep a level head, and therefore he's going to be the one to check out the situation.

[[File:DoublecrossGrotusqueMaximumDinos.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The Dynobots attack, but the sheer weight of numbers is too much. As they are overwhelmed, Swoop says he'd rather be in a fight with his team than on his own. Grimlock, in turn, admits that he created the Dynobots for all the wrong reasons, but he's glad that the five of them are together in the end. However, as the Headmasters swarm over them, an energy blast hits, freeing the Dynobots. A ship hovers overhead. Slag realizes who's inside and is less than happy over who Grimlock contacted to help fix the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]'', as the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s descend onto the battlefield. [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]], [[Doublecross]], and [[Grotusque]] quickly take over the fight, telling Grimlock that their trip had better have been worth it and to remember that, while they're all outcasts, the Monsterbots are not a soft touch. Taking a breather, the Dynobots are extremely disgruntled by the Monsterbots' arrival, and Swoop wonders at them being referred to as outcasts, but Grimlock isn't about to let the Monsterbots take over the fight, and he orders the Dynobots to attack. Slag, Snarl and Sludge grin even as Swoop marvels that after all he's put them through, they don't hesitate to obey. As one, the Dynobots leap into the fray. The Headmasters' confidence is shattered, and they try to make a run for it.

Hot Rod bursts out laughing, reveling in the fact that Scorponok's master plan hinged on one of the most unpredictable and uncontrollable bunch of Cybertronians there is. Scorponok has had enough, and he orders two Headmasters to take Hot Rod outside and shoot him. Hot Rod continues to laugh as he's dragged out, and his executioners wonder if he's snapped. As they enter the elevator to the surface, one notices it getting hotter, which makes sense, as Hot Rod suddenly bursts into flame, killing them both. As the elevator door opens, Hot Rod tries to stumble out, but his crippled leg gives way and he collapses. Hot Rod seems resigned to his fate, and Hunter stares into the compound.

In [[Portland]], Shockwave tracks down who was interfering with Skywatch's seekers: [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (6)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (7)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (8)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (9)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] (10)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] (11)
* [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (13)
* [[Doublecross]] (14)
* [[Grotusque]] (15)
|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] (1)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] (16)
|c3=
* [[Joshua Red]] (2)
* [[Hunter O'Nion]] (12)
|c4=
* [[Sunstreaker clone]]s (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Twenty-four hours. Agent Red, do you have any conception of how much ''damage'' I could do to this insubstantial world in that time?"
:—A scary '''Shockwave'''

"Say we get off this planet. What then? Can you honestly tell me there's one single, solitary bridge... that hasn't been ''burned!''"
:—A bitter '''Swoop'''

"Swoop, ''wait!'' Don't--We're... a team. <br />
Fine. Frag you all. I don't need you. I ''never'' needed you."
:—A pissy '''Grimlock'''

"I would caution you, Hot Rod, to maintain a degree of awe in any future vocalizations. For when you cease to be impressed...you cease to ''be''."
:—'''Scorponok''' taking bad-guy exposition to the next level.

"I was wrong, Grimlock. Better in battle with warrior brothers than in quiet solitude."<br />
"I pulled us together for all the ''wrong'' reasons. But at least we're together... one last time."
:—'''Swoop''' and '''Grimlock''', making up

"All I'll say, Grimlock, is whatever it is you've ''got'' for us... it'd better be good!"<br />
"It's not like we do this stuff for ''fun''! Okay, we ''do'', but there's a principle here, you understand."<br />
:—'''Repugnus''' and '''Grotusque'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Grimlock bisects a Sunstreaker drone with his sword... including the head! Great, now someone's gotta explain this to that head's family.
* Grimlock's quote is surprisingly accurate -- in the subsequent ten years of published IDW stories, Grimlock never reunited with the other Dinobots.

===Transformers references===
* The artwork on Cover B bears a striking similarity to the cover of [[End of the Road! (US)|the final issue of Marvel's run]], but it is unknown if this was intentional.

===Real-world references===
[[File:Eugenesis easteregg.jpg|thumb|200px|James Roberts E.]]
* Grimlock's interrupted line "it's all about me, griml-" is likely a reference to his caveman-like speech pattern from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]], where he'd frequently refer to himself as "me, Grimlock".
* Among the books perched on the shelf in the final panel of the issue is a tome by James Roberts, its title mostly off-panel but beginning with an E. This is a reference to ''[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/features/eugenesis/ Eugenesis]'', an unofficial Transformers novel published in the United Kingdom in 2001, penned by fan [[James Roberts]], which grew out of the "[[Transmasters UK|Transmasters]]" circle of authors and artists of which Nick Roche was originally part and in which he rose to prominence.
* In addition to ''Eugenesis'', Soundwave's [[Devastation issue 4|80s-obsessed "owner"]] has a book titled "Kneedeep in the Hoopla" by "Marcus Benatar". ''{{w|Knee Deep in the Hoopla}}'' is the mid-80s {{w|Starship (musical group)|Starship}} album that gave us the power-schlock classic "{{w|We Built This City}}". The author's name is presumably a sidelong reference to 80s icon {{w|Pat Benatar}}.

===Errors===
* Hey, Repugnus, wasn't your Spark [[Garrus-9|in jail]] back in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]"?

===Trivia===
* When the Headmasters first blast Grimlock, they shoot right through the torso of one of their own. Damn.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Swoop hovering over a "Welcome to Fallon" sign, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Joana Lafuente]].
* '''Cover B:''' Grimlock holding a clone's severed head, with Shockwave looming behind, by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover RI:''' B&W version of cover A

<gallery>
File:MaximumDinobots 3a.jpg|'''Cover A''' - Welcome to Fallon. Hey, it's better than Jersey!
File:MaximumDinobots 3b.jpg|'''Cover B''' - Grimlock was determined to get a'''head''' in the world.
File:MaximumDinobots 3ri.jpg|'''Cover RI''' - Fallon's so crappy even colors don't wanna be there!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' TV series (interior)
* ''Dollhouse'' TV series (interior)
* [[Maximum Dinobots issue 4|''Maximum Dinobots'' #4]]
* {{i|G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' comic}}
* ''[[Transformers Animated (IDW)|Transformers Animated]]'' screencap comic volumes
* ''Classic [[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' Volume One
* ''[[Doctor Who]]: The Whispering Gallery''
* ''Doctor Who: Classics Series 2''
* ''[[Star Trek]]: Countdown''
* ''{{i|G.I. Joe: Origins}}''
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' TPB Volume 1 (back cover)

===Reprints===
<small>Other than [[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots#Collections|collections of the full series]].</small>
* N/A

Changing Gears

2024-01-24T16:40:51Z

Repowers:

{{disambig2|the 1985 cartoon episode|the movie-era book|Transformers Classified: Switching Gears|Switching Gears}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=18
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=12
|prev2=Autobot Spike
|next2=Traitor (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=27
|prev3=Roll for It
|next3=Attack of the Autobots (episode)
|image=ChangingGears Happy Gears.jpg
|caption=OMG! You guys! This is so awesome! Yay!
|title="Changing Gears"
|season=2
|season ep=2
|production code=#700-17
|airdate=[[October 1]], 1985
|written by=[[Larry Parr]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHFIS9SJrTs
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''In a plot to drain the Sun for power, the Decepticons capture and alter the grumpy Autobot Gears.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Changegearsskywarp.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Photograph taken immediately post-stair-pushing.]]
The [[Decepticon]]s attack [[human]]s working in a gold mine and take them prisoner. Just as [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] is about to blast a human calling for help on a radio, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] backhands him, saying that he wants the human to bring the [[Autobot]]s.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] orders the Autobots to assemble at once, which they do with lots of hustle. The only exception is [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], who complains the whole way. Prime orders his troops to head out to the mine to engage their enemies.

[[File:Changegearsinahole.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Team Rocket traps Gears in a hole in order to steal his Pikachu.]]

A battle ensues when they arrive, but Megatron lets the miners get in the way. Unwilling to endanger humans, Prime orders the Autobots to hold their fire. Megatron uses this chance to get the drop on the Autobots, then takes Gears captive for purposes unknown and retreats.

In [[Africa]], Megatron has Starscream zap Gears with the [[null-ray]], then takes out a special circuit from Gears's body. The Decepticon leader explains that this circuit is the final component he needs for his energy-absorbing [[Solar Needle]], a solar collector which his Decepticons have constructed to harness energy from the heart of the [[Sun]]. With the circuit in place in the needle, the device activates and causes world-wide earthquakes. Unbeknownst to Megatron, the Solar Needle is flawed, causing a dangerous instability within the core of the Sun.

The effect on Gears is profound as well. The removal of this component from Gears corrupts his personality, turning him from a surly grump into a happy-go-lucky, ultra-polite guy who'll do absolutely anything for anyone. This allows Megatron to manipulate and control him. Mentally, Gears still knows the Decepticons are evil and doesn't want to help them, but he's been rendered so "nice" that he can't refuse any request.

The Autobots blast through the jungle and start firing at the Solar Needle, but it's protected by a [[force field]]. Prime concocts a dangerous plan to circumvent the field by jumping through the hole at the top where the Sun's energy is coming through. [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] say it's too dangerous, but [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] drives past them, makes the attempt and shatters the force field.

[[File:Changegearsmegatrontriumphs.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Let there be light!"]]
The 'Bots battle. Megatron gets the drop on Prime and orders the Autobots to surrender or he'll shoot their leader. Prime orders them to fight on, but the Autobots capitulate. Prime asks for one last request, which Megatron allows. The chief Autobot turns and asks Gears to do him a favor now. Gears obliges and shoots a component of the needle. Inspired by his change of heart, the Autobots fight back against the 'Cons, who retreat.

Prime orders [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and Ratchet to deactivate the device, but they argue over the correct solution. Out of time and with the Sun about to explode, Optimus just grabs at a wire inside the device and pulls. The needle shuts down and the Sun returns to normal.

Prime removes Gears's circuit card from the needle and hands it back to him, but [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] interrupts, saying that the rest of the Autobots like the new Gears over the old. Gears isn't too happy about that, so Optimus returns the card and the surly, cranky hypochondriac is back. The Autobots roll on back to headquarters, leaving Gears to complain to himself.
{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (9)
*[[Hound (G1)#Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (10)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)#Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (11)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (12)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (14)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (16)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (17)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (18)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
*[[Mirage (G1)#Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (20)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (21)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (22)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (23)
}}
|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (3)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (4)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (6)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (7)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (8)
|c3=
*Miners (1)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:ChangingGears Gears Bee acrobatics.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|This act is illegal in 23 states and the District of Columbia.]]
'''Ironhide:''' "Action first, Gears; maintenance later."<br>
'''Gears:''' "Easy for you to say. Your pulleys don't squeak!"<br>
'''Bumblebee:''' "Your ''squeaking''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s not the problem—[''does a forward flip over Gears'']—it's your ''squawking!''"

"Go ding your diodes and get defunct, Megatron. I’m not helping you do zilch."
:—Cranky, gutsy '''Gears'''

"Megatron is behind this. I’d bet my titanium torsion bars on it."
:—That's probably a safe bet, '''Optimus Prime'''

"I should be very angry at you, Megatron. You ''are'' an evil son of a [[retrorat]], but for some reason, I just can't get too upset."
:—Cheery, nice '''Gears'''

"I should have destroyed you when I had the chance, but Megatron can't save you now!"<br>
"Heheheh, I really hate to disappoint you, Starscream, but you better look behind you!"<br>
"Do you seriously expect me to fall for such a stupid trick?"
:—'''Starscream''' refuses to be distracted by '''Gears''' warning of an impending charge from Bumblebee.

[[File:ChangingGears got a bang out of that.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
"How can I help you, Megatron, heh heh, you rotten hunk of scrap?"
:—'''Gears''', piling on the flattery.

"What did you do to Gears, you monster? You turned him...''nice!''"
:—'''Ironhide''', at Gears's sudden change in personality.

"All right, now let's blast that Solar Needle and roll out."<br>
"I suppose you want me to do that."<br>
"Be my guest."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Gears''', grumpy once again.

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Changegearstakeitout.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|KALI MA! KALI MA!]]
* Gears's parts list: unlubed cable relays, squeaky pulleys (twice!), a cramped chronometer, a vibrating sequential camshaft, a trembling gyroscope, and besides that—
* Gears's special circuit board looks like an audio cassette tape. Whether it can [[Mini-Cassette|transform]] is not yet known.
* It may seem bizarre that Gears's personality is "modulated" by a circuit in his chest when Transformers generally keep their brains in their heads, but "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]", "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]" and "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]" all feature Transformers with memory circuits in their chests.
* Gears uses the same hook-shaped welding tip that Brawn used to free Huffer, way back in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".
* Where does the trailer go?
** At the end of the episode, Optimus Prime's trailer just randomly drives itself out of the jungle and connects to his truck mode. Seriously, where does that thing go when he's in robot mode?
* The gun Megatron pulls out of thin air and uses against the Autobots has the same distinct shape of his "high-density infrared laser cannon", the hand-held gun his [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]] came with. Whether it was just a pure coincidence of animation or an intentional inclusion is unknown, though the sound effect used for the blast is quite clearly the one used for his [[Fusion cannon]].
* Yes, yes, we know, [[Solar Needle]], [[Star Harvester]] in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', blah blah, we ''promise'' you that ''IT IS NOT AN ACTUAL REFERENCE.''

===Animation or technical glitches===
* Missing Seeker insignia:
** Skywarp and Thundercracker are both missing their wing emblems as they dive to fire on the miners.
* The mining car, loaded with gold, ''explodes'' when it gets shot by a laser beam. Maybe what the miners really struck was TNT.
* Ravage is ''tiny'' when he tackles the trapped miner, not more than 4 feet long.
* Coloring errors:
** Megatron's Decepticon symbol is a medium gray instead of purple when he bashes Starscream aside.
** The shot of Prime transforming to roll out for the gold mine is recycled as the Autobots leave for Africa. This is not an error in and of itself; however, Cliffjumper being colored yellow is!
** Ratchet's [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is missing some red detailing as he rolls out behind Hound.
** The running light housings on Prime's chest are white instead of red as he order the Autobots to "look sharp". The same error repeats later, as he reacts to the falling boulders outside Autobot Headquarters.
** Starscream's shoulder intakes are light gray instead of red when Megatron says that time is running out for Prime.
** Megatron's elbow is gray instead of red as he threatens to destroy the universe.
** Trailbreaker has a light gray fist as he and the others listen to Gears complain. It should either be a light gray gun-arm or a black fist.
* Sunstreaker and Trailbreaker run past Gears twice in successive shots.
* The size and shape of the corridor that Gears is walking through changes radically between shots; it's much smaller when Ironhide chastises him. In the same shot, the corridor floor is sliding underneath both Autobots much faster than the pace of their walk.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots: Lots of Autobots come and go throughout the episode. The core Autobot cast is pretty consistent (Prime, Hound, Cliffjumper, Gears, Ratchet, Jazz, Wheeljack, Sunstreaker, Bumblebee, Ironhide and Trailbreaker; this is, for example, the group that gathers to look down on the Solar Needle, and again after the Decepticons retreat.) But several Autobots just show up for one or two shots, infrequently enough that it's not clear if they should have been shown or not:
** Mirage is seen driving away from Autobot Headquarters (twice due to recycled animation), dodging rocks the second time, and again jumping over the crevasse. He's never seen in [[robot mode]].
** Bluestreak and Brawn show up for a single shot at the mine. Later, Bluestreak is seen at Autobot HQ dodging boulders.
** Huffer's distinctive profile can be seen at the end of the Autobot convoy as they roll out first time.
** Sideswipe can be seen in the Autobot convoy just before they start blasting the jungle, and very briefly as the Autobots charge toward the Solar Needle.
* Despite Prime's warnings about not endangering the humans, the three miners are almost completely out of the Autobots' line of fire. Additionally, the Autobots make no attempt to move ''themselves'' out of the way.
* Megatron's transformation sequence is about half over by the time the corresponding transformation noise begins.
* Megatron reaches behind him to pull out his secondary gun. Given the angle of the shot, he pretty much has to have pulled it out of his... ahem... exhaust port.

* The animation doesn't really do such a great job of demonstrating that ''all'' the Autobots have been taken out of the fight, but that's about the only conclusion, since ''nobody'' makes any effort to combat the Decepticons after the "energized boulders" incident.
* The electrified cage holding Gears just vanishes after Starscream gives him the [[null-ray]] treatment.
* After Bumblebee says "Solar flares!", a quick shot shows the sun with the Solar Needle beam streaking into it, along with a locust-like energy sound effect. If the noise is audible when we're looking at the beam, shouldn't it be heard pretty much all the time everywhere on Earth?
* In the frequently-recycled shot of the destabilizing sun, some of the solar flares are flying past the camera. Given that they have blue sky behind them, that would mean Earth just got vaporized! In the same shot, the Solar Needle's energy beam is nowhere in sight.
* The shot of Starscream, Megatron, and Gears gaping at the newly activated Solar Needle is recycled after the first commercial break. The next shot has them all in different places and poses.
[[File:ChangingGears jungleclearing.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Seriously. No roots, stumps, stray rocks, or ''anything''.]]
* Jazz and Sunstreaker's weapons can ''vaporize'' trees? Whoa.
* The gray portion of Gears's chest is abnormally large as he says "I love being a slave!"
* The chunk of earth that breaks loose, endangering Bumblebee, is nowhere in sight in the previous shot.
* Wheeljack gets the wrong transformation noise as he returns to car mode after saving Bumblebee from falling into the crevasse.
* Cliffjumper has the wrong voice as he says "Let's stop gabbin' and start blasting!" It sounds like Don Messick.
* Multiple Autobots fire on the Solar Needle, but only one laser beam is shown hitting or getting reflected.
* Ironhide's mouth isn't moving as he declares that "It's a reflective energy shield!" Prime is waving his arm like he should be the one speaking.
[[File:ChangingGears Cliffjumper hits forcefield.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|This is like the Cliffjumper equivalent of a drinking dare.]]
* Cliffjumper is shown flying toward the center of the Solar Needle, where he's supposed to be going, but the next shot has him hitting one of the peripheral energy beams instead. (As Cliffjumper flies off after the impact, Megatron appears to be standing there waiting to catch him!)
* The Autobots leap downwards into the Solar Needle's periphery, but it's not really clear where they're leaping ''from''.
* When Starscream says the line "Oh, no, you don't. Your circuit stays right here," the voice saying the line is Skywarp's. The subsequent lines make it clear that this was supposed to be Starscream.
* Starscream's gun barrel has no interior as he aims it at Gears; it's just solid, uniform gray.
* As Soundwave ejects Ravage to attack Bumblebee, Laserbeak's cassette mode is shown (due to the scene being recycled from the previous shot of Laserbeak ejecting.)
* Starscream's laser beams aren't quite properly animated to glow as he shoots at Gears repeatedly.
* The boulder that smashes the jungle floor after Megatron retreats appears to have just fallen out of the sky; there's no hill or cliff visible at all.
* Wheeljack's "ears" aren't flashing as he celebrates with the other Autobots, nor as he laughs with them at Gears's threat.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:ChangingGears Prime Sun being zapped.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Prime's standing outside Autobot Headquarters, and the bottom of that beam of energy is in Africa. Totally buying that.]]
* Would the miners really find an entire truckload of gold on their ''first strike''?
* "Energized those boulders"? Uh...really?
* The energy beam that the Solar Needle fires into the sun makes contact with its target in seconds, and takes seconds to return to Earth. It should take a minimum of about 8 minutes to reach the sun, and a minimum of about 8 minutes to return.
* How can the sun be up in North America and Africa at the same time?
* The Autobots somehow '''drove''' from their base in the Western United States to the '''"geographic center of Africa"''' in '''"slightly less than 2 Earth hours"'''. After traveling through at least eight time zones, it appears to be roughly the '''same time of day''' as when the Autobots left their base.
* "Jazz! Sunstreaker! Laser us a road!" Prime apparently changes his mind on the flagrant destruction of flora some time between this episode and "[[Microbots]]", where he prevents Brawn from blasting a path through a South American jungle.
* Despite Ratchet's assertion that "no one could survive up there", Cliffjumper disrupts the energy shield with little more than a slight hangover to show for it.
** Also, none of the Autobots show much of a reaction to Cliffjumper's sacrifice. None of them even go to check on him. Of course, Ratchet's false assertion likely convinced the Autobots that Cliffjumper was dead, but still.
* Even with Prime disarmed, is Megatron pointing his cannon at Prime such a huge threat that the Autobots really have to surrender? He points that thing at Prime all the time!
* Gears produces two completely different guns from his arm: the one he pulls out when Prime is about to hit the pylon is round, while the one he pulls out to shoot the Solar Needle is square and has fins. In both cases, his fist slides out of his wrist ''holding the gun''. How does that even work??
* Does Gears ''really'' tip the odds that heavily in the Autobots' favor?
* What are these "battle stations" Megatron keeps ordering everyone to man? None of his troops do anything of the sort, probably because there are no "stations" anywhere in sight.
* Throughout the latter half of the episode, Optimus Prime and Megatron argue that the Solar Needle may/may not destroy the universe. While the Sun's exploding would obliterate our solar system, it couldn't destroy the universe in its entirety, unless the Solar Needle is some of the most advanced technology ever wielded by the Decepticons.

===Trivia===
[[File:Changinggearsautogroup.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"You heard Jeff Probst, now get off the island."]]
* This episode features a ''ton'' of recycled shots: Megatron slapping Starscream; the Autobots leaving HQ; Megatron aiming his cannon at Prime (complete with a pan over to the Autobots); the unstable sun; Megatron & co. gaping at the Solar Needle. Soundwave ejecting Laserbeak/Ravage is used at least four times, and the shot is copied almost line-for-line from "Transport to Oblivion". And of course, there's the ol' stock Optimus Prime transformation sequence.
[[File:G1 ChangingGears Ratchet karate.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."]]
* Cameo locations: Pisa, [[Italy]]; Paris, [[France]]; [[New York City]] (or rather, Liberty Island, home of the [[Statue of Liberty]]).
* As the Autobots descend the cliffside to fight the Decepticons, Gears slides down on his butt, arms up in the air.
* When Megatron throws Optimus into the energy beam, Prime's [[ion blaster]] disintegrates (in a blink-and-you-miss-it bit of animation) and he remains weaponless for the rest of the episode. Wow, chalk one up for continuity.
* In another nice bit of continuity, the Solar Needle sphere that nearly crushes Wheeljack is still laying there broken when the Autobots prepare to blow up the Needle.
* Ratchet has the moves in this episode. First he Bruce-Lee-kicks Thundercracker. Then he kicks a boulder to knock a falling pylon in order to make it miss Wheeljack. While awesome, the latter move totally breaks the laws of physics.
* Man, the Decepticons really get their tails whipped in this episode, huh? First the Autobots capture nearly all of them, then they get beaten so bad that they just up and flee without even getting the order from Megatron.
* Trailbreaker ''is'' joking about not giving Gears back his circuit card, right? There's definitely not enough time for the Autobots actually to take that vote!

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sauvez le Soleil'''" ("Save the Sun")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*[[Georges Atlas]] is absent from the episode. However, most of his characters are absent or don't talk. Only Ratchet is taken over by both [[Albert Augier]] and [[Gérard Hernandez]].
::*Several logo transitions were cut. It is unknown if it was that way for the original broadcast or if the episode was chopped for the DVD release.
::*When Megatron takes Gears, Optimus Prime says "Ils emmènent le petit !" ("They're taking the kid!"). However, Gears is called by his name in the rest of the episode.
::*Gear's line "Prime! The energy grid!" is absent from the dub, he is left silent.
::*While in English, Optimus Prime says "Ratchet, Wheeljack, on the double!", in the dub he only names Ratchet.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (both dubs):'' "'''Energia solare'''" ("Solar Energy")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Solar Energy o Nusume!'''" (ソーラーエネルギーを盗め!, "Steal the Solar Energy!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 21]], [[1985]]
:**Despite having this spotlight episode, the [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] toy was never sold in Japan during the show's original run. He was not made available in Japan until [[2004]].
:**This episode was actually broadcast in Japan ''before'' it aired in the United States; one of the few episodes of ''The Transformers'' to do so.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Huàn Biànsùxiāng '''" (换变速箱, "Changing Gears")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mudando as Marchas'''" ("Changing Gears")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Privoda podmenili'''" (Привода подменили, "Gears Is Quietly Substituted")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 4 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yhehkb99y8FMdQlXvZtoB8mXuUXW-OmN Episode dialogue script]

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

City of Steel (episode)

2024-01-23T15:56:03Z

Repowers: /* Toys inspired by this episode */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 episode|the ''Punishment'' issue|City of Steel (issue)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=19
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=23
|prev2=A Prime Problem
|next2=Auto Berserk
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=52
|prev3=Trans-Europe Express
|image=AutobotsNYC.jpg
|caption=Start spreading the news...
|title="City of Steel"
|season=2
|season ep=3
|production code=#700-18
|airdate=[[October 17]], [[1985]]
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-025jnUVxUE
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons invade New York City.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:CityofSteel ESB sinking.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Where will you be... the Day after Tomorrow.]]
Over New York City, [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] flies into the [[Decepticon]]s' underground base. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are digging a hole in the ceiling and the Autobots don't have a clue. After hours of digging, the Constructicons manage to sink the [[Empire State Building]] underground.

The [[Autobot]]s finally get wind of this and head to the city. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] plan to meet the rest of the Autobots at [[Central Park]]. However, Laserbeak spots them and reports back to [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. He plans to give the Autobots a surprising welcome.

At Central Park, the Autobots are ambushed by Soundwave and his crew, whilst underground the Constructicons inform Megatron that they're directly underneath Optimus Prime. Megatron orders them to dig while Optimus Prime is fighting [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]. Taken by surprise, Prime falls into the Decepticons' underground base where Megatron severs his [[motor relay]]s, making him powerless. Megatron then threatens the remaining Autobots that unless they leave he will melt the Autobot leader down to scrap. He also shows them his master plan, which is to rebuild New York into [[New Cybertron]]. The Constructicons raise the Empire State building back up, but now it looks like a Cybertronian fortress. Forced to leave the city, the Autobots are gloomy until [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] comes up with a plan to get into the city undetected.

[[File:CityofSteel Prime head.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"Aquaman calling all sea creatures!"]]
Seemingly victorious, Megatron gloats over Prime's still body. However, Megatron is still worried that Optimus Prime might try something and orders [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] to disassemble him, which he does with a handy energy blade. After Optimus is turned into a pile of parts, Megatron picks up his head and reactivates Optimus so he can gloat. Prime responds that even though he's in pieces he will still fight. Prime then activates his arms and trips up Megatron. Megatron orders the Constructicons to dispose of Prime's remaining parts how they choose, but he gets to keep the head.

Spike, Bumblebee, Ratchet, [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] enter the City through the sewers in the hope of rescuing Prime undetected. Elsewhere, the Constructicons are very pleased with themselves for what they did with Prime's left over body parts. They have special plans for his right arm and weapon.

[[File:Alligatorprime.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"What is it, Aquaman?"]]
While scanning for Prime, Hound is confused because his scans show Prime was behind them when before he was ahead. Mirage then spots a giant robot alligator seeming to be made of Prime's body parts (dubbed the [[Alligaticon]]) and the Autobots run away. They trap it in a train and send it and the train packing. When they reach the underground base they find Prime's head and reattach his circuits so he can speak. Prime then activates his legs remotely to come to him and the rest of the Autobots figure out that the Alligaticon was made up of Prime's parts. After capturing it, Ratchet reassembles Prime, minus the right arm. Now that Optimus is safe, the Autobots attack. The Decepticons have turned half of New York City into New Cybertron, complete with killer [[Battle taxi|taxis]], and they're using Prime's arm as a weapon on top of their fortress. The taxis go for Bumblebee, [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], but Prime runs them down.

[[File:BumblebeelovesNY.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Of course you do...]]
After breaking through the Decepticon defenses, Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Ratchet plan to scale the fortress to reclaim Prime's arm. Bumblebee and Spike plan to help by distracting Megatron and Soundwave, even going so far as to insult Megatron. Megatron orders an air strike, but when [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] is downed, the Constructicons become [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] and he follows Prime's team up the building. Meanwhile, Spike and Bumblebee manage to sneak in and annoy Megatron, by calling him Megaklutz, and tricking him into destroying the device that controlled Prime's arm. Outside Devastator captures Prime and knocks Ironhide and Ratchet into the fortress. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] then comments that the whole thing reminds him of ''[[King Kong]]'' as he tries to assist with his remote controlled helicopters. Spike then informs Prime that his arm is no longer controlled by Megatron, and Prime takes the opportunity to use it against Devastator. After Devastator gets hit Prime falls but is saved by Ironhide and Ratchet and as usual the Decepticons retreat.

Now the city is saved, Prime is back together and Bumblebee got a souvenir (an '{{w|I Love New York|I ❤ NY}}' bumper sticker). The Autobots [[roll out]] and return home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (23)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (30)
|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (4)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (7)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (10)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (25)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (26)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (27)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (29)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] (31)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (32)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (15)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!"
:—'''Long Haul,''' commenting on his [[alternate mode]].

"I feel like I'm in some messy swamp, not under the biggest city in North America."
:—'''Ratchet''', trudging through the sewers of New York.

"It sickens me to say it, Reflector, but this one time I have to hand it to Megatron. The place is finally starting to feel like home."
:—'''Starscream''' agrees with one of Megatron's plans, which heralds the coming of the apocalypse.

"I may not have a weapon, but I can still transform and roll!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to crush the battle taxis.

"O-hoo-hoo-hoo, here they come! Auto-Auto-Autobots!"
:—'''Mix-Mix-Mixmaster!'''

"Say 'uncle' or I'll shove your nose in your afterburner!"<br>
"Uncle, UNCLE!"<br>
"Gee, I didn't know Decepticons ''had'' uncles!"
:—'''Sideswipe''' lovingly deals with '''Starscream'''. He's obviously been practicing his [[jet judo]].

"You'll never catch us, Megaklutz!"<br>
"Megaklutz! You dare to insult me in my own command post?!"
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' daring to insult '''Megatron''' in his own command post.

"It will take more than your puny arm to stop Devastator!"<br>
"Right. Which is why it's lucky the hand at the end of that arm... is holding a gun!"
:—'''Devastator''' reels as '''Optimus Prime''' points out the single flaw in the combiner's otherwise brilliant tower-climbing plan.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft storyboards completed: 17th October 1984
* Storyboards revised: 2nd November 1984
* Storyboards slugged: 8th November 1984 by [[John Walker]]
* Dialogue recording: 12th November 1984

===Continuity notes===
*Megatron mentions the Constructicons nagging each other like "hyper-driven [[Chatteroid]]s". Sideswipe calls Laserbeak a "nosey nogoodnikon". Megatron threatens to melt Optimus Prime into paperclips if the Autobots interfere "one minicon". Hound's sensors say that Optimus Prime is ten "mechano-meters" in front of them. Optimus Prime refers to the Alligaticon as a "Reptilicon".<ref>Spellings and parsings from the "City of Steel" dialogue script.</ref>
*Powers and gadgets:
**Wheeljack and company all use their hydrofoils to cross New York Harbor.
**Hook uses a <s>lightsaber</s> laser sword to disassemble Prime.
**Hound displays his tracking sensors.
**Then of course, there's Prime's bizarre telekinetic limb control, something he evidently shares with a far less fortunate [[Waspinator (BW)|bot]].
**Ironhide deploys a grappling hook from his arm, with rappelling lines attached to it.
{{-}}

===Real-world references===
[[File:CityofSteel-Hook'slightsaber.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Let the hate flow through you.]]
[[File:Devastatorkingkong.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Giant: check. Empire State Building: check. But no beauty.]]
*''Star Wars'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak uses a whole series of ''Star Wars'' effects as he rockets over Manhattan, including a ''Millennium Falcon'' engine noise, the [[TIE Fighter]] engine roar (several times), the TIE Fighter ambient cockpit noise, and the sound of an X-Wing diving to attack the Death Star.
**Hook's <s>lightsaber</s> ''laser sword'' ignites with the sound of Luke deflecting the seeker ball's bolts aboard the ''Millennium Falcon''.
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] climbs the Decepticons' "improved" version of the {{w|Empire State Building}}, very similarly to [[King Kong]], as Wheeljack rather heavy-handedly points out.
*The Alligaticon is likely an allusion to the persistent rumors of alligators living in New York City's sewers.
*Various New York landmarks are seen and/or mentioned: the Twin Towers, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Woolworth Building (visible as the first Autobots leave Manhattan), the Brooklyn Bridge. Hound mentions Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Lexington Avenue.
*Scrapper invites the Autobots to "{{w|Take the A Train}}".
*The final shot in this episode shows Bumblebee with an "{{w|I Love New York|I &hearts; NY}}" bumper sticker, part of a famous promotional campaign.

===Animation or technical glitches===
As a Season 2 AKOM episode, "City of Steel" features the standard character model oddities:
*Soundwave's backpack is gray instead of blue.
*Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray instead of light gray.
*Prime's backpack is white.
*The "disk" on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow.
*Devastator retains his color scheme from [[Heavy Metal War]] (purple window on upper chest, purple top of chest plate, green crotch), rather than the revised color guide used by other studios starting in Season 2.

As an AKOM episode in general, "City of Steel" features an absurd number of straight-ahead animation mistakes:
*Coloring errors:
**Laserbeak's beak is the same dark gray as his head as he flies through the sewers.
**Laserbeak's beak is dark gray (again) as he reports the Autobot sighting. He also has a little bird tongue!
**Scavenger's cab window is green instead of white as he rides the scissor lift.
**Bumblebee's fists are light gray instead of dark gray as Prime orders the Autobots to transform.
**The back of Soundwave's legs are white instead of blue as Prime picks him up during the Central Park fight.
**Ironhide is dark gray instead of red as the Autobots cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
**When Optimus activates his dismembered legs, his head crest is colored entirely in dark gray instead of light gray and blue.
**As Megatron gloats over Prime's dismembered bits, Mixmaster is colored like Bumblebee.
**The first shot of Frenzy driving the train shows him [[FIRRIB|colored like Rumble]].
**As he rams the Constructicons' position, one of Prime's headlights isn't colored white. Of course, it shouldn't be there at all, being part of the arm he's missing at this point.
**Two Laserbeak cassettes (red details) leave Soundwave's chest during the battle at the end. One should be Buzzsaw, with gold details. The condors don't get a transformation sound effect as they convert to robot form.
*It's not without precedent, but Soundwave usually has to push his shoulder button to open his chest compartment. As Laserbeak returns, it opens of its own accord. In the same shot, Soundwave's shoulder button is dark blue instead of light gray.
*As Scavenger rolls past Soundwave, he starts growing larger before he even begins to climb the ramp that's supposed to be bringing him closer to the camera's point of view. At the end of the same pan shot, Hook's head is green instead of black.
*There is ''no way in Hell's Kitchen'' that dinky little scissor lift is strong enough to support the weight of the Empire State Building.
*Wheeljack's team is ''vastly'' oversized as they cruise past the Statue of Liberty.
*For some reason, Prime's voice is muffled as if it's a radio transmission as the Autobots drive along the highway.
[[File:Tinybluestreak.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Baby Bluestreak watches in horror as Giganticus Prime commences his rampage.]]
*There appears to be a total of ten Constructicons working on the Empire State Building.
*Soundwave's shoulder cannon is red and Megatron's face is a darker gray than usual as Megatron laughs about his "terminal welcome" joke.
*Frenzy's mouth isn't moving as he says "Can be hazardous".
*As the Autobots transform, a layering error results in a tiny Bluestreak standing in front of a normal-sized Ratchet and Ironhide, next to a Devastator-sized Optimus.
*Ironhide doesn't so much get knocked down by Frenzy and Rumble's earthquake attack as he does just walk along and randomly fall over. His back is colored light gray instead of dark gray in the sequence.
[[File:CityofSteel Scavengerwreckstheceiling.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*When Scavenger is beating the bucket of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] against the ceiling below Central Park, a misplaced cel means the cracks that are supposed to be forming in the ceiling appear ''in front'' of his arm instead.
*As usual in the cartoon universe, metal cracks, splits and crumbles just like rock.
*In a long shot of the Autobot/Decepticon battle in Central Park, Bumblebee is inexplicably grappling with Bluestreak while Ratchet fights Reflector.
*In the Central Park sequence, Scavenger's vehicle mode is ''huge'', towering over Megatron and with a bucket significantly larger than Optimus.
*Prime falls a long way into the Decepticon base, but in the previous shot, he was standing on Scavenger's shovel. When Prime finally lands on the base's floor, Scavenger is there waiting for him.
*Prime's "motor relays" are right there in his stomach-grille? Wha? (AKOM shows Jazz having critical circuits in his car mode grille in "The Core", as well.)
*Soundwave's shoulder button is blue again as he presses it to communicate with Megatron. The sound effect that plays is usually reserved for an opening hatch or door. And Soundwave doesn't usually have to push that particular button to radio someone.
*The shot of the submerged Empire State Building is recycled from the earlier scene (ten Constructicons, remember?) Two of the tiny figures shown are supposed to be Megatron and Soundwave, but they're both shown to be on the surface by that point.
*The scene freezes for several seconds as the rebuilt Empire State Building is about to be raised above ground, complete with non-moving clouds of dust and smoke. After the building is raised, the same shot is recycled, showing it back down in the ground.
*Spike says "take a left", but the Autobots take a ramp that goes right.
*A layering error has Megatron's hand passing in front of Prime's smokestack, which is much closer to the camera. Result: a visually microscopic Megatron.
*Prime's eye-flashes don't quite line up with his optics.
*Scrapper's mouthplate isn't moving as he carries Optimus Prime's arm.
*For all their reaction to the Alligaticon, the Autobots sure aren't in any hurry to get away from it. They stroll away at a very leisurely pace.
*Scrapper has Sideswipe's voice as he says the "riding down their own grave" line.
[[File:CityOfSteel Starscream New Cybertron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream has only one wing insignia as he admires the cityscape.
*What the heck were Prime's legs supposed to be, anyway? Part of [[Starscream's Ghost|a crypt]] or something? They're just standing there in a tunnel when Prime summons them.
*Ratchet's voice is more like Gears' as he says the "don't let go" line.
[[File:CityOfSteel Mirage carrying alligatorcon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"This episode is dumb and stupid!"<br>"From the looks of the animation, I'd say a little of both."]]
*One of the series' most infamous dialog screwups happens as the Autobots wrestle with the [[Alligaticon]]. Mirage and Ratchet say, in perfect sync, "This alligator is big and heavy!" Prime then responds with the sage observation: "From the looks of it, I'd say a little of both." The scene appears to be the result of an editing and directorial snafu. Prime should be responding to the Autobots' previous lines: "Now we've got him!" "Or should I say, we've got ''you''?" "I'd say a little of both!" And the combined Ratchet and Mirage line was likely intended to be a series of ad libs as the Autobots struggle with the Alligaticon, rather than a straight line delivered before Prime's line.
*Prime's telekinetic waves change from wide circles, to a narrow band. The narrow band finds its way to.... nothing. It then snaps off with a really loud sound effect.
*Ratchet's mouth disappears for a split second as he finishes repairing Prime.
*One of Prime's chest windows, and one of his exhaust stacks, are among the leftover parts as he stands up.
*Wheeljack's ears aren't flashing as he says "This sure isn't little old New York anymore".
*As Megatron and Soundwave zero in on the Autobots on their monitor, Prime has both his arms.
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Jazz suddenly shows up for a single shot as the Autobots scatter from Prime's rifle fire.
*Hound and Bluestreak get two sequential transformation effects as they change to car mode, with a slight pause between them, instead of one continuous sound.
*Don't Hound and Bluestreak look where they're going when they drive? There's this huge hole in the street and they just drive right into it.
*Scrapper's voice comes out of nowhere to say the "A train" line to Hound and Bluestreak.
*The car mode Autobots just kind of float over the battle taxis. How'd they do that?
*How long's it take for the animators to forget that truck mode Prime is missing an arm? Only one shot! He's intact for his entire ramming sequence against the taxis and the Constructicons. Only when he rolls up to Ironhide and transforms is his bumper/arm missing again.
*Lots of missing Seeker insignias as the Decepticon jets launch their attack.
*Is Megatron supposed to be touching the blue button on his belly to radio Scrapper? 'Cause he totally misses it.
*Scrapper's voice is a bit off as he gives the order to combine. It's not quite as bad as before, but still not the correct hoarse rasp.
[[File:CityofSteel devastator kong.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[The Core|And now]] he's ''broken'' his 20th Anniversary Prime toy.]]
*Devastator's scale is always an issue, but he's ''really'' oversized here, smashing an entire multi-story building aside with a single blow. Man, [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] must've [[Prime Directive issue 4|really loved]] this dorky episode, huh?
*Devastator has two eyes instead of an eyeband as he holds Optimus, and again as he fends off the helicopters.
*Why is Wheeljack upset? Devastator didn't manage to touch his helicopters!
*Does Prime really have to telekinetically control his ''rifle''? Wouldn't pulling the trigger suffice?
*As is normal when a good guy's life is at stake, Devastator (holding Optimus) falls for an absurdly long time. He's moving incredibly slowly as he passes Ironhide and Ratchet.

===Continuity errors===
*Laserbeak's shoot-to-enter door system seems rather improbable, or at least pointlessly complicated. In particular, how does the manhole cover know to land right back on top of the entrance?
*Let's not even get into the plausibility of lowering a thousand-foot building into the ground, rebuilding it for beings several times the size of a human, and then rebuilding it ''again'' into its original form. Ditto for the rest of Manhattan, actually.
*The TV newscaster is heard saying "''...meanwhile, officials are baffled as to the cause of the disappearance of the world-famous Empire State Building.''" Aside from the fact "officials" should be able to just look down the giant hole to Megatron's operation, why is this no higher than ''second'' in newsworthiness? The episode precedes the now-ubiquitous 24-hour news cycle, but what could possibly have been ''more'' notable than the disappearance of an entire skyscraper? It should be all they can talk about for the entire broadcast.
* Prime apparently keeps fragile vital circuits right out in front on his tummy, where one poke from a cyber-doojit can totally disable him. Lucky nobody tried that move on him ever again!
*With all the freaking huge cannons that the Decepticons installed, it's Prime's firearm that's the big cause for panic?
*Megatron, ensconced in his headquarters, responds to a comment of Spike's while Spike is riding down the street inside Bumblebee. How could he possibly hear what he said?
*After Prime dispatches the battle-taxis, there's a scene transition, followed by a shot of Ironhide standing still and not doing anything. Prime rolls up to him and declares "That's the way to cool it, Ironhide!", which strongly indicates that Ironhide was supposed to have been doing something with his liquid nitrogen that got cut out, even though Prime's response didn't.
*Why on earth do the Decepticon jets just fly right through their own building? If the idea is that the Autobots shot them and made them lose control, the animation completely fails to show it.
[[File:Cos prime disassembled.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I would have waited an eternity for this. It's over, Prime!.... I should probably kill you right now, shouldn't I?"]]
*Spike's "Now, Bumblebee!" line is ridiculous filler. The elevator door opens, they step into Megatron's headquarters, Megatron and Soundwave are right there in front of them... when ''else'' were they going to enact their brilliant plan? And how come Megatron's HQ has no security system to keep them out to begin with?
*While it might be true of Spike, it's kind of weird that Megatron refers to both Spike ''and Bumblebee'' as "Earth pests."
*Where did Wheeljack find two missile-equipped helicopters?
*Megatron retreats, saying "The Autobots may have destroyed our city of New Cybertron"... but the Autobots really have done nothing of the sort.
*Why didn't the Constructicons find the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] when they took apart Prime?
*Even more curious, how is it that Optimus can survive being reduced to a talking head, when the much lesser damage he took in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was enough to kill him? Is this because he was supposedly "disassembled", for the most part, rather than damaged?
*Wouldn't it have been a good idea to take three minutes to reattach Optimus Prime's arm ''before'' getting to work on putting the city's buildings back to normal, so that he could have maybe ''helped''? Rather than doing it as the very last thing before they leave? The restoration itself appears to have been completed astonishingly quickly, despite the Autobots not having construction specialists ([[Grapple (G1)|yet]]) and the Cybertronian conversion requiring [[Constructicon (G1)|a team of six]].

===I Love New York errors===
[[File:CityofSteel Hound tracking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Cityofsteel ironhide grapple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The opening pan from the Hudson River shows the Chrysler Building ''south'' of the Empire State Building. It should be north. Both buildings are ''way'' too far south relative to the Twin Towers.
*"Meet us in Central Park" is an incredibly vague order, considering the size of the place.
*The Autobots don't really stop ''in'' Central Park; there's buildings on two sides of them. No traffic or pedestrians, though. Or sidewalks.
* As the Decepticons prepare to raise it back into position, the Empire State Building is drawn as if it borders a park.
*The Brooklyn Bridge is more than just three lanes wide. It also does not have an exit ramp at mid-span.
*Oh, man. Spike went swimming in the East River in 1985? He ''is'' a super-human.
*It could just be chalked up to Hound's optimism, but most subway tracks don't end at a river.

===Trivia===
*Along with "[[The Core]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]", this episode is one of a trio animated by [[AKOM]], showcasing the Constructicons and featuring distinctively bright and "cartoonish" art and animation, lots of use of stock poses, a somewhat more juvenile plot and script than normal, and a common set of animation model oddities (listed above).
*Though it is widely regarded in the [[fandom]] as his normal way of speaking, this is in fact the only time Mixmaster's speech oddity ("Right right right. Mega Mega Megatron!") ever shows up.
*This episode's [[dialogue script]] reveals a deleted scene: the Autobot group waterskiing into the harbor were to use their powers in a fight against Skywarp, Starscream, and Thundercracker (where Mirage was to reference Starscream as a "sitting [[duckatron]]" for blasting Hound's hologram instead of the real one). It makes the Autobots' worrying immediately afterwards about Laserbeak reporting them kind of silly, as they'd already fought some Decepticons on the way in! As it happens, the fight isn't referenced again anyway, making the removal seamless.
*When Megatron warns the Autobots against interfering with his plans, he refers to a "minicon" as a unit of measurement. This term would be later used as the name for the [[Mini-Con]]s, a race of small Transformers (primarily) from the [[Unicron Trilogy]].
*AKOM avoids [[The Core|screwing up]] Devastator's combination sequence by ''not actually showing it''. The pieces of Devastator just fly in from off-screen, already formed.
*Prime's vehicle mode gains toy-accurate cab stripes and his trailer has the additional blue stripes from the toy.
*This was one of several episodes subjected to the [[MSTF]] treatment at [[BotCon 2000]].
*City of Steel has the honour of being the final episode of [[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]] when the G1 cartoon was rebroadcast in the 90s under the G2 banner.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La cité d'acier'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is one of those that has never been released on DVD in French.
::*Some voice actors switch characters for this episode (well, more than usual). For example, this is the first time Soundwave is not dubbed by [[Albert Augier]] despite the latter being present to dub other characters.
::*[[Georges Atlas]] is absent, which does not help. Consequently, it breaks Skywarp's streak, who was the only "regular" character with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee keeping the same voice actor since episode 1 until now.
::*The whole dialogue between Bonecrusher and Long Haul during the opening scene ("I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!") is absent from the dub. This results in 10 seconds of a frozen shot of a dump truck with catchy music, until Megatron finally asks them what they are waiting for.
::*The anchorwoman is dubbed by a man, the French cast being 100% male at this time of the dub.
::*Optimus Prime's line "Sparkplug, tell Wheeljack and the others to meet us at Central Park" is not dubbed. This results in a sequence of Autobots driving, the interior of Optimus Prime's truck and a shot of Sparkplug in front of Teletraan-1 without context, before the logo transition.
::*The whole sequence of the Autobots sliding on water is not dubbed. All we can do is watch them slide in music while being spied on by Laserbeak.
::*Scrapper uses the word "modification" to give the order of transforming rather than "mutation" often used by the Decepticons in previous episodes.
::*As usual, the line in which Megatron asks Soundwave to launch Laserbeak and Buzzsaw is not dubbed in order to avoid pronouncing difficult names.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La città d'acciaio'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The first lines are not dubbed.
::*The Alligaticon is simply called an alligator.
::*Instead of saying that the Alligaticon is made with Optimus's pieces, Spike and Bumblebee say that those pieces are inside it.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''La città d'acciaio'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Steel City'''" (スチールシティ)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 13]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gāng zhī Chéng '''" (钢之城, "City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Cidade de Aço'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gorod iz stali'''" (Город из стали, "The City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[file:Ultimates Alligaticon.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This toy's box is big and heavy!]]

*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-21G [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#G2Masterpiece|Bumble G-2 Ver.]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Bumble (Bumblebee) with a metallic gold finish based on his ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toy (which is unrelated to this episode) that includes an "'''I ♥ NY'''" license plate decal based on the bumper sticker he sports at the end of this episode.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-45 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#MP45|Bumble]] (TakaraTomy, 2019)'''
:A completely new mold with more show-accurate robot and vehicle modes, among his accessories includes a "'''I ♥ NY'''" license plate/bumper sticker that attaches to the front of his altmode front grill.

* '''''Ultimates!'' [[Alligaticon]] ([[Super7]], 2022)'''
:A 10-inch-long non-transforming figure made to emulate the creature's cartoon model, with multiple "City of Steel"-themed accessories, including a tower with Optimus's arm attached to it.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1999 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 1: Prime Threat ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1994]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1998]] — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[[User:repowers]] [http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/s-cityofsteel.html rips this episode to tiny pieces in a September 2000 review]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xMY-X_NZ2AhmtkP3mLTK-W_9to2ghyWv Episode dialogue script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-18-city-of.html Gallery of full storyboards]

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

City of Steel (episode)

2024-01-23T15:48:46Z

Repowers: /* Continuity errors */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 episode|the ''Punishment'' issue|City of Steel (issue)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=19
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=23
|prev2=A Prime Problem
|next2=Auto Berserk
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=52
|prev3=Trans-Europe Express
|image=AutobotsNYC.jpg
|caption=Start spreading the news...
|title="City of Steel"
|season=2
|season ep=3
|production code=#700-18
|airdate=[[October 17]], [[1985]]
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-025jnUVxUE
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons invade New York City.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:CityofSteel ESB sinking.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Where will you be... the Day after Tomorrow.]]
Over New York City, [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] flies into the [[Decepticon]]s' underground base. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are digging a hole in the ceiling and the Autobots don't have a clue. After hours of digging, the Constructicons manage to sink the [[Empire State Building]] underground.

The [[Autobot]]s finally get wind of this and head to the city. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] plan to meet the rest of the Autobots at [[Central Park]]. However, Laserbeak spots them and reports back to [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. He plans to give the Autobots a surprising welcome.

At Central Park, the Autobots are ambushed by Soundwave and his crew, whilst underground the Constructicons inform Megatron that they're directly underneath Optimus Prime. Megatron orders them to dig while Optimus Prime is fighting [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]. Taken by surprise, Prime falls into the Decepticons' underground base where Megatron severs his [[motor relay]]s, making him powerless. Megatron then threatens the remaining Autobots that unless they leave he will melt the Autobot leader down to scrap. He also shows them his master plan, which is to rebuild New York into [[New Cybertron]]. The Constructicons raise the Empire State building back up, but now it looks like a Cybertronian fortress. Forced to leave the city, the Autobots are gloomy until [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] comes up with a plan to get into the city undetected.

[[File:CityofSteel Prime head.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"Aquaman calling all sea creatures!"]]
Seemingly victorious, Megatron gloats over Prime's still body. However, Megatron is still worried that Optimus Prime might try something and orders [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] to disassemble him, which he does with a handy energy blade. After Optimus is turned into a pile of parts, Megatron picks up his head and reactivates Optimus so he can gloat. Prime responds that even though he's in pieces he will still fight. Prime then activates his arms and trips up Megatron. Megatron orders the Constructicons to dispose of Prime's remaining parts how they choose, but he gets to keep the head.

Spike, Bumblebee, Ratchet, [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] enter the City through the sewers in the hope of rescuing Prime undetected. Elsewhere, the Constructicons are very pleased with themselves for what they did with Prime's left over body parts. They have special plans for his right arm and weapon.

[[File:Alligatorprime.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"What is it, Aquaman?"]]
While scanning for Prime, Hound is confused because his scans show Prime was behind them when before he was ahead. Mirage then spots a giant robot alligator seeming to be made of Prime's body parts (dubbed the [[Alligaticon]]) and the Autobots run away. They trap it in a train and send it and the train packing. When they reach the underground base they find Prime's head and reattach his circuits so he can speak. Prime then activates his legs remotely to come to him and the rest of the Autobots figure out that the Alligaticon was made up of Prime's parts. After capturing it, Ratchet reassembles Prime, minus the right arm. Now that Optimus is safe, the Autobots attack. The Decepticons have turned half of New York City into New Cybertron, complete with killer [[Battle taxi|taxis]], and they're using Prime's arm as a weapon on top of their fortress. The taxis go for Bumblebee, [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], but Prime runs them down.

[[File:BumblebeelovesNY.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Of course you do...]]
After breaking through the Decepticon defenses, Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Ratchet plan to scale the fortress to reclaim Prime's arm. Bumblebee and Spike plan to help by distracting Megatron and Soundwave, even going so far as to insult Megatron. Megatron orders an air strike, but when [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] is downed, the Constructicons become [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] and he follows Prime's team up the building. Meanwhile, Spike and Bumblebee manage to sneak in and annoy Megatron, by calling him Megaklutz, and tricking him into destroying the device that controlled Prime's arm. Outside Devastator captures Prime and knocks Ironhide and Ratchet into the fortress. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] then comments that the whole thing reminds him of ''[[King Kong]]'' as he tries to assist with his remote controlled helicopters. Spike then informs Prime that his arm is no longer controlled by Megatron, and Prime takes the opportunity to use it against Devastator. After Devastator gets hit Prime falls but is saved by Ironhide and Ratchet and as usual the Decepticons retreat.

Now the city is saved, Prime is back together and Bumblebee got a souvenir (an '{{w|I Love New York|I ❤ NY}}' bumper sticker). The Autobots [[roll out]] and return home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (23)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (30)
|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (4)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (7)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (10)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (25)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (26)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (27)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (29)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] (31)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (32)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (15)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!"
:—'''Long Haul,''' commenting on his [[alternate mode]].

"I feel like I'm in some messy swamp, not under the biggest city in North America."
:—'''Ratchet''', trudging through the sewers of New York.

"It sickens me to say it, Reflector, but this one time I have to hand it to Megatron. The place is finally starting to feel like home."
:—'''Starscream''' agrees with one of Megatron's plans, which heralds the coming of the apocalypse.

"I may not have a weapon, but I can still transform and roll!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to crush the battle taxis.

"O-hoo-hoo-hoo, here they come! Auto-Auto-Autobots!"
:—'''Mix-Mix-Mixmaster!'''

"Say 'uncle' or I'll shove your nose in your afterburner!"<br>
"Uncle, UNCLE!"<br>
"Gee, I didn't know Decepticons ''had'' uncles!"
:—'''Sideswipe''' lovingly deals with '''Starscream'''. He's obviously been practicing his [[jet judo]].

"You'll never catch us, Megaklutz!"<br>
"Megaklutz! You dare to insult me in my own command post?!"
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' daring to insult '''Megatron''' in his own command post.

"It will take more than your puny arm to stop Devastator!"<br>
"Right. Which is why it's lucky the hand at the end of that arm... is holding a gun!"
:—'''Devastator''' reels as '''Optimus Prime''' points out the single flaw in the combiner's otherwise brilliant tower-climbing plan.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft storyboards completed: 17th October 1984
* Storyboards revised: 2nd November 1984
* Storyboards slugged: 8th November 1984 by [[John Walker]]
* Dialogue recording: 12th November 1984

===Continuity notes===
*Megatron mentions the Constructicons nagging each other like "hyper-driven [[Chatteroid]]s". Sideswipe calls Laserbeak a "nosey nogoodnikon". Megatron threatens to melt Optimus Prime into paperclips if the Autobots interfere "one minicon". Hound's sensors say that Optimus Prime is ten "mechano-meters" in front of them. Optimus Prime refers to the Alligaticon as a "Reptilicon".<ref>Spellings and parsings from the "City of Steel" dialogue script.</ref>
*Powers and gadgets:
**Wheeljack and company all use their hydrofoils to cross New York Harbor.
**Hook uses a <s>lightsaber</s> laser sword to disassemble Prime.
**Hound displays his tracking sensors.
**Then of course, there's Prime's bizarre telekinetic limb control, something he evidently shares with a far less fortunate [[Waspinator (BW)|bot]].
**Ironhide deploys a grappling hook from his arm, with rappelling lines attached to it.
{{-}}

===Real-world references===
[[File:CityofSteel-Hook'slightsaber.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Let the hate flow through you.]]
[[File:Devastatorkingkong.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Giant: check. Empire State Building: check. But no beauty.]]
*''Star Wars'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak uses a whole series of ''Star Wars'' effects as he rockets over Manhattan, including a ''Millennium Falcon'' engine noise, the [[TIE Fighter]] engine roar (several times), the TIE Fighter ambient cockpit noise, and the sound of an X-Wing diving to attack the Death Star.
**Hook's <s>lightsaber</s> ''laser sword'' ignites with the sound of Luke deflecting the seeker ball's bolts aboard the ''Millennium Falcon''.
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] climbs the Decepticons' "improved" version of the {{w|Empire State Building}}, very similarly to [[King Kong]], as Wheeljack rather heavy-handedly points out.
*The Alligaticon is likely an allusion to the persistent rumors of alligators living in New York City's sewers.
*Various New York landmarks are seen and/or mentioned: the Twin Towers, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Woolworth Building (visible as the first Autobots leave Manhattan), the Brooklyn Bridge. Hound mentions Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Lexington Avenue.
*Scrapper invites the Autobots to "{{w|Take the A Train}}".
*The final shot in this episode shows Bumblebee with an "{{w|I Love New York|I &hearts; NY}}" bumper sticker, part of a famous promotional campaign.

===Animation or technical glitches===
As a Season 2 AKOM episode, "City of Steel" features the standard character model oddities:
*Soundwave's backpack is gray instead of blue.
*Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray instead of light gray.
*Prime's backpack is white.
*The "disk" on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow.
*Devastator retains his color scheme from [[Heavy Metal War]] (purple window on upper chest, purple top of chest plate, green crotch), rather than the revised color guide used by other studios starting in Season 2.

As an AKOM episode in general, "City of Steel" features an absurd number of straight-ahead animation mistakes:
*Coloring errors:
**Laserbeak's beak is the same dark gray as his head as he flies through the sewers.
**Laserbeak's beak is dark gray (again) as he reports the Autobot sighting. He also has a little bird tongue!
**Scavenger's cab window is green instead of white as he rides the scissor lift.
**Bumblebee's fists are light gray instead of dark gray as Prime orders the Autobots to transform.
**The back of Soundwave's legs are white instead of blue as Prime picks him up during the Central Park fight.
**Ironhide is dark gray instead of red as the Autobots cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
**When Optimus activates his dismembered legs, his head crest is colored entirely in dark gray instead of light gray and blue.
**As Megatron gloats over Prime's dismembered bits, Mixmaster is colored like Bumblebee.
**The first shot of Frenzy driving the train shows him [[FIRRIB|colored like Rumble]].
**As he rams the Constructicons' position, one of Prime's headlights isn't colored white. Of course, it shouldn't be there at all, being part of the arm he's missing at this point.
**Two Laserbeak cassettes (red details) leave Soundwave's chest during the battle at the end. One should be Buzzsaw, with gold details. The condors don't get a transformation sound effect as they convert to robot form.
*It's not without precedent, but Soundwave usually has to push his shoulder button to open his chest compartment. As Laserbeak returns, it opens of its own accord. In the same shot, Soundwave's shoulder button is dark blue instead of light gray.
*As Scavenger rolls past Soundwave, he starts growing larger before he even begins to climb the ramp that's supposed to be bringing him closer to the camera's point of view. At the end of the same pan shot, Hook's head is green instead of black.
*There is ''no way in Hell's Kitchen'' that dinky little scissor lift is strong enough to support the weight of the Empire State Building.
*Wheeljack's team is ''vastly'' oversized as they cruise past the Statue of Liberty.
*For some reason, Prime's voice is muffled as if it's a radio transmission as the Autobots drive along the highway.
[[File:Tinybluestreak.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Baby Bluestreak watches in horror as Giganticus Prime commences his rampage.]]
*There appears to be a total of ten Constructicons working on the Empire State Building.
*Soundwave's shoulder cannon is red and Megatron's face is a darker gray than usual as Megatron laughs about his "terminal welcome" joke.
*Frenzy's mouth isn't moving as he says "Can be hazardous".
*As the Autobots transform, a layering error results in a tiny Bluestreak standing in front of a normal-sized Ratchet and Ironhide, next to a Devastator-sized Optimus.
*Ironhide doesn't so much get knocked down by Frenzy and Rumble's earthquake attack as he does just walk along and randomly fall over. His back is colored light gray instead of dark gray in the sequence.
[[File:CityofSteel Scavengerwreckstheceiling.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*When Scavenger is beating the bucket of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] against the ceiling below Central Park, a misplaced cel means the cracks that are supposed to be forming in the ceiling appear ''in front'' of his arm instead.
*As usual in the cartoon universe, metal cracks, splits and crumbles just like rock.
*In a long shot of the Autobot/Decepticon battle in Central Park, Bumblebee is inexplicably grappling with Bluestreak while Ratchet fights Reflector.
*In the Central Park sequence, Scavenger's vehicle mode is ''huge'', towering over Megatron and with a bucket significantly larger than Optimus.
*Prime falls a long way into the Decepticon base, but in the previous shot, he was standing on Scavenger's shovel. When Prime finally lands on the base's floor, Scavenger is there waiting for him.
*Prime's "motor relays" are right there in his stomach-grille? Wha? (AKOM shows Jazz having critical circuits in his car mode grille in "The Core", as well.)
*Soundwave's shoulder button is blue again as he presses it to communicate with Megatron. The sound effect that plays is usually reserved for an opening hatch or door. And Soundwave doesn't usually have to push that particular button to radio someone.
*The shot of the submerged Empire State Building is recycled from the earlier scene (ten Constructicons, remember?) Two of the tiny figures shown are supposed to be Megatron and Soundwave, but they're both shown to be on the surface by that point.
*The scene freezes for several seconds as the rebuilt Empire State Building is about to be raised above ground, complete with non-moving clouds of dust and smoke. After the building is raised, the same shot is recycled, showing it back down in the ground.
*Spike says "take a left", but the Autobots take a ramp that goes right.
*A layering error has Megatron's hand passing in front of Prime's smokestack, which is much closer to the camera. Result: a visually microscopic Megatron.
*Prime's eye-flashes don't quite line up with his optics.
*Scrapper's mouthplate isn't moving as he carries Optimus Prime's arm.
*For all their reaction to the Alligaticon, the Autobots sure aren't in any hurry to get away from it. They stroll away at a very leisurely pace.
*Scrapper has Sideswipe's voice as he says the "riding down their own grave" line.
[[File:CityOfSteel Starscream New Cybertron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream has only one wing insignia as he admires the cityscape.
*What the heck were Prime's legs supposed to be, anyway? Part of [[Starscream's Ghost|a crypt]] or something? They're just standing there in a tunnel when Prime summons them.
*Ratchet's voice is more like Gears' as he says the "don't let go" line.
[[File:CityOfSteel Mirage carrying alligatorcon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"This episode is dumb and stupid!"<br>"From the looks of the animation, I'd say a little of both."]]
*One of the series' most infamous dialog screwups happens as the Autobots wrestle with the [[Alligaticon]]. Mirage and Ratchet say, in perfect sync, "This alligator is big and heavy!" Prime then responds with the sage observation: "From the looks of it, I'd say a little of both." The scene appears to be the result of an editing and directorial snafu. Prime should be responding to the Autobots' previous lines: "Now we've got him!" "Or should I say, we've got ''you''?" "I'd say a little of both!" And the combined Ratchet and Mirage line was likely intended to be a series of ad libs as the Autobots struggle with the Alligaticon, rather than a straight line delivered before Prime's line.
*Prime's telekinetic waves change from wide circles, to a narrow band. The narrow band finds its way to.... nothing. It then snaps off with a really loud sound effect.
*Ratchet's mouth disappears for a split second as he finishes repairing Prime.
*One of Prime's chest windows, and one of his exhaust stacks, are among the leftover parts as he stands up.
*Wheeljack's ears aren't flashing as he says "This sure isn't little old New York anymore".
*As Megatron and Soundwave zero in on the Autobots on their monitor, Prime has both his arms.
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Jazz suddenly shows up for a single shot as the Autobots scatter from Prime's rifle fire.
*Hound and Bluestreak get two sequential transformation effects as they change to car mode, with a slight pause between them, instead of one continuous sound.
*Don't Hound and Bluestreak look where they're going when they drive? There's this huge hole in the street and they just drive right into it.
*Scrapper's voice comes out of nowhere to say the "A train" line to Hound and Bluestreak.
*The car mode Autobots just kind of float over the battle taxis. How'd they do that?
*How long's it take for the animators to forget that truck mode Prime is missing an arm? Only one shot! He's intact for his entire ramming sequence against the taxis and the Constructicons. Only when he rolls up to Ironhide and transforms is his bumper/arm missing again.
*Lots of missing Seeker insignias as the Decepticon jets launch their attack.
*Is Megatron supposed to be touching the blue button on his belly to radio Scrapper? 'Cause he totally misses it.
*Scrapper's voice is a bit off as he gives the order to combine. It's not quite as bad as before, but still not the correct hoarse rasp.
[[File:CityofSteel devastator kong.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[The Core|And now]] he's ''broken'' his 20th Anniversary Prime toy.]]
*Devastator's scale is always an issue, but he's ''really'' oversized here, smashing an entire multi-story building aside with a single blow. Man, [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] must've [[Prime Directive issue 4|really loved]] this dorky episode, huh?
*Devastator has two eyes instead of an eyeband as he holds Optimus, and again as he fends off the helicopters.
*Why is Wheeljack upset? Devastator didn't manage to touch his helicopters!
*Does Prime really have to telekinetically control his ''rifle''? Wouldn't pulling the trigger suffice?
*As is normal when a good guy's life is at stake, Devastator (holding Optimus) falls for an absurdly long time. He's moving incredibly slowly as he passes Ironhide and Ratchet.

===Continuity errors===
*Laserbeak's shoot-to-enter door system seems rather improbable, or at least pointlessly complicated. In particular, how does the manhole cover know to land right back on top of the entrance?
*Let's not even get into the plausibility of lowering a thousand-foot building into the ground, rebuilding it for beings several times the size of a human, and then rebuilding it ''again'' into its original form. Ditto for the rest of Manhattan, actually.
*The TV newscaster is heard saying "''...meanwhile, officials are baffled as to the cause of the disappearance of the world-famous Empire State Building.''" Aside from the fact "officials" should be able to just look down the giant hole to Megatron's operation, why is this no higher than ''second'' in newsworthiness? The episode precedes the now-ubiquitous 24-hour news cycle, but what could possibly have been ''more'' notable than the disappearance of an entire skyscraper? It should be all they can talk about for the entire broadcast.
* Prime apparently keeps fragile vital circuits right out in front on his tummy, where one poke from a cyber-doojit can totally disable him. Lucky nobody tried that move on him ever again!
*With all the freaking huge cannons that the Decepticons installed, it's Prime's firearm that's the big cause for panic?
*Megatron, ensconced in his headquarters, responds to a comment of Spike's while Spike is riding down the street inside Bumblebee. How could he possibly hear what he said?
*After Prime dispatches the battle-taxis, there's a scene transition, followed by a shot of Ironhide standing still and not doing anything. Prime rolls up to him and declares "That's the way to cool it, Ironhide!", which strongly indicates that Ironhide was supposed to have been doing something with his liquid nitrogen that got cut out, even though Prime's response didn't.
*Why on earth do the Decepticon jets just fly right through their own building? If the idea is that the Autobots shot them and made them lose control, the animation completely fails to show it.
[[File:Cos prime disassembled.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I would have waited an eternity for this. It's over, Prime!.... I should probably kill you right now, shouldn't I?"]]
*Spike's "Now, Bumblebee!" line is ridiculous filler. The elevator door opens, they step into Megatron's headquarters, Megatron and Soundwave are right there in front of them... when ''else'' were they going to enact their brilliant plan? And how come Megatron's HQ has no security system to keep them out to begin with?
*While it might be true of Spike, it's kind of weird that Megatron refers to both Spike ''and Bumblebee'' as "Earth pests."
*Where did Wheeljack find two missile-equipped helicopters?
*Megatron retreats, saying "The Autobots may have destroyed our city of New Cybertron"... but the Autobots really have done nothing of the sort.
*Why didn't the Constructicons find the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] when they took apart Prime?
*Even more curious, how is it that Optimus can survive being reduced to a talking head, when the much lesser damage he took in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was enough to kill him? Is this because he was supposedly "disassembled", for the most part, rather than damaged?
*Wouldn't it have been a good idea to take three minutes to reattach Optimus Prime's arm ''before'' getting to work on putting the city's buildings back to normal, so that he could have maybe ''helped''? Rather than doing it as the very last thing before they leave? The restoration itself appears to have been completed astonishingly quickly, despite the Autobots not having construction specialists ([[Grapple (G1)|yet]]) and the Cybertronian conversion requiring [[Constructicon (G1)|a team of six]].

===I Love New York errors===
[[File:CityofSteel Hound tracking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Cityofsteel ironhide grapple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The opening pan from the Hudson River shows the Chrysler Building ''south'' of the Empire State Building. It should be north. Both buildings are ''way'' too far south relative to the Twin Towers.
*"Meet us in Central Park" is an incredibly vague order, considering the size of the place.
*The Autobots don't really stop ''in'' Central Park; there's buildings on two sides of them. No traffic or pedestrians, though. Or sidewalks.
* As the Decepticons prepare to raise it back into position, the Empire State Building is drawn as if it borders a park.
*The Brooklyn Bridge is more than just three lanes wide. It also does not have an exit ramp at mid-span.
*Oh, man. Spike went swimming in the East River in 1985? He ''is'' a super-human.
*It could just be chalked up to Hound's optimism, but most subway tracks don't end at a river.

===Trivia===
*Along with "[[The Core]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]", this episode is one of a trio animated by [[AKOM]], showcasing the Constructicons and featuring distinctively bright and "cartoonish" art and animation, lots of use of stock poses, a somewhat more juvenile plot and script than normal, and a common set of animation model oddities (listed above).
*Though it is widely regarded in the [[fandom]] as his normal way of speaking, this is in fact the only time Mixmaster's speech oddity ("Right right right. Mega Mega Megatron!") ever shows up.
*This episode's [[dialogue script]] reveals a deleted scene: the Autobot group waterskiing into the harbor were to use their powers in a fight against Skywarp, Starscream, and Thundercracker (where Mirage was to reference Starscream as a "sitting [[duckatron]]" for blasting Hound's hologram instead of the real one). It makes the Autobots' worrying immediately afterwards about Laserbeak reporting them kind of silly, as they'd already fought some Decepticons on the way in! As it happens, the fight isn't referenced again anyway, making the removal seamless.
*When Megatron warns the Autobots against interfering with his plans, he refers to a "minicon" as a unit of measurement. This term would be later used as the name for the [[Mini-Con]]s, a race of small Transformers (primarily) from the [[Unicron Trilogy]].
*AKOM avoids [[The Core|screwing up]] Devastator's combination sequence by ''not actually showing it''. The pieces of Devastator just fly in from off-screen, already formed.
*Prime's vehicle mode gains toy-accurate cab stripes and his trailer has the additional blue stripes from the toy.
*This was one of several episodes subjected to the [[MSTF]] treatment at [[BotCon 2000]].
*City of Steel has the honour of being the final episode of [[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]] when the G1 cartoon was rebroadcast in the 90s under the G2 banner.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La cité d'acier'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is one of those that has never been released on DVD in French.
::*Some voice actors switch characters for this episode (well, more than usual). For example, this is the first time Soundwave is not dubbed by [[Albert Augier]] despite the latter being present to dub other characters.
::*[[Georges Atlas]] is absent, which does not help. Consequently, it breaks Skywarp's streak, who was the only "regular" character with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee keeping the same voice actor since episode 1 until now.
::*The whole dialogue between Bonecrusher and Long Haul during the opening scene ("I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!") is absent from the dub. This results in 10 seconds of a frozen shot of a dump truck with catchy music, until Megatron finally asks them what they are waiting for.
::*The anchorwoman is dubbed by a man, the French cast being 100% male at this time of the dub.
::*Optimus Prime's line "Sparkplug, tell Wheeljack and the others to meet us at Central Park" is not dubbed. This results in a sequence of Autobots driving, the interior of Optimus Prime's truck and a shot of Sparkplug in front of Teletraan-1 without context, before the logo transition.
::*The whole sequence of the Autobots sliding on water is not dubbed. All we can do is watch them slide in music while being spied on by Laserbeak.
::*Scrapper uses the word "modification" to give the order of transforming rather than "mutation" often used by the Decepticons in previous episodes.
::*As usual, the line in which Megatron asks Soundwave to launch Laserbeak and Buzzsaw is not dubbed in order to avoid pronouncing difficult names.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La città d'acciaio'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The first lines are not dubbed.
::*The Alligaticon is simply called an alligator.
::*Instead of saying that the Alligaticon is made with Optimus's pieces, Spike and Bumblebee say that those pieces are inside it.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''La città d'acciaio'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Steel City'''" (スチールシティ)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 13]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gāng zhī Chéng '''" (钢之城, "City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Cidade de Aço'''" ("City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gorod iz stali'''" (Город из стали, "The City of Steel")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-21G [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#G2Masterpiece|Bumble G-2 Ver.]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Bumble (Bumblebee) with a metallic gold finish based on his ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toy (which is unrelated to this episode) that includes an "'''I ♥ NY'''" license plate decal based on the bumper sticker he sports at the end of this episode.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-45 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#MP45|Bumble]] (TakaraTomy, 2019)'''
:A completely new mold with more show-accurate robot and vehicle modes, among his accessories includes a "'''I ♥ NY'''" license plate/bumper sticker that attaches to the front of his altmode front grill.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1999 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 1: Prime Threat ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1994]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1998]] — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[[User:repowers]] [http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/s-cityofsteel.html rips this episode to tiny pieces in a September 2000 review]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xMY-X_NZ2AhmtkP3mLTK-W_9to2ghyWv Episode dialogue script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-18-city-of.html Gallery of full storyboards]

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

Ducky Splinters

2023-12-21T12:56:09Z

Repowers: easy but apropos.

{{faction|playroomposse}}
:''Ducky Splinters is a member of the [[Playroom Posse]] from [[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]].
[[File:BotBots-toy DuckySplinters checklist.jpg|thumb|upright=2|"So, if she weighs the same as a duck... then..."]]
'''Ducky Splinters''' floats!

==Toys==
===''BotBots''===
*'''Blind Bag Mystery Figures''' (Single pack, <s>2020</s>)
**''Series'': '''<s>6</s>'''
**''ID Code'': '''?'''
**''Level'': '''1 Star'''

: Part of the originally-planned sixth Series of ''[[Transformers: BotBots (toyline)|BotBots]]'', Ducky Splinters is a [[redeco]] of [[Quackles]], transforming into a wooden duck toy.

: They were meant to be available only in the [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] single-bot packages, coming 1 to a case of 24, like everyone else in the assortment. What limited information we have on their planned availability comes from the [[:File:BotBots series 6 checklist.jpg|''BotBots'' Series 6 checklist]] found on Hasbro's customer service website in early 2021. As such, their one-star rarity rating ''really'' doesn't jibe with their actual (originally planned) availability, as they're technically as rare as any three-star BotBot.

: This mold was also used to make [[Quacked Up]].

{{canceledtoy}}

[[Category: Playroom Posse]]

The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage

2023-05-20T14:23:38Z

Repowers: clarification on Ratchet iss 30, and I dunno what that big Other Notes paragraph was supposed to be doing.

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=54
|prev=The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day
|next=The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle
|image=MTMTE54_regcvr.jpg
|title="The Dying of the Light<br>Part 5: Rage, Rage"
|caption=''"REAR RANK, FIRE!"''<br>''"Reload!"''<br>''"REAR RANK, FIRE!"''<br>''"Reload!"''
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 22]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=June 2016
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] and [[Christa Miesner]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era (2016)]]
}}
'''Through the sacrifice of one of their comrades, the Autobots are given the means to fight back... and Megatron takes up arms once more.'''

==Synopsis==
On the blasted ground outside the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s fortress, the [[Autobot]]s tear into the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] and their allies with fire and fervor. As [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] and [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] man laser turrets built into the shoulders of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s new "Maximus Ambus" armor, Rewind tries to tell Magnus of the recent discovery he made about [[Dominus Ambus|his brother]], but the battle has all of Magnus's attention. [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] swoops in low to bear down on [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], but the [[Decepticon]] sadist punches him into the ground. [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] blasts Overlord in the face to draw his attention away, and the grinning monster proceeds to describe in grisly detail how he dismembered the original Rewind before Chromedome blew up the cell containing them both. Chromedome screams a scream of passion and rage, and hurls a punch at Overlord... a punch of such freakish strength that it lifts Overlord off the ground and sends him flying backward! As [[Nickel]] proceeds to shoot Chromedome in the arm with [[Vos (G1)|Vos]]'s rifle mode, [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] observes that the Autobots are fighting with unprecedented strength. [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] assures him it is merely a last-gasp effort, and is more interested in the absence of Megatron, but Deathsaurus is certain that something has happened to the Autobots to give them this boost...

''Minutes earlier, as the Autobots engage in their group hug inside the fortress, an off-hand remark by [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] about the tightness of [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]'s super-strength hug causes [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] to have a brainwave. Reasoning that Tailgate's recent [[spark]] spasm released an energy wave that transformed him and, temporarily, those Transformers nearest to him, into super-strong [[Outlier (group)|outliers]], it should theoretically be possible to induce such a spasm in someone ''else'', thereby duplicating the effect on those assembled. The prospect of deliberately causing someone to have a nervous breakdown seems untenable, but [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] volunteers for the job and asks Chromedome to finally unlock his forgotten traumatic memories in order to accomplish it. Chromedome is unwilling to use his [[mnemosurgery]] needles, but as Tarn begins blaring "[[The Empyrean Suite]]" in advance of the DJD's attack, and the memories associated with the music begin to tickle the back of Skids's consciousness, Chromedome agrees to take another tactic: nothing more than a few awful, well-chosen words. Every memory from his time in [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]] including the horrific, smelting death of [[Quark]] comes rushing back to Skids, and his spark erupts with light.''

Powered up into Outliers by Skids's sacrifice, the Autobots tear their way through their enemies, with [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] even pulling off his old "Flame Out" maneuver to incinerate a dogpile of Decepticons. Unfortunately, no sooner has he sizzled their circuits than he collapses to his knees, suddenly weakened, as the power-up begins to wear off!

Inside the fortress, Ratchet tends to Skids, who has been so badly traumatized by the experience that his spark has shrunk away to almost nothing. Ratchet attempts to stabilize him so that he can join the fight and leave the job of tending Skids to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], but the ex-Decepticon is having some health problems of his own, suffering from cramps caused by [[Fool's Energon]]. Ratchet insinuates that they are actually the product of fear and anxiety, but Megatron refutes the allegation, and explains to the medic that he is refusing to fight not because he fears the DJD, but because he fears what he himself will become if he straps a weapon to his arm once more. As far as Megatron is concerned, if he allows himself to commit violence again, he will be unable to stop himself from committing more and more, [[File:RageRage-Megatronappears.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|''Here comes the general'']]endlessly. This forces Ratchet into a confession: Fool's Energon is a placebo. It has never sapped Megatron's strength; Megatron only ''believed'' that it did, and every time he fought someone since he began taking it, he was—however subconsciously—acting with self-imposed restraint. Just then, Megatron looks at the monitor displaying the fight outside, and sees [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] being torn in half by Tarn. Ratchet is distracted when Skids wakes up and falls off the med-slab, desperate to find [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] and tell him what became of Quark. When the medic looks up again, screaming that he needs help getting Skids back on the slab before he dies, Megatron is gone...

Outside, the upgrade process has well and truly worn off, as Brainstorm finds when his fist crumples against [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]]'s armor. He turns to the Necrobot's holographic statue of Skids to offer his thanks for the temporary advantage, only to find that the statue has been switched off... because Skids's body now lies lifeless on the floor of the fortress med-bay, his spark extinguished.

The weakened Autobots seem certain to join him in death, surrounding by the enemy on all sides—until salvation is heralded by the thunderous retort of a [[fusion cannon]]. With his newly built weapon now attached, Megatron strides onto the battlefield, silently obliterating all opposition. Deathsaurus, fearing for the lives of his men, prepares to order a retreat but in the end, in the face of Tarn's orders, capitulates and sends them ''all'' in to 'wear out' the tyrant. (He doesn't know that Tarn has ordered ''his'' men to retreat, but a disappointed Nickel knows). Megatron reaches his comrades in fire and blood, gathers up the two pieces of the still-living Ravage, and orders them back to the fortress to get his feline friend help: ''he'' needs nobody's help.

Megatron roars for Tarn to come out but a well-placed shot from Nickel and Vos soon disables Megatron's cannon and leaves him open to attack. As the other Autobots watch through the monitor inside the fortress, Tarn and Overlord stand over the unarmed Megatron, and level their weapons as the man sinks, tired and distraught, to his knees. Tarn asks Megatron if it was worth it; the once and former Decepticon leader remains silent as he looks up at his would-be executioners, but shock crosses his features... just as three shots ring out...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (1)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Maximus Ambus]] (2)
* [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] (5)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] (statue, 6)
* [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (9)
* [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (10)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] (11)
* [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] (14)
* [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] (20)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (21)
* [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (22)
* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (23)
* [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] (24)
* ''[[Quark]]'' (25)
* [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] (27)
{{!}}}
|c2=
* [[Helex (G1)|Helex]] (3)
* [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] (8)
* [[Doryu (G1)|Doryu]] (12)
* [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] (13)
* [[Vos (G1)|Vos]] (15)
* [[Nickel]] (16)
* [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] (17)
* [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] (18)
* [[Blue Bacchus]] (26)
* [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] (28)
|c4=
* [[Ten]] (4)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"The mnemosurgeon! I was '''hoping''' we'd meet again—I wanted to tell you something. I'm afraid your '''skinny little friend''' died before the missiles hit. I managed to pull off '''three''' of his limbs before the pain '''really''' drove him over the edge. The '''noises''' he made...! And he kept calling your name! ''"Domey! Domey! Save me!"'' I had to put his '''head''' in my mouth just to '''shut him up'''. Just popped it in and—chomp!—bit down 'til he stopped '''twitching'''."
:—'''Overlord'''

"Ask me what I used to do for a living!"<br>
"What?"<br>
"Ask me what I used to do for a living!"<br>
"'''What?'''"<br>
"Same thing as I do now, '''dirtwad'''—'''waste disposal!'''"
:—'''Tailgate''' tries some action hero banter, but a '''Decepticon''' doesn't play along

"You're not a '''coward''', Megatron—'''or''' a pacifist, for that matter. At least not in the way '''I''' understand the word."<br>
"I'm not afraid of the DJD. I am, however, afraid of '''rediscovering''' what I'm capable of. I'm afraid that if I got out there and fight—'''really''' fight—I won't be able to stop. '''Ever.''' Because I '''won't want to'''. Every day is a '''battle''', Ratchet. Every hour. Every '''second'''. A battle between me and the '''real''' me—and I wish I knew which was which."<br>
"So either way, it's about you. ''Quelle surprise.''"<br>
"It's not about me—it's about '''everyone else.'''"<br>
"Riiiiight."<br>
"If I step outside, '''that's''' just the beginning—the first of a '''thousand''' battlefields. If I don't keep myself in check, the '''war''' could reignite—and if it '''did''', it would make what's gone before seem '''trivial''' by comparison. I'd surrender myself '''completely''' to my darker impulses—because I'd '''have''' to. If I were to avoid another day like '''this''' one—another day of being '''torn in two'''—I'd have to. I don't give a damn if '''Fool's Energon''' has sapped my strength or dulled my mind—I '''would not be stopped.'''"
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Megatron'''

"Sleep tight, soldier."
:—'''Ratchet''' bids farewell to Skids

"I don't need your help. I don't need ''anybody's'' help. But Ravage does."
:—'''Megatron's''' line has two meanings!

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:MTMTE Tailgate Bomb Waste Disposal character arc.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Now imagine if the Decepticon just happened to be a [[K-Class|K-Con]]…]]
* Overlord reveals what happened to the original Rewind, after they were trapped in the [[slow cell]] together in [[Under Cold Blue Stars|issue #15]]. Given the time dilation involved in the cell's function, either he was lying to hurt Chromedome or Overlord works disturbingly fast.
* Skids recalls the two previous instances in which Chromedome stopped him from remembering his lost memories, in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]] and [[Speak, Memory! (Part 2)|#49]]. As Tarn blares "The Empyrean Suite", Skids starts to feel hot, as memories of the smelting chamber seen in issue #49 start to creep in.
* If you're wondering why Transformers aren't turning into Outliers as a result of traumatic experiences all the time, recall that it's only the unique mixture of quantum energy that the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' have been exposed to in their travels that has mutated their sparks to the point that they are capable of this stress-induced evolution, as explained in issue #49.
* This issue marks the culmination of Tailgate's character arc that began all the way back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]]: Originally, the inscription on his left arm only read "osal", with the rest of it having been worn off by the elements during the six million years he spent lying unconsciously underground. In [[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|issue #2]], after Swerve had inquired about it, Tailgate insisted it should say "''Bomb'' Disposal"; prior to [[Interiors|issue #6]], he had Ratchet "fix" it (although an artistic error for the original single release of that issue accidentally gave away the subsequent twist, but that was later corrected for the trade paperback collection); in [[Before & After|issue #12]], he ''actually'' attempted to disarm a bomb (while tricking Rewind into talking him through the process), which nearly resulted in himself, Rewind, Cyclonus, and Whirl getting killed; in [[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|issue #13]], he finally came clean to Cyclonus about the truth, revealing that the inscription on his arm ''did'' originally say "''Waste'' Disposal"; and finally, following his near-death experience in [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|issue #21]], he decided he no longer wanted to pretend to be someone he isn't, and had the inscription on his arm changed to its original form, "''Waste'' Disposal", prior to [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]] (he specifically drew attention to it while talking to [[Getaway]] in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]]). Now, having gained super-strength, he turns what once was his source of secret shame into the set-up for an ''epic'' one-liner, ''knocking the head off a Decepticon with a single punch'' while pointing out that what he's doing does ''still'', in a way, qualify as "waste disposal".
* Rodimus uses his "Flame Out" ability for the very first time since it was introduced all the way back in [[Maximum Dinobots issue 3|''Maximum Dinobots'' #3]]. He even remarks on how long it's been since he last did it.
* Fool's Energon is revealed to be a placebo, in actuality being standard yet disgusting tasting Energon; its foul taste was previously evidenced when [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]] sneaked some in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]]. Ratchet explains they couldn't give Megatron a ''real'' sedative because of the damaged state of his internal organs, caused by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], which we learned about in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]], meaning Megatron's apparent physical weakness and change in personality were merely psychosomatic. In an ''incredibly'' subtle bit of foreshadowing of this, Ratchet briefly stumbles when explaining its supposed nature to Rodimus in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]] as he outlined the bogus chemical's effects.
* Ratchet recalls previous instances in which Megatron restrained his strength: fighting [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] in issue #28, punching [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] in [[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|issue #38]], and lashing out at Tailgate in [[The Lopsided Triangle|issue #47]].
* As Skids crawls along the floor after falling off the med-slab, he calls himself "scum" for what he unknowingly helped Tarn do in Grindcore. This hearkens ''aaaaaall'' the way back to his first appearance in this series in [[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|issue #2]], in which, while struggling to remember anything about himself, the last vestiges of this memory caused the amnesiac Skids to briefly think his name was "Scum".
* Back in [[The Not Knowing|issue #44]], Skids remarked "who doesn't want to survive the dying of the light?"
* Tarn sounds almost glad to find Megatron to have his "fire" back while Overlord dismisses this as him just finding a big gun. Both views fit into their ongoing desire to kill Megatron: Tarn was angry and upset that Megs, by surrendering, was no longer the 'real' Megs back in [[The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|part 3]], while Overlord has been constantly talking down and demeaning Megatron in a protests-too-much kinda way since [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|"Last Stand of the Wreckers" #2]].
* This issue marks the first time Velocity is shown in her vehicle mode, while the Autobots retreat with the severely wounded Ravage back into the Necrobot's fortress.
* Ten is distraught to see Skids' corpse. Back in "[[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme]]", Skids was in his mural of favourite crewmembers.
* Megatron is distraught over the thought of "another day of being '''torn in two'''". As he says it, he gestures at the screen in which Ravage is being hunted down by Tarn, foreshadowing events that occur just one page later.

===Transformers references===
* When Rewind attempts to tell Magnus about what happened to Dominus last issue, Ultra Magnus paraphrases his most famous line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "I can't deal with that now."
* In a cute touch, Autobot Megatron's new fusion cannon fires orange beams, just like all Autobot weaponry in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], rather than Decepticon purple. Having been built by Brainstorm, it brings to mind his talk of weapons that could differentiate between Autobot and Decepticon by firing different coloured lasers back in issue #28, but the cartoon color-coding has actually always been in effect for pretty much all weaponry throughout "season two," independent of anything Brainstorm might've made.

===Real-life references===
* As with the previous chapters, this issue's title (and the title of the multi-parter itself) is taken from the poem "{{w|Do not go gentle into that good night}}," by {{w|Dylan Thomas}}.
* In the left-side background on page 14, in the big crowd of Decepticons, you can just see a dead ringer for [[Evangelion Unit-01]].
* Chromedome's words when he asks Tailgate to keep a distance while everyone else is given a temporary power boost by Skids, "Not you, Tailgate. You've already taken your magic medicine.", appear to reference French comic ''{{w|Asterix}}'', where Asterix's friend Obelix is constantly denied drinking from the magic potion, which temporarily gives the Gauls superhuman strength, because he had fallen inside the local village druid's cauldron containing the potion as a child and gained permanent superhuman strength as a result. Like Tailgate, Obelix is a naive, light-hearted simpleton with a childlike intellect and a tendency to be easily upset or enraged. The characters are drawn in the same sort of placement too, gathering around Skids the way the Gaulish villagers gather round Getafix's cauldron.

===Errors===
[[File:MTMTE 54 hugging single vs TPB.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|right|I'm not hugging too tight — I'm ''panicking''. Your speech bubble is suffocating me!]]
* In the "Story So Far" recap, Minimus Ambus is said to be the alter ego of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. Sounds like someone at IDW had ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]'' on the brain when writing that!
* On page five, panel 1, Ratchet tells Tailgate not to squeeze so tightly as they hug—but his speech bubble's been stuck right on top of Tailgate's head, making him almost unnoticeable in the panel. The speech bubble was moved in the trade paperback.
* On the same page, Ratchet says Tailgate was "taken the brink," rather than "taken '''to''' the brink." This was corrected in the trade paperback.
{{-}}

===Other trivia===
* Vos's sole speech bubble in this issue, spoken when Tarn forgets to credit him along with Nickel for blasting Chromedome, translates to "Bears love sushi." Eh??
* The Autobot emblems are exceptionally emotive this issue, ranging from sad with "tears" (Ratchet), enraged (Megatron) and OH GOD IT BURNS (Rodimus).
* The month that this issue came out in Europe, the 100th anniversary of the {{w|Battle of the Somme}}, the bloodiest and most brutal battle of [[World War I]] was commemorated—the battle in which hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers died within moments of going 'over the top', forced to run straight towards German guns as little more than cannon fodder. ''Technically'' the Allies won that battle, but casualties for both sides were catastrophic.

===Soundtrack===
For all of "The Dying of the Light":
* "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCdBc5uByFQ Hurt]" by {{w|Johnny Cash}}

For this issue alone:
* "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeaeFgBI2ns Slow Parade]" by {{w|Broken Records (band)|Broken Records}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/744311270292209664 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
* "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq5pC0MS1ww Superman]" by {{w|Cinerama (band)|Cinerama}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/744312958008819713 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
* "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxSJklULfJ0 The Birds Will Sing For Us]" by {{w|Ed Harcourt}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/744314676662665216 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>

===Covers (3)===
* '''Regular cover:''' Our heroes, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
* '''Subscription cover:''' [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] versus [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]], by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Cyclonus, Tailgate, Nautica, and Velocity all share a drink with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] and [[Josh Perez]]; one of three retailer incentive covers by Pitre-Durocher for June's Transformers titles, which all feature Windblade in commemoration of the launch of ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]''.

<gallery>
File:MTMTE54 regcvr.jpg|Thanks to Tarn, Decepticon costume parties have a ''very'' strict dress code.
File:MTMTE54 subcvr.jpg|How to kill your dragon.
File:MTMTE54 cvrRI.jpg|Last call in 15 cycles!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''More than Meets the Eye'' #55
* ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|#54]]
* ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot
* ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' [[07:00:00|#1]]
* ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[The War Never Ends|#13]]
* ''The Electric Sublime''
* IDW ''[[Action Man]]'' comic
* ''Tales From the Darkside'' comic (back cover)

===Reprints===
* '''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 10''''' <small>([[October 5]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631407163 / ISBN 978-1631407161</small>
** Collects ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #50–55.
** Bonus material includes covers of each issue.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 72: The Dying of the Light''''' <small>([[January 24]], [[2018]])</small>
** Collects ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #50–55.
** Bonus material includes the bonus story "[[No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases]]", essential background material on the DJD, a cover gallery and a forward by [[Simon Furman]].
** Hardcover format.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11]]''''' <small>([[June 17]], [[2020]]) ISBN 1684056403 / ISBN 978-1684056408</small>
** Collects ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]: [[Silent Light]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption]]'', [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' (2012)]] issues [[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|#46]]–[[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|50]] & "[[New Worlds Order]]", and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #50–55 & "[[No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases]]".
** Hardcover format.

<gallery>
File:MTMTE vol10.jpg|'''''More Than Meets the Eye Volume 10''''' – cover art by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v72.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 72: The Dying of the Light''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] (Cyclonus) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V11.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11''''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.newsarama.com/29778-megatron-leads-the-autobots-in-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-54-preview.html Preview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage}}

Masquerade

2023-02-23T17:35:10Z

Repowers: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|image=Masquerade Menasors.JPG
|caption=Strangely, nobody suggested [[A Prime Problem|a race]] to determine who the real Stunticons were.
|series=G1toon
|ep=64
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=61
|prev2=War Dawn (episode)
|next2=Fire in the Sky
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=21
|prev3=The Revenge of Bruticus
|next3=Ghost in the Machine (G1)
|title="Masquerade"
|season=2
|season ep=48
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|production code=700-63
|airdate=[[December 16]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcgFqw6VSz4
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''After defeating the Stunticons, five of the Autobots pose as the crazed combiners to learn of Megatron's newest plan.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Masquerade prime vs mmaster.jpg‎|left|thumb|Shortly after this, Menasor threw up.]]
[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] sends the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] on a mission to find components for an unrevealed purpose, including the world's largest, most perfect ruby. While searching for their components, the actions of the Stunticons catch the attention of the [[Autobot]]s, who track their movements and their crimes. Breakdown and Wildrider get the first component: laser lenses from a scientist. Dead End and Drag Strip get the second component: an experimental generator from the Army. Motormaster gets the last one: a perfect ruby from a museum.

The Autobots split into teams and manage to be extremely effective at capturing the Stunticons in the middle of their capers. [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] take on [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] take on [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]. Finally, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] go for [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who challenges the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] to a game of “chicken” and ends up in a head-on collision. Spike, Bumblebee, and Blaster peer through the dust to see who survived, and it turns out that Optimus is the clear victor with merely a minor headache, while Motormaster lies in a wreck.

[[File:Masquerade Wheeljack Optimaster.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|No Motormaster disguise is complete without a hunk of Big League Chew.]]

Although all five Stunticons have been captured, the Autobots still don't know what their plans were for the components they stole for Megatron. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] guesses that the parts are going to be made into a weapon. (Nooo, really?) Optimus hatches a scheme to disguise Autobots using [[camouflage paint]] and penetrate the Decepticon camp disguised as Stunticons: Optimus Prime as Motormaster, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] as Dead End, [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] as Breakdown, [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] as Drag Strip, and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] as Wildrider.

[[File:Sideswipe FakeBreakdown.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Sideswipe? I, Breakdown, have never heard of such a being!]]

The disguised Autobots infiltrate the Decepticons, although their arrival causes [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|some]] raised eyebrows because they are driving too "safely". They deliver the stolen components to Megatron without being detected.

Back at [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], the Stunticons manage to shimmy and shake their way out of their cells, merge into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and overcome their Autobot captors. They then head back to the Decepticon base.

[[File:Masquerade Megatron manning gun.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|We've been here before.]]

The Constructicons complete Megatron's new weapon, and he reveals its power, but just then Menasor arrives and declares the Autobots as infiltrators. Using Windcharger's magnetic field ability and Mirage's illusion power, the Autobots merge into their own Menasor. The two giants battle it out, and the Autobots are overcome. Megatron trains the new weapon on the Autobots, but the device blows up in his face after a few scattered shots.

Autobot reinforcements arrive, and the Decepticons flee without their usual promises for revenge. It is revealed that Ironhide had made adjustments to the ruby back at Autobot HQ, which caused the device to explode. The Autobots head for home, victorious.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (18)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (19)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (20)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (22)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (23)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (26)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (27)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (29)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (30)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (31)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (32)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (2)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (3)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (4)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (5)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (6)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (33)
*[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (34)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (35)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (36)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (37)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (38)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (39)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (11)
*Dr. [[Rickel]] (15)
*US Army troops (16)
*Museum guards (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"A near miss deserves a couple o' near-missiles!"
:—'''Inferno'''

"I'll probably hate myself in the morning, but..."
:—'''Inferno''' before he douses the flames on the Stunticon Breakdown

"Well, look who's here! The old King of the Road! When I'm finished with ya, you'll be King of the Junkyard!"
:—'''Motormaster''' taunting Optimus Prime into a game of chicken

''[The Autobots are towing the defeated Stunticons to Autobot Headquarters]''<br>
'''Wheeljack''': Here they come.<br>
'''Ratchet''': I won't bother asking who won.<br>
'''Breakdown''': ''(taking note of the Autobots looking at them)'' They're gawking at us! How mortifrying!<br>
'''Dead End''': The word, Breakdown, is mortiFYing. And my sentiment exactly.<br>
'''Motormaster''': I'm in no mood for your big words, Dead End.<br>
'''Ironhide''': For you, motormouth, this '''IS''' a dead end.
:—Motormaster complains about Dead End's SAT-level vocabulary

"Man, Optimus. You're a dead ringer for Motormaster."<br>
"Did you have to say ''dead'' ringer, Spike?"
:—'''Spike Witwicky'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s vocabulary causes '''Optimus Prime''' to wince.

[[File:Masquerade as i preducted.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
"Everybody out on ''bad'' behavior!"
:—'''Breakdown''' after freeing himself and taking out Inferno, Grapple, and Hoist.

"Imagine my turning that ray on the Autobots' headquarters. Perhaps when it's gone, someone will put up a memorial parking lot. Mwahaha!"
:—'''Megatron'''

"Machine appears unstable. Suggest abandoning it."<br>
"Suggestion noted—and ignored!"
:—'''Soundwave''' warns '''Megatron''', for all the good it does.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:Masquerade Jazz camouflage paint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Soundwave fly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Huh? Tape-bot cannot fly!]]
*It's never explained just how the Autobots disguise themselves. Sideswipe says something about camouflage paint and the Autobots are transformed, details and all, into the Stunticons. It's apparently some high-tech stuff, because it even lets Optimus totally change his transformation scheme. And it just turns right off once Optimus decides the gig is up.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Wildrider shows his...well...amazing maneuverability by doing sharp turn to avoid Inferno, Grapple & Hoist and dodging a blast from Inferno. Well, he is a lunatic after all.
**Breakdown uses his unique engine to cause vibratory pulses to disrupt his bars and break free. He laters uses his concussion rifle with similar technique to help other Stunticons get out.
**Soundwave informs us that Menasor has "special powers"... which seem to consist of a couple of under-arm mounted guns.
**Sideswipe and Mirage both fire their shoulder missiles, which the writers and animators usually seem to forget about.
**Soundwave can fly in his tape deck mode! When the Decepticons retreat, he transforms and then flies off behind Starscream. It is tempting to assume that the animators took a script direction like "the Decepticons transform and fly off in retreat" a bit too literally.
**Mirage can project a hologram of Menasor's face. This runs contrary to his usual schtick, which is invisibility. His original bio described him as being able to create "the illusion of a different appearance" for up to six minutes, but this is the only time it pops up in the cartoon (presumably because holograms were Hound's gimmick... though per the bio, Hound's great power is to create ''maps'', and simple images on rare occasions.)
*Breakdown's leaky pump has been addressed as his weakness (along with his paranoia). This is also mentioned in his G1 toy bio, his[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|TFU]] & [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|MTMTE]] profiles.
*Megatron explains his weapon-du-jour thusly: "The most destructive weapon known to Decepticon science...Utilizing that ruby's light, focused through those perfect lenses, it will fire the most destructive ray of all. More powerful than any laser, it will create a chain reaction in whatever it touches... producing instantaneous destruction." Based on the animation, this appears to be a long-winded way of saying "It blows up rocks."
*Hasn't Megatron learned his lesson about building [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|giant superlasers that can't be moved]]? [[B.O.T. (episode)|Apparently not]]!
*Megatron's line "Suggestion noted...AND IGNORED!" when Soundwave warns him would be revisited during the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Nemesis Part 2]]" when his [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|namesake]] utters those exact sentiments to [[Dinobot II]] on board the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''.
*Two scenes deleted from this episode feature the individual Stunticons talking with each other ''while'' combined as Menasor, only for Menasor himself to then silence all of his components, because their chatter is confusing him! Even without this dialogue, the finished episode portrays Menasor as almost adorably dumb and easily bamboozled - utterly baffled, for example, when Prime accuses him of being an imposter.
*This episode marks the final appearances of [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] in the American version of the original ''Transformers'' cartoon.

===Real-life references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine roar as Laserbeak flies over the faux Stunticons.
**A lengthy sequence of borrowed effects follows as Laserbeak flies onwards - sounds include the ''Falcon'' engine burst, a [[TIE Fighter]]'s targeting computer, [[Death Star]] superlaser, and ''Falcon'' engine whine. As he returns to Soundwave, he gets another ''Falcon'' engine burst.
**''Falcon'' engine and [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] diving whine as Menasor flies away from Autobot Headquarters.
**X-Wing and TIE Fighter roar as the Constructicons fly off... and again as Menasor flies off... and again as Starscream and Soundwave fly off.
**A variety of [[lightsaber]] noises as Megatron fires his super not-a-laser weapon.

===Animation and technical errors===
*Coloring errors:
**As Motormaster hands out assignments, Drag Strip has a random rectangle drawn in the middle of his visor, and Dead End's face is miscolored - his mouthplate is light gray instead of yellow, and his visor is red instead of purple.
**As Optimus gets his idea after watching the broadcast, the triangles on his waist are gray instead of yellow.
**As Laserbeak returns to Soundwave, Soundwave is missing his Decepticon insignia, as well as the gold stripes around his cassette door (which is drawn too small as well). He also doesn't move his mouthplate when he speaks.
**As "Motormaster" (Optimus) drives up to Megatron, his door is colored purple like his windows (and his window rims are colored purple too.) A shot later, it's back to black, but the ''next'' shot (Starscream asking about his voice) shows his grille as black instead of gray. The same thing happens as the real Motormaster busts out of the Autobot cell.
**Just after dismissing the Constructicons, Megatron's face is white.
**"And the Autobots are totally unaware of its existence" - "Breakdown" is colored as Sideswipe. (Of course, he IS Sideswipe, but should be... oh, you get the point.)
**As "Motormaster" (Optimus) asks about the weapon, Megatron's forehead colors are reversed (black forehead with gray triangles).
**As "Motormaster" (Optimus) says, "Too many head-on collisions!", his headlights are black instead of white.
**"Motormaster"'s black grille returns again as Megatron explains the weapon, recurring in numerous shots.
**Soundwave's cheekguards and eject button are both blue instead of white as Starscream mocks Megatron.
**Soundwave's missing the gold rim around his tape door as he and Starscream move toward the impostor Stunticons.
**"No, he's the imposter!" - "Drag Strip" is missing his Decepticon symbol (and possibly some striping, depending on which color model you trust.)
**"There's one absolute test, 'Stunticons'" - Dead End's tires are white; Soundwave's cheekguards are blue instead of white again. The same error repeats when Starscream calls out for Menasor to destroy the Autobots.[[File:Masquerade Megatron manning gun.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
**When Megatron first grabs the laser, he's colored in reverse (light gray body with a dark gray face).
**Drag Strip is white instead of yellow as Menasor swings his sword. When Menasor hits the fake with the sword, Drag Strip is attached backwards, with his wheels pointing outward.
**When "Motormaster" reverts to Optimus Prime, his headlights aren't colored white and he's missing the horizontal lines on the crest of his helmet.
**"No need for the disguises anymore" - Prime's face is a darker gray than his mouthplate in most of this shot; they should be the same tone. For a second, the faceplate darkens then lightens again.
**When the Autobots begin firing on Menasor, his face is entirely black.
**Just before Megatron fires the laser, Windcharger is miscoloured in green and gray (with yellow stripes on his arms, like Hound).
**As he stares at the destroyed weapon, Sideswipe's fist is white instead of black.
*When Motormaster says "Breakdown and Wildrider", he points to each robot as he says the other's name.
*The Stunticons land on a beach and each of them kicks up sand when they land. A few moments later, they transform and drive off, and no sand is disturbed by their tires.
*The Stunticons clearly never had detailed transformation models worked out:
**Every time the four cars transform to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], they more or less just morph into their Earth forms. When they transform back to [[robot mode]], all the robot bits just slide out from under their car modes, which disappear into their backs.
**Motormaster's transformation is similarly wonky; his arms are just kind of absorbed lengthwise into his torso, which then morphs into his trailer - rather than the arms ''becoming'' the trailer's roof, as they should. Every time he transforms, his trailer/torso rather blatantly changes color from light to dark gray (or vice versa.)
*Ventriloquist bots:
**Ratchet's voice actor in this episode is [[Wally Burr]], not the usual [[Don Messick]], and it shows. Burr uses the same generic deep voice he used for Thundercracker in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" and Jazz in "[[Kremzeek!]]".
**"Yeah, but I don't have to like it" - Ironhide's mouth doesn't move for the first part of this line.
**Menasor's mouth doesn't move as he says his own name.
**As he flies off to "Destroy fake Stunticons", Menasor's mouth - again - doesn't move.
**As Bumblebee says, "Great Cybertron," Spike is mouthing the words.
**The Autobot Menasor gets knocked to the ground, but one who delivers "The generator..." line in Optimus' voice is the one standing up (with the sky behind him).
*Wildrider is missing his transformation sound effect as he approaches the optics shop; Breakdown does get one a second later.
*The experimental generator is inordinately tiny when it's sitting on the flatbed truck.
*Motormaster somehow transforms into (a ''tiny'') truck mode while still inside the museum. Also, a moment later as he drives away, he has a dark gray stripe on his trailer that shouldn't be there.
*While firing on Drag Strip, Warpath is shown driving forward while his treads are stationary.
*As Tracks goes into flight mode, the sandy beach suddenly has squares on it for one shot (as if it were pavement).
*As Motormaster comes into view before the crash with Prime, his bumper extends to the sides of his trailer rather than the sides of his cab.
*When rushing to inspect the aftermath of Optimus and Motormaster's game of chicken, Spike exclaims "I can't see anythi-". Before he can spit out "ng," Blaster cuts him off saying "I'm not getting any radio response."
*After the crash, just before Optimus transforms into robot mode, his cab's grille is missing the vertical line in the middle. His subsequent transformation looks very crude, especially around his legs.
*Blaster contacts the other Autobots and his chest lights up, but during Warpath's report it's no longer flashing.
[[File:G1 cartoon Motormaster slagged.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*As often happens, the animators mistake Motormaster's panel lines for the start of a second trailer. It's particularly visible in the last shot of his wrecked form after his collision with Prime.
*Optimus strokes his faceplate during the discussion of the Stunticons' plans, and his finger disappears for a moment.
*The broadcast of the doctor's announcement shows a building with the word "OPTCS" behind him. Earlier it was correctly shown as "REPUBLIC ''OPTICS'' COMPANY".
*The doctor's bow tie has grown to twice the size when he appears on TV.
*Jazz's waist is huge as he stands outside the paint chamber.
*When approaching the crater, Jazz appears to be driving above and not under rocks, and as Windcharger breaks formation to test their disguises, he clips into the cliff edge above them. In the same shot, "Wildrider"'s windows are the same gray as his body, rather than red.
[[File:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Introducing Ultra class Ironhide and Scout class Ratchet.]]
*As a result of animation cels being stacked incorrectly, Ratchet appears teeny-tiny in the front of a crowd shot, making Ironhide look colossal by comparison. The tiny Ratchet should, of course, be (barely visible) at the ''back'' of the crowd.
[[File:Masquerade-menasor-modelchange.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Model make no sense! Menasor confused."]]
*Menasor's limbs:
**When the Stunticons combine at Autobot Headquarters, Motormaster transforms to robot mode... and then the other Stunticons just clip onto him, rather than forming additional new limbs. Of course, it kinda sorta fits with the screwed-up way Menasor is often drawn, but this version has ''Motormaster's feet''.
**During his escape, Menasor constantly changes back and forth between having Dead End and Drag Strip attached ''to'' his arms, and having them ''as'' his arms. (It should be the latter.)
**As Menasor lands at the crater, two successive shots show him from exactly the same angle. In the first, his Drag Strip arm is drawn as the "clip-onto-Motormaster" model... and in the very next shot, it's drawn as the "Drag Strip forms the whole arm" model.
*When Menasor takes off to warn Megatron, he has a purple [[Autobot]] insignia.
*Menasor's under-arm lasers only appear when the plot calls for them - when he fires them in Autobot Headquarters, and again when he fires them on the fake Menasor. The first time, they're dark gray; the second time, they're white.
*Mirage's Autobot symbol is missing as he transforms.
*The weapon's beam comes from ''beside'' the barrel, rather than coming out of it.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:G1 Masquerade Warpath crushes DeadEnd.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Bad day for Dead End...as usual]]
[[File:Masquerade BreakdownWildriderdefeated.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|It seems someone got his driver’s license revocated...again]]
*During their construction in "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]", Megatron notes that he has outfitted the Stunticons with "automatic force fields that make their hulls impenetrable", which accounts for how well they did in battle. Yet in this episode they are easily taken down by second string Autobots, including non-fighters such as Grapple and Hoist. Warpath even manages to simply punch right through Dead End! Optimus Prime only suffers a slight headache after colliding with Motormaster, who is wrecked! Clearly they have been skimping on their scheduled maintenance.
*Motormaster's [[transformation scheme]] greatly differs from that of Optimus Prime - yet after donning his Motormaster disguise, Optimus transforms exactly like Motormaster does. (However bizarre this seems, it was clearly scripted - so we also count it as a possible technology, under Continuity Notes above.)
*The Stunticons are all badly beaten up after their capture. But when they escape, they're suddenly in perfect shape - able to drive, transform, combine and fight with no problems.
*"The weapon [is] but minutes from completion. And then..." "And then... what?" A fine question, indeed! Megatron's crazy laser thing is stuck down in the bottom of a crater, with no obvious way to move about or blow up anything that doesn't come popping down into the crater.
*The Autobots account for their ability to merge (Windcharger's magnetic field) and for the fake Menasor's face (Mirage's hologram) but where do they get working ''hands'' for their fake Menasor?

===Sci-Fi Channel edits===
*In the mid-1990s, many G1 episodes were aired on the [[Cartoon Quest|SciFi]] [[Animation Station|Channel]]. To allow expanded advertising time, they were edited down, cutting "unnecessary" dialog and scenes out. Some of the "unnecessary" dialog cut from this episode included parts of Grapple and Inferno's lines, resulting in them collectively uttering "Time to add firobably hate myself in the morning, but..."

===Trivia===
[[File:Dragstripcartoon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Dead End and Drag Strip, your job is to upsell."]]
*In full sell-my-toy mode, Motormaster gives a quick introdump at the episode's start, naming off his troops, and then ''again'' a moment later as he hands out assignments.
*In case you missed it, the Autobots chosen to impersonate the Stunticons are based specifically on [[alternate mode]]s. Given this attention to detail, it's not infeasible to think that the plot of this episode may have originally called for the Autobots to simply have their alternate modes painted, since they consistently refrain from transforming once in the Decepticon camp:
**Although the specific models don't line up, Prime and Motormaster both transform into semi trucks
**Jazz and Dead End are both Porsches
**Sideswipe and Breakdown are both Lamborghinis
**Mirage and Drag Strip are both Formula 1 race cars (albeit very different-looking ones)
**And.... weeeeell, Windcharger's a Pontiac Firebird and Wildrider's a Ferrari, but the plot demanded Windcharger for his magnetic abilities. This would also explain why a different device, a projector of some sort, is used to disguise him rather than the camouflage paint.
*Whether by inspiration or by parallel reasoning, several toy redecos have followed the pattern of this episode:
**''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[:File:ClassicsLOCMenasor.jpg|Menasor]] is a [[redeco]] from ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' [[:File:LOC CybertronPrime.jpg|Optimus Prime]], [[Transformers: Generations#Asian market exclusives .28.22GDO.22.29|GDO]] [[:File:GenerationsMotorbreathToy.jpg|Motorbreath]] is a retool of ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[:File:TF2010-toy Legends Optimus Prime.jpg|Optimus Prime]] and ''Animated'' Motor Master is a retool of ''Animated'' Optimus Prime. ''[[Transformers: Generations#Combiner Wars .282015-.29|Combiner Wars]]'' Voyager class [[:File:GenerationsVoyOP.jpg|Optimus Prime]] also got [[:File:Generations-CW Voyager Motormaster stock.jpg|a Motormaster retool]].
**''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[:File:Universe2008 DragStrip.jpg|Drag Strip]] is made from ''Classics'' [[:File:Classics Mirage toy.jpg|Mirage]]. ''Combiner Wars'' [[:File:CWDlxMirage.jpg|Mirage]] is also a [[:File:Generationstoy-Dragstrip.jpg|Dragstrip]] retool.
**At one point there was intended to be a ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' [[Wildrider (G1)#Notes|Wildrider]] created from ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[:File:AltWindcharger toy.jpg|Windcharger]] (or rather, his ''Binaltech'' [[:File:Binaltech Overdrive Toy.jpg|counterpart]]), but that never eventuated.
**[[Don Figueroa]] used ''Universe'' [[:File:Universe2008 SideSwipe toy.jpg|Sideswipe]] as a basis for the [[2005 IDW continuity]] version of Breakdown, and the toy's mold was used for both the ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[BotCon 2010]] [[:File:BreakdownBotcon.JPG|''Generation 2''-esque Breakdown]] toy and the ''Timelines'' [[Transformers Collectors' Club|TFCC:]] [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] [[:File:TFSS Preview Breakdown.jpg|Generation 1-esque Breakdown]] toys! Furthermore, ''Animated'' Breakdown uses the same mold as ''Animated'' Sideswipe (the Rodimus Minor mold).
**''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[:File:ROTF-toy DeadEndTitanium.jpg|live-action movie Dead End]] reuses [[:File:Movie TitaniumRM Jazz.jpg|live-action movie Jazz]]'s mold, while the ''Timelines'' toy of an [[:File:Animated Dead End Toy.JPG|''Animated''-esque Dead End]] is a redeco of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' [[:File:Ani-toy Jazz Deluxe.jpg|Jazz]].
** By 2017, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Combiner Wars|Optimus Prime]], [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Mirage]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Jazz]] had all received ''Combiner Wars'' style toy releases.
*Optimus's "And then... what?" is apparently a rare instance of hearing a character's thoughts, since he says it in his own voice while sitting right next to Megatron, still in his Motormaster disguise.
*If any one episode served to cement Megatron's poor reputation among certain (more snarky) elements of the fandom, this is surely it. He comes up with a madcap scheme to build a useless weapon, doesn't listen to any of his troops' rather intelligent suggestions, insults his underlings for no reason, misses the obvious, toys with his enemies, pouts when he loses, and flies off with nothing in the end.
*Man, Starscream saw through the whole charade in about two seconds, didn't he?

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mascarade'''" ("Masquerade")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Perfekte Tarnung'''" ("Perfect Disguise")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 17]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''I falsi Stunticons'''" ("The Fake Stunticons")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Sotto copertura'''" ("Undercover")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Masquerade'''" (マスカレード)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 19]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shēn Rù Hǔ Xué '''" (深入虎穴, "Deep in the Decepticon's Lair")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Super Missão'''" ("The Super Mission")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Maskarad'''" (Маскарад, "Masquerade")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:CWDlxMirage.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb]]
*'''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|''Combiner Wars'']] Voyager Class Optimus Prime''' (Hasbro, 2015)
*'''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|''Combiner Wars'']] Deluxe Class Mirage''' (Hasbro, 2015)

:Both ''Combiner Wars'' Optimus Prime and Mirage are the only Autobots that are based on their pre-Stunticon disguises as they share the same transformation schemes with their retool/pretools Motormaster and Drag Strip.

{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1990 — ''Transformers'' — Cosmic Rust / Masquerade ([[Tempo Video]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 8 (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 14 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-63.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=18aM3T_RHrxrFIZEwiHm2bYxugAkqtCU6 Episode dialogue script with deleted lines]

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

Sea Change

2023-02-02T19:28:15Z

Repowers: a tweet prompted all this

{{episode
|image=SeaChange Alana riding Seaspray.jpg
|caption=Taking inter-species relationships to the [[Transformer romance#Transformer - organic|next level]].
|series=G1toon
|ep=49
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=44
|prev2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2
|next2=Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=35
|prev3=Blaster Blues
|next3=The Search for Alpha Trion
|title="Sea Change"
|season=2
|season ep=33
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production code=700-48
|airdate=[[November 20]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcQuQ_lhsKE
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Seaspray turns into a merman with robot feet and falls in love.'''

... '''wait, what?!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] is pulling a water skiing [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] around a lake, but Bumblebee wipes out while trying to jump a ramp. 'Bee decides to call it a day, as the first star comes out. Seaspray makes a wish on the star, but keeps it a secret, otherwise it won't come true.

Meanwhile, on [[Tlalakan (planet)|another planet]], the [[Tlalakan (species)|Tlalakan]]s are all wishing for one thing... freedom from [[Deceptitran]], who has enslaved them. He has developed a unique method of gathering [[energon]] by directly harvesting it from the Tlalakans themselves. However, the Tlalakans have finally had enough, and revolt. As his droids appear incapable of stopping them, Deceptitran sends out a distress signal.

[[File:SeaChange Autobots in Cosmos.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Seaspray! Bumblebee! This nice prince of the Zigerian system says he'll electronic mail us a million [[Shanix]] if I send him one thousand to unlock his account first!"]]

Back on [[Earth]], Seaspray is still wishing on stars, when he suddenly receives a signal. Heading back to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], the two [[Autobot]]s show it to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]. Perceptor can't identify any specifics, but he is sure that it's a distress signal. Optimus sends the three in [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], but the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] himself is too large to come. The Autobots depart, as Optimus wishes them luck. Before they reach the planet, Perceptor discovers that the distress signal is similar to ones intercepted during the [[Third Cybertron War]]. Seaspray suddenly realizes that they're responding to a distress signal intended for the [[Decepticon]]s. Before they can abort, Deceptitran detects them, and orders the droids to open fire. As the Autobots emerge from the crash, the droids swoop in to finish the job, when the Tlalakans suddenly attack. Seaspray manages to save one, who calls herself [[Alana]]... and Seaspray appears a little shy.

Meanwhile, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] enters the planet's atmosphere and lands in the city. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] has come with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] to assist. After Deceptitran briefs Megatron on the situation, the Decepticons go Autobot hunting.

[[File:SeaChange Seaspray Bumblebee at pool.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|She's sitting in the pool because they've stolen her dress to make dusters!]]

Meanwhile, the Autobots are being taken to the [[Well of Transformation]], which the Tlalakans describe as the one secret that they have kept from Deceptitran. Unfortunately, a pair of droids have followed them in. Bumblebee downs one, while Seaspray throws another into the Well...where it dissolves. Alana explains that the Well dissolves the body, leaving only the lifeforce, which the Tlalakans use to change into whatever they want. Alana warns them not to get in, fearing that they will die just like the droid. After turning into a mermaid, Alana bids them farewell, blowing Seaspray a [[kiss]]. Bumblebee has to drag a babbling Seaspray out of the cave.

Heading to the river, the Autobots are discovered by [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]], and the rest of the Decepticons swoop in. Seaspray [[Transformation|transforms]] and takes the Autobots down the river—and right over the waterfall. Perceptor, Seaspray, and Cosmos are rescued by the Tlalakans, while Bumblebee is captured. The Autobots are taken to the Tlalakans underwater city, the only place that the Decepticons have not conquered. They meet [[Tlaloc]], their king, who loans them some warriors to rescue Bumblebee and storm the city. However, Cosmos and Perceptor are too damaged. It's just Seaspray and his men. Er, mermen. After the mermen and Alana change back into humans, some of the mermen set bombs under the city, heralding the start of the attack. The Decepticons go to attack the Tlalakans, while Bumblebee activates a homing beam. He signals Seaspray, who rescues Bumblebee and damages Deceptitran. The Tlalakans withdraw, taking Bumblebee with them, while Seaspray and Alana go to the well. Unfortunately, Laserbeak follows Bumblebee underwater...

In the control room, Deceptitran is having a panic attack, causing Megatron to simply turn him off (why he doesn't do that with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] is beyond anyone's guess). Megatron receives a signal from Laserbeak, and promises to join their little friend in a short while...

[[File:SeaChange Mermaid Seaspray and Alana.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Robo-Conan & Robo-Sonya]]

In the forest, the Tlalakans are being chased by the droids, but manage to reach the Well of Transformation. Seaspray asks if Alana really believes he would die if he went in, but Alana points out that they're both machines. Feeling dejected, Seaspray resolves to go into the Well, as Alana cries out in horror. Believing him dead, Alana muses that she ''did'' love Seaspray...only for Seaspray to emerge as a blond muscle man, but with robot feet (and for some reason, still a gargling voice). The two jump into the Well and change into merpeople. They discover that the city is under attack by the Decepticons, but Seaspray doesn't have any weapons systems as a merman. Spotting them, Megatron orders Rumble to follow. Rumble begins firing, only for his body to also be affected by the Well. Alana begins to tell Rumble to think of a big tree, or become lost. Rumble survives...as a tree. Seaspray resumes his old robot mode, while Alana takes one of her own, as a measure for fighting Decepticons, but she likes her color (guess what [[Elita One (G1)|it]] [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|is]]). On the surface, Seaspray and Alana head to the above water city (with Alana transforming into a gondola) and attack Deceptitran's forces.

[[File:SeaChange Alana Deceptitran.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Boy, you are too fat to be my ''botfriend''!]]

Underwater, the Decepticons are overwhelming the Autobots and Tlalakans, when Megatron receives a mayday from Deceptitran. Megatron is willing to leave Deceptitran to die, but the energon must be protected. Heading back for the city, the Decepticons spot Seaspray, and follow him into the energon warehouse. However, the droids fire on the Decepticons, as Alana has reprogrammed Decepitran to serve her. The explosion causes a massive tremor, destroys the city and causes Rumble, back in the caves, to fall into the Well of Transformation, allowing him to change back. Megatron orders Astrotrain to transform and take them off the planet.

As the Tlalakans celebrate, Alana has retaken her human form, but tells Seaspray that they won't let it ruin their relationship. As the two sail off into the sunset, Bumblebee notices the first star, and asks if anyone wants to make a wish. Perceptor asks why, and Bee says that it's merely a [[human]] superstition he heard...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (1)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (2)
* [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (9)
|c2=
* [[Deceptitran]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (13)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (14)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
|h3=[[Tlalakan (species)|Talalkans]]|c3=
* [[Chac]] (3)
* [[Alana]] (4)
* [[Mok]] (5)
* [[Tlaloc]] (16)
* [[Rarto]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hey, look! The first star of the evening. Whaddaya say we make a wish?"<br>
"I know what ''my'' wish is... no more water skiing!"
:—'''Seaspray''' and '''Bumblebee'''

"Oh no...my paint job's... ruined."
:—borrowing a page from [[Carnage in C-Minor|Broadside]] and [[B.O.T. (episode)|Gears']] playbook, '''Cosmos''' sweats the small stuff before collapsing

"She kissed me! She kissed me!"<br>
"Ah, dream on, bubble-brain..."
:—'''Seaspray''' and '''Bumblebee''' on Seaspray's love life

"Maybe that is all I am, a bunch of transistors and bolts, but I don't believe it! My heart may look like an [[energon pump]] but that doesn't mean it can't feel."
:—'''Seaspray'''

"Transform, you sponge, and get us out of here!"
:—'''Megatron''' destroys Astrotrain's self-esteem with what appears to be a sea-related insult. Mercy.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 28th May 1985
* Script revised by Doug Booth: 30th May 1985
* First draft storyboards completed: 8th June 1985
* Dialogue recording: 20th June 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:SeaChange Deceptitran.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* More interplanetary dealings by Megatron! He's apparently built himself some kind of little empire off-screen, given the content of this episode and "[[The Gambler]]".
* Gadgets and powers:
** Seaspray picks up Deceptitran's distress call. He has to muck with some component inside his chest to do it.
** Cosmos is explicitly shown changing size when he transforms inside Autobot Headquarters; he converts to ship mode, then suddenly enlarges enough to accommodate his three passengers.
* Cosmos flies straight out of the volcano's cone, a rarely-used but apparently viable means of leaving Autobot Headquarters.
*Bumblebee's original [[bio]] notes that he's good at underwater operations, and of course Seaspray is made for such work. Still, the implication of both bios is that the ''other'' Autobots ''aren't'' real good underwater... but here, as with every other underwater episode, all of them are equally at home. In fact, Bumblebee is portrayed [[Humanization|coughing and sputtering]] after going over the falls.
* As with the [[Atlantis, Arise!|Sub-Atlanticans]], the Tlalakans can talk underwater.
* Dirge mentions [[robo-rat]]s.
*Rumble says destroying Seaspray and Alana will be a "piece of carborundum".
* Seaspray's faceplate can apparently change colour when smitten. Powerglide does not show the same reaction when put in the same situation in "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]".
* Rumble calls Astrotrain an [[astro-turkey]]. Although pretty clearly an insult in its original context, TakaraTomy's ''[[World of the Transformers]]'' online featurette declared it to be a Cybertronian creature.
* Exactly why Seaspray and Rumble are able to survive and even use the [[Well of Transformation]] isn't really explored within the episode. The concept of the [[Spark]] wasn't established at this point in the franchise, but is an excellent explanation as to why Deceptitran's drones are destroyed while full-fledged Transformers are not.
* Rumble is frigging stupid.

===Real-world references===
[[File:SeaChange Bumblebee wipeout.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|It went almost as well as Dinobot football.]]
[[File:SeaChange Tlalakans escaping.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* The term "sea change" simply means [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20change a significant transformation,] though, {{w|Ariel's Song|when Shakespeare coined it}}, he was talking about the substance of a body literally being changed by the sea (such as bone being replaced with coral).
* This episode marks the Autobots' third foray into Earth sports, as Bumblebee gives water skiing a try (see also "[[The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders]]" and "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]") The Stunticons will later have a go at it in "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]".
* The vaguely Meso-American aesthetic of the natives and the word "Tlalakan" itself suggests that the planet is meant to evoke {{w|Tlalocan}}, the "heaven" in Aztec cosmology reserved for those who died by drowning or had an otherwise water-related death. That's, uh, actually pretty morbid!
* One of the Tlalakan natives is even named {{w|Tlaloc}}, after the Aztec god of rain and water who ruled Tlalocan. Hopefully, he didn't demand child sacrifices like the real one...
*Conversely, another of the natives is named Chac, which is very similar to {{w|Chaac}}, who was a Mayan god of rain.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** [[Lightsaber]]s clashing and slashing equipment as the drones whip the workers.
** Diving [[X-wing Fighter]]s as Cosmos first approaches the city, and again when Astrotrain makes the same approach.
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine roar as Laserbeak takes off to pursue Seaspray.
** [[TIE Fighter]] roar as Laserbeak flies into Astrotrain.

===Animation and technical errors===
* As he's water skiing, Bumblebee is supposed to ski up to the ramp and then over it, but instead he's floating a few feet above the water before he even gets to it. Then a layering error has him flying past the ramp (in front of it, looking tiny) instead of going over it. Then part of his feet and skis disappear after he clears the ramp.
*Ventriloquist bots:
** "Because that is my programming!" - Deceptitran's mouth doesn't move as he laughs after delivering this line.
** Prime's mouthplate doesn't move as he restates Perceptor's analysis.
** Perceptor groans in pain twice after the crash... but the second time, it's the more visibly damaged Cosmos who's on-screen.
** Alana has already moved underwater when she says "I'll see you there".
** The shot of the Autobots going over the waterfall is repeated before and after the commercial break. The first time, the Autobots are crying out as they fall; the second time, they're silent.
** Seaspray orders Bumblebee to go with the Tlalakans, but one of the Tlalakans is shown mouthing his words.
** "Hey, what's going on?!" - tree-Rumble's mouth doesn't move as he speaks this line.
** Tree-Rumble's cough (as he falls in the water) is provided by Astrotrain's voice actor.
* Coloring errors:
** When the guards dump Chac, Alana's legs are colored green, as if she's wearing pants. (Heavens forefend!)
**While analyzing the distress signal, Perceptor's helmet is red.
** "We came as soon as we got your request for help" - two bits of Megatron's Decepticon symbol aren't colored in.
** Seaspray's back is yellow instead of white as Laserbeak flies overhead.
** One of Soundwave's hands is white as he captures Bumblebee.
** As the firing Decepticons advance on the undersea city, Rumble has Frenzy's color scheme.
** Megatron's fusion cannon is white instead of dark gray as he flies out of the city to attack the rebels.
** "They must not escape!" - Deceptitran's mouth is the same gray as his face, where it is darker gray in other scenes. The same error happens as he responds to Cosmos's arrival over the city.
** When Deceptitran radios Megatron to tell him the energon supplies are in jeopardy, Soundwave's cheekguards and eject button are blue instead of white; then his visor changes from red to white.
** Soundwave is colored as Perceptor, and Astrotrain as Cosmos, when the Decepticons leave to save the energon.
** When the droids first start firing on the Decepticons, the walls are shown glowing energon pink, but they haven't reached the energon stockpile yet.
** Around the time when Megatron calls a retreat, Soundwave's visor is white.
** "Destroy the Autobot!" - as the Decepticons run along, Soundwave's missing his eject button, has some black stripes on his chest, and has blue cheekguards again.
* Missing body parts:
** As we look over Perceptor's shoulder in Autobot Headquarters, his head is missing! His cannon's also missing some of its black coloration.
** When Seaspray and Bumblebee are seen carrying Cosmos, only Cosmos' upper half is there! Perceptor's missing his Autobot symbol as he walks behind the other Autobots.
** As Seaspray warns Mok, his left arm is missing.
** "It's those blasted rebels again" - Astrotrain's right wing is missing.
** When Rumble is ordered by Megatron to follow Seaspray and Alana, his rear-mounted weapon disappears as he moves forward; meanwhile, Megatron's gun barrel is missing.
* When Alana runs to assist Chac, the first cell is reversed, making her appear to be on the wrong side of the screen for an instant.
* Lots of misaligned glow effects in this episode:
** When Seaspray starts to receive the distress message, a glow effect is shown, but it's not illuminating any of his components.
** In the first shot of Cosmos beginning to enter the atmosphere, the heat flame effect is off to one side of him.
** When the droids open fire on Cosmos, the laser beams are misaligned so that they're not coming from the guns, but from a bit to the right of the guns.
** When they first attack the city to rescue Bumblebee, a couple of the rebel's shots aren't aligned with their guns.
** The glow of Bumblebee's homing beacon is not inside the lines of the buttons he's pushing in two successive shots. Neither are the glowing components on Seaspray's side as he receives the signal.
* In the nighttime establishing shot of Autobot Headquarters, the ship is tilted much more steeply than usual, almost vertical to the ground.
* In the first shot of the newly arrived Decepticons, Rumble's model is replaced by one Deceptitran's droid's. Also, Dirge and Soundwave are both missing their Decepticon symbols.
* As Deceptitran tells Megatron about the Autobots, he's floating above the floor instead of sitting on it.
* Soundwave's 'con symbol is missing again as he moves to capture Bumblebee.
* Flying Autobots:
** Perceptor and Bumblebee are showing "flying" along underwater without moving their limbs, despite not having any means of propulsion. Seaspray should be using his propellers, but he's not.
* Missing [[Transformation#The noise|transformation noise]]:
** After randomly declaring that "we may be able to repair ourselves after all" for no apparent reason, Perceptor transforms to robot mode with no transformation sound.
** The Decepticons land and transform in sequence to pursue Seaspray into the energon warehouse, but only a single transformation sound effect plays. Dirge finishes his transformation in silence.
* When Alana tells Seaspray to take the tunnel to the surface, Seaspray stops - but his propellors are drawn as though they're still spinning, even though they're not moving.
* Seaspray's shot (which severs Deceptitran's arm) doesn't get the usual Autobot laser sound effect.
* Megatron tells Dirge and the droids to chase Seaspray and Alana, but only the droids go. One of the droids freezes in place behind Megatron as he lands.
* When Rumble moves forward to start the attack, the perspective of his body doesn't correspond to the perspective of his gun.
* Wrong laser sounds:
** Dirge gets a non-standard laser effect as he fires at Seaspray.
** Megatron's fusion cannon doesn't make its standard sound as he laughs during the attack.
[[File:G1-Cartoon-SeaChange-Rumble-Tree.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Rumble's plan to attract hot tree huggers goes awry.]]
* After Rumble's and Seaspray's transformative glow effects vanish, the backgrounds don't change back to normal with it.
* When Rumble is changed into a tree, he appears to be simply a tree with a mouth and eye holes, but during his close-up, his face is its regular, robotic self, apart from the fact his visor is now two separate eyes. The tree images in general look rather unfinished.
* The animators did a pretty good job of remembering that Deceptitran is missing an arm, but it briefly reappears as Alana and Seaspray approach for the second time.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Cosmos in space.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Inside: Seaspray, Bumblebee, Perceptor, and two of every animal in its kind.]]
[[File:SeaChange Energy syphon.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|He's like 50 Dr. Arkevilles.]]
*In all of its other appearances, Cosmos's interior is shown to have light grey walls with a dark grey floor. For this episode only, his interior is the same burnt orange color as the interior of Autobot HQ.
* Moreover, he's got a carrying capacity far greater than what was shown in "[[Blaster Blues]]" and "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" (though comparable to what's shown in "[[Quest for Survival]]".) He ''does'' turn away Optimus Prime as being too big to fit, implying that there is ''some'' kind of size limit on his interior.
* In "The Ultimate Doom" it was shown that Dr. Arkeville couldn't even fill 1 energon cube with his brain power, yet the energy from Chac instantly fills a cube. Deceptitran's equipment appears to do a full-body power drain from the Tlalakans, as opposed to just using "mind energy" as Starscream did.
*Although Tlaloc appears to be among the mer-Tlalakans leading the escaping prisoners away, he later expresses surprise that Alana and Mok are free.
* As usual, it's a bit weird that Perceptor transforms to microscope mode to look at a screen.
* Why is Dirge setting up a probe to extract information from Bumblebee? Megatron's got Soundwave right there, and [[Roll for It|he's done this]] [[War of the Dinobots|multiple times before]]. Aside from being [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette-guy]], it's kind of his main thing.
* After Alana and Seaspray rescue Bumblebee, Megatron orders "Dirge! Droids! Follow them!" However, Dirge, who is standing right next to him, doesn't move. And he's still depicted with Megatron in the very next scene, when Megatron is dealing with the hysterical Deceptitran.
*It's implied that the Tlalakans can only change form while in the Well of Transformation, yet Alana's transformation between robot and gondola modes uses the same effect as a Tlalakan changing, rather than a traditional Transformer transformation (as you would expect from her having imitated Cosmos's species) and she's nowhere near the Well. Likewise, she changes from a pink metal robot into a brown wooden boat.
*Also, how is Alana able to shoot lasers when transformed? It looks like they just come out of her body!

===Trivia===
* Nearly every discrepancy in the episode, big and small, is the result of the trimming that the first-draft script went through to get it down to a 22-minute episode:
** The "wish on a star" scene originally had Seaspray noticing a human couple together near the water, making clear to the viewer and to Bumblebee what his unfulfilled wish was. Bee gives him some ribbing about it a few times later on... but it's also why he mentions wishing on a star at the episode's conclusion.
** The subplot of Perceptor and Cosmos's damage is almost entirely cut. The script calls for Perceptor to be visibly damaged as he's carried out of Cosmos, a visual that didn't make it into the animation. Later the Tlalakans showed Perceptor an organically developed welding torch, prompting his otherwise random line about repairing themselves. The two were to be shown with detached limbs as they worked to get them fully functional again, then frantically reattaching them as the Decepticons attacked!
** A cut scene would have featured Astrotrain greedily devouring the stored energon, then drunkenly transforming to locomotive mode and smashing into a wall. He subsequently "sleeps it off" for the rest of the episode, with Dirge periodically checking in on him, explaining why he's absent for nearly all of the scenes on the alien planet. This also explains Megatron's strange insult to him during the retreat; originally Megs called him a "sot" -- a drunkard -- rather than a "sponge".
** Dirge also grumbles during one of these checkins that he "never should have left Cybertron".
** Dirge's memory probe originally uncovered a scene of little baby Bumblebee transforming for the first time, with his momma and daddy looking on proudly.
** The chemistry/tension between Seaspray and Alana is expanded and ratcheted up a bit; at one point, complaining that the Tlalakans see him as nothing but a bunch of nuts and bolts, Alana replies that she *likes* his nuts and bolts!
* Number of times someone says "Destroy the Autobots": 4
* "I'm, uh, sorry about what happened to your city," says Seaspray, in a hilariously avoidant use of the passive voice - "what happened" to it was that ''Seaspray blew it up!''

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le grand amour'''" ("The True Love")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il pianeta Tritone'''" ("The Planet Tritone")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Cambio di marea'''" ("Change of Tide")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Henshin no Izumi'''" (変身の泉, "The Spring of Transformation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 16]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Bàngwǎn de Xīngxīng '''" (傍晚的星星, "Stars at Nightfall")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mudança no Mar'''" ("Sea Change")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Morje menyayetsya'''" (Море меняется, "The Sea Is Changing")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Seaspray.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And they look at you ... and they KNOW. And they say "Who's Alanna?"]]
*'''Seaspray''' (Legends Class, [[2017]])
**''Accessories'': Blaster/roof

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Seaspray's inner forearms have [[Alana]]'s name (though spelled "Alan'''n'''a") engraved in [[Alphabet#Autobot script|Ancient Autobot]] in reference to this episode. Apparently he ran out and got the Autobot equivalent of a tattoo.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 11 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-48.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rjc2FYqZXWb0ZWz8kSXkwV-gPRihpFYG/view?usp=sharing First draft script, submitted 28th May 1985]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zn2HPBqxNFsnavpHsHVYByJbP5SLwA1M/view?usp=sharing Episode script, revised by Doug Booth 30th May 1985]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-48-sea-change.html Gallery of first draft storyboards]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BM_e63erCeyF4IhpuedhE8-1SxN2dN5w Episode dialogue script]

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

Crankcase (G1)

2023-01-03T14:08:01Z

Repowers: /* Marvel Generation 2 comic */ well that's hung around for 10+ years while being irrelevant and making no sense

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{disambig3|Crankcase}}
:''Crankcase is a whiny [[Decepticon]] [[Triggercon]] skidplate from the dumb [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Crankcase slamevil.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|SLAM EVIL PUPPIES!]]
Nobody likes '''Crankcase''', and he hates everybody and everything. Once a geeky collection of circuits and servos, Crankcase began life as a menial janitor in the Fuel-Spill Section of the [[Ministry of Energy and Nutrition]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The bullies of his youth put a huge chip on his shoulder, where he now carries a set of heavy guns. He'd rather use them on those too weak to retaliate, and then laugh in their faces while their [[energon]] runs out. This makes him momentarily happy; then he goes back to an endless series of griping complaints about every facet of his miserable existence. A complete jerk and slag-piece, he fits fairly well into the [[Decepticon]] military, but adds very little to it. The [[Autobot]]s certainly wouldn't want him. They already have [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]].

{{quote|Every time I take the '''tiniest''' step towards some '''loose approximation''' of happiness, '''fate''' comes along to '''shoot me in the face'''.|Crankcase|"[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Triggercons.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Dumb stubbies think they can just make up how my head looks!?]]
Crankcase was under the command of that vapor-brained [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] millions of years ago on Cybertron, but they couldn't even beat up a bunch of pipecleaner pacifists right. His crew completely lost the source of all knowledge and information, the [[Underbase]], thanks to interference from that chrome-brain, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''Things only got worse after that. Oh sure, we don't know anything that actually happened to Crankcase for over four million years, but they definitely must've gotten worse. In the present day, he had a useless job serving the equally useless Decepticon [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]. What a bunch of bloated losers. Sure, a [[Straxus (G1)|clone]] of Megatron came along and managed to inspire Crankcase to turn on those louts, but he wound up having to do most of the work in actually blowing them away while their backs were turned. All Megatron had to do was deliver a speech and everyone suddenly loved him again. Though Crankcase said he would be glad to die as a warrior rather than endure the mockery of a life he had under the Triumviate, none of the [[Decepticon leader]]s could ever accomplish anything lasting, so who Crankcase was serving didn't matter.'' {{storylink|The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.}}

[[File:Crankcase battletrap quake the void.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
''"Megatron" promised battles, but instead sent Crankcase off to find other warriors for the cause... Great, now he was a glorified recruiting agent. Soon, Megatron blew himself up and was replaced by another Megatron, but then the new one blew himself up too, and Crankcase was ordered by the [[Decepticon High Council]] to go to that miserable mudball Earth and retrieve one of the contestants for the 'Con leadership. Of course, as he suspected it'd happen, the guy didn't take it kindly to be retrieved, and instead beat Crankcase and his compatriots up, commandeered their ship, and had the bright idea to attack the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].'' {{storylink|Rage!}} ''You didn't have to be a pessimist to know how that one would work out: grossly outnumbered, the Decepticons were quickly overpowered. Still, battered and damaged, they retrieved [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and convinced him to retreat and fight another day. Wouldn't you know, the Decepticon Council of Elders thought this was stellar performance, and nominated him as the new Con leader. Just goes to show, you have to be a loony to be in charge.'' {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}} Then his [[Triggercon]] "friends" abandoned him to go running off with some [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. Slag-suckers—like joining a group with an even stupider name than the [[Wrecker]]s is going to be some sort of edge in combat. Odds were their commander would end up going mad with power and beat the circuits out of them, anyway. {{storylink|Matrix Quest}}

Later, some pathetic [[Primus|"God"]] possessed an even more pathetic [[Xaaron|Autobot]] and gathered Crankcase with a bunch of other Transformers to battle [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Right—a swarm of mecha-ants attacking a guy the size of a planet. That was really going to work. Anyway, Optimus Prime made a really long and self-important speech, picked up [[Matrix of Leadership|some nick-knack]] he found lying around and managed to blow the evil planet-bot to smithereens. someone was probably expecting Crankcase to clean up the mess afterwards. Not a chance. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

Some schmuck named [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] took over the Decepticons after that, and began plotting to betray the Autobots, who had since entered a predictably doomed alliance with the Decepticons. Crankcase went along with his little band of conspirators, and the bunch of them managed to swindle the Autobots out of a bunch of their spaceship. With the Autobots stranded on their decaying world, the Decepticons were free to pick a new world to plunder. {{storylink|Exodus!}} The [[Klozian|weak little inhabitants]] of [[Klo]] put up no fight whatsoever, which was really pathetic. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} Then the Autobots showed up and got massacred, which was even more pathetic. THEN the Autobots all started coming back to life thanks to the [[Last Autobot]] showing up and using his mystical mumbo-jumbo on their corpses. The revived Autobots were soon back to doing annoying things like caving in Crankcase's entire skull. He knew it would come to this, he just knew it. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Trigger-Happy!=====
At some point, a [[Decepticon Civil War]] broke out between Megatron, [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] on [[Earth]]. Crankcase and [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] found themselves on Megatron's side and had stolen Scorponok's battle plans, but the Autobots also wanted to get their hands on the plans and prepared to ambush them. Fortunately, Crankcase and Ruckus were warned of the ambush thanks to [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] panicking and giving away his position by firing, giving the Decepticons plenty of time to escape. {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Galvatron rodimus triggercons aspects of evil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Downgrading to short black and white strips? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!?]]
On Cybertron in [[2009]], Crankcase and the Triggercons joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in slaughtering an Autobot resistance cell. The group then confronted [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], with Galvatron successfully goading his nemesis into a frenzied fight, hoping to corrupt the Matrix in the process. Crankcase tried to intervene, only for Galvatron to order him and Ruckus back; their interference being counter to his plans. Rodimus was talked out his mania however, and he and his remaining allies managed to escape. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
So once Bludgeon realized he was a lousy leader, his brilliant solution was to revive a leader that was even worse: Megatron. Crankcase (having his head un-smooshed by some idiot) got dragged along to [[Hydrus Four]], where Bludgeon had the lame idea of using [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]] to revitalize their old commander. "Great, another leader who talks with his fists," thought Crankcase. Crankcase was so sure everything would go wrong, he wasn't even impressed when the Decepticons captured the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] with the [[Holocaust Trigger]] and didn't even have to raise a weapon. Big whoop. Oh sure, Crankcase took his turn torturing their captives like all the other Decepticons, but he just knew the Dinobots would get free and ruin everything, he just knew it. So it was no surprise to Crankcase when he came across the [[Micromaster]] named [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] about to free [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. The Dinobot commander charged Crankcase and hit him with enough force to embed the Triggercon in the far wall and then took his [[Concussion weapon|concussion blaster]]. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Crankcase and the Triggercons were engaged by the Triggerbots and Sparkabots while attacking one of Earth's many cities. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:CrankcaseG2-7shooting.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|My toy's head is way lamer than this.]]
[[File:NewDawn-droppinsomekindaacid.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Some idiot un-smooshed Crankcase's head, so he remained an active member of Bludgeon's army. That was stupid. It was only a matter of time before he would get injured again, like from the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]'s [[acid rain]], so what was the point of repairing him? No one ever listens to Crankcase, though, so he went ahead and died when the Cybertronians caved in his chassis. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
Crankcase's complaining must've pissed off [[Jetstorm (G2)|someone important]], because he was assigned waste disposal duty on Bludgeon's team. Great—like he didn't have enough to grumble about already. What's worse, he was commanded to dispose of [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], who Bludgeon had branded a traitor. The only thing worse than hauling garbage is hauling garbage that might suddenly wake up and eat you. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Neo-decepticons counterpoint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Crankcase signed up to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s "Neo-Decepticon" insurgency at [[Fort Scyk]]. Like that would ever end well. {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

Crankcase was still hanging out at Fort Scyk when the resurrected [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] returned to Cybertron with a [[Gene Key]] capable of turning Autobots into Decepticons. After the former Headmaster killed [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] for questioning him, Crankcase and the others had little choice but to follow him. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} Scorponok assigned Crankcase to guard the [[Civil Defense Hub]] alongside [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]], [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], and the Gene Key-tainted [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]], but they were surprised by [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s resistance group and Crankcase was shot down by [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], though the Autobot was only shooting to disable and not to kill. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[Stormbringer issue 2|''Stormbringer'' #2]]}}
[[File:Stormbringer3 NebulousDecepticons2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Nebulos: it's... so... YOWZAH!]]
Crankcase was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}} During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], he joined the [[Decepticon]]s; on the planet [[Frayus]], he was posted at [[Camp Conclave]] and received his Decepticon insignia during a ceremony presided over by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

During the later stages of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], he was a part of [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]]'s [[Infiltration protocol|infiltration unit]] stationed on the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When the reanimated superweapon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] invaded and began laying waste to the planet ahead of schedule, the Decepticons made a token effort to try and stop him; in the ensuing battle, Crankcase was swiftly crushed underfoot by the monster. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

Despite being left for dead, Crankcase managed to survive his run-in with Thunderwing, and successfully escaped Nebulos and rejoined the primary Decepticon command structure. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} At some point (possibly in the fight against Thunderwing), he sustained a severe head wound, which caused periodic bouts of "facial paralysis". {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Either way, Crankcase was left traumatized by the experience, and grappled with feelings of isolation and purposeless for some time afterward. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

[[File:MTMTE8 CrankBAH!.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|''And heaven knows I'm miserable now...'']]
Circa 2008, Crankcase was assigned to pilot the prisoner escort vessel ''[[Weak Anthropic Principle]],'' and was put in charge of transporting [[Misfire (G1)|Flyhigh]] to a Decepticon penitentiary. While in transit, his ship was hijacked by [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] and [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], who sprang Flyhigh—now calling himself "[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]]"—as part of a last request from [[Thundersaur|a friend of theirs]]. Crankcase was locked in the ship's brig for an indeterminate time, {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} but was eventually released; with nowhere else to go, he became a member of their ragtag crew, who took to calling themselves the "[[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]]," and became the ''de facto'' pilot of the ''Weak Anthropic Principle''.

After the end of the war in [[2012]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was restored to life, and issued a call for all Cybertronians to come home... but the Scavengers, assuming that the Autobots had won the war, set course for the planet [[Clemency]] to salvage what [[energon]] and spare parts they could find off an old battlefield. Shortly after discovering the defective suicide bomber [[Fulcrum]] and welcoming him aboard, the Scavengers discovered a crashed P-6 [[Worldsweeper]] filled with mysterious experiments. While there, they were contacted by the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], looking to torture and kill one of them for crimes against the Decepticons. Confused since there were only six of them and the Division mentioned seven, they discovered a stasis-locked [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] inside a [[stasis tube]]. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

[[File:Crankcase krok whos afraid of the djd.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The Scavengers decided to stay behind and battle the DJD by putting Grimlock out in the open and releasing him from his pod when the D.J.D. got close. At the last moment, the DJD revealed they were actually after [[Fulcrum]] but before the Decepticon could explain, the D.J.D. arrived. Krok released Grimlock anyways and the fight began. Crankcase was quickly smothered by [[Helex (G1)|Helex]] despite [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]]'s assistance and was tossed aside. Crankcase complained how hopeless their situation was until he saw an artillery of [[Cybernought]]s within the Worldsweeper. Commandeering one which he christened the ''Mighty Mega Puncher'', he quickly took out [[Tesarus (G1)|Tesarus]], [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]], and Helex, but Kaon managed to electrocute the Cybernought and electrify Crankcase inside. Tarn quickly transformed and blasted the Cybernought, destroying it.

Crankcase recovered when the fighting was over and the DJD had left for [[Overlord (G1)|another target]], whereupon they dragged out of Fulcrum that the reason the DJD had been after him was for committing an act of cowardice during the war. Crankcase recovered an unconscious Krok, whose face had been destroyed by [[Vos (G1)|Vos]]; the group agreed to fix Krok, set off for Cybertron, and use Grimlock, who was revealed to be almost brain-dead, as a bargaining chip when they got there. Before they left, they scavenged parts from their ex-comrade [[Flywheels]], who had been killed during the fight. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

[[File:Scavengers IRL.jpg|thumb|300px|"...It's obvious what happened! We're no longer mint-in-package! Noooooo!!"]]
Later, during an attempt to rescue Misfire from the [[Galactic Council]] on the planet [[Constancy]], Crankcase succumbed to the effects of [[Solomus|Tyrest]]'s [[universal killswitch]] along with Krok and Spinister. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}}

Eventually learning that [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] had seized control of Cybertron and Megatron had defected to the Autobots, the Scavengers gave up on returning home and aimlessly bummed around the galaxy for a few years. In between all sorts of madcap adventures—saving the entire universe on one occasion, and turning into [[toy]]s on another—they spent their time vandalizing [[Autopedia]] and playing "[[Cybertronian games#Shoot Shoot Bang Bang|Shoot Shoot Bang Bang]]", a game Crankcase had invented and attempted to [[copyright]] even though he didn't understand how [[trademark]]s worked. {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}} Over the next few years, Crankcase joined [[The Big Conversation]], a Decepticon social networking site, and struck up a relationship with the user "[[CONS4EVA]]"—unbeknownst to Crankcase, "CONS4EVA" was really a [[Dire Wraith]], a pacifistic sort who didn't fit in with his ruthless comrades. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

While en route to the planet [[Tebris VII]], Crankcase got embroiled in a game of Shoot Shoot Bang Bang when he was supposed to be piloting the ship, and as a result the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'' made a crash-landing. Unaware of why Krok had brought them there, Crankcase and Fulcrum spent the next few hours watching [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] the "Self-Hating Decepticon;" his successful stand-up routine infuriated Krok, who pointed out that while other Decepticons had moved on, ''they'd'' spent the last few years doing nothing.

[[File:SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreAutobots-ToBusiness.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The subsequent round of squabbling was cut short when Krok's contact, a fellow [[monoformer]] named [[Demus]], contacted the group and invited them to meet at his scrapyard to discuss a deal. {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}} Secretly acting on behalf of the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]], {{storylink|Animals}} Demus revealed that he wanted to buy Grimlock, offering them half a billion [[Shanix]] ''each'' in exchange for Grimlock. The Decepticons put it to a vote, and Crankcase—wanting to buy his own spaceship—voted in favor of selling the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]. The Scavengers never got the chance to solidify the deal, as Demus was caught and executed by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] for violating the [[Tyrest Accord]]. {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}}

Briefly managing to stun the Duly Appointed Enforcer with his cannons, Crankcase and the other Scavengers escaped from Fortress Maximus... but discovered that the innocent-looking "[[Roboid]]" dolls that Demus sold were, in fact, "[[Domestication|domesticated]]" Transformers who had been trapped in their [[beast mode]]s and lobotomized.

[[File:Animals-StaringContest.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Knowing that Maximus would be listening in on their conversation, Crankcase distracted him by name-dropping Grimlock; realizing that Maximus would attempt to re-arrest the brain-damaged Autobot, the Scavengers, unable to [[Transformation|transform]] thanks to Demus's [[mode lock]] chips, unboxed six [[Equinoid]]s and rode to the rescue. The Scavengers caught up with Fortress Maximus as he tussled with his quarry, and after a brief standoff Crankcase was able to use his facial paralysis to his advantage, bluffing Maximus into believing that he had rigged a bomb to kill the Roboids.

The Scavengers escaped Tebris VII in the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'' with a new purpose: to find and help all the other Decepticons out there who had been damaged by the war... after just one more game of "Shoot Shoot Bang Bang". {{storylink|Animals}}

Some time later aboard the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'', the Scavengers watched a video that was being broadcast to the galaxy at large of ''[[Lost Light]]'' crewmembers apparently counting down the time to their deaths and making funerary requests, which Crankcase said was a "bit dark". {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

[[File:MTMTERevolution-youvegotme.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around me..."]]
A few months later, Crankcase, under the pseudonym "Grumpybox," made arrangements to meet with "CONS4EVA" in person, and arranged for a rendezvous on [[Earth]]. Unaware that Earth was undergoing a crisis of its own, the Scavengers landed their ship in [[New Mexico]] while Fulcrum and Krok helped him get ready for his date. While Spinister and Misfire tried to contain another one of Grimlock's periodic rampages, Crankcase left the ship to meet with his date... only to discover that "CONS4EVA" accidentally took the shape of Thunderwing. After a brief misunderstanding, "CONS4EVA" revealed his true form as a Dire Wraith and told Crankcase that he was on a spiritual quest of his own, seeking his help to perform a religious ceremony known as the "[[Crossover]]" in the hopes of starting a new life. With the help of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] washout [[MP3]], the misfits completed the ceremony of "[[Brand (deity)|Brand]] Loyalty" but only succeeded in opening a tiny portal that none of them could fit through.

Despite the setback, Crankcase offered his friend a chance to join the Scavengers on their adventures; though "CONS4EVA" declined, MP3 was intrigued by the idea, but the Scavengers—citing Fulcrum's disgust for [[human]]s—left before MP3 could board their ship. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

[[File:TheTiesThatBind-ScavengersVsTreecons.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Scavengers' visit to Middle-Earth went poorly.]]
After dropping his friend off at a nearby starhub, the Decepticons continued to travel the galaxy, which eventually led them to the ruins of Camp Conclave in pursuit of a rumored cache of ultra-rare [[ununtrium]]. They emerged from the ruins of the bunker empty-handed, but discovered that the planet had become a battleground between the [[Galactic Council]], the [[Black Block Consortia]], and [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s Decepticon contingent. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}} Unable to teleport back to their ship, they were rescued by Krok's old friend [[Agonizer]], who opened a portal that led them to his antique shop [[Troja Major]].

There, he requested their help (along with the ex-DJD medic [[Nickel]]) in retrieving the ancient artifact known as the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]], and teleported them to its last known location on the planet [[Confluence]]. The group discovered another Worldsweeper-class vessel containing more strange experiments, including a compliment of fully-developed "[[Treecon]]s," and while Grimlock was able to dispatch the wooden robots without much trouble the group was ambushed and taken prisoner by [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], current holder of the Magnificence. Scorponok imprisoned the group and then worked Grimlock into a rage, leaving his prisoners to be dismembered by their ally. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

[[File:KillAllCons-panic.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Thanks to some quick thinking by Spinister and Nickel, the group were able to pacify Grimlock long enough for them to repair the brain damage he had suffered; restored to his full faculties once more, the Scavengers hatched a plan to make it ''seem'' as though Grimlock had torn them apart; after Grimlock requested an audience with Scorponok, the other Scavengers pulled themselves together, overpowered their guards, and ambushed Scorponok on the bridge of the ship. Scorponok revealed that he had tapped the power of the Magnificence to create an organic creature that he called the "[[Firstborn]]," powered by the extracted [[Spark]]s of Decepticons.

Offered a choice between serving as Scorponok's commanders in his crusade against the Autobots or having their Sparks extracted, the Scavengers turned down his offer, leading them to suffer as he began the process. Using the Magnificence, Nickel managed to paralyze Scorponok long enough for the group to escape with the Magnificence and the Firstborn. Hoping to find a way to return the Firstborn's spark to a robotic body, the group opted to teleport to [[Garrus-9]], but after learning that the [[transmat]] system would be fatal to the infant, Grimlock simply took the Firstborn into his chest and pushed the others into the portal.

The group successfully arrived at the facility... but discovered that they had accidentally teleported right into Grimlock's old cell, still locked from the outside, and that the Magnificence had gone dormant, leaving them with no apparent means of escape. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} They might have ended up killing each other in the cramped quarters if not for the sudden arrival of the Autobot [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

[[File:ADanceBeforeDying CrankcaseUsedByMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|right|"Hey, no activating my [[gimmick]] without my consent!!"]]
Curiously, Nautica believed they were all dead and inhabiting the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. After realizing they were each seeing different environments, the illusion collapsed and they discovered their real location was [[Mederi]], the medical hub and euthanasia clinic. After some startling revelations that were relevant to other people, Crankcase and the Scavengers joined forces with Nautica's friends, [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] and the former crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]''. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

The rest of the ''Lost Light'' crew had been transformed into [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeaters]] by the Scavengers' old friend Scorponok, and were set upon them on behalf of a mysterious figure called the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]]. Grimlock caught up with them, having picked up a ship and some more allies on the way, and arrived in time to start tearing through the Sparkeaters. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] rather awkwardly grabbed Crankcase and forced his Triggercon weapons to fire in order to get Grimlock's attention. The crew were diseased, not evil, and so a plan was enacted to cure them and deal with the real threats. Crankcase acted as pilot for a strike team to infiltrate the ''Lost Light'' and shut down the Architect's allies. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} They managed to reclaim the ''Lost Light'' and drive off Scorponok while their other friends planetside cured the Sparkeaters. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}}

Everyone reassembled aboard the ''Lost Light'' as a rift in space opened over the planet. Crankcase got to pilot the larger ship too, and marveled at how well it handled. Still, even at full blast, they were unable to escape the pull of the rift and were sucked into it. On the other side was the [[Benzene Cluster]], complete with five facsimile Cybertrons forged by the Grand Architect. Their arrival led to an audience with the Architect, but before he arrived for the meeting a portal opened into the [[Functionist Universe]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}} This led to the return of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] from that parallel universe, along with the insane [[Functionist Council]] and their transforming Cybertron christened after [[Primus]] himself. Despite the dire circumstances, Crankcase and the Scavengers were impressed to be in Megatron's presence, and he in turn was delighted to see real Decepticons again after his years in the alternate timeline. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

[[File:ASparkAmongEmbers CrankcaseFirstAid.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|left]]
After the ''Lost Light'' had set down, Crankcase was present as everyone tried to work out a plan to defeat the Functionist Primus. When the planet-sized avatar drew closer to them, Crankcase began the start-up procedure for the ''Lost Light'' to take off again, with the ship escaping the destruction "Primus" caused at the last minute. Megatron ordered them to about-face, and Crankcase complied with a soldierly "As you command, Megatron", turning the ship around to confront their gargantuan foe. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} After "Primus" was forced back into planet mode, a plan was hatched to overload Functionist Cybertron's [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]] by opening a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] at each one. Crankcase was assigned to protect [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] at the [[Pious Pools]]' hot spot as the Functionists unleashed their soldiers to stop them. Ultimately, the Matrices were opened, the Functionists were defeated, and the day was saved. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

[[File:LL25 ScavengersOut.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|Crankcase only gets his happy ending if everyone else returns to the less-fun universe. The cosmic balance is hereby maintained.]]
Crankcase went along on the ''Lost Light''{{'}}s final "lap of honor" before the ship was to be decommissioned. He got some advice from [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] about recognizing the loved ones in your life before it was too late. The crew voted on a risky stunt for their trip back to Cybertron, choosing to attempt a [[quantum generator|quantum duplication]] that would allow one version of the ship and crew to explore a whole other universe. After returning to Cybertron, Crankcase attended a farewell party in [[Swerve's]] and was distracted by Fortress Maximus' leg-guns while the Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord attempted to apologize for trying to kill the Scavengers on [[Tebris VII]]. The Scavengers left the party together, heading to [[Troja Major]] and Crankcase, taking Tailgate's advice, called CONS4EVA and asked him to meet them there.

In another universe, a quantum duplication of the ''Lost Light'' arrived, with Crankcase reporting the engines having overloaded in the process. This version of the ''Lost Light'' and its crew now had a whole new set of adventures to look forward to, although it meant that this Crankcase was separated from his dear CONS4EVA... possibly forever. Typical. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
In the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] city of [[Axiom Nexus]], [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and Crankcase assaulted what they thought was an [[energon]] refinery, but it turned out to be a waste fuel storage depot. Eyuw. {{storylink|Around Cybertron issue 1|Around Cybertron #1}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
Crankcase was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Crankcase.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|You're a mean one, Mr. Grincheux]]
*'''Crankcase''' (Triggercon, [[1988]])
{{toydesigner|[[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Crankcase transforms into a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle of indeterminate model. Similar to the other Triggercons, he has flip-out weaponry, which in his case are two double-barreled laser cannons which deploy from his [[robot mode]] backpack/shoulders using a gear mechanism. In [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], they flip out from his camper and through his windshield. The windshield HE JUST HAD WASHED, thank you very much. Some people...

:None of the Triggercons (or Triggerbots) were released in [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Transformers'' lines. Figures that he gets forgotten as usual...

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Crankcase/crankcase.htm More information on Crankcase's stupid toy at TFU.info.]''
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/decepticon/1988/instr_crankcase.jpg Pointless instructions for Crankcase at Botchthecrab.com]''
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Deluxe-Crankcase.jpeg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|He won't need to worry about facial paralysis, considering toys don't move.]]
*'''Crankcase''' (Deluxe Class, [[2022]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL-17'''
**''Accessories'': [[Energon]] blaster, front grill blaster
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shu Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/ChU9-v6OHgL/ Design notes] on ''Legacy'' Crankcase from [[Hasbro]] designer [[Mark Maher]] on Instagram</ref>

:Part of the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Deluxe Class figures, Crankcase is a heavy retool of [[Skids (G1)#Legacy|Skids]]. He transforms into an off-road vehicle in 14 steps, and comes with an Energon blaster that he can use in both modes. His front grill is also removable and can be used as a blaster as well. The plastic tolerance issues that plagued the original Skids version of the figure have also been resolved, allowing Crankcase to hold together as designed in vehicle mode.

:And yes, Crankcase's distinctive shoulder guns are present, though not in the official promotional images, but on the render on the back of the box. However, they have been ''heavily'' downsized to little more than barely visible nubs. The stock art for Crankcase's vehicle mode also has his grill blaster attached upside down and his insignia on backwards, though these are pictured correctly on the back of the box illustration.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Crankcase.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Crankcase, Data Collector''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T16/T46'''
**''Stars: ''7

:Crankcase, Data Collector is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with line-art by [[Dan Khanna]].

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Movie Crankcase toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|What a waste of plastic.]]
*A [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie series]] [[homage]] character, [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]], was released as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] as a late part of the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|live-action movie toyline]]. The [[redeco]] of [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]] [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] was originally intended to be ''this'' Crankcase, and part of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]]. Notably, his head can smoosh as part of his transformation.
*Crankcase's prototype in [http://www.botchthecrab.com/gallery/catalog_1988_b.jpg the 1987 and 1988 toy catalogs] has his head flipping down into the chest instead of just sliding into it like on the final.
*The head of ''Beast Wars II'' [[Autolauncher]] (or rather, the [[APC Auto Roller|unreleased G2 figure]] from which Autolauncher was made) bears an uncanny resemblance to Crankcase's original character model, albeit with two eyes instead of shades, not to mention the Autolauncher [[mold]] also having cannons that fold down over the shoulders.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''Crankcase''' (クランクケース ''Kurankukēsu'')
*''French:'' '''4 x 4''' (France), '''Grincheux''' (Canada, "Grouch")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Pilots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]

Toy Soldiers!

2022-09-14T00:27:22Z

Repowers: /* Continuity notes */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #37
|prev=Spacehikers!
|next=Trial by Fire!
|title="Toy Soldiers!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #154–155
|prev2=Enemy Action!
|next2=Trial by Fire!
|image=MarvelUS-37.jpg
|caption=Mommy! I want one of those giant orange toys!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=October [[1987]]
|coverdate=February [[1988]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[José Delbo]]
|inkers=[[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Bill Oakley]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''The biggest black mark on the Predacons' hardcore reputation.'''

==Synopsis==
Ever since [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took the [[Autobot]]s off [[Earth]], the [[Decepticon]]s have been running wild. They staged daring daylight raids on a chemical plant, absconding with [[liquid oxygen]] fuel, and a construction site, brazenly stealing building materials. Because of this, [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple-I]] has come under heavy bureaucratic fire for failing to fulfill their mission objectives and keep the robots contained. [[Forrest Forsythe|Director Forsythe]] is becoming increasingly more demanding of results from his top man, [[Walter Barnett]], and the [[Autobot]] captives under their control. However, the [[Throttlebot]]s' professed ignorance of the raids, and their repeated explanations about the two different factions of [[Transformer]]s, fall mostly on deaf ears. Barnett has seen the Transformers in battle against one another, but despite his suspicions that the captives are telling the truth, he finds himself unable to convince Forsythe and the higher-ups of this fact.

[[File:Throttlebots-crushed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|"''I can't take this kinda pressure,<br> I must confess one more dusty road, it would be just a road too long...''"]]
Matters only get worse after Forsythe makes a public declaration that Triple-I will execute their Transformer prisoners in retaliation for any future attacks by the robots. Naturally, the Decepticons jump at the humans' offer to kill six Autobots for them if they just go ahead and steal some more [[energon]]. Before Barnett can convince Forsythe of anything, the next raid takes place and Forsythe becomes unable to go back on his promise for any reason, due to political concerns. In desperation, Barnett comes up with a way to save the Autobots by removing their individual [[brain module]]s and placing each one in an electronic toy car. Thus, the Autobots' empty shells are destroyed the next morning at a public (and rather gruesome) execution by car-compactor, yet the Throttlebots survive hidden away in Barnett's briefcase. Now fully committed to helping the Autobots, Walter Barnett begins making plans with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] to reconnect him to his fellow Autobots.

Back at Triple-I, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] stage an assault on the base to confirm the Autobots' deaths. Forsythe and his men try in vain to fight back, but are easily brushed aside, or just annihilated. As [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and Ratbat examine the crushed cubes, though, they determine there is no sign of the Autobots' brain modules, and Ratbat begins tracing the scent of their fuel to finally track down and exterminate their prey. Forsythe is finally forced to admit he was wrong about the existence of the factions. Good going, dude.

[[File:Throttlebots-toycars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In [[Portland]], [[Oregon]], Walter Barnett has brought Goldbug to the [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service|Witwickys' garage]]. Due to his past history with the Autobots, Goldbug believes [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] is the only human who can safely approach the Grimlock-commanded [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] unmolested. With [[Sparkplug Witwicky|his father]]'s consent, Buster and Barnett take the family pick-up truck for the journey. After they leave, though, Ratbat and the Predacons arrive to "question" Sparkplug about the Autobots, and tear his garage down around him. On their way to the Ark, Goldbug and the other Autobots begin to run low on power, having used up too much juice from their batteries. Stopping off at a [[Mall (G1)|local mall]], Buster and the Autobots are stalled long enough for the Decepticons to catch up to them, and the Predacons begin tearing the place apart.

A comical melee ensues, with the Predacons attempting to pounce on the little toy Throttlebots, and failing miserably. Ratbat, meanwhile, pinpoints Buster with his senses, and begins personally stalking the human to take his revenge for past encounters. After Barnett manages to crash a security gate down on Ratbat, however, he tells Buster to get away while he collects the rest of the Autobots. Buster is able to recharge Goldbug using batteries from his boom box, and then grabs his old friend and tosses him and the stereo back in the pick-up truck to hightail it to the Ark. At [[Mount St. Hilary]], however, they find the volcano deserted, and the space ship gone. Goldbug and Buster manage to hook up an [[intergalactic tranceiver]], and begin broadcasting a distress call for the Autobots of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. But, they are soon interrupted by Ratbat, who snuck aboard the pick-up hidden inside Buster's stereo. He crushes Goldbug in his claws, and begins to advance on Buster...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (14)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (15)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (16)
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wide Load]] (17)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (18)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (19)
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (1)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (2)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (3)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (4)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (5)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (6)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (7)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (8)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (9)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (10)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (11)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (24)
}}
|c3=
*[[Forrest Forsythe]] (12)
*[[Walter Barnett]] (13)
*[[Stevie Barnett]] (20)
*[[Charlene Barnett]] (21)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (22)
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (23)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Goldbug:''' "What do you want from us '''now''', Barnett? You've captured us, drained our fuel, taken us apart, put us back together -- what else is left?"<br>
'''Barnett:''' "I must ask you... again... about the increase in attacks --"<br>
'''Searchlight:''' "Someone make a withdrawal from your memory bank?! We already told you -- we don't know!"<br>
'''Freeway:''' "It's '''your''' problem, not ours!"
:— the '''Throttlebots''' are pretty fed up with the humans.

"These Autobots are '''machines''', Barnett! Do you think they care for others, like people do?"
"No. Based on what I've seen, they care much '''more'''."
:—'''Forsythe''' and '''Barnett'''

'''Ratbat:''' "I've picked up the fuel scent of the Autobot brains."<br>
:—Don't ask '''Ratbat''' how he knows this particular scent.

"'''I'll get you, fleshling! I'll drink your fuel with a steel straw!"
:—trapped by a security grate, '''Ratbat''' sputters ineffectually

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:Scrapper hook long haul toy soldiers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
*On page 2, Hook tells Scrapper to keep loading girders onto Long Haul, but Scavenger is drawn instead.
*Goldbug's head is consistently colored blue this issue, like the toy, but unlike the golden head he sports in his past and future appearances.
*Searchlight's head is drawn a bit generically, but it appears to be Chase's head design, based on their incorrect character model sheets.

===Continuity errors===
*Mixmaster is inexplicably absent from the Constructicons, who are described in the narration as a "quintet".
*Blitzwing carries both Long Haul ''and'' his stolen cargo back to base in a net. In addition to the incredible awkwardness of a jet with a laden dump truck suspended from a net, wouldn't it make more sense to just carry the cargo itself?
*It's not clear just what is holding the Throttlebots in place. Though drained of fuel, they have the power to transform on command, and they can gesture and look around in robot mode.
*There is no need for Ratbat to confirm for the humans that the Autobots and Decepticons are two warring factions, especially as RAAT have just - to the best of their knowledge - executed six Autobots for him.
*''Twice'' in one scene, Forsythe is saved by the old "don't waste your energy on him" trope (energy in the most literal sense, since it's fuel auditor Ratbat.) In both cases, it would not have cost the Decepticons any significant energy to kill him.
*The battery case on Buster's tape player is inexplicably opened by pushing one of the cassette player controls—''rewind, fast forward, change batteries''. While this conceit allows Ratbat to hitch a ride and thus provides a bang-up [[cliffhanger]], TAPE PLAYERS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY!
*Goldbug seems to have forgotten that he's rather on the outs with current Autobot leader Grimlock - he is happy to be returning to the Ark and doesn't seem worried about having to deal with Grimster at all!
*Why would the Autobots leave behind something as presumably useful as an intergalactic transceiver? (typo'd as "tranceiver")

===Continuity notes===
*Divebomb gives the command to "[[roll out]]"... to the Predacons. This continues an increasingly bizarre trend of forced use of the phrase.
*Walter Barnett is apparently a genius with micro-electronics and comparative xeno-biology/technology. Yup. Move along now.
*While being crushed, Rollbar's body is drawn with the damage he sustained from [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT's]] attack in [[Used Autobots|#32]].
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] is mentioned for the first time in this issue.
*Goldbug's radio S.O.S. is picked up by the Autobots of [[Nebulos]] in [[Brothers in Armor!!|Headmasters #4]], and is the catalyst for that cast of characters joining the main series next issue.
*At Grimlock's behest, the Autobots repaired the Ark and left Earth behind in US issue [[Child's Play (issue)|#35]].
*Goldbug and the Throttlebots were captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] in US issue [[Used Autobots|#32]].
*Buster and Sparkplug recall first meeting Bumblebee in US issue [[Power Play!|#2]].
*Buster disrupts Ratbat's [[Wash and Roll]] scheme in US issue [[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#31]].

===Real-life references===
*Somebody who looks like Clark Kent appears on bottom of page 3.
*Buster and Barnett attempt to find batteries at [[Radio Shed]], a parody of [[RadioShack|Radio Shack]].
*The Predacons raid a chemical plant in [[Huntsville]], [[Alabama]].
*The half-built office building the Constructicons ransack and demolish by stealing its steel girders was in downtown [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]].
*Triple-I meets somewhere in [[Oregon]]; the Witwicky home is located, as always, in Portland.
*Ratbat paraphrases [[Mark Twain]]'s famous quote on his own misreported death: "perhaps the report of the deaths of these Autobots is greatly exaggerated, Razorclaw."

===UK printing===
'''Issue #154'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]]'' - "Slaughter" and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*In ''[[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Grim Grams]]'', Grimlock blames the [[Stubbie]]s for not clearly showing he never intended to harm the [[Spacehikers]], and explains how "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]" clears up why ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' takes place in the present, even with future Decepticons [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] appearing it.

'''Issue #155'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Action Force'' - "Slaughter" and ''Combat Colin''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]
*In ''Grim Grams'', Grimlock explains that [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] has two mottos, that having good art all the time would spoil people and that he believes the UK origin, as seen in "The Legacy of Unicron!", trumps that of Season 3 of the US cartoon.

===Other trivia===
[[File:Razorclawshootsahuman.jpg|upright=0.5|thumb|And he shot him in the back!]]
*Buster manages to pull Stupid Human Trick #1—never carry around a tape player without fully checking it for foreign cassettes or glaringly obvious insignias.
*Razorclaw actually guns down a human on-panel. Bloody hell!

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 34 active, 6 bodyless Throttlebots, 11 in repair bay. (51 total)
*Decepticons: 33 active; 11 offline. (44 total)

===Covers (3)===
*'''US issue #37 cover:''' the Predacons attack Buster and the Throttlebots, by [[José Delbo]], [[Ian Akin]], and [[Brian Garvey]].
*'''UK issue #154 cover:''' crushed Throttlebots, by [[Bryan Hitch]].
*'''UK issue #155 cover:''' the Predacons and Buster, by Bryan Hitch.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-37.jpg|'''US issue #37''' - The Grand Prix continues to get even more gimmicky.
File:MarvelUK-154.jpg|'''UK issue #154''' - Pff, that's not a ''real'' mode.
File:MarvelUK-155.jpg|'''UK issue #155''' - Here here, nice kitty...
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
*[[M&M's]] - inside front cover
*MPC Model Kits - between pages 4 & 5
*''Captain Power'' toys - between pages 5 & 6
*''The Official Marvel Try-Out Book'' - between pages 9 & 10
*Konami NES video games - between pages 12 & 13 (2 pages)
*American Comics - between pages 15 & 16
*Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 19 & 20
*Comic conventions / Marvel Super Mart - between pages 20 & 21
*[[Letters page|Transmissions]]
*Marvel subscription service
*Striped Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
*TSR ''Dragonlance: The Magic of Krynn'' (back cover)

====UK====
????

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Treason]]'' TPB cover:''' [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and half of Ratbat, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''''Treason'' hardback cover:''' [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], and [[Robin Lindley (G1)|Robin Lindley]], by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]], [[Andy Lanning]] & [[Chris Blythe]].
* '''[[Classic Transformers Volume 3|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3]] cover:''' panels from this issue, "[[Spacehikers!]]" and "[[People Power!]]".
* '''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 3|''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 3]] cover:''' [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 9: Toy Soldiers'' cover:''' [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] by "unknown"/Ratbat by [[Don Perlin]] & [[Jim Fern]].
<gallery>
File:Titan-TreasonSC.jpg|'''''Treason'' TPB'''
File:Titan-TreasonHC.jpg|'''''Treason'' hardback'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol3.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3'''
File:TFClassicsVol3.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 3'''
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v9.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 9: Toy Soldiers'''''
</gallery>

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

Los Angeles

2022-08-16T03:25:38Z

Repowers: /* Notes */

[[File:Los angeles under terrorcon attack.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Los Angeles pretty much always looks like this.]]
'''Los Angeles''', '''[[California]]''', is a city in the [[United States of America]]. It gets attacked a lot.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====''Earthforce''=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] was trapped in the middle of a siege between a [[Greater glory terrorists|non-specified group of terrorists]] and the Los Angeles Police Department. Seeing that the police had already bungled one attempt to rescue the hostages, he intervened and persuaded the terrorists to surrender but the police bungled it anyway and Ironhide was forced to freeze one of the terrorists to prevent him setting off a grenade. {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

====Kid Stuff Talking Story Books continuity====
The [[Decepticon]]s melted the [[Rocky Mountains]] with their [[crystal satellite]]. The lava sea threatened to engulf Los Angeles, but the city was presumably saved by the [[Autobot]]s. {{storylink|Satellite of Doom}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
In order to find more [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmasters]], [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] made an appearance on ''[[Wideshow]]'', filmed at [[CNM TV]] in Los Angeles. {{storylink|Eliminate the Godmaster Ginrai}} Ginrai returned to the station in order to pick up the mail they received from the broadcast, finding a letter from [[Lightfoot (G1)|Lightfoot]]. [[Hydra (G1)|Hydra]] and [[Buster (G1)|Buster]] later visited the station in order to track down Ginrai's whereabouts. {{storylink|Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
When the [[Keeper (species)|Keeper]] aliens informed [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] of their intention to conquer the entire [[Earth]] within three days if it was not surrendered to them, he physically assaulted their representative. They retaliated by unleashing a wave of nullfying darkness over Los Angeles, apparently destroying it and all who live in its boundaries. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[Verity Carlo]] and Agent [[Stoker]] were among the passengers on a bus headed from [[Phoenix (city)|Phoenix]], [[Arizona]] to Los Angeles, California. Neither one would make it there. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 0|Infiltration #0}}

Los Angeles was one of many cities invaded by Decepticons after the apparent defeat of the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] noted that in [[Of Masters and Mayhem|his new reality]], all cities on Earth were the same as in [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|his old one]], including LA. {{storylink|Assembly (OMAM)|Assembly}}

====''Transformers vs. The Terminator''====
By the year [[2029]], Los Angeles had been levelled by the Decepticon invasion of Earth. Hidden beneath the city was [[Skynet]]'s [[Omega Base]] and the [[time displacement device]]. As the Decepticons broke into the base and destroyed the last of Skynet's army, even as a lone [[T-800]] managed to [[time travel]] back to [[1984]] Los Angeles to try and prevent the Cybertronians' awakening. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}

In the altered timeline that the T-800 created, [[Skywatch]]'s [[Alpha Base]] was located beneath a [[Big Jeff's]] in Los Angeles. Having recovered Megatron's corpse, and that of the T-800, the humans reverse-engineered a new incarnation of Skynet in their bunker. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

===Dreamwave ''Energon'' comic===
When the [[United Nations]] formally extended the hand of friendship to the Autobots, Los Angeles was one of many cities where protests occurred. [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] argued about the merits of their position, until separated when [[Alpha Quintesson]] launched a massive assault on the city with an [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]] clone army. {{storylink|Multiplicity}} They managed to find each other and begin their flight from harm.

An Autobot team, led by [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], counterattacked. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 2}} Rad and Alexis managed to get to safety, even as the Autobots started to become overwhelmed. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 3}} Armed with an experimental [[Energon Volant Accumulator]], Rad returned to the city to aid the Autobots. With his help and that of the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]], the Autobots successfully repulsed the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

===Live-action film series===
Some claim the battle for [[Mission City]] took place in Los Angeles. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}} {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}} [[Sam Witwicky]]'s driver's license also listed his residence as being in Los Angeles. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

==Notes==
*[[BotCon 2004]], [[BotCon 2009|2009]], and [[BotCon 2011|2011]] took place in Pasadena, a part of the greater Los Angeles metro region.
*[[Allspark (company)|Allspark]] is based in Burbank, another city in the L.A. metro region.
*[[Hollywood]], land of film and television, is part of the city.
*The bulk of the 2007 live action film's climactic battle was filmed in downtown Los Angeles's Broadway theater district.

==External links==
*{{w|Los Angeles}} at Wikipedia

[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Cities in the United States]]
[[Category:Classics locations]]
[[Category:Energon cities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cities]]
[[Category:Movie locations]]
[[Category:Real-world human settlements]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]

Firebolt (G1)

2022-08-15T18:07:31Z

Repowers: /* War for Cybertron: Siege */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{Disambigm|Firebolt (disambiguation)|Spark (disambiguation)|Offshoot (disambiguation)|Firedrive}}
:''Firebolt is an [[Autobot]]-allied [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Firebolt dw mtmte.jpg|2500px|thumb|Accio Firebolt!]]
'''Firebolt''' (aka '''Sparks''',<ref name="sparks">"Sparks" was Firebolt's name in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original comic series]] by [[Marvel Comics]], mostly limited to the ongoing US title and the ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' limited series he debuted in, although that name wasn't always used consistently. The original stories published by Marvel UK typically named him "Firebolt", and Marvel UK's reprints of the US stories usually had the dialogue edited to keep the name consistent, though a few instances slipped through.</ref> '''Offshoot''',<ref name="offshoot">"Offshoot" was Hasbro's substitute name for Firebolt when that name wasn't available to them as a [[trademark]], and was only used for the Targetmaster companion figure for Hasbro's ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Rodimus Prime toy, released in 2011.</ref> or '''Firedrive'''<ref name="firedrive">"Firedrive" was another substitute name used by Hasbro for trademark reasons, this time for the [[Prime Master]] figure available with the 2016 ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Autobot Hot Rod toy and again for the [[Battle Master]] from ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]''.</ref>) was once a quiet scholar on the pacifistic planet of [[Nebulos]], where he was renowned as one of its top atomic physicists. Beneath his meek and reserved exterior, however, young Firebolt yearned for a life of action and excitement. His dreams of adventure might never have come true, if not for the intervention of the [[Decepticon]]s. When the call went out for [[Nebulan]]s who would be willing to take up arms in defense of their planet, Firebolt was amongst the first to volunteer. Undergoing the extensive and painful procedure known as [[binary bonding]], Firebolt was given a special suit of black and grey armor and granted the power to [[transformation|transform]] himself into a powerful double-barreled weapon called an "electrostatic discharge rifle".

Although eager for the chance to make a difference and have some fun, Firebolt soon found that his own exuberance paled in comparison to his [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] partner: a young [[Autobot]] named [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. Firebolt's opinion of this situation is what could be described as cautiously optimistic. He is excited by all the action and adventure of being a Targetmaster, but he is also very nervous at some of the risks that Hot Rod insists on taking at times.

Firebolt's nature varies. In some universes he is an organic Nebulan; in others he is a robotic Cybertronian.

==Fiction==
===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Desertislandofspace-targetmaster-rollcall.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Firebolt/Sparks is the guy in the middle.]]
{{note|In Marvel Comics' ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' series, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]]'s Targetmaster partner is repeatedly referred to by the name "Sparks". While this could be taken to mean that Hot Rod has simply had two different partners, there are many times when Sparks is also referred to as "Firebolt", mostly within the UK stories. The UK printings usually, but not always, re-edited the original US text so that 'Sparks' read 'Firebolt'.}}

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

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

Sparks was one of six Nebulan dissidents who were ostracized by the political tides of their home planet for sympathizing with the Autobots. He believed so strongly in the righteousness of these alien invaders that he allowed himself to be bio-engineered into a transforming humanoid that could become an Autobots' weapon. He was partnered with Hot Rod. News reached the Autobots that the [[Nursery (Nebulos)|Nursery]] was under threat from the Decepticons, and so the newly [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] group went ahead to secure the facility.

Sparks and fellow Nebulans were getting a guided tour of the place from head botanist [[Selani]] when Scorponok arrived with the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s in tow. The six Nebulans transformed to their new weapon forms, and the Autobot [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s unleashed their new firepower. Though the group fared well enough, the Autobots ended up retreating to spare the Nursery utter destruction from the battle. In time, the Autobots realized that their war could only bring more destruction to the Nebulons' homeworld, and left the planet behind for [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}{{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}

The Targetmasters' first mission on Earth was aiding [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and his [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partner [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] find the latter's brother, who had recently been kidnapped by the Decepticons. Sparks and the others introduced themselves to Spike's father, [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], but he was a little too shellshocked to be very friendly. Fortress Maximus and the Targetmasters traced the Decepticons to their [[Club Con|island base]] in the [[Caribbean Sea]], but were quickly defeated by its automated defences. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
[[File:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|thumb|Artificial resuscitation usually involves blowing into the mouth, Hot Rod.]]
At some point before Hot Rod became [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], Firebolt was killed on Earth while battling their Decepticon foes. {{storylink|Headhunt}}
{{-}}
====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
At some point, Hot Rod (now calling himself "Rodimus") lost contact with Sparks. The loss of his Targetmaster partner greatly affected his offensive capabilities. The Autobot's new weapon, a photon laser blaster, was modelled after Sparks' weapon mode. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|''Classics'' Rodimus profile}}

===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Dick Gautier]] (English), [[Eiji Yanagisawa]] (Japanese)|[[Georges Atlas]] (European French)}}
[[File:Rebirth1 Firebolt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|"I... I'm beautiful!"]]
Firebolt was one of a group of Nebulan rebels who captured a team of Autobots, and was the one who selected the magnetic bombs with which they'd do away with the suspected Hive machines. He bluntly told [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to shut up when the Autobot complained about the Nebulans jumping to conclusions. Fortunately before the executions could be carried out, the Decepticons attacked, and the Nebulan rebels realised that the Autobots weren't so bad. Firebolt helped [[Arcana]] to treat [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], who'd been injured seriously by [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] during the attack, and the pair managed to stabilise the boy's condition. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[File:Rebirth3-Firebolt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Who's got one thumb and never appears in gun mode? This Guy!]]
When the Autobots stole Targetmaster technology from the Decepticons, Firebolt was partnered with [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]]. He and the other Nebulans greeted [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] on his arrival to their planet, proudly demonstrating his abilities and introducing Prime to the Targetmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} He was still partnered with Hot Rod during their battles with the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], and participated in the battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] which eventually earned [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] a new lease on life. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===Toy pack-in material===
When Optimus became stranded on Cybertron's hemisphere of darkness with his memory damaged, Firebolt joined a small strike force of Autobots called H.O.P.E. ([[Help Optimus Prime Escape]]) to retrieve him. {{Storylink|Optimus Prime Is Back}}
{{-}}

===Desert of Danger===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:Wolf at the door desert of danger.jpg|thumb|left]]
Working out of his laboratory on Nebulos, the mechanical Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a local treaty in place to limit their numbers so he had Hot Rod delivered by freight to help him investigate. With [[you]]r help they traced the Decepticons to the [[Wolf at the Door]] nightclub, an [[oil]] bar for Nebulan miners run by [[Monzo]], and discovered that [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were importing [[Attack Squad robot]]s from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as [[Sirian brandy]].

You and Professor Sparks managed to take Mindwipe out of action and the Decepticons were ultimately defeated. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. {{storylink|Desert of Danger}}
{{--}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:DecepticonsatthePole-HotRodSparks.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|''Whose'' gun is ridiculously tall? Say it to my face!]]
While partnered with Sparks, Hot Rod grew out of his immaturity and became a sensible warrior and a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, they prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
8.2 million years before the war on Earth, a young [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] were shown several glimpses into a number of potential futures. Amongst the many possible timelines they viewed was one in which [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] battled the Decepticons, with Firebolt fighting proudly by his side (or in his hand, as the case may be). {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
An ancient [[Titan Master]], '''Firedrive''' grants his partner [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] the ability to disable the systems of enemy targets with an electrostatic fire blast.<ref>''Titans Return'' Firedrive/Hot Rod packaging bio</ref>

===''Legends'' comic===
{{main|Shaoshao Li#Legends comic}}
As an agent of the [[Galactic Peace Alliance]], Shaoshao Li was equipped with [[Master-Brace]]s that let her use [[Masterforce (technology)|Masterforce]] to transform into a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] form and fire blasts of [[Chōkon Power|Jinchōkon Power]].

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:WarForCybertronSiege-Firedrive-CardArt.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
During the war for Cybertron, Firedrive was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Command Artillery Private]]. {{storylink|#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toy packaging}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{gamestub}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1toy-Firebolt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rod''' ([[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], [[1987]])

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Firebolt was first released in 1987, boxed with the Targetmaster version of [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Hot Rod]]. Like most Targetmaster weapons, his transformation is simple: simply fold his legs up and the barrels of his gun form are revealed. Firebolt could be placed in either of Hot Rod's hands or on top of his engine mount in vehicle mode. This resulted in a noticeable difference between Hot Rod's Targetmaster mold and his earlier release: both his hands and his engine needed to be [[retool]]ed to have the pegholes made larger to accommodate Firebolt.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Firebolt/firebolt.htm More information on Firebolt at TFU.info]''

===''The Transformers Collection''===
*'''Hot Rodimus''' ([[2004]])
**''ID number:'' '''13'''

:Firebolt was re-released in 2004 along with Targetmaster [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Hot Rod]] by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of an "ultimate" version of the toy. This was the first time the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod and Firebolt had been normally available in Japan.

===''Transformers'' (2010)===
[[File:Masterpiecetoy-Offshoot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He knew being Hot Rod's buddy would pay off eventually!]]
*'''Masterpiece Rodimus Prime''' ([[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive, [[2011]])

:Unique to the North American release, ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Rodimus Prime comes with a "Limited Edition" Targetmaster partner, though named "Offshoot" for [[trademark]] reasons. Offshoot transforms from robot to gun and back, and he can either be held in Rodimus Prime's hand or plugged into a hidden port in his hot rod engine. Offshoot isn't the [[Seacon (G1)#Toys|largest Targetmaster partner]], though he's well articulated for one! Offshoot can also accommodate with [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#MasterpieceHotRodimus|the second ''Masterpiece'' Hot Rod]] figure.

:This toy also doubles as the independent ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Offshoot (BWU)|Offshoot]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/MPRodimusPrime/rodimusprime.htm More information on Offshoot (with Masterpiece Rodimus Prime) at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Transformers'' (campaign item)===
{{anchor|Transformers (2010)}}
[[File:Prime-toy FireboltYellow.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Firebolt Clear Yellow Version''' (Arms Micron, [[January 15]], [[2012]])

: This version of Firebolt is identical to the ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' Mini-Con [[Pinpoint]]. He transforms into a double-barreled cannon that can be held by any figure with a [[5 mm post|5 mm post-hole]] in their hand; this configuration is different from Pinpoint's.

: He was given away free to children attending the World Hobby Fair in Osaka on [[January 15]], 2012. He was later also given away at TakaraTomy's booth at the Next Generation World Hobby Fair Summer '12 in Fukuoka, Japan, on [[June 30]] and [[July 1]], a bonus with the early combined purchase of AMW-series Microns [[Gabu]], [[Baru]], and [[Dai]]. Firebolt was also one of three possible preorder bonus gifts for ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' [[Roadbuster (G1)#Cloud|Roadbuster]].

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Sparks#United 2|Sparks]].

{{-}}{{anchor|Preorder}}
[[File:Prime-toy Firebolt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He'd bend over backwards for Optimus! Literally. Ow.]]

*'''Autobot Firebolt''' (Arms Micron, [[March 1]], 2012)

: An opaque gray and black [[redeco]] of Firebolt was later made available in Japan as a bonus for those who pre-ordered ''Prime'' [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Voyager|AM01 Optimus Prime]] online from [[March 1]]st through [[March 30]]th 2012, through one of four different web sites: Amazon Japan, [[Toys"R"Us]], Bic Camera, and Yodobashi Camera.

:It seems highly likely that the Pinpoint/Firebolt mold's engine configuration is the reason for the [[retool]]ing of [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#United|''United'' Rodimus Prime]] to have a [[5 mm post]] on his engine block and a hole under his arm
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Firedrive.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Not even a head cannon, what rubbish.]]
*'''Firedrive & Autobot Hot Rod''' (Deluxe Class, 2016)

:Packaged with ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Autobot Hot Rod]], "Firedrive" (again, renamed for [[trademark]] reasons) transforms from a robot based on Firebolt's "Rebirth" animation model into Roddy's head. He can similarly be used as the head of any other ''Titans Return'' Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader Class figure.

:This toy also doubles as the independent ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Firedrive]], and this mold was redecoed in Japan to make the small Headmaster stage of ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Legends|Targetmaster Hot Rodimus]].
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:LG45-Firebolt.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Targetmaster Hot Rodimus (Targetmaster Hot Rod)''' ([[September 30]], [[2017]])
**''ID number'': '''LG45'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Firebolt is included with [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Legends|Targetmaster Hot Rodimus]], transforming into a double-barreled gun based on [[#Generation 1|the original Firebolt toy]]. Compared to previous Firebolts, his appearance appears to be based on this [[:File:Rebirth3-Firebolt.jpg|scene]], where he is miscolored as silver and gray rather than black.

:In fiction, this toy represents [[Shaoshao Li]] in Targetmaster armor, but is kept on this page for informative purposes.
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
[[File:War-For-Cybertron-Siege-Battle-Master-Firedrive.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Firedrive''' (Battle Master, [[2019]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-S1'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SG-01'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[February 23]], [[2019]]
**''Accessories'': Cannon, 2 "[[Fire Blast effect]]s"

:Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Battle Master]]s, Firedrive is a new mold specifically based on the above ''Legends'' toy which transforms from robot to "Duo-Charge Electrostatic [[Photon cannon|Photon Cannon]]" in 5 steps. As a part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], he includes two "Fire Blast" effect pieces that can be used to simulate his blaster mode firing, and can slot onto the various hardpoints found on other figures and weaponry from the same subline to simulate blaster fire or explosions. The outer peg of the effect parts can also attach to 5 mm ports. The actual gun barrel piece can detach from the back, revealing a 3 mm peg, and connect to his arm like a cannon. Due to the size of the piece compared to Firebolt, attaching Fire Blast parts to his barrels will cause the figure to become too unbalanced to stand. If you choose, you can pair him with any version of Hot Rod with 5mm fists.

:Unlike most of the Firebolt toys, his arms are white (unpaintable) plastic instead of black, due to the fact that his limbs are molded with the cannon. The white plastic is also a much softer plastic than the black plastic that makes up the body, with most instances of the white plastic hinges being forced out of shape by the much harder black plastic until it no longer reliably holds together.

:Though designated for a first quarter 2019 release, Firedrive's wave surprisingly reached U.S. store shelves in November 2018.

:Firedrive became a notorious shelfwarmer after his initial release. He remained plentiful in stores throughout the entire ''Siege'' line, and could still be found clogging multiple pegs well into the ''Earthrise'' line. Along with the other Battle Masters, he appeared at discounter FiveBelow in late 2021.

:Firedrive was redecoed into a handful of other Battle Master toys, sometimes with different Fire Blast effects. A full list of how Firedrive and his parts were redecoed can be found below. Meanwhile, in fiction, this toy doubles as a form of [[Shaoshao Li#Legends comic|Shaoshao Li]]'s Firebolt suit and an upgraded form of [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]].
{{WFCSiegeFiredriveMold}}
{{WFCSiegeFiredriveFireBlastMold}}
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
{{anchor|MP40}}
[[File:TF-Masterpiece-MP-40-Firebolt.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Wait, you got the Hasbro version already?]]
*'''Targetmaster Hot Rodimus''' ([[February 24]], [[2018]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-40'''

:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Firebolt is a redeco of the ''Masterpiece'' Offshoot toy, marking the mold's first release in the Japanese ''Masterpiece'' line. He is available with [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#MP40|Targetmaster Hot Rodimus]], a version of the second ''Masterpiece'' Hot Rod mold retooled so that Firebolt can attach to his engine block in vehicle mode.

:In terms of deco, the plastic coloration on Firebolt's legs, cannons, and arm joint parts is completely swapped from Offshoot. Firebolt also omits the chest, leg, and cannon paint operations, and his face features a more animation-accurate deco.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W3PrivateFiredrive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Private Firedrive, Ground Command-Artillery/Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photon Cannon''' (2019)
**'''Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I'''
**''Rarity: '''''UT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T13/T48'''
**''Stars: ''7

:Private Firedrive, Ground Command-Artillery is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], War for Cybertron: Siege I. As a [[Battle Master]], Private Firedrive, Ground Command-Artillery begins the game in Bot Mode. Instead of being sent to the KO Area once his Health drops to zero, the card is flipped to the Upgrade side, becoming the Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photon Cannon, and equipped in the Weapons slot of another character on the player's side of the battlefield . In order to represent Firedrive's size as a Battle Master, the card is the size of a battle card, about half the size of a normal character card.

:The artwork for Bot Mode is reused from the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Firedrive toy's packaging art. The Duo-Charge Electrostatic Photo Cannon received original artwork, with line-art by [[Dan Khanna]] and colors by [[Alex Tarca]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Firebolt''' (ファイアーボルト ''Faiāboruto''), '''Firedrive''' (ファイヤードライブ ''Faiyādoraibu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Forsazhnik''' (Форсажник, "Afterburner")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Arms Microns]]
[[Category:Battle Masters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Japanese promotion exclusives]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Nebulans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]

Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity

2022-08-15T17:57:30Z

Repowers: reverting badly dogpiled captions

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{suite}}

[[File:Tud3 starscream smirkiest.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Why do they call me Star''Scream''? I'm Star''Smile'', you see...]]

10: Try to overthrow Megatron<br>
20: Fail<br>
30: GOTO 10<br>

{{bigquote|Where is your courage, Megatron?|Starscream|"[[Quest for Survival]]"}}

==''The Transformers'' cartoon==
{{voiceactor|[[Chris Latta]] (English), [[Hirotaka Suzuoki]] (Japanese)|[[Li Danqing]] (Chinese), [[Jean-Louis Millette]] (Canadian French), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French, 1st season and part of 2nd season), [[Albert Augier]] (European French, "The Autobot Run", "The Core" & "Microbots", then regular voice from "Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1" onwards), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Hoist Goes Hollywood"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French, "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court", "The God Gambit", "Cosmic Rust" & "Starscream's Ghost"), [[Frédéric Cerdal]] (European French, "Child's Play"), [[Marie Vergracht]] (French, ''The Movie''), [[José Sant'anna]] (Portuguese), [[Alfredo Martins]] (Portuguese, "Changing Gears"), [[César Marchetti]] (Portuguese, DVD dub), [[Luiz Carlos de Moraes]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" Fox Kids dub), [[Bernd Simon]] (German), [[Claus Brockmeyer]] (German, Generation 2 Part of Season 2), [[Vadim Gushchin]] (Russian), [[Claudio De Davide]] (Italian, first dub, season 1 and part of season 2), [[Leo Valeriano]] (Italian, first dub, remainder of season 2 and season 3), [[Massimo Corizza]] (Italian, first dub, ''The Movie'' and "Ghost in the Machine"), [[Marco Mori]] (Italian, second dub, ''The Movie''), [[Alberto Bognanni]] (Italian, second dub, seasons 1-2), [[Mirko Rizzi]] (Italian, second dub, season 3), [[Lucas Cisneros]] (Spain-Spanish, TV series), [[Dani Albiac]] (Spain-Spanish, ''The Movie''), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Ljubiša Bačić]] (Serbian), [[Dick Eriksson]] (Swedish, Generation 2), [[Gyula Szersén]] (Hungarian, "The Movie" 1st dub (most lines))}}

[[File:G1toon starscream bawled out.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Look at me when I'm threatening you!"]]
Shortly before the outbreak of the Autobot-Decepticon war nine million years ago, Starscream was not a warrior, but rather a scientist. He and his colleague and friend [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] were exploring an unnamed planet—the ancient [[Earth]]—when severe atmospheric conditions separated the two friends. Starscream circled the globe looking for Skyfire, but never found him. Upon his return to Cybertron, Starscream mostly abandoned his scientific pursuits, deciding that a career as a warrior would be much more exciting, {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}} and instead enrolled in the [[Cybertron War Academy]], of which he would later profess to be the pride. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

Starscream rose through the ranks of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s Decepticons until he reached the position of [[second-in-command]], but even this was not enough: Starscream saw Megatron as old and soft, and after five million years of war drained Cybertron of all its energy, Starscream came to believe that the Decepticons would have won the conflict eons beforehand if he had been in charge. Starscream was never afraid to let Megatron know this, but Megatron was always ready with a disparaging comeback, and the constant belief that while Starscream had the ambition, he did not have the ability to lead.

{{quote|My time will come, Megatron.|Not in ''this'' universe, Starscream. "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"}}

Starscream was among Megatron's forces aboard the [[Nemesis (G1)|space cruiser]] that pursued the Autobots' [[Ark (G1)|ship]] when it departed Cybertron to search for new energy sources on other planets. The Decepticons boarded the Autobot craft, and it subsequently crashed on Earth, entombing its occupants in stasis for four million years. When a volcanic eruption reawakened the ship's computer, [[Teletraan I]], in 1984, it indiscriminately brought the Decepticons back online, rebuilding their bodies to transform into contemporary Earth machines. Now outfitted with an F-15 [[alternate mode]], Starscream's first act on Earth was one of spitefulness, as he delivered a parting laser blast to the buried Autobot ship. The blast caused a tremor that inadvertently knocked [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] into the path of Teletraan I's restoration beam, and before long, all the Autobots were operational once more and ready to continue the war on Earth. Four million years of sleep hadn't improved Starscream's disposition any, as his thoughts immediately turned to leadership once more, and he discussed them with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] when he and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] accompanied him on a mission to find materials to construct a temporary base. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[File:G1toon starscream laser turret.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Umm, Megatron? I think there's something wrong with my leg."]]
The Decepticons quickly began gathering energy to build and fuel a [[Victory (G1)|new space cruiser]] that could return them to Cybertron. The work proceeded apace with the Autobots unable to do much to stop the villains, but Starscream wound up costing them time when he decided to test a clutch of [[energon cube]]s by powering a laser turret with them, thereby using them up and necessitating another energy raid. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} A little later, when Megatron subjected Starscream to another bout of berating, the [[Air Commander]] decided he had had enough, and tried to shoot Megatron in the back. At Soundwave's warning, Megatron blocked the beam and returned fire with his [[fusion cannon]], bringing Starscream to his knees, quite literally begging for mercy. Luckily for him, he got it, but he didn't learn his lesson, since the first thing he did once the space cruiser was completed and airborne was to try for another coup. As it turned out, he only wound up distracting all the other Decepticons, allowing Autobot stowaway [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] to cripple the cruiser and send it crashing back to Earth. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

{{quote|Megatron is dead! I'm the leader now. Follow me!|Starscream, "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]"}}

[[File:DivideandConquer Starscreampowerfist.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
Now stranded on Earth and using the crashed hulk of their spaceship as [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|headquarters]], the Decepticons created a [[space bridge]] to transport energy back to Cybertron. When Megatron was apparently lost in an early test of the device, {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}} Starscream leapt at the chance to take leadership, and led [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and Soundwave in an attack on a munitions plant. Unfortunately for Starscream, it soon transpired that Megatron had survived the space bridge journey, when he contacted Starscream from Cybertron and re-established his leadership. {{storylink|Roll for It}} Starscream was demoted to grunt work for his next mission, shipping energon cubes over the space bridge, but his merciless selection of a hapless warrior to pilot the craft on the dangerous journey proved to be a good one. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:G1toon starscream and skyfire.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|The fire is in the sky... but the heat is down here, baby.]]

{{quote|Megatron has fallen! I, Starscream, am now your leader. Decepticons, follow me!|Starscream, "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"}}

When the Decepticons began drilling in the North Pole in order to tap the energy of the [[Earth's core]], the excavation wound up unearthing the frozen body of Starscream's old friend, Skyfire. Starscream talked his friend into joining the Decepticons, but Skyfire could not put aside his peaceful scientific ways aside like Starscream had, and their friendship ended when he defected to the Autobots. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}} After a battle with the Autobots' newest warriors, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], including yet another failed attempt and taking leadership when Megatron fell (fell ''down'', that is). {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

[[File:G1 FireontheMountain SS chestmissiles.jpg|thumb|left|200px|My nipples explode with delight!]]
Starscream met up with Skyfire again when the Autobot returned to stop a Decepticon plot in Peru. In the process, Starscream found himself on the other side of treachery, when he overheard Thundercracker contemplating letting Skyfire destroy the Decepticons' new weapon, in the hope that Megatron would blame Starscream himself. Starscream tried to shoot Thundercracker but missed and took out Skyfire, then blackmailed Thundercracker into obeying his every command with the threat of revealing his treachery to Megatron. Unsurprisingly, the whole scheme didn't really work. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}}

[[File:UltimateDoom2 Strangling Starscream.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|right|Be careful not to ''choke'' on your aspirations, Starscream.]]

Not long after that Starscream proved he ''did'' still have some scientific leanings, as he was the only Decepticon who urged caution when Megatron pillaged energy from an unstable meteor. Starscream was ultimately correct about the volatile nature of the energy, and the resulting explosion nearly killed a number of Transformers, including Optimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

[[File:G1toon starscream and arkeville.jpg|upright=1.2|left|thumb|"Look at me when I'm threatening -- Oh God! I learned it at home! I learned it at hooome!"]]

{{quote|Megatron IS no more! I now lead the Decepticons.|Including those you left to die on Earth, Starscream? "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]"}}

After the Decepticons used a colossal space bridge to pull Cybertron into Earth's orbit in order to generate vast amounts of energy, {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} Starscream took every opportunity he could to try and make it seem like the plan wasn't working. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} When the Decepticons' human ally [[Doctor Arkeville]] was abandoned by Megatron, Starscream abducted the scientist and made the rather outlandish attempt to create energon cubes by drawing on his mental energy. When Megatron caught him in the act, Starscream fled with Arkeville {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} back to the human's secret laboratory. There, Starscream discovered an [[Exponential Generator]] and destabilized it with the intent of creating an explosion powerful enough to destroy the Earth. Starscream withdrew to Cybertron to watch the cosmic fireworks, but unbeknownst to him, Megatron and Optimus Prime had joined forces to launch the exponential generator into space. When the Earth failed to explode on schedule, Starscream headed back to the planet to investigate, but was knocked out of the sky by the passage of the exponential generator and crashed, right at the feet of a vengeful Megatron. [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] then wagered the Autobots had seen the last of Starscream for a while, {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}} and he was right: Starscream was indeed nowhere to be seen during the Decepticons' next villainous escapade. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}}

[[File:Heavy Metal War Decepticons beat.JPG|upright=1.2|thumb|right]]

Whatever revenge Megatron may have reaped on Starscream, the Air Commander survived the experience, and was seen again when he and the other Decepticons bestowed their [[power chip rectifier]]s upon Megatron. This process gave Megatron access to all the Decepticons' special powers, including Starscream's [[null-ray]]s and [[cluster bomb]]s, so he could easily defeat Optimus Prime in a one-on-one battle. Starscream pointed out the sheer illegality of this scheme, but Megatron was above caring. As it turned out, Starscream was right again: although Megatron defeated Prime, when the Autobots discovered his breach of the rules, their revenge was swift. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

[[File:G1toon screamer megs invisible.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Apparently, the invisibility spray doesn't get into those hard-to-reach cracks and crevices.]]

Starscream eagerly took to action in the Decepticons' next battle, {{storylink|Autobot Spike}} but was somewhat more reserved in regards to Megatron' new [[Solar Needle]] weapon, fearing that it would destabilize the Earth. Told by Megatron not to concern himself with matters he did not understand, he instead passed the time threatening and bossing around the captive [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]. {{storylink|Changing Gears}} Later, when Megatron had the Decepticons transform New York into [[New Cybertron]], Starscream had to admit that he was impressed by the scheme despite himself. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

{{quote|Never! Now I, Starscream, lead. And I say attack!|Starscream|"[[The Immobilizer]]"}}

Starscream helped Megatron implant a [[Personality destabilizer device]] in the Autobots' [[recharging chamber]]s by using [[invisibility spray]], {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}} and then joined in the theft of [[electro-cell]]s from a human laboratory, only to wind up embarrassing himself by rushing to use them to create energon cubes, which exploded due to the cells' instability. {{storylink|Traitor (episode)|Traitor}} Starscream was later part of the Decepticon team that stole the Autobots' [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]] weapon, and briefly tried to seize leadership when Megatron was felled by Optimus Prime during the Autobots' attempt to reclaim the device. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

[[File:G1toon starscream and nergill.jpg|thumb|"So....I'm guessing you DIDN'T have fun on your vacation in [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|Chernobyl]]..."]]
After serving as Megatron's unwilling guinea pig in the first test of the transformation-freezing [[Transfixatron]], {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} Starscream's cautious side came to the fore again when the Decepticons allied themselves with the fish-people of [[Sub-Atlantica]]. Starscream did not trust the sub-aquatic kingdom's boastful leader [[Nergill]], and his suspicions were proven correct when Nergill shot him with an [[Magnetic dysfunction ray|anti-Transformer disruptor ray]]. Starscream recovered in time to save Megatron from a blast of the ray, but Megatron did not believe Starscream's accusation of treachery until the fish-king went off the deep end and tried to destroy the Transformers, Sub-Atlantica and himself by detonating the city's energy stockpile. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

[[File:Starscream clone G1.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
Starscream was less than impressed with Megatron's decision to steal the Earth-made robot ninja [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], but when Megatron threatened to replace the Air Commander with the femme-bot, Starscream helped the Autobots take her down with a blast of his null ray. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} Soon after, when Megatron sought to dupe the Autobots with a [[Optimus Prime clone|clone of Optimus Prime]], his plan necessitated the creation of a [[Starscream clone (G1)|Starscream clone]], so that the Prime copy could convince the Autobots that it was the genuine article by destroying it. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

The scientist in Starscream saw danger in Megatron's plan to drill to the Earth's core, but Megatron placated him by revealing an emergency space bridge that could whisk them off to Cybertron if things went wrong. They never got the chance, though, as the Autobots destroyed the bridge, forcing the Decepticons to work with them to halt the drill and save the planet. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Seekers cerebroshells.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Following a brief stint as a mind-controlled minion of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}} Starscream accompanied the Decepticons to the mysterious [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], where the strange waves of chronal energy surrounding the prehistoric paradise gave him cause for concern. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Starscream theorized that draining the delicate energies of the island could disrupt the fabric of time, and he was right: time warps began appearing all across the world, and the Autobots sprang into action to stop the Decepticons' scheme. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[File:G1toon starscream and redalert.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|"Uh, what's with the eyeliner?" "Inferno says it brings out my eyes." "...uh huh...just press the button".]]
After shooting down [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and accusing the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] of treachery, {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Starscream proved just how much of a case of the pot calling the kettle black that was when he tricked the mentally-addled Autobot [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] into giving him access to the Autobots' new [[Negavator]] tank. Starscream planned to use the weapon to take control of the Decepticons, but when Megatron rumbled his scheme, he claimed that he had only been stealing the weapon for his leader. Realizing that Starscream meant to take the Negavator from him, Red Alert turned on him, and Starscream shot him with his null rays, which wound up stabilizing his logic circuits. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

[[File:G1toon snakes on a plane.jpg|thumb|Starscream has had it with this motherf@!king snake on him.]]
Starscream had a nasty encounter with a snake in the jungles of [[South America]] when the Decepticons were searching for their lost original space cruiser and its power core, the [[Heart of Cybertron]], but his spirits were put right by a good bout of over-energizing with the other Decepticons that evening. {{storylink|Microbots}}

[[File:G1toon starscream prime cosplay.jpg|thumb|left|Starscream learned the true meaning of Halloween that night - sweets, and plenty of them.]]
Later, Starscream donned an Optimus Prime costume as part of a plan to frame the Autobots for energy theft, which successfully resulted in the heroic robots being forced off Earth by humankind. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} In the Autobots' absence, the Decepticons conquered [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], and Starscream led the Decepticon jets in easily fending off attempted human military intervention, before the Autobots returned to clear their names and put things right. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

{{quote|Too bad! He's blown his vocal components. I guess that makes me the new leader!|Starscream never gives up on his dreams, "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1]]"}}
[[File:G1toon Starscream Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Seeking to sabotage the creation of [[Greene|Professor Greene]]'s [[Ultra Plane]], Starscream suggested blasting the new device out of the sky. Megatron advocated discretion, and instead had Starscream perform a fly-over and surreptitiously drop a small explosive on the Ultra Plane. Starscream, Megatron and Soundwave then attempted to steal the plans for the Ultra Plane, but Starscream and Soundwave were tricked into retreating when [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] projected a hologram of Megatron fleeing. Soon after, [[cybertonium]] degradation began to impair the Decepticons' functionality, and before he succumbed to it, Starscream took another grab for leadership when Megatron's vocal circuits were scrambled by the condition. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} After the Decepticons recovered, Starscream helped steal the [[Voltronic Galaxer]]. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[File:G1toon starscream king of the castle.jpg|upright=1.3|left|thumb|"Who put that caption down there?!"]]
While on a mission in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], Starscream found himself low on energy and with Autobots on all sides. Retreating into a cave with Rumble, Ravage and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] at his side, Starscream discovered that the cave was, in fact, a mystical time travel device, which thrust them back through the ages to 543 AD, with Autobots [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] hot on their heels. Seeing a primitive world that he could easily conquer laid out before him, Starscream allied himself with local ne'er-do-well Sir [[Wigend of Blackthorn]], but soon double-crossed him and took control of his castle and army. Starscream dismissed the chivalry of the age and abducted [[Nimue]], daughter of neighboring ruler Sir [[Aetheling the Red]], demanding that he surrender his kingdom in return for his progeny's safety. All the Transformers were low on energy, so Starscream put his scientific skills to use creating gunpowder and primitive electric dynamo, giving the Decepticons the ability to fight back against the Autobots and Sir Aetheling's armies when they marshalled against him. With aid from the wizard [[Beorht]], Hoist and Warpath overpowered Starscream and hauled him back to the present, where Starscream gleefully greeted Megatron by pouncing on top of him, ruining the shot he had lined up. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}}

[[File:G1toon starscream electrum.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Sadly, Starscream had never heard of [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]...]]
Starscream was the first Decepticon to test out a mysterious golden lagoon of [[electrum]] discovered on Earth, and was made invulnerable by the powerful alloy. The Decepticons were easily able to defeat the Autobots in battle thanks to their new invincible coating, but Megatron was not impressed when Starscream had captives [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] fight gladiator-style. As punishment, he had Starscream lead an attack on the giant Autobot Omega Supreme—a task Starscream was terrified at the prospect of, even with his newfound invulnerability. The attack succeeded, but when Starscream was left in charge of the prisoners, they escaped, and in the battle that resulted, the electrum effect wore off the Decepticons, and they were defeated. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

[[File:Gambitastrotrain&scream.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
When Starscream, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] pursued [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to [[Saturn]]'s moon of [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], Starscream was less than impressed when [[Titan (species)|the natives]] began worshipping Astrotrain as their supreme god. {{storylink|The God Gambit}} Starscream later encountered Cosmos again, along with Powerglide, in New York, inadvertently revealing the location of the Decepticons' new base in the New Jersey Pine Barrens to the Autobots. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[File:G1toon starscream and aron.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Aron always wanted a Revoltech...but this one won't shut it's mouth.]]
Starscream was among a small group of Autobots and Decepticons who were transported to an alien world of giants by a malfunctioning space bridge. Starscream was nearly dissected for study by the authorities of this planet, and when Autobot scientist [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] cobbled together a makeshift space bridge to send them home, he and the Decepticons were only too happy to make the trip back to Earth. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} After returning, Starscream was caught up in the menace of the [[morphobot]]s {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}, a plot to mine energy rich ore from an asteroid (which accidentally unleashed [[Asteroid bird alien|a monster]]) {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}, then helped operate the Decepticons' new "[[energy magnet]]". {{storylink|Kremzeek!}}

Conspiring with Astrotrain and Blitzwing to overthrow Megatron by freezing him in a subterranean chamber full of absolute zero degree molecules, Starscream found himself betrayed by the two [[Triple Changer]]s and frozen in the chamber along with Megatron. Blitzwing and Astrotrain's subsequent rampage caused a tidal wave (among many other things) that freed the two frozen Decepticons, and Starscream pleaded ignorance of the betrayal. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} Later, when eccentric big game hunter [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]] began targeting the Autobots, Starscream smirkingly pointed out that he had achieved more in two days than Megatron had in two years. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[File:G1toon starscream dancitron.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|The name's Mix Master Festus, fool!]]
Using the [[Dancitron]] dance club, Starscream and Soundwave used hypnotic music signals to brainwash human beings into helping them build a new Decepticon headquarters in the heart of New York, but they were stopped by [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] and the [[Bop Crew]]. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}} Later, he returned to Cybertron to aid Shockwave in the capture of Autobot resistance leader [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], holding her to ransom to lure Optimus Prime into Decepticon clutches. The plan succeeded, but when Starscream attempted to melt Optimus Prime down, Elita used her time-freezing powers to save the Autobot leader. When time unfroze, Starscream believed that Prime had been destroyed, so when the Autobot leader return to aid his troops in battle, Starscream was badly thrown and called retreat right away. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

[[File:G1toon starscream thrashed.jpg|thumb|Hands! HANDS!!!]]
When Dirge crashed in a movie studio back lot while returning to the Decepticon base with a [[Wheeljack's unnamed invention|secret cargo]], Starscream was charged with recovering footage of the secret cargo that the filmmakers on-site had captured. Unfortunately for Starscream, Megatron was not in a forgiving mood that day, so when he neglected to steal the negatives as well, the Decepticon leader seized him, held him above his head, slammed him off a wall and tore a handful of wires out of his chest, knocking Starscream offline. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

When Starscream, [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and Thundercracker's aerial skills wowed the impressionable new Autobots, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], Starscream used their naivete to lure them into a trap set by Megatron that temporarily sent them nine million years back in time. {{storylink|War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn}} Later, Starscream accompanied Megatron, Astrotrain and Rumble on a mission to the planet [[Antilla]], during which Megatron was struck by a small asteroid that lodged itself in his armor. Starscream yanked the asteroid out of Megatron's shoulder, but too late: the Decepticon leader was already infected by [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]], necessitating the capture of Perceptor to find a cure. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[File:Starscreams brigade 5 letsgo.jpg|left|upright=2.2|thumb|To infinity... and beyond!]]

{{quote|I am now the leader of all Decepticons!|Starscream is actually right... for about five seconds. "[[Starscream's Brigade]]"}}

Starscream's next attempt at a coup was the last straw for Megatron. After Starscream attempted to shoot him in the back yet again, Megatron downed the Air Commander with a blast of his fusion cannon and banished him from the Decepticons, instructing [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] to drop him on the island of [[Guadalcanal]]. Discovering the ruined hulks of several [[World War II]] vehicles on the island, Starscream was struck with the idea to create troops for himself. Overpowering Thundercracker and Skywarp, he hijacked the space bridge and liberated the [[personality component]]s of a group of dissident "[[Renegade Decepticon]]s" from the [[Decepticon Detention Center|detention center]] on Cybertron, which he placed into the war vehicles, creating the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. Starscream ensured the loyalty of the Combaticons by neglecting to install [[energy absorber]]s in their new bodies, meaning that they had to help him capture several Transformers so they could take theirs for their own. In a showdown with the Decepticon forces, Starscream's Combaticons combined into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] to overpower [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], and the giant robot then seized Megatron, as Starscream forced him to hand leadership over to him. Suddenly, Bruticus was ambushed by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and defeated, leaving Starscream without troops and at Megatron's mercy. Megatron had Astrotrain dump Starscream and the Combaticons on an asteroid, declaring them exiled from Earth forever. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[File:G1toon starscream asteroid.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|What did I do to deserve this?!... Oh yeah, the whole "kill leader to take his place" thing.]]
Unable to stand his imprisonment, Starscream eventually transformed to jet mode and flew off into space, despite not having enough power to make it back to Earth. The Combaticons, meanwhile, towed the asteroid to Cybertron, where they promptly overthrew Shockwave and took control of the planet. Shockwave was sent tumbling off into space and collided with Starscream, tipping the Seeker off to the fact that he was close to Cybertron. The pair returned to Cybertron, where they attempted to fool the Combaticons with holograms, but were ultimately captured and imprisoned. It took the team-up of Megatron and Optimus Prime's forces to save them and stop Bruticus. Starscream used the hologram projector to deceive the Autobots into thinking that Megatron had destroyed Bruticus, but in reality, the combiner survived and was reprogrammed by Megatron to serve him. For supplying him with this mighty new soldier, Megatron welcomed Starscream back into the Decepticon ranks. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

In his last recorded adventures in the 1980s, Starscream was his old snarky self, pouring doubt and scorn on Megatron's plans to have the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] steal the components to create a powerful laser weapon, {{storylink|Masquerade}} and to use a gravity-alerting device to blast the moon out of orbit. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

[[File:TFTM Starscream Jet.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|"I look expensive!"]]
Over the next twenty years, the Decepticons focused their efforts on conquering Cybertron entirely, driving the Autobots off the planet. In 2005, learning that the Autobots were readying for a major strike to take back the planet, Starscream accompanied Megatron and the Decepticons on a raid on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth (although Starscream himself advocated hitting the Autobots' bases on Cybertron's moons first). During the [[Battle of Autobot City|battle]], Starscream narrowly avoided being crushed by the transforming city, and was the one to call retreat when Optimus Prime grievously wounded Megatron in a one-on-one duel. On the return flight to Cybertron, the Decepticons found it necessary to reduce their mass so that Astrotrain could successfully make it back to the planet, and they chose to jettison the damaged passengers. Starscream, of course, wasted no time in setting Megatron adrift, grinning victoriously as his former leader screamed his name as he was swept off on the solar winds.

{{quote|Well. As Megatron has, how shall we say, ''departed'', I nominate ''myself'' as the new leader!|Starscream, ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}
[[File:G1toon starscream coronation.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|My fellow Decepticons, it is with a heavy heart that I must declare that you are all idiots!]]
Fighting immediately broke out amongst the Decepticons over who would become leader now, but Starscream eventually won out. Upon reaching Cybertron, he quickly arranged for a prodigious coronation ceremony complete with [[Constructicon (G1)|trumpeters]] and a [[Transformer clothing|crown]]. Starscream could not have known, of course, that Megatron would be found and reshaped by the godlike planet Transformer [[Unicron]], who recreated him as [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].

[[File:SSBQ.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|And then he died, and Megatron lived happily ever after. '''OR DID HE?''']]

The reborn Megatron arrived on Cybertron in the midst of Starscream's coronation, declaring the whole affair "bad comedy". Starscream had barely a moment to realize that the being in front of him was Megatron before Galvatron transformed to cannon mode and killed him with a single blast. Frozen for a moment as his body crackled, blackened and fractured, Starscream crumbled to ash, and was seemingly no more. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Starscream’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]" and the storybook "[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|Transformers the Movie]]."}}

[[File:G1toon starscreams ghost.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|"Starscream?! I thought Megatron killed you?"
"Me? No, that was my....twin brother, Screamstar. Yeah. The sparkles are because I'm super-powerful now."]]
In truth, however, this was not the end for Starscream. When the turncoat Decepticon [[Octane]] was pursued by the revenge-seeking [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s, he took refuge in the [[Decepticon Crypt]] in the lower levels of Cybertron, where Starscream was apparently honored by [[:File:StarscreamCryptMarker1.jpg|a statue that was only a set of legs]]. In the Crypt, Octane was confronted by the spectral form of Starscream, who had transcended death as a shimmering, ethereal "ghost". Starscream's ghost possessed Cyclonus, and he and Octane conspired to hand Galvatron over to Autobot leader [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]]. Galvatron was able to escape the trap, and returned to the Decepticon base on [[Chaar]] in a state of unadulterated fury. He shot his second-in-command, not realizing Cyclonus had not been himself, but Starscream silently leapt into the body of a nearby Sweep, and began planning for the future. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

[[File:G1toon starscreams last appearance.jpg|upright=1.2|left|thumb|In space, no one can hear you, 'scream.]]
Seeking to reactivate Unicron in the hope that the omnipotent being could restore his body, Starscream possessed Scourge and had him open fire on Galvatron, so that he would be branded a traitor and would have no option but to help him. Scourge was successfully able to bring Unicron's disembodied head back online, and the chaos-bringer gave Starscream three tasks he would have to complete in order to obtain his desire. Starscream was ordered by Unicron to steal the eyes of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and the [[transformation cog]] of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Due to a mishap with one of Metroplex's eyes he ended up having to substitute one of Trypticon's eyes in its place. After he completed the task with the aid of Scourge, Scourge fled and Starscream was directed to connect Unicron's head to Cybertron itself so the planet could become his new body. Left without any hosts to possess, Starscream demanded that Unicron give him back his body so that he could complete the necessary connections... but as soon as the dark god complied, Starscream double-crossed him and tossed the cables to the ground, telling Unicron to do it himself! Just then, a payload of explosives planted by the Autobots went off, hurling both Starscream and Unicron's head off into space. Starscream was last seen soaring off through the cosmic void, out of control, as Galvatron fired upon him, and Cyclonus wondered how a ghost could tumble through space like that. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}
{{--}}

==Japanese cartoon continuity==
{{note|The events of the American animated series occur in Japanese continuity as noted above, except that the events of Season 3, which took place in 2006 in America, were moved back to 2010. Japanese animated continuity inserts a large number of additional storylines, told through various different media, into the timeline, as detailed below.}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' cartoon===
{{main|Starscream (G1)#Beast Wars cartoon}}

===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages===
Starscream was one of the Decepticons who attacked New York City early in their conflict with the Autobots on Earth. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)#Part 1|Broadcasting on TV! Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers}}

===Scramble City: Mobilization===
{{voiceactor|[[Hirotaka Suzuoki]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Scramble city seekers.jpg|left|thumb|Somehow I feel like we've seen this before...]]
When the Decepticons succeeded in locating the construction site of the Autobots' [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project, Starscream stepped forward to lead Thundercracker, Skywarp and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] in an attack on the hidden facility. They were met by an Autobot contingent led by Optimus Prime and a firefight ensued, at which point Starscream instructed the Constructicons to combine. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] soon arrived to back up Prime's team, and a barrage of fire from them sent Starscream tumbling from his perch atop a cliff. Although Starscream tried to continue the fight, the Decepticons were badly outnumbered, and he eventually called retreat. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

===''Legends'' comic===
At some point in the early days of the Transformers' war on Earth, Starscream was alongside Megatron and Soundwave taking part in a battle against the Autobots. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|Bonus Edition Vol. 6}} During an attack on the Autobot base, Starscream was annoyed that Megatron considered appointing [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] the new [[Air Commander]] and protested that he was superior, but this only got him blasted in the back by Slugslinger. Following a failed attempt by Slugslinger at overthrowing Megatron, Starscream took his revenge by ordering the Decepticons to hunt down and punish the traitor. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}} He was part of a group of Decepticons who fell in a pitfall trap prepared by [[Twin Twist]], but being Decepticons, they simply flew back out. {{storylink|Jumpstarter Chapter#Operation: Destroy the Decepticons|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

===''The Battle of the Star Gate''===
[[File:Stargatebattles starscream and his ghost.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Me and my shadow.]]
In the late 1990s, Starscream was among the Decepticons who attacked the human-built interstellar teleport system known as the ''[[Trigger]]''. The sole survivor of their attack on the space station, [[Makoto (Star Gate)|Makoto]], was able to activate the teleport system and send the Decepticons hurtling towards the portal, but Megatron blasted the portal and knocked it offline just as Starscream was about to fly through it. The Autobots soon arrived to stop the Decepticons, {{storylink|First Contact (Star Gate)|First Contact}} but Megatron still had his sights set on the ''Trigger'', and was content to wait until it was repaired so that he could make another play for it. Starscream advocated destroying the ''Trigger'' completely to stop the Autobots from using it, but Megatron dismissed the idea, mockingly suggesting that Starscream's passage through the ''Trigger'' had devolved him to its primitive level. Starscream stalked away, infuriated, and stared angrily at his own reflection... but while Megatron's assessment may not have been accurate, something clearly ''had'' happened, since Starscream's reflection was ''talking'' to him... {{storylink|Divided Views}}

Soon after, Starscream concocted a plan of his own to gather more energy, establishing a protection-racket style scam with the [[Prime Minister of Japan]], promising no attacks against his country in return for free reign to gather energy. Of course, Starscream had a double-cross in play, as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] were secretly creating earthquakes in Japan that the Decepticon could tap for energy, while the Japanese government was left to believe they were simply natural disasters. The Autobots soon got wise to the villain's schemes and headed for Japan to stop the Decepticons, but when a team of flying Autobots pursued the fleeing Starscream out over the ocean, none of them could have suspected that the ''Trigger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s warp gate would suddenly burst out of the sea below them, accompanied by a mysterious ''second'' Starscream! {{storylink|Activation}}

[[File:Stargatebattles starscream trigger.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|Starscream auditions for the final boss of ''Final Fantasy XIII''.]]
This second Starscream spirited the original, along with the energy he had gathered from Japan, back to the ''Trigger'' out in space, where the original Starscream demanded to know the identity of the strange, phantasmal doppelganger. The second Starscream revealed that he was, in fact, the ghost of Starscream's own future self, who had inadvertently been transported back in time by the ''Trigger'' after he was destroyed in the future. Both the Decepticons and Autobots soon tracked down the Starscreams to the ''Trigger'', but before they could act, Starscream's ghost, determined to alter history and ensure his own survival, used the purloined energy to fuse both present and future Starscreams together with the ''Trigger''. The space station transformed into a monstrous, misshapen robot of mammoth proportions, which tore through the Autobot and Decepticon ranks, until the ''Trigger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s human staff—including Makoto—activated a system purge, disconnecting most of the armored hull from Starscream's new ''Trigger''-body. Megatron exploited this vulnerability to cripple Starscream with a point-blank cannon blast, but Starscream had one last trick up his sleeve, twisting the remains of his body into a giant warp gate and threatening to suck all the Transformers into a [[black hole]] in the depths of space. It took the combination of Optimus Prime and Megatron's power to finally destroy Starscream. The ''Trigger'' was obliterated, and the fate of Starscream's ghost was unrevealed, but the present-day Starscream survived. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

===''Story of Binaltech''===
In 2004, while the majority of the Decepticon forces under Megatron's command were focusing their attention on finally taking over all of Cybertron, Starscream was appointed leader of the small remaining Decepticon force operating within Earth's solar system. Exploiting the Autobots' lowered guard, the Decepticons struck with a plague of Cosmic Rust, disabling many of their foes and leaving Earth open to attack. However, with the aid of the [[Earth Defense Command]] and many of Earth's automotive companies, the Autobots were saved and rebuilt with powerful new "[[Binaltech (technology)|Binaltech]]" bodies. {{storylink|Binaltech Is... (Chapter 1)|Binaltech Is...}} With the strength of these new forms, the Autobots forced Starscream's Decepticons off Earth, {{storylink|Binaltech Is... (Chapter 2)|Binaltech Is...}} but Starscream did not take the defeat lying down, and got back in touch with his old ally, Doctor Arkeville. Bribing Arkeville with the offer of access to [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s mind-controlling [[cerebro-shell]] technology, Starscream had the doctor combine his old [[hypno-chip]] designs with the shells, which were then used to take control of several of the [[Binaltech Project]]'s human workers. With these humans under their sway, Starscream and Arkeville began co-opting Binaltech technology to rebuild the Decepticons into Binaltech forms. {{storylink|Arise! Evil Binaltechs}}

====BT World====
Now fighting the Autobots on more even footing, the Decepticons were nonetheless thrown into disarray when the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] used the [[Kronosphere]] time machine to alter the flow of history by teleporting Megatron and most of the Decepticons outside of time. {{storylink|Changing Lanes}} Spared of this fate, Starscream initiated a rebellion against [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]'s Earthbound forces. The fighting, however, was quelled by the two Autobot Binaltech units hijacked by [[Unicron]] for [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and [[Decepticharge]]. The servants of Unicron informed the Decepticons that Unicron was displeased with their infighting and commanded the Decepticons to destroy Optimus Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Widow's Edge}}

The Decepticons were mostly defeated when the Autobots activated the [[Quintesson]]s' [[large switch|kill switch]], and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] took leadership of those that remained. {{storylink|Kill Switch}} However, Starscream was able to avoid the deactivation effect of the switch, and was among the Decepticons present when Nemesis Prime tried to create a synthetic Matrix using the human population of an Australian town. When the Autobots stopped Nemesis Prime's plan and destroyed him, Starscream led the retreat as he and all the remaining flying Decepticons made good their escape. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 4}}

===''Robotmasters'' comic===
[[File:Robotmasters starscream arsenalforce.jpg|left|upright=1.5|thumb|Double, double, toil and trouble...]]

In the year [[2004]], Megatron had vanished and the Autobots joined with the [[United Nations]] to initiate the [[Autobot City (G1)|Scramble City]] project. In the confusion, [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]] traveled back in time via the [[Blastizone]] and seized command of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The New Battle Begins!}} When Starscream dared to challenge Beast Megatron's bid for leadership, he was promptly blasted through a wall. {{storylink|Change in Command: The Usurper Decepticon}}

Seeking a means to dethrone this new leader, Starscream turned his attention to manipulating solitarium, and forged four weapons from the new mineral, which could be combined to create the "[[Arsenal Force]]" super-weapon. Starscream combined the weapons and unleashed the power of the Arsenal Force on Megatron... which, despite some impressive pyrotechnics, completely failed to injure him. Starscream had his right arm blown off in retribution. {{storylink|Starscream Grins 3 Times...}}

During a later battle, when [[Ginrai (robot)|Victory Leo]] was attempting to go to the aid of [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]], Starscream appeared with [[Air Hunter]] and [[Wingstun]] to block his way. Fortunately, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Bound Rogue]] leapt into the fray to keep the Decepticons busy while Leo carried on with his mission. {{storylink|Bonds Stronger than Steel}}

From his secret base in darkest [[Idaho]], Starscream used [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] to spy on the Autobots as they developed the new [[Black body (technology)|black body]] technology. Using is scientific skills, Starscream replaced their data with a flawed formula of his own design. With the data switched, Optimus Prime became infected and was forced to go into quarantine in a remote cave.

At Decepticon HQ, Starscream tried to repeat his success on his new leader, Beast Megatron, only for his plan to backfire. Beast Megatron's Predacon physiology accepted the tainted data and gave him a true black body. Frustrated, Starscream returned to his base and applied the complete black body data to himself. He launched an attack on Optimus Prime, but an earthquake buried him in the canyon where Prime was quarantined. Meanwhile, Beast Megatron attacked the Ark all while mumbling that Starscream finally did something useful. Hearing this, and realizing Starscream would never willingly help a Megatron, Optimus Primal applied the tainted black body data to himself. He then located Prime with a [[Sky Spy]] and used his complete black body data to "cure" Prime. The two then returned to the Ark and defeated Beast Megatron, damaging his black body chip and returning their enemy to normal.

Infuriated, and having built up a tolerance to the black body data leaving him unable to assume it a second time, Beast Megatron tracked down Starscream's secret base and destroyed his black body data. Starscream dug himself out (his black body upgrade having worn off) and returned to his base to only find one black body chip left. He inserted the chip, unaware that it was actually the tainted black body data of his own design... {{storylink|Black Body (prose)|Black Body}}

Starscream, Wingstun, and new recruit [[X-Gunner]] later approached Optimus Primal, [[R-Blade]] and [[Delta Seeker]] while they were on patrol, and challenged them to a test of air-speed. The Decepticons took the lead, but R-Blade soon got ahead and blinded them with a smokescreen, allowing Delta Seeker to knock Starscream and the others out of the sky. {{storylink|Through Sea and Sky: The World's Fastest Race}}

The original Megatron returned soon after, in the guise of "[[Reverse Convoy]]", {{storylink|Strategic Meeting: The Mysterious New Warrior}} and joined back up with the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Dark Emperor of Destruction, Reborn}} Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, and the two Megatrons then engaged Optimus Prime, Optimus Primal, Victory Saber, and [[Lio Convoy]] in a mighty battle, but the heroes ultimately prevailed. {{storylink|And Then}}
{{--}}

===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:Ehobby dead starscreams.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|These ''Marvel Zombies'' variant covers are getting out of hand.]]

Immediately after being killed by Galvatron at his own coronation in 2005, Starscream's spark found its way to the twilight realm of [[Limbo]], somewhere on the edge of life and death. He soon discovered that he was not alone: the sparks of many deceased Starscreams from all across the multiverse were also there. Sharing the stories of their deaths with one another, they formulated a plan to restore themselves to life, each one all the while secretly willing to sacrifice the others if it would benefit him. The scientific skills of several of the Starscreams were used to create a kind of crystal they termed a "[[flip-soul]]" that would enable their spirits to retake physical form in the real world—but predictably enough, all the Starscreams then began fighting for possession of the crystal. The primary Starscream was able to triumph over the others and took off with the crystal in hand, but was then seized about the legs by the other Starscreams before he could get away.

The victorious Starscream ingested the crystal, and in a flash, all the Starscreams disappeared from Limbo, and he reappeared in the material realm. However, he now found himself in the future, somewhere beyond the year [[2025]], floating in space near Earth. But where there had once been many Starscreams, now there was only one, giant Starscream, a fusion of all the different versions of the duplicitous Air Commander from throughout time and space. The fusion was not a complete one, however; each Starscream had left small fragments of themselves in Limbo, resulting in a giant Starscream who was not quite "complete", but more of a towering transparent "ghost". As Starscream ruminated on this, he spotted a team of Autobot warriors cruising the ocean waves nearby, and promptly launched an attack. {{storylink|MP-3G Destron Air Commander / Starscream Ghost Ver.}}

{{note|This story is also related through the bio of the toy the comic was included with, Masterpiece Starscream Ghost Ver. In the bio's telling of events, there is not one crystal, but many, which the Starscreams argue over portions of, and the giant ghost Starscream appears in a city on Earth, rather than in space. In either version, it seems to be attempting to explain why Starscream became a ghost after his death in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', expanding on the "mutant spark" explanation from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.}}

How that battle wound up going, we may never know. Starscream's ghost eventually returned to the present or thereabouts and became aware of the dark thoughts forming in the mind of the new Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]]. Starscream's ghost influenced Rodimus into finding an old Decepticon base on Earth and activating the [[clone synthesizer]] within. The darkness within Rodimus Prime gave life to the clone now known as [[Black Rodimus Convoy]]. {{storylink|Destron Doppelgänger Black Rodimus Convoy}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
{{main|Starscream (G1)#Beast Wars cartoon}}

===''15 Go! Go!''===
[[File:Starscream teletraan15.jpg|thumb|left|"I'm Starscream's girlfriend. Seriously."<br>[[Lunaclub|I'll kill 'er!]]]]
Dispatched on a mission through time and space to discover the identity of a mysterious saboteur who damaged [[Teletraan I]], the humanoid robot [[Teletraan 15]] was possessed by Starscream's ghost when the spectral Decepticon invaded her [[Transwarp cruiser]] in 2006. Starscream crashed the cruiser into the artificial satellite [[Nana]], where 15's superiors [[Teletraan 10]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Black Panther Man]] were stationed, and emerged from the wreckage to seize 10 around the throat. He introduced himself as the Decepticon Air Commander, prompting a shocked Black Panther Man to realize the true identity of the force possessing Teletraan 15. {{storylink|Starscream? Volume}} Teletraan 10 tried fighting back in true slapstick anime style, but Starscream just blasted her with eyebeams. As it happened, Starscream didn't hang around for long; learning of the super-powered [[Kiss Player]]s that were currently operating on Earth, Starscream left Teletraan 15's body, and departed for [[Earth Defense Command]] Headquarters on Earth. {{storylink|Starscream? Volume 2}}

[[File:Atariscream2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Not his finest moment, but possibly his most fabulous.]]
The first Kiss Player Starscream discovered in the EDC headquarters was the young [[Atari Hitotonari]], who was using the ladies' room at the time. Starscream promptly possessed the girl, turning her EDC uniform black, but he couldn't understand why the giggling Kiss Players wouldn't take "Atari-scream"'s demands and threats seriously, even after he pulled a gun on them and fired into the air. The reason soon became apparent: unfortunately for the Air Commander, he had neglected to pull Atari's underwear back up when leaving the bathroom. {{storylink|Starscream? Volume 3}}

===''Kiss Players'' radio drama===
Still possessing Atari, Starscream found himself unable to possess other Transformers that possessed [[spark]]s, and forced her to seek out his old ally, the cybernetic scientist Doctor Arkeville. Arkeville built a [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|new body]] for Starscream converted from a stolen fighter jet, into which Atari transferred his spirit with a kiss. Starscream was reborn... for a couple of minutes, until a squad of [[Autorooper]]s arrived to blow up his new body and send his ghost flying back into space. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #27}}
{{--}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Generations'' comic===
[[File:Henkei starscreams ghost.jpg|left|thumb| I think I'll possess that [[Drift (G1)|sword guy]] next...]]

His errant spark still wandering throughout time and space, Starscream's ghost found his way into a [[Primax 209.20 Gamma|parallel universe]], where he immediately began sowing his usual brand of terror. Possessing this new world's native Octane, he attacked [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], but was taken down by [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]]. Undeterred, Starscream's ghost simply departed the fallen Decepticon's body and contemplated which Autobot to possess next. {{storylink|Mirage's Activity}}

After defeating Mirage, however, Starscream discarded the notion of possessing an Autobot, and decided to turn his attention to taking out this world's Megatron instead. Pulling his old coronation cape and [[Transformer clothing|crown]] out of nowhere, he took off for the Decepticon base, but was immediately blasted through the chest by Megatron as soon as he arrived. Naturally, the blast had no effect on his ghostly form, greatly intriguing Megatron. {{storylink|Starscream's Ambition}}

Megatron quickly deduced that this was not his world's Starscream, and sent Astrotrain and Onslaught against him, but Starscream's ghost simply possessed Onslaught and began rampaging. Mirage and Ironhide arrived in the middle of the battle to try and help take out Starscream, but then, while Starscream was in the midst of ranting about possessing the body of this world's Starscream, a portal opened above the combatants and disgorged [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Screech (Generations)|Screech]], a pair of dimension-hopping "Quantum Operatives" from Starscream's home universe, who had come to take him back there. While these two newcomers were keeping Starscream distracted, Mirage used his illusion-casting powers to create a hologram of Galvatron, terrifying the spectral Decepticon and causing him to flee the universe. {{storylink|Starscream's New Body}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
In a flashback to the good ol' days of Megatron, Starscream joined the other Decepticons in an assault on the Ark and the Autobots defending it. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}
{{--}}

===''Legends''/''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:Legends EX StarWasp.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Upon meeting [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Starscream]] in the [[Legends World]], G1 Megatron was shocked at his presence, explaining to [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Megatron]] about how his Starscream was a devious traitor. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#The Autumn Megatron Festival Chapter|The Autumn Megatron Festival Chapter}}

After a long series of adventures as a ghost, Starscream concluded that the best body he'd ever possessed was Waspinator's. He followed the Predacon to the Legends World and possessed him again, using his body to try to take over [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition EX Waspinator}} Starscream defeated [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and the two [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattraps]] defending the city-bot, but was in turn exorcised and defeated by the similarly ghostly [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. Reduced to the form of a spark, Starscream fled, swearing revenge. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition EX Rhinox}}

[[File:StarscreamNewBody-GrandGalvatronChapter.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]
In [[2021]], Starscream's ghost stumbled upon Cyclonus and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] striking a deal with the crippled Unicron within the [[Triple Z Point]]. Unicron had agreed to summon Transformers from throughout the multiverse to combine them into a new "[[Grand Galvatron]]" body for the Decepticon leader. In exchange, the Decepticons would leave Unicron's own body untouched. After [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], and [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] had been summoned forth to combine with Cyclonus, Starscream made his presence known, and asked for a new body to join them in their gestalt form. Unicron partially granted his wish, bestowing onto Starscream a semi-corporeal body. Starscream was miffed, but Unicron explained that he knew that Starscream was too treacherous to be given any more in the way of a body. Unicron further stated that Starscream should be grateful, as his new form allowed him to retain all of the abilities he had access to as a ghost. The Transformers then combined into Grand Galvatron, who took off towards Cybertron while plotting to conquer it for himself. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}}

Cyclonus had the group undergo training by exposing them to the lava pools of [[Thrull]], which Starscream didn't enjoy one bit. He tried to sneak away, only to be caught in the attempt by Doctor Arkeville, who'd been charged with keeping an eye on him. {{storylink|Unite Warriors Offshot#Special Training in the Lava Baths of Planet Thrull!|Special Training in the Lava Baths of Planet Thrull!}}

[[File:LunacloverStarscream MegatroniaChapter.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.6]]
When Grand Galvatron attacked Cybertron, Starscream and the other limb components were removed from Cyclonus by [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]. As they continued the battle on foot, Starscream was confident that [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer V2]] wouldn't affect his semi-corporeal body, only to be quickly proven wrong when the weapon froze him regardless. After he'd recovered, the team re-combined into Grand Galvatron to fight [[Sky Reign]]. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} Upon the arrival of [[Megaempress]] and her [[4 Guards]], Grand Galvatron's components quickly scrambled in fear of the powerful Decepticon empress. Starscream was tackled by his old fan Lunaclub, who immediately begged him to possess her body and become the new Decepticon leader. Irritated, Starscream explained that in his current half-ghost body, he could only jump dimensions and not possess people, which prompted Lunaclub to strangle him in an attempt to make him dead again. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} He was still stuck in Lunaclub's embrace when Unicron himself showed up to make Cybertron his new body. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Though Galvatron's spirit had left his body, Cyclonus convinced Starscream and the others to combine with him one last time for the sake of defeating Unicron. Once the battle was won, Starscream flew into space to get far, far away from Lunaclub. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

[[File:Legends 57 Headmaster Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7]]
Lunaclub would catch up with Starscream in [[2022]], decapitating the half-ghost and letting the body be destroyed by a meteoroid. Uninterested in Lunaclub's affection, Starscream sought to get back to the Legends World so that he could become a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], a desire which [[Moonheart]] offered her assistance for. Once there, Moonheart and Lunaclub attacked [[Octane]]'s [[transtector]], while the now-Headmaster Starscream snuck aboard and took control. With the transtector, Starscream boasted that he would take over from [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mayor Megatron]], but it turned out that Octane had built a device within the transtector for situations such as this and activated it, shocking and expelling Starscream from the body. True to self, the defeated Starscream begged Megatron for mercy; he was punished by being forced to appear in one of Octane's videos with Lunaclub, but its sales proved to be dismal. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 57|Bonus Edition Vol. 57}}

Starscream then began working under Megatron at his mayor's office. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 59|Bonus Edition Vol. 59}} When [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]] attacked them, he was shocked by Megatron's insistence on settling things peacefully rather than just killing the intruder. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 63|Bonus Edition Vol. 63}} Starscream was allowed to borrow Octane's transtector to help defend the city from [[Majin Zarak]]'s attack, {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} and was hugged by Lunaclub during the victory celebrations. He then returned to his own dimension alongside everyone else when the Legends World was destroyed. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}} He reemerged as a ghost in [[2035]], prompting the [[Powered Master]]s to discuss any possible relation between him and [[Violengiguar]]'s ghostly origins. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 2}}
{{--}}

===Hero Set===
[[File:Legends Hero Set Starscream box art.jpg|thumb|It's all fun and games until Starscream screws everything up.]]

In the year 2025, Starscream, in his new corporeal body, battled [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] in the far reaches of space.<ref>Packaging blurb for the Japanese-exclusive "Hero Set" release of the [[Classic Pretender|Pretender Classic]] versions of Bumblebee, Jazz, Grimlock, and Starscream, confirmed to be part of cartoon continuity by Takara's [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|2007 timeline]].</ref> {{storylink|Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)#After 2025|Kiss Players timeline}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
Starscream's [[Pretender]] battles against Jazz, Grimlock, and Bumblebee went very poorly and continued to soil his image in the eyes of the revived (and now peace-hungry) Megatron. Hoping to shatter the [[Cybertron Alliance]], Starscream tricked one of Megatron's oldest friends, the peaceful [[Kiloton]], into visiting the unfriendly territory of [[Moscow]] on [[Earth]]. Kiloton, who thought he would be anticipated as a diplomat, was instead seen as an invader and killed by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] soldiers. Enraged, Megatron dissolved the Alliance in retaliation; all according to Starscream's plans. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/29}}

===e-HOBBY toy bios===
Starscream adopted [[Starscream (G1)/toys#BlackStarscream|a new black chassis]] in the wake of the [[Machine Wars (event)|Machine Wars]]. {{storylink|Starscream (G1)/toys#BlackStarscream|Starscream Black Version bio}}

===''Generations Selects Special Comic''===
In the [[Precursor World]], [[Primus]] remarked upon the power of [[Angolmois Energy]] and how it could even resurrect the dead, such as Starscream. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}}

==''TV Magazine'' comic continuity==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic===
[[File:Starscream smokescreen manga.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Ow, don't punch a man in the chest!]]
In the late 1980s, Megatron began focusing the Decepticons' attacks on [[Japan]], rather than America. Starscream led the Decepticon jets' first attack on the country, although he wasn't happy about the fact that Megatron was commanding from afar while they did all the actual work. When the Autobots arrived to confront them, Starscream summoned up the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], who combined into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. With the aid of a local boy named [[Kenji]], the Autobots were able to use a broken freeway ramp to launch themselves into the air and take the Decepticon down. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] scored the hit that brought down Starscream. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 1|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #1}}

Starscream later joined in an attack on [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}} then teamed up with Megatron and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to terrorize [[Tokyo]], only to be defeated by a "Prime-Magnus Double Cross Kick" from Optimus Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 4|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #4}}

Starscream was among the Decepticons who witnessed the test launch of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] on a peaceful island. When the Autobots arrived and defeated Trypticon with a [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] hologram, Starscream was first to retreat, suggesting the other Decepticons follow his lead. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

When Megatron instructed the Combaticons to hunt down a seemingly harmless [[Battle Dog|dog]], Starscream inquired why the animal was so important. Megatron explained that the dog had been augmented through Decepticon experimentation, and they couldn't allow its power to be used against them. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''===
[[File:StarscreamGhost.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Th-That's obvious!]]
In 2010, Starscream's ghost teamed up with the [[Quintesson]]s, who built him a powerful new body. This new body, equipped with attacks such as "Right Arm Decepticon Gun" and the "Revolver Laser", was created using a combination of Optimus Prime's and Megatron's designs. The result was [[Gilthor]].

Gilthor joined the Decepticons and quickly became Galvatron's right-hand man (literally—in, like, 5 seconds). Galvatron tricked Rodimus Prime into engaging him in a one-on-one battle in which Gilthor faked defeat. When Rodimus least suspected it, Gilthor attacked and laid the smackdown. Galvatron complimented Gilthor on his power and loyalty, and instinctively, Gilthor beat the crap out of Galvatron and declared his ambition to take over the Decepticons. Rodimus Prime and Galvatron called a truce and joined forces to defeat Gilthor. They wrecked him something fierce, destroying his body and forcing out Starscream's ghost. They then ended the truce and went about their business. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 4|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #4}}

===''Super-God Masterforce'' comic===
Out of the blue, Starscream appeared alongside numerous "legendary Decepticons" (including Galvatron) to menace [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] and the Autobots! In the end, it turned out that it wasn't the real Starscream at all, but a hologram projected by [[Turtler]] to confuse and intimidate the Autobots. {{storylink|Burn, Chokon! New Commander Super Ginrai!}}
{{--}}

==Full Throttle Scramble Power!==
[[File:StarscreamMangaHugs1.jpg|upright=1.7|thumb|One wouldn't normally assume solid metal to be suitable for cuddling, but what do we know?]]
To counter [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s latest evil scheme, a giant death-ray called the [[Omega Wave Cannon]], the Autobots dispatched [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]], [[Tōru]] and [[Jenny (G1)|Jenny]] to search for the Decepticons' hidden base. They found it, but were immediately captured by Starscream. Trapped within an energy cage, they were forced to watch as Megatron prepared to send his Decepticons out to plunder Earth's energy... some more.

Jenny hatched a clever plan and disassembled her communicator. This caught Starscream's attention and he plucked her out of the cage, violently threatening her. Turning on her feminine charms, Jenny begged for Starscream's mercy, giving him a big snuggly hug. As Starscream gleefully accepted, Jenny slyly slapped a device she had fashioned from her communicator onto Starscream's back. Content with a good hug, Starscream returned Jenny to her cage.

Jenny immediately activated the device, an override machine which she used to control Starscream's motor functions. Unloading Starscream's chest missiles, Jenny destroyed the Omega Wave Cannon and most of the Decepticon base. Starscream quickly recovered, unaware of what he'd just done, and was yelled at by Megatron. Almost immediately afterward, Starscream and all the other Decepticons fled when [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived alongside the entire Autobot army. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}
{{--}}

==''Robotmasters'' cartoon==
{{voiceactor|[[Kunihiro Kawamoto]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Starscream robotmasterscartoon.jpg|thumb|How Galaxy Force-esque.]]
Starscream attacked Star Saber when the Autobot ventured out on a solo mission to investigate a mysterious explosion, striking him with a sneak attack from behind and easily avoiding his return fire. Even when Star Saber summoned Victory Leo and the pair combined into Victory Saber, Starscream reigned supreme in the fight, until Optimus Prime arrived and blasted him out of the sky. As Starscream plummeted towards the ground, he was snatched out of the air by Megatron, who arrived riding atop [[Gigant Bomb]]. Megatron dismissed Starscream as useless, and tossed him away before turning his attention to Prime. {{storylink|Fight! The Group of the Strongest Commanders!}}

Later, Beast Megatron discovered a large deposit of solitarium beneath a human city and ordered the Decepticons to tear the place apart. Starscream, [[Smokesniper]], [[Gigant Bomb]], and [[Wingstun]] did just that, blowing up buildings and razing a good portion of the city. Starscream was then shot out of the sky by another time-displaced Autobot, Reverse Convoy. Reverse Convoy quickly gained the trust of the other Autobots after being seen blasting Starscream, only to reveal that he was, in fact, the original Megatron in disguise. {{storylink|Lio Convoy Storms In (episode)|Lio Convoy Storms In}}
{{--}}

==''Robotmasters'' 3D diorama manga==
Starscream was building a Decepticon base in the [[Congo]], but was foiled by [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Robotmasters Vol. 2}}

Later, Starscream chased after [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Reverse Convoy]], who had intelligence on a secret Decepticon base. The Autobots came to Reverse Convoy's rescue, and it was Reverse Convoy himself who got the last shot in, sending Starscream fleeing. {{storylink|Robotmasters Vol. 9}} This turned out to be a pretense to get the Autobots to trust Reverse Convoy, who was in actuality the original Megatron reborn. The secret base turned out to be a trap that drained the Autobots of energy, and Starscream gloated along with Reverse Convoy and other Decepticons. But the Autobots were rescued by [[Lio Convoy]] and a new [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Starscream found himself blasted away along with the other Decepticons by the combined energies of the Autobot commanders. {{storylink|Robotmasters Vol. 11}}

==''Transformers Legends'' anthology==
After a particularly harrowing fight with Megatron, Starscream went mountain climbing, and accidentally fell on his head. In this injured state, he was found by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who took him back to the Ark. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] made repairs, having persuaded Prime to let them fiddle with Starscream's logic circuits if they found anything wrong. Starscream woke with amnesia.

As he slowly learned about the war and experienced the welcoming and forgiving nature of the Autobots, he found himself siding with his former foes. When Megatron turned up to reclaim his former lieutenant, Starscream refused to go, and was surprised when Optimus and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] moved to protect him. Despite all this, the sight of [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] finally restored his memory, and he returned to the Decepticons, claiming that he had been faking amnesia as a ruse to gain access to the Autobot base. He later reflected that he had learned something from the Autobots—that a leader like Prime who could pull together the Decepticons as a team could lead more effectively than Megatron had, and Starscream could be that leader. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

==''Wings Universe''==
Starscream originally studied at Cybertron's [[Science and Exploration Academy]]. There, he rose at the top of his class by sabotaging his colleagues' works and conspiring against them. Upon graduating, he became friends with [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] and traveled off-world, finding adventure on their scientific investigations. Starscream's career as a scientist was promptly abandoned when the war broke out on Cybertron. He enlisted in [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s army hoping to attain fame and recognition. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 37|Starscream's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}}

Starscream was the captain of Deathsaurus's Skyraider-Seeker Brigade until Deathsaurus used [[Falcon (G1)|Falcon]] to assassinate most of the other Warlords by suicide bomb. With the new opening, Starscream was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. {{storylink|A Team Effort}} He led Deathsaurus's forces in a strike against the Elite Guard, along with the newly recruited Combaticons. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 5}}

[[File:BattleLinesStarscreamandLyzack.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
Starscream was happy to report the success of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s' success against the [[Elite Guard]] with their new form of [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. He warned Deathsaurus that the five ex-Autobots were likely stab him in the back, but Deathsaurus told Starscream that it was ambition that made them the perfect Decepticons, and instructed him to tell [[Lyzack (G1)|Lyzack]] to ready the medibay for their return. Starscream passed on the message, and noted that Lyzack seemed overly formal, suggesting he would be able to get her out of her timid shell. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}}

As that repairs on the Combaticons proceeded, Starscream admired Deathsaurus's foresight in adding an override control to Bruticus, but admitted he bore bad news: Elite Guard forces were closing in on their base. Deathsaurus instructed him to deploy the troops. ''All'' of the troops. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} Starscream led the initial wave of defenders, shooting [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]] out of the sky. While he was still ranting at the barrage of missiles unleashed by [[Flak (G1)|Flak]], he was cut off mid-sentence by a missile strike which struck him square on. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 3}} When more Autobot reinforcements showed up, one of Starscream's subordinates asked if they should retreat, and Starscream's response was an emphatic order to counterattack. After belting [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]], he was distracted by the sight of Lyzack savagely dealing to Magnum with a huge sword and could only stare open-mouthed. Starscream came to his senses after she was belted by [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], but he was too late to avoid being blasted by [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 4}}

When Starscream arrived back at base to find [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] had taken over, he readily switched allegiances, though he vowed under his breath that he would someday take his place as rightful heir to Deathsaurus. Megatron sent him with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] to retrieve the data on the [[Combiner]] process that Deathsaurus had perfected. A week later, Starscream was part of the Decepticon forces who broke through [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s outer walls, thanks to [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} He was still by Megatron's side when Devastator fell and took part in the subsequent retreat. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

Circa [[2013]], [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] leader [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] cloned Starscream to create [[Starscream (MW)|a clone commander]] and [[Starscream drone|clone drone]]s of him. {{storylink|Termination}}

[[File:StarscreampossessesCannonball-TPJ.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|I'm just going to hijack your body and you can't do anything about it. That alright with you? ''Great''!]]
Some time before [[2984]], Starscream's immortal disembodied spark ended up in a prison on a [[Shut-Up-Tornado-I'm-Trying-To-Think|planetoid]] surrounded by black holes near former [[Quintesson]] space. Also with Starscream's immortal spark was a Quintesson who Starscream apparently had dealings with and had died by 2984. Breaking out of custody after their capture by the [[Cybertronian Knight]]s, the pirate crew known as the [[Star Seeker]]s sought Starscream's immortal spark as their next prize, following a map drawn by [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]. When Captain [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s crew got inside Starscream's prison, they only found the Quintesson, whose corpse Starscream possessed to use as a Trojan horse. The apparent Quintesson negotiated passage off the planetoid in exchange for supposedly telling all that he knew of Starscream's last location. Once aboard the ''[[Tidal Wave (G1)|Tidal Wave]]'', Starscream abandoned the Quintesson body and went around possessing various crew members, searching for a suitable host. While in [[Lockpick]]'s body, Starscream forged an alliance with the female Decepticon [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]], whose life goal was to restore the [[Decepticon Empire]]. Together, they entered the ''Tidal Wave''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bridge and executed a coup. Starscream's spark knocked out all of the bridge crew members except [[Tornado]] and after Flamewar threw a vial of [[forestonite]] at Cannonball, Starscream's spark entered the pirate captain's chassis. With the added edge of the forestonite, Starscream expelled Cannonball's spark and then [[reformatting|remade]] the captain's chassis into a body resembling his old one. Flamewar and Starscream then gathered the remaining Star Seekers and gave them three choices: join Flamewar's Decepticon cause, remain marooned with Cannonball's spark on the planetoid, or die. A third of the crew remained loyal to Cannonball to the end. Afterwards, the ''Tidal Wave'', its engines supercharged with forestonite by [[Ferak]], escaped the planetoid. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur}} After entreating Captain Flamewar to his presence for a short time, {{storylink|Legacy (issue)|Legacy}} Starscream flew off the parts unknown, promising to repay his debt to her. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur}}

==''Mars Attacks: The Transformers''==
[[File:Mars Attacks The Transformers - Not the face!.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|'''*girly scream*''' ''NOT THE FACE, NOT THE FACE!'']]
After a particularly harrowing defeat at the hands of the Autobots, the Decepticons found themselves in the middle of a [[Martian]] invasion. They attempted to team up with the invaders, only to be double crossed and trapped in a force field with the Autobots. After the Martians shrunk Megatron to the size of a toy, Starscream saw his opportunity to become the new Decepticon leader, however Megatron launched himself at Starscream's face and Starscream could only run around in panic. Things went back to normal once the Martians were repelled. {{storylink|Mars Attacks: The Transformers}}
{{--}}

==''Cloud''==
Starscream and his fellow Decepticons were reluctantly forced to side with the Autobots in a battle against "[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cloud Megatron]]". This alternate reality Megatron proved too powerful to overcome, but luckily [[SARA]] was able to teleport him away, leaving Starscream and his teammates dazed and confused. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

==Ask Vector Prime==
[[File:StarscreamMW Genesis.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right]]

In [[Primax 1185.04 Alpha]], Starscream was part of Megatron's forces who awoke in 1984 on a [[Cobra]]-controlled Earth. After repeatedly being foiled by Cobra in plundering Earth, Megatron was defeated and captured. Starscream took this opportunity to seize control of the Decepticons. Realizing that Cobra completely outmatched them, Starscream gathered what little energon Megatron's schemes had produced and withdrew his forces to Cybertron, self-destructing the space bridge behind them. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/13}}

In [[Primax 903.0-M Lambda]], the ghost of Starscream possessed the corpse of [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]] to get revenge on [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] during the [[Golden Age|New Golden Age]], initiating the [[Machine Wars (event)|Machine Wars]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/27}}

In one particularly weird universe that incorporated the [[GoBot]]s, Starscream killed [[Ace (GoBots)|Ace]], [[Royal-T]], and [[Spy-Eye (GoBots)|Spy-Eye]] when the Decepticons besieged [[Autobot City (G1)|Guardian City]], retreating after Megatron suffered critical injuries. After history blipped again, Starscream was replaced by [[Zero]] as the usurper lieutenant of Megatron. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}
{{--}}

==''Deviations''==
[[File:TF-Deviations-Megascream-Combiner.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"and tell him, 'Who's laughing now?'"]]
In an alternate timeline where [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] survived the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and killed [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], Starscream recovered his former leader's fusion cannon as proof that Megatron had finally fallen. Predictably, Starscream nominated himself as leader, and after returning to Cybertron Starscream held a coronation for himself. Unfortunately, Unicron crashed the ceremony. Soundwave suggested that Starscream make first contact with the entity; Starscream agreed to serve Unicron and destroy the Matrix in exchange for his own life. In return, however, the Air Commander requested an upgrade for himself and his cohorts.

Now calling himself '''Megascream''', the Decepticon leader took [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] to Earth, where he led the Decepticons in an attack on Optimus Prime's convoy of shuttles. Although the Seekers succeeded in crippling the ships, they had to abandon the assault early after [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] reported that Unicron had attacked Moonbase One. Megascream confronted Unicron over this apparent betrayal, but Unicron, tired of his whiny underling, ignored Megascream and began his final assault on Cybertron. Optimus spearheaded the attack on Unicron's surface... only to be met by Megascream, who demanded that Prime turn over the Matrix so that Megascream could destroy Unicron himself. Another battle ensued; Megascream revealed the full extent of his upgrades by [[combiner|combining]] with Soundwave, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to form a gigantic warrior. Megascream easily crushed and injured Optimus beneath his fist before seizing the Matrix. At the last moment, the stowaway Hot Rod intervened, snatching the Matrix away from the Decepticon leader and opening it. The ensuing explosion destroyed Unicron, with Megascream, his underlings, and Hot Rod all lost in the blast. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*In the French dub of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Starscream (along with [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]) inexplicably became a female. This change, however, was only for the movie, as it used a different dubbing team from the television show. Most likely, the movie's French dubbing team mistook Starscream's rather high-pitched voice for a woman's voice.
*The Generation 1 executive script consultant, [[Flint Dille]], has claimed in personal interviews that [[Chris Latta]] frequently had to be bailed out of "the Hollywood jail" by members of the production staff. This apparently caused so much annoyance that it was a major factor in phasing Starscream out of the series.
*In the Japanese dub of ''Transformers'', Starscream's voice (originally provided by [[Hirotaka Suzuoki]]) lacks [[Chris Latta]]'s raspy, outrageous tone. Rather, he has a smoother, foppish pretty-boy demeanor. All subsequent performances of the character in those territories borrow from these respective portrayls.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Decepticons]]
[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Seekers]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Decepticons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robotmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:Variable gender characters]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Transport to Oblivion (episode)

2022-07-22T15:33:24Z

Repowers: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambigr|Transport to Oblivion|the Rising event|Transport to Oblivion (Rising)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=4
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=4
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|next2=Roll for It
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=25
|prev3=Fight or Flee (episode)
|next3=Roll for It
|image=RollForIt spacebridge opens.jpg
|caption=
|title="Transport to Oblivion"
|production code=#700-01
|airdate=[[October 6]], 1984
|written by=[[Bryce Malek]]<br>[[Dick Robbins]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07yYfhX69Ac
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''After months in hiding, the Decepticons return and have a new method for moving energon cubes to Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TransporttoOblivion Decepticon-shaped rock.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The Shadow knows....]]
The [[Decepticon]]s have not been seen in months and are presumed dead by the [[Autobot]]s. That doesn't stop a twitchy [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] from blasting [[Decepticon-shaped rock|a rock that vaguely resembles a Decepticon]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] is also not completely convinced of the Decepticons' demise. Unknown to the Autobots, the Decepticons are in fact still alive and have constructed a [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|undersea fortress]] out of their [[Victory (G1)|crashed ship]] under the ocean.

Meanwhile, on Cybertron, an energy-depleted [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] attempts to make contact with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. Shockwave succeeds in his attempt and informs Megatron that the [[energon]] reserves on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] are almost depleted. He also tells him of the newly constructed [[space bridge|Space Bridge]].

The Decepticons head out again to collect more energy. Their first target is a solar power plant. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] scare off the workers and secure the generators for energon creation.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|If Megatron were human, that'd be really painful.]]
While cruising the city, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] encounter a traffic jam—the cause of which is a city-wide blackout. Both decide they need to head back to base to check in. [[Teletraan I]] shows that the blackout has spread across the city. Optimus has Teletraan survey the surrounding power stations. At the solar plant, Optimus sees Megatron.

Optimus puts together a small strike team consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], Cliffjumper, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] to take care of the Decepticon raid (the rest of the force are out on patrol). The Autobots arrive and drive off the Decepticons, but not before they manage to steal a large amount of energy. During the battle, Ironhide is injured while saving Optimus from an attack.

Back at base, Ironhide is worked on by Ratchet and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], but his pride is more wounded then his chassis. Wanting to know how they plan to get the energon to Cybertron, Optimus sends Bumblebee out on recon to search for signs of the Decepticons in the surrounding area; Spike offers to go with him.

The two stumble upon the location of the Space Bridge and witness the Decepticons' first failed attempt to transport a small vehicle across space. Bumblebee and Spike attempt to leave, but are captured before they can report back. Megatron decides to use his two captives as pilots for the shuttle to help keep it on its course to Cybertron.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee escapes.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|That's what happens when you drive your car too close to Area 51.]]
Bumblebee and Spike are placed in the second test vehicle and sent toward the Space Bridge portal, but the Decepticons run out of time and the alignment between Cybertron and [[Earth]] passes. The Bridge can't be reactivated for 3,000 astro-seconds. While the Decepticons grouse about the delay, Bumblebee transforms into his car mode and smashes free of the transport vehicle. Spike is recaptured immediately. Bumblebee manages to evade them for a short time but is also recaptured. Megatron alters Bumblebee's memory chips so he can lead the Autobots into a trap.

Bumblebee returns to [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] and tells the gathered Autobots that Spike has been captured. They head for the Space Bridge, but Bumblebee has given them an incorrect location. The false location leads them to a cave where the Decepticons, tipped off by Laserbeak, have been waiting in ambush.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee rescues Spike.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Spike performed his own stunts.]]
The battle is cut short as the dimensional alignment between Cybertron and Earth recurs, allowing for Space Bridge transport. The Decepticons leave, but not before Megatron blasts the cave, sealing the Autobots within. During the battle, Bumblebee is injured and Ratchet discovers that a bank of Bumblebee's memory chips have been altered. The Autobots soon learn the true location of the Space Bridge and once free of the cave, roll out.

The Autobots engage the Decepticons once more at the true location of the Space Bridge, managing to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment of energon. As the battle nears its conclusion, Megatron is knocked into the active Space Bridge and is presumed destroyed. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] assumes command and orders a retreat. But within [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|the Decepticon base]] on Cybertron, Megatron emerges intact from the Space Bridge, and swears vengeance on his enemies.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (2)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (14)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (20)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (22)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (10)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (17)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (19)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
|c3=
*[[Ed (worker)|Ed]] (7)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (12)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Don't worry, Megatron. I'll get them after I've taken care of YOU!"<br>
(Cliffjumper punches Megatron downstairs. This has no effect, and he is brushed aside like a rag doll.)<br>
'''Megatron:''' "WHO will take care of me?"<br>
'''Optimus Prime:''' "I will, Megatron."
:—Megatron gets put in his place for picking on the short one.

'''Skywarp:''' "Starscream! Behind you!"<br>
(Starscream turns to see Cliffjumper and Gears running towards him)<br>
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Too late, Starscream!"<br>
'''Starscream:''' "It's never too late, Autobot."<br>
[''calmly raises his left arm and fires'']

[[File:G1 Transport RatchetSparkplug fixingIronhide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Ok Ironhide, turn your head and cough."]]
"No more backtalk, or I'll short your mouth circuit."
:—'''Ratchet'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bedside manner toward Ironhide.

"How're we gonna get out of this?"<br>
"By the skin of our teeth!"<br>
"I didn't know human teeth had skin!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Spike'''

"The Autobots robbed me of my victory, but they have not seen the last of Megatron. I shall be avenged!"
:—'''Megatron''', for the first time, but not the last.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 4 June 1984
* Revised script: 8 June 1984
* Finalised script: 22 June 1984
* Returned to the US for telecine: 24 September 1984
* <U>Official Sunbow Productions synopsis:</U>
:''The Decepticons, working with Shockwave on Cybertron, create the "space bridge" -- a device to transport energon cubes between the two planets. When Spike and Bumblebee stumble across the river bed where the space bridge is being tested, they are captured by the Decepticons, who intend to use the boy to guide the energon shipment through the dangerous device. Bumblebee escapes, and ultimately leads the Autobots back to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment.''

===Continuity notes===
*Ironhide says the Decepticons were sent to the bottom of the sea "months ago". In real-world terms, this episode only aired about two weeks after "More than Meets the Eye, Part 3". However, there were three months between the pilot being written and this episode being written, so... that works?
*This episode does a fair bit to establish the status quo for the rest of Season 1 and all of Season 2:
**The Decepticons are shown to have converted their crashed space cruiser into the vast [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] complex.
**The Decepticons re-establish contact with Cybertron.
**The 'Cons make their first use of the [[space bridge]], a device that will feature in many future episodes. The space bridge's erratic performance and seemingly random opening times and locations would feature in a few more episodes, but would largely be downplayed.
*The generic hard rock/big band song makes its debut in this episode; the guitar section is featured as source music played by both Jazz and Soundwave.
*Prime's casual reference to "the entire city losing power" might be construed by continuity hounds as meaning that the traffic jam that Spike and Bumblebee run into is in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], a city later demonstrated to be close to, and have some legal jurisdiction over, the land where Autobot Headquarters is located. That might be giving the continuity editors too much credit, however.
*This episode continues the trend of Cybertron being located outside the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, as Shockwave refers to the space bridge as an "intergalactic transport system".
*Gadgets and powers:
**When Cliffjumper opens fire on the rock formation, he is carrying Jazz's gun.
**Ratchet describes Starscream's fire as "a concussion blast" (it's supposed to be a null ray.)
**Ratchet has a [[laser scalpel]] (or something similar) that emerges from his forearm. Later, he uses a less focused device that slides out of his wrist.
**Megatron has a chest-mounted hose-like memory scrambler... and a gauntlet-launched saw blade... and a wrist laser.
**Starscream apparently wears a wristwatch. Who knew?
**Watching Bumblebee make his scrambled report, Laserbeak uses a head-mounted retractable microphone. Later episodes (and the Movie) would have a video camera in the same spot instead.
**Ratchet has a wrist-based net launcher, that fires a Pac-Man shaped net (which for some reason brings down Laserbeak.)
**Ironhide totes a [[Cliffjumper's bazooka|HUGE bazooka cannon laser gun thing]] when the Autobots attack the space bridge. While he's never had this weapon before, it is in fact a reuse of [[:file:Cliffgun.JPG|Cliffjumper's bazooka]] from the pilot miniseries in green. He would VERY briefly wield it again (this time in grey) in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]".
**Optimus Prime's laser rifle has a variable focus barrel that allows him to shoot a needle-beam blast.
**The blue button on Megatron's tummy blinks to show him communicating with Shockwave. [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Later]], it would be the two trapezoids on his pecs that blinked.
*What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron fell into the space bridge! '''[[S.O.S. Dinobots|'''> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak is a one-bot ''Star Wars'' effects gallery. He launches from his spy mission with the sound of the [[Death Star]]'s superlaser obliterating the planet Alderaan.
**He then arrives at the Decepticon Headquarters docking tower with the sound of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' arriving at the Rebel Base on Yavin IV, followed by a repeat of the Death Star/Alderaan effects.
**He then flies into Soundwave's chest with another burst of ''Millennium Falcon'' engines.

===Animation or technical glitches===
*Maybe not an error, but definitely odd: The establishing shots of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are two completely different matte paintings that show exactly the same thing.
*A strange establishing shot meant to convey the transition of an Earth-bound scene to one set on Cybertron shows a whole bunch of gray planets near each other, then suddenly cuts to the stock shot of Cybertron. It's possible this was meant to be a pan across our solar system, showing the Moon and then Saturn, but what it actually portrays is more like three moons orbiting a distant ringed planet unlike any in our [[Solar System]].

[[File:TransporttoOblivion colourchanging Ed.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Black-White-Black]]
*The animated glow behind Shockwave when he is communicating to Megatron is mis-aligned with his body.
*Coloring errors:
**Ed, a solar power plant worker, has his skin change color from one shot to the next. He's first seen as an African-American when his coworker tells him to turn the radio down. When he turns to face the radio in the next shot, he's white. As he backs away from Soundwave's transformation, he's black again, possibly suffering from a rapid (but intermittent) form of {{w|Vitiligo}}.
**When the Autobots crash through the skylight, Cliffjumper is colored like Bumblebee.
**After Ironhide is shot protecting Optimus Prime, Prowl's gun is black.
**The sides of Starscream's air intakes are gray instead of red when Megatron restrains him from attacking Bumblebee.
**Starscream's thighs are dark gray instead of light gray as he and Megatron fire on the fleeing Bumblebee.
**As the Autobots are waiting for Bumblebee and Spike's return home, Cliffjumper is colored as Bumblebee. Hey, it's the yellow Cliffjumper toy [[variant]]!
**Megatron's fusion cannon is white instead of black as he threatens to finish Ironhide and Prime.
**After Megatron blasts the cave shut (again) and returns to [[robot mode]], blue sky can be seen between Starscream's arms and torso, in the space where his wings should be. Possibly the artists thought his wings were attached to his arms instead of his back.
**Ironhide's cheek guards are gray instead of red as he patches himself up after the cave battle.
**Megatron's face is black as he listens to Shockwave's instructions about the space bridge.
**Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red as he punches buttons on the space bridge console during the final battle.
**After Megatron falls into the [[space bridge]], two successive shots feature Skywarp in Starscream's color scheme, resulting in two Starscreams appearing on screen at once.
[[File:Soundwave jesus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So Soundwave and Laserbeak [[Warrior School!|use their alternate forms to sneak into an industrial facility and take it over]]...]]
*A glow effect surrounds Soundwave as he enlarges out of his tape player form. While it is clearly a deliberate artistic choice, this effect is never again seen for Soundwave's transformations.
*Cliffjumper and Gears' voices can clearly be heard among the panicked power plant workers.
[[File:TransporttoOblivion fillingcubes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...and the Decepticons [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|re-establish contact with Cybertron]], and [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|build a space bridge]], and [[Rock and Roll-Out!|start making energon cubes]]...]]
[[File:Trans to ob megs spacebridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...and the whole thing ends with [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|Megatron getting tossed into his own space bridge and unceremoniously launched to Cybertron]]. Did [[Bob Budiansky]] watch this episode or what?]]
*As the Decepticons start filling energon cubes, the background cubes filled by Skywarp are layered in front of the foreground cubes filled by Starscream.
*Just before Jazz gets into the traffic jam, he keeps passing by the same buildings with the same signage (see below) multiple times as part of a single straight city block.
*When Jazz slams on his brakes during the traffic jam, the car in front of him is green. When he backs up to leave, the car is blue and a different model.
*On-screen [[Japanese language|translation flubs]]:
**The signage in the city includes some rather odd phrases: Par (maybe this was meant to say "Parking"?), Led Bulue (or Bulve?), Spu Rashu, Mascot, IOU, April, AGF (which might be an incomplete "{{W|Agfa-Gevaert|Agfa}}"), Bell. The only one that does make sense is a vertical "fee", since it could very well be that the top half that's cut off by the edge of the screen says "Cof".
**When Optimus Prime is using Teletraan I to survey nearby power stations, the map on the screen is labeled "EVE ISLAND".
**Teletraan's readout screen has a number of lost-in-translation typographical errors. It reads: SOLOR POWE STATION #001; CAPACITY: 80%; PURRENT PRODUCTION: 0%.
*During Optimus' close-up when he says "Megatron lives.", the background is of a cloudy sky instead of [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters']] interior.
*Skywarp has the wrong voice as he says his "Hurry it up!" and "Starscream! Behind you!" lines.
*As Megatron gloats over Optimus Prime's defeat and prepares to transform into gun mode, he says "Soundwave—Prime is target, Soundwave! FIRE!", an awkward-sounding line that... was actually written that way in the [[dialogue script]]. In the '''original''' script, the line was "Prime is target, Soundwave -- fire!", suggesting an extra instance of Soundwave's name somehow got written in by mistake. (Additionally, Megatron orders Soundwave to fire him before he even finishes transforming.)
*When the Decepticons are leaving the power station, Skywarp is seen flying away twice.
*Laserbeak's caws and cries are not electronically modulated and are much more bird-like than the synthetic trill that would become his standard vocalization later in the series.
*The Autobots storming into the power plant at the battle's end do not have the standard Autobot laser fire sound effects.
*As the space bridge powers up for its first test, the light effects at the back of the ring pass in front of the test vehicle, which is inside the ring.
*Amid the rocks and debris sucked up into the space bridge, the test vehicle can be seen rising... then falling back down again!
*Bumblebee and Spike clearly withdraw from the edge of the river canyon, yet Bumblebee is standing right at the edge again when he transforms (a convenient conceit, so he can fall down and be captured).
*As Megatron says that Bumblebee and Spike have "volunteered", a glint of light plays across his optics. The sound guys mistook this for a powered light-up effect and inserted a sound effect accordingly.
*The animation of test run #2 is recycled from the first test run... which means that the test vehicle is shown inside the ring, even though it shouldn't be there.
*When Shockwave says, "Test run number two aborted," the animation is of Megatron speaking.
*Skywarp and Starscream get the same not-standard-issue laser sound effect that the Autobots at the power plant had.
*Upon arriving, Bumblebee says that "''Pike'' was taken by the Decepticons!" Maybe it's [[The Insecticon Syndrome|a nickname]]?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Four red(dish) cars are among the group leaving Autobot Headquarters. Ironhide and Cliffjumper should be red; the third could be Gears. The fourth is either a miscolored Prowl or Jazz, leaving the group one man short.
**Best guess is that it's Jazz who is missing from that last shot, because he's also missing from the lineup of Autobot cars outside the cave. His voice shows up once the group enters the cave... but he's not actually ''seen'' until after the first commercial break.
**Brawn, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Trailbreaker all appear at various points during the battle in the cave and its aftermath, despite not being part of the group that arrives and leaves the cave.
*As often happens, Soundwave's chest is suddenly see-through transparent when he's playing back a tape report.
*Prowl's car form is horrifically off-model when Ironhide asserts that Bumblebee is never wrong. Gears isn't much better and is missing some of his red coloration as well. When off-model Prowl transforms, his missing headlights and bumper appear out of nowhere.
*Megatron's wrist blaster disappears instantly after he fires it.
*Starscream is holding one of his arm-mounted weapons in his hand as Megatron orders him to blast the cave entrance open.
*Ratchet announces that Bumblebee's memory banks have been altered, despite not doing any work near or inspection of his head. All he does is weld 'Bee's chest for a brief second.
*As Ravage guards Spike, the energy cage is layered over Ravage's neck, even though he is closer to the camera's point of view.
*Spike makes a very strange gesture as the energy cage disappears, seemingly rubbing a rock in the background as if he were wiping it off. Not only is it strange, it's also spatially impossible, as the "rock" is actually the ground below him, meaning he's just making a random wiping motion in the air.
*Soundwave's shadow over Spike disappears a second before the shot ends.
*As Megatron coaches Spike, Soundwave is missing his Decepticon insignia. Megatron's own insignia is missing its central crest.
*When the space bridge opens for the third time (with Spike as the driver), the inside of the ring is bizarrely misdrawn; the outlines and edges of the bridge ring do not line up correctly, resulting in [http://www.blifaloo.com/illusions/impossible.php impossible shapes].
*Ironhide goes from carrying a copy of Jazz's pistol to toting his green bazooka in the space of a shot.
*Starscream is missing his back wing insignia as he takes off.
*As the space bridge beam arrives on Cybertron, the beam is layered in front of the bridge receiver tower that it's supposed to be entering.
*The remastered DVD releases of this episode incorrectly use the closing credits from the [[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|pilot mini-series]] instead of the expanded Season 1 credits.

===Continuity errors===
*At the end of the previous episode, the Autobot ship was being refueled and repaired in preparation for the imminent return of the Autobots to Cybertron. At the beginning of this episode, their journey home seems to have been all but forgotten.
**In the original script, just before Cliffjumper blasts the rock formation, Optimus and Ironhide are talking about their ship being ready to launch the next day.
*This is the only time Autobot Headquarters is ever depicted as being near a cliffside overlooking the ocean.
*In the opening scenes, Optimus seems pretty certain that the Decepticons have survived... yet he still seems shocked when Megatron reappears.
*Speaking of which, could the Decepticons really have built this whole huge underwater fortress without anybody noticing their activities?
*If Shockwave is "losing power", then he really shouldn't be up on the roof of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] shooting at nothing. The animation fails to convey that he had any sort of target or that a battle was occurring.
*Shockwave is clearly the most loyal soldier in all of creation. He's still trying to communicate with Megatron ''four million years after he disappeared'' and clearly expects an answer. What would it take to convince Shockwave that Megatron is actually dead??
*There doesn't appear to be any purpose to Soundwave sneaking into the power station in tape player mode. Megatron just marches right in about five seconds after Soundwave launches his attack.
*A ''solar'' power station would not need generators.
*Again, if Prime is shocked to find that Megatron is alive, it doesn't make a lot of sense for over half the Autobots to be on patrol.
*Ratchet and Sparkplug are working on Ironhide outside, in the desert sand, even though Ratchet has a (presumably) sanitary medical center for such things.
*Given that Starscream is a highly sophisticated living machine, it seems unlikely that he would have to look at his (notably unadorned) wrist to count down five seconds accurately. That said, he also does count an unusually long second.
*Would it really have killed Bumblebee to stop for half a second to let Spike get inside, instead of making him run alongside?
*Jazz is somehow able to use a stalagmite as a bat to knock back a null ray blast at Starscream.
*Optimus Prime's foot gets caught in a boulder for no apparent reason. In one shot, he's just standing around after helping Ironhide; in the next, he's suddenly stuck.
*It's a totally [[The Agenda (Part III)|stock cartoon trope]], but really, how many times can one cave be blasted open and shut? (Two times each in this episode.)
*Megatron can't possibly be dumb enough to think that Prime and company couldn't just blast their own way out of the cave, yet he declares that sealing the cave means "the end of Prime and the Autobots".

===Trivia===
[[File:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Right in the gonads!]]
*In an unusual directorial choice, the second and third acts of this episode lack most of the usual flip-symbol [[scene transition]]s, instead using a series of ''Star Wars''-like transition effects (iris out, triangular wipes, radar screen wipe, etc.)
*The third act also features a one-time-only bit of background music as the Decepticons retreat from the cave.
*Seriously, Cliffjumper charges Megatron and punches him in the junk! That takes bearings of chrome steel.
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French):'' "'''Transport pour l'oubli'''" ("Transport to oblivion")
:*''Title (Canadian French & European French DVD release):'' "'''Le Pont Spatial'''" ("The Spacebridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Weltraumbrücke'''" ("The Spacebridge"), "Reise nach Cybertron" (''Generation 2'', "Journey to Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 19]], [[1989]]

'''Hebrew'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shigoor El Avadon'''" (שיגור אל אבדון, "Transport to Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il ponte spaziale'''" ("The Space Bridge")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Passaggio verso l'oblio'''" ("Passage to the Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
:*In the first dub, Optimus Prime briefly calls Teletraan I "Supervista", which is [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]'s name.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Space Bridge Sakusen'''" (スペースブリッジ作戦, "Operation: Space Bridge")
:*Original airdate: [[July 27]], [[1985]]
:**'''Cut:''' After Prime discovers that Megatron still lives and orders the Autobots to assemble, following the symbol transition, the role call of Ironhide through Gears is cut. The sequence resumes at his lines about half the force being out on patrol.
:**'''Cut:''' After Megatron gets his "power boost" and punches Prime in the face, the following scene of Starscream lifting Energon cubes, getting shot at, shooting Ratchet and Prowl, Cliffjumper and Gears attacking him, and his line "It's never too late, Autobot" before firing on them have all been cut. The sequence resumes at his transforming to [[alternate mode|jet mode]] and flying off with Skywarp.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tàikōngqiáo de Xiànluò '''" (太空桥的陷落, "Fall of the Space Bridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Doroga v nikooda'''" (Дорога в никуда, "Road to Nowhere")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Putovanje u zaborav'''" (Путовање у заборав, "Voyage into Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Swedish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Resa in i det okända'''" (Generation 2, "Journey into the Unknown")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
[[File:FHE-TransportToOblivion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Cliffjumper IS Admiral Ackbar.]]
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 7: "Transport to Oblivion" ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Le Cosmitron ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (2DVDs) (Flex Media) — German audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-1/synopses/700-01.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1m7-rWq0-_NlWnKopinM__0uP7Xsdj2lH Full episode script, as revised on 8th June 1984]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T52jANElww5VQEIvtZQV_Q9zldWHdHIY Full episode script, as finalised on 22nd June 1984]

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

Transport to Oblivion (episode)

2022-07-22T15:33:11Z

Repowers: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambigr|Transport to Oblivion|the Rising event|Transport to Oblivion (Rising)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=4
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=4
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|next2=Roll for It
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=25
|prev3=Fight or Flee (episode)
|next3=Roll for It
|image=RollForIt spacebridge opens.jpg
|caption=
|title="Transport to Oblivion"
|production code=#700-01
|airdate=[[October 6]], 1984
|written by=[[Bryce Malek]]<br>[[Dick Robbins]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07yYfhX69Ac
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''After months in hiding, the Decepticons return and have a new method for moving energon cubes to Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TransporttoOblivion Decepticon-shaped rock.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The Shadow knows....]]
The [[Decepticon]]s have not been seen in months and are presumed dead by the [[Autobot]]s. That doesn't stop a twitchy [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] from blasting [[Decepticon-shaped rock|a rock that vaguely resembles a Decepticon]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] is also not completely convinced of the Decepticons' demise. Unknown to the Autobots, the Decepticons are in fact still alive and have constructed a [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|undersea fortress]] out of their [[Victory (G1)|crashed ship]] under the ocean.

Meanwhile, on Cybertron, an energy-depleted [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] attempts to make contact with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. Shockwave succeeds in his attempt and informs Megatron that the [[energon]] reserves on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] are almost depleted. He also tells him of the newly constructed [[space bridge|Space Bridge]].

The Decepticons head out again to collect more energy. Their first target is a solar power plant. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] scare off the workers and secure the generators for energon creation.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|If Megatron were human, that'd be really painful.]]
While cruising the city, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] encounter a traffic jam—the cause of which is a city-wide blackout. Both decide they need to head back to base to check in. [[Teletraan I]] shows that the blackout has spread across the city. Optimus has Teletraan survey the surrounding power stations. At the solar plant, Optimus sees Megatron.

Optimus puts together a small strike team consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], Cliffjumper, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] to take care of the Decepticon raid (the rest of the force are out on patrol). The Autobots arrive and drive off the Decepticons, but not before they manage to steal a large amount of energy. During the battle, Ironhide is injured while saving Optimus from an attack.

Back at base, Ironhide is worked on by Ratchet and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], but his pride is more wounded then his chassis. Wanting to know how they plan to get the energon to Cybertron, Optimus sends Bumblebee out on recon to search for signs of the Decepticons in the surrounding area; Spike offers to go with him.

The two stumble upon the location of the Space Bridge and witness the Decepticons' first failed attempt to transport a small vehicle across space. Bumblebee and Spike attempt to leave, but are captured before they can report back. Megatron decides to use his two captives as pilots for the shuttle to help keep it on its course to Cybertron.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee escapes.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|That's what happens when you drive your car too close to Area 51.]]
Bumblebee and Spike are placed in the second test vehicle and sent toward the Space Bridge portal, but the Decepticons run out of time and the alignment between Cybertron and [[Earth]] passes. The Bridge can't be reactivated for 3,000 astro-seconds. While the Decepticons grouse about the delay, Bumblebee transforms into his car mode and smashes free of the transport vehicle. Spike is recaptured immediately. Bumblebee manages to evade them for a short time but is also recaptured. Megatron alters Bumblebee's memory chips so he can lead the Autobots into a trap.

Bumblebee returns to [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] and tells the gathered Autobots that Spike has been captured. They head for the Space Bridge, but Bumblebee has given them an incorrect location. The false location leads them to a cave where the Decepticons, tipped off by Laserbeak, have been waiting in ambush.

[[File:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee rescues Spike.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Spike performed his own stunts.]]
The battle is cut short as the dimensional alignment between Cybertron and Earth recurs, allowing for Space Bridge transport. The Decepticons leave, but not before Megatron blasts the cave, sealing the Autobots within. During the battle, Bumblebee is injured and Ratchet discovers that a bank of Bumblebee's memory chips have been altered. The Autobots soon learn the true location of the Space Bridge and once free of the cave, roll out.

The Autobots engage the Decepticons once more at the true location of the Space Bridge, managing to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment of energon. As the battle nears its conclusion, Megatron is knocked into the active Space Bridge and is presumed destroyed. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] assumes command and orders a retreat. But within [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|the Decepticon base]] on Cybertron, Megatron emerges intact from the Space Bridge, and swears vengeance on his enemies.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (2)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (14)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (20)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (22)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (10)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (17)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (19)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
|c3=
*[[Ed (worker)|Ed]] (7)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (12)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Don't worry, Megatron. I'll get them after I've taken care of YOU!"<br>
(Cliffjumper punches Megatron downstairs. This has no effect, and he is brushed aside like a rag doll.)<br>
'''Megatron:''' "WHO will take care of me?"<br>
'''Optimus Prime:''' "I will, Megatron."
:—Megatron gets put in his place for picking on the short one.

'''Skywarp:''' "Starscream! Behind you!"<br>
(Starscream turns to see Cliffjumper and Gears running towards him)<br>
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Too late, Starscream!"<br>
'''Starscream:''' "It's never too late, Autobot."<br>
[''calmly raises his left arm and fires'']

[[File:G1 Transport RatchetSparkplug fixingIronhide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Ok Ironhide, turn your head and cough."]]
"No more backtalk, or I'll short your mouth circuit."
:—'''Ratchet'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bedside manner toward Ironhide.

"How're we gonna get out of this?"<br>
"By the skin of our teeth!"<br>
"I didn't know human teeth had skin!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Spike'''

"The Autobots robbed me of my victory, but they have not seen the last of Megatron. I shall be avenged!"
:—'''Megatron''', for the first time, but not the last.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 4 June 1984
* Revised script: 8 June 1984
* Finalised script: 22 June 1984
* Returned to the US for telecine: 24 September 1984
* <U>Official Sunbow Productions synopsis:</U>
:''The Decepticons, working with Shockwave on Cybertron, create the "space bridge" -- a device to transport energon cubes between the two planets. When Spike and Bumblebee stumble across the river bed where the space bridge is being tested, they are captured by the Decepticons, who intend to use the boy to guide the energon shipment through the dangerous device. Bumblebee escapes, and ultimately leads the Autobots back to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment.''

===Continuity notes===
*Ironhide says the Decepticons were sent to the bottom of the sea "months ago". In real-world terms, this episode only aired about two weeks after "More than Meets the Eye, Part 3". However, there were three months between the pilot being written and this episode being written, so... that works?
*This episode does a fair bit to establish the status quo for the rest of Season 1 and all of Season 2:
**The Decepticons are shown to have converted their crashed space cruiser into the vast [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] complex.
**The Decepticons re-establish contact with Cybertron.
**The 'Cons make their first use of the [[space bridge]], a device that will feature in many future episodes. The space bridge's erratic performance and seemingly random opening times and locations would feature in a few more episodes, but would largely be downplayed.
*The generic hard rock/big band song makes its debut in this episode; the guitar section is featured as source music played by both Jazz and Soundwave.
*Prime's casual reference to "the entire city losing power" might be construed by continuity hounds as meaning that the traffic jam that Spike and Bumblebee run into is in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], a city later demonstrated to be close to, and have some legal jurisdiction over, the land where Autobot Headquarters is located. That might be giving the continuity editors too much credit, however.
*This episode continues the trend of Cybertron being located outside the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, as Shockwave refers to the space bridge as an "intergalactic transport system".
*Gadgets and powers:
**When Cliffjumper opens fire on the rock formation, he is carrying Jazz's gun.
**Ratchet describes Starscream's fire as "a concussion blast" (it's supposed to be a null ray.)
**Ratchet has a [[laser scalpel]] (or something similar) that emerges from his forearm. Later, he uses a less focused device that slides out of his wrist.
**Megatron has a chest-mounted hose-like memory scrambler... and a gauntlet-launched saw blade... and a wrist laser.
**Starscream apparently wears a wristwatch. Who knew?
**Watching Bumblebee make his scrambled report, Laserbeak uses a head-mounted retractable microphone. Later episodes (and the Movie) would have a video camera in the same spot instead.
**Ratchet has a wrist-based net launcher, that fires a Pac-Man shaped net (which for some reason brings down Laserbeak.)
**Ironhide totes a [[Cliffjumpber's bazooka|HUGE bazooka cannon laser gun thing]] when the Autobots attack the space bridge. While he's never had this weapon before, it is in fact a reuse of [[:file:Cliffgun.JPG|Cliffjumper's bazooka]] from the pilot miniseries in green. He would VERY briefly wield it again (this time in grey) in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]".
**Optimus Prime's laser rifle has a variable focus barrel that allows him to shoot a needle-beam blast.
**The blue button on Megatron's tummy blinks to show him communicating with Shockwave. [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Later]], it would be the two trapezoids on his pecs that blinked.
*What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron fell into the space bridge! '''[[S.O.S. Dinobots|'''> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Laserbeak is a one-bot ''Star Wars'' effects gallery. He launches from his spy mission with the sound of the [[Death Star]]'s superlaser obliterating the planet Alderaan.
**He then arrives at the Decepticon Headquarters docking tower with the sound of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' arriving at the Rebel Base on Yavin IV, followed by a repeat of the Death Star/Alderaan effects.
**He then flies into Soundwave's chest with another burst of ''Millennium Falcon'' engines.

===Animation or technical glitches===
*Maybe not an error, but definitely odd: The establishing shots of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are two completely different matte paintings that show exactly the same thing.
*A strange establishing shot meant to convey the transition of an Earth-bound scene to one set on Cybertron shows a whole bunch of gray planets near each other, then suddenly cuts to the stock shot of Cybertron. It's possible this was meant to be a pan across our solar system, showing the Moon and then Saturn, but what it actually portrays is more like three moons orbiting a distant ringed planet unlike any in our [[Solar System]].

[[File:TransporttoOblivion colourchanging Ed.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Black-White-Black]]
*The animated glow behind Shockwave when he is communicating to Megatron is mis-aligned with his body.
*Coloring errors:
**Ed, a solar power plant worker, has his skin change color from one shot to the next. He's first seen as an African-American when his coworker tells him to turn the radio down. When he turns to face the radio in the next shot, he's white. As he backs away from Soundwave's transformation, he's black again, possibly suffering from a rapid (but intermittent) form of {{w|Vitiligo}}.
**When the Autobots crash through the skylight, Cliffjumper is colored like Bumblebee.
**After Ironhide is shot protecting Optimus Prime, Prowl's gun is black.
**The sides of Starscream's air intakes are gray instead of red when Megatron restrains him from attacking Bumblebee.
**Starscream's thighs are dark gray instead of light gray as he and Megatron fire on the fleeing Bumblebee.
**As the Autobots are waiting for Bumblebee and Spike's return home, Cliffjumper is colored as Bumblebee. Hey, it's the yellow Cliffjumper toy [[variant]]!
**Megatron's fusion cannon is white instead of black as he threatens to finish Ironhide and Prime.
**After Megatron blasts the cave shut (again) and returns to [[robot mode]], blue sky can be seen between Starscream's arms and torso, in the space where his wings should be. Possibly the artists thought his wings were attached to his arms instead of his back.
**Ironhide's cheek guards are gray instead of red as he patches himself up after the cave battle.
**Megatron's face is black as he listens to Shockwave's instructions about the space bridge.
**Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red as he punches buttons on the space bridge console during the final battle.
**After Megatron falls into the [[space bridge]], two successive shots feature Skywarp in Starscream's color scheme, resulting in two Starscreams appearing on screen at once.
[[File:Soundwave jesus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So Soundwave and Laserbeak [[Warrior School!|use their alternate forms to sneak into an industrial facility and take it over]]...]]
*A glow effect surrounds Soundwave as he enlarges out of his tape player form. While it is clearly a deliberate artistic choice, this effect is never again seen for Soundwave's transformations.
*Cliffjumper and Gears' voices can clearly be heard among the panicked power plant workers.
[[File:TransporttoOblivion fillingcubes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...and the Decepticons [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|re-establish contact with Cybertron]], and [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|build a space bridge]], and [[Rock and Roll-Out!|start making energon cubes]]...]]
[[File:Trans to ob megs spacebridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...and the whole thing ends with [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|Megatron getting tossed into his own space bridge and unceremoniously launched to Cybertron]]. Did [[Bob Budiansky]] watch this episode or what?]]
*As the Decepticons start filling energon cubes, the background cubes filled by Skywarp are layered in front of the foreground cubes filled by Starscream.
*Just before Jazz gets into the traffic jam, he keeps passing by the same buildings with the same signage (see below) multiple times as part of a single straight city block.
*When Jazz slams on his brakes during the traffic jam, the car in front of him is green. When he backs up to leave, the car is blue and a different model.
*On-screen [[Japanese language|translation flubs]]:
**The signage in the city includes some rather odd phrases: Par (maybe this was meant to say "Parking"?), Led Bulue (or Bulve?), Spu Rashu, Mascot, IOU, April, AGF (which might be an incomplete "{{W|Agfa-Gevaert|Agfa}}"), Bell. The only one that does make sense is a vertical "fee", since it could very well be that the top half that's cut off by the edge of the screen says "Cof".
**When Optimus Prime is using Teletraan I to survey nearby power stations, the map on the screen is labeled "EVE ISLAND".
**Teletraan's readout screen has a number of lost-in-translation typographical errors. It reads: SOLOR POWE STATION #001; CAPACITY: 80%; PURRENT PRODUCTION: 0%.
*During Optimus' close-up when he says "Megatron lives.", the background is of a cloudy sky instead of [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters']] interior.
*Skywarp has the wrong voice as he says his "Hurry it up!" and "Starscream! Behind you!" lines.
*As Megatron gloats over Optimus Prime's defeat and prepares to transform into gun mode, he says "Soundwave—Prime is target, Soundwave! FIRE!", an awkward-sounding line that... was actually written that way in the [[dialogue script]]. In the '''original''' script, the line was "Prime is target, Soundwave -- fire!", suggesting an extra instance of Soundwave's name somehow got written in by mistake. (Additionally, Megatron orders Soundwave to fire him before he even finishes transforming.)
*When the Decepticons are leaving the power station, Skywarp is seen flying away twice.
*Laserbeak's caws and cries are not electronically modulated and are much more bird-like than the synthetic trill that would become his standard vocalization later in the series.
*The Autobots storming into the power plant at the battle's end do not have the standard Autobot laser fire sound effects.
*As the space bridge powers up for its first test, the light effects at the back of the ring pass in front of the test vehicle, which is inside the ring.
*Amid the rocks and debris sucked up into the space bridge, the test vehicle can be seen rising... then falling back down again!
*Bumblebee and Spike clearly withdraw from the edge of the river canyon, yet Bumblebee is standing right at the edge again when he transforms (a convenient conceit, so he can fall down and be captured).
*As Megatron says that Bumblebee and Spike have "volunteered", a glint of light plays across his optics. The sound guys mistook this for a powered light-up effect and inserted a sound effect accordingly.
*The animation of test run #2 is recycled from the first test run... which means that the test vehicle is shown inside the ring, even though it shouldn't be there.
*When Shockwave says, "Test run number two aborted," the animation is of Megatron speaking.
*Skywarp and Starscream get the same not-standard-issue laser sound effect that the Autobots at the power plant had.
*Upon arriving, Bumblebee says that "''Pike'' was taken by the Decepticons!" Maybe it's [[The Insecticon Syndrome|a nickname]]?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Four red(dish) cars are among the group leaving Autobot Headquarters. Ironhide and Cliffjumper should be red; the third could be Gears. The fourth is either a miscolored Prowl or Jazz, leaving the group one man short.
**Best guess is that it's Jazz who is missing from that last shot, because he's also missing from the lineup of Autobot cars outside the cave. His voice shows up once the group enters the cave... but he's not actually ''seen'' until after the first commercial break.
**Brawn, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Trailbreaker all appear at various points during the battle in the cave and its aftermath, despite not being part of the group that arrives and leaves the cave.
*As often happens, Soundwave's chest is suddenly see-through transparent when he's playing back a tape report.
*Prowl's car form is horrifically off-model when Ironhide asserts that Bumblebee is never wrong. Gears isn't much better and is missing some of his red coloration as well. When off-model Prowl transforms, his missing headlights and bumper appear out of nowhere.
*Megatron's wrist blaster disappears instantly after he fires it.
*Starscream is holding one of his arm-mounted weapons in his hand as Megatron orders him to blast the cave entrance open.
*Ratchet announces that Bumblebee's memory banks have been altered, despite not doing any work near or inspection of his head. All he does is weld 'Bee's chest for a brief second.
*As Ravage guards Spike, the energy cage is layered over Ravage's neck, even though he is closer to the camera's point of view.
*Spike makes a very strange gesture as the energy cage disappears, seemingly rubbing a rock in the background as if he were wiping it off. Not only is it strange, it's also spatially impossible, as the "rock" is actually the ground below him, meaning he's just making a random wiping motion in the air.
*Soundwave's shadow over Spike disappears a second before the shot ends.
*As Megatron coaches Spike, Soundwave is missing his Decepticon insignia. Megatron's own insignia is missing its central crest.
*When the space bridge opens for the third time (with Spike as the driver), the inside of the ring is bizarrely misdrawn; the outlines and edges of the bridge ring do not line up correctly, resulting in [http://www.blifaloo.com/illusions/impossible.php impossible shapes].
*Ironhide goes from carrying a copy of Jazz's pistol to toting his green bazooka in the space of a shot.
*Starscream is missing his back wing insignia as he takes off.
*As the space bridge beam arrives on Cybertron, the beam is layered in front of the bridge receiver tower that it's supposed to be entering.
*The remastered DVD releases of this episode incorrectly use the closing credits from the [[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|pilot mini-series]] instead of the expanded Season 1 credits.

===Continuity errors===
*At the end of the previous episode, the Autobot ship was being refueled and repaired in preparation for the imminent return of the Autobots to Cybertron. At the beginning of this episode, their journey home seems to have been all but forgotten.
**In the original script, just before Cliffjumper blasts the rock formation, Optimus and Ironhide are talking about their ship being ready to launch the next day.
*This is the only time Autobot Headquarters is ever depicted as being near a cliffside overlooking the ocean.
*In the opening scenes, Optimus seems pretty certain that the Decepticons have survived... yet he still seems shocked when Megatron reappears.
*Speaking of which, could the Decepticons really have built this whole huge underwater fortress without anybody noticing their activities?
*If Shockwave is "losing power", then he really shouldn't be up on the roof of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] shooting at nothing. The animation fails to convey that he had any sort of target or that a battle was occurring.
*Shockwave is clearly the most loyal soldier in all of creation. He's still trying to communicate with Megatron ''four million years after he disappeared'' and clearly expects an answer. What would it take to convince Shockwave that Megatron is actually dead??
*There doesn't appear to be any purpose to Soundwave sneaking into the power station in tape player mode. Megatron just marches right in about five seconds after Soundwave launches his attack.
*A ''solar'' power station would not need generators.
*Again, if Prime is shocked to find that Megatron is alive, it doesn't make a lot of sense for over half the Autobots to be on patrol.
*Ratchet and Sparkplug are working on Ironhide outside, in the desert sand, even though Ratchet has a (presumably) sanitary medical center for such things.
*Given that Starscream is a highly sophisticated living machine, it seems unlikely that he would have to look at his (notably unadorned) wrist to count down five seconds accurately. That said, he also does count an unusually long second.
*Would it really have killed Bumblebee to stop for half a second to let Spike get inside, instead of making him run alongside?
*Jazz is somehow able to use a stalagmite as a bat to knock back a null ray blast at Starscream.
*Optimus Prime's foot gets caught in a boulder for no apparent reason. In one shot, he's just standing around after helping Ironhide; in the next, he's suddenly stuck.
*It's a totally [[The Agenda (Part III)|stock cartoon trope]], but really, how many times can one cave be blasted open and shut? (Two times each in this episode.)
*Megatron can't possibly be dumb enough to think that Prime and company couldn't just blast their own way out of the cave, yet he declares that sealing the cave means "the end of Prime and the Autobots".

===Trivia===
[[File:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Right in the gonads!]]
*In an unusual directorial choice, the second and third acts of this episode lack most of the usual flip-symbol [[scene transition]]s, instead using a series of ''Star Wars''-like transition effects (iris out, triangular wipes, radar screen wipe, etc.)
*The third act also features a one-time-only bit of background music as the Decepticons retreat from the cave.
*Seriously, Cliffjumper charges Megatron and punches him in the junk! That takes bearings of chrome steel.
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French):'' "'''Transport pour l'oubli'''" ("Transport to oblivion")
:*''Title (Canadian French & European French DVD release):'' "'''Le Pont Spatial'''" ("The Spacebridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Weltraumbrücke'''" ("The Spacebridge"), "Reise nach Cybertron" (''Generation 2'', "Journey to Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 19]], [[1989]]

'''Hebrew'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shigoor El Avadon'''" (שיגור אל אבדון, "Transport to Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il ponte spaziale'''" ("The Space Bridge")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Passaggio verso l'oblio'''" ("Passage to the Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
:*In the first dub, Optimus Prime briefly calls Teletraan I "Supervista", which is [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]'s name.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Space Bridge Sakusen'''" (スペースブリッジ作戦, "Operation: Space Bridge")
:*Original airdate: [[July 27]], [[1985]]
:**'''Cut:''' After Prime discovers that Megatron still lives and orders the Autobots to assemble, following the symbol transition, the role call of Ironhide through Gears is cut. The sequence resumes at his lines about half the force being out on patrol.
:**'''Cut:''' After Megatron gets his "power boost" and punches Prime in the face, the following scene of Starscream lifting Energon cubes, getting shot at, shooting Ratchet and Prowl, Cliffjumper and Gears attacking him, and his line "It's never too late, Autobot" before firing on them have all been cut. The sequence resumes at his transforming to [[alternate mode|jet mode]] and flying off with Skywarp.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tàikōngqiáo de Xiànluò '''" (太空桥的陷落, "Fall of the Space Bridge")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Doroga v nikooda'''" (Дорога в никуда, "Road to Nowhere")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Putovanje u zaborav'''" (Путовање у заборав, "Voyage into Oblivion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Swedish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Resa in i det okända'''" (Generation 2, "Journey into the Unknown")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
[[File:FHE-TransportToOblivion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Cliffjumper IS Admiral Ackbar.]]
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 7: "Transport to Oblivion" ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Le Cosmitron ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (2DVDs) (Flex Media) — German audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-1/synopses/700-01.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1m7-rWq0-_NlWnKopinM__0uP7Xsdj2lH Full episode script, as revised on 8th June 1984]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T52jANElww5VQEIvtZQV_Q9zldWHdHIY Full episode script, as finalised on 22nd June 1984]

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

Cliffjumper (G1)/toys

2022-07-22T15:31:39Z

Repowers: /* War for Cybertron: Earthrise */

{{suite}}

[[File:G1boxart-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=2.3|thumb]]

'''Cliffjumper''' has a lot of toys. Although none of them are traitors, they're mostly red Bumblebees.

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1 Cliffjumper toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|For 28 years, this was his only toy that wasn't a Bumblebee redeco or retool.]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Mini Vehicle, 1984/1985)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''13'''

: Part of the original 1984 range of Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s, Cliffjumper began life as a ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' "MC-04 #01 {{w|Porsche 924}} Turbo", a [[super deformed]] "[[Choro-Q|Penny Racer]]"-style representation of the real car. Though broadly similar in construction to [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Bumblebee]] and commonly called a [[redeco]]/[[retool]] of him by fans, Cliffjumper is actually an entirely different mold that just uses the same [[transformation]] scheme. This confusion was not helped by the fact that both Cliffjumper and Bumblebee were released in both red and yellow during the first two years of the Generation 1 toyline; a move designed to "make the line look bigger" according to former [[Hasbro]] R&D Vice President [[George Dunsay]].<ref name="dunsay">[http://www.tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/george_dunsay/george_dunsay_interview.php Interview with George Dunsay at TFArchive.com]</ref>

: In 1984, Cliffjumper and the other Mini Vehicles came packaged in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]; in 1985, they were switched to come in [[robot mode]], a change preceded by the addition of a picture of their vehicle modes to the front of their cards. The same year, the Autobot [[insignia]] on Cliffjumper's roof/chest was replaced with a heat-activated [[rubsign]]. Later in 1985, Cliffjumper and the Mini-Vehicles came packaged with [[Mini-spy|Mini-spies]].

: When he was released in Japan in 1985, "Cliff" came in a small box rather than a card. He was available in both red and yellow, both versions having the rubsign rather than the foil faction symbol.

: Cliffjumper was also sold in several countries south of the US in a wide variety of colors, which are covered in individual entries below (simply to keep this entry from getting too cluttered).

: A yellow version of the [[Microman|Microchange]] "MC-04 Mini CAR Robo 02 Familia 1500XG" mold was also available packaged on Cliffjumper cards. As an entirely different mold, this toy was not regarded as a variant of Cliffjumper, but rather as a separate character that the fandom christened "[[Bumper (G1)#Toys|Bumper]]".

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-cliffjumper/32/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Cliffjumper at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Cliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{G1CliffjumperMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|LnFCJ}}
[[File:ListenNFun.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (''Listen 'n Fun'', 1985)

:Cliffjumper was packaged with an audio cassette featuring the story "[[Sun Raid (Listen 'n Fun)|Sun Raid]]" as part of Hasbro's multi-brand ''[[Listen 'n Fun]]'' subline. Most of the toys packaged with this cassette were the yellow variant mentioned above, but exceptions do exist (see photo at right). As the other known ''Listen 'n Fun'' releases—including [[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' and "Ember" for ''[[My Little Pony]]''—had ''intentional'' deco changes from their original releases, it is possible that Cliffjumper becoming yellow was intentional as well.

{{-}}{{anchor|IGA}}
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Mini Vehicle, 1985)

: When he was released in Mexico by [[IGA]], Cliffjumper came in five decoes: both the original red and yellow, as well as blue, white, and flat silver. The white and silver variations are especially notable (and significantly rarer), as they have red-painted faces.

: Years later, large numbers of Mexican Transformers somehow made it to various European markets.

: It is ''possible'' that the two red-faced Cliffjumpers are actually IGA's version of [[Hubcap (G1)#IGA|Hubcap]]. In 1986, IGA released first-year Mini Vehicle molds in colors resembling their '86 Hasbro/Takara [[retool]]s on cards for those characters, and [[:File:ToyFair1986-TFpage01a-TailgateHubCap.jpg|early Hasbro production photos of Hubcap]] show him in white with a red face. Unfortunately, still-carded samples of these two variants have yet to surface and confirm this theory.

:(See why we didn't want all this in the first Cliffjumper entry? And we're not done yet...)

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
[[File:G1toy gold carrera.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Carrera''' (Robocar, 1985)

: Cliffjumper was released in Brazil by [[Estrela]] in 1985 as the Robocar, "Carrera", and was initially available in two color schemes: his original red and black, and metallic gold and black. Rather than having Autobot symbols, both are decorated with the thin tech-detail sticker from the original Takara ''Micro Change'' versions of the toy, and the kneecap sticker from [[Salt-Man Z]] on the back of the head-plate (replacing the ''Micro Change'' Japanese-text sticker). The raised "DUNLOP" branding on the tires was also removed.

: Later, Estrela released blue and white versions of Carrera sporting the new "[[Optimus (faction)|Optimus]]" faction insignia; given this new factional alignment, for the purposes of this wiki, the Optimus-aligned Carrera is considered to be a [[Carrera (G1)|separate character]] from Cliffjumper.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini_frame.php?art=goldcliff More information on gold Cliffjumper/Carrera at TF-1.com]

{{-}}{{anchor|Antex}}
[[File:G1-toy Cliffjumper-Antex.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Carrera''' (Robocar, 1985)

: The aforementioned white version of Carrera was released in Argentina by [[Antex]] in 1985, along with a new green redeco, both sporting the Estrela stickers and "DUNLOP"-less tires. Later releases of the green version have been found with a different chest sticker: a large yellow paper decal that also appears on some Antex releases of [[Windcharger (G1)#Antex|"Camaro" (aka Windcharger)]].

:The card photography shows both the red and golden versions of the toy, but it is believed this was merely a holdover from the Estrela-designed packaging, and that neither coloration was ever sold in Argentina.

:These toys are more readily available on the secondary market than their Estrela predecessors. They also have lower quality control.

{{-}}{{anchor|Rubiplas}}
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Mini Vehicle, 1985)

:As far as foreign Mini Vehicle variants go, the Venezuelan release of Cliffjumper by [[Rubiplas]] is pretty tame. He came in both the Hasbro red and yellow versions, and retains the Hasbro stickers. However, his head lacks both the silver paint on his face, and the [[Vacuum metallizing|chrome silver]] on the "plate" part of the head, leaving it as black plastic.

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)

:Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, this version of Cliffjumper is similar to the Rubiplas release, lacking any paint or chrome, but this version also has plastic tires instead of rubber. So far, two different colorations have been confirmed: the original red-and-black, and peachy-orange-and-black. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Cliffjumper all told, with the four others being unique to that market, but no one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Keychain}}
[[File:G1toy cliffjumper keychain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He's protecting your keys from traitors.]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Keychain Mini-Vehicle, 2001/2003/2007)

: A keychain version of Cliffjumper was released by [[Fun4All]] under license from [[Hasbro]] in the US in 2001. Though based on the original toy, this is an entirely new set of molds, with a number of small differences throughout (minor proportion differences and generally softer edges), but the most immediately obvious one is the small plastic ring added to the rear bumper to accommodate the chain. The tech-detailing sticker behind his head was replaced by a second Autobot insignia sticker like [[Hubcap (G1)#Toys|Hubcap]] has.

: In 2003, Takara released all four of the keychain Minibots (Cliffjumper, [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Keychain|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger (G1)#keychain|Windcharger]], and [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Keychain|Brawn]]) as [[7-Eleven]] [[exclusive]]s. They came in [[blindpacking|blind-packed boxes]] so you don't know which one you got until you open 'er up, plus each one could also come in a "[[Chase figure|chase]]" all-black version exclusive to this release. The black deco was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Black Cliff|an evil clone]] of Cliffjumper.

: All four keychains were re-released in 2007 under the ''[[Heroes of Cybertron (toyline)|Heroes of Cybertron]]'' banner by [[Basic Fun]] (Fun4All having gone bankrupt in 2004). Sold on new cardbacks with the ''Heroes'' look, these releases are functionally identical to the originals (just the company stamping has changed) except for the actual chain part, which is a different style with an additional black plastic tab attached.

:This version of the mold was [[redeco]]ed into [[Tap-Out (Universe)#Toys|Tap-Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Cliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on keychain Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/BlackCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on black Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Alternators/Binaltech''===
[[File:AlternatorsCliffjumperDesign.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliffjumper'''

:One of the earliest proposals in the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' line was for Bumblebee as a Volkswagen New Beetle, with Cliffjumper as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW evidently did not want to be associated with "war toys" [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|at that time]], and therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. Control drawings for both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper have been published in the Japanese book, ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]''.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:Titanium bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Floating-head Cliffjumper.]]
*''' ''War Within'' Bumblebee''' (Cybertron Hero, unreleased)
**''Accessories:'' Unknown (likely display stand)

:Prior to the line's cancellation, a 6-inch resin copy depicting a transformable ''[[Titanium Series]]'' Bumblebee was seen at [[BotCon 2006]]. His [[alternate mode]] was the saucer-like car seen in Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' series, which was based on Bumblebee's Cybertronian vehicle mode in the original cartoon. An alternate head of Cliffjumper was seen as well, indicating a retool. Unfortunately, these never made it into production.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:Classics Cliffjumper toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[:File:Bumblebeeheads.jpg|What goes around...]]]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe, 2006/2007)
**''Accessories'': "Wave Crusher" trailer

:''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Cliffjumper is a red, silver, gray, and black [[redeco]] of the ''Classics'' Bumblebee toy, transforming into a small sports coupe of made-up model and towing a small trailer with a non-removable jet-ski. This "[[Wave Crusher]]" trailer/jet-ski transforms into a flight-pack that clips onto Cliffjumper's back. This figure was the first instance of redecoing a Bumblebee toy into Cliffjumper without producing a new head, instead simply recoloring the original Bumblebee head, which would become common procedure for Cliffjumper toys to follow.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Timelines|Bug Bite]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/ClassicsCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Classics Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei-toy Cliff.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's small and inaccurate, but you still want it.]]
*'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
**''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Cliff is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Bumblebee]], transforming into a modern hatchback of indeterminate (likely made-up) design. He transforms similarly to, but not exactly as, his [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Generation 1 toy]].

:Care must be taken while rolling the vehicle: pushing down while moving the vehicle forward can chip the paint underneath the hip section.

:During the set's initial reveal, the Legends Class Bumblebee toy was in his place (as a placeholder), causing some confusion that Takara will release another Bumblebee toy. And furthermore; Cliff's stock photo features black tires instead of light grey, but it was amended in the packaging art.

: He was only available in a three-piece set with [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Gong]] and the inappropriately-included [[Beachcomber (G1)#Henkei! Henkei!|Beachcomber]].
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Alternity''===
[[File:Alternity Cliffjumper toy.jpg|thumb|Being a [[retool]] is still lame...|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliff''' (2009)
**''ID number:'' '''A-03'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "wave-functional pointer guns"

:Avoiding the straight redeco theme the first time, ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' Cliff is a [[retool]] of Bumblebee with a new head, transforming into a 1:32 scale Suzuki Swift, featuring die-cast metal parts and rubber tires, as well as an opening hood, trunk and doors. In robot mode, the figure can hold twin pistols that are normally stored in the legs, and features light-piped eyes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Cybertron/Cliff/cliff.htm More information on Alternity Cliff at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''United''===
[[File:Unitedtoy cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliffjumper Cybertron Mode''' (Deluxe, 2010-[[December 25|12-25]])
**''ID number'': '''UN03'''
**''Accessories'': "Energy gun"

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' product, Cliffjumper is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)#Toys|War for Cybertron]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Generations|Cliffjumper toy]], transforming into a round and compact "Cybertronian courier mode". He comes with a handgun and features two wrist-mounted flip-out blades. The handgun can be stored inside his rear bumper in either mode.

:This release features an extensive metallic red paint job (which almost looks magenta under certain lighting conditions) on the car mode panels, and on some of the robot mode's parts (such as the head and forearms), replaces the dark gray plastic of the Hasbro release with a lighter tone, and switches the transparent red paint on the wheels with a more opaque, metallic red. The rear portion of his roof features a more separated paint layout than the black paint of the ''Generations'' release, and the base panel his head is on features additional black paint, with both of these giving him a paint layout almost similar to Bumblebee's. In contrast to the final product, early photos of Cliffjumper showed him with pink flip out blades and details rather than yellow, while his [[packaging]] [[stock photography]] depicts the wheel coverings beside his feet as red instead of light gray.

:This mold was [[retool]]ed from ''Generations'' [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Toys|Cybertronian Bumblebee]], which was redecoed into [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#United|''United'' Bumblebee Cybertron Mode]].
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
====GDO====
[[File:Generations china import deluxe cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Well, at least it's not a Bumblebee retool this time.]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe, 2012)

:''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Cliffjumper is a retool and minor redeco of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#FE|Prime: First Edition]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#First Edition|Cliffjumper]], having a new G1-styled head, replacing his red plastic and paint with a darker, metallic shade, and with lighter translucent blue plastic. He transforms into a muscle car that crossbreeds the rear of a Plymouth Barracuda with the front of a Dodge Challenger, and features flip-out triple-barreled blasters in each of his arms that can be swung out to replace his hands. He ''does'' have wrist articulation, but the plastic panels on the outer sides of his arms tend to get in the way, meaning his wrists can only easily rotate up to 90 degrees.

:Cliffjumper was originally only to be released as part of a big block of toys developed [[exclusive]]ly for release in China and other Hasbro Asia markets. However, [[Toys"R"Us]] picked up Cliffjumper as part of a ''massive'' group of Transformers exclusives for U.S. market release, just in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/GDOCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on ''Generations'' Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Suppressor}}
====''Thrilling 30''====
[[File:TF-Generations-Legends-Class-Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|One step forward, two steps back.]]
*'''Cliffjumper & Suppressor''' (Legends Class, 2014)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / 019'''
**''Accessories'': Suppressor Mini-Con, ion blaster

:Legends Class Cliffjumper is a redeco of ''Generations [[Thrilling 30]]'' Legends Class [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Generations|Bumblebee]]. He comes with [[Suppressor (Generations)#Toys|Suppressor]], a redeco of ''Generations Thrilling 30'' Legends Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|Optimus Prime]]'s partner [[Roller (G1)#Generations|Autobot Roller]], and an unchanged version of the [[ion blaster#Generations|ion blaster]] originally available with the aforementioned Optimus Prime figure.

:Hasbro's original [[Stock photography|stock photo]] for the figure depicting a hand-painted prototype shows Cliffjumper lacking the ion blaster. The weapon was erroneously depicted in the concurrently published stock photo for Cliffjumper's [[wave]]-mate [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Generations|Nemesis Prime]]/[[Spinister (G1)#Generations|Spinister]] two-pack. The card-backs of both two-packs feature edited versions of these photos, with the weapon moved from Nemesis Prime's hand to Cliffjumper's.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on ''Generations'' Legends Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreOtoy KreonCliffjumper.jpg|thumb|right]]
*'''Decepticon Ambush''' (2012)
**''Set number'': '''38781'''
** ''Pieces'': '''80'''
** ''Kreons'': Cliffjumper, 3 [[Vehicon (Kre-O)|Vehicons]]
** ''Accessories'': Small pistol, energon chest

: This set features Cliffjumper busting through a Decepticon checkpoint. Cliffjumper uses the same helmet and chest [[tampograph]]s as the [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]] [[Kreon]], but cast in red with his horns painted white. He comes with a translucent blue energon pistol, an alternate energon chest piece, and a buildable ATV to drive.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Kre-OCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Custom}}
[[File:KreO-Toy CliffjumperCustomKreon.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Custom Kreon, 2014)
**''Set number'': '''A7314'''
**''Pieces'': '''46'''
**''Accessories'': Rack, sniper cannon, bladed staff, blaster backpack, mini-wing backpack, spare hand

: Part of the second assortment of "Custom Kreons", Cliffjumper comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. The plastics of his torso, arms and legs have a metal-flake sheen, and his similarly-shiny [[tampograph]]s are lifted from [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)#Custom|Custom Kreon Bumblebee]], rather than being based on the [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generation 1|original Cliffjumper toy]]. His "normal" helmet and long rifle are [[chrome]]d, plus he comes with an extra clear-plastic helmet, torso and legs. He also has a pair of extra arms (originally from the ''Kre-O Battleship'' aliens), plus a buildable sniper-cannon (made with the aformentioned chrome rifle), a buildable double-bladed staff, buildable dual-blaster backpack, and the [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Wheeljack]]-style wing-pack.

: Though widely solicited, this wave of Custom Kreons ultimately never saw release outside of the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online store and Chinese-market distribution circles.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:Kre-O-Class-of-1984-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|right]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Set number'': '''B0090'''
**''Voted'': Most Fearless
**''Accessories'': Large rifle

: This version of Cliffjumper has much more detailed toy-based [[tampograph]]s than his prior versions. Oddly, he's been given a door-wing backpack, despite neither the original toy or cartoon model having door wings. But hey, spare parts!

:He was only available in a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014 [[exclusive]] pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "[[Kreon Class of 1984]]". Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, only there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Class of 1984 Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BrickBox}}
*'''Brick Box''' (2015)
**''Set number'': '''B2579'''
**''Pieces'': '''82'''
** ''Kreons'': Cliffjumper, 3 [[Vehicon (Kre-O)|Vehicons]]
**''Accessories'': Small pistol, "Ultimate [[Dark Energon]] weapon" cannon part

:Part of the "red box" line for discount stores in the US like Dollar General and Big Lots, this "[[Brick Box]]" is just the "Decepticon Ambush" set repackaged and sold for a mere $5. Good deal! As with all the Brick Boxes, this set lacks the [[instructions|instruction manual]]. It does retain the decals for the ATV and light post, however.
{{-}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:BSToy-Super Bot Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Cranberry Cliffjumper.]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''960'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''430'''
***''Sword strength'': '''255'''

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 2 single-packs, Super Bot Cliffjumper is a [[retool]]/[[redeco]] of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShotLauncher|Jump Shot Launcher Bumblebee]], with a new robot mode. He springs up and [[Autotransformation|automatically transforms]] from a sports car into a robot armed with a pistol when his front bumper is pressed, and has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. As a "Super Bot", he has more lopsided stats, and is cast in translucent red plastic.

:This version of the mold was later redecoed ''back'' into [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShot3pack2|another version of Jump Shot Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSSBCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Super Bot Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|3packFlipShot}}
[[File:BSToy-3Pack Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliffjumper / Decepticon Brawl / Dirt Boss''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''BP001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''575'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''605'''
***''Sword strength'': '''430'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 three-packs, Flip Shot Cliffjumper is a redeco of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShotFlipShot|Flip Shot Bumblebee]], transforming into a different sports car alternate mode, this time without a rear spoiler. As a Flip Shot, an impact to the front of his vehicle mode causes him to flip up when autotransforming. He comes in a three-pack with [[Brawl (Movie)#BotShotS23Pack|Flip Shot Decepticon Brawl]] and [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)#Bot Shots|Super Bot Dirt Boss]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Flip Shot Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Construct-Bots''===
[[File:Cliffjumper Construct-Bots.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Cliffjumper''' (Scout, 2013)
**''Pieces: '''45'''

: Part of Wave 3 of Construct-Bots Scouts, Cliffjumper can transform into a car. Per usual with Cliffjumpers, he uses mostly [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]] parts. He includes a recolor of [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Smokescreen]]'s rifle.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/CBCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Hero Mashers''===
[[File:HM-toy Bulkhead.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Recently cast as [[wikia:addamsfamily:Thing|Thing]] in the ''Addams Family/Transformers'' crossover.]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Battle Upgrade, 2014)
**''Pieces'': '''15'''
**''Accessories'': Backpack, pile-driver, missile, hammer, "Cliffjumper" left forearm

: Part of the first wave of "Battle Upgrade" ''[[Hero Mashers]]'' toys, Cliffjumper is represented as a spare forearm that is included with Bulkhead, but does not appear in the line as a complete figure. The arm is a redeco of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Hero Mashers|Bumblebee]]'s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/HMBulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Bulkhead at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2014)===
{{anchor|2014legion}}
[[File:Transformers-2014-legion-cliffjumper-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Just in case you couldn't get the Henkei! 3-pack.]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Legion Class, 2015)

:Legion Class Cliffjumper is another redeco of ''Universe'' Legends Class Bumblebee, sporting the minor retool with additional pegs to secure the arms more tightly in vehicle mode first used for the 2012 [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] "Dollar Store" release of the sculpt. Unusually for contemporary figures released as part of this assortment, the figure's deco is notably different from the ''Henkei! Henkei!'' version listed above: The gray plastic used for the legs, the crotch and the wheels is replaced with black, the paint operations on the insides of the arms are also changed from gray to black and expanded to cover a section left unpainted on the ''Henkei'' version, the front grille is left unpainted, and the windows are [[tampograph]]ed in a slightly different shade.<ref name="2014legion">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-feedback/1040835-classic-legion-cliffjumper.html Review of 2014 Legion Class Cliffjumper] at TFW2005, including a comparison with ''Henkei'' Cliff.</ref>

:Cliffjumper comes in packaging that is based on the packaging design for the concurrently released ''Combiner Wars''-era ''Generations'' figures, but replaces the name ''Generations'' with "Authentic Transformers". Since Cliffjumper and his [[wave]]-mates ship with three figures previously released under what we consider a generic [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|2014 ''Transformers'' toy line]], all of them now in the new packaging style, we consider Cliffjumper to be part of that line as well. The [[package art]] used for Cliffjumper is recolored from the package art of ''Generations Thrilling 30'' Legends Class [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Generations|Bumblebee]], an entirely different sculpt, and was previously also used (in its original colors) for the previous release of the Bumblebee figure this Cliffjumper is redecoed from.

:The wave that contains Cliffjumper has thus far been found at Fred's, Gordmans, Dollar General, and Family Dollar stores in the United States, but was available at general retail in Hong Kong and from Australian Target stores.
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}

===''Q-Transformers''===
[[File:QTransformers Cliff.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Cliffpool? Deadjumper?]]
*'''Cliff''' (2015-[[August 29|08-29]])
**''ID number:'' '''QT-28'''

:A retool of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Q-Transformers|QT-08 Bumble]] with a new head, ''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Cliff transforms from a [[super deformed]] Daihatsu Copen to a cute little traitor-seeking robot. As a Bumblebee retool, molded detail on his feet evoke a Volkswagen Beetle's hood.
{{-}}

===''Alt-Modes''===
[[File:Alt-Modes Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A paranoid jerk? Nonsense, just look at that smile!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Alt-Modes, 2016)
**''Series'': '''1, 2'''
**''Collection'': '''2, 3''' (Series 1), '''1''' (Series 2)

:A redeco of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Alt-Modes|Bumblebee]], ''[[Alt-Modes]]'' Cliffjumper is a super deformed toy whose body transforms into a car when the Autobot faction symbol on his head is flipped. He was [[Blindpacking|blind-boxed]] and available in two cases of the first series as well as the only case of the second series.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''===
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|An original Cliffjumper mold? That was retooled into Bumblebee? Scandalous!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''WFC-E7'''
**''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''ER EX-05'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[June 27]], 2020
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk

:After years of mostly being a Bumblebee redeco, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Cliffjumper is a cartoon-accurate mold (complete with accurate, non-Bumblebee head; although he does have Bumblebee's biceps), while omitting the Penny Racer aesthetic for his vehicle mode, transforming into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of his original Porsche 924 Turbo alt-mode, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}. Cliffjumper also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail for a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. In keeping with his depiction as being rather small in most Transformers media, this figure is much smaller than a typical Deluxe Class and is closer to being a particularly large Legends class-sized figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Cliffjumper includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Cliffjumper's ball-jointed neck is actually mounted on a hinge, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up for with his arsenal, that being [[Cliffjumper's bazooka|a large cannon]] similar to one he briefly used in the G1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", which can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis which can attach under his wheels as seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]". The backend of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:The promotional renders and early product samples showcased at conventions showed his weapons and skis being silver, while the final product had them cast in black plastic (with the guns being painted silver except for their handles). The majority of Cliffjumper is molded in black plastic with a generous coating of red paint, which can be chipped due to his transformation scheme, namely the tabs on his shoulders. His forearms and most of his head appear to be the only pieces molded in red plastic. It is also not uncommon to find scratch marks in the red paint right out of the box.

:Similar to the first release of Starscream from the [[War for Cybertron: Siege|previous line]], Cliffjumper uses the movie variant of the Autobot insignia, rather than the traditional G1 design. Due to the transformation engineering, the insignia is hidden away in robot mode, with no secondary insignia to display.

:Like all ''Earthrise'' toys, the inside of the back of Cliffjumper's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. Cliffjumper's piece of the map contains a labeled entry point to the "[[Dead Universe|DEAD UNIVERSE]]".

:His [[glass gas]] blaster is sold separately as part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]].

:In Japan, Cliffjumper is released as a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive.

:Cliffjumper was retooled with a new head into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]], [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]], ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]], ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Bumblebee]], and more extensively retooled into ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]], a reverse to the traditional norm.
{{WFCEarthriseCliffjumperMold}}
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
{{anchor|BW8613}}
[[File:buzzworthycliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Cloutworthy Cliffjumper.]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, 2021)
**''Series'': '''''Studio Series'''''
**''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
**''ID number'': '''86-13BB'''
**''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk, "[[Moonbase One]] Destruction" backdrop

:Released in the ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' line as part of the ''[[Studio Series]]'' line up, Cliffjumper is a redeco of the ''Earthrise'' toy above, replacing the translucent windshield with light blue opaque plastic and giving him the [[show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] gray and black arms and legs. Unlike the original ''Earthrise'' figure Cliffjumper is (mostly) cast in his intended colors as opposed to being made of black plastic painted red, greatly reducing the risk of paint chipping and scratching the original suffered from. He now also sports two Autobot [[insignia]]; one on his hood, the other on his roof. Both insignia use the Generation 1 design, rather than the live-action film design that the ''Earthrise'' toy had. Additionally, Cliffjumper's bazooka has been repainted into a metallic blue to [[:File:Cliffgun.JPG|somewhat match]] the original animation.

:Both the early stock images used on retail websites and stock renders on the back of the box, show his windows cast in transparent blue plastic. The figure used for stock photos also used a much darker shade of transparent blue compared to the ''Earthrise'' toy too. Why the opaque plastic won over the transparent plastic for the final release is [[Design_flaw#Clear_plastic_breakage|anyone's guess]]. Unlike the original figure, his windows are uniform light blue instead of a mix of translucent and opaque black.

:Like much of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' line-up, Cliffjumper was found at retail in Taiwan in early December 2021 with no prior announcement.
{{WFCEarthriseCliffjumperMold}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Happy Meal Toy===
[[File:Mcdonalds cliffjumper.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (1985)

:Non-poseable, non-transforming figurines of Cliffjumper and three of his Mini-Vehicle chums (Bumblebee, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and Brawn) made up the very first line of Transformers [[List of Transformers restaurant promotions|Happy Meal toys]]. Alas, the figures did not see a full release, and were only test-marketed in St. Louis, Missouri. The two-tone figures were available in a variety of colour variations, with at least six different combinations for each of the four characters: in addition to his traditional red and black, Cliffjumper is known to have been available in green and black, blue and black, blue and red, black and red, and cyan and black.

::*''[http://tfwiki.net/~fortmax/artifacts/featuredart3.html More information on Happy Meal Cliffjumper at the TF Artifacts List]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:Caramel cliffjumper.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Cliff''' (1985)

:A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''—of Cliffjumper was released as part of the first wave of [[Kabaya]]'s earliest [[candy toy]] line, ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]''. Based more on his toy than his animation model, Cliffjumper came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in various colours, including white, blue, sky blue, yellow, green, and orange.

===''Transformers Choco''===
*'''Cliff''' (1985)

:A small solid-color, transforming snap-together model kit of Cliffjumper was released as part of Kabaya's ''[[Transformers Choco]]'' line of candy toys.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:Decoy cliffjumper.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 9''' (multi-pack, 1986)
*'''Defeat Dinosaurer Strategy Game''' (board game, 1986)

:Cliffjumper was among the many characters rendered by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their series of 1.5" ''keshigomu'' figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Cliffjumper was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his [[Tech Spec]]s, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Cliffjumper was available as part of a 9-piece box set of Autobot figures, as a playing piece in the Defeat Dinosauruer Strategy Game and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.

*'''Cliffjumper''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''28'''

:The Cliffjumper figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number (28, in Cliffjumper's case). Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Cliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Decoy Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:Titanium-toy RMCliffjumper.JPG|thumb]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Robot Master, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Gun, display stand

:''[[Titanium Series]]'' Cliffjumper was to be a redeco of "Robot Masters" Bumblebee, a 3-inch mostly-die-cast-metal statue. He would have had joints at the waist, neck and shoulders, plus a removable pistol and an Autobot-sigil display stand. Due to the cancelation of the ''Titanium'' line, this product never saw release.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robot Hero Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|Cutest bloodthirsty traitor-tracker EVER.]]
*'''Decepticon Sneak Attack''' (Multi-pack, 2007)

:Cliffjumper is a red, gray and black redeco of the ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Robot Heroes|Bumblebee]] figure, with swivel articulation at the neck and shoulders.

: He was initially only available in the [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] "Decepticon Sneak Attack" five-pack, along with "Supermetal" versions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#RH5pack|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/merchandise#RH5pack|Megatron]], [[Mirage (G1)/toys#RH5pack|Hologram Mirage]], and [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Robot Heroes|Skywarp]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/RHWMCliffjumper/cliffjumper.htm More information on Robot Heroes Cliffjumper at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|RHBlindpack}}
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Single-pack, 2008)

: In some countries outside of North America, Cliffjumper was released individually in a blindpack with no notable changes.
{{--}}

===Mini-Bust===
[[File:Cliffjumper statue.jpg|thumb|War...It's FAN-tastic!]]
* '''Cliffjumper Mini Bust''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

:Released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2008, Cliffjumper was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces. The sculpt features Cliffjumper holding the gun he was seen using in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". However, this version omits the stabilizing struts that were present in the episode. This bust is also notable for being the first new mold G1 Cliffjumper has received since his Decoy in 1987, a period of over twenty years!
{{-}}

===''The Loyal Subjects''===
*'''Cliffjumper''' (2013)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

===''Tiny Titans''===
[[File:Tiny titans cliff.jpg|thumb|Shouldn't have missed you mean!!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Tiny Titans, 2015)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''12/12'''

:Part of the initial assortment of ''[[Tiny Titans]]'' [[blindpacking|blindpacks]], this version of Cliffjumper is a very small, minimally-painted soft-plastic figure of him aiming a ridiculously large blaster, calling back to the scene from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".

: He includes a collectible card that, interestingly, renders him in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'']] styling. The card includes a scan-badge for the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.
{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:SDCC2018Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Cliffjumper, Renegade Warrior''' (2018)
**'''Wave 1C: Convention Pack 2018'''
**''Rarity: '''''SRT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T01/T02'''
**''Stars: ''8
:Cliffjumper, Renegade Warrior was one of the preview cards for the Transformers Trading Card Game and was available alongside [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]], Strategic Seeker, as well as the battle cards All-Out Attack and Tandem Targeting System in an exclusive pack available initially at SDCC 2018, and later briefly on Hasbro Toy Shop.

:The artwork on the card is reused from the [[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]] mobile card game

{{-}}
[[File:EECliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
*'''Cliffjumper, Renegade Warrior''' (2019)
**'''Wave 1: Energon Edition'''
**''Rarity: '''''SRT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T02/T06'''
**''Stars: ''8
Released as part of the TCG's Wave 1: Energon Edition, this card is a reprint of the Convention Pack 2018 Cliffjumper, Renegade Warrior. Printed on semi-transparent plastic instead of a normal Character Card, this version features new art by [[Dan Khanna]].
{{--}}

===Jada Toys===
[[File:JadaNanoMetalfigsG1-18pack.jpg|upright=1.44|thumb]]
*'''Transformers 18-pack''' (4cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2022)
:Released by [[Jada Toys]], ''Nano Metalfigs'' Cliffjumper is an incredibly small die-cast figurine molded doing an action pose. He has a little base attached to his feet for balancing reasons.

:He comes in an impressive multipack with other [[Jada Toys#Nano Metalfigs|seventeen figurines]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:MicroChangePorsche.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
*The ''[[Microman]]'' ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy that would become Cliffjumper was also available in light blue. To date, this deco has never been used in ''Transformers'' outside of Mexico.
*Though often a straight redeco of Bumblebee in non-Japanese countries, there has yet to be a Cliffjumper produced by TakaraTomy that is a straight redeco of the same line's Bumblebee.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Hero Mashers Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]

Cliffjumper's bazooka

2022-07-22T12:11:52Z

Repowers:

{{noname}}

:''Cliffjumper's bazooka is an unnamed weapon that Cliffjumper uses once in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:Cliffgun.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Where'd that come from?]]

'''Cliffjumper's bazooka''' is a bazooka primarily used by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]].

==Fiction==
===''Generation 1'' cartoon===
[[File:TransportToOblivion-Cliffjumpersbazooka.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who cares? I'm more worried about where it's goin'!]]

[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] fired a silver version of the bazooka on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from a great distance, hoping to end the war with one shot, but this merely alerted the Decepticons to his location.{{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] fired a green version of the bazooka as he and several other Autobots fired on the Decepticons as they attempted to launch [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] through the [[Space bridge]].{{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

As the Autobots struggled to keep the Decepticons from continuing their plot to orbit [[Cybertron (planet)|Cyberton]] around the [[Earth]], Ironhide ran to Optimus Prime carrying a silver version of the bazooka, suggesting a call for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''===
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We hope you really like this weapon accessory!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

: ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Cliffjumper includes a disconcertingly large cannon similar to one he briefly used in the G1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", which can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis which can attach under his wheels as seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]". The back end of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the back end of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:The promotional renders and early product samples showcased at conventions showed his weapons and skis being silver, while the final product had them cast in black plastic (with the guns being painted silver except for their handles).
{{-}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Hubcap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Phew, okay, one other use of it is probably fine.]]
*'''Hubcap''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Hubcap comes with a recolored version of Cliffjumper's hilariously huge cannon.
{{-}}

[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Bug-Bite.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Okay, this is the third time, but at least it's an attractive purple!]]
*'''Bug Bite''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Bug Bite comes with a redeco of Cliffjumper's absurdly enormous cannon.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-WFC-Trilogy-Deluxe-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now this is just getting excessive. Good thing we're done with it.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

:Part of the second wave of ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Deluxe Class toys, promoting the ''Earthrise'' season of [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|the Netflix cartoon]], Bumblebee comes with a copy of Cliffjumper's ominously oversized bazooka, now painted in slightly darker gunmetal color and lacking the paint on the rear piece.
{{-}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-Worlds-Collide-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Dangit, Bumblebee got this weapon AGAIN? How many times can Bumblebee get Cliffjumper's weapon?!]]
*'''Worlds Collide''' (4-pack, 2021)

:Released as part of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' "Worlds Collide" 4-pack, this Bumblebee features the Brobdingnagian bazooka included with all versions of the mold, this time painted green to resemble the bazooka [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] used in "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]."

{{-}}

[[File:Buzzworthycliffjumper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|At least he has ear protection on moonbase two, given how much he loves this thing]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, 2021)

:To coincide with this Cliffjumper's cartoon-accurate deco, the bamboozlingly big boom stick is painted metallic blue to also match [[:File:Cliffgun.JPG|its appearance in the cartoon]].
{{-}}

[[File:Buzzworthy Creatures Collide Goldbug.JPG|right|thumb|300px|"I've gone beyond being just plain old Cliffjumper's Bazooka. I'm a death-dispensing murdergun!"<br>"That you are, Cliffjumper's Bazooka! So from now, on that's exactly who you'll be: Death Dispensing Murdergun."]]
*'''Creatures Collide''' (4-pack, 2022)
:A second Target-exclusive 4-pack, this ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' entry has Goldbug toting the comically colossal cannon in black, with dark blue stocks.
{{-}}
===''Shattered Glass Collection''===
[[File:TF-Shattered-Glass-Collection-Goldbug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''*throws up hands in the air, storms off*'']]
*'''Autobot Goldbug''' (Deluxe Class, [[2021]])
:Released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' subline, "Autobot Goldbug" comes with a redeco of Cliffjumper's ridiculously voluminous bazooka.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Cliffjumper's bazooka is described in the "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1" script as a "BAZOOKA-LIKE weapon" and in the "Transport to Oblivion" script as a "bazooka-like tube, the end studded with a circular series of smaller 'rifle' bores." It's not mentioned in the "Ultimate Doom" script. In the packaging copy for the sixty-billion toys of it, it's referred to merely as a "weapon accessory."

[[Category:Generation 1 weapons]]
[[Category:Ranged weapons]]

Cliffjumper's bazooka

2022-07-22T12:09:44Z

Repowers: /* Buzzworthy Bumblebee */

{{noname}}

:''Cliffjumper's bazooka is an unnamed weapon that Cliffjumper uses once in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:Cliffgun.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Where'd that come from?]]

'''Cliffjumper's bazooka''' is a bazooka primarily used by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]].

==Fiction==
===''Generation 1'' cartoon===
[[File:TransportToOblivion-Cliffjumpersbazooka.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who cares? I'm more worried about where it's goin'!]]

[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] fired a silver version of the bazooka on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from a great distance, hoping to end the war with one shot, but this merely alerted the Decepticons to his location.{{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] fired a green version of the bazooka as he and several other Autobots fired on the Decepticons as they attempted to launch [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] through the [[Space bridge]].{{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

As the Autobots struggled to keep the Decepticons from continuing their plot to orbit [[Cybertron (planet)|Cyberton]] around the [[Earth]], Ironhide ran to Optimus Prime carrying a silver version of the bazooka, suggesting a call for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''===
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We hope you really like this weapon accessory!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

: ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Cliffjumper includes a disconcertingly large cannon similar to one he briefly used in the G1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", which can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis which can attach under his wheels as seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]". The back end of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the back end of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:The promotional renders and early product samples showcased at conventions showed his weapons and skis being silver, while the final product had them cast in black plastic (with the guns being painted silver except for their handles).
{{-}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Hubcap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Phew, okay, one other use of it is probably fine.]]
*'''Hubcap''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Hubcap comes with a recolored version of Cliffjumper's hilariously huge cannon.
{{-}}

[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Bug-Bite.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Okay, this is the third time, but at least it's an attractive purple!]]
*'''Bug Bite''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Bug Bite comes with a redeco of Cliffjumper's absurdly enormous cannon.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-WFC-Trilogy-Deluxe-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now this is just getting excessive. Good thing we're done with it.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])

:Part of the second wave of ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Deluxe Class toys, promoting the ''Earthrise'' season of [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|the Netflix cartoon]], Bumblebee comes with a copy of Cliffjumper's ominously oversized bazooka, now painted in slightly darker gunmetal color and lacking the paint on the rear piece.
{{-}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-Worlds-Collide-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Dangit, Bumblebee got this weapon AGAIN? How many times can Bumblebee get Cliffjumper's weapon?!]]
*'''Worlds Collide''' (4-pack, 2021)

:Released as part of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' "Worlds Collide" 4-pack, this Bumblebee features the Brobdingnagian bazooka included with all versions of the mold, this time painted green to resemble the bazooka [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] used in "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]."

{{-}}

[[File:Buzzworthycliffjumper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|At least he has ear protection on moonbase two, given how much he loves this thing]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, 2021)

:To coincide with this Cliffjumper's cartoon-accurate deco, the bamboozlingly big boom stick is painted metallic blue to also match [[:File:Cliffgun.JPG|its appearance in the cartoon]].
{{-}}

[[File:Buzzworthy Creatures Collide Goldbug.JPG|right|thumb|300px|"I've gone beyond being just a plain old bazooka. I'm a death-dispensing murdergun!"<br>"That you are, Cliffjumper's Bazooka! So from now, on that's exactly who you'll be: Death Dispensing Murdergun."]]
*'''Creatures Collide''' (4-pack, 2022)
:A second Target-exclusive 4-pack, this ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' entry has Goldbug toting the comically colossal cannon in black, with dark blue stocks.

===''Shattered Glass Collection''===
[[File:TF-Shattered-Glass-Collection-Goldbug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''*throws up hands in the air, storms off*'']]
*'''Autobot Goldbug''' (Deluxe Class, [[2021]])
:Released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' subline, "Autobot Goldbug" comes with a redeco of Cliffjumper's ridiculously voluminous bazooka.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Cliffjumper's bazooka is described in the "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1" script as a "BAZOOKA-LIKE weapon" and in the "Transport to Oblivion" script as a "bazooka-like tube, the end studded with a circular series of smaller 'rifle' bores." It's not mentioned in the "Ultimate Doom" script. In the packaging copy for the sixty-billion toys of it, it's referred to merely as a "weapon accessory."

[[Category:Generation 1 weapons]]
[[Category:Ranged weapons]]

Gigawatt

2022-07-02T17:51:05Z

Repowers: /* Collaborative */

{{factions|decepticon|autobot}}
:''Gigawatt is an [[Autobot]] and former [[Decepticon]] from [[Back to the Future]] (via [[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]).''

[[File:TFBTTF1 Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|right|250px|More like "Great ''Watt''", amirite?]]

A repentant ex-[[Decepticon]] from a doomed alternate future, the most surprising thing about '''Gigawatt''' is the fact that he didn't join the Autobots sooner. Kind-hearted and empathetic, if a little awkward and unsure of himself, Gigawatt was just a low-ranking Decepticon number-cruncher until a crisis of conscience pushed him out of the Decepticons and into the Autobot ranks, where he now does his best to redeem himself.

When it comes to fighting Decepticons across multiple time periods or preventing damage to the timestream, there are few other Autobots quite as up to the job as Gigawatt. His [[DeLorean time machine]] alternate mode gives him the potent ability to travel to any period in history, and he's augmented with future technology that allows him to hover in place or even fly at great speeds. Aided by his [[human]] companions [[Marty McFly]] and [[Doc Brown]], Gigawatt might be the only 'bot who can prevent Decepticon domination over Earth's past, present, and future—but is he up to the task?

{{bigquote|You're never outta time when you're a time machine.|Gigawatt's [[bio]] quote}}

==Fiction==
===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF2-GigawattTransforms.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Change a hawk to a little white dove, and roll out!]]

Gigawatt was one of the many dormant Decepticons who had been entombed aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crash-landed on [[Earth]] millions of years in the past. In the year [[1984]], [[Teletraan I|Teletraan-1]] reactivated [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons ahead of schedule thanks to a time-travelling [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who had used [[Doc Brown]]'s [[DeLorean time machine|DeLorean]] to travel back in time from [[2015]] and bring his leader online. Reactivated along with his leader, Gigawatt watched Megatron execute the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, then destroy the temporal duplicate of Rumble who had masterminded the whole scheme in the first place.

Without the Autobots to mount an effective resistance, Megatron quickly conquered Earth and enslaved humanity. By the year 2015, Gigawatt received the task of extracting memories from Rumble's disembodied head and analyzing the [[DeLorean time machine]], but soon became uncomfortable with Megatron's ruthless habit of executing under-performing human coordinators. When he raised the issue with his leader, he received a warning to focus on his work or face the consequences—but Gigawatt could no longer support his leader in good conscience and instead [[Scanning|trans-scan]]ned the DeLorean itself in the hopes that he could travel back in time and set things right. He nearly did so but took a blast from Megatron at the last moment that damaged his new alternate mode's [[flux capacitor]]. Undaunted, Gigawatt joined up with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]'s Autobot resistance and attempted to use his unusual new ability to benefit his new allies by traveling back to the year [[1974]] and stopping Rumble. However, due to his malfunctioning capacitor, he undershot his destination and instead landed in a Decepticon-ruled 1985. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

[[File:TFBTTF2-Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Title drops? Where we're going, we don't need title drops.]]

By pure chance, Gigawatt bumped into [[Marty McFly]] in [[Hill Valley]] as the [[human]] attempted to escape [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and materialized just in time to save the boy from execution. Gigawatt recognized Marty from the history files, and declared that he needed his help to save the future. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}} Gigawatt proved unable to defeat Starscream on his own, but received some unexpected help from the disguised Autobot [[Skilz]], and once Starscream had been incapacitated Gigawatt took his two allies back to 2015 to meet with the Autobot resistance, where he helped get Marty up to speed on how the Decepticons had altered the timeline. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

After receiving a distress call from Doc Brown, Gigawatt joined Marty and the other members of the Autobot resistance as they headed into the ruins of Hill Valley and discovered that he had been slated for execution. Thought the Autobots urged caution, Marty impulsively leaped into the town square to save Doc and his parents and attracted the ire of the Decepticons, necessitating a full-scale battle. After rescuing Marty's parents and vanquishing Starscream and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, the Autobots believed they'd won until the entire courthouse transformed into the enormous Decepticon warrior [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}}

[[File:TFBTTF4-Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Now Doc, about that design decision which put [[flux capacitor|a vital and irreplaceable component made of glass]] right in the middle of my chest..."]]

As the other Autobots fought to buy time, Doc was able to repair Gigawatt's flux capacitor, but the Autobot subsequently leaped to take a shot intended for the two humans and was badly injured. Only with a last-minute boost from Skilz and Doc was he able to accelerate to the requisite eighty-eight miles per hour required for time travel; once he and Marty arrived in the year 1984, they made it to [[Mount St. Hilary]] and successfully reactivated Optimus Prime and the other Autobots before Rumble arrived first. Once they'd laid their trap, the pair ambushed Rumble and [[Biff Tannen]] and successfully ran the Decepticon and his stolen time machine off the road, but Rumble was able to easily blast the already-injured Gigawatt in the chest and fatally wounded him.

After Rumble had been defeated for good, Marty reunited with Gigawatt but was unable to prevent him from going offline. Over the next thirty years, the Autobots took custody of his body and worked to repair him with the assistance of both Doc Brown and Biff. When Marty time-travelled to 2015 to return the original DeLorean time machine to its rightful owner, Gigawatt reunited with his friend. After returning him and Skilz to the original year 1985, Gigawatt assured the smaller Autobot that they would always keep an eye on Marty. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}

{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Collaborative''===
[[File:Collab-toy Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|300px|You're out of touch, I'm OUTATIME...]]
*'''Gigawatt''' ([[2020]])
**''Accessories'', Lighting rod/whip, "Mr. Fusion" generator, rifle

: The third figure released in the ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' line, Gigawatt is an ''extensive'' [[retool]]ing of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Deluxe Class [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Sideswipe]] that transforms into a heavily customized {{w|DMC DeLorean}}, representing the [[DeLorean time machine|iconic vehicle]] from the ''[[Back to the Future]]'' film trilogy. In his vehicle mode, his gull-wing doors can open and close, plus a "lightning rod" can be added to the back to replicate the climax of the first film. He can also be converted to the hovercar mode from the first film's ending (and how it appeared in much of the second film) by adding the "Mr. Fusion" generator to the back and folding his wheels down. Being a retool of Sideswipe, he has [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]] compatible ports on his arms, the soles of his feet, and oddly on the inside of his doors. These last two ports appear mainly to be as a way to store the hook when not in use, as few other things can easily be attached there. In an undocumented feature, the upper portion of the Mr. Fusion accessory is ''just'' wide enough to fit into the ports on Gigawatt's forearms, allowing for it to be pegged in upside-down and used as a sort of watch.

: Initial [[stock photography]] specimens depicted the windshield and windows as clear plastic, but the final product had these pieces in translucent dark blue; the official Transformers Facebook page said that this change had been made in response to fan complaints.<ref>[https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4394749370595223&id=146805978722938 Transformers Facebook post announcing Gigawatt preorders]</ref> The toy's [[license plate]] reads, of course, "OUTATIME," but the [[package art|artwork]] on the back of the standard version's packaging features a license plate that says "BK2FUT2" instead. (The Walmart exclusive version features different artwork on the back of the packaging that features a regular "OUTATIME" license plate.) His license plate as drawn in [[Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4]] reads "GIGS".

: In robot mode Gigawatt displays a chest-mounted [[flux capacitor]], as well as time circuits which display three dates, each corresponding to the time periods Doc and Marty visited in the first two movies; specifically, the time circuits read that Gigawatt is currently in 2015, has just returned from 1955, and is going to 1985, suggesting that Gigawatt's "present" is after the elderly Biff Tannen delivered the sports almanac to his younger self and before Doc and Marty visit the corrupted alternate reality where Biff is all-powerful. His knees also feature molded-in (and unpainted) flux capacitors to boot (ha ha). The lightning rod becomes a whip weapon, and the Mr. Fusion can be plugged into the back or the top of his rifle, which bears a distinct resemblance to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' Optimus Prime]]'s rifle, but is an all-new sculpt.

: Unfortunately, opening Gigawatt's doors can chip the painted black stripe that crosses them. Additionally, during transformation the back of Gigawatt's head can <s>erase from existence</s> rub away the paint on the lowermost set of time circuit dates. Some units also have the issue of the Mr. Fusion not pegging firmly into place in vehicle mode after a few times due to a combination of the short peg and hole used to attach it as well as the silver paint on the peg wearing off, making it loosen.

: Gigawatt is packaged in a nostalgic [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]-styled box in vehicle mode, much like the contemporaneous ''[[Vintage (Walmart toyline)|Vintage G1]]'' line and [[Ectotron]]. Gigawatt's robot-mode package art matches Marty McFly's pose from the film's iconic poster, which is carried further by the toy itself standing in for the DeLorean from the poster (albeit oriented differently). The figure was released in two separate versions; the first, a [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] numbered edition, was put up for preorder on [[July 2]], 2020 (and seemingly sold out within mere minutes) with added graphics on the box identifying the figure as one of a limited run of 1,985. Despite the lightning-quick sellout, this version began appearing at discount store Ross in late 2021.

: A standard non-numbered version was made available through [[Hasbro Pulse]] and other "select retailers" on [[October 1]]. While the figure itself was identical to the exclusive edition, the packaging was altered beyond the omission of the number plate graphic, with a different color transition for the grid pattern on the front of the box and a completely different background image on the back of the box, and the ''Back to the Future 35'' and ''Transformers'' logos having traded places. In July, TakaraTomy announced that they would be releasing Gigawatt as well, making it the first ''Collaborative'' product to be released in [[Japan]]. Gigawatt was released in [[Italy]] initially as a Gamestop-exclusive and then on [[Amazon]] starting from January [[2021]]. On [[September 27]], 2021, Gigawatt was sold exclusively through Mighty Ape in [[New Zealand]].<ref>[https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/transformers-x-back-to-the-future-gigawatt-action-figure/33886153 "Release date NZ: September 27th, 2021" - Mighty Ape.com]</ref>

: Gigawatt, like many of the toy and illustrated depictions of the ''Back to the Future'' time machine to have appeared over the years, does not appear to be officially licensed by the DeLorean Motor Company, as his front grille lacks the car's iconic (and trademarked) "DMC" logo.
{{WFCSiegeSideswipeMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Gigawatt isn't the first Transformer that turns into an unlicensed DeLorean; that honor belongs to [[Swindler]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gigawatt''' (GIGAWATT)<ref>Unfortunately, Takara refuses to write Gigawatt's name in katakana and give us a canonical pronunciation.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[[fandom:futurepedia:Gigawatt|Gigawatt]] at Futurepedia

[[Category:Back to the Future]]
[[Category:Collaborative]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]

Gigawatt

2022-07-02T17:50:49Z

Repowers: /* Collaborative */

{{factions|decepticon|autobot}}
:''Gigawatt is an [[Autobot]] and former [[Decepticon]] from [[Back to the Future]] (via [[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]).''

[[File:TFBTTF1 Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|right|250px|More like "Great ''Watt''", amirite?]]

A repentant ex-[[Decepticon]] from a doomed alternate future, the most surprising thing about '''Gigawatt''' is the fact that he didn't join the Autobots sooner. Kind-hearted and empathetic, if a little awkward and unsure of himself, Gigawatt was just a low-ranking Decepticon number-cruncher until a crisis of conscience pushed him out of the Decepticons and into the Autobot ranks, where he now does his best to redeem himself.

When it comes to fighting Decepticons across multiple time periods or preventing damage to the timestream, there are few other Autobots quite as up to the job as Gigawatt. His [[DeLorean time machine]] alternate mode gives him the potent ability to travel to any period in history, and he's augmented with future technology that allows him to hover in place or even fly at great speeds. Aided by his [[human]] companions [[Marty McFly]] and [[Doc Brown]], Gigawatt might be the only 'bot who can prevent Decepticon domination over Earth's past, present, and future—but is he up to the task?

{{bigquote|You're never outta time when you're a time machine.|Gigawatt's [[bio]] quote}}

==Fiction==
===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF2-GigawattTransforms.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Change a hawk to a little white dove, and roll out!]]

Gigawatt was one of the many dormant Decepticons who had been entombed aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crash-landed on [[Earth]] millions of years in the past. In the year [[1984]], [[Teletraan I|Teletraan-1]] reactivated [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons ahead of schedule thanks to a time-travelling [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who had used [[Doc Brown]]'s [[DeLorean time machine|DeLorean]] to travel back in time from [[2015]] and bring his leader online. Reactivated along with his leader, Gigawatt watched Megatron execute the still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, then destroy the temporal duplicate of Rumble who had masterminded the whole scheme in the first place.

Without the Autobots to mount an effective resistance, Megatron quickly conquered Earth and enslaved humanity. By the year 2015, Gigawatt received the task of extracting memories from Rumble's disembodied head and analyzing the [[DeLorean time machine]], but soon became uncomfortable with Megatron's ruthless habit of executing under-performing human coordinators. When he raised the issue with his leader, he received a warning to focus on his work or face the consequences—but Gigawatt could no longer support his leader in good conscience and instead [[Scanning|trans-scan]]ned the DeLorean itself in the hopes that he could travel back in time and set things right. He nearly did so but took a blast from Megatron at the last moment that damaged his new alternate mode's [[flux capacitor]]. Undaunted, Gigawatt joined up with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]'s Autobot resistance and attempted to use his unusual new ability to benefit his new allies by traveling back to the year [[1974]] and stopping Rumble. However, due to his malfunctioning capacitor, he undershot his destination and instead landed in a Decepticon-ruled 1985. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

[[File:TFBTTF2-Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Title drops? Where we're going, we don't need title drops.]]

By pure chance, Gigawatt bumped into [[Marty McFly]] in [[Hill Valley]] as the [[human]] attempted to escape [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and materialized just in time to save the boy from execution. Gigawatt recognized Marty from the history files, and declared that he needed his help to save the future. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}} Gigawatt proved unable to defeat Starscream on his own, but received some unexpected help from the disguised Autobot [[Skilz]], and once Starscream had been incapacitated Gigawatt took his two allies back to 2015 to meet with the Autobot resistance, where he helped get Marty up to speed on how the Decepticons had altered the timeline. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

After receiving a distress call from Doc Brown, Gigawatt joined Marty and the other members of the Autobot resistance as they headed into the ruins of Hill Valley and discovered that he had been slated for execution. Thought the Autobots urged caution, Marty impulsively leaped into the town square to save Doc and his parents and attracted the ire of the Decepticons, necessitating a full-scale battle. After rescuing Marty's parents and vanquishing Starscream and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, the Autobots believed they'd won until the entire courthouse transformed into the enormous Decepticon warrior [[Watchtower]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}}

[[File:TFBTTF4-Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Now Doc, about that design decision which put [[flux capacitor|a vital and irreplaceable component made of glass]] right in the middle of my chest..."]]

As the other Autobots fought to buy time, Doc was able to repair Gigawatt's flux capacitor, but the Autobot subsequently leaped to take a shot intended for the two humans and was badly injured. Only with a last-minute boost from Skilz and Doc was he able to accelerate to the requisite eighty-eight miles per hour required for time travel; once he and Marty arrived in the year 1984, they made it to [[Mount St. Hilary]] and successfully reactivated Optimus Prime and the other Autobots before Rumble arrived first. Once they'd laid their trap, the pair ambushed Rumble and [[Biff Tannen]] and successfully ran the Decepticon and his stolen time machine off the road, but Rumble was able to easily blast the already-injured Gigawatt in the chest and fatally wounded him.

After Rumble had been defeated for good, Marty reunited with Gigawatt but was unable to prevent him from going offline. Over the next thirty years, the Autobots took custody of his body and worked to repair him with the assistance of both Doc Brown and Biff. When Marty time-travelled to 2015 to return the original DeLorean time machine to its rightful owner, Gigawatt reunited with his friend. After returning him and Skilz to the original year 1985, Gigawatt assured the smaller Autobot that they would always keep an eye on Marty. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4|Transformers/Back to the Future #4}}

{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Collaborative''===
[[File:Collab-toy Gigawatt.jpg|thumb|300px|You're out of touch, I'm OUTATIME...]]
*'''Gigawatt''' ([[2020]])
**''Accessories'', Lighting rod/whip, "Mr. Fusion" generator, rifle

: The third figure released in the ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' line, Gigawatt is an ''extensive'' [[retool]]ing of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Deluxe Class [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Sideswipe]] that transforms into a heavily customized {{w|DMC DeLorean}}, representing the [[DeLorean time machine|iconic vehicle]] from the ''[[Back to the Future]]'' film trilogy. In his vehicle mode, his gull-wing doors can open and close, plus a "lightning rod" can be added to the back to replicate the climax of the first film. He can also be converted to the hovercar mode from the first film's ending (and how it appeared in much of the second film) by adding the "Mr. Fusion" generator to the back and folding his wheels down. Being a retool of Sideswipe, he has [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]] compatible ports on his arms, the soles of his feet, and oddly on the inside of his doors. These last two ports appear mainly to be as a way to store the hook when not in use, as few other things can easily be attached there. In an undocumented feature, the upper portion of the Mr. Fusion accessory is ''just'' wide enough to fit into the ports on Gigawatt's forearms, allowing for it to be pegged in upside-down and used as a sort of watch.

: Initial [[stock photography]] specimens depicted the windshield and windows as clear plastic, but the final product had these pieces in translucent dark blue; the official Transformers Facebook page said that this change had been made in response to fan complaints.<ref>[https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4394749370595223&id=146805978722938 Transformers Facebook post announcing Gigawatt preorders]</ref> The toy's [[license plate]] reads, of course, "OUTATIME," but the [[package art|artwork]] on the back of the standard version's packaging features a license plate that says "BK2FUT2" instead. (The Walmart exclusive version features different artwork on the back of the packaging that features a regular "OUTATIME" license plate.) His license plate as drawn in [[Transformers/Back to the Future issue 4]] reads "GIGS".

: In robot mode Gigawatt displays a chest-mounted [[flux capacitor]], as well as time circuits which display three dates, each corresponding to the time periods Doc and Marty visited in the first two movies; specifically, the time circuits read that Gigawatt is currently in 2015, has just returned from 1955, and is going to 1985, suggesting that Gigawatt's "present" is after the elderly Biff Tannen delivered the sports almanac to his younger self and before Doc and Marty visit the corrupted alternate reality where Biff is all-powerful. His knees also feature molded-in (and unpainted) flux capacitors to boot (ha ha). The lightning rod becomes a whip weapon, and the Mr. Fusion can be plugged into the back or the top of his rifle, which bears a distinct resemblance to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' Optimus Prime]]'s rifle, but is an all-new sculpt.

: Unfortunately, opening Gigawatt's doors can chip the painted black stripe that crosses them. Additionally, during transformation the back of Gigawatt's head can <s>erase from existence</s> rub away the paint on the lowermost set of time circuit dates. Some units also have the issue of the Mr. Fusion not pegging firmly into place in vehicle mode after a few times due to a combination of the short peg and hole used to attach it as well as the silver paint on the peg wearing off, making it loosen.

: Gigawatt is packaged in a nostalgic [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]-styled box in vehicle mode, much like the contemporaneous ''[[Vintage (Walmart toyline)|Vintage G1]]'' line and [[Ectotron]]. Gigawatt's robot-mode package art matches Marty McFly's pose from the film's iconic poster, which is carried further by the toy itself standing in for the DeLorean from the poster (albeit oriented differently). The figure was released in two separate versions; the first, a [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] numbered edition, was put up for preorder on [[July 2]], 2020 (and seemingly sold out within mere minutes) with added graphics on the box identifying the figure as one of a limited run of 1,985. Despite the lightning-quick sellout, this version began appearing at discount store Ross in late 2021.

A standard non-numbered version was made available through [[Hasbro Pulse]] and other "select retailers" on [[October 1]]. While the figure itself was identical to the exclusive edition, the packaging was altered beyond the omission of the number plate graphic, with a different color transition for the grid pattern on the front of the box and a completely different background image on the back of the box, and the ''Back to the Future 35'' and ''Transformers'' logos having traded places. In July, TakaraTomy announced that they would be releasing Gigawatt as well, making it the first ''Collaborative'' product to be released in [[Japan]]. Gigawatt was released in [[Italy]] initially as a Gamestop-exclusive and then on [[Amazon]] starting from January [[2021]]. On [[September 27]], 2021, Gigawatt was sold exclusively through Mighty Ape in [[New Zealand]].<ref>[https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/transformers-x-back-to-the-future-gigawatt-action-figure/33886153 "Release date NZ: September 27th, 2021" - Mighty Ape.com]</ref>

: Gigawatt, like many of the toy and illustrated depictions of the ''Back to the Future'' time machine to have appeared over the years, does not appear to be officially licensed by the DeLorean Motor Company, as his front grille lacks the car's iconic (and trademarked) "DMC" logo.
{{WFCSiegeSideswipeMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Gigawatt isn't the first Transformer that turns into an unlicensed DeLorean; that honor belongs to [[Swindler]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gigawatt''' (GIGAWATT)<ref>Unfortunately, Takara refuses to write Gigawatt's name in katakana and give us a canonical pronunciation.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[[fandom:futurepedia:Gigawatt|Gigawatt]] at Futurepedia

[[Category:Back to the Future]]
[[Category:Collaborative]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]

Exosuit

2022-05-03T00:27:20Z

Repowers: /* Buzzworthy Bumblebee */

{{disambig2|the suits worn by humans in the Generation 1 cartoon|the Action Master UK vehicles|Action Master Exo-suit}}
[[File:TFTM Daniel in exosuit.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
An '''exosuit''' is form of powered armor used by humans and other humanoids. They are typically used to protect the wearer from hostile environments such as the vacuum of space, deep underwater, or the middle of a battle between warring factions of [[Transformer|giant robots]]. Many models possess arm blasters, thrusters and the ability to transform into a vehicle mode, giving the user a leg up when dealing with [[Decepticon]]s.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:TFTM Daniel rams Decepticons.jpg|left|upright=1.55|thumb|Daniel's first driving lesson.]]
[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] wore an exosuit while on [[Moonbase Two]] with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]]. Later, [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] gave [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] one of his father's exosuits that was stored aboard the forward section of the [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]] they escaped [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in. This model was able to transform into an all-terrain vehicle. Daniel used this suit to escape [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] and [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], and later was able to save his father along with Bumblebee, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] from [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

A similar suit was worn by [[Jessica Morgan]] when she accompanied [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots to planet [[Chaar]] to retrieve an experimental metal alloy from [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. Despite the suits being equipped to allow humans to survive in space, it was not able to keep Jessica from being infected with the [[Hate Plague]] {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

Later on the planet [[Nebulos]], both the Decepticons and Autobots converted their heads and weapons into new types of exosuits for the Nebulan [[Hive (G1)|Hivemembers]], and resistance fighters respectively, [[binary bonding]] to the Transformers to become [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s. Although all the Nebulan suits were considered exosuits, only Daniel's, which bonded with Arcee, resembled the classical model seen earlier. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
Spike used an exosuit when he had to enter the battlefield to clean [[Cohesive Control Liquid]] off [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 2|The Great Transformer War #2}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[File:HM23 Daniel with Challenge Blaster.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|He's ''Exo Squad''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s biggest fanboy.]]
Daniel put on an exosuit when he was going to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], because it was under Decepticon attack at the time. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Exosuits were also in use by the [[Beastformer]]s—[[Hedgehog]] and [[Rabbit Kid]] were found drifting in space in Exosuits by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}}

When preparing to sabotage [[Metamorphose]], the Decepticon meteorite-turned-weapon, Daniel was forced to wear an older, non-metallic, model of spacesuit for the mission. He asked for an exosuit, but was told that it would be destroyed by Metamorphose's metal-warping field. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

The exosuits were used by Daniel and Spike when they walked on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] for a survey mission. The Autobot symbol on Daniel's exosuit was used to alert his father of his location in a Decepticon cell. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}}

[[File:HM33 Daniel in exosuit vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
Daniel again donned an exosuit when he accompanied [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to a [[Space Pirate Ship|derelict ship]] in space. His exosuit sported a holster for his [[Challenge Blaster]], which he made good use of during the mission. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

When [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] headed off to fight [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], Daniel put on his exosuit so he could try to make them both stop, as he'd befriended the Decepticon. Using the suit's vehicle mode, he followed Chromedome to the asteroid [[Juno]] and interceded in the fight, only for the whole thing to be called off anyway when [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] decided to blow up the asteroid. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}}

He wore his exosuit once again when the Autobots took him to the [[Arctic]] and he took part in the battle to save Earth from the Decepticons' [[Death Tower]]s. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
When the Headmasters faced a robot squid beneath the ocean, Daniel put on his exosuit so he could help them fight it. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}} He used it again in a fight with [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], only to be inadvertently carried on the Decepticon's back to an alien planet. Whups! {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 4|The Headmasters #4}}

====''Legends'' comic====
In his research into technology that would allow [[human]]s to wield [[Masterforce]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] devised an exosuit that could transform into the head of a [[transtector]] and let Spike test pilot it. The technology was eventually refined into [[Master-Brace]]s. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}} Daniel wore an exosuit while helping Sixshot break [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] out of prison. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 50|Bonus Edition Vol. 50}} Spike kept his prototype Headmaster suit and used it to control Fortress's transtector during a trip to the [[Legends World]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}}

====Train Wars====
[[File:TrainWars DanielWitwicky.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Years later, Daniel acquired a new model of exosuit that let him disguise himself as a Transformer and transform into an electrical bow or pantograph for his partner, [[Shouki]]. {{storylink|Train Wars: Shouki & Daniel Chapter}} He used it to disguise himself as the pilot of the ''[[Thunder Arrow]]'', then let Shouki wield its bow mode against [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. {{storylink|Train Wars}} Daniel used the exosuit's weapons in the battle with [[The Fallen]], though they only served to anger him, and Shouki used its bow mode again to free a restrained [[Shūta Gō]]. {{storylink|Train Wars 2}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
The production of exosuits, reverse-engineered from Transformer technology, was the goal of [[Earth Defense Command]]'s "[[Project Centurion]]". {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[Verity Carlo]] wore an exosuit. It was modular so she could wear just the arms {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} or legs without having to put the whole thing on. The lower legs could transform into wheels. She put the whole exosuit on when she stowed away for the mission to [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}} It didn't stop her ride in [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'s chest cavity from being distinctly uncomfortable though. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} Also the arms contained telescoping cannons. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

{{stub}}

===''All Spark''===
While fighting alongside the Autobots, Spike wore an exosuit that could transform into a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] head. He wore it in a battle with [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] during which he formed the head of the [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]] transtector. {{storylink|Looming Threat}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] the dragon wore an exosuit when he returned to [[Equestria]] with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

==Toys==
===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:Masterpiece Bumble Daniel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumble''' ([[November 29]], [[2014]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-21'''

:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#MP21|Bumble]] includes a toy of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Daniel Witwicky]] in a transformable exosuit. His helmet is removable.

:While mostly referred to as just "Excelsuit" on the packaging and instructions, the figure is both identified as Spike in one instance of the box back and as Daniel in the lineart included in ''[[The Transformers Masterpiece Official Guide]]''.
{{-}}

[[File:Hasbro-MP-Exosuit-Spike-Witwicky.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee & Exosuit Spike Witwicky''' ([[2016]])
**''ID Number'': '''MP-08'''

:The Hasbro ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' release of ''Masterpiece'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Bumblebee]] comes with a repaint of the Exosuit figure, which is Spike Witwicky rather than Daniel.
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy shouki.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Shouki & Daniel''' (December [[2014]])
:''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Daniel is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' [[Mini-Con]] [[Groundspike#Toys|Groundspike]] in [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]]'s colors, meant to represent an exosuited Daniel disguised as the [[Skystalker (G1)|pilot]] of the ''[[Thunder Arrow]]'' during a secret mission with [[Shouki]]. Available only with Shouki through [[Hero-X|Million Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers Generations 2014]]'' Vol. 1 book, Daniel triple-changes into a bow weapon for Shouki and a pantograph for his train mode.
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TitansReturntoy-Leinad.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]
*'''Arcee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2017]])
: ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Arcee]] is a retool of [[Blurr (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Blurr]], and includes [[Titan Master]] Leinad–''pssst'', that's "Daniel" backwards! A retool of [[Haywire (Targetmaster)#Titans Return|Hyperfire]], Leinad turns into Arcee's G1 head; his own robot mode is based on an the exosuit. Leinad and Arcee debuted at [[HasCon 2017]] ahead of a later release at [[New York Comic Con]] 2017 and a standard release<ref>[http://io9.gizmodo.com/hasbros-own-convention-will-sell-you-a-giant-transforme-1797331311 Hasbro's Own Convention Will Sell You a Giant Transformer That Actually Charges Your Phone]</ref> at [[Toys"R"Us]] in the USA.

{{TRHyperfireMold}}
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-54-Exosuit-Spike.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee & Excelsuit Spike''' ([[December 30]], [[2017]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG-54'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Legends|Excelsuit Spike]], despite possible appearances, is an all new sculpt transforming from a small robot based on Spike's Excelsuit into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]'s head which is compatible to any Deluxe-or-larger ''Titans Return''-style figures, although he is meant to form Fortress's head. Excelsuit Spike comes with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Legends|Bumble]], a redeco of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Bumblebee figure.
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-BB-Spike-Witwicky.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb|"Fire me, boy!"]]
*'''Bumblebee & Spike Witwicky''' ([[2021]])
:As part of the cross-''Generations [[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' subline, ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Buzzworthy|Spike Witwicky]] is a very simple figure packed in with the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy|Core Class Bumblebee]] figure. Spike is depicted in his traditional exosuit from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. The figure is capable of turning into car mode via a simple transformation scheme, which primarily consists of just laying the toy down on its face. He has a vestigial pin hole molded through his hips, hinting that he was intended to have leg articulation at one point, but was eventually changed during development.

:Much like the rest of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, the box is in the style of the 2018 ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)|Bumblebee]]'' toyline, with additional renders of the [[evergreen]] Bumblebee design. Additionally, the toy features ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]''-style [[package art]] with the ''War for Cybertron'' logo present.
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:TF-Studio-Series-86-Daniel-Witwicky.jpg|thumb|upright=1.33|Daniel probably sat on something weird.]]
*'''Dinobot Slug & Daniel Witwicky''' (Leader Class, 2021)
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-07'''
:A small, non-transforming figurine of Daniel Witwicky (no longer Leinad) comes packaged with ''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Slag (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Dinobot Slug]], which can ride Slug's dino mode or sit on his robot mode shoulder. He is largely unpainted and has posable hips and elbows. Daniel can also ride on ''Studio Series'' 86-06 [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Grimlock]]'s dino mode neck or robot mode shoulder.

{{-}}
{{anchor|CoreSpike}}
[[File:Studio-Series-Core-Class-TFTM-Spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Like son, like father!]]
*'''Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky''' (Core Class, [[2022]])
**''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
**''Accessories'': 2 [[Fire Blast effect|blast effects]]

:Part of ''[[Studio Series]]'''s 2022 Core Class offerings, Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky transforms from his Exo-Suit to its vehicle mode in 11 steps. Unlike the previously released [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Studio Series|Daniel]] mold included with [[Slag (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Slug]], this Exo-Suit features articulation on par with Core Class figures, alongside a translucent cockpit with a head modeled inside.

:Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky comes with two fire blast effects, which can be pegged into the thrusters in his vehicle mode.

:The figure showed up in Dubai prior to any official announcement from Hasbro. <ref>https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/core-class-spike.1225718/page-19#post-19946726</ref>
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Brave-Goukin''===
[[File:BraveGoukin exosuit.jpg|thumb|upright=2.33]]
*'''Excel Suit''' (<s>2014</s>)

:A poseable "Excel Suit" toy was to be produced by [[CM's Corporation]] as part of their ''Brave-Goukin'' line, complete with vehicle mode and transforming arm blasters. It would have included static figures of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Brave-Goukin|Spike]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Brave-Goukin|Daniel Witwicky]] who could be displayed separately or have their heads placed inside the suit, with alternate upward-looking heads included for the its vehicle mode. The Exosuit would also have come with a small figurine of [[Grand Galvatron#Brave-Goukin|Grand Galvatron]] and the [[Master Sword#Brave-Goukin|Master Sword data disk]] from the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode "[[The Master Sword Is in Danger!!]]".

:This toy only made as far as the painted [[prototype]] stage before CM's Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy, leaving it unreleased.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Excelsuits''' (エクセルスーツ ''Ekuserusūtsu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Exo-Vestito''' (''The Movie'' first dub), '''Exorobot''' (''The Movie'' second dub)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 technology]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Mechanical suits]]
[[Category:Legends technology]]
[[Category:The Headmasters technology]]

Before the Storm

2022-02-22T02:39:48Z

Repowers: /* Real-world references */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=24
|image=Before the Storm Megatron disc.jpg
|caption="At last, I have located the greatest chocolate coin in all history, ''yessss''..."
|title="Before the Storm"
|production company= [[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate= [[February 21]], 1997
|written by= [[Larry DiTillio]]<br />[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by= [[Adam Wood]]
|animation studio= [[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Inferno brings Megatron an alien golden disk that causes him to offer a too good to be true cease fire to the Maximals.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:VokDisk Monolith.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Finders keepers.]]
[[Tigatron]] observes a strange energy pulse in a distant mountain. Simultaneously, within the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon base]], [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is woken by his computer. It reports the energy anomaly, and that it is of alien origin. Megatron suspects this could be the start of something big and thus sends [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] to investigate. The fire ant burrows into the mountain and recovers a [[Golden Disk (Vok)|strange discus]].

[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Primal]] is on a scouting run looking for the energy anomaly that Tigatron reported. He sees a strange probe, and follows it. The probe stops and forms into a hologram of Megatron. He proposes to meet about a truce on neutral ground, between both leaders.

When they meet, Megatron insists that the truce is not an act of treachery. He explains that he has no time to fight [[Maximal]]s, and he needs time to think. Primal reluctantly agrees to a truce, bound by Maximal code. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] proposes that it's about the alien energy. Primal agrees, stating that something scared Megatron very badly. [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] is sent—despite his usual complaints—to infiltrate the ''Darksyde''.

Meanwhile, [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] hacks his way into a holding chamber to steal one of the Predacon ship's remaining [[transwarp cell]]s. [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] surprises him and demands an answer, and Tarantulas easily defeats him. Megatron, watching the exchange, decides to let Tarantulas do his work, and throw another kink in it—[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]].

[[File:Before the Storm Airazor rattrap.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Ride the wind, Rattrap.]]
[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] delivers Rattrap to the Predacon base—unarmed—and drops him off quickly before hailing the Predacon channels. Megatron casually disarms the perimeter defenses and asks Airazor to leave. As she leaves, he stops her a moment and suggests she take Rattrap with her. Foiled, they return to the base and report to Primal, but exchange knowing glances—the distraction was enough for [[Tigatron]] to make his entrance.

Blackarachnia surprises Tarantulas, and in the confusion, Megatron hacks the Transwarp cell and adds his own programming.

Tigatron hacks the Predacon database in a cool VR world, and discovers the second Golden Disk's datatracks. Terrorsaur finds Tigatron hacking and sounds the alarm, but Tigatron uses Terrorsaur and Scorponok's goonery against each other. Under orders not to fire, the Predacons chase Tigatron, leading into a battle with the rest of the Maximals.

[[File:Before the Storm Terrorsaur.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Pteranodon on a silver platter. Tasty.]]
Under the limitations of a truce, the Predacons and Maximals battle without using their weapons. Primal steals a wire from Inferno's rocket. Terrorsaur fails at dodging a piece of sheet metal that Cheetor and Rhinox move into position. The spiders are smart enough to avoid one trap set by Dinobot, but in doing so, are crushed by another. Without firing a single shot, the Maximals have won the day... unless, of course, Megatron intentionally let them get away.

On the Maximal base, Tigatron explains what Megatron discovered: a golden disk similar in size to the one Megatron originally stole, this one created by the same aliens who crafted [[Brigadoon|the flying island]], and seeded the energon on the planet. The disk itself was part of a signal that the aliens sent, ensuring that the planet received a message:

[[Vok|The aliens]] are on their way. And they are not very happy...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
* [[Tigatron]] (1)
* [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (4)
* [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (5)
* [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (6)
* [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (7)
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)
* [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (12)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
* [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (3)
* [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (10)
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (11)
* [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (13)
* [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"When Predacons talk truce, it just means they need time to reload their weapons."<br />
"Under normal circumstances, yes."
:—'''Optimus Primal''' correctly assesses '''Megatron'''.

"Do you take me for a fool?"<br />
"No. I take you for a Maximal."
:—'''Optimus Primal''' and '''Megatron'''

"What could I do? He was right, I'm a Maximal. I have to give peace a chance, no matter how unlikely it seems."
:—'''Optimus Primal''' channels John Lennon.

"Ehhhh we're gonna diieeee!"<br />
"Isn't there a rule that heroes have to face destruction with dignity?"<br />
"Hey! What's the use of dyin' if ya can't enjoy it?"
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Airazor'''

"Well, well, looks like curiosity just claimed another cat."
:—'''Terrorsaur''', finding Tigatron inside the Predacon Base

"There is a storm approaching. A storm of such magnitude, of such power... it is ''beyond imagination''. And to think, I was once satisfied with mere energon. To think that my ambitions lofted no higher than the conquest of Cybertron. ''*laughs* *coughs*'' Well, no longer. For I have been given a glimpse of power. Real power. And that power shall be ''mine!''"
:—'''Megatron''' starts to acquire a taste for godhood.

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* Revised: 14th November 1996
* As Air: 26th March 1997

===Animation and technical errors===
* After Inferno transforms into [[robot mode]] to retrieve the alien disk, out of the three "bumps" adorning his forehead, only the middle one shows up. The other two briefly flicker in and out of existence in the wrong place as he takes off, then his head goes back to normal.
* When Megatron wakes up and the right-side panel on his chair warps back into shape, it's folded down farther than in the previous shot and clipping through some piece of machinery.
* When Optimus arrives at the neutral territory to talk with Megatron, his shoulder pads are missing. Megatron's ones are also missing when he speaks to Airazor.
* As Primal says "Megatron's found out something...", Cheetor's right leg is clipping into the machinery in the background.
* Blackarachnia's claws clip through her hip and legs multiple times as she "greets" Tarantulas in his lair.
* The container Tarantulas hides the Transwarp cell behind doesn't actually go in front of it, it completely clips through and goes around the cell.
* When Megatron turns off the monitor showing the two spiders bickering, both Tarantulas and Blackarachnia are missing their textures.
* Megatron's toothbrush clips through his knee when he pushes the switch to deactivate the auto-cannons.
* Before Airazor (seen through the view of Megatron's monitor screen) turns back to [[beast mode]], her right arm briefly clips through her knee.
* After Tigatron has infiltrated the Pred base and we cut back to the Maximals, Cheetor is tapping the buttons on a control panel to browse through the holographic projections of the alien sites. In the next shot, the panel's gone, the lighting on the table changes, and the projections keep changing by themselves.
* Megatron's hand clips through the alien disk's pedestal as he goes on about "power".
* The hole on the Predacon ship that Tigatron escapes through has blurry instead of sharp edges.
* While screaming he's about to capture Tigatron, Terrorsaur's running speed is noticeably slower than the speed of his actual running animation cycle.
* Terrorsaur covers his face when he's about to slam into Scorponok, but just before they do so, he's running again as normal.
* Blackarachnia is partially submerged in the hillside as she and Tarantulas approach Dinobot's impromptu trap.
* While Megatron is in his closing words of the episode, he is missing his beast mode kibble, except the head of course. In fact, Megatron is missing most of his kibble throughout the episode, especially the pieces on his back (which form the sides of his beast mode). He does spend almost all this episode sat down in a chair or in the bath, so removing the kibble probably made it easier for the animators.
* Not so much an error as it is an animation oversight, but if you look closely as Blackarachnia runs after Tigatron ''(right before the scene cuts to Dinobot)'', you can see her holding a gun, despite Megatron's emphasis on "No shooting" mere seconds ago. Blackarachnia probably remembers this in the next scene involving her, as her gun is nowhere to be seen then.

===Continuity errors===
*How exactly Megatron managed to reach the truce location is a bit sketchy. Optimus was only able to reach it by flight, and yet there were no other minions to carry Megatron up to such a high location, yet towards the end of the conversation, he simply turns to walk away... must have been a hard fall down.

===Continuity notes===
* When Megatron checks the location of the Alien Disk, we see a very brief map of the planet. It matches similar views we've [[Chain of Command (BW)|seen before]], featuring Earth-like continents that aren't quite in the same places that they are on present-day Earth. The map indicates the alien structure to be located on the west coast of North America, which means that Tigatron had a hell of a long way to walk to get there and back from the apparently Africa-located Maximal and Predacon bases.
* Rattrap makes mention about having to infiltrate the Predacon base "again", referring to his earlier infiltration in "[[Double Jeopardy]]".
* While discussing the aliens, Cheetor looks at a hologram that alternates between the [[Standing Stones]] and the [[Brigadoon|floating island]], with the latter's destruction also mentioned by Tigatron at the end of the episode.
*In ''[[A Better Mousetrap]]'', Optimus Primal snuck up on Waspinator much the same way he did to Inferno in this episode, including announcing himself by tapping the Predacon on the head and waving.
* The Alien Disk sure looks like the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] which we saw way back in the [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|first episode]] and haven't seen since, doesn't it? The similarity of design has never been explained.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Tarantulas can deploy a microphone from his helmet that allows him to mimic Megatron's voice.
** The golden sphere in the center of Tarantulas' forehead can detach and be thrown as a smoke bomb. This might be a reference to his original bio, where he was described as a ninja.
** Tigatron can pop out a cable from the left side of his hip, which he can use to hack terminals.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron is talking to Inferno in his room, there is a Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] head on his shelf, with an expression of pure horror. Either it's a reference to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s treachery in [[Possession|a previous episode]], or Megatron has some weird taste in ornaments.
*There's also a replica of [[Megatron (G1)|Generation 1 Megatron's]] [[fusion cannon]] on the shelf below the head.

===Real-world references===
[[File:Scorponok-beforethestorm.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|But where's the heart banging out through his chest?]]
*On the shelf in Megatron's room (aside from the Seeker head and a picture of himself in his pre-Beast Wars body), there is a Transformer sized trophy and bowling pin. He must have been good at that non-sport before he traded his hand for another head.
* Megatron's system provides him with a "Code A T T alert"; later when accessing the transwarp cell's programming, Megatron uses code "A T T override". Both are shout-outs to the Usenet newsgroup [[alt.toys.transformers]].
* As Megatron's screen unfolds, a rapid-fire sequence of images includes photographs of a NASA Space Shuttle lifting off, the Houses of Parliment in London, a oceanside sunset, a guy in a stocking cap, and several mountain ranges.
* Megatron mused that "There is a storm coming. A storm of such power, such magnitude, it is beyond imagination!" "Beyond Imagination" was at the time the website of James Hooks, a fan who'd had close contact with the series writers. His site took its name from a tagline for [[The Transformers: The Movie|the original movie]].
* The entire escape sequence contains a great deal of {{w|Looney Tunes}}-style sight gags. Scorponok's facial features contort wildly just before he collides with Terrorsaur; Blackarachnia and Tarantulas are squashed by an improbably fast rock; Terrorsaur flies into a sheet of metal, leaving a full-body impression; and Inferno comes to a dead halt in mid-air before realizing that his flight systems are disabled and that he's required to fall. A tiny poof of dust accompanies his impact on the ground far below.

===Trivia===
*Bob Forward has said this was originally planned to be part of a 4-part "Other Voices" but the plans were changed at the last minute—"Apparently anything more than a two-parter is too hard to schedule. Before The Storm had to be made into a stand-alone ep."<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/bc8e54e9165e0823?hl=en&&q=%22before+the+storm%22 Bob Forward interview on alt.toys.transformers]</ref>
** Despite the "stand-alone" claim, this episode is the most continuity heavy so far. It advances the aliens mystery, showing Megatron moving towards long-term plans of conquest rather than single-episode "destroy the Maximals" schemes, and makes several other references to prior episodes. Tigatron's declaration that the aliens are on their way and Tarantulas's determination to leave the planet all lead into the season finale. The episode even opens with a shot prominently showing the two moons, just for an extra bit of foreshadowing.
* This is the first time Inferno is seen referring to Megatron as his "Queen", which would become an occasional recurring gag throughout the rest of the series.
* The idea Maximals and Predacons have of "truce" is rather odd. Instead of meaning a full end of hostilities, it seems to be a rather literal-minded interpretation of a "cease-fire", merely prohibiting the use of guns (and probably other conventional weaponry); unusual and comic violence such as boulder-throwing or use of a metal plate is still possible. Also, punching is still allowed.
*Apparently, all you have to do to hack all of [[Darksyde (BW)|the Predacon ship]]'s data is to play a virtual reality video game. The Predacons' computer virtual interface is similar to what's seen in early-to-mid 90s techno-films like ''{{w|Johnny Mnemonic (film)|Johnny Mnemonic}}''.
*Blackarachnia can be seen trapping a red poison-dart frog in her webbing when Megatron communicates with her via computer.
*Waspinator breaks the fourth wall after Tarantulas throws him the bomb, looking at the camera as he wails "oh, no!"
*In this episode specifically, Megatron's dinosaur head-arm acts as if it has a mind of its own, albeit in small ways and mostly for the sake of humor (as this doesn't happen in any other episode). Before the Predacon computer wakes him up, the dino head-arm is "awake" and looking around. Similarly, when observing Tarantulas's break-in, his dino hand is looking up at him, and he pets it affectionately, as if it was, well... a pet. Just before Airazor calls the Predacon base, he is brushing its teeth with a toothbrush. It's not clear what's going on here or how this works or even whether it's merely a bit of particularly self-indulgent self-puppetry, but clearly, Megatron has a very special relationship with his right hand (though considering that it has a ''T. rex'' mouth... ''[[Reproduction|yikes]].'')
* Standing besides each other at the episode's end is the only actual interaction Dinobot and Airazor ever have in the entire series.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le Calme Avant la Tempête'''" ("The Calm Before the Storm")

:*''Title:'' "'''Avant l'Orage'''" ("Before the Storm")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Prima della tempesta'''" ("Before the Storm")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yatsura ga Kuru!'''" (やつらが来る!, "They Come!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[March 11|11 March]] [[1998]]
::*While slumbering at the beginning of the episode, in-between loud snores, Megatron mumbles, "''Hot springs...''"
::*While brushing the teeth on his ''T. rex'' head/hand, Megatron grumbles about all the chives stuck in his teeth.
::*As he's traveling through the "virtual reality" in the Predacon computer, Tigatron passes the time by singing a tune with lyrics made from his verbal tic, "''Goza Goza Gozaruuuuuu--!''"
::*Most of the end "battle" was showcased in the [[clip show|clip movie]] "[[Clash! Beast Warriors]]".

'''Latvian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pirms vētras'''" ("Before the Storm")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Antes da Tempestade'''" ("Before the Stoem")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Antes de la Tormenta'''" ("Before the Storm")

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fēngbào Qiánxī '''" (风暴前夕, "The Momment before the Storm")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Farewell Tigatron ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 4 ([[Universal]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Predacon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 4 — The Predacons Advance! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

Brothers in Armor!!

2021-11-18T00:51:07Z

Repowers: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]'' #4
|prev=Love and Steel!
|next=
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #142–145
|prev2=Child's Play (issue)
|next2=Spacehikers!
|title="Brothers in Armor!!"
|image=MarvelHeadmasters-4.jpg
|caption=To me, Spa—errr, [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]]!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=September [[1987]]
|coverdate=January [[1988]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Frank Springer]]
|inker=[[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Jack Morelli]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''To ensure the safety of Nebulos, Galen and Lord Zarak must each make a huge sacrifice.'''

==Synopsis==
With most of their opposition incapacitated, the [[Decepticon]]s continue their conquest of [[Nebulos]]. [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]] leads an assault on the [[Mercury Gardens of Melanossus]], killing off a number of [[Autobot]] defenders and driving off the surviving [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s. Confronted by a news crew, Zarak vehemently defends his "defense" of [[Nebulos]], but, standing amid the smoking ruins of the Gardens, he has a moment of hesitation when asked if he considers the battle a victory for the planet.

The Monsterbots return the Autobot encampment, and report on the lost battle. The Autobots, under constant harassment from the Decepticons, have been forced to retreat into a dismal swamp, where they have been joined by several [[Nebulan]] dissidents. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], meanwhile, reports that he's received a distress call from Autobots on some planet called [[Earth]]. When word arrives that the Decepticons are planning a takeover of the [[Nursery (Nebulos)|Nursery]], [[Pointblank]] leads a contingent of Autobots to defend it—the same group that surrendered their weapons to the Nebulans—along with their newly bio-engineered Nebulan allies.

Held captive alongside his fellow Autobot Headmaster partners, [[Galen]] finds himself awoken from stasis by [[Llyra]], who is both fascinated and revolted by the changes wrought in the man she loves. Zarak arrives as Llyra leaves, and taunts Galen with his victories and new power. Galen asserts that Zarak is becoming blinded by battlelust, which Zarak denies... just before running off to assault the Autobots at the Nursery.

[[File:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|GUNS]]
The Autobots arrive at the Nursery, and are introduced to the facility's role in developing food and plants for the planet's population. Just then, [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] burst out of the trees and attack the seemingly weaponless Autobots. The Autobots have a new trick up their sleeves, though; the six Nebulans transform into their new weapons, and the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s unleash a devastating attack on the Decepticons. The battle is a fair match, but the Nursery is being destroyed, so Pointblank orders a retreat. Zarak rails at his retreating enemies, vowing that he will destroy them and thus save Nebulos...just like he "saved" the now-ruined Nursery. Suddenly it all becomes clear...

Back at [[Koraja]], [[Vorath]] has duplicated the Targetmaster process, creating a group of five Decepticon Targetmasters. Zarak doesn't really care; he storms straight to Galen, awakens him again, and tries to explain: Scorponok is ''changing'' him, rewriting his mind, making him ''do'' things. Zarak says he'll see Galen on the next world—Earth—and sets him and his allies free. The five Autobot Headmasters waste no time in rejoining their bodies and bashing their way to freedom. After a skirmish with the Decepticon Targetmasters, they flee.

Rejoining his allies in the swamp base, Galen explains that Zarak knew that if the Autobots leave Nebulos, the Decepticons will follow, and his world might yet be saved. The Autobots agree to this idea, and prepare to abandon the planet, heading for Earth to answer the distress call. Llyra arrives just then; having witnessed her father in the most recent battle, she has come to doubt all that he has told her about Galen and his supposed war-like nature, and seeks reconciliation. Knowing he cannot leave Nebulos while she still loves him, Galen blows her off, and she leaves in tears. The Autobots depart and the Decepticons soon follow, leaving a war-torn Nebulos to rebuild once the Transformers have left.

{{Note|This story is continued in "[[Trial by Fire!]]".}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Doublecross]] (2)
*[[Grotusque]] (4)
*[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (6)
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (18)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (19)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (20)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (21)
*[[Pointblank]] (22)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (29)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] (49)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (50)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (51)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (52)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (53)
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (1)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (3)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (4)
*[[Apeface]] (5)
*[[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] (7)
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (14)
*[[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] (15)
*[[Flywheels]] (16)
*[[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (34)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (35)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (36)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] (37)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (38)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (40)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (41)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (42)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (43)
}}
|h3=[[Nebulan]]s|c3=
{{collist|2|
*[[Spasma]] (8)
*[[Vorath]] (9)
*[[Krunk]] (10)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (11)
*[[Monzo]] (12)
*[[Galen]] (13)
*[[Llyra]] (17)
*[[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]] (24)
*[[Peacemaker]] (23)
*[[Firebolt (G1)|Sparks]] (25)
*[[Recoil (G1)|Recoil]] (26)
*[[Haywire]] (27)
*[[Spoilsport]] (28)
*[[Duros]] (30)
*[[Gort]] (31)
*[[Arcana]] (32)
*[[Stylor]] (33)
*[[Selani]] (39)
*[[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]] (44)
*[[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]] (45)
*[[Fracas]] (46)
*[[Aimless]] (47)
*[[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] (48)
}}
}}

==Quotes==
'''Nebulan News Network reporter:''' "And do you consider today's battle a victory for you...and for Nebulos?"<br>
'''''Zarak''' surveys the wreckage of the [[Mercury Gardens of Melanossus|Mercury Gardens]], pauses.'' <br>
"Yes."

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Instead of firing generic beams of light like in most of the series, the Targetmasters' weapon-fire was actually drawn like the individual weapons their [[bio]]s attribute to them. Kup's "old-style musket laser" even gives off a puff of gunsmoke... while firing laser beams.
*Cover — Kup is two shades of orange, and Rippersnapper is gray with green limbs and weapons. Cutthroat is all yellow with a few brown highlights.
*Page 1 — Scorponok says, "Snapdragon, Mindwipe, Apeface F -assume headmaster mode!"
*Page 3 — First panel: Spasma's dialog is attributed to Zarak/Scorponok; Spasma addresses Krunk as Vorath; Monzo addresses Grax as Krunk; and Zarak addresses Vorath as Grax. Got that? Good, there'll be a quiz tomorrow.
*Page 5 — Third panel: unsurprisingly, the nigh-identical Targetmaster Nebulans cause quite a few art/dialog mixups:
** The speech balloon placement makes it unclear who is who when "Sparks" and Pinpointer are introduced.
** From left to right...
** Spoilsport is drawn, but introduced as either "Sparks" or Pinpointer.
** Pinpointer -- in the foreground -- is colored gray instead of red.
** Firebolt (aka "Sparks") is drawn, and colored in red/gray rather than black/gray, but introduced as Recoil.
** Haywire, shockingly, is completely on-model.
** Recoil is drawn, but introduced as Spoilsport.
*Page 10 - Last panel: the Targetmaster Nebulan shown is the Decepticon-allied Blowpipe, in Peacemaker/Pinpointer red and gray.
*Page 14 — As the Autobots retreat, a vaguely [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]-like vehicle is drawn instead of Hot Rod.
[[File:Zarak-fleshhelmet.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|He swallowed a helmet! He swallowed a helmet!!]]
*Page 14 — Zarak's head is drawn and colored as a bizarre melding of flesh and metal; he has a squared-off nose and mechanical mouth, both flesh-colored, with a metal-colored chin attached.
*Page 16 — Eighth panel: Gort's suit is once again drawn as Chromedome's body.
*Page 17 — This time it's Highbrow who's on steroids, taller and more massive than the other four Headmasters, including Fortress Maximus.
*Page 18 — Second and third panels: And again, Fortress Maximus is drawn with Cerebros' head.
*Page 21 — Second panel: Pointblank is missing his head.
*Page 22 — First panel: As the Autobots leave and reboard their ship that is in orbit around Nebulos, several of the non-flying Autobots are given a friendly ride by Decepticons (Slugslinger, Misfire, Triggerhappy).
*Page 22 — The Decepticon ship is written as having been parked in orbit like the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'', but Springer draws it as if it launches from the ground, complete with launching pad. (Consequently, this confused later artist [[José Delbo]], and thus the ship is drawn in its second appearance in "[[Trial by Fire!]]" with its launching platform attached to it.)

===Continuity errors===
*TBD

===Continuity notes===
*In Fortress Maximus's absence, command of the group seems to have fallen to Pointblank, though it's not explicitly stated.
*The message Hot Rod receives on page 6 was sent by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] in US issue [[Toy Soldiers!|#37]].

===Real-life references===
*TBD

===UK printing===
'''Issue #142'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Robo-Capers]]''
*In ''[[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Grim Grams]]'', [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] attempts to clear up the confusing timeline between the main UK series and the ''Headmasters'' backup stories and that those accursed mistake-prone [[Stubbie]]s also infected the producers of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

'''Issue #143'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Spacehikers!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
*In ''Grim Grams'', Grimlock discusses plot points in the UK annuals while expressing his dislike for a [[Beast (G1)|Dinobot combiner]], and shoots down a letter supposedly from [[Stylor]] to correct a typo which rendered [[Gort]] as Grot, saying he prefers the way Grot sounds.

'''Issue #144'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "Spacehikers!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
*In ''Grim Grams'', Grimlock kindly corrects the spelling mistakes caused by some poor Mum's typewriter, attempts to explain some of the [[Stubbie]]s' mistakes in the ''Headmasters'' back-up stories, and again expresses his extreme distaste for the idea of a Dinobot combiner.

'''Issue #145'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Stargazing]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
*Grimlock shows up in a Father Christmas costume, opening a letter with his [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]] in ''Grim Grams''.
*A spot-the-difference competition (based on a panel from "[[Distant Thunder!]]") offered 40 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of [[Tempo Video|MSD/Tempo Video]]'s newest release, featuring "[[Heavy Metal War]]s" and "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]".

===Other trivia===
*''Two'' exclamation points. Because it's ''that'' exciting.
*For the UK printing, the title was modified to the UK spelling of "Armour". Sadly, during the process, it lost one of its exclamation points, making the UK version considerably duller.

===Changes in the IDW ''Classic Transformers'' reprint===
*Page 5, panel 3 - Recoil is colored correctly and Spoilsport now has pink arms and goggles.
*Page 7 - Vorath's red limbs are corrected to purple
*Page 8 - Krunk's purple limbs are corrected to red
*Page 16 - Stylor and Gort's swapped colors are corrected

===Covers (5)===
*'''''Headmasters'' #4 cover:''' Targetmasters Hot Rod and a golden Kup, by [[Frank Springer]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #142 cover:''' [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] whipping [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] with a train, by [[Dan Reed]] and [[Robin Bouttell]].
*'''UK issue #143 cover:''' a giant claw about to grab [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], by [[Martin Griffiths]].
*'''UK issue #144 cover:''' [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] leaping/falling feet first from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], by [[Barry Kitson]].
*'''UK issue #145 cover:''' [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] hates [[Christmas]], by [[Barry Kitson]] and [[Robin Bouttell]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelHeadmasters-4.jpg|'''''Headmasters'' #4'''
File:MarvelUK-142.jpg|'''UK issue #142'''
File:MarvelUK-143.jpg|'''UK issue #143'''
File:MarvelUK-144.jpg|'''UK issue #144'''
File:MarvelUK-145.jpg|'''UK issue #145'''
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
*[[M&M's]] Quartz Watch - inside front cover
*Tang Soccer Team - between pages 4 & 5
*MPC Model Kits - between pages 5 & 6
*''The Official Marvel Try-Out Book'' - between pages 9 & 10
*Konami NES video games - between pages 12 & 13 (2 pages)
*Direct Comics and Games - between pages 15 & 16
*Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 19 & 20
*Mile High Comics - between pages 19 & 20
*Marvel Super Mart - between pages 20 & 21
*''The Star Brand'' #1
*Marvel subscription service
*TSR ''Top Secret/S.I.'' RPG - inside back cover
*TSR ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms'' (back cover)

====UK====
????

===Reprints===
<small>Other than reprints of the [[The Transformers: Headmasters#Collections|full miniseries]]:</small>
* N/A

[[Category:Headmasters issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Hot Rod (G1)/toys

2021-11-05T23:30:18Z

Repowers: /* The Transformers */ there's literally nothing at all that looks like Hot Rod in any way on that page.

{{suite}}
[[File:G1-HotRod-boxart.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Since 1986, kids stopped buying Transformers toys because of him.]]
'''[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]''' is a bot of many toys!

==''The Transformers''==
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1toy hot rod.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is totally what cars will look like in the far-flung future of 2005.]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Autobot Car, 1986)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''C-78'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 Photon Lasers

: Hot Rod transforms into a red, orange, and yellow futuristic race car. He is armed with two "Photon Laser" weapons, each with their own distinct sculpt, which fit in both his fists; only one gun can be equipped in vehicle mode, in the port in his engine block. Upon his original release, Hot Rod had unpainted [[die-cast]] metal feet, while later editions of the figure used black plastic.

: Hot Rod was one of the first toys designed specifically for the ''Transformers'' toyline, as opposed to being an imported pre-existing toy. In further contrast to the common design process for ''Transformers'' toys, he (like most of the cast of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'') was created for animation first, and had his toy created based on [[Floro Dery]]'s designs (though said animation designs would be further modified after the toy was completed). Before final production, Hot Rod was originally cast in a [[:File:G1catalog86-PinkHotRod.jpg|pinker plastic]] to match the color of his animation model (as seen in catalogs at the time, and the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] [[commercial]]), but oddly, he was changed to a less [[Show-accuracy|animation-accurate]] red before release. This change evidently came too late to modify the factory-applied [[sticker]]s the toy bears: the small decals on either side of Hot Rod's vehicle mode feature a pink background that would have matched the toy's original color scheme. In another, even more baffling change, an extra plastic tab was added to Hot Rod's legs before final production to keep them from fully extending and revealing his sculpted knee detail.

:Hot Rod has been retooled, reissued, and redecoed several times down the years; this article strives to list each distinct edition of the figure under its own heading.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/HotRod/hotrod.htm More information on Hot Rod at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|G1RodimusPrime}}
[[File:G1 RodimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|As you're enjoying your retirement in 2006, tour the country in ''this!'']]
*'''Rodimus Prime''' (Autobot Hero, 1986)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''C-77'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/[[Mobile Defense Bay]], Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields (left & right)

: Rodimus Prime was designed in much the same way as Hot Rod, albeit with much less articulation. Rodimus transforms from a robot and [[Mobile Defense Bay]] into a <s>space winnebago</s> futuristic truck. The toy comes with a "Photon eliminator" rifle and two blast shields to attach to either side of his battle platform's cannon. (The yellow spoiler was also to be removed and replaced during transformation.) Like Hot Rod, there are materials variations; initial releases have metal toes and rubber tires, while later shipments replaced both with black plastic.

: This mold was later redecoed as a lucky draw prize [[Primus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/RodimusPrime/rodimusprime.htm More information on Rodimus Prime at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|Targetmaster}}
[[File:G1 TMHotRod toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In 2007, hood-cannons will become a standard feature.]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**Accessories: Firebolt Targetmaster partner

: Hot Rod was re-released with his new [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] partner [[Firebolt (G1)#Generation 1 2|Firebolt]] a year after the original release. The toy was [[retool]]ed to have larger pegholes in his fists and his engine block so the Targetmaster gun would fit. As the original large stickers applied to Hot Rod's thighs were frequently scraped away by the friction of moving his legs up and down during transformation, the Targetmaster version sported smaller decals that avoided this problem. Unlike the original figure, Targetmaster Hot Rod only ever featured black plastic feet. Amusingly enough, Targetmaster Hot Rod's "Firepower" stat is 7, which is actually lower than regular Hot Rod's firepower stat of 10.

: Targetmaster Hot Rod's packaging originally contained the [[quality control|erroneous]] blurb "Firebolt transforms into ''[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]]'s'' weapon!"<ref name="tmerrorbox">[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/ToysTMHotRodMISB.html Targetmaster Hot Rod MISB] at Super Toy Archive.</ref> This was fixed by a [[variant|running change]] in two steps: First Misfire's name was covered with a sticker that contained the correct name "Hot Rod"; later shipments then came in boxes that had the correct name printed on them.<ref name="hartman">[http://tfsource.com/blog/collector-interview-30-karl-hartman/ "Collector Interview 30 – Karl Hartman"] at the TFSource blog.</ref>

: Not originally released in Japan, the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod was later reissued by Takara as part of their ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' series in 2004 (see below).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/HotRod/hotrod.htm More information on Targetmaster Hot Rod at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|2000rerelease}}
[[File:G1toy takara 2001 hotrod reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2000)
**''ID number:'' '''C-78'''
**Accessories: 2 Photon Lasers

:The original Hot Rod toy was reissued by Takara in later December 2000, as part of a small line of reissues that celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the ''Transformers'' toyline in Japan. The figure was retro-retooled from the Targetmaster version of the toy to fill the enlarged holes back in so that they could once again snugly accommodate his Photon Lasers. This version of the figure also reinstates the die-cast metal feet of its earliest release, and finally recolors the stickers on either side of the vehicle mode so that they now feature an accurate red background to match to the rest of the figure. The toy's packaging featured a metallic golden sticker advertising the anniversary.

:This version of the Hot Rod mold was also used to create the simultaneously-available exclusives "Crystal Rodimus" (see below) and the evil clone, [[Dark Hot Rod|Black Rodimus]].

{{-}}{{anchor|Crystal Rodimus}}
[[File:G1toy crystal rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Crystal Rodimus''' (Autobot Car, 2001)
**''ID number:'' '''C-78C'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 Photon Lasers

: "Crystal Rodimus" uses the reissue Hot Rod mold, but cast almost entirely in translucent plastics. Limited to 1500 pieces and packaged in a monochrome blue version of Hot Rod's normal packaging, Crystal Rodimus was only available at Tokyo Toy Festival, with the joint purchase of the evil clone [[Dark Hot Rod|Black Rodimus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/HotRodClear/hotrod.htm More information on Crystal Rodimus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|2001Convoyreissue}}
[[File:G1toy takara rodimus prime reissue.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (2001)
**''ID number:'' '''C-77'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Mobile Defense Bay, Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields (left & right)

:The original Rodimus Prime toy was reissued by Takara in mid-December 2001. It featured no notable changes from the original Generation 1 release of the figure, but it did reinstate the rubber tires and metal feet that were phased out of the original toy's production run.
{{-}}

===''Transform Jr''===
[[File:Tfjr rodimus prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|By the far-off year of 2006, the Cybertronians will have perfected the art of converting living metal to cardboard.]]
*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (1986)
**''ID number:'' '''C-77'''
**''Accessories:'' Photon eliminator, cardboard trailer

:''[[Transform Jr]]'' Rodimus Prime is a downsized version of the standard toy, far less simplified than most figures in the ''Jr'' line (on account of how simple the regular toy is in the first place). Made of only red and yellow plastic, he is armed with his Photon Eliminator, and comes with a non-transforming version of his trailer made partially out of cardboard. He also came packaged with a small die-cast metal figurine of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].

::*''[http://www.vega.or.jp/~butto/tftcollejr-03.htm More information on Transform Jr Rodimus Convoy at Butto's Transformers Collection.]
{{-}}

===''Return of Convoy''===
{{anchor|ROC}}[[File:Hotrodmicromaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|2011: The year the Shriners will take over the automotive industry.]]
*'''Star Convoy w/ Hot Rodimus''' (Autobot, 1991/2005)
**''ID number:'' '''C-372'''

: Available only with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Star Convoy]], Hot Rod's [[Micromaster]] form is a simplified version of his original toy, transforming into the same futuristic race car. Like all Micromasters, he features a notch in the base of his feet that allows him to peg inside Star Convoy's chest and stand on his base mode's rotating turret.

:In 2005, Star Convoy was re-released with several deco changes; in Hot Rod's case, his stickers were replaced with [[paint operation|paint applications]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/HotRodimus/hotrodimus.htm More information on ''Return of Convoy'' Hot Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Choro-Q''==
[[File:Choro Q Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The average car of 2022 will have expanded to fit the average American driver.]]
*'''Rodimus Convoy TV Version''' (2001)
**''ID number:'' '''Q/05'''
**''Accessories:'' Photon Eliminator rifle

: Transforming super deformed version of Rodimus Convoy containing a pull back motor. He came with a small version of his Photon Eliminator rifle that can be held in his hand or attached to the top of the truck when in [[Choro-Q]] (vehicle) mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Cybertron/ChoroQRodimus/rodimusconvoy.htm More information on Rodimus Convoy TV Version at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|metallic}}
*'''Rodimus Convoy Metallic Version''' (2001)
**''ID number:'' '''Q/06'''
**''Accessories:'' Photon Eliminator rifle

: This metallic version featured metallic flake paint for the body and gold paint for the wings on Rodimus's back. Otherwise, the toy is the same.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Cybertron/ChoroQRodimusMetallic/rodimusconvoy.htm More information on Rodimus Convoy Metallic Version at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Commemorative Series''==
[[File:Commemorative series rodimus toys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Rodimus Major''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' 2 Photon Lasers

:Hasbro's first reissue of the Hot Rod toy used the re-modified mold from Takara's 2001 edition, with smaller peg-holes for his Photon Lasers, and die-cast metal feet. As part of the first wave of "[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]" figures, Hot Rod had to undergo a name change due to Hasbro's inability to trademark his old name, but the "Major" suffix failed to stick and was only ever used on this edition of the toy.
:This version of the mold removes the pins in his arms and instead the arms stay in via very small pegs. This is likely due to the part being prone to breakage. Subsequent uses of this mold also shared this retool.

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (2004, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Mobile Defense Bay, Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields (left & right)

:Part of the seventh wave of the Commemorative Series, Hasbro's reissue of Rodimus Prime was identical to Takara's 2001 reissue of the figure, featuring metal feet and rubber tires, and no other notable changes from the original figure. The toy did, however, feature an [[misassembly|assembly error]] that saw a portion of the chest being assembled backwards.

:The figure later saw a re-release in Hasbro's Asian markets in 2012, with no known changes to the figure itself and some minor changes to the packaging, such as the addition of a black "choking hazard" warning label.
{{--}}

==''The Transformers Collection''==
[[File:Tfc hot rod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2004)
**''ID number:'' '''13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 Photon Lasers, Firebolt Targetmaster partner

:This reissue of Hot Rod followed the trend begun by earlier reissues of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], and offered the most "complete" version of the toy available by including all the accessories that had come with the different releases of the figure through the years. His peg holes were modified for the third time, enlarged once again to accommodate [[Firebolt (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Firebolt]], and his Photon Lasers' pegs were similarly widened to fit comfortably in the newly-sized ports. Additionally, this version of Hot Rod replaced the factory-applied stickers on his chest and sides with [[tampograph]]s, completely redesigning the flame design on the latter decals. His chest decoration was modified to resemble the cartoon coloration more accurately. Unfortunately, this release features the original "C-78" sticker sheet again, with the larger thigh decals that get easily damaged during transformation.

:This set included a [[Tech Spec]] card that retroactively gave the Targetmaster version of Hot Rod the (previously unused) [[List of Japanese ID numbers|Japanese ID number]] "C-110", as the toy had never been released in Japan before this point.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/reissue/TMhotrod_template.html More information on Transformers Collection Targetmaster Hot Rod at TF-1.com]
{{--}}

==''Smallest Transforming Transformers''==
[[File:Wstf hot rod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2004/2006)
**''Accessories:'' 2 Photon Lasers

:Initially intended for release in the cancelled third wave of Takara's ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' line of diminutive ''Transformers'' figures, Hot Rod eventually saw the light of day as the 1-in-24 "[[chase figure]]" in wave "2.5" of the series, which was already of comparatively limited availability. He came with tiny versions of his original Photon Lasers (which were attached to a plastic sprue and had to be removed by the buyer), and was [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] like all ''Smallest Transforming'' figures.

:Hot Rod was later made available again as a [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive in 2006, in a unique monochrome red box, available only with purchase of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|''Hybrid Style'' Optimus Prime]].

::*''[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/smallest-transformers/hot-rod/1704/ More information on Smallest Transforming Hot Rodimus at Seibertron.com]''
{{--}}

==''Classics''==
{{anchor|Classics (2006)}}
[[File:Rodimusclassics.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And in 2026, the future predicted in 1978 will finally come to pass. Perfect for a road trip to Sanctuary!]]
*'''Rodimus''' (Deluxe, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

: ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Rodimus is a sleeker, more streamlined version of the original, now transforming into a hot-rodded (see what we did there?) {{w|Dome Zero}}. His rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode, launching a spring-loaded missile, or can remain attached to his back to become some kind of [[jet pack]]. His left arm also hides a flip-out "comm unit" that is clearly supposed to be the buzzsaw he used for a brief period in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the Movie]]. As with all ''Classics'' toys, Rodimus has a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]]. Unfortunately, the hands are not 5mm-compatible, as they're only compatible for the missile launcher's handle.

: In a twist of delicious buttery fandom irony, ''Classics'' Rodimus has elements that were introduced in [[Rodimus (Energon)|''Energon'' Rodimus]], making him a somewhat backwards-[[homage]]. His face also appears to take visual cues from how he was drawn by [[Derek Yaniger]] in the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic book]].

: Very early specimens of Rodimus came with short stubs on his forearms that don't really connect at all to the hip panels, resulting in a somewhat unstable vehicle mode. The stubs can also be seen on the official Hasbro [[stock photography|stock photos]] for the figure.<ref name="classicstock">[http://www.transformersclassics.com/gallery/Hasbro-Photo-Archive/rodimus_robot Hasbro stock photo for ''Classics'' Rodimus], depicting the short stubs on his forearms that were soon retooled into larger pegs.</ref> This was quickly amended by a [[variant|running change]] that saw the stubs enlarged into actual pegs that connect much more securely to the hip panels. (Some reports also indicate the existence of "transitional" versions with a stub on one arm and a full peg on the other.)

: The modified pegs were used for every subsequent use of the sculpt, which include the evil ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]], ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]'' [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], and ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]. This mold also served as the basis of the non-toy ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' incarnation of [[Nitrostreak#Beast Wars: Uprising|Nitrostreak]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on ''Classics'' Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}
{{--}}

==''Titanium Series''==
[[File:TitaniumHeroRodimus toy.jpg|295px|thumb|Winnebago... ''of the '''future'''!!!'']]
*'''Rodimus Prime''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Photon Eliminator rifle

: ''Titanium Cybertron Heroes'' Rodimus Prime is a mostly die-cast metal transforming toy based loosely upon the original ''Generation 1'' Rodimus Prime toy. He features much greater articulation and bulkier body proportions. Unfortunately, his transformation results in an incredibly awkward posture, forcing his upper body far ahead of his lower half. His die-cast construction also results in a great deal of paint-chipping, even when delicately handled.

: Unlike the original toy which separated into a robot and a battle station, the entire vehicle mode of the 6-inch ''Titanium'' version transforms into the robot mode. As with ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Rodimus, ''Titanium'' Rodimus Prime takes some visual cues from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' version of the character in addition to the original toy and the animation model... ''and'' the actual ''Classics'' Rodimus toy, such as the engine-block dickie.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''Titanium'' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitRodimusPrime/rodimus.htm More information on Titanium Rodimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Kiss Players''==
[[File:KPHotRodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The fishing rod turns into arm blasters. The girl eats dumplings.]]
*'''Hot Rodimus X SyaoSyao''' (2006)
**''Accessories:'' Engine/tonfa weapons, fishing rod/Exhaust Eliminator, ShaoShao Li figurine with steamer

: ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' Hot Rodimus is a retool and redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Mirage (G1)/toys|Mirage]] toy, transforming into a red Ford GT. His engine becomes a pair of pistols that double as tonfa weapons, and his fishing rod can be taken apart and reassembled to create a triple-barreled arm-mounted blaster reminiscent of the original Hot Rod's exhaust pipe weapons. His new head sculpt includes a retractable visor patterned after the one used in the movie.

:The toy also included a PVC figurine of the character's "Kiss Player" partner [[Shaoshao Li]] and a bamboo dumpling steamer, as well as a CD including episodes 11-20 of the [[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|''Kiss Players'' radio drama]] and the exclusive 10-minute audio adventure, "A Big Catch Tonight?!".

:For a short time, Takara had contemplated releasing a Hot Rodimus (Hot Rod) toy as the next ''Binaltech'' release after [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]], but that plan became obsolete when Takara decided to cancel the Binaltech line as a mass retail line altogether. Instead, Hot Rodimus also ended up as part of the ''Kiss Players'' line, after "Ginrai" had previously become Kiss Players [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/AltRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on Kiss Players Hot Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Alternators''==
{{anchor|alternator}}[[File:Alternators Rodimus toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He wants to go fishing too...]]
*'''Rodimus''' (2007)
**''ID number:'' '''27'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/tonfa weapons

: ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' Rodimus is an exclusive figure, released at the [[San Diego Comic-Con]] and [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] in July 2007. It is a repaint of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus, which itself is a retool of Alternators [[Mirage (G1)/toys|Mirage]]. The figure uses the same head mold introduced in the Kiss Players figure, retaining the original's visor gimmick. The deco has been altered by changing the side striping from white to yellow, while the stripes over the hood, roof and trunk have been eliminated altogether, replaced by a Hot Rod-style flame graphic on the hood and front guards. The car mode parts remain bare plastic rather than painted over in red paint like the Kiss Players verison. Most of the Kiss Player deco remains in robot mode, including the yellow hands and flame graphics on the forearms; however, the license plates (located at the knees in robot mode) have been changed to read "TOO HOT".

:Rodimus's weapons are the dual pistols/tonfa seen with both Mirage and Hot Rodimus, however his Kiss Player counterpart's fishing rod/eliminator and dumpling steamer weapons were not included in the Alternators release. They left [[Shaoshao Li|the girl]] out too.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/AltRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on ''Alternators'' Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Henkei! Henkei!''==
[[File:TF-Henkei-C-05-Hot-Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"They dipped my headlights in chrome. Now I don't drive at night." ''(Original release pictured)'']]
[[File:TF-Henkei-C-05-Hot-Rodimus-(Reissue).jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''(Re-release version pictured)'']]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (Deluxe, 2008-[[June 26|06-26]])
**''ID number:'' '''C-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

: In 2008, ''Classics'' Rodimus was released in Japan as part of the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' line by [[TakaraTomy]]. Now called Hot Rodimus, he features several significant deco differences, such as a large orange and yellow flame tampograph on his hood to better resemble the ''Generation 1'' cartoon model's appearance. The other flame tampographs have also been redesigned, his forehead crest is a more subtle colour to distance itself from the ''Energon'' Rodimus homage Hasbro introduced. The only other addition in terms of deco is orange paint on the cuffs of his lower arms. Curiously eschewing the slavish accuracy to the original cartoon's animation models that shaped the coloration of most other ''Henkei! Henkei!'' figures, Hot Rodimus is ''not'' rendered in Hot Rod's classic magenta cartoon color scheme, featuring instead a shade of red that is even darker than that used by the ''Classics'' version, as well as a lighter shade of orange. The clear violet on the ''Classics'' version is clear blue on the Hot Rodimus. All ''Henkei! Henkei!'' toys feature a somewhat randomly [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] part somewhere upon them, his headlights are chrome gold paint with clear orange painted on, while his entire spoiler is vacuum-metallized gold.

: A re-release of the figure in the Fall of 2011 had the chrome orange headlights replaced with plated gold.
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}
{{--}}

==''Universe'' (2008)==
{{anchor|Classic Series}}{{anchor|2008legend}}
[[File:TF-Universe-(2008)-Legends-Class-Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He's a Hot Rod without a hot rod.]]
*'''Rodimus''' (Legends Class, 2008)
**''Series'': '''Classic Series'''

: Legends Class Rodimus transforms into a generic sports car with a giant spoiler. This toy's design was the basis for Hot Rod's look in the "[[Wings of Honor]]" comic book.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Smokescreen (Movie)|Smokescreen]] and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Rodimus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFURodimus/rodimus.htm More information on ''Universe'' Rodimus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|ChallengeAtCybertron}}{{anchor|G1 Series}}
[[File:Universe2008toy-ChallengeatCybertronRodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|HasTak: pretending Hot Rod was red and not magenta in the movie since 1986.]]
*'''Challenge at Cybertron''' (Deluxe Class figure 3-pack, 2010)
**''Series'': '''G1 Series'''
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

: A redeco of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Rodimus was released in the "[[Challenge at Cybertron]]" multi-pack along with redecoes of [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#ChallengeAtCybertron|Cyclonus]] and [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#ChallengeAtCybertron|Galvatron]]. This version of Rodimus, like the ''Henkei! Henkei!'' figure, is intended to be accurate to the cartoon's colors, though it attempts the idea much more literally, to the point of having solid blue rather than translucent windows.

: The set was exclusively released in Southeast Asian markets by Hasbro Malaysia, but the included version of Rodimus was later released in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|"gold box" ''Transformers'' line]] as a two-pack with the Cyclonus from the set.
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/CACRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on Challenge at Cybertron Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Masterpiece''==
{{anchor|masterpiece}}
[[File:Takara Masterpiece Rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|You hated him when you were ten, and now you'll pay $200 to own him.]]
*'''Rodimus Convoy''' ([[January 29]], [[2011]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-9'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/[[Mobile Defense Bay]], Photon Eliminator/Photon Lasers Alpha & Beta, [[Matrix of Leadership]], buzzsaw, welding torch

:The central feature of TakaraTomy's ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' incarnation of good ol' Roddy is its ability to transform from Hot Rod to Rodimus Prime in both robot and vehicle modes. Extensions in the figure's hips give Rodimus some slight extra height over Hot Rod, while a spring-loaded pop-out second face, revealed when the figure's helmet is tilted back, gives him his older, lined features; this face is somewhat narrower than Hot Rod's, combining with a slight elevation of the back-mounted spoiler to further create the illusion of a larger figure. Contrary to expectations, creating Rodimus Prime's vehicle mode does not simply involve slotting Hot Rod's car mode into the larger trailer section; in fact, Hot Rod fits into the trailer ''backwards'', and an entirely new vehicle-front—featuring Rodimus's shorter hood and smaller canopy and lacking an exposed engine block—fips out from beneath the trailer and wraps around his rear end. Both vehicles feature opening canopies, though only Hot Rod has any sculpted interior detail of note. As with most Masterpiece figures, the toy attempts to reproduce Hot Rod's cartoon appearance as faithfully as possible; consequently, this is the first toy to actually render Hot Rod in his cartoon-accurate magenta coloration. Of course, there was no way to make the figure switch to burgundy for Rodimus mode, but in compensation, the front of the cab features the two tone coloration Rodimus Prime featured in the animation.

:As with his original toy, Rodimus Prime's trailer opens up into the Mobile Defense Bay, now through a spring-loaded transformation activated by pressing a button on the trailer's roof. Furthering his armament, the figure comes with Hot Rod's two twin Photon Lasers, which can combine and extend through a spring-loaded [[Automorph Technology|automorph-style]] process into Rodimus Prime's larger Photon Eliminator. The guns can store within his trailer, and mount on any one of six different ports in Defense Bay mode for additional firepower. Like the original Hot Rod toy, a single Photon Laser can mount in the vehicle mode's engine block. ''The Transformers: The Movie'' is the source of inspiration for the rest of his additional gadgets and features, including a built-in version of the retractable visor from the [[Lookout Mountain]] scene, (dropped over the figure's eyes by rotating the circular "ears" on its helmet), the buzzsaw he used in battle on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], and the welding torch he used to repair [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]. Both saw and torch store inside his trailer while not in use, and attach to universal clips which rotate out of his forearms. Lastly, and naturally, he also comes with a Matrix of Leadership accessory which stores within his chest, much smaller than the one included with ''Masterpiece'' Optimus Prime, to the extent that Rodimus cannot even hold it by its handles. He can, however, grip Prime's Matrix in his hands.

:Unfortunately, ''Masterpiece'' Rodimus has suffered from numerous quality control issues, which vary from figure to figure. Commonly reported problems include fragile leg panels which break off with ease, the inability of the figure to hold its guns due to shallow peg-holes which conflict with the bending angle of his hands, the springs within the figure's ankles becoming unwound, and the spoiler/backpack assembly refusing to clip into place. Mostly infamously, the slot on the trailer into which the spoiler slips is ''extremely'' narrow as a consequence of its interior being painted; as a result, paint is invariably scraped off the inside and leaves disfiguring marks on the spoiler when the figure is transformed to Rodimus Prime vehicle mode. A second production run, done shortly after Hasbro's release of the figure in a different deco ([[#HasbroMasterpiece|see below]]), amended these issues and also featured some slight changes in paint colors, although the forked chest tab not quite locking properly still seems to be an issue. Some of the second production run retain the original elbows from the first production run while the others feature the retooled elbows from the Hasbro version. The second release also features the retooled crotch plate from the Hasbro release.

:If bought in Asian countries outside of Japan, Rodimus Convoy comes with a [[collector coin]], the first of the ''Masterpiece'' figures to do so. The coin's package is a simple square shape, primarily black with flame detailing around the cutout that shows the coin inside, and "The World of Transformers" as the title on the front. The coin itself features his head and the date "2011.01" on one side, and an "MP09" flame detail on the reverse; of note, his name is given as "Rodimus Prime" rather his Japanese name. In some markets, he may also have been available with a black display case. The figure also saw re-release in China at December 2018, with the addition of the "Long Life Design" award labelled on the packaging. The said reissue also features newly-redesigned knee joints that is plagued on previous releases.

:In addition to the Hasbro version, this figure was also redecoed into [[Black Rodimus Convoy#Toys|Black Rodimus Convoy]].

{{-}}{{anchor|MasterpieceHotRodimus}}{{anchor|MP28}}
[[File:MP28-HotRodimus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.9|Masterpiece Hot Rod, fishing off the edge of collectors shelves the world over]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2016-[[February 27|02-27]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-28'''
**''Accessories:'' Buzzsaw, Visor, Fishing rod, two guns

:[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]] Hot Rodimus is an all new Hot Rod mold that does not transform into Rodimus Prime. He is the same size as the other ''Masterpiece'' Autobot cars, and because of that he fits in both [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP10|MP-10 Convoy]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#MP22|MP-22 Ultra Magnus]]'s trailers in altmode. He comes with some of the accessories the MP-9 mold also had, like the guns, the retractable visor and the buzzsaw, but he also comes with a new accessory, a fishing rod that allows you to recreate his first scene in the movie. His chest also includes a Matrix chamber where the MP-10 Matrix can be stored.

:If bought in Asian countries outside of Japan, Hot Rodimus comes with a collector coin. The coin's package is shaped like his chest, and the inside is designed after the Matrix, with the coin as the core, and features Hot Rod's "my actions speak louder than words" motto.

:Interestingly, this ''Masterpiece'' Hot Rod's transformation is ''very'' specifically based around how Hot Rod transforms during the [[Lookout Mountain]] scene of the 1986 animated film, right before the Autobot shuttle arrives. The figure replicates the sequence almost frame for frame with exceptions for the rotation of the spoiler and the placement of the rear tires due to, well, how reality works as opposed to animation.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP40}}
[[File:TF-MP40-Targetmaster-Hot-Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Targetmaster Hot Rodimus''' ([[2018]]-[[February 24|02-24]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-40'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Firebolt (G1)#MP40|Firebolt]], gun

:"Targetmaster Hot Rodimus" is a redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Hot Rodimus based on his appearance in "[[The Rebirth]]". Now, bear with us on this one; this means that he's got the outdated color scheme used by [[AKOM]] in all their episodes of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]], his shoulder vents being the same color as the rest of his arms, the dark and light areas of his helmet are inverted, the "windscreen" on his pelvis is white, and his boots are two shades of grey instead of one (because AKOM would literally translate the shadows on the character model into actual colors). '''''But''''', he's ''so'' precisely based on "The Rebirth" that he actually replicates the slightly degraded colors of the broadcast masters used for the episodes' DVD release (as opposed to the higher-quality "production masters" used for most of the rest of the series), meaning his magenta has become burgundy, and his boots are tinged red instead of plain gray, when by all rights those ''should'' just be the same colors as the previous toy. Additionally, his windshield is clear, and the Autobot symbol on his chest is larger and drawn in the cartoon style.

:Except for a red version of one of the guns, Masterpiece Hot Rodimus's accessories are not included. In their place is a Targetmaster [[Firebolt (G1)#Masterpiece|Firebolt]], a redeco of the Offshoot figure that came with the 2010 ''Transformers'' toyline Masterpiece Rodimus Prime figure, the first time this mold has been released in the Japanese market. As well as being wielded by Hot Rodimus, Firebolt can attach to the engine block in alt mode.
{{--}}
{{MPRodimusMold}}

==''Transformers'' (2010)==
[[File:TF2010toy rod vs cyc.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|We didn't feel like taking a picture of the same toy just with a rubsign, so here's the box.]]
*'''Battle in Space''' (Deluxe figure 2-pack, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher/Photon Blaster, flame missile

:This release of the ''Classics'' Rodimus is a modified version from the Asia market-exclusive "Challenge at Cybertron" 3-pack, replacing Rodimus' Autobot sigil with a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]]. The only other change from the "Challenge at Cybertron" version is the contrast between the chest flame and the orange backdrop is greater, making the flame deco stand out more. The set also comes with a similarly modified ''Universe'' Cyclonus (with [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]]) from the "Challenge at Cybertron" set, the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]] accessory from the 2002 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#NewYearConvoy|New Year Special Convoy]] reissue of Generation 1 Optimus Prime, and "[[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]", a new comic book created specifically for this set by [[IDW Publishing]]. This release of the figure has common mold degradation in the ball joints of the arms.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/RTSRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on "Battle in Space" Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Sons of Cybertron}}
[[File:2010 sons of cybertron rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Sons of Cybertron''' (2010)
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

:Released as part of [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Welcome to Transformers 2010]]'' campaign, this redeco of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Rodimus is cast in translucent plastic and features the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' release's paint applications. He is packed with a similarly translucent Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|Optimus Prime]] from the ''Classics'' "Ultimate Battle" pack and [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Special Edition.

:This ''Classics''/''Henkei''-based Sons of Cybertron set is a counterpart to TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' Sons of Cybertron set, which also features translucent versions of ''Animated'' Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus]].

:The ''Classics''/''Henkei'' Sons of Cybertron set was intended for the Japanese Chara Hobby 2010 festival, but was also initially offered as a raffle prize at the Cybertron Philippines, Toy Kingdom and SM Makati and [[Hasbro]]-partnered Autobot Alliance/Cybertron Con event that launched the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'', [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] and [[Power Core Combiners]] toylines in the Philippines.,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/sons-of-cybertron-crystal-classics-optimus-prime-and-rodimus-set-images-169977/ TFW2005.com reports on the Philippines Autobot Alliance/Cybertron Con event. June 18, 2010]</ref> and was available for purchase at the [[Cybertron Con 2010]] [[Shanghai]] convention as well as various online toy retailers.

{{-}}{{anchor|HasbroMasterpiece}}
[[File:TF2010toy masterpiece rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|They labeled me as "Rodimus Prime", but [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|I don't have the trailer]]?]]
*'''Masterpiece Rodimus Prime''' (2011)
**''Accessories:'' Photon Eliminator/Photon Lasers Alpha & Beta, small [[Matrix of Leadership]], large Matrix of Leadership, buzzsaw, welding torch, Offshoot

:The Hasbro version of ''Masterpiece'' Rodimus Prime is a Toys"R"Us exclusive. Redecoed from the Takara version to appear more like the original toy, this version omits the trailer preventing him from transforming into Rodimus Prime's futuristic truck mode. He does however include [[Firebolt (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Offshoot]], a Targetmaster figure, as well as all the other accessories from the Takara release.

:Every plastic color is changed and many painted details are added, changed, and downright omitted from the TakaraTomy version in an effort to make him appear more toy accurate. The light gray plastic is a more metallic darker gray, the magenta is now maroon, the orange is a darker shade, and the clear blue window is a darker blue. Other changes include the hip joints and rear end, which are now black instead of magenta, the boots, which are now maroon instead of gray, and the feet, which are now black (to mimic the plastic toe variation rather than the metal toe variation from the original figure). His accessories have also changed in plastic color, with his welding tool now being maroon instead of gray, his buzz saw being smoky transparent blue instead of smoky colorless transparent plastic, and the Photon Lasers being cast in a different color. Notable paint omissions include the arm cuffs, collar, brake-lights, headlights, and the rear exhaust. His head also lacks the cartoon specific coloration, instead leaving it mostly unpainted like the original figure. Paint operation differences include the fins of the spoiler being a more subdued glossy yellow and the flame detail on his chest being a new pattern (different from the TakaraTomy version). His paint additions include the waist, which is entirely painted over rather than letting some of the transparency show through, and the center portion of the spoiler, which is now painted over yellow instead of unpainted orange plastic. His Autobot symbol is a different size and without any additional outline color, and his Photon Lasers feature some additional painted details as well. Additional details mimicking the original toy's stickers are now also present on the shins and he includes an optional sticker sheet featuring stickers similar to the original arm stickers of the Hot Rod toy, with stickers of both the [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] [[insignia]]s as well. Another difference is the rims, which are un[[Vacuum metallizing|chromed]], showing the gray plastic underneath. In fact, the only things remaining the same are the chrome exhaust and the color of the rubber tires.

:This version of Rodimus features the same Matrix of Leadership included with the TakaraTomy version (minus the silver and gold chrome, replaced with unpainted gray and gold painted sections), but also an additional new mold matrix similar to the one included with the original Masterpiece Optimus.

:The Hasbro version of Rodimus featured retooled elbow joints that, when separated, make it difficult for him to hold a pose with his arms. The crotch plate was retooled on its underside to help prevent it from hitting the ground while in car mode.

:Hasbro's Rodimus, sadly, ''will'' eventually tear itself apart due to overly powerful springs putting constant pressure on peculiarly weak plastic. The arms have a disheartening tendency to spontaneously break at either pinned section of the shoulder joint, while the upper ratchet in the knee has a high likelihood of shattering, either rendering him only durable enough to transform a few scant times. Just pose him once and back away slowly... There are third party die-cast knee joint replacements, but good luck finding some.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/MPRodimusPrime/rodimusprime.htm More information on Hasbro Masterpiece Rodimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Chronicle''==
[[File:EZCollectionHotRodimusToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (EZ Collection, 2011)

:''[[Transformers Chronicle|Chronicle]]'' Hot Rodimus is redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Rodimus. While some of his deco (flames, hands, spoiler, and his head) is entirely the same as the ''Universe'' toy, Rodimus features cartoon-accurate magenta plastic, his thighs and feet were painted orange (though his feet is gray the stock photos), and his windows were painted metallic blue.

:Like other ''Chronicle'' Legends toys, he is sold in a blindpacked box.
{{--}}

==''United''==
[[File:Unitedtoy-RodimuseHobby.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The blue makes him look edible, but the green stops you.]]
*'''Autobot Set''' (3-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

: Dubbed "Hot Rod Blue Clear Version", this [[redeco]] of the oft-used ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Rodimus mold is cast in transparent blue plastics, emulating the scene in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where Hot Rod catches the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to keep it from hitting the floor after a dying [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] dropped it. Of interest is the fact that '''all''' the plastic parts are translucent, even the usually "softer"/unpaintable/never-clear nylon parts—a trend not seen on any other "clear" toys produced before.

: This version was only available in an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] 3-pack with a [[Kup (G1)/toys#UnitedDamage|battle-damaged Kup]] and [[Scrapheap (G1)#United|Scrapheap]]. Preorders for the set were opened on [[December 13]] of 2010 and closed on [[January 11]] of 2011, and shipped in April.

: This figure was available with a Hot Rod pin and [[Macrocosmic Seekers]] booklet directly from e-HOBBY, he was also released in Asian countries outside of Japan without said pin and booklet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Cybertron/HotRod/hotrod.htm More information on e-HOBBY ''United'' Hot Rod at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|UN23}}
[[File:UnitedToyRodimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Rodimus Prime''' (Deluxe, January 2012)
**''ID number:'' '''UN-23'''
**''Accessories:'' Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

: Released in early 2012 as part of the ''United'' toy line, this marks the first [[retool]] of the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Rodimus mold. To help the mold fit the character of Rodimus Prime, [[TakaraTomy]] chose a color scheme that homaged his original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]] cartoon color scheme and altered the mold to improve compatibility with [[Mini-Con]]s released around the same time. This release features new Generation One toy-inspired flame decos on the car's hood and sides, several sections (notably the roof and the area around the headlights) painted a sparkly dark maroon color (to mimic the two toned coloration of the front of Rodimus Prime's truck mode in the animation), as well as a white face and hands and an orange hood. [[TakaraTomy]] also retooled the toy's engine block to add a 5mm peg and added a 5mm hole underneath the toy's right hand to allow the toy to use the recent [[Arms Micron]] Mini-Cons.

:Both the maroon and orange plastic of the figure vary from any other release. Also notable is this is the first version of this mold to have the spoiler molded in an entirely different plastic color than the thighs (a good number of the other versions of this mold paint the spoiler a different color to achieve a certain look).

:Like the 5th and 6th wave figures, Rodimus's package features a sticker that said "limited quantity (数量限定)", indicating that this figure is released in limited numbers after its first and only shipment.
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}
{{--}}

==''EZ Collection Gum''==
{{anchor|EZCollectionGum}}
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (EZ Collection Gum, [[July 30]], 2012)
**''ID number'': '''2'''

:Part of the ''EZ Collection Gum'' candy toy made by TakaraTomy A.R.T.S., This Hot Rodimus is a metallic redeco of the Universe Legends Class toy. While the paint patterns are identical to the ''Chronicle toy'', Hot Rodimus features metallic red paint on his entire paintable parts. As per the toyline's name, he comes with a yellow candy-shelled piece of lemony-flavored gum.
{{--}}

==''Kre-O''==
[[File:KreO-Toy RodimusKreon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|A Scoped pistol? Yup, he's definitely helping Megatron.]]
*'''Rodimus''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)
**''Bag number'': '''33501 41'''
**''Accessories'': Stand-brick, scoped pistol

: Part of the fourth assortment of [[Blindpacking|blind-bagged]] [[Kreon]] [[Micro-Changer]]s, Rodimus can be rebuilt from a humanoid into a hot rod. He reuses the Ironhide helmet, and the face [[tampograph]] from the Custom Kreon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/Kre-ORodimus/rodimus.htm More information on Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Hero Mashers''==
[[File:HM-toy Rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Suffering from self-esteem issues, Rodimus took to using steroids.]]
*'''Rodimus''' (Hero Mashers, 2014)
**''Pieces'': '''9'''
**''Accessories'': Spoiler/blaster

: Part of the second wave of ''Transformers [[Hero Mashers]]'' basic Action Figures, Rodimus is a non-transforming action figure with ratchet-joints, about six inches tall. He has multiple peg-holes all over that can be used to mount any ''Hero Mashers'' accessory.

: He is designed with a removable head, forearms, thighs, and lower legs, all of which use the same clip-peg/hole joint. This means his pieces can be swapped around in any order, as well as swapped with any other ''Hero Mashers'' figure... which includes figures from [[Marvel Comics]], ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'', and ''[[Jurassic Park|Jurassic World]]'', meaning you can make some pretty freaky combinations.

:Rather than coming with a (nominally) hand-held weapon accessory, Rodimus comes with a spoiler for his back. Of course, being a ''Hero Mashers'' piece, it can be attached anywhere, including being hand-held, and the molding gives the impression of having a gun barrel, so go nuts.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/HMRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on ''Hero Mashers'' Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==''Cloud''==
[[File:Takaratomy-cloud-hot-rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2014-[[November 27|11-27]])
**''ID number:'' '''TFC-A03'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Double Photon Laser]]" missile launcher, two missiles, "[[Elimination Calibur]]" sword/rotor blades

:''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' Hot Rodimus is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations Thrilling 30]]'' [[Springer (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|Autobot Springer]], and is a Triple Changer, transforming into both an armored car and a helicopter. He was sold exclusively through [[TakaraTomy Mall]].

:Hot Rodimus's helicopter rotors detach to transform into a sword that is held by his hands via 5mm post, and can store underneath his car mode. He also comes with a dual missile launcher that fires its two missiles in succession via a two-step pressure launch. The launcher features a jointed 5mm handle to allow it to pivot, and can mount underneath the helicopter cockpit. He has two 5mm ports on his back, the sword hilt has an additional post, and the launcher has additional ports at the top and bottom.

:This mold was retooled into [[BotCon 2015]] [[Battletrap (G1)#Timelines|Battletrap]] and extensively [[retool]]ed into ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' [[Sandstorm (G1)#Thrilling 30|Sandstorm]]. It also served as the model for the non-toy ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' incarnations of [[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Dynobot]] and [[Grimlock (G1)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Grimlock]].
{{GenerationsSpringerMold}}
{{--}}

==''Q-Transformers''==
[[File:QTransformers Hot Rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Rodimus''' (2014-[[December 26|12-26]])
**''ID number:'' '''QT-07'''

:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Hot Rodimus transforms from a cute [[super deformed]] Toyota 86 to a just as cute robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Hot Rod as a playable character in the ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns]]'' game.
{{--}}

==''Combiner Wars''==
[[File:2015CombinerWarsHotRod.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|24 years later, I've become [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Return of Convoy|his]] Micromaster, again.]]
*'''Rodimus''' (Legends Class, 2015)
**Accessories: Axe/Breastplate

:Part of the fourth wave of the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' subline imprint of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'', Legends Class Rodimus is a redeco and new-head retool of ''Generations'' Legends Class Decepticon [[Blackjack (G1)#Generations|Blackjack]], transforming into a red sports car to robot and back! He and his axe are also able to plug into the chest of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Combiner Wars|Optimus Prime]], as an homage to [[#Return of Convoy|his Micromaster toy]] from the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]'' toyline of old.

:''The axe '''cannot''' plug onto his back, so don't even try to think about doing it.''

:Rodimus's [[stock photography]] shows him with his thighs, torso, and axe molded in yellow. The final toy, however, has these parts in orange, giving him more traditional robot mode colors in exchange for a less-accurate orange spoiler in vehicle mode.

:He includes a collector card featuring art from the "[[The Colossus War]]" episode of ''Transformers Legends'', which is based on his old Generation 1 body rather than his new look in the toy. The included instructions, while calling him a part of Optimus Maximus, show him attached to a control drawing of [[Ultra Prime]] instead.

:In terms of quality control, at least ''one'' unit has no Autobot insignia on his right shoulder.

:The original version of this mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Adventure]]'' [[Runabout (RID)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (RID)|Runamuck]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWLegRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Rodimus at TFU.info]
{{--}}

==''Platinum Edition''==
{{anchor|PlanetOfJunkClash}}
[[File:TF-Platinum-Edition-POJC-Hot-Rod.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Alright! Hot Rod is back, let's PARTY!]]
*'''Planet of Junk Clash''' (Platinum Edition Deluxe 3-pack, 2016)
**''Accessories'':Rocket engine/missile launcher, flame missile

:Part of Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' offerings for 2016 intended to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', "Autobot Hot Rod" (who finally got his name back) is a redeco of the ''[[#United|United]]'' Rodimus Prime figure, which is a retool of the ''Classics'' Rodimus toy. While the toy's deco was similar to the first ''Classics'' figure, Hot Rod features yellow plastic on his spoilers, thighs, and his launcher's trigger, and grey plastic on his shins. Autobot Hot Rod also features orange-yellow paint on his vehicle headlights, and an Autobot sigil on his vehicle hood/robot chest, just like his ''Henkei'' and ''Reveal the Shield'' figures. His backpack and hood/chest piece are painted in a darker red. Hot Rod retains the retooled exposed engine and the lower forearm from the ''United'' Rodimus Prime release, allowing for [[Mini-Con]]s from the ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' line and their redecos to attach to the large peg/forearm as an undocumented feature.

:Hot Rod's robot mode is mistranformed in all his [[stock photography|stock photos]], including the in-package image: his backpack and fins aren't rotated properly in place. Ironically, the mistransformation also gives proper clearance for the shoulder articulation in robot mode.

:Hot Rod was only available as a part of the "Planet of Junk Clash" set with [[Wreck-Gar (G1)#PlanetOfJunkClash|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Scrapheap (G1)#Generations|Junkion Scrapheap]]. In the United States, this set was officially a [[Target]] exclusive, though only ever found at a single Target store, otherwise only available via the company's website. However, it was also stocked by several US-based online retailers [[BigBadToyStore]] and TFSource, who supposedly obtained it as an import from Asia. It was available in several of Hasbro's Asian markets (namely Singapore and the Philippines; it's currently unknown whether it was exclusive to any particular stores there or not). In Canada, it was sold at [[Toys"R"Us]] stores, whereas in Chile, it was sold at Ripley stores. In the United Kingdom, it was also sold at Toys"R"Us stores, whereas in Spain, it was available via the Spanish subsidiary of [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], as well as the department store chain El Corte Inglés. It's currently unknown if it was also available in stores, or limited to online purchases. In Italy, it was sold at Toys Center stores, making it the first ''Platinum'' set ever released in that country.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/PlatinumHotRod/hotrod.htm More information on ''Platinum Edition'' Autobot Hot Rod at TFU.info]
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|PERORP}}{{anchor|RiseOfRodimus}}
[[File:TF-Platinum-Edition-RoRP-Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Arise, [[Die-cast|Lost-art]]imus Prime.]]
*'''Rise of Rodimus Prime''' (Platinum Edition 2-pack, 2017)
**''Accessories'': Gun, Missile, Matrix of Leadership

:Unlike most of the figures from Hasbro's 2016 ''Platinum Edition'' offerings commemorating the 30th Anniversary of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', this Rodimus Prime is not a redeco of what [[fandom|fans]] would consider a "[[CHUG]]" figure, but of his ''[[#Titanium Series|Titanium Series]]'' toy, nine years after its initial release, retaining the original figure's [[die-cast]] construction. Rodimus Prime was available as part of a 2-pack with [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Galvatron]], aptly named "Rise of Rodimus Prime", which also contained a [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Platinum Edition|Matrix of Leadership]] accessory, a redeco of the Matrix originally included with ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP10|MP-10 Convoy]]/[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Optimus Prime]]. Unfortunately, Rodimus cannot hold it.

:Like several of the 2016 ''Platinum Edition'' sets, "Rise of Rodimus Prime" saw a very limited release: Basically, the two-pack was released in some of Hasbro's Asian markets, was stocked by some online retailers in the United States that obtain their stock through Asian vendors (such as [[BigBadToyStore]] and TFSource), and aside from that apparently only ever saw a wider release in ''Brazil'', of all places, where it was also first officially revealed by Hasbro at ABRIN (the Brazilian Toy Fair) in April of 2016. ''That's it''. The set never saw an official Hasbro-initiated release in the United States.
{{--}}

==''Titans Return''==
{{anchor|TitansReturn}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Hot-Rod.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Head-on with style.]]
*'''Firedrive & Autobot Hot Rod''' (Deluxe Class, 2016)
**''Accessories'': 2 rifles, [[Firebolt (G1)#Generations|Firedrive]] Titan Master

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' "Autobot Hot Rod" transforms from robot into a futuristic sports car based on his [[#Generation 1|original Generation 1 toy]]. Like all Deluxe ''Titans Return'' toys, Hot Rod's cockpit can be opened to reveal a seat that allows any [[Titan Master]] figure to man it in both modes. Hot Rod comes with his Titan Master partner Firedrive (a renamed Firebolt), who fits into his vehicle mode cockpit and transforms into his robot mode head. As with other ''Titans Return'' toys, Hot Rod can accommodate any Titan Master figure in both robot and vehicle mode. His two 5 mm rifles can be clipped together to form a larger gun with a Titan Master seat, which can be tabbed into Hot Rod's engine block.

:Similar to most ''Titans Returns'' toys, Hot Rod's Titan Master gimmick suffers from a design flaw leading to difficulties in applying the head to the body. In this case, the construction around Hot Rod's neckhole leaves it difficult to peg Firedrive's head in correctly, which can lead to the head being inadvertently pegged in sideways. In addition, some units suffer a molding error resulting in bumps on the lower right lip.

:As documented in his instructions, but not in his stock photography, Hot Rod's weapons can be pegged (when separated) into the sides of his vehicle mode, with just barely enough clearance for his wheels to still touch the ground.

:Hot Rod can use the ''Siege'' [[Battle Master]] [[Firebolt (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Firedrive]] (although you can't attach him on Hot Rod's vehicle engine) if one is okay with simultaneously having two Firedrives.

:Some copies were erroneously packaged with instructions for [[Getaway#Titans Return|Breakaway and Throttle]].

:This mold serves as the model for [[Pointblank#Legends comic|Pointblank]] in the ''Legends'' manga. The mold included a [[Retool#Gang-molded alternate parts|pretooled]] alternate head for an IDW-inspired Rodimus, but this was never used.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200809001511/https://www.allspark.com/2017/10/our-nycc-2017-interview-with-john-warden-design-manager/ NYCC 2017 John Warden interview]</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|TRCOV}}{{anchor|ChaosOnVelocitron}}
[[File:TR-toy RodimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|That's not a camera focus problem, the head mode deco really is that faded and fuzzy.]]
*'''Chaos on Velocitron''' (gift set, 2017)

:''Titans Return'' Rodimus Prime is a [[retool]] of Titan Master [[Swoop (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Ptero]] with a new torso and head-mode face, both of which are painted-over [[die-cast]] metal. He features peg holes in his feet to attach to a variety of ''Titans Return'' figures, and can form the head of any Deluxe-or-larger figure from the line. Rodimus Prime provides the power of "Ultimate Speed Boost".

:Due to its partial die-cast construction, the ball joint that connects the Titan Master's head to its torso ends up being less flexible than on other Titan Master figures made entirely out of plastic, which leaves Rodimus Prime with a very stiff neck when plugged into a larger ''Titans Return'' figure.

:He was only available in a box set named "Chaos on Velocitron" that includes [[Quickswitch#Titans Return|Quickswitch]] and [[Dynamus#Titans Return|Dynamus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#TRCOV|Laser Prime]] and [[Refractor#Titans Return|Refractor]], [[Nautica (G1)#Titans Return|Nautica]] and [[Parsec#Titans Return|Parsec]], and [[Fastlane#Titans Return|Fastclash]]. The set was officially announced by Hasbro to be a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]], and was sold at stores in the United States, Canada, and Hasbro's Asian markets (such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong). Despite this, it later became available via [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] in the United States (but not in Canada) as well, actually sold by Amazon directly (as compared to a third-party seller).

:The torso was later reused for fellow die-cast Titan Masters [[Thunderwing (G1)#Titans Return|Thunderwing]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Scorponok]].
{{--}}

==''Legends''==
[[File:TF-LG-45-Targetmaster-Rodimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Check out my chest tattoo!]]
*'''Targetmaster Hot Rodimus (Targetmaster Hot Rod)'''<ref>The Japanese text on the packaging is ホットロディマス / "Hot Rodimus", but the English subtitle says "Hot Rod".</ref> (Deluxe Class, [[2017]]-[[September 30|09-30]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG45'''
**''Accessories'': Headmaster, [[Shaoshao Li#Legends|Firebolt]] Targetmaster

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' "Targetmaster Hot Rodimus" is a redeco and retool of [[#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Hot Rod]], featuring a more cartoon-accurate maroon color scheme, painted rims, and a retooled chestplate which, in addition to featuring transparent flames, also allows you to hide the hood engine in robot mode. He comes with Firebolt, an all new mold [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] that replaces the original mold's guns. This figure was later redecoed into [[Ken]].

:The lower right lip molding error from the ''Titans Return'' figure is present on some examples of this figure.
{{--}}

==''Power of the Primes''==
[[File:PowerOfThePrimestoy-RodimusPrimeEvolved.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Well, it's about time [[Hasbro|they]] made it.]]
*'''Evolution Rodimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2017)
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-08'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[May 25]], [[2018]]'''
**''Accessories'': trailer/evolution armor, evolution armor arms, rifle (formed by two blasters), [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix of Leadership]] frame, Matrix of Leadership core

:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Evolution Rodimus Prime" consists of a Deluxe-sized Hot Rod and a trailer, which can combine with the smaller robot to form the Leader-sized Rodimus Prime. Both robot modes feature exceptional articulation, largely due to the way both robot modes transform. However, neither has a rotating waist for the same reason. This figure features minimal [[Partformer|partsforming]], with the Rodimus Prime fists being formed by attaching the two halves of the front end of the trailer to Hot Rod's knees.

:He includes a [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix of Leadership]] accessory that has a removable center crystal, allowing any [[Prime Master]] to take its place. The Matrix can be stored within Rodimus's robot mode chest. Unfortunately, neither of his robot modes can actually hold it due to having standard 5mm hands. His two guns, one of which is based on his original toy's Photon Rifle, can combine into a rifle similar to his Photon Eliminator. In vehicle mode, his weapons can be mounted in the two 5mm holes near the back end of his trailer or stored on Rodimus Prime's back. The trailer portion also has two pegs to stand a [[Titan Master]], [[Prime Master]], or decoy armor on.

:Surprisingly, the TakaraTomy stock photos of the Hot Rod figure are mistransformed: His yellow spoiler is not present in robot mode. This is only possible in the toy by removing the entire canopy of Hot Rod's vehicle mode, which is attached by a mushroom joint. Like the last version, Hot Rod/Rodimus can use the Battle Master Firedrive.

{{-}}{{anchor|RodimusUnicronus}}
[[File:TF-POTP-Leader-Class-Evo-Rodimus-Unicronus.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|"[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|You]] are '''nothing!'''"]]
*'''Evolution Rodimus Unicronus''' (Leader Class, 2018)
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''PP-40'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[November 24]], 2018'''
**''Accessories'': trailer/evolution armor, evolution armor arms, rifle (formed by two blasters), [[Matrix of Conquest#Generations|Matrix of Chaos]] frame, Matrix of Chaos core

:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Evolution Rodimus Unicronus" is a retool of the above Rodimus Prime toy, featuring a new goateed head and color scheme based on those of ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Rodimus (SG)#Toys|Rodimus]]. His smaller Deluxe-sized form is "Nemesis Hot Rod", and represents the character in a [[Unicron]]-corrupted state. He includes a [[Matrix of Conquest#Generations|Matrix of Chaos]] accessory that has a removable center crystal, allowing any [[Prime Master]] to take its place. The Matrix can be stored within Rodimus's robot mode chest. It's best to be careful with the "RODIMUS" stickers on his knees, as they can and will peel off easily.

:Stock renders released by Hasbro at [[New York Comic Con#2017|NYCC]] 2017 showed him with purple Decepticon insignias, but the physical prototypes had purple Autobot insignias instead, and the stock photos showed him with both. The final toy has the former.
{{--}}

==''Street Fighter II × Transformers''==
[[File:Ken SFIIxTF toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"So, wanna fight fire with fire, huh?"]]
*'''Hot Rodimus [Ken] vs Arcee [Chun-Li]''' ([[May 26]], [[2018]])
**''Accessories'': Left & right rifles, Headmaster

:Available as part of the exclusive ''[[Street Fighter II × Transformers]]'' toyline, Hot Rodimus is a redeco of ''Legends'' [[#Legends|Targetmaster Hot Rodimus]] (itself a retool of ''Titans Return'' Deluxe Class [[#TitansReturn|Hot Rod]]) in [[Ken]]'s traditional colors, luxurious eyebrows and fleshtones and all. He transforms from robot to Cybertronian sports car and back. The ''Street Fighter II'' logo is printed on the car's spoiler, and the smaller Headmaster's robot mode is also painted to resemble Ken.

: Like all Deluxe-sized ''Titans Return'' toys, Hot Rodimus's cockpit can be opened to reveal a seat that allows any [[Titan Master]]/Headmaster figure to pilot it in both modes. His two rifles can be clipped together to form a larger gun with a Headmaster seat; separately they can be pegged behind Hot Rodimus's front wheels or one can be pegged into his engine.

:Hot Rodimus was only available in a two-pack with with [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Street Fighter II × Transformers|Arcee]] [[Chun-Li#Toys|[Chun-Li]]]. This set was available for pre-order on [[TakaraTomy Mall]] from [[November 22]] to [[November 27|27]], 2017, with orders fulfilled in late May of 2018. A pre-order goal was set as well: if 3000 units were pre-ordered total, the set would also come with clear display stands for both toys.
{{--}}

==''Vintage G1''==
[[File:Walmart-Vintage-G1-Hot-Rod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Till all are bought!]]
*'''Hot Rod''' (Walmart exclusive reissue, 2018)
**''Accessories:'' 2 Photon Lasers

:In a very unexpected turn, the original Hot Rod toy was reissued as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] in 2018, under the ''[[Vintage G1]]'' banner, using the mold utilized for ''The Transformers Collection'' reissue (which includes the 5mm posts on his weapons). Like the original toy, Hot Rod entirely uses stickers instead of a combo of tampographs and stickers seen in ''The Transformers Collection'' release. However, unlike the original toy, ''Vintage G1'' Hot Rod uses "Targetmaster"-style chromed stickers, rather than flat colored versions. The rubsign is an all-new type used on all of the ''Vintage G1'' toys; the insignia only turns red rather than the mood-ring multicolor of older rubsigns, plus the silver border is mirror-level reflective.

:Unlike most of the original Hot Rod toys and the packaging stock photo, he is packaged with his vehicle front view facing backwards. Later shipments of the toy were packaged with Hot Rod's car facing frontwards.
{{--}}

==''Studio Series''==
[[File:TF-Studio-Series-86-04-Deluxe-Autobot-Hot-Rod.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Who needs that [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Sideswipe mold]] anyways!]]
*'''Autobot Hot Rod''' (Voyager Class, [[2020]])
**''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-04'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-60'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[April 20]], [[2021]]
**''Accessories'': 2 "Photon Lasers", buzzsaw, Matrix of Leadership, 2 [[Fire Blast effect]]s, effect for the Matrix, "The Depths of Unicron" backdrop

:Released to commemorate the 35th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', ''[[Studio Series]]'' "Autobot Hot Rod" is a screen-accurate, Deluxe-sized mold that converts into the same ol' classic futuristic sports car. The toy is sold at a Voyager price point due to a noticeably higher parts count that yields more accessories, articulation, and transformation intricacy. Aside from his 2 photon blasters, Hot Rod also comes with a Matrix accessory (repackaged from ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Optimus Prime]]), an aura effect part to attach to the Matrix, a snap-on buzzsaw, and two blast effect parts that can attach to either of his exhaust pipes or guns.

:Inside his helmet, he has a visor that can be deployed over his eyes as seen in the [[Lookout Mountain]] scene, and his right hand can flip to be replaced with the welding torch he used to repair [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. His enhanced articulation includes opening hands that can grasp his Matrix and "butterfly" shoulder joints that aid him in assuming iconic poses from the film. In an undocumented (and probably unintentional) feature, it is possible to store the Matrix inside the multiple folding layers of Hot Rod's torso, and also next to his head in car mode.

:In vehicle mode Hot Rod's guns plug into his engine block and then his buzzsaw accessory plugs on top of the guns; this two-layered accessory stacking is also supported on his robot back and the roof of the car. However, tabbing the guns into the saw creates stress on the plastic slots of the saw. Additionally, since both the guns and the engine are painted, this risks leaving scratches. Similarly, caution should be used when uniting and separating the painted silver pipes on the arms and legs during transformation, as the clips that connect the arm and leg pipes are small and prone to snapping.

:As with other ''Studio Series'' figures, the interior of the packaging can form a diorama display for the figure. In this case, it is the shot of Hot Rod about to open the Matrix as he stands within [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s innards.
{{--}}

==HasLab==
[[File:TF-WFC-Unicron-Hot-Rod-figurine.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Definitely a whopper.]]
*'''Unicron''' ([[2021]])
**''Series'': '''''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'''''

:''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Unicron/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Unicron]] comes with a mini-figurine of Hot Rod, only about 10 millimeters tall. The original announcement showed a sculpt based on Hot Rod's ''Titans Return'' design, but the final released figurine was based on the original G1 design (or more accurately, the ''Studio Series'' design above).
{{--}}

==''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''==
[[File:TF-WFC-K-Commander-Rodimus-Prime.jpg|450px|thumb|So THIS is where [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] went!]]
*'''Rodimus Prime''' (Commander Class, [[2021]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-K29'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''KD-12'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 7]], 2021
**''Accessories'': Trailer/[[Mobile Defense Bay#Generations|Mobile Defense Bay]], Photon Eliminator, [[Sword of Primus#Toys|Sword of Primus]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#KRodimus|Matrix of Leadership]], 10 effects<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B08XYV4PGD/ ''Kingdom'' Rodimus Prime on Amazon Japan]</ref>

:''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' Rodimus Prime is a Commander Class toy that transforms from a [[Show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] robot to a new futuristic sport utility vehicle <ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/06/19/translated-interviews-with-yuya-onishi-and-takashi-kunihiro-from-the-transformers-generations-book-2021-435763 Translated ''Transformers Generations 2021'' interview with Yuya Onishi and Takashi Kunihiro]</ref>, which can attach to a trailer to form his futuristic truck mode. Despite appearances, Rodimus Prime is ''not'' a retool or engineering recycle of the ''Studio Series'' Hot Rod toy; though they feature similar transformation steps, the key difference is the lack of a faux chest. This Rodimus Prime does, however, lightly reuse CAD in places from [[Hot Rod (G1)#Power of the Primes|Evolution Rodimus Prime]], notably the face sculpt and the rifle which is still Hot Rod's two guns combined, now just a single sculpt with a joint in the center. A ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' staple, Rodimus Prime and the trailer are littered with [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] to facilitate the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]] or [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology]]. The line's relative scale demands that he must be smaller than previous Commander Class toys, though making up for his price tag is above average engineering and articulation, including removable Matrix, collapsing wheels, and poseable hands featuring separate index fingers with knuckle joints!

:The price is also filled out with a multitude of accessories. The trailer itself can fold out into the [[Mobile Defense Bay#Generations|Mobile Defense Bay]], which Rodimus Prime can stand on and grasp the handles, plus an [[A.I.R. Lock System]] adapter on the front. The standing, twin-barreled cannon also detaches as its own unit, with sculpted tread detail. Rodimus Prime also includes a foldable Photon Eliminator, the [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#KRodimus|Matrix of Leadership]], and a surprisingly-niche inclusion, the [[Sword of Primus#Toys|Sword of Primus]], which has a fold-out 5 mm post. He also includes a whopping ''ten'' effect parts, 7 of which are translucent blue redecos from ''Siege'' [[Omega Supreme (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Omega Supreme]], which can attach to the various 5 mm ports on the figure or the 3 mm posts at the tips of the Photon Eliminator and exhaust pipes. The last three are newly-molded Matrix-aura and exhaust pipe-smoke blast effects. Care must be taken when handling these three effects parts as they are made a from thin, hard plastic that can break if bent, as opposed to the more durable mushy goodness of the other effects parts.

:On some copies, the spring-loaded lower halves of the trailer's smokestacks can get caught on some adjacent orange plastic when opening the trailer, requiring them to be manually moved aside. Another far more common problem is that Rodimus Prime's trailer does not fully close when the two large halves join together causing a gap to be visible from above; this problem can occur with or without the turret inside the trailer.

:In a unique twist, the toy was revealed by [[TakaraTomy]] and set for pre-order in Japanese markets before [[Hasbro]], which usually unveils upcoming toys before or simultaneously with TakaraTomy.

:Much like most of the toyline, Rodimus Prime can come with one of four holographic [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] cards from wave 1, which reveals a [[Source:Golden Disk destinies|possible destiny]] of a key character.
{{WFCSiegeOmegaSupremeFireBlastMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1catalog86-PinkHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|I was pink once.]]
*Miscommunication between Hasbro and Takara that neglected to mention the fact that Rodimus Prime was supposed to be the new Autobot leader and the upgrade of Hot Rod led to Takara creating the original [[prototype]] for the G1 Hot Rod toy in three times the final size, about as tall as ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]. When Hasbro corrected Takara about those details, Takara's designers were disappointed because they had to make Rodimus Prime's toy larger than Hot Rod's.<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=522 Information provided by Fumihiko Akiyama, incorporated in essay about "Ten popular but incorrect rumors about Japanese Transformers" at TF Archive]</ref>
*In an odd intra-Hasbro design move, both of Hot Rod's original guns were reused for weapon toolings on the [[Cobra]] [http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/88/stellarstiletto/ Stellar Stiletto] in 1988. The larger handgun is the nosecone cannon, while the smaller (facing backwards) is the basis for the longer missiles. Hey, Hot Rod was occupied with [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]] at the time anyway, right?
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]
*'''New Rodimus''' was the tentative name for an unused Rodimus Prime design revealed in the Japanese book ''[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|Transformers Generations]]''. Unlike his predecessors, he would have transformed into a fire engine. According to the caption in the book, New Rodimus would have come out after [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#The Battlestars story pages and comic|Star Convoy]], and his transformation would involve splitting at the waist.<br /> Previously, fans believed that the idea for New Rodimus's transformation was eventually used by the ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]]'' toy '''[http://youtu.be/xGFHTcC5tlo Duke Fire]''', which is also a fire engine that splits at the waist in order to transform. However, a discussion with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] staff revealed that this was a coincidence, as Duke Fire's designer had not seen the New Rodimus design.<ref>https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/907253686023458817</ref> As seen below, this revelation did not come before a story homaging Duke Fire's [[Duke Fire|assumed connection]] to New Rodimus was published, retroactively linking the two.
*In 2015 [[Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#August 15.2C 2015|an entry]] of the Facebook version of [[Ask Vector Prime]] dubbed this version of Rodimus as "Fire Rodimus" and [[Hot Rod (G1)#Fire Rodimus|gave some background to him]].
[[File:HyperHobbyRodimusTestshot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*An image of a black Rodimus Prime toy appeared in issue #38 of the magazine ''[[Hyper Hobby]]'' in 2002. For years, it was thought that this was an unreleased [[Lucky Draw figure]] (which an [http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/transformers/news/story/lucky+draw+transformers/Unreleased+Lucky+Draw+Black+Rodimus+Convoy/7581 unscrupulous Ebay seller] reinforced by repeatedly calling it that in his auctions). However, it was eventually found — [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62831&st=0&p=1347844&#entry1347844 seven years later] — when a Japanese speaker read the text of the magazine, that it was nothing more than a test shot that was intended to tease the release of the normal-colored reissue.
*One of the first concepts for ''Classics'' Rodimus was based around the {{w|Pagani Zonda}} super car, before the {{w|Dome Zero}} design was decided upon.
*''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'' [[Side Burn (RID)|Speedbreaker]] (aka ''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn) has a powered-up color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*A (somewhat jokey) proposed BotCon concept by [[Fun Publications]] was a redeco of Deluxe Class [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Transmetal1|Transmetal Rattrap]] into a beast form of Rodimus Prime, named "Rodimouse", to match [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Ultra Mammoth]] as being ''Beast Wars'' Maximal forms of fellow Autobot leaders [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], respectively.<ref>[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc14/bc14br.html BotCon 2014 attendee report by griffin]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/762678026933067781 Tweet by @JesseWittenrich, 8 August 2016]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Hero Mashers Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Autobots]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Studio Series Autobots]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Transformers with multiple modes]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]

Fortress Maximus (G1)

2021-10-02T04:47:55Z

Repowers:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|Starfleet}}
{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Fortress Maximus}}
{{suite}}
:''Fortress Maximus is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and occasional [[Titan (group)|Titan]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:FortMax1.jpg|upright=2|thumb|[[Nobuyuki Hiyama|Link]] called. He wants the [[Master Sword]] back.]]

Despite his great power, size, and rank, '''Fortress Maximus''' is a weary and reluctant warrior. Fighting is against his pacifist nature, even for the most noble of causes. Over time, the endless conflict on Cybertron has worn him down, to the point that he's willing to walk away from the war entirely to preserve himself and his ideals.

Fortress Maximus is big. ''How'' big generally depends on the universe, but often as not he's binary-bonded to a smaller robot named [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] who forms his head; Cerebros's own head is formed by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], or in some universes, [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]]. He also has a smaller component robot known as [[Cog (G1)|Cog]].

{{note|Fortress Maximus is one of those fun characters whose incarnations are very different. See individual fiction entries below for continuity specific profiles.}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Fortmaxgiveshead.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
{{main|Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
{{-}}

===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Stephen Keener]] (English), [[Kunihiko Yasui]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Fortressmaximusg1rebirth.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
When a battle for possession of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]] led a group of Autobots and Decepticons to be stranded on the planet [[Nebulos]], partnership between the Transformers and the native Nebulans led to the development of Headmaster and Targetmaster technology. The planet's evil ruling council, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], took the technology to its most powerful extreme when its leader [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] created the massive city-sized Scorponok to serve as his Headmaster partner and used his power to steal back the chamber key. The Decepticons departed for Cybertron, and the Autobots were poised to give chase when Spike Witwicky announced that he and the pacifistic Cerebros would be staying behind. While the other Autobots left in pursuit, Spike had Cerebros lead him to the ruins of the Hive's original city, which they had lived in before moving underground. Taking control of the various abandoned machines there, Spike rebuilt the city, Cerebros and even himself into a Headmaster robot that could stand up to Scorponok's power: Fortress Maximus!

[[File:Rebirth3 fortmax battlestation.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb]]
The completed Fortress Maximus quickly flew to Cybertron and made a dramatic entrance, setting down in city mode and then transforming to battle station mode to bombard Scorponok and the Decepticons with a hail of weaponsfire. When Zarak transformed Scorponok to [[robot mode]], Spike did likewise with Fortress Maximus, and the two titans battled, with Maximus on the losing end until Zarak threatened the life of Spike's son, Daniel. With a burst of strength, Fortress Maximus took Scorponok down, causing him to collapse with such force that he transformed back to city mode. Spike and Cerebros then disconnected from Maximus and headed inside Scorponok to recover the captive Daniel and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], leaving Maximus to keep the other Decepticons at bay with his many weapons. The Decepticons were able to get through Maximus's firestorm and got Scorponok airborne, but not before Spike succeeded in his rescue.

Subsequently, with the Plasma Energy Chamber back under Autobot control, Fortress Maximus flew the Autobot Headmasters and Targetmasters back to Nebulos. There, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] announced that after they had eradicated the Hive's evil from the planet, Cerebros would live on the planet as its guardian, presumably meaning that Fortress Maximus would be staying there too. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

{{note|It is unclear if Fortress Maximus had any sentience of his own; he did speak once in his own voice, but for the most part, even Cerebros's will seemed to be pushed aside so Spike could run the whole thing himself.}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{note|In Japan, Fortress Maximus's mental functions are housed in a small robot who transforms into a head and connects to a larger, lifeless transtector body. This larger body in turn becomes the head of a ''giant'' transtector, forming the robot known as Fortress Maximus. The ''Headmasters'' toyline referred to the smallest robot as '''Cerebros''', who formed the head of the intermediate robot '''Fortress''', but this distinction was never actually made in fiction, and the character was always referred to as "Fortress" regardless of whether he was in small or intermediate form.}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Ikuya Sawaki]] (Japanese)|[[Simon Broad]] (English), [[Liu Xirui]] (Chinese)}}

[[File:Hm7 fortress small bot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Drang nach Master!]]
Four million years ago, Fortress was a [[Cyberdroid|diminutive Cybertronian]] who had not yet mastered the art of transformation, and was a friend of [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]'s. He was among the many Transformers that fled Cybertron in an attempt to escape the corrosion of war without end, and led a group of his fellow small Cybertronians in search of a new peaceful world they could call home. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Alas, engine trouble caused their ship to crash on the inhospitable world of planet Master, whose hazardous environmental conditions began threatening the lives of Fortress and his men almost as soon as they departed the wreckage of their ship and began trekking through a desert of shifting sands. The need for survival fostered many technological and mental advancements, however, and Fortress and his people endured.

[[File:Hm1 battleship maximus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Fortress was responsible for many of the technological quantum leaps, the most significant of which was the invention of "[[transtector]]s": larger, lifeless Transformer bodies to which the small Cybertronians could connect as heads. After a rigorous physical and mental training program that allowed them to finally master transformation and even instilled powerful telepathic and telekinetic powers in them, Fortress and nine other warriors bonded with these transtectors to become "Headmasters". {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Fortress even took the process one step further, and with the aid of other Master scientists like [[Jack (Headmasters)|Jack]], created a ''huge'' transtector that could transform into the battleship, Maximus. Fortress's own transtector was engineered to also transform into a head, which could control the many functions of the Maximus from a special docking bay on the battleship's bridge, {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} and which could form the head for the battleship's own colossal robot mode, known as "Fortress Maximus". Fortress also created the powerful [[Master Sword]] for himself, and tied the Maximus's transformation into it; in order to convert the battleship to robot mode, Fortress had to draw a small version of the blade from a sheath beneath his command console, but this feat could only be accomplished when his physical and mental energies were in perfect synchronization. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}}

Unfortunately, half of the Headmasters eventually rebelled against Fortress's leadership, siding with a traitor named Scorponok against him. The traitors were defeated by Fortress and his comrades and exiled from Master, but eventually, they came to ally themselves with the Decepticons under the command of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[File:Hm2 kup and fortress.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Fortress Maximus brought the Autobot Headmasters back to their homeworld aboard the Maximus. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Even the mightiest of the Decepticons' [[combiner]]s could not stand against Battleship Maximus's firepower, and the evil robots were forced into retreat. This task complete, Fortress set the Maximus down at the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet [[Athenia]], where he introduced himself and his comrades and explained their origins, and was reunited with Kup. After being filled in by the Autobots on the current crisis—[[Vector Sigma]] had become destabilized, putting the planet at risk—Fortress deduced that the [[Matrix of Leadership]] was necessary to bring the computer back under control. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Unfortunately, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] had already ventured into the depths of Cybertron without the Matrix, willing to sacrifice his own life to stabilize Vector Sigma, so Fortress headed into the planet's catacombs after him while the other Headmasters helped [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] search for the Matrix, hidden somewhere on [[Earth]]. Though Fortress was not able to catch up to Prime before he reached Vector Sigma's chamber, he was able to use his telepathic powers to contact Prime's companion, the spirit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], helping to guide him safely through the maze of tunnels. It turned out that [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] had made it to the chamber ahead of Prime, however, and Fortress raced through the remainder of the tunnels to aid Prime against the two Decepticons. Hot Rod soon arrived with the Matrix, which he used to become Rodimus Prime again, but before he could use it to bring Vector Sigma back under control, Optimus Prime merged with the computer to stabilize it, giving up his life in the process. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Prime was not the only casualty of the crisis: [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] also lost his life in the search for the Matrix. Luckily, Fortress was able to use the advanced technology of Master to rebuild and resurrect him, as Twincast. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

[[File:Hm5 fortmax headmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Sorry I'm late! Well, let's see who's here! B-b-b-Brainstorm! Highbrow? You still here? We never expected you to stick around. Nice nosejob, no one would ever suspect. Hardhead! Putting on a little weight, huh? Speaking of dads Arcee, yours isn't worried about you. He loves your choice in men. Chromedome! How's your [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|sex life]]? What's your sex life?"]]
While patrolling space for Decepticon activity aboard the Maximus, the Autobot Headmasters discovered [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] stowed away on board. After explaining the function of his Head Mode to the shocked youngsters, Fortress agreed to let the pair join them on the patrol. Soon after, the Autobots came upon two stranded [[Beastformer]]s from the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], and learned that the Decepticons had invaded their planet; the infuriated Fortress made for the planet with all due speed, after sending a report to Rodimus Prime on Athenia. The Autobot Headmasters helped the native Beastformers liberate their planet from Decepticon control, but Fortress was concerned with a blueprint recovered from an underground factory that indicated the Decepticons were building something. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}}

[[File:Hm6 fortmax funnyfaces.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|:D]]
When the Decepticons launched a [[Metamorphose|metal-warping meteor]] at Athenia, Fortress and his battleship were powerless to do anything, for fear of being destroyed by the meteor's gravity sensors. It fell to Daniel Witwicky to destroy the meteor, so Fortress transported him as close to it as he was able. Daniel lost his nerve at the last minute, so Fortress calmed him down by making some silly faces. Dignified! {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}} Later, a phoney distress call lured Fortress and the Autobot Headmasters into a trap on the planet [[Praum]] set by their old foe, Scorponok. Despite being trapped in a subterranean chamber with the endless desert sands pouring in on top of him, Fortress kept his head and reminded his young allies of the similar hardships they had suffered on Master and the training they had undergone to overcome them. With the skills they had learned back then, they were able to escape. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

[[File:Hm10 fortress appointed commander.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Take my job, New Toy! I don't want it!"]]
When Galvatron launched an attack on Cybertron in an attempt to steal a new alloy developed by Vector Sigma named [[cybertonuron]], Fortress advised Rodimus Prime against striking back in full force, preferring to find another way to stop the Decepticons than putting all their warriors in danger. Rodimus refused, and Fortress quietly acquiesced to his commander's wishes, ferrying him to Cybertron on Battleship Maximus. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} The battle ended catastrophically, however, when treachery on the part of Scorponok led to the detonation of a collection of bombs in Vector Sigma's chamber, devastating Cybertron and rendering it uninhabitable, and apparently killing Galvatron in the process. Realizing with deep regret that Fortress's caution had been warranted, Rodimus Prime decided that the era of his generation of Transformers was over, and vowed to search the universe for a new planet the Transformers could call home. He passed the title of [[Supreme Commander]] of the Autobots (though not the Matrix of Leadership) to Fortress, who was visibly uncomfortable with the appointment, but accepted it graciously, telling himself not to contest it because it was his destiny. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[File:G1FortressMaximus HMstockfootage.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"...But it's the pelvic thruuuuuust / that really drives you in-sa-a-a-ane..."]]
Fortress's tenure as leader got off to a strong start with the successful completion of the [[Sol 1]] satellite, a joint venture between the Autobots and humanity to gather solar energy. Unfortunately, the satellite was stolen by the Decepticons, forcing the Autobot Headmasters to destroy it to keep it out of their hands. Before being destroyed, however, the satellite's energy was beamed by the villains to the planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]]. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Fortress attempted to study Zarak from afar in hopes of deducing what the Decepticons were up to, but the planet's gaseous shroud prevented remote observation of its surface, and the Decepticons began staging concentrated attacks on Earth to keep the Autobots' attentions divided. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} One such attack saw the Decepticons unleash a carnivorous, ambulatory plant upon [[San Francisco]], which Fortress identified as a [[buridanka]] from the planet [[Darhos]]. When the Autobot Headmasters responded, Battleship Maximus was caught in the plant-monster's vines, and Fortress's lack of focus left him unable to draw the Master Sword and transform. Galvanized by the cries of the other Headmasters, however, his energies soon came into alignment, and for what was apparently the first time (given everyone else's surprise when it happened) Fortress transformed the Maximus and combined with it to form Fortress Maximus. With the power of the Master Sword, he easily dispatched the giant plant. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

[[File:Hm14 fortress draws mastersword.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Weakened by the great energy demands of his transformation, Fortress sent the Autobot Headmasters to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] without him when news of Decepticon movement on the planet reached the Autobots. When the Headmasters discovered that the Decepticons were planning to blow up Mars, however, Fortress went into action, only to be struck with a [[plasma energy]] bomb by the Decepticons Headmasters just as he was in the middle of transforming into Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} Although Fortress survived the blast, his energies were severely drained, and the powerless Maximus was unable to depart Mars as the countdown to the Decepticons' planet-destroying explosion continued. Even worse, into the middle of this crisis stepped Scorponok, now outfitted with a gigantic transtector of his own: the result of the mysterious construction operations on planets Beast and Zarak. Scorponok pummelled the paralyzed Maximus, then pulled out just before the chain of explosion began. Fortress told the Headmasters to leave him and the Maximus to their fate, but luckily, at the last minute, the battleship began absorbing the energy released by the early stages of the explosion. Fortress was able to use this energy to transform into Fortress Maximus, and escaped the destruction of Mars, slashing Scorponok with the Master Sword as he came bursting from the conflagration. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

[[File:Hm17 maximus vs scorponok.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|That's how the scorpions breed!]]
While Fortress and the Headmasters were patrolling the edges of Decepticon space to keep an eye on their enemies' activities, Scorponok attacked the Maximus, only for the fight to be broken up by a strange UFO. Back on Athenia, Fortress met with the Autobots' deep cover spy, [[Punch (G1)|Punch]], and learned that Scorponok was holding a coronation ceremony for himself on Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]]. The Autobots attacked the ceremony, during which Fortress again pitted his battleship against Scorponok, but the fighting was brought to an end when the UFO returned, and was revealed to belong to Galvatron, who had survived Cybertron's destruction. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Fortress fought Scorponok again soon after, when the Autobots tried to provide energy relief to the other-dimensional planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]]. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

[[File:Hm23 fortmax sword slash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When the Decepticons embarked on an interplanetary energy quest, the Autobots determined to follow them aboard Fortress's battleship; Fortress had to be convinced to allow Daniel to come with them. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}} Their first port of call was the planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]], but before the Maximus could set down, they were attacked by the planet's force. Fortress was intent on a show of non-resistance and would not fire back, while [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] went down to the planet's surface and proved the Autobots' good intentions to Hive's [[Queen Bee]]. The Autobots joined forces with the natives to fend off the Decepticons; Fortress disconnected the Maximus's "Master Shot" cannon so the Headmasters could wield it, then transformed into Fortress Maximus to send Scorponok packing with the Master Sword. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} Fortress then used the Maximus to fly the Autobots to [[Twin Star]], where he dealt with Scorponok by hauling him into the air and dropping him, {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} and [[Daros]], where he used the Maximus's internal defense systems to stop [[Curl|a gang of prisoners]] from taking control of the battleship. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} The battleship needed some repairs before it could take the Autobots to [[Paradise]], which Fortress had Chromedome and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] perform. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} Fortress again transformed to Fortress Maximus on the final planet of their journey, [[Pirate Planet]], taking Scorponok out with a Master Sword-slash to the chest. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

[[File:Hm25 fortress cradles magnus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
After returning to Athenia, Fortress and the Headmasters received news of a Decepticon attack on Earth and headed there with all due haste, but they were not in time to stop [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] from mortally wounding [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Fortress held Magnus as he died, then carried his body aboard the Maximus for burial along an Earth coastline. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} Soon after, with Decepticon attacks intensifying, Fortress had to talk [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] out of risking his own life in the pursuit of revenge against Sixshot. When word came through from Punch that Galvatron intended to use the gathered energy to fuse himself with the Earth itself, Fortress and the Headmasters immediately departed to confront the Decepticon leader in [[Alaska]]. The Headmasters were able to use Punch's information to finally end the threat of Galvatron with their [[Head Formation]], burying him in the Arctic ice. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

[[File:Hm26 weak spot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|From USSR with "love"!]]
Galvatron's demise left a power vacuum that Scorponok immediately filled, and once appointed leader again, he immediately put into motion a plan to destroy the Earth by simultaneously erupting every volcano on the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]]. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] deduced his plan, but a Decepticon attack on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] left Spike fatally wounded, with a chunk of shrapnel embedded in one of his arteries. Medical science could do nothing for Spike, so Fortress used his telekinetic powers to dissolve the shrapnel, saving Spike, but draining all of Fortress's energy. Even in his weakened state, unable to transform, Fortress still attempted to stop Scorponok from initiating his plan on the Kamchatka Peninsula, but Scorponok simply hurled the Maximus into a volcano. As it turned out, this allowed Fortress to absorb the geothermal energy of the volcano's magma, restoring his power and ability to transform. Following information decoded by Chromedome, Fortress Maximus was able to puncture Scorponok's weak spot, the Decepticon symbol on his chest, forcing the villain and his followers to flee the planet. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[File:Hm28 fortress examines targetmaster.jpg|left|thumb]]
With Earth finally free of the Decepticons, the Autobots set about removing every trace of their evil from the planet. Fortress co-ordinated the effort, but just as he was meeting with three new Autobot arrivals—[[Pointblank]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]—a report came through from Chromedome that one of the plasma energy bombs he had been tasked with gathering up had become active. Fortress quickly picked up the bombs in Battleship Maximus, intending to transport them into space so they could detonate harmlessly, but as the ship departed the atmosphere, it crossed paths with another vessel containing refugees from Master. While the Autobots held off the Decepticons pursuing the Master vessel, Fortress and Twincast welcomed the refugees on board, and learned from them that Scorponok's Decepticons had attacked Master. The refugees then helped get the plasma bombs off Battleship Maximus, but they proceeded to detonate before everyone could get clear, and the explosion fused the refugees to the arms of the Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Fortress used his scientific know-how to remove the refugees from the Autobots' arms, but a strange link remained between the warriors. With these "[[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]]" added to their ranks, Fortress piloted Battleship Maximus to Master to stop Scorponok's evildoings there. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}}

[[File:MasterSwordDanger Floppydisk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Insert 80s computer joke here.]]
Seeking to forge a weapon to counter Fortress's Master Sword, Scorponok arranged for the kidnap of Wheelie so that he could be ransom for information on the sword. Fortress agonized over what to do, but the decision was made for him when Chromedome and Daniel snuck away to rescue Wheelie themselves. Learning of their insubordination, Fortress played along, keeping the Decepticons' attentions on his battleship and preparing a data disk to "hand over". Unfortunately, when the Decepticons learned that Wheelie had been rescued, a fight broke out over the disk and it was snatched from Fortress's grasp. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} The Decepticons retreated underground, but Fortress was able to track them down by equipping the Master Sword with sensors that would allow the Maximus to track any surges of the energy needed to create it, which Scorponok was sure to require to forge his own weapon. Unfortunately, [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] was able to sneak aboard the Maximus, and although Fortress repelled him, he had secretly planted bombs on the battleship that covered the Decepticons' escape when they went off. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}}

[[File:Hm31 fortmax defeated.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
As Battleship Maximus was repaired, Fortress debated strategy with the Autobots, eventually agreeing with the Targetmasters' plan to lure the Decepticons into space to avoid collateral damage to Master. Unfortunately, the hot-headed Chromedome disagreed, and staged his own attack on the Decepticons with the aid of the young warriors of Master. Chromedome's strategy went sour, forcing Fortress Maximus to go into action, but when the Master Sword clashed with Scorponok's newly forged "[[Zarak Shield]]", it was the Zarak Shield that emerged triumphant! Defeated, Fortress Maximus could only watch as Scorponok departed for Earth, intending to destroy it once and for all. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

The Autobots gave chase in the Maximus, but during the space battle that resulted, Daniel was set adrift when the Maximus's Laser Block unit was damaged and jettisoned. Fortress was forced to divert to rescue the boy, allowing the Decepticons a substantial lead in the race back to Earth. {{storylink|My Friend Sixshot!}} Their lead was lost when they were forced to set down on the asteroid [[Pallas]] for repairs, and the Maximus set down on [[Ceres]] in order to attack. During the fight, Sixshot challenged Chromedome to a one-on-one duel, and Fortress's pleas that he not accept the challenge fell on deaf ears. Even as Scorponok took off for Earth again, Fortress concluded that he and the other Autobots would have to leave Chromedome to his duel and carry on the chase. As it happened, the duel was interrupted by an explosion courtesy of bombs Scorponok had planted on the battlefield, so Chromedome was able to rejoin Maximus not long after. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}}

[[File:Hm35 master sword zappped.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|By the power of Grayskull!]]
As the Maximus entered the final stretch back to Earth, reports began coming in from the Autobots down on the planet of Decepticon attacks, accompanied by the emergence of strange towers at specific points around the globe. Once back on Earth, Fortress met with Punch, who unfortunately had to report that Scorponok had disappeared into the Mediterranean Ocean. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} The Autobots soon realized that the "Death Towers" were composed of energy-amplifying [[crysmagnetal]], and were creating a field of energy that was surrounding the Earth. Following Punch's lead, Fortress led the Autobots to Egypt, where Scorponok was outfitting a Death Tower with an induction booster to magnify the amount of energy it was projecting. The Master Sword played the unfortunate role of lightning rod in the presence of the Death Tower, attracting bolts of the tower's energy and stunning Fortress, preventing him from stopping Scorponok. As Scorponok fled, he told Fortress to meet him at the North Pole, where even he would have a role to play in his scheme.

[[File:Hm35 final battle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
With no other choices, Fortress followed his enemy's instructions, and the entire Autobot and Decepticon armies clashed in battle in the frozen north. There, Scorponok lured Fortress Maximus onto a crysmagnetal dais, at which point, an orbiting Decepticon satellite that had been gathering the energies projected by the Death Towers activated, beaming the collected energy down to the dais. Scorponok disconnected from his transtector, and left the paralyzed Fortress Maximus trapped in the satellite's beam, part of a deadly circuit of energy that threatened to tear the Earth apart. The four Headmasters joined in Head Formation and tried to channel their energy into Fortress Maximus in hopes of giving him the strength to break free, but their own power was not enough. At Daniel's suggestion, all the other Autobots linked up as part of the chain, and together combined in "Final Formation", they infused Maximus with enough energy to deflect the satellite's beam with the Master Sword, destroying it. With one mighty slash, Fortress Maximus bisected Scorponok's transtector, finally ending the Decepticon threat.

The Decepticons subsequently fled Earth, and the Autobots gathered to pursue them. Fortress told the tearful Daniel that it was necessary in order to continue defend peace throughout the universe, but promised the boy that they would meet again. Together, the Autobots all boarded Fortress's battleship, and took off into the setting sun. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

====''Kiss Players/15 Go! Go!''====
[[File:KPBraveMax.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]

Slumped miserably on the barren surface of Master in their smallest robot forms, Fortress, Chromedome and Highbrow's attention was caught when a [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|time-travelling spaceship]] materialized over their heads and crashed nearby. {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 1}} By studying and reverse-engineering the technology found in this spaceship, Fortress and the scientists of Master invented transtectors and the Headmaster process. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #48}} {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 3}}

====''Super-God Masterforce Master File''====
Following the expulsion of the Decepticons from Earth after the battle at the North Pole, the Transformers' war shifted into a series of space-based exchanges between Athenia and Chaar known as the [[Master Wars]]. With the space bridge destroyed, interstellar transportation was severely limited, and it fell to Fortress and the Maximus to patrol space for the Decepticons. While on one such patrol, Fortress received a transmission from Sixshot alerting him to the existence of a [[Devil Z|new shadowy puppet master]] who had taken control of the Decepticons. This news came at the same time as a report from the Trainbots which indicated that Scorponok had constructed a new transtector for himself, and so Fortress had no choice but to focus on dealing with this mystery. With access to the ever-important Earth now greatly reduced and his attentions now focused elsewhere, Fortress left guardianship of the planet in the hands of [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] and his [[Pretender]]s. {{storylink|Master File No, 1}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
Fortress dispatched a team of [[Pretender]]s led by [[Marduk]] to retrieve the [[Ultra Matrix]] from [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/30}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
Archive footage of Fortress Maximus destroying the MegaZarak transtector was used to educate the future [[Headmaster Junior]]s about the [[Master Wars]]. {{storylink|Birth! Headmaster Jrs}}

Fortress's younger brother, [[Grand Maximus|Grand]], travelled to Earth to aid the Autobots there against the approaching threat of [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]]. Grand was physically identical to his big bro, save for his coloration, and even piloted a smaller Maximus-style battleship of his own. {{storylink|Life? Death? The Desperate Lightfoot}}

====''Legends'' comic====
The battle between Fortress and Scorponok began on Master when Fortress discovered and put an end to his kidnapping and experimenting on citizens. {{storylink|Mutant Targetmaster Birth Chapter}} Years later, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] told a visiting [[Legends World|Legends]] [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] the story about how he and other diminutive Autobots, including Fortress, left Cybertron and settled on Master. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 9|Bonus Edition Vol. 9}} Fortress later showed up when [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] was complaining about Brainstorm's recent upgrade and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] was getting angry at Rattrap for not caring about ''The Headmasters'', and commented that everyone was getting worked up as usual. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Brainstorm Chapter|Brainstorm Chapter}}

[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] harbored regrets over the fact that [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] had parted ways with him and moved onto spending her time with Fortress. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}}

During development of [[Master-Brace|technology]] that would let [[Headmaster Junior]]s wield [[Masterforce]], Fortress created a Headmaster [[exosuit]] for human use and let [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] test pilot it on his own transtector. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}}

By 2021, Scorponok had returned and Fortress continued to fight him in space, culminating in a battle to stop the Decepticon from detonating a black hole. The Autobots failed and were infected with [[blackball|miniature black holes]] that shrunk their bodies, threatening to eventually make them disappear entirely. After having all non-Headmasters on his crew converted into Headmasters to save their lives, Fortress told his forces they could find new transtectors in the Legends World, then set a course there before the battleship Maximus itself could disappear. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} On arrival, Fortress requested help from the local [[Axalon Trading Company]], but was told by [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] that they didn't work for free. In lieu of money, Fortress offered them access to Headmaster technology and negotiated a partnership between the Autobots and Axalon, leading to him and his soldiers becoming office workers. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 21|Bonus Edition Vol. 21}}

Fortress was later called up by Grand, who asked him to open a portal and receive some humans he was sending to the Legends World. He was resistant to taking them in, being busy with managerial duties, but backed down when an angry Grand told him people's lives were at stake and accused him of getting too cozy in the peaceful dimension. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} When the Autobot Axalon Trading Company finished building a new battleship Maximus, Chromedome urged Fortress to use it to crush the Decepticons, only for Fortress to collapse while trying to argue for a peaceful solution. In sickbed, he let Chromedome in on a big secret: the process of controlling Maximus had been eating away at his life force all along, weakening him every time he combined. He then broke into tears, despairing that he was nothing but a coward who avoided having to use the transtector for his own safety, but Chromedome reassured him that he was a great commander who had only kept this secret from his troops to keep morale up. Despite his condition, Fortress didn't hesitate to become Fortress Maximus once more to defend his friends from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who was being mind-controlled by [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] into attacking the Maximus. After defeating Tarantulas by piercing his control device with the Master Sword, he told his comrades he was happy as long as he could keep defending the world. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}}

Highbrow began researching a cure to Fortress's condition and eventually found that it could be reversed by feeding him [[Zodiac]] energy, which was related to the Headmasters' telepathic energy. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 33|Bonus Edition Vol. 33}} When the Decepticon Headmasters stole Metroplex's [[transformation cog]] to rebuild [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Megatron contacted Fortress as he was the only other Transformer large enough to stop Trypticon. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}} However, Trypticon's new ability to fly caught Fortress by surprise before he could transform the Maximus, and the battleship was damaged and crashed. Fortress removed its transformation cog and had it delivered to Metroplex, then ended up among the victims devoured by Trypticon before he could be defeated. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} The Maximus base was subsequently integrated into the city when it was rebuilt. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Goldbug]] and Spike later arrived at Axalon and informed Fortress that the Spike acting as a chairman of the [[Galactic Peace Alliance]] was an impostor. Noting that Spike had kept the exosuit, Fortress lent him his transtector so he could fight off the fake, then promised he would lend a hand when the time came to defeat him for good. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 54|Bonus Edition Vol. 54}} The Maximus was drowned when [[Tigerburn]] flooded the city {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 64|Bonus Edition Vol. 64}} and damaged when [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] attacked, but got repaired by [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] using the Zodiac. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 66|Bonus Edition Vol. 66}} When Grand came to the Legends World to battle [[Devil Z]] and BlackZarak using his own gigantic transtector, Fortress tried to stop him as didn't have the training required to control it, but Grand insisted on showing his worth and defeated Devil Z before collapsing. Fortress rushed to his fallen brother, who praised him for his ability to control such a huge body and joked that they would both be needing the Zodiac treatment now. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

====''Generations Selects Special Comic''====
In [[2050]], Fortress Maximus was associated with a larger complex for the [[Cybertron Alliance]] known as [[Neo Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

===''TV Magazine'' comic continuity===
====''The Great Transformer War''====
[[File:Hmmanga battered headmasters.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]
In the year 2010, while significant Transformer battles were being waged throughout space and on Earth, Fortress was active on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. After the younger Headmaster warriors under his command were defeated in battle by [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and the Decepticon Headmasters, Fortress quickly roused his fallen comrades and ordered them to board his battleship, the Maximus, so that they could pursue the villains. Their destination: Cybertron! {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
[[File:Manga fort max.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Soon after Optimus Prime died stabilizing Vector Sigma, the Decepticons staged an attack on Athenia, and Fortress and the Autobot Headmasters quickly took off in Battleship Maximus to intercept them as they approached the planet. Daniel opined that the Decepticons were "a lot like parasites", to which Fortress murmured an agreement. At that point, the Decepticons appeared in front of them, and the Autobots realized that they had played into the villains' hands: they intended to destroy Fortress's battleship with a bomb. Luckily, Chromedome moved quickly enough to snatch the bomb away and save the Maximus. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 1|The Headmasters #1}}

Responding to an SOS from their Beastformer comrades, Fortress escorted the Autobot Headmasters to planet Beast to investigate. No sooner had the young warriors left Battleship Maximus to search, Rodimus Prime radioed Fortress for an update. Fortress didn't have anything to tell him, but assured Rodimus that the Headmasters would get to the bottom of the mystery. {{storylink|The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}} Later, once they were back on Earth, Fortress sent the Headmasters on their next mission, to respond to a Decepticon attack on an Alaskan energy plant. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 2|The Headmasters #2}}

When a fire tore through [[Shinjuku]], Chromedome, [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]], and [[Artfire]] responded, but their rescue effort was impeded by the Decepticon Targetmaters. Luckily, Fortress soon arrived to extinguish the fire by dumping a massive amount of water on it from above using Battleship Maximus, freeing up the others to deal with the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
[[File:Mfmanga fortress meets ginrai.jpg|left|thumb]]
When a new and powerful Autobot warrior named [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] rose to prominence on Earth, he distinguished himself to the point that Fortress decided to step down as Supreme Commander and appoint Ginrai in his place. The Trainbots brought Ginrai and his [[Headmaster Junior]] allies to Athenia, where Fortress formally handed over leadership, then departed to take care of some business on Master. In his absence, the united forces of the Earth- and space-based Decepticons attacked Athenia, but Ginrai was able to repel them. Fortress arrived back just as the Decepticons were pulling out, and announced that the Autobots must pool their resources as their enemies had, uniting their forces on Earth and space to commence the [[Godbomber|Bomber Project]]. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army}}

Later talking to [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]], Fortress would check on the progress of the project after Chromedome arrived at Earth to assist with it. {{storylink|Headmasters VS Masterforce}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Fortress Maximus served as transport when Ultra Magnus lead a mission to a small asteroid in search of a new source of [[Energon]]. The Autobots discovered a [[Observer|small alien]], and [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] utilized Maximus's laboratory to determine that the creature turned its food into Energon. A later fracas with the Decepticons resulted in Fortress Maximus getting involved, leading to a fight with Scorponok. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

===''PDTF Comic''===
[[File:Pdtype fortmax manga.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
While casually minding his own business one day, Fortress Maximus was suddenly shocked to see a wave of Decepticons led by Galvatron bearing down on him. He immediately transformed into robot mode... but he had completely forgotten that he had been in city mode, leaving all the poor Autobots who had been inside him squished and thinking there had been an earthquake. {{storylink|PDTF Comic##12 "Bigger than Life! Fortress Maximus!"|Bigger Than Life! Fortress Maximus!}}

Fortress Maximus later met Scorponok in battle, vowing to never surrender. All the other Transformers would probably have preferred that he ''did'' surrender, though, since the battle put them ''all'' in danger when the two towering titans toppled over, threatening to accidentally crush them all! {{storylink|PDTF Comic##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! MegaZarak!}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
A normal-sized Fortress Maximus was a co-leader of the Autobot forces on Cybertron, along with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. As Cybertron's resources ran low, they struggled to hold the Autobot army together; several of the newly created Micromasters grew increasingly dissatisfied with their lot in life within the Autobot army, and came to question if their larger counterparts were leading them in the right direction. {{storylink|Destined for Nothing}} The war continued despite their best efforts, and after a fruitless and disastrous skirmish with the Micromaster [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] and the Decepticons, Fortress Maximus gave up on the war. He left the Autobot army in order to seek a new path. {{Storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

A gargantuan Fortress Maximus was also seen in a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced vision of future [[Nebulos]] by Optimus Prime and Megatron. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Ironclaw artofwar.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb]]
While imbued with the wisdom of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], General [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] had a vision of Fortress Maximus and [[Sgt. Savage]] fighting against [[Iron Klaw]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

====''TransTech''====
Binary bonded to [[Emissary (RID)|Brave]] and Sgt. Savage as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s, Fortress Maximus was part of the alliance between the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] [[Screaming Eagles]] against the Decepticons and [[S.K.A.R.]] A clash between Maximus and Trypticon nearly destroyed Earth's magnetosphere, but ultimately, the Autobots and their human allies won the day. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/01}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:SpotlightArcee FortressMaximus.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]
{{main|Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}

A famed Autobot soldier, Fortress Maximus achieved renowned status during the [[Simanzi Massacre]] for having supposedly killed hundreds of Decepticons personally. His dedication to justice led to him being appointed warden of the [[Garrus-9]] penal colony, but he suffered greatly at the hands of [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] during the [[Surge (event)|Surge]]. Fortress Maximus was traumatized by the mutilation he received and the feeling of abandonment by [[Autobot High Command]], leading him to succumb to a violent mental break. Fortress Maximus recovered from his ordeal, though, becoming the new duly-appointed enforcer of the [[Tyrest Accord]], and continuing to stand for justice in an unjust universe.
{{-}}

===''United''===
When the [[Autobot]]s fell down with a [[nano-virus]], Fortress Maximus was in city mode as part of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}

===''Transformers GT: Mission GT-R''===
[[File:GT-R Maximus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|What's worse? This pose? Or the fact that it's called the "master '''Jack''' Sword"?]]
In a world where the Transformers' war settled into a series of friendly competitive races known as the [[Transformers GT]], Fortress Maximus took on a race car form and became the [[GT Transformer]] known as '''GT-R Maximus'''. He was a fair and sportsmanlike racer who boasted the highest strength of all GT Transformers, and though normally averse to combat, he was willing to punish cheaters with his [[Master Jack Sword]]. Like other contestants, GT-R Maximus put a limit on his own strength by separating his Matrix into a [[GT Sister]], creating his partner [[Hiiro]].

====Comic====
GT-R Maximus was racing against [[Optimus Prime (G1)|GT-R Prime]] and [[Star Saber (G1)|GT-R Saber]], cheered on by Hiiro on the sidelines, when the race was interrupted by the arrival of [[Megatron (G1)|GT-R Megatron]]. The intruder announced his intent to crush all racers inferior to him, causing a scuffle, but GT-R Prime talked him down and convinced him to join the race instead. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (comic)|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R}}

====Story pages====
Like other racers, GT-R Maximus attended photo shoots alongside Hiiro in order to promote coexistence between humans and Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (story page)|The Work of the GT Sister Race Queens?}} When a reincarnated [[Unicron]] attacked the Transformers GT finals and absorbed the huge [[energon]] pool saved up for the final prize, Maximus threw aside his usual dislike for battle and attacked the villain with his mighty sword. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (story page)|Bringing Down the Sword}} But Maximus alone wasn't enough to defeat Unicron, so he used the "Matrix In" process to recombine with Hiiro and restore his true strength. Together with the other powered up racers and their GT Sisters, he fought and defeated Unicron, saving Earth. {{storylink|Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (story page)|The True TFGT}}

====''Story of Transformers GT''====
GT-R Maximus raced in the 19th Transformers GT in his usual pacifistic manner, refusing Hiiro's requests to prepare the Master Jack Sword and instead relying on his fists when he was forced into combat. His resolve was tested when he heard that GT-R Megatron was using unnecessarily violent methods to get ahead, however, and he ultimately relented and had Hiiro transfer the sword to him so he could teach the brute a lesson. {{storylink|A Biggest Sword! –The Last Resort–}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
The Ft. Max Forum, located on Earth, was the third venue for the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]] on their 2014 "Till All Are One" tour. {{storylink|Knights of Unicron}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s corruption of his brain reduced Fortress Maximus to a mindless, energy-starved zombie who wandered Cybertron in a daze. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} When [[U.S.7]] and the [[Oktober Guard]] passed by on a ship, Maximus grabbed it out of the sky and swallowed the occupants whole. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} A group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and Autobots infiltrated the giant on a mission to save U.S.7, leading to their discovery and defeat of Blackarachnia and the restoration of Maximus's mind. He subsequently joined the battle against the Decepticons and [[Cobra]], going up against [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] who bit his head off only to for the head to transform into Cerebros in his mouth. In spite of the surprise attack this allowed for, the Autobots were defeated and the decapitated body of Fortress Maximus was left where it lay. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

Through circumstances unknown, [[Snake-Eyes]] bonded with Fortress Maximus through the [[Master Sword]], replacing his original head partner, [[Galen]]. He teamed up with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], in turn controlled by Snake-Eyes's compatriot [[Scarlett]], and together they coerced [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to fight again before marching on the Decepticon position as part of a joint Autobot-Joe army. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} During the battle, even Maximus and Scorponok were dwarfed by Megatron's "Mega-Megatron" form, but fortunately they didn't have to fight the giant long before he was broken apart by [[Shipwreck]]. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-10-Fortress.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
Fortress was at the newly constructed Autobot base, [[Metroplex (Kre-O)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:HeadGames-ResistanceScaleFortMaxFace.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Cerebros and Spike Witwicky were turned into Fortress Maximus when the war spread to Nebulos to counter the rise of [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]]. But the destructive power of the city-bot brought only more devastation to the planet, and the existence of Maximus and weapons like him was a major reason why the [[Human Confederacy]] confined the Transformers and their war to the [[Allowed Zone]]. {{storylink|Head Games}}

When Galvatron threatened the planet [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]], Fortress Maximus—now bonded to Daniel Witwicky—returned to duty after the Decepticons deployed the newest incarnation of MegaZarak. When the two clashed for the second time, it was Fortress Maximus who fell. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

As energy became scarce, Fortress Maximus could no longer move and ground to a halt in robot mode in [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], where his frozen, towering form was repurposed as a prison by the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]]. Cerebros himself died at some point, but his consciousness remained active within Maximus through three [[Cyberdroid]]s, [[Grand Maximus|Gran]], [[Galen|Kord]], and [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]].

When Cerebros learned of the Terran singularity, bringing back all humans who ever lived and died, he petitioned the Terrans to bring back his Witwicky partners as well. They refused, but instead gave Cerebros the [[Energon Matrix]] technology to create a new proto-race of Cybertronians. One of the earliest protoformers birthed was [[Maxima]], known as the first daughter of Fortress Maximus and ''She Who Sang''. Her principles led to the development of a proto-race faction called the Maximals, derived from Autobot teachings and named in part for Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Head Games}} {{storylink|The Predacon Manifesto}}

[[Lio Convoy#Beast Wars: Uprising|Lio Convoy]]'s [[Resistance]] against the Builders sought to infiltrate Fortress Maximus and free the prisoners within, but their initial attempts were foiled by Cerebros's ability to get into the heads of the intruders and turn them against each other. The third strike team was able to turn the tide by willingly sacrificing [[Buzzclaw (BW)#Beast Wars: Uprising|Buzzclaw]] to Cerebros's control and using the mental link to paralyze him, allowing them to kill Kord and Plasma and kidnap Gran, effectively shutting down Maximus. {{storylink|Head Games}}
{{-}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Primax 1086.0 Kappa]], Fortress Maximus and Scorponok were killed by the Nebulans during the Transformers' battle on Nebulos, and their remains were fused together by [[Zarak (G1)|Mortilus Zarak]] into a giant robot body. After he binary bonded with the body, however, the faint traces of Maximus's and Scorponok's sparks began affecting his mind and eventually drove him mad, turning him into "[[Zarak Maximus]]". {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/11}}

In some other realities, Fortress Maximus survived the Great War and went on to found the [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/08}}

===''TransTech''===
During the destructive conflict between the [[Screaming Eagles]] and [[S.K.A.R.]] in [[Primax 806.30 Gamma]], both sides found themselves binary-bonded to Cybertronian partners. Fortress Maximus formed a partnership with [[Sgt. Savage]] through [[Emissary (RID)|Brave]]. After a globe-spanning confrontation which almost destroyed Earth, the Autobots and G.I. Joes emerged victorious. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/01}}

===2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity===
Fortress Maximus was one of the many casualties of the Great War before the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:HasbroPulse FortressMaximus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|This is highly unusual.]]
One of the last [[Titan (group)|Titans]] in the universe, {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus online bio}} the legendary Fortress Maximus had slumbered underneath [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], until the battle for the [[Titan Master]]s roused him from his slumber. He awoke just in time to witness [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s attack on Cybertron, frightening the Decepticon communications officer something fierce. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}} With a city alt-mode, Fortress Maximus served as the ultimate Autobot weapon and base. {{storylink|#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus online bio}}

When Fortress Maximus returned to full size and unleashed his power on the universe, the scientists [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Arcana|Teslor]] and Cityspeaker [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] fought against the rogue Autobot [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], who sought to use a loyal Titan Master to bend the Titan to his will as part of his own misguided agenda.<ref>''Titans Return'' ''[[Titans Return (toyline)#Summer convention exclusives|Titan Force]] 3-pack'' bio material/instructions.</ref>
{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Michael Dorn]] (English), [[Nolan North]] (English, screams and grunts)}}
[[File:TF-CW-Cartoon-Fort-Max-close-up.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|left|"I was woken up at 3 in the morning, told I had to put on make-up and come to this town. What the hell is going on?"]]
[[File:FortMaxPoster.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|''The sky is blue and all the leaves are green<br>The sun's as warm as a baked potato<br>I think I know precisely what I mean<br>When I say it's a shpadoinkle day'']]

Fortress Maximus was a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] constructed during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], and was aided by his Titan Master, [[Emissary (TR)|Emissary]]. Once the conflict ceased, he was decommissioned and left dormant. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} After the conclusion of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] experienced a vision of Fortress Maximus, indicating that the Titans had indeed returned. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

When Trypticon was reawakened, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] proposed seeking out Fortress Maximus to combat the rogue Titan. At Perceptor's suggestion, the [[Mistress of Flame]] sent [[Computron (G1)|Computron]], [[Victorion]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] to locate and awaken Maximus. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} The inert Titan was eventually located in a frozen wasteland by the four combiners, and Menasor accidentally fired a missile from one of Maximus's cannons that launched Emissary towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|The Fight Begins}}
Computron determined that Fortress Maximus's [[transformation cog]] was damaged, rendering him unable to directly join the battle. However, Victorion saw fit to target Maximus' functioning missiles at the saurian giant–with Metroplex expected to be killed in the process as an acceptable casualty of friendly fire–thereby fulfilling her own [[Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Victorion|personal vision of the Combiners saving the galaxy]]. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}

The barrage ultimately failed, {{storylink|At the Last Second}} and the Combiners were distracted by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s arrival, leading to a confrontation that was eventually halted by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and Emissary. After the others had departed, Emissary attempted to link to Fortress Maximus's mind, but was unable to access it. Instead, he initiated a procedure to link Windblade and Maximus via her [[Cityspeaker]] abilities. However, the process proved volatile and soon spiraled out of control. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}}

Windblade communed with Fortress Maximus, begging for his help, though he at first rejected her, having sworn a life of peace. She ultimately managed to convince Maximus, however, and he transformed himself back to robot mode, following Windblade back towards Metroplex City. {{storylink|Run for Our Lives}} Witnessing Trypticon's fight with Victorion from afar, Fortress Maximus admitted he was unsure he could win, but swore to try anyway for Cybertron's sake. He arrived in Metroplex City just in time to catch [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] before he could fall into some sharp rubble. {{storylink|In Good Hands}} He engaged in battle with Trypticon, refusing help from Emissary, and managed to get the upper hand until Trypticon swallowed Victorion and the [[Enigma of Combination]], powering himself up. Between attacks from the powered-up Trypticon and the now mind-controlled [[Combiner]]s, Maximus found himself at a disadvantage. When Trypticon swallowed [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], even he was knocked away by the sudden surge of power it triggered. {{storylink|Consumed}}

Ultimately, however, the Matrix's power couldn't be controlled by Trypticon, and he released all those he had swallowed, along with Starscream's ghost. Catching Trypticon's deactivated body, Maximus lamented the loss of another Titan, but was interrupted by the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. He and Optimus attempted a sneak attack, but Megatronus effortlessly caught Maximus's Master Sword and tossed him away before killing Optimus. No longer able to bring himself to try attacking again, Maximus could only watch as Megatronus escaped with the Enigma and Matrix in hand. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}} He was later severely weakened by the spark-draining power of [[Megatronus]]'s doomsday weapon. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Thankfully, he survived and began working under Windblade, who became the Magistrate of [[Cityspeaker]]s and aided those who communicated with the Titans. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:StarTrekVsTF2-fortressmaximus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]

As [[World War III]] swept Earth, the Autobots abandoned [[Earth]] aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] Fortress Maximus, using his starship configuration to roam the cosmos in search of [[energon]]. Decades passed, and as Maximus passed by [[Cygnus Seven]] the Autobots were ambushed by the Decepticons aboard their own Titan, Trypticon; in the ensuing battle, the badly damaged Fortress Maximus crash-landed on the planet's surface, sending everyone aboard—Autobot and Decepticon alike—into stasis. Centuries later, the [[Federation]] set up a [[dilithium]] mine on the planet, and while surveying a potential mineshaft Federation miners accidentally stumbled on the Titan's inert form, and inadvertently reactivated Fortress Maximus's repair systems in the process.

[[File:STvsTF3-FortressTiberious.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So do Gasket and Grommet turn into ''Enterprise'' shuttles now, or...?]]

Unable to distinguish between Autobot and Decepticon, Maximus's autonomous subsystems first brought the Decepticons back online, who proceeded to attack the mining colony before the ship could reawaken Prime and the other Autobots. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} When [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] and the crew of the ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' investigated the distress signal, they discovered Fortress Maximus's resting spot, only to be ambushed by the rest of the Autobots {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}} before Kirk could convince them of his good intentions. The Decepticons soon got the upper hand by sealing the Autobots in the mine with their new allies, and so [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] hatched a risky plan to bring Fortress Maximus back online. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

To bring the Titan back online, Ratchet rigged up a device that would access Kirk's memories through Fortress Maximus; using scans of the ''Enterprise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s schematics, plucked from Kirk's brain, Ratchet was able to bring their living ship back to full functionality by rebuilding Fortress Maximus into a copy of the ''Enterprise''. Shortly after coming back online, Fortress Maximus burst from the ground to take on the Decepticons and their new [[Klingon]] allies; now fully under Kirk's mental control, the [[Starfleet]] captain was able to blast Trypticon with the ship's inbuilt [[Phaser (weapon)|phasers]] before beaming [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kuri]]'s Federation prisoners to safety. To take on the gigantic Decepticon, Kirk was able to transform the Titan into his new robot mode, their shared mind declaring themselves "Fortress Tiberius." {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirective4-CygnusVIIBattle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml4wAnvfM4M Dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-DAAAAAAAH-dah-dah-dah]...]]

As the two Titans battled it out, Kirk was forced to keep Fortress Maximus's own desire for vengeance under control, using his powerful suite of onboard weapons to great effect against his foe. Despite the temptation, however, Kirk was able to keep himself under control, and by reigning in his partner's bloodlust Kirk was able to momentarily down Trypticon with a powerful punch.

When the Decepticons abruptly announced a retreat, however, Kirk used Tiberius's onboard sensors to realize that the treacherous Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had already absconded with a load of [[dilithium]], and sought to conquer the [[Klingon Empire]]. Optimus and the other Autobots boarded Fortress Tiberius and reunited with the real ''Enterprise'' over Cygnus Seven to help repair the damaged vessel. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

When the ''Enterprise'' was once more spaceworthy, the two vessels pursued Starscream to the Klingon homeworld of [[Kronos]], using their onboard [[replicator]]s to construct [[Crewbot|a series of armored battlesuits]] so that the other members of the ''Enterprise'' could take on their foes. Kirk and the others had arrived too late, however: Starscream had already arrived and been summarily defeated by Megatron and the other Decepticons, with the Decepticon leader seeking to seize the planet as the capital of his Decepticon empire.

[[File:PrimesDirective5-warpspeed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

Fortress Tiberius and Trypticon battled it out once more as the Autobots, Klingons, and Starfleet members joined the fight, though the Titan and his human partner weren't able to overcome Trypticon before they were incapacitated by a paralyzing sonic blast from Soundwave. The Klingons, however, weren't affected by this frequency, and thanks to Kirk forewarning their leader [[Kuri]] about Cybertronian vulnerabilities, they were able to unleash an armada of [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]]s on the Decepticons and defeat them.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots chose to go their own way aboard Fortress Tiberius once more, bidding farewell to Kirk and the other members of Starfleet but pledging to remain on call if the Federation ever needed their assistance again. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Fortress Maximus grappled with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] on [[Nebulos|Nebulon]] while other [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] scuffled at their feet. With a show of prodigious strength, Fortress Maximus picked up Scorponok by his tail and tossed his opponent about like a ragdoll. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}
*When the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] threatened to attack Fortress Maximus, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] sprung up to oppose them. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Technobots and Terrorcons|Technobots and Terrorcons commercial}}
*The Terrorcons attacked Fortress Maximus once more; this time, the massive Autobot warded off their attack on his own by blasting them with his battle station mode. The Terrorcons regrouped and combined into [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] to tare away at Fortress Maximus's armament. Little did they know that Fortress Maximus could still transform into a robot that dwarfed even the mighty combiner! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Fortress Maximus|Fortress Maximus commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
When the Decepticons struck out at four planets, including Cybertron and Earth, Fortress Maximus was joined by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and the Headmasters of Justice to save the final planet from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
{{Note|Although Fortress Maximus was not included in a storyline for the ''Transformers Legends'' game, he was featured as a playable character.}} {{storylink|Signature Series featuring Marcelo Matere|Signature Series}}

==Toys==
{{Main|Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Fortmaxsize1.jpg|thumb|upright=1|DAAAAAAAAAAAANG, that boy must eat his veggies.]]
*"Fortress Maximus" was an early name for the characters that eventually became [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. The [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|comic adaptation]] of the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] even refers to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] as "Fortress Maximus" in a caption.
*Fortress Maximus was the first toy to be released with a bona-fide Earthling figure. All of the other Headmasters' companions were from Nebulos. (Although Maximus's on-package [[bio]] refers to "the Nebulan leader, Spike", the general consensus is that it was supposed to be the popular figure from TV and other media, who is almost certainly an Earthling.)
*Both Scorponok and Fortress Maximus suffer from the writers struggling to reconcile the characters' high rank with their size. In their comic appearances, they are portrayed as commanders in some capacity but are shrunk down to interact with other Transformers, and their city modes pretty much don't exist. Conversely, the cartoons have opted to portray them as giant city Transformers, though they seem to be merely extensions of the smaller beings that bond with them, with no real life or will of their own.
*According to the 1997 issue of ''The Super Robots Chronicles'', Fortress Maximus is three kilometers tall.
*The Battleship ''Maximus'' bears a slight resemblance to the {{w|White Base}}, a battleship from the ''{{w|Gundam}}'' franchise.
*Like most comic-only Kreons, Fortress is made up of existing Kre-O parts, namely the [[Hound (Kre-O)|Hound]] helmet and the sword first used by [[Headstrong (G1)|Torox]] and [[Tantrum (G1)|Headlock]] (in reference to the [[Master Sword]] used by the original Fortress).
*An [http://news.tfw2005.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2011/09/Fortress-Maximus-Prototypes-1_1315944004.jpg early prototype] for Fortress Maximus's toy featured, among other things, waist-guns that pushed straight out on levers instead of swinging out on an axis. This appears to have formed the basis for his character model's waist-guns, which feature red circles rather than hinges.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cerebros''' (セレブロス ''Sereburosu''), '''Fortress''' (フォートレス ''Fōtoresu''), '''Fortress Maximus''' (フォートレスマキシマス ''Fōtoresu Makishimasu'')
*''English:'' '''Spaceship Bruce''' (spaceship mode, [[Omni Productions]] dub), '''Cerebros''' (Fortress, [[Shout! Factory]] sub)
*''French:'' '''Forteresse Maximus''' (Canada)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Fút<sup>h</sup>è Chǜ-jén''' (Taiwan, 福特巨人, "Fort Giant"), '''Jùwúbà Fútè''' (China, 巨无霸福特, "Extremely Gigantic Fort"), '''Furmon''' (Taiwan, 福蒙 ''Fú Móng''), '''Fortry''' (Taiwan [[Omni Productions]] dub, 福崔 ''Fú Tsuēi'')
*''Russian:'' '''Krepysh Maximus''' (Крепыш Максимус ''Krepysh Maksimus'', "Sturdy Fellow Maximus")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Fortetsya Maxima''' (Фортеця Максима, "Fortress Maxima")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Autobot bases]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Autobot starships]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:City Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobot starships]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:GT characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Titans]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Broken Glass!

2021-10-02T04:43:01Z

Repowers: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]'' #2
|prev=Ring of Hate!
|next=Love and Steel!
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #134–137
|prev2=Headhunt
|next2=Grudge Match!
|title="Broken Glass!"
|image=MarvelHeadmasters-2.jpg
|caption=When you gotta go, you gotta go!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=May [[1987]]
|coverdate=September 1987
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Frank Springer]]
|inker=[[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Pat Brosseau]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''While the Autobots seek to prove their peaceful intentions to the Nebulans, Zarak summons the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
The presence of giant f*cking robots threatens the 10,000-year peace of the planet [[Nebulos]], as the citizens gather in protest demonstrations. [[Galen]], a member of the ruling "[[Council of Peers]]" on Nebulos, looks for a solution to the escalating tensions; he tries to break up a fight among the protesters, only to get slugged for his troubles. [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], a rival member of the council, seeks to use the situation to further his own political position; he's paid for quite a few of the protestors. Debate in the council is somewhat mollified when [[Gort]] appears and explains that his injuries were an accident.

While Galen consults with the disconnected head of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] about recent events, an unconvinced Zarak and his staff pay a visit to the other [[Autobot]]s, who are setting up an encampment. Though an ostensibly peaceful gesture, their true purpose is to obtain the frequencies required to communicate with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Using a [[Grax Communications Facility|facility]] owned by [[Grax]], Zarak calls for help in ridding Nebulos of the Autobots.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s band has invaded the deserted Autobot base, where they receive Zarak's message. Scorponok orders his troops to prepare for interplanetary transport and world conquest.

The Decepticons arrive and, over Zarak's protests, lay siege to the capital city of [[Koraja]] in hopes of getting the citizens of Nebulos to surrender the five captive Autobots to them. The [[Nebulan]]s fight back from within the city's fortified walls, but [[Duros]] and Galen can see that they can't hold out forever against the Decepticons. They need the power of the Autobots. Galen can't simply restore Fortress Maximus and his group, however; it would violate the terms of the peace agreement between them. Fortress Maximus tells him that there is a way for the Nebulans to control the Autobots themselves.

Soon, a group of Nebulan volunteers begin the process of [[binary bonding]] with the Autobots who had sacrificed their heads earlier. Despite [[Llyra]]'s pleas, Galen is the fifth volunteer, stating that he must lead his people by example. The five Nebulans are bio-engineered to actually become the heads of the captive Autobots, creating the first [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. While the Nebulans control the Autobots' bodies, the original Autobots maintain contact with the Nebulans they now carry, and the result is a group of highly effective warriors, which quickly dispatch the attacking Decepticons. Scorponok orders a retreat to allow time to study this new development.

The Autobots march through their damaged city, and the citizens gape in awe and fear at them, till they disconnect their heads and return to Nebulan form, whereupon they are greeted as heroes. But Llyra cannot find joy; her betrothed Galen has become a machine of war, a man she can no longer recognize.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (9)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (10)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (11)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (12)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] (13)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (16)
*[[Pointblank]] (17)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (18)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (19)
|c2=
*[[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] (20)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (21)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (22)
*[[Apeface]] (23)
*[[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] (24)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (25)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (26)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]/''[[Krunix (G1)|Krunix]]'' (27)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (28)
*[[Flywheels]] (29)
*[[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]] (30)
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (31)
*[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (32)
|h3=[[Nebulan]]s|c3=
*[[Spasma]] (1)
*[[Galen]] (2)
*[[Duros]] (3)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (4)
*[[Llyra]] (5)
*[[Krunk]] (6)
*[[Grax]] (7)
*[[Vorath]] (8)
*[[Marita]] (14)
*[[Gort]] (15)
*[[Arcana]] (33)
*[[Stylor]] (34)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Galen:''' "I'm the same man I always was. You must believe that."<br>
'''Llyra:''' "I believe what I see--a man hiding behind a suit of armor."<br>
:—Apparently '''Galen''' is not more than meets the eye to '''Llyra'''

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:Krunix01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Marvel UK: Fixing an error, opening [[Cyclonus's Armada|another can of worms]].]]
*Even as the narration describes the Nebulans transforming to "look like the heads of" their new Autobot partners, Fortress Maximus's new head (i.e., Galen transformed) is actually the animation model for [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]' head. Fortress Maximus randomly changes to his own head design as the Autobots engage the Decepticons... then suddenly changes back to Cerebros' head as the Headmasters prepare to transform back to humanoid form at the battle's end. The Cerebros head would show up a couple more times in future issues.
*On page 8, in the third panel Kup is colored like Highbrow.
*On page 10, a giant sized version of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s future [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] partner [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] is referred to as Cyclonus, even though he looks nothing like him. In an attempt to repair this error when the story was published in the UK comic, the character name was changed to [[Krunix (G1)|Krunix]].
*On the same page, Mindwipe is drawn as a Nebulan Headmaster partner.
*When the Decepticons prepare to attack the city, a miscolored Misfire identifies himself as Mindwipe, while Slugslinger is drawn as a giant Caliburst. To address the giant Targetmaster-as-Cyclonus problem from above, the text "Save some for Cyclonus!" is replaced with Krunix's "Save some for me!" in the UK printing.
* In the followup panel, the beast-mode Decepticons have transformed.... and jet-mode Misfire (presumably intended to be Mindwipe) is just sitting there on the ground with them.
* The pre-attack introdump panel implies that only seven Decepticons have arrived to attack the city, but a variety of other Decepticons and generics show up in subsequent pages. In particular:
** Page 14: the attacking Decepticon force suddenly includes Fastrack, jet-mode Apeface, and two vehicles that look rather suspiciously like Fortress Maximus's drone-bots [[Cog (G1)|Gasket and Grommet]].
** Page 18: Triggerhappy has also joined the attack force.
** Pages 18 to 20 feature multiple generics to pad out the Decepticon ranks.
*On the surgery table, Stylor is drawn as a mini-Chromedome.
*The Autobot Headmasters' relative proportions are all out of whack when the Nebulans connect to them for the first time. Fortress Maximus is the same size as the other four, when he should be a couple of heads taller. Hardhead is the smallest, while Brainstorm is swollen up like a weightlifter.
* As the Decepticons retreat, Skullcruncher is colored white and blue, and has a bizarrely misshapen helmet. Next to him, Snapdragon seems totally fine, after being crashed and very on fire just a couple of panels earlier.

===Continuity errors===
*While not a direct error as such, the Nebulans' decision to binary-bond with the Autobots rather than fully restoring them seems very much based on the letter, rather than the spirit, of the conditions under which the Autobots remained.
*It seems pretty incredible that Koraja's defenses, which are basically some cannons mounted on a stone wall, could hold off the Decepticons long enough for the Nebulans to perform five radical surgical procedures. The narration states that the surgeries take "hours". Getting past the walls of Koraja looks like it would take ''seconds''.
*Several Decepticons who show up in this issue are never seen again, including [[Flywheels]] and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]].

===Continuity notes===
*Although it is explained that the Nebulans turn into heads that only ''resemble'' the original heads of the Headmaster Autobots, and that the original heads maintain radio contact with their Nebulan partners, the original miniseries never mentions what becomes of the original heads. However, "[[The Final Conflict]]" in the [[Transformers Annual 1987|1987 UK annual]] showed that Fortress Maximus, at least, stored his original head in a chest compartment. [[Simon Furman]] explores what became of the original heads much later in IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One.]]''
*In the time it takes Stylor to undergo the Headmaster process and fight in the battle, he misses ''multiple'' Nebulon parties.

===Real-life references===
*TBD

===UK printing===
'''Issue #134'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Headhunt]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Robo-Capers]]''
'''Issue #135'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Grudge Match!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
'''Issue #136'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "Grudge Match!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''
'''Issue #137'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Robo-Capers''

===Changes in the IDW ''Classic Transformers'' reprint===
[[File:BrokenGlass-Kupchanges.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|missed it by that much]]
*Page 3 - Last panel, the white highlights on Llyra and Galan's faces are gone, resulting in flesh-colored teeth.
*Page 4 - Last panel, Duros's helmet is changed from pink to its proper dark blue.
*Page 8 - Third panel, upon noting Kup was miscolored, they recolored him ... in his dark teal cartoon colors.
*Page 12 - Middle panel, originally Misfire was colored as Mindwipe and also identified himself as Mindwipe, so this dialog was changed and his colors altered to Misfire's cartoon colors.
*Page 14 - First panel, Skullcruncher's lower jaw is now green.
*Page 19 - First panel, Scorponok's face is corrected to yellow.
*Page 21 - Panels 2 and 3, Scorponok's face is corrected to yellow.
*Page 23 - Fourth panel, "Marita" is changed to "Marika"????

===Covers (5)===
*'''Headmasters #2 cover:''' Scorponok, with Zarak captive, fires on the Nebulans, by [[Frank Springer]], [[Ian Akin]], and [[Brian Garvey]].
*'''UK issue #134 cover:''' Cyclonus and Scourge, by [[Lee Sullivan]].
*'''UK issue #135 cover:''' [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] vs [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], by [[Jeff Anderson]].
*'''UK issue #136 cover:''' [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] about to crush Divebomb, by [[Robin Smith]].
*'''UK issue #137 cover:''' [[Susan Hoffman]] discovers [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], by [[Lee Sullivan]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelHeadmasters-2.jpg|'''Headmasters #2'''
File:MarvelUK-134.jpg|'''UK issue #134'''
File:MarvelUK-135.jpg|'''UK issue #135'''
File:MarvelUK-136.jpg|'''UK issue #136'''
File:MarvelUK-137.jpg|'''UK issue #137'''
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
*[[M&M's]] - inside front cover
*''Robotech'' RPG - between pages 4 & 5
*Olympic Sales Club - between pages 5 & 6
*TSR ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Manual of the Planes'' - between pages 13 & 14
*TSR ''Onslaught'' RPG - between pages 13 & 14
*Mile High Comics - between pages 16 & 17
*Mile High Comics / Alternate Realities Distributing, Inc. - between pages 17 & 18
*Sales Leadership Club - between pages 19 & 20
*Bullpen Bulletins (featuring [[Tom DeFalco]]) and checklist - between pages 20 & 21
*Marvel subscription service
*Striped Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
*''The Amazing [[Spider-Man]]'' Annual #21 and ''Marvel Saga'' #22 (back cover)

====UK====
????

===Reprints===
<small>Other than reprints of the [[The Transformers: Headmasters#Collections|full miniseries]]:</small>
* N/A

[[Category:Headmasters issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Fangry (G1)

2021-09-24T03:34:25Z

Repowers: /* Buzzworthy Bumblebee */ oops! That's the little Titan Master Fangry mold. With only 4 iterations, probably don't need one for the Twinferno mold yet.

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{disambig2|the evil Decepticon|his heroic mirrorverse counterpart|Fangry (SG)}}
:''Fangry is a [[Decepticon]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:DW G1Fangry.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|But what happens if you ORDER him to be an ass?]]
No Decepticon leader wants '''Fangry''' under his command. The rebellious, foul-mouthed Fangry explodes violently against any being who dares give him an order. He has attacked almost as many unfortunate Decepticons as he has their actual enemies, the Autobots. A Decepticon with a healthy sense of self-preservation will give Fangry orders in the form of mild suggestions or reverse psychology.

Fangry has complete faith in his judgment and his alone. He is unwilling to listen to advice, and his tactics are notoriously flawed. Furthermore, he's likely to be abandoned on the battlefield when in trouble. The mere act of coming to his rescue implies he needs help at all—and, well, you know how he reacts to that idea.

Fangry's [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]] is [[Brisko]], a Nebulan cartographer with a thirst for power. Brisko feels confident to issue commands to Fangry, thinking he's safe from his retribution seeing as he's the Con's head. Others think he's a bit overconfident; with Fangry, even the unexpected can happen...

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Fangrythousandterribledeaths.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Fangry read "[[The Beast Within]]" and vowed the Dinobots would pay. Grimlock's not too concerned.]]
Fangry and his Headmaster partner, Brisko, oversaw part of the [[Z Foundation]]'s attempt at recruiting [[human]]s to take down the Autobots for them. Their pawns, the [[Roadjammers]], ended up overstepping their boundaries and double-crossed the Decepticons. Though the Roadjammers did use the [[jammer]]s they were provided to capture three Autobots, they used a frequency splitter to jam three more Transformers—namely, Fangry and his companions [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] and [[Horri-Bull]]. The Decepticons' plans were scrapped when the Roadjammers used their jammer to control all six jammed Autobots and Decepticons to attack [[Zarak (G1)|Mr. Z]] and [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. Overwhelmed, the Decepticons' anti-jammer was required to free them all, allowing Fangry and the others to escape. {{storylink|Ca$h and Car-nage!}}

''Shortly thereafter, Fangry joined his fellow Decepticons in recovering Scorponok's head from [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], but was then [[Mass substitution|shunted]] into [[Limbo]] to make way for the [[time travel]]ing [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], leaving him out of the Time Wars.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:Grimlockendoftheroad.jpg|thumb|200px|And every Decepticon leader cheered. For now.]]
As the threat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] neared, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok's Decepticons on Earth in order to facilitate an alliance against the Chaos Bringer, and Fangry helped the Autobots unload their weapons and partners. {{storylink|Surrender!}} While a second [[Decepticon Civil War]] soon broke out, Fangry was ordered by Soundwave to head topside along with [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] and [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]]. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Later, Fangry was surprised that Soundwave was suggesting they lay down their arms and join forces with the Autobots against Unicron, unaware that Soundwave had been hypnotized by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (who had himself been coerced by [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]]). But before Fangry could react further, he and every other Transformer on Earth was instantly transported to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} There he and the others gathered to hear Primus (speaking through [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]) tell the history of the rivalry between him and Unicron. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

Fangry survived the Transformers' battle with Unicron, {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} and when [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] assumed command of the Decepticons, Fangry was quick to assert his independence. Like many Decepticons, he was wary of the Autobot/Decepticon alliance that had tenuously been forged in the aftermath of Unicron's destruction. The new Autobot commander, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], didn't make things any easier by throwing cups of oil at Fangry's head to shut him up. Later that night, Fangry tried to jump Grimlock at the [[Central Spaceport]] in [[Ibex]], but bit off more than he could chew, as Grimlock had just received his spiffy new [[Action Master]] upgrade.

Fangry's public humiliation did serve a purpose, however, as it gave Bludgeon a rallying point to ensure his fellow Decepticons were willing to end the alliance abruptly and leave the Autobots stranded on Cybertron. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Fangry accompanied Bludgeon and the Decepticons to the massacre on planet [[Klo]], {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and after the Autobots arrived and were successfully ambushed, Fangry served as lead tracker hunting the remaining five Autobots. He again tried to attack Grimlock, who dispatched him with a single punch through the chest and out the back. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Primes Rib Arcee Headmasters.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
In [[1995]], [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] led Fangry, Squeezeplay and Horri-Bull in investigating an alleged "Autobot secret weapon", and instead found a feminist rally where [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was unveiling the new female Autobot, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. The three Decepticon Headmasters overpowered Optimus Prime but unfortunately for them, Fangry and his pals underestimated Arcee's prowess, and she ended up mopping the floor with them. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:Another Time Place Fangry.jpg|thumb|right|Fangry's first attempt at crowd surfing did not go as planned.]]
After the disaster on Klo, Fangry attempted to challenge Bludgeon's leadership. The Pretender had him down on his back and a [[sword]] at his throat before Fangry even finished the sentence. The Decepticons' next move was to track [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and the Dinobots to [[Hydrus Four]], and lay claim to the [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] supply there. Bludgeon planned to revive the glorious [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], but Fangry didn't much care either way. Bored, he went looking for something to kill. After catching sight of something glimmering in the water, he leaned over to have a closer look...only to be knocked into the water by [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and having his hands cut off with a [[Thermal weaponry|thermal knife]] by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and an Autobot raiding party that was lying in wait, culminating with them crushing his head under a large rock. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
The characteristics of Fangry and the other Headmaster Decepticons were reviewed by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] in a simulation watched by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 15|Memories of Bumblebee}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Fangrybumblebeeghosts.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Fangry picks easy targets.]]
Apparently repaired after having most of his chest and back smashed through by [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s fist on [[Klo]], Fangry was one of countless Decepticons under Bludgeon's command when they fought the Autobots over ownership of a cache of weapons on an unnamed barren world. The Decepticons were easily overpowering the Autobots; Fangry, in particular, was having no problem throwing [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] around, though he did suffer a karate chop from another Autobot. Bludgeon ordered a retreat when a gigantic, [[Guardian (G2)|monstrous creature]] who guarded their quarry warned them away. {{storylink|Ghosts}}

[[File:Fangryg2.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Follows orders when insubordination would distract from the plot.]]
Nevertheless, Bludgeon's progress continued, and Fangry and the other Decepticons raided other ships to build themselves a frightening [[Warworld]]. {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} Later, Fangry and the other Decepticons were ordered to rampage across Earth in order to get [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s attention. Fangry, like his comrades, enjoyed this job very much. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Their "work" was interrupted when [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] returned in a powerful new body with [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] in tow. When Megatron challenged Bludgeon for leadership of the Decepticons, Fangry bet against Megatron in a quiet wager with Starscream. Fangry lost that wager. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

After Megatron assumed command, he immediately attacked [[Tykos]]'s [[rheanimum]] facility. Fangry helped out by biting the arm of one of the mechanoids while digging his claws into its skull. Soon after the acquisition of the rheanimum, Megatron's forces clashed with [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. Megatron declared war against them as Fangry and the other Decepticons cheered him on. Their feelings changed, however, when the Warworld was attacked. Fangry and the others fought the Cybertronians on the surface of the Warworld, but they were getting massacred. With the apparent defeat of Megatron at the hands of Jhiaxus, the Cybertronians pulled out, sparing Fangry but leaving several others dead. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

Megatron miraculously survived and quickly allied himself with Optimus Prime's Autobots. The Autobots fared little better against the [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]] on [[Ethos]], but when Fangry and the other Decepticons arrived to help, the tide was turned. {{storylink|Escalation!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Bludgeons decepticons 2 destiny.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
Over twenty years after the battle on Klo, Fangry stood alongside [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] on the bridge of his ''[[Warworld]]'' as they prepared to retake [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} As Bludgeon monologued about the battle unfolding below them, Fangry suggested that to tip the balance in the Decepticons' favour, he, [[Krok (G1)|Krok]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], [[Horri-Bull]], and [[Stranglehold]] should go down to the surface and join in the fighting. Fangry's confidence proved to be woefully misplaced, however, when first the [[Blitz Engine]]s, then [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s Neo-Decepticons and finally Bludgeon himself were all defeated and the Autobots claimed victory. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Any Decepticons not killed in the battle were taken into Autobot custody and were then most likely converted into [[shadow-leech]]es by the [[Dark Matrix]] creature, along with (almost) the entire population of Cybertron, while [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and his Autobots were off-planet fighting [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] at the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]].
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:Decepticons Underground Headmasters.jpg|thumb|left]]
Fangry, Horri-Bull, and Squeezeplay operated a secret underground base on Nebulos within the "[[Nebulos Triangle]]". They maintained this secrecy by shorting out electronics and causing whoever wandered into the area to disappear... at least until Optimus Prime decided that these phenomena were probably caused by a secret Decepticon base. The Autobots stormed in, and [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] poured [[Nebulite]]-enriched concrete all over the fleeing Decepticons, leaving Fangry and the others trapped in a living tomb. {{Storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|''Lost Light'' #1]]}}

[[File:LonelyPillarOnThePlain-forgottenskirmish.jpg|upright=1.8|thumb]]
Fangry lived by two rules: 1) Starting fights helps clarify a situation, and 2) Start it with the ''most'' powerful guy in the room to show others you're a badass! {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} He was among the Decepticons under [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s command at the battle that destroyed [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] and squared off against [[Greatshot]]. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

[[File:After Megatron - Kaput and Fangry.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Always two there are. No more, no less."]]
At some point, Fangry had gone missing and was presumed dead but in fact had been rescued from his last second by [[Mortilus|Censere]]—the Necrobot—and whisked to a post-war future. The news left him disgruntled, more so when it was said by Autobots who'd just killed [[Decepticon Justice Division|dozens of Decepticons]] and were happy about it (and how'd he know it was ''really'' the Necrobot??) After grousing with fellow 'Con [[Rapidfire (G1)|Rapidfire]], Fangry first identified [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] as the guy to fight and then [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]. After irritating him with the ol' shoulder barge, Fangry left. Tailgate later found Cyclonus badly beaten, and automatically assumed that Fangry had jumped him. (Cyclonus knew that ''Tailgate'' was unwittingly responsible for this, but the Minibot stormed out before he could stop him.) {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} Enraged, Tailgate went after Fangry, throwing him into the Necrobot's Memorial to the [[Disappeared]] and narrowly missing [[Anode]] and [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]]. Wrapping his hand around his neck, Tailgate threatened to kill Fangry if he ever tried to hurt Cyclonus again, and ruptured the Decepticon's [[neural cluster]] such that he'd be knocked out for days. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|Anomie}}

[[File:After Megatron-Fangry Buries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|You hate him, but admit it: this is adorable.]]
Later [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] and [[Kaput]] were treating Fangry's wounds when [[Anode]] burst in looking for [[Lug (G1)|Lug]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} Fangry and the abrasive Kaput seemed to get along, well enough that the medic made the Decepticon his assistant; however when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Minimus Ambus]] approached Fangry regarding a private matter, Kaput was (wrongly) concerned that the presence of a Decepticon drove the desire for privacy; he dismissed Fangry, the two agreeing to meet up later to discuss discredited spark-type classifications. Unfortunately Fangry was merely exercising his own agenda of revenge against Tailgate; when Kaput placed the little Autobot in an underground isolation chamber to treat his [[Outlier (group)|super-powered spark]], Fangry murdered Kaput in cold blood, before altering Tailgate's chamber alarm to leave him buried alive for six million years. {{storylink|After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|After Megatron}}

Afterwards, Fangry, Rapidfire, and the rest of the Disappeared Decepticons performed an armed takeover of Necroworld. When another group of Autobots arrived, Fangry menaced [[Outrigger|two]] of [[Beak|them]] until Fortress Maximus smashed his head into a plinth. {{storylink|Sardines}}
{{-}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
Fangry was an ancient [[Titan Master]] and transformed into a head. When connected with a larger robot, he gave them a "blind rage" boost, which both granted them super-strength and blinded enemies with a blast of steam.

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material===
Closer than ever to reaching the [[AllSpark]], the Autobots awakened after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth. While battling the Decepticons, both sides were joined by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, their epic battle changing their combined destinies. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

After obtaining the Allspark, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] escaped through a [[space bridge]] to protect it from the Decepticons. Arriving in an alternate universe, he faced new beast threats including Fangry and [[Brisko]]. {{storylink|Buzzworthy Bumblebee|''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Worlds Collide product description}}<ref>''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' Worlds Collide product description at [https://www.target.com/p/transformers-buzzworthy-bumblebee-worlds-collide-multipack/-/A-81959549 Target]: "WORLDS COLLIDE: Bumblebee escapes with the Allspark through an unstable spacebridge to protect it from Decepticon hands. Worlds collide as he finds himself in an alternate universe, facing new beast threats!"</ref>
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:Fangrycommercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|An oddly smug Fangry.]]
Fangry, [[Horri-Bull]], and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] burst through a wall, [[Brisko]] became Fangry's head as they transformed, and the three engaged the new Headmaster Autobots. [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] noted that their new Headmasters would give the Decepticons "more brainpower than ever." Galvatron clearly hadn't interacted with Fangry yet. Or the other two, really. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Small Headmasters|Small Headmasters Commercial}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Fangry aided [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s ghost in trying to disrupt the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], but [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s team managed to overcome them, causing Fangry, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] to scatter into the night. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (Legends)|Ghost in the Machine}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1 fangry toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|'''WE ARE GARGOYLES!''']]
*'''Fangry''' (Headmaster, [[1988]])
**''Accessories:'' "Brisko" Headmaster driver, "ion pulse gun", wings/shield

:Like the other 1988 Decepticon Headmasters, Fangry's [[alternate mode]] is a mix of different animals—in his case, he is a bat-winged wolf with a reptilian tail. (Some might say he more resembles a rat—these people don't voice their opinion within Fangry's earshot, though...)

:Fangry's [[robot mode]] has a panel on his chest which shows a spring-loaded mini-[[Tech Spec|Tech-Spec]]-meter which gives readings for Speed, Strength and Intelligence. Unlike the larger Headmasters this meter doesn't have a cover, and all three readings are on a single tumbler. The tumbler is activated when Brisko (or any other Headmaster unit) is plugged into his neck socket. Brisko has Fangry's face plainly visible on his back because, as a smaller Headmaster toy, he lacks the flip-down panel that covers the face featured on larger Headmasters. In [[beast mode]], Brisko can fit inside a compartment in Fangry's stomach. In robot mode, Fangry can hold the wings accessory as a shield.

:Due to his design, Fangry permanently leans a little bit, his robot mode legs unable to hold a perfectly upright pose. You can solve this by unscrewing the wolf arms and removing the springs from underneath.

:This toy was sold in Japan without changes as [[Wilder (G1)#Super-God Masterforce|Wilder]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Fangry/fangry.htm More information on Fangry at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TitansReturntoy-Fangry.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Now with ''smaller'' brainpower than ever!]]
*'''Decepticon Fangry''' (Titan Master, [[2016]])
**''Accessories'': Wolf-beast/dragon/blaster vehicle
:Part of the third wave of individually-packed ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] [[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Titan Master]]s, Fangry transforms from robot based on Brisko to a head based on that of the original Generation 1 Fangry toy. In this mode, Fangry can serve as the head of any ''Titans Return'' Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader Class figure. He also features ports in his feet that allow him to peg onto a wide variety of ''Titans Return'' figures.

:He is packaged with a dragon-ish thing he can ride on, which he can combine with in his folded-up state to form his classic winged wolf-monster mode, or a [[5 mm post|5 mm]] triple-barreled blaster accessory for a larger figure.

:As with all Titan Master vehicle accessories, care must be taken with the gun mode's handle: the handle fits tightly in many 5 mm-compatible closed hands, and combined with the handle's lack of a metal pin running through the joint, removing it by force causes the handle to pop out of the joint.

:Like his wavemates, Fangry never saw wide release in Malaysia, due to [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarming]] in the first and second waves.

:Fangry's head component was [[retool]]ed into [[Thunderwing (G1)#SiegeOnCybertron|Thunderwing]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#HasCon|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Generations|Scorponok]] and also served as the model for the non-toy ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[Donnie Finkleberg]]. The beast accessory was redecoed into ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Noble (BM)#Legends|Noble]] and served as the model for the ''Shattered Glass'' incarnation of [[Fangry (SG)|Fangry]].
{{TRFangryMold}}
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-Worlds-Collide-Fangry.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|You wouldn't like Grotesque when he's Fangry.]]
*'''Worlds Collide''' (4-pack, [[2021]])
**''Series'': '''''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'''''
**''Accessories'': [[Brisko#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Brisko]] Headmaster
:Released as part of the ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' "Worlds Collide" 4-pack, Fangry is a [[retool]] of ''Titans Return'' [[Grotusque#Generations|Grotusque]], itself a heavy retool of ''Titans Return'' Deluxe Class [[Doublecross#Generations|Twinferno]], transforming into a robotic bat-winged wolf-like monster. He also comes with Headmaster [[Brisko#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Brisko]], a redeco of the Titan Master portion of [[#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fangry]]. While in beast mode, Brisko can ride in a compartment within the stomach, or stand on the beast's back. Unlike previous mold versions, Fangry has no weapons of any kind.

:There have been frequent reports of Fangry's robot knees being very loose, making him prone to falling over backwards.

:Included in the set alongside Fangry and Brisko is [[Nemesis Primal#Toys|Nemesis Primal]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Blackarachnia]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#WorldsCollide|Bumblebee]]. Outwardly branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' on the packaging, the instructions label the set as part of ''[[Studio Series]]'', under the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie, instead.

:The set was found in a Walmart in the U.S.<ref>''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Worlds Collide found at Walmart by [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/buzzworthy-worlds-collide-set-found-at-walmart-but-not-in-system-more-pics/46101/ Seibertron.com]</ref> prior to an official reveal from Hasbro, possibly due to a shipment error. As with other ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, it is exclusive to [[Target]] in the U.S.

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Fangry.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*'''Fangry, Sky Tracker''' ([[2020]])
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''RT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T20/T46'''
**''Stars: ''6

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, but the global COVID-19 pandemic pushed the release to [[May 29]], 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Fangry grimlock exodus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
*The [[bio]] accompanying Generation 1 Fangry's [[Tech Spec]]s notes that he "shoots semi-automatic ion pulse gun" but additionally that his "tail converts to [[Compression cannon|compressed air cannon]] that produces 200 mph gale force winds". Given that his existing tail is formed from his robot mode arms with the fist-holes pointing upwards (you can even store his ion pulse gun there when transformed) this may imply that at some point during the design process, Fangry was intended to come with a tail piece that would become a secondary weapon in robot mode, as his wavemates Squeezeplay and Horri-Bull did.
**This detail made its way into Fangry's [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile and in the comic issue "[[Exodus!]]", it was interpreted as Fangry being able to transform his tail into a compressed air cannon while in his alternate mode, though somewhat bizarrely he had to turn his back on [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] to fire it at him.

===Foreign names===
*''French:'' '''Croc''' (Canada, "Fang")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Ordas''' ("Wild Wolf")
*''Italian:'' '''Belva''' ("Wild Beast")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tiān Láng''' (China, 天狼, "Sky Wolf")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Disappeared]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Decepticons]]
[[Category:Trackers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Trilogy Decepticons]]

Cliffjumper's bazooka

2021-09-21T20:30:01Z

Repowers: did.... did someone just copy the entire toy writeup for the whole toy, for every toy, just to put on the page for a *gun*?! Dudes.

Cliffjumper's bazooka

2021-09-21T20:17:40Z

Repowers:

:''Cliffjumper's bazooka is an unnamed weapon that Cliffjumper uses once in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

{{noname}}

[[File:Cliffgun.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Where'd that come from?]]

'''Cliffjumper's bazooka''' is a bazooka primarily used by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]].

==Fiction==
===''Generation 1'' cartoon===
[[File:TransportToOblivion-Cliffjumpersbazooka.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who cares? I'm more worried about where it's goin'!]]

[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] fired a silver version of the bazooka on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from a great distance, hoping to end the war with one shot, but this merely alerted the Decepticons to his location.{{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] fired a green version of the bazooka as he and several other Autobots fired on the Decepticons as they attempted to launch [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] through the [[Space bridge]].{{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

As the Autobots struggled to keep the Decepticons from continuing their plot to orbit [[Cybertron (planet)|Cyberton]] around the [[Earth]], Ironhide ran to Optimus Prime carrying a silver version of the bazooka, suggesting a call for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generations===
====''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''====
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We hope you really like this weapon accessory!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''WFC-E7'''
**''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''ER EX-05'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[June 27]], 2020
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk

:After years of mostly being a Bumblebee redeco, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Cliffjumper is a cartoon-accurate mold (complete with accurate, non-Bumblebee head; although he does have Bumblebee's biceps), while omitting the Penny Racer aesthetic for his vehicle mode, transforming into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of his original Porsche 924 Turbo alt-mode, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}. Cliffjumper also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail for a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. In keeping with his depiction as being rather small in most Transformers media, this figure is much smaller than a typical Deluxe Class and is closer to being a particularly large Legends class-sized figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Cliffjumper includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Cliffjumper's ball-jointed neck is actually mounted on a hinge, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up for with his arsenal, that being a large cannon similar to one he briefly used in the G1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", which can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis which can attach under his wheels as seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]". The backend of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:The promotional renders and early product samples showcased at conventions showed his weapons and skis being silver, while the final product had them cast in black plastic (with the guns being painted silver except for their handles). The majority of Cliffjumper is molded in black plastic with a generous coating of red paint, which can be chipped due to his transformation scheme, namely the tabs on his shoulders. His forearms and most of his head appear to be the only pieces molded in red plastic. It is also not uncommon to find scratch marks in the red paint right out of the box.

:Similar to the first release of Starscream from the [[War for Cybertron: Siege|previous line]], Cliffjumper uses the movie variant of the Autobot insignia, rather than the traditional G1 design. Due to the transformation engineering, the insignia is hidden away in robot mode, with no secondary insignia to display.

:Like all ''Earthrise'' toys, the inside of the back of Cliffjumper's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. Cliffjumper's piece of the map contains a labeled entry point to the "[[Dead Universe|DEAD UNIVERSE]]".

:His [[glass gas]] blaster is sold separately as part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]].

:In Japan, Cliffjumper is released as a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive.

:Cliffjumper was retooled with a new head into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]], [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]], ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]], ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Bumblebee]], and more extensively retooled into ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]], a reverse to the traditional norm.
{{-}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Hubcap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Phew, okay, one other use of it is probably fine.]]
*'''Hubcap''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''ID number:'' '''WFC-GS13'''
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, two skis, car trunk

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Hubcap is a redeco/retool of [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], sporting a new head. Hubcap transforms from robot into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of his original Porsche 924 Turbo alt-mode, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}, while omitting the Penny Racer aesthetic. Hubcap also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail for a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Hubcap's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Hubcap includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Hubcap's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up with Hubcap's large cannon. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon is folded out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:Almost ''all'' of Hubcap's yellow coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare yellow plastic. While this avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode, it also means he is ''incredibly'' prone to paint chipping. So, uh, be careful handling him.

:This mold was differently retooled into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]], and further retooled into ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]].
{{--}}

[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Bug-Bite.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Okay, this is the third time, but at least it's an attractive purple!]]
*'''Bug Bite''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''WFC-GS16'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''ER EX-27'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[June 26]], [[2021]]
**''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Bug Bite is a redeco/retool of [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], with the head from ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]]. This version of Bug Bite displays a black [[Mercenary]] faction symbol on his chest, as per his appearance in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' cartoon.

:Bug Bite transforms from robot into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of a Porsche 924 Turbo, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}, while omitting the original ''Collector's Edition'' toy's Penny Racer aesthetic. Bug Bite also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail carried over from a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Bug Bite's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Bug Bite includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Bug Bite's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up with Bug Bite's large cannon. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon is folded out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being used as a melee weapon. It can also be mounted on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:Almost ''all'' of Bug Bite's white coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare white plastic. While this avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode, it also means he is incredibly prone to paint chipping. The mold was differently retooled into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]].

:The toy is branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toyline by Hasbro in the US but as part of ''Earthrise'' [[TakaraTomy]] in [[Japan]].
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-WFC-Trilogy-Deluxe-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now this is just getting excessive. Good thing we're done with it.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''WFC-09'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[January 20]], [[2021]]
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk/shield

:Part of the second wave of ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Deluxe Class toys, promoting the ''Earthrise'' season of [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|the Netflix cartoon]], Bumblebee is a retool of [[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'']] [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], having all of the original figure's vehicle mode parts replaced with those of a [[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]] Volkswagen Beetle without the "penny racer" proportions, along with a new head sculpt. (It's also worth noting that almost ''all'' of Bumblebee's yellow coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare yellow plastic, which avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode.) On both of his ends, the bumpers/fenders are made of soft rubbery plastic. Bumblebee also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail carried over from a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Bumblebee's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Bumblebee includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Bumblebee's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation. The housing has also been updated for seemingly no reason, with a taller "collar" section compared to Cliffjumper and Hubcap.

:The rest of his price-point is made up for with Cliffjumper's bazooka, now painted in slightly darker gunmetal color and lacking the paint on the rear piece. The entire cannon can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his front wheels. The backend of the cannon folds out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Unlike his mold-mates, 5 mm port holes are absent in Bumblebee's vehicle parts, meaning displaying the bazooka in vehicle mode requires the rear of the car mode to be transformed differently so the car trunk post has space to flip out and connect to the back-end of the cannon.

: Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car back-end can either be put onto the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other. Also unlike his mold-mates, the pegs that connect the car trunk with the robot fists in vehicle mode are now complete circles instead of half circles. These larger pegs are a very tight fit in the fists; detaching the trunk requires using excessive force on a small, thin, painted plastic piece. Filing or sanding the pegs down can make transformation more feasible.

:[[For safety reasons|As per the norm]], the stock renders depict him with sharp head-horns, but the final product has them rounded off.

: Much like the rest of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toyline, promoting the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Netflix-original series]] of the same name, Bumblebee is exclusive to [[Walmart]] in Canada and the US but was released at standard retail in Asia.

: His G1 cartoon-accurate blaster is sold separately as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]]. However, there is no way to store this blaster while Bumblebee is in vehicle mode.

: The original Cliffjumper version of the mold was given two new head toolings to make ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]] respectively, and was also given Bumblebee's head to make ''Selects'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]].
{{-}}

===Buzzworthy Bumblebee===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-Worlds-Collide-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Dangit, Bumblebee got this weapon AGAIN? How many times can Bumblebee get Cliffjumper's weapon?!]]
*'''Worlds Collide''' (4-pack, 2021)
**''Series'': '''''War for Cybertron Trilogy'''''
**''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk, [[AllSpark#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Allspark]]

:Released as part of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' "Worlds Collide" 4-pack, this Bumblebee features the body of ''Earthrise'' Cliffjumper, while retaining the Bumblebee head from the Netflix-branded [[#War for Cybertron Trilogy|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toy]]. Essentially a redeco of ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Bug Bite, Bumblebee transforms into a custom 1980s sports coupe; hybridizing the Porsche 924 Turbo and {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}} models. He retains the bazooka included with all versions of the mold, this time painted green to resemble the bazooka [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] used in "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]." He also comes with the [[AllSpark#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Allspark]], redecoed from the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#2021Netflix|Megatron]]/[[Skelivore#Toys|Fossilizer Skelivore]] Spoiler Pack.

:Included in the set alongside Bumblebee is [[Nemesis Primal#Toys|Nemesis Primal]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Blackarachnia]], and [[Fangry (G1)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Fangry]] with [[Brisko#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Brisko]]. Outwardly branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' on the packaging, the instructions label the set as part of ''[[Studio Series]]'', under the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie, instead.

:The set was found in a Walmart in the U.S.<ref>''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Worlds Collide found at Walmart by [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/buzzworthy-worlds-collide-set-found-at-walmart-but-not-in-system-more-pics/46101/ Seibertron.com]</ref> prior to an official reveal from Hasbro, possibly due to a shipment error. As with other ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, it is exclusive to [[Target]] in the U.S.
{{-}}

===Shattered Glass===

[[File:TF-Shattered-Glass-Collection-Goldbug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''*throws up hands in the air, storms off*'']]
*'''Autobot Goldbug''' (Deluxe Class, [[2021]])
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece bazooka, 2 skis, car trunk
:Released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' subline, "Autobot Goldbug" is a new-head retool of ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]. Unusually small for a Deluxe Class figure, Goldbug transforms into a custom 1980s sports coupe; hybridizing the Porsche 924 Turbo and {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}} models. Goldbug's vehicle mode possesses molded high-performance brake discs, carried over from a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. As can be expected of a figure based on a ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' release, Goldbug includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching weapons, [[Fire Blast effect]]s, and other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]/[[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology]]. However, attaching a Weaponizer/[[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]]/Fossilizer figure can be challenging due to Goldbug's small size.

:Goldbug features a redeco of Cliffjumper's bazooka. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being used as a melee weapon. It can also be mounted on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his detaching car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other. Goldbug appears to use the updated taller "collar" assembly introduced on [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]].

:Goldbug also includes the [[Shards issue 4|fourth issue]] of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' "Shards" mini-series, with an exclusive cover featuring spot UV.

:Much like the rest of the subline, Goldbug is a [[Hasbro Pulse]] exclusive in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. His existence was spilled by Hasbro Pulse prematurely when ''Shattered Glass Collection'' [[Starscream (SG)#Shattered Glass Collection|Starscream]]'s front page advertisement named Goldbug instead of Starscream,<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/hasbro-mentions-shattered-glass-goldbug-but-shows-sg-starscream-instead.1214062/ "The latest figure in the Transformers Generations Shattered Glass Collection: Goldbug & IDW Shattered Glass with Variant Cover"]</ref> much like the accidental reveal of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Red Wing#Toys|Red Wing]] and ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Thrust (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Thrust]].

:This mold was also used for ''War for Cybertron Trilogy [[Generations Selects (toyline)|Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]], and was extensively retooled into ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Cliffjumper's bazooka is described in the "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1" script as a "BAZOOKA-LIKE weapon" and in the "Transport to Oblivion" script as a "bazooka-like tube, the end studded with a circular series of smaller 'rifle' bores." It's not mentioned in the "Ultimate Doom" script. In the the packaging copy for the sixty-billion toys of it, it's referred to merely as a "weapon accessory."

[[Category:Generation 1 weapons]]
[[Category:Ranged weapons]]

An Axe to Break the Ice

2021-09-21T20:17:09Z

Repowers:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers:<br>Lost Light]]'' #8
|prev=After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)
|next=Chasing the Infinite
|image=LL8 cvrA.jpg
|title="An Axe to Break the Ice"
|caption=Not included: {{w|Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)|a message from the}} [[Action Man]].
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 26]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=July 2017
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|story consultant=[[Rachel Stevens]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''Amid the markets of Troja Major, Nautica pursues a secret objective, while the past comes back to haunt Anode and Lug.'''

==Synopsis==
''Years ago, on the planet [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] chews out [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] for her disinterest in the performing arts, slowly growing angrier and angrier as Nautica ignores her criticisms, until another 'bot soaks her with a jet of water from a nearby fountain and sends her stomping off in a huff. The 'bot introduces herself to Nautica as [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], and with that, a fast friendship is born. Velocity gets Nautica interested in quantum mechanics, while Nautica helps her study for the latest in a series of medical exam resits. Velocity eventually has to leave to study off-planet at a [[Mederi]] Center, but she and Nautica are reunited years later aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', and become [[Amica Endura]]e.''

In the present day, Nautica (still wearing her protective eyepatch), Velocity, [[Anode]], and [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] trawl the markets of [[Troja Major]]. They have been dropped off by the rest of the crew at Nautica's suggestion, to investigate the possibility of acquiring a map to [[Cyberutopia]] from Nautica's old contact, the ex-Decepticon antiquarian [[Agonizer]]—but the two Camiens are growing impatient with Anode and Lug holding them up as they browse the stalls. Having no money of her own, Anode tries to wheedle some out of Nautica, but when she refuses, Anode simply steals the [[mood pipe]]s she wants, which brings the [[Rust Giant]] stall owner she pilfers them from chasing after the group. After they manage to shake him, Anode laughs the whole experience off, while Lug remarks on how much the markets have changed since their old days on the planet, running jobs there for their client "Techy." Velocity explains that the settlement was discovered to rest on a spiritual ley line, turning it into a popular funeral plot, so its commerce was reshaped to focus around grief and bereavement. Punctuating this, a sinister cloaked figure suddenly appears, who attempts to ''buy'' Lug's grief, but Nautica forcefully shoos him away. Anode hasn't noticed any of this, though: she is distracted by a strange smell in the air, and when she decides she can't ignore it any longer, Nautica and Velocity are only too happy to let her and Lug go off in search of its source, so they can actually get to their meeting.

The smell—"like [[living metal|sentio metallico]], but wrong"—leads Anode and Lug to a compound full of coffins, and once they have snipped their way through the wire fence surrounding it, Anode quickly opens one, over Lug's protestations. She is puzzled to find it empty, having expected that the smell was coming from a body... only for the coffin to suddenly ''transform'' into the robot who is the source of the odor! It briefly lashes out, but when it collapses from exhaustion, the pair realize it is terrified, and barely a week old. Before they can puzzle out the situation, a laser blast wings Lug's shoulder, as armed troops of the [[Black Block Consortia]] appear to demand the robot be turned over to them. Anode refuses their order to get out of the way, and Lug is only just able to tackle her to safety as the Consortia troops open fire, killing the robot where it stands. Anode and Lug are horrified by the sight, but their attention is caught by a shout from nearby; the pair turn to see a familiar face, that of fellow [[blacksmith]] [[Wipe-Out]], who beckons for them to follow him to safety.

Nautica and Velocity meet Agonizer (aka "The Curator") at his [[Museum of Curios and Rumored Objects]], where Velocity quickly realizes that Nautica has not been entirely honest about her motives in coming to the planet. Nautica already ''knows'' Agonizer does not have a map to Cyberutopia; she is seeking something ''else'' associated with the knights. As she searches Agonizer's archives, Velocity takes in a symbology display, which includes the mysterious gear-like hieroglyph that has repeatedly reoccurred throughout the ''Lost Light'' crew's adventures. Agonizer has deduced that it, and the other symbols in the display, each represent one of five clans that the Knights divided up into on their journey across the galaxy. Finally, Nautica asks Agonizer outright about the "[[Epistemus|Resus Cradle]]," which she had heard he had obtained. Agonizer corrects her; it is not ''he'' who holds the cradle, but a [[Mengel|Catharsian merchant]] on the other side of town. Nautica drags Velocity off in that direction, ignoring Agonizer's warnings...

Anode and Lug disappear into the market crowds with Wipe-Out, who tells them that he was summoned to Troja Major by Techy—or as he is properly known, the "[[Adaptus|Grand Architect]]." Upon arrival, Wipe-Out found two other blacksmiths, [[Rocket]] and [[Scammer]], dead, and has concluded that someone is killing practitioners of their shared art. The trio takes refuge in a bar, where Wipe-Out gets corrected on Anode and Lug's pronouns; he knew them as male in the past, but the pair explain that they've "reclassified" as female after encountering other races and gaining a broader understanding of gender that did not exist on the insulated Cybertron in their time, dubbing it a "better fit" for them. With that out of the way, and drinks downed to calm their nerves, the group unpacks the grisly sight they have just witnessed, and realizes that, despite first appearances, it can't be the Black Block Consortia who is killing blacksmiths, since the 'bot they killed ''wasn't'' one, and they had offered Anode the chance to step aside before they fired. Wipe-Out realizes that only one 'bot knew they were all even ''on'' the planet—the Grand Architect himself—and though Anode initially dismisses the allegation, the appearance in the sky over the bar of a [[Worldsweeper]] (an outdated mode of travel the Architect is famously known for still using), seems to put the lie into her words. A moment later, a squad of the Architect's men beam down into the bar, right in front of the trio—a squad led by [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]], who all wear the mysterious gear-symbol on their chests...

Nautica and Velocity find the Catharsian merchant's shop, where Velocity slowly becomes horrifyingly aware of what Nautica is planning. The Resus Cradle in the Catharsian's possession is said to be able to revive a dead Cybertronian, even without a [[spark]], so long as there are some remains to work with. Nautica lifts her eyepatch to reveal that there is no "injury" beneath it... and instead, inside her optic cavity, she has been hiding [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s salvaged [[brain module]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback.<br>
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (1)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (3)
*''[[Skids (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skids]]'' (4)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'' (2)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (5)
*[[Anode]] (6)
*[[Rust Giant]] (7)
*[[Catharsian]] pedlar (8)
*[[Infinite|Coffin-robot]] (9)
*[[Black Block Consortia]] troops (10)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Agonizer|Agonizer/"The Curator"]] (11)
*[[Wipe-Out]] (12)
*[[Rocket]] (13)
*[[Scammer]] (14)
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (15)
*Grand Architect's troops (16)
*[[Mengel]] (17)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?"<br>
"Effervescent hedges bestow cosmic secretions upon my granular milk wives."<br>
"'''What?'''"<br>
"Random words in a random order. Why make an effort to '''make sense''' when nothing I say is going to change your opinion of me one iota?"
:—'''Firestar''' and '''Nautica'''

"Tell me your name. I want to worship you like a god."<br>
"I'm '''Velocity'''. And I'll settle for the occasional sacrifice."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Velocity'''

"'''Ten thousand shanix?!''' Who do you think I am, '''Cyclonus'''?"
:—'''Nautica''' is taken aback by Anode's request for money

'''Anode:''' "Well, '''that''' was exhilarating!"<br>
'''Nautica:''' "When did 'exhilarating' become a byword for ''''<nowiki>'</nowiki>unexpected and traumatic?<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''"<br>
'''Lug:''' "Welcome to life with Anode. I defy anyone to spend an afternoon with her and not end up '''dead'''. Believe me, I speak from experience."<br>
'''Nautica:'''"I got nicked! He nicked me!"<br>
'''Anode:''' "Treasure it. Every wound tells a story."<br>
'''Nautica:'''"Not every story's worth telling."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Anode'''

"I've decided I'm going to warn you against doing things less often, in the hope that when I '''do''' protest, it has more of an impact."
:—'''Lug''', to Anode

"Lug's a she now. Me too. It's just a better fit. The further you get from Cybertron—the more people you meet—the more you realize that as a race we've been '''limiting''' ourselves unnecessarily. You know before the war, when the '''Primal Vanguard''' used to come home between campaigns? There'd always be a few who had '''reclassified themselves'''—a few 'she's' amongst the 'he's'. They tended to stick together. He to she. I didn't understand the significance. What difference did it make? But after we left Cybertron and started to meet so many other races... yeah. '''Then''' it made sense. It made '''perfect''' sense."
:—'''Anode'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Nautica's troubled friendship with Firestar, and her lack of acumen in the performing arts, were previously established in [[The Sensuous Frame|''More than Meets the Eye'' #41]]-[[The Frail Gaze|42]]. Among the montage that begins this issue is the scene of Nautica and Velocity's reunion from the former issue.
*Also part of the montage is Nautica conducting the [[Amica Endura]] ceremony from [[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|''More than Meets the Eye'' #53]].
*Troja Major and its "[[Howling Town]]" were first referenced in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|''More than Meets the Eye'' #28]], in which Nautica's acquisition of the copy of ''[[Towards Peace]]'' she mentions here was detailed. Agonizer and his museum were later mentioned in [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|issue #45]], and (as we surmised at the time) are here revealed to have indeed been where Nautica obtained it from. The "Howling Town" nomenclature is explained to be derived from the fact that "public outpourings of grief" are a specialty of the local commerce.
*When Anode asks her for money, Nautica retorts (as quoted above) that the exorbitant sum is the kind of cash only Cyclonus would have. The idea that Cyclonus is filthy rich (thanks to "[[Tetrahex]]ian real estate") was originally introduced in [[Signal to Noise|''More than Meets the Eye'' #13]], but it ''was'' [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] who said it, and he was in the middle of his "lying to everyone" phase, so Cyclonus might not be as moneyed as everyone else thinks he is.
*The merchant Anode steals from is a Rust Giant, previously seen in [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]]. The physical similarities between him and creatures seen in the issue are loose enough that you might not be convinced, but the nickname Anode gives him—"Rusty"—clinches the deal.
*Several references are made this issue to something called the "[[Old Order]]," a long-gone kind of clan or organization with spiritual overtones. This was first mentioned in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50, in which Nautica noted (and here restates) that it is Agonizer's specialized field of study.
*Members of the Black Block Consortia, first mentioned in [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|''More than Meets the Eye'' #24]], finally appear on panel for the first time. They are revealed to be an offshoot of the [[Galactic Council]], who are engaged in a turf war with them; the conflict between the Consortia and the Council was previously evidenced in [[The Permanent Revolution|''More than Meets the Eye'' #39]].
*Agonizer offers Nautica a map to the birthplace of the [[Omega Guardian]]s, mysterious creatures originally seen allll the way back in ''[[Spotlight: Hot Rod]]'', and the uncensored draft of the [[Autobot Code]], first described as "censored" in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #4]].
*We don't need to run down the history of the mysterious gear-like hieroglyph again; suffice to say, it keeps cropping up on our heroes' adventure. It was acknowledged and deduced to be a crest associated with one of the Knights' clans in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50, a conclusion reached partially based on information Nautica acquired from Agonizer. In that same issue, [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] observed that he had seen other, similar symbols in his visions of Cyberutopia; here we learn that there are five symbols in all, representing five clans.
*Anode and Lug are revealed to be the first explicitly self-defined transgender Cybertronians in mainstream Transformers fiction; Anode is noted to have changed her appearance in concert with her self-realization ("new shape, new me"), while it is implied that Lug has not felt the need to make any physical changes. This resolves the question of their planet of origin, which their gender initially meant was in question. Anode also notes that there were a handful of other male-assigned Cybertronians whose off-world encounters with other races while serving in the [[Primal Vanguard]] led them to do the same before her; a sweeping remark that cleverly tidies up the few incongruous crowd-scene appearances of female-presenting Transformers on the planet that have occurred throughout IDW history, and which have stood out as continuity errors until now, like those seen in ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' or most recently, [[Ghost Stories|the 2017 ''Transformers'' annual]].
*Anode and Lug's contact, "Techy," was first mentioned in [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|issue #1]]. The name is here revealed to be a nickname, short for "the Grand Architect," and this is where everything starts coming together. The "Grand Architect" was previously referenced by a pair of mysterious robots seen in [[Animals|''More than Meets the Eye'' #46]], who wore the gear-hieroglyph and traveled via Worldsweeper—and both those robots reappear at the end of this issue, part of the squad of the Grand Architect's troops. This sinister group's fingerprints have been all over the ''More than Meets the Eye/Lost Light'' mytharc from very early on; there can be no doubt at this point that the Worldsweeper found in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More than Meets the Eye'' #7]] is connected to them (not least of all because it contained Grimlock, and Grimlock was then shown drawing the gear-symbol in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #46). The Worldsweeper in #7 contained aborted [[protoform]]s, and #46 made clear the group are doing ''some'' kind of experiments on living beings, which begins to explain why they have an interest in life-shaping blacksmiths, and further, why Techy would have sent Anode and Lug to obtain sentio metallico (the stuff protoforms are made of) for him in the first place, as seen in ''Lost Light'' #1.
*Leading the Grand Architect's troops is the ex-Autobot scientist [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]. Originally a character from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic book]], he previously appeared in IDW continuity (with this specific body design) in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]].
*Nautica donned her eyepatch last issue, which seemed suspicious from the off; the injury she sustained to her eye in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50 had been repaired prior to the start of ''Lost Light''.

===Transformers references===
*Nautica quizzes Velocity on the disease [[Corrodia Gravis]], an ailment from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]], with which [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was stricken. It's received a few namechecks in Roberts-penned IDW stories; in particular, [[Ammo]] was noted to suffer from "early onset" Corrodia Gravis in [[Twenty Plus One|''More than Meets the Eye'' #31]], which Nautica here specifically notes is a controllable condition.
*Agonizer is based on the body-design of [[Sixshot (G1)|Generation 1 Sixshot]], with a green and blue color scheme.
*Wipe-Out is an original character from the Marvel comic. There, he functioned as [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s gofer, a sort of stand-in for the big guy's traditional partner [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]], and looked like Tailgate as a result of some kind of art-and-or-toy mix-up. In this issue, Wipe-Out is modeled mainly on his [[Wipe-Out#Generations|''Titans Return'' "Necro" toy]], which recently saw retail release.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this issue is taken from the lyrics to {{w|David Bowie}}'s "{{w|Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)|Ashes to Ashes}}," making this the [[The Life of Sideswipe|second ''Transformers'' title]] to reference the dearly departed Bowie this month.
*The "Mederi" medical center derives its name from Latin; "mederi" is the present infinitive of "medeor," meaning "I heal." No need to explain the relevance, obviously!
*The Catharsians, meanwhile, take their name from the word "catharsis," meaning a release of (and consequent relief from) strong or repressed emotions. No need to explain that one either!
*And the "Resus" in "Resus Cradle" is from "resuscitation," obvious-like.
*A goggle-wearing [[wikia:rickandmorty:Gromflomites|Gromflomite]] from ''{{w|Rick and Morty}}'' can be spotted in the background of page 5.
*"Milk wives" was a fandom injoke involving Roberts from the unofficial TFNation convention.
*Among Agonizer's collection is the head of a [http://wikizilla.org/wiki/Cryogs Cryog] from IDW's ''[[Godzilla]]: Rulers of Earth'' comic series.

===Errors===
*Firestar is drawn with an Autobot insignia during a flashback that takes place on Caminus, long before she met up with [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]'s crew and joined the Autobots.
*As in the original release of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #53, flashback Nautica uses the singular "amica endur'''a'''" instead of the correct plural "amica endur'''ae'''." This is corrected in the trade paperback release.
*In Agonizer's speech bubble in page 15 panel 4, the UK spelling "organised" slips through counter to IDW's U.S. spelling policy. In page 18, panel 2, Wipe-Out simlarly says "civilisations".

===Other trivia===
*Though most readers had probably sped ahead to the conclusion already, this issue's "previously in" recap page explicitly states that Anode and Lug are [[Conjunx Endura]]e.
*It can easily be {{w|No-Prize}}d, but the portrayal of Caminus as idyllic and in possession of multiple off-world medical colonies is a bit jarring when taken with its portrayal in ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' and ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' as a theocratic, energy-starved and isolated world on the brink of collapse. Indeed, this isn't the first time this series' portrayal of Caminus has been at odds with the rest of IDW continuity; the planet's obsession with the performing arts and societally-enforced [[Amica Endura]]e (as related in [[The Frail Gaze|''More than Meets the Eye'' #42]]) have never come up in other comics' portrayals of the colony, and the Cybertron-born Anode and Lug visiting the planet during the war is hard to reconcile with Caminus's complete isolation prior to the events of [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]].

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPtr7VAQa2c Mahal Kita]" by {{w|Emmy the Great}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/888899433001361408 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LswvtH_IQAY Get Up]" by {{w|The Blow}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/888900532491911168 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t5gGm3NWU4 I Know a Place]" by {{w|Muna (band)|MUNA}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/888906018515816448 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDFIN2vE91w Sad Stories]" by {{w|Would-Be-Goods}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/888909661541466112 James Roberts on Twitter] — "Last song from #LostLight8 (and also maybe the Theme From Lost Light?)"</ref>

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Our heroes amid the crowds of Troja Major, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' Nautica looks pensive among the markets, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover C:''' Megatron by [[Tom Whalen]]; one of several "art deco" covers produced by Whalen for various IDW July titles
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Nautica tearfully recalls the memory of Skids, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
<gallery>
File:LL8 cvrA.jpg|"We're off to see the wizard..."
File:LL8 cvrB.jpg|She left her wallet in El Segundo.
File:LL8 cvrC.jpg|Oh yeah, him!
File:LL8 cvrRI.jpg|Nautica misses her dance partner.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #9
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting July's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 8|''G.I. Joe'' #8]], [[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 3|''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook'' #3]], [[Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|''Revolutionaries'' #8]], [[Shining Armor issue 1|''Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'' #1]], [[The Life of Sideswipe|''Optimus Prime'' #9]], and [[Your First Mistake|''Till All Are One'' #12]].
*Hero Initiative exclusive [[Rob Liefeld]] variant cover for ''The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'' #47
*4-page preview of [[First Strike issue 1|''First Strike'' #1]] (previously seen in [[First Strike issue 0|''First Strike'' #0]])
*National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo'' one-shot

===Reprints===
*'''''Transformers: Lost Light''''' Vol. 2 TPB <small>([[February 14]], [[2018]]) ISBN 1684051487 / ISBN 978-1684051489</small>
:Contains ''Lost Light'' issues #7 to #12.
:Bonus material includes a cover gallery.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 77: Dissolution''''' <small>([[September 4]], [[2019]])</small>
:Contains ''Lost Light'' issues #1 to #8.
:Bonus material includes a cover gallery, intro by [[Simon Furman]], and a [[Jack Lawrence]] sketch gallery.

<gallery>
File:LLvol2 TPBcvr.jpg|'''''Lost Light'' Vol. 2''' cover by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v77.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 77: Dissolution''''' cover by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] (Swerve) and [[Jack Lawrence]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.comicosity.com/preview-transformers-lost-light-8/ Preview]

[[Category:Lost Light issues]]

Project Predacon

2021-09-21T20:16:29Z

Repowers:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 57
|prev=Rebellion (Prime)
|next=Chain of Command (Prime)
|image=ProjectPredacon-skull.jpg
|caption=Okay, who cooked the turkey too long?
|title="Project Predacon"
|airdate=[[May 17]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The Decepticons launch a new scheme to clone an army of beasts.'''

==Synopsis==

[[File:ProjectPredacon-MASKdivision.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Back repainting strikes again|Can you name the truck with four wheel drive, smells like a steak, and seats thirty five? Canyonero! Canyonero!]]

[[William Fowler|Fowler]] arrives at the [[Autobot]]s' [[Hangar E|new base]] driving a massive military truck, described as an "experimental, all-terrain, expeditionary fighting vehicle". [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] gives his approval and begins to scan it.

The next day, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] return from the rubble of the former Autobot base with what little they could find. Wheeljack is happy enough to find their [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|lobbing]] ball, which he immediately throws to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to initiate a game. Unprepared, Bulkhead is unable to catch the ball and it bounces off him, very nearly crushing [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]], who is pulled to safety by [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. Ultra Magnus admonishes Wheeljack's reckless behavior, once again citing his distaste for [[Wrecker]] behavior. He tells Wheeljack that if he'd rather not follow orders, he's free to walk away, as he did back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Wheeljack remarks that if [[Jackhammer (Prime)|his ship]] wasn't destroyed, he'd do just that.

Meanwhile, Optimus flies with his new [[jet pack]] to investigate recent [[Decepticon]] activity. He comes upon a cave entrance in the side of a mountain and transforms into his new vehicle mode to enter.

Miko wishes all of the Autobots had jet packs, but [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] reminds everyone that the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] had been depleted of its power. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] returns from scanning new "war paint", but this fails to impress Ultra Magnus, who immediately assigns him a menial duty. Smokescreen grumbles about how he nearly became a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], yet is still treated like a rookie, but pretends to have said something else when Ratchet overhears.

In the cave, Optimus comes across a group of [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s excavating some very large skeletal remains, and makes short work of most of them, but he is unable to prevent [[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] from escaping with a piece of the fossil.

Optimus returns the rest of the fossil to the base, and reveals that it's the remains of a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]. Smokescreen notes that Predacons are supposed to have been extinct since before most life began on Cybertron. The Autobots deduce that the recently returned [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] is behind [[Predaking (Prime)|the one they already fought]], and most likely plans to clone more of them.

[[File:ProjectPredacon-Predacons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Once upon a time, robot animals ruled the earth.]]

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] reacts to the presence of Predacon remains on Earth with cynicism. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] explains that the remains actually belong to an army of clones that he had commissioned during the war. They were sent to Earth to kill Autobots and gather [[energon]], and they remained there until succumbing to the ravages of time. Shockwave confirms that he can create new clones from the endomatter of the deceased batch.

Ratchet shows the children images of Predacons from Cybertronian historical texts. Jack recognizes them as robotic versions of creatures from Earth's own various mythologies. Optimus notes that the Predacons were very likely the inspiration for such tales.

Ratchet revisits his [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] formula, in hopes of replenishing the energon stores lost when their base was destroyed. Fowler suddenly reports that satellites have picked up Decepticon activity in both [[Texas]] and [[Scotland]]. Optimus assigns Ultra Magnus, now wielding the depowered Forge, to lead the Wreckers to Scotland. Meanwhile he, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and Smokescreen [[GroundBridge]] to a field of [[oil]] derricks in Texas and split up.

Alone together, Smokescreen asks Bumblebee if he'd ever wanted to be a Prime. Bumblebee says his only aspiration is to be a warrior. When Smokescreen asks why Optimus hasn't promoted him from scout yet, Bumblebee reveals that it's his choice. When Smokescreen asks him why he wants to wait, Bumblebee responds that he would rather be promoted on Cybertron. Smokescreen notes that this would be more meaningful, and that Bumblebee was one patient guy, musing that he ought to take a cue from him. They then interrupt a squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, only to be interrupted by Shockwave toting the remains of a Predacon. Shockwave flees from the Autobots but runs into Optimus, who blasts him out of vehicle mode. Just then, a GroundBridge opens and [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] emerges in alt-form for some altitude-combat with a flying Optimus. Shockwave makes a run for the GroundBridge, but is attacked by Bumblebee and Smokescreen.

[[File:ProjectPredacon-wishbone.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Ultimate Tug of War: Who Will Take Home the Wishbone???]]

While Optimus fends off Soundwave, [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] is deployed and gets in close, delivering an electrical shock that sends Optimus crashing to the ground. On the highway overpass above him, Bumblebee and Smokescreen are able to wrest the Predacon fossil away from Shockwave, but not without breaking it, sending a small piece falling over the edge. Optimus rushes back into the air to catch it, but Soundwave activates a second GroundBridge that catches the falling fossil in mid-air and deposits it into Megatron's waiting hand aboard the ''Nemesis''. Their mission complete, the Decepticons retreat through the GroundBridge from which Soundwave emerged.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron decides that Shockwave is much too valuable to Project Predacon to risk using in the field. Shockwave agrees to confine himself to his lab and leave the task of collecting bones to Starscream. Megatron notes how anxious he is to set his army of beasts on humankind.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (11)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (15)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (19)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (20)
*[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] (21)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Jack Darby]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)

}}

==Quotes==
"What were you thinking, soldier?"<br />
"I was thinking Bulk could catch that lob."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Wheeljack''' air their grievances like mature adults who hate each other.

"I was nearly a Prime, but somehow I'm still a rookie."
:—'''Smokescreen'''

'''Raf''': They're like Earth's dinosaurs.<br>
'''Jack''': Which means for you guys, running into one would be like us meeting a T-Rex.<br>
'''Miko''': So, then what were Dinobots?<br>
'''Bulkhead''': [[Dinobot (FOC)|Totally different]].

"Autobots, we must become Beast Hunters."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' sees the writing on the package--Er, wall

"Pfft. Another scavenger hunt?"
:—'''Starscream'''

"How logical would it really be to locate all the dusty remains of your former pets?"<br>
"You are not suggesting that I would send my creations to a distant planet without first having them microchipped?"<br>
"Well, I-- Well, I was. But... seriously? You did?"
:—'''Starscream''' is shut down by '''Shockwave'''

"Um... what's a kilt?"<br>
"Agent Fowler can at times be oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Wheeljack finds his and Bulkhead's Lobbing ball from "[[Con Job]]" in the rubble of the former Autobot base and brings it back to the new base to continue the fun.
* Ultra Magnus confirms he led the Wreckers back on Cybertron, as in [[Alex Irvine]]'s ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' novels. However, he also notes that the assignment was given to him by Optimus Prime, and refers to them as "your Wreckers" to Wheeljack, indicating that he had no part in founding the team.
* The [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots]], a subgroup of Autobots mutated by Shockwave into dinosaur forms and who serve as the main characters in the tie-in ''[[Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots|Rage of the Dinobots]]'' and [[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic)|''Beast Hunters'' comics]], have at least been mentioned in passing to Miko in the past.
* Megatron reveals that he had an army of Predacon clones commissioned during the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|war for Cybertron]]. Included in the artistic flashback appear to be [[Hun-Gurrr (Prime)|Hun-Gurr]] (or [[Twinstrike (Prime)|Twinstrike]]), [[Lazerback (Prime)|Lazerback]], [[Grimwing (Prime)|Grimwing]], [[Rippersnapper (Prime)|Rippersnapper]], [[Ripclaw]], [[Skystalker (Prime)|Skystalker]] and a previous incarnation of [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. Also, the Predacon picture Ratchet shows the kids looks somewhat similar to Ripclaw, minus the Siphon Claw on her tail.
* Ratchet returns to work on the synthetic energon formula he last tried replicating in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Laserbeak is apparently up and running now. Soundwave must have repaired him since "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
* Megatron mentions Shockwave's apparent demise in the space bridge accident in "[[Out of the Past]]".
* This episode appears to occur concurrently with the [[Chain of Command (Prime)|following]] episode.

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack's near-lethal game of catch is quite similar to the one in "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" from [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated.]] It even has Bulkhead involved, albeit as the failed catcher instead of the tosser.
* Smokescreen uses the "robots in disguise" tagline as justification for his new paint job.
* Bulkhead refers to the potential threat of a cloned Predacon army as a "[[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]". Megatron continues the trend by saying he sent his army of Predacon clones to Earth to "unleash the beast" on Autobots stationed there.
* Ultra Magnus arms himself with [[Magnus Hammer|a very large hammer]].

===Real-world references===
[[File:ProjectPredacon-UnitE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
* Micro-chipping pets is a human method of identifying lost dogs, cats and other pets through use of a sub-dermal chip implant. Mind you, in the real world, it works by scanning the animal directly to see if it even has a chip that stores the owner's information, rather than the show's GPS-like take.
* In possibly the most self-indulgent meta-reference in ''Transformers'' ever, the Autobots' new base is set up inside "[[Unit:E]]". This was the title of Hasbro's more-or-less stillborn [[Unit:E (issue)|crossover franchise]], mixing numerous properties Hasbro owned yet didn't have much going on with at the moment, including ''[[Micronauts]]'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', ''Candyland'' (no, really), and more. ''Transformers'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' also had cameos as part of a colossal multiverse. Fowler's office door even uses the ''Unit:E'' logo. While "[[Grill (episode)|Grill]]" made a background reference to it, this episode is pretty blatant in its reference to it.
* As part of the gleeful shamelessness, Fowler says that the truck Optimus scans comes from the "M.A.S.K." division. ''M.A.S.K.'' was all about humans piloting (mostly) ordinary-looking vehicles that transformed into battle-modes.

===Errors===
* When Optimus scans his new vehicle mode, the beams from his eyes are blue instead of green like previously shown scans. However, [[Skyquake (Prime)|the]] [[Airachnid (Prime)|other]] [[Dreadwing (Prime)|scanners]] were all Decepticons and/or non-Primes, so that may be a factor.
* Optimus conveniently has kibble matching his new vehicle mode before he scans the truck, but that's nothing new.
* Before Shockwave says "...but there appears to be an enormous mass upon the upper hull", Starscream's left leg is slightly transparent.
* Bumblebee states to Smokescreen that it was his own choice to not yet graduate from scout to warrior, which contradicts with Prime's belief in "[[Masters & Students]]" that Bumblebee wasn't experienced enough in the field. It's possible that Prime has since changed his mind on the subject.
* When Soundwave transforms to robot mode and lands on the clifftop, he's wearing Laserbeak, even though at that point his deployer's separated from him.
* There's no logical reason for the tug of war for the Predacon jawbone. Since Smokescreen is wearing the phase shifter, he could have simply pulled it right through Shockwave's hand, as demonstrated in "[[New Recruit]]" and "[[Inside Job]]". Shockwave, meanwhile, is using his only hand to pull back, instead of shooting or punching Smokescreen and Bumblebee with his free cannon arm.

===Trivia===
* This episode premieres a new [[title sequence]] with significantly more [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] and Shockwave in it, and also features Prime's new body and Bumblebee's new paint job. There's no Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, or Smokescreen, though.
*This is one reference-heavy episode, isn't it?
* Megatron says that the cloned Predacons fell victim to "the ravages of time" between their being stationed on Earth and the rest of the Decepticons arriving. Unless it's a side effect of the cloning process, this could suggest the Predacons have a much shorter life span than other Cybertronians, including the similarly-animalistic Insecticons.
* This episode establishes that when a Transformer upgrades their body the alternate mode for that body is reset and they must choose another appropriate one.
* As of this episode, Optimus is the only Autobot to use a weapon in Alt mode.
* With Optimus Prime, this episode marks the first time we've seen an Autobot scan their vehicle mode on-screen in ''Prime''. Instead, in other Aligned's series like ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'', this has [[Family of Heroes|already]] [[Quarry's Quarry|happened]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les Clones de Shockwave'''" ("Shockwave's Clones")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Projekt Predacon'''" ("Project Predacon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 4|4 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Predacon művelet'''" ("The Predacon Procedure")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Projeto Predacon'''" ("Project Predacon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 1|1 November]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Progetto Predacon'''" ("Project Predacon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Proyecto Predacon'''" ("Project Predacon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 14|14 October]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 1: Le règne de Mégatron ([[Primal Screen]])<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 1: Battle for Darkmount (Primal Screen)<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 1: Schlacht um Darkmount (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen)<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Cliffjumper's bazooka

2021-09-21T20:15:40Z

Repowers:

:''Cliffjumper's bazooka is an unnamed weapon that Cliffjumper uses once in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

{{noname}}

[[File:Cliffgun.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Where'd that come from?]]

'''Cliffjumper's bazooka''' is a bazooka primarily used by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]].

==Fiction==
===''Generation 1'' cartoon===
[[File:TransportToOblivion-Cliffjumpersbazooka.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who cares? I'm more worried about where it's goin'!]]

[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] fired a silver version of the bazooka on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from a great distance, hoping to end the war with one shot, but this merely alerted the Decepticons to his location.{{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] fired a green version of the bazooka as he and several other Autobots fired on the Decepticons as they attempted to launch [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] through the [[Space bridge]].{{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

As the Autobots struggled to keep the Decepticons from continuing their plot to orbit [[Cybertron (planet)|Cyberton]] around the [[Earth]], Ironhide ran to Optimus Prime carrying a silver version of the bazooka, suggesting a call for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generations===
====''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''====
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We hope you really like this weapon accessory!]]
*'''Cliffjumper''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''WFC-E7'''
**''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''ER EX-05'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[June 27]], 2020
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk

:After years of mostly being a Bumblebee redeco, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Cliffjumper is a cartoon-accurate mold (complete with accurate, non-Bumblebee head; although he does have Bumblebee's biceps), while omitting the Penny Racer aesthetic for his vehicle mode, transforming into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of his original Porsche 924 Turbo alt-mode, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}. Cliffjumper also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail for a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. In keeping with his depiction as being rather small in most Transformers media, this figure is much smaller than a typical Deluxe Class and is closer to being a particularly large Legends class-sized figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Cliffjumper includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Cliffjumper's ball-jointed neck is actually mounted on a hinge, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up for with his arsenal, that being a large cannon similar to one he briefly used in the G1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", which can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis which can attach under his wheels as seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]". The backend of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:The promotional renders and early product samples showcased at conventions showed his weapons and skis being silver, while the final product had them cast in black plastic (with the guns being painted silver except for their handles). The majority of Cliffjumper is molded in black plastic with a generous coating of red paint, which can be chipped due to his transformation scheme, namely the tabs on his shoulders. His forearms and most of his head appear to be the only pieces molded in red plastic. It is also not uncommon to find scratch marks in the red paint right out of the box.

:Similar to the first release of Starscream from the [[War for Cybertron: Siege|previous line]], Cliffjumper uses the movie variant of the Autobot insignia, rather than the traditional G1 design. Due to the transformation engineering, the insignia is hidden away in robot mode, with no secondary insignia to display.

:Like all ''Earthrise'' toys, the inside of the back of Cliffjumper's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. Cliffjumper's piece of the map contains a labeled entry point to the "[[Dead Universe|DEAD UNIVERSE]]".

:His [[glass gas]] blaster is sold separately as part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]].

:In Japan, Cliffjumper is released as a Takara Tomy Mall exclusive.

:Cliffjumper was retooled with a new head into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]], [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]], ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]], ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Bumblebee]], and more extensively retooled into ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]], a reverse to the traditional norm.
{{-}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Hubcap.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Phew, okay, one other use of it is probably fine.]]
*'''Hubcap''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''ID number:'' '''WFC-GS13'''
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, two skis, car trunk

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Hubcap is a redeco/retool of [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], sporting a new head. Hubcap transforms from robot into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of his original Porsche 924 Turbo alt-mode, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}, while omitting the Penny Racer aesthetic. Hubcap also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail for a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Hubcap's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Hubcap includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Hubcap's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up with Hubcap's large cannon. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon is folded out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being usable as a melee weapon. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:Almost ''all'' of Hubcap's yellow coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare yellow plastic. While this avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode, it also means he is ''incredibly'' prone to paint chipping. So, uh, be careful handling him.

:This mold was differently retooled into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]], and further retooled into ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]].
{{--}}

[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-Bug-Bite.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Okay, this is the third time, but at least it's an attractive purple!]]
*'''Bug Bite''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''WFC-GS16'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''ER EX-27'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[June 26]], [[2021]]
**''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Bug Bite is a redeco/retool of [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], with the head from ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]]. This version of Bug Bite displays a black [[Mercenary]] faction symbol on his chest, as per his appearance in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' cartoon.

:Bug Bite transforms from robot into a 1980s sports coupe that is strongly reminiscent of a Porsche 924 Turbo, though with a front end which resembles that of the {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}}, while omitting the original ''Collector's Edition'' toy's Penny Racer aesthetic. Bug Bite also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail carried over from a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Bug Bite's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Bug Bite includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Bug Bite's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation.

:The rest of his price-point is made up with Bug Bite's large cannon. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon is folded out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being used as a melee weapon. It can also be mounted on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other.

:It's also worth noting that almost ''all'' of Bug Bite's white coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare white plastic. While this avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode, it also means he is incredibly prone to paint chipping. The mold was differently retooled into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]].

:The toy is branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toyline by Hasbro in the US but as part of ''Earthrise'' [[TakaraTomy]] in [[Japan]].
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-WFC-Trilogy-Deluxe-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now this is just getting excessive. Good thing we're done with it.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''WFC-09'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[January 20]], [[2021]]
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk/shield

:Part of the second wave of ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Deluxe Class toys, promoting the ''Earthrise'' season of [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|the Netflix cartoon]], Bumblebee is a retool of [[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'']] [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], having all of the original figure's vehicle mode parts replaced with those of a [[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]] Volkswagen Beetle without the "penny racer" proportions, along with a new head sculpt. (It's also worth noting that almost ''all'' of Bumblebee's yellow coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare yellow plastic, which avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode.) On both of his ends, the bumpers/fenders are made of soft rubbery plastic. Bumblebee also has molded high-performance brake discs, a surprising detail carried over from a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Bumblebee's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Bumblebee includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Bumblebee's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation. The housing has also been updated for seemingly no reason, with a taller "collar" section compared to Cliffjumper and Hubcap.

:The rest of his price-point is made up for with Cliffjumper's bazooka, now painted in slightly darker gunmetal color and lacking the paint on the rear piece. The entire cannon can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his front wheels. The backend of the cannon folds out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Unlike his mold-mates, 5 mm port holes are absent in Bumblebee's vehicle parts, meaning displaying the bazooka in vehicle mode requires the rear of the car mode to be transformed differently so the car trunk post has space to flip out and connect to the back-end of the cannon.

: Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car back-end can either be put onto the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other. Also unlike his mold-mates, the pegs that connect the car trunk with the robot fists in vehicle mode are now complete circles instead of half circles. These larger pegs are a very tight fit in the fists; detaching the trunk requires using excessive force on a small, thin, painted plastic piece. Filing or sanding the pegs down can make transformation more feasible.

:[[For safety reasons|As per the norm]], the stock renders depict him with sharp head-horns, but the final product has them rounded off.

: Much like the rest of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toyline, promoting the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Netflix-original series]] of the same name, Bumblebee is exclusive to [[Walmart]] in Canada and the US but was released at standard retail in Asia.

: His G1 cartoon-accurate blaster is sold separately as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]]. However, there is no way to store this blaster while Bumblebee is in vehicle mode.

: The original Cliffjumper version of the mold was given two new head toolings to make ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]] respectively, and was also given Bumblebee's head to make ''Selects'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]].
{{-}}

===Buzzworthy Bumblebee===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-Worlds-Collide-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Dangit, Bumblebee got this weapon AGAIN? How many times can Bumblebee get Cliffjumper's weapon?!]]
*'''Worlds Collide''' (4-pack, 2021)
**''Series'': '''''War for Cybertron Trilogy'''''
**''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk, [[AllSpark#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Allspark]]

:Released as part of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' "Worlds Collide" 4-pack, this Bumblebee features the body of ''Earthrise'' Cliffjumper, while retaining the Bumblebee head from the Netflix-branded [[#War for Cybertron Trilogy|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toy]]. Essentially a redeco of ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Bug Bite, Bumblebee transforms into a custom 1980s sports coupe; hybridizing the Porsche 924 Turbo and {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}} models. He retains the bazooka included with all versions of the mold, this time painted green to resemble the bazooka [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] used in "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]." He also comes with the [[AllSpark#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Allspark]], redecoed from the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#2021Netflix|Megatron]]/[[Skelivore#Toys|Fossilizer Skelivore]] Spoiler Pack.

:Included in the set alongside Bumblebee is [[Nemesis Primal#Toys|Nemesis Primal]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Blackarachnia]], and [[Fangry (G1)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Fangry]] with [[Brisko#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Brisko]]. Outwardly branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' on the packaging, the instructions label the set as part of ''[[Studio Series]]'', under the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie, instead.

:The set was found in a Walmart in the U.S.<ref>''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Worlds Collide found at Walmart by [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/buzzworthy-worlds-collide-set-found-at-walmart-but-not-in-system-more-pics/46101/ Seibertron.com]</ref> prior to an official reveal from Hasbro, possibly due to a shipment error. As with other ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, it is exclusive to [[Target]] in the U.S.
{{-}}

===Shattered Glass===

[[File:TF-Shattered-Glass-Collection-Goldbug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''*throws up hands in the air, storms off*'']]
*'''Autobot Goldbug''' (Deluxe Class, [[2021]])
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece bazooka, 2 skis, car trunk
:Released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' subline, "Autobot Goldbug" is a new-head retool of ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]. Unusually small for a Deluxe Class figure, Goldbug transforms into a custom 1980s sports coupe; hybridizing the Porsche 924 Turbo and {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}} models. Goldbug's vehicle mode possesses molded high-performance brake discs, carried over from a mainline ''Transformers'' figure. As can be expected of a figure based on a ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' release, Goldbug includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching weapons, [[Fire Blast effect]]s, and other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]/[[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology]]. However, attaching a Weaponizer/[[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]]/Fossilizer figure can be challenging due to Goldbug's small size.

:Goldbug features a redeco of Cliffjumper's bazooka. It can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his wheels. The backend of the cannon can fold out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed, while also being used as a melee weapon. It can also be mounted on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Similarly, his detaching car trunk can either be put into the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with the help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other. Goldbug appears to use the updated taller "collar" assembly introduced on [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]].

:Goldbug also includes the [[Shards issue 4|fourth issue]] of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' "Shards" mini-series, with an exclusive cover featuring spot UV.

:Much like the rest of the subline, Goldbug is a [[Hasbro Pulse]] exclusive in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. His existence was spilled by Hasbro Pulse prematurely when ''Shattered Glass Collection'' [[Starscream (SG)#Shattered Glass Collection|Starscream]]'s front page advertisement named Goldbug instead of Starscream,<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/hasbro-mentions-shattered-glass-goldbug-but-shows-sg-starscream-instead.1214062/ "The latest figure in the Transformers Generations Shattered Glass Collection: Goldbug & IDW Shattered Glass with Variant Cover"]</ref> much like the accidental reveal of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Red Wing#Toys|Red Wing]] and ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Thrust (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Thrust]].

:This mold was also used for ''War for Cybertron Trilogy [[Generations Selects (toyline)|Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]], and was extensively retooled into ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Cliffjumper's bazooka is described in the "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1" script as a "BAZOOKA-LIKE weapon" and in the "Transport to Oblivion" script as a "bazooka-like tube, the end studded with a circular series of smaller 'rifle' bores." It's not mentioned in the "Ultimate Doom" script. In the the packaging copy for the sixty-billion toys of it, it's referred to merely as a "weapon accessory."

[[Category:Generation 1 weapons]]
[[Category:Ranged weapons]]

Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?

2021-09-21T20:15:03Z

Repowers:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[S.T.A.R.S. continuity]]
|prev=Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?
|next=The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:
|title="Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?"
|image=PackIn CanOneBoy Front.jpg
|caption=Maybe Wheeljack is posing the question to Sunstreaker as an academic exercise.
|publisher=Hasbro
|coverdate=1986
|written by=
|art by=[[Mark Watts]], possibly others
}}

"'''Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?'''" is one in a series of [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|mail-order flyers]] included with [[The Transformers (toyline)|''Generation 1'' toys]], offering several Transformers which had been discontinued from the main line. The characters are featured in a brief story that follows directly from the previous flyer in the series.

==Synopsis==
{{note|A portion of this flyer is written in the second person, recruiting the reader into [[S.T.A.R.S.]] While the story proper is presented in traditional omniscient-narrator third-person, the style of the other S.T.A.R.S.-related material suggests that this entire flyer is propaganda which exists within its own fiction.}}

[[Image:PackIn CanOneBoy Inside1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|A very early [[Mountain Dew]] [[Dispensor|cross-promo]]?]]

On the heels of [[Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?|the previous message]] comes another, more urgent communique. It opens by continuing the story of [[Johnny (G1)|Johnny]], who has summoned an [[Autobot]] squad and can do little but wait for them to arrive and counter [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s energy-draining attack. Minutes creep by, then suddenly [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] each appear on different screens on Johnny's [[Command Center (G1)|Command Center]]. Their movements show effort, probably as a result of Thundercracker's energy siphon. Johnny, however, is confident in "his" fighters, and he readies [[S.O.S. Dinobots|some]] [[The Ultimate Doom|videotapes]] for strategic reference. He uses his Command Center to lock onto the Autobots' positions, then prepares to give orders.

But then the Command Center succumbs to Thundercracker's assault, shutting down as the walls of Johnny's home begin to shake. Johnny frantically pushes buttons, to no avail. Then the Command Center spontaneously reactivates, flashing only two words: '''CODE RED'''.

[[Image:PackIn CanOneBoy Inside2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I've decided to delegate instead.]]

The story ends there, and the message implores the reader to take action, claiming that only the reader can defuse the "CODE RED" situation. The reader has the option of "summoning" the previously-mentioned Autobots, as well as the videocassettes (for "study" purposes). Capping the message off is an invitation to join S.T.A.R.S., with the usual membership kit.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (4)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (5)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (3)
|c2=
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (1)
|c3=
* [[Johnny (G1)|Johnny]] (2)
}}

==Notes==
* This continues a loose story that runs through a few years' worth of toy pack-in flyers. The [[micro-continuity]], taken at face value, cannot fit within any known larger [[continuity]]; however, the "{{w|unreliable narrator}}" factor prevents any declarations on the matter.
* The order-form section of the flyer features a glue strip that allows it to "transform into a Decepticon-proof envelope." It is unclear what constitutes Decepticon-proofing, nor why this technology is not employed more often.
* A [[Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!|previous flyer]] promised that S.T.A.R.S. members would be given positions of command; this seems to be followed through here, as Johnny thinks of the Autobots as "his fighters," and he prepares to give them orders.
* The specific Autobots in the story are referred to as "the available Autobot Fighters," and there is also reference to "Thundercracker and his evil Decepticon Marauders." The capitalization is intriguing, but it is unknown if the terms have any real significance.
* The lineup of toys available through this flyer is the same as the previous one, minus the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]]s.
* To answer the question posed by the title, it would appear that Johnny is ''not'' capable of holding back the evil Decepticons alone, as he needs the reader to contact an Autobot to bail him out. To be fair, he may have simply lacked the right equipment for the job, as Thundercracker has never been shown to have a weakness to [[Command Center|cardboard]]. Years after this incident, [[Titan Books|Titan Magazines]] made a point of issuing [[FREE! Blaster!|a variety of armaments]].

[[Category:S.T.A.R.S. media]]

Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers

2021-09-21T20:14:28Z

Repowers:

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{{cleanup|March 2018|Generally poorly organised}}
Over the years, many '''misconceptions and urban legends''' have sprung up within ''Transformers'' [[fandom]], often resulting from such factors as fuzzy childhood memories, inaccurate catalog illustrations, and mistranslations of foreign material.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Transformers is (only) a cartoon from the Eighties that was brought back into vogue with the 2007 movie.'''
: A misconception usually held by casual fans or nostalgic adults is that Transformers went away some time around 1986 (or 1987, or 1988—pick your year). People who stumbled across a newer incarnation of the Transformers franchise before 2007 commonly assumed that it had only recently popped back up as an attempt to cash in on '80s nostalgia. From 2007 onwards, people who were (obviously) aware of the [[live-action film series]] commonly believed that it was the [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] that brought the franchise back from limbo. Neither assumption is correct.
:In fact, the [[Transformers brand]] has been continuous since 1984 (there was a brief gap between 1990 and 1993 as far as the United States market was concerned, but the brand still continued with new products in other markets). It includes many [[Franchise|lines of toys, cartoons and comics]] that span over three decades, with no sign of stopping, as Hasbro considers it a core brand. Each line has experienced varying degrees of success, rebooting when its target audience gets too old or uninterested in the toyline and fiction.
:Some of this misconception is based on the fact that most of the original audience stopped watching and following the franchise long before its initial US cancellation (as it wasn't "cool" to be kiddy once puberty hit). Without any exposure to the market, the toyline and the new cartoons, they simply assume that ''Transformers'' has sunk in popularity, quality and/or sales, since it's not what they remember.
:It ''is'' true that Transformers hit a low point of popularity in the early 1990s, with the cancelation of Generation 1 and the unremarkable sales of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''. But the successor ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' line re-established the brand for a new generation beginning in 1996, and Transformers has been a dominant toy franchise ever since. While it's true that the live-action movies caused a major hike in popularity for the brand, they didn't revive a long-forgotten franchise; rather, they merely turned a steadily successful toy series into a major worldwide multimedia phenomenon.
{{-}}
*'''Generation 1 obviously has the best toys, cartoons and characters.'''
:Casual fans likewise tend to assume automatically that the original 1980s iteration of Transformers is the best and most successful line to date, with all other successors being unpopular and/or unsuccessful ventures.
:While it's hard to measure the overall success of every line in all its aspects, the original line has been surpassed in both quality and sales multiple times over (if not for warm-fuzzy nostalgia-feels in 80s kids). In factors such as realistic alternate forms, durability, articulation, action features, and complexity, various later toylines have all exceeded Generation 1. And while fiction can't be measured objectively, many fans will swear up and down by some of the later incarnations of ''Transformers''.
:Arguably, Transformers is in an endless cycle of creating [[true fan|new fans who share new opinions on what is "teh greatest"]].
{{-}}
*'''Powermaster Optimus Prime was the first, ''original'' Optimus Prime toy.'''
[[File:G1 OptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|1984—the original.]]
[[File:PowermasterOptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|1988—the Powermaster version.]]

:This one claims that the [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] toy, originally released in 1988, is the ''original'', first Optimus Prime toy ever released, rather than the ''earlier'', non-Powermaster toy, which is an entirely different mold and was originally available in 1984. This phenomenon is particularly common in [[eBay]] auctions, where Powermaster Optimus Prime toys are frequently advertised as "ORIGINAL Optimus Prime".
:The reasons for this misconception are obvious: Numerous people arrived late to the party—that is, became fans of the original ''Transformers'' line after the ''real'' original Optimus Prime toy had vanished off the shelves in 1986 (the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] was still shown in reruns on TV). Any of them looking for a toy of the iconic [[Autobot]] leader would only find the Powermaster toy on store shelves starting in 1988. Fast-forward to 20 years later, and people who weren't really paying a lot of attention to the brand for the past few years, now looking to sell off their childhood toys, would naturally conclude that the toy they got as a kid was the ''original'' Optimus Prime toy.
:The phenomenon is even more widespread in countries such as Germany, where the cartoon wasn't officially shown on TV until 1989(!). By that point, the ''original'' toy, which had originally been released by [[Milton Bradley]] in the European market in 1985, was long gone off the shelves. Thus, the only Optimus Prime toy available to kids who had only just become fans because of the cartoon was the Powermaster version. Admittedly, [[parallel import|gray import]]s of the Mexican version of the ''original'' toy by [[IGA]] were also available in European stores around this time, and Hasbro themselves would release the original toy again two years later as part of their European-exclusive [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line of reissues. However, the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy was still a lot more widespread.

*'''20th Anniversary Optimus Prime was the Optimus Prime toy available in the 1980s/Alternators are the same toys that were available in the 1980s.'''

[[File:TF-Masterpiece-MP-1-Convoy.jpg|125px|thumb|Sadly, this didn't exist until 2003.]]
:This misconception usually comes from people who, upon seeing the 20th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] toy (which was originally released in 2003/2004), honest-to-god swear it's the toy they had when they were a kid. Similarly, there are also people who believe that the toys from the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line are the same toys they had as kids, when they're most likely confusing them with the original Autobot Cars, which are about half the size.
:The reasons for this aren't too hard to guess: People were a lot smaller when they were kids, so obviously the original Transformers toys seemed a lot larger to them. Since these fans didn't repeatedly hold or play with their Transformers while growing up, they weren't constantly adjusting to the toys' size in relation to their own. This resulted in blurred memories of outright ''gargantuan'' Transformers toys available in the 1980s. (One might wonder how tall those people would remember [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] being.)
:When confronted with the original toys—now relatively small because the fans have grown up—these people often reject them, insisting the "original" toys were ''larger'' (occasionally even accusing the ''real'' original toys of being downsized [[knockoff]]s). Showing them the Alternators or 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, on the other hand, will bring back warm (albeit incorrect) memories.

{{-}}
*'''"Bumblejumper" is just a yellow Cliffjumper'''
[[File:G1-toy Bumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Bumblejumper", who later would be known as "Bumper".]]
:In 1984, Hasbro released three different similar-form toys as part of the [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] assortment: [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys|Cliffjumper]], and a [[Bumper (G1)|third unnamed toy]] that was not advertised in any capacity, sold ''only'' on Cliffjumper cards (at least, no samples on a Bumblebee card have ever surfaced). This third mold was a "leftover" from the ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, based on a Mazda Familia 1500XG sedan, and was very quickly phased out (resulting in him becoming the first of the "holy grail" super-costly Transformers on the secondary market). The exact nature of how and why this toy got released is still a mystery. Fans took to calling this third mystery mold portmanteau names such as "Bumblejumper", "Cliffbee", and "Bumper"; that last one eventually becoming his official name when he appeared in the ongoing [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|''Generation One'' Volume 1]] comic series by [[Dreamwave Productions]].
:Adding to the confusion is that both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper were available in two color schemes: their fiction-supported colors (Bee in yellow, Cliff in red) and in reversed colors (Bee in red, Cliff in yellow) up through 1985. And since Cliffjumper and Bumper are both similarly boxy in vehicle form, and Bumper was only available in yellow, and only on Cliffjumper cards for a very short time, and was not in any catalogs and had no name and didn't appear in any cartoons or comics....
:Further adding to the mistaken memory pile is [[Hubcap (G1)#toys|Hubcap]], a yellow [[retool]] of Cliffjumper released in 1986. Fun!

{{-}}
*'''A super-rare blue variant of Bluestreak was available during Generation 1.'''
[[File:G1 Bluestreak boxart.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|You had this as a kid. The picture, that is. Not the toy.]]
:The very earliest [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] toy [[catalog]]s used a photo of a blue-sided ''[[Diaclone]]'' Fairlady Z to represent [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys|Bluestreak]]; photographs of the same toy were used for Bluestreak's own [[Instructions|instruction booklet]]. The same blue-sided color scheme was also used on his [[Package art|box art]]; which was in turn shown on ''every'' 1984 instruction booklet as a sample tech spec.
:All this gave rise to a long-standing myth that a blue Bluestreak toy was sold under the ''Transformers'' brand during Generation 1, with some people going so far as to "remember" owning blue Bluestreaks as children, or at least knowing someone else who did. Adding to the confusion, ''{{w|ToyFare}}'' magazine had a long history of listing the supposed blue Bluestreak as a "foreign [[variant]]" in its monthly price guide.
:However, actual samples of a blue-sided Bluestreak in a sealed ''Transformers'' box have ''never'' appeared, and the [[Karl Hartman|collectors who have been at it since the very beginning]] and [[Jon Hartman|amassed ''insane'' numbers of rare Transformers]] have never seen one.
: Oddly enough, numerous other Transformers toys from that era were depicted in both catalogues and packaging art with colors they were never released in —[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], for example— yet Bluestreak is the only one to be (mis)remembered in this manner, perhaps because his name is ''Blue''streak, so he had to have been blue, right?

{{-}}
*'''A show-accurate Skyfire toy was available during Generation 1.'''
[[File:Jetfire-SkyfireModels.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Patience. You just have to wait 22 years.]]
:Due to some legal entanglements, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] was renamed "Skyfire" for the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]], with a [[character model]] that bore only a vague resemblance to the toy. Some confused viewers seem to have come away assuming that there had to be a [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] Generation 1 toy by the name of Skyfire. (The ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Jetfire toy is actually designed as a mix between the original toy and the cartoon character model, and many later toys have aspects of the cartoon model too.)

*'''Some Generation 1 toy molds were in use as long ago as 1974.'''
:Some ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]''-derived toys have the text "©1974 TAKARA" stamped on them, and as a result are occasionally sold on eBay with descriptions such as "original 1974 [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]]". However, the date 1974 refers to the introduction of the original ''[[Microman]]'' franchise due to the way Japanese IP law worked at the time; the first ''Microchange'' toys weren't even designed until the early 1980s.

:{{-}}
*'''A Unicron toy was available during Generation 1.'''
[[File:Unicron Proto.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Seriously, aren't you glad your poor parents didn't have to waste like a hundred bucks on this back in '86?]]
:No toys of [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]] were available (or even produced beyond [[prototype]]) until 2003. In fact, the mere ''existence'' of those prototypes wasn't actually officially confirmed until many years later. The first [[Unicron/toys|official Unicron toy]] to be released came out as part of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' line in 2003 and was a brand new mold, not based on an old, unused prototype.
:The fictional existence of a ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' Unicron toy is likely based on schoolground one-upmanship: if one kid had a larger toy such as [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] or [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], a rival kid would claim to have a Unicron toy in order to appear cooler, but would most likely retire to his bed a sobbing mess, knowing in his heart that one day God would punish him for being a HUGE FIBBER.
:What could also have attributed to this misconception was the voice actor for Unicron himself, Orson Welles. He died before the movie's release and the part in the 1986 movie was his last before his death in 1985. He loathed the part and could not even remember his character's name; he was quoted as saying, "I play a big toy who attacks a bunch of smaller toys," mistakenly assuming there was a toy for him.

*'''The reissue Soundwave toys released by Takara are reverse-engineered from Soundblaster because the original molds are lost.'''
:Both the ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' and ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] releases have different tape buttons and hinges than the ones found on the vintage Hasbro release. While the vintage Hasbro Soundwave had inset controls and an internal tape deck hinge, the Takara reissues have a large button block that serves as a pivot point for an external tape deck hinge. The supposed reason for this is the mold for the original versions of the buttons and door are lost or worn out, so a new single tape door was made to work with the Soundblaster mold.
:In fact, the buttons and hinge used on the reissue Soundwaves were originally a [[retool]]ed running change [[variant]] of Takara's original 1985 release of Soundwave. The further Soundblaster retool was based on the later Japanese version of Soundwave, as were the reissues. Presumably, the original mold in its original condition ''is'' lost - but this happened ''long'' before Takara retooled Soundwave into Soundblaster.

*'''A few years ago, a crazy old man claimed he had created the original ''Transformers'' toys.'''
:In 2005, the ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] learned, by way of a newspaper article posted by an internet fan site, of the existence of [[Henry Orenstein]], a former toymaker. Although the main focus of the article was Orenstein's then-current achievements in the field of poker, it also implied that Orenstein had "created" the original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]]'' toys, and even featured a photo that depicted a somewhat confused-looking Orenstein holding [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]. Many fans subsequently assumed that this was a deluded old man who believed he had created the concept of ''Transformers'' toys, even though the fandom knew full well by this point that the original toys were originally created in Japan. His status as the "creator" of the ''Transformers'' toy line was subsequently repeated in several other articles about the man, possibly directly based on its mention in the original 2005 article.
:The ''fact'' is that Orenstein had worked for [[Hasbro]] during the 1980s, and was the person who had convinced [[George Dunsay]], then Hasbro's Vice President of R&D, to acquire the rights to a (more or less) innovative type of Japanese toys, which would eventually become known as the original ''Transformers'' toys. Aside from that and the original patent for the [[rubsign]]s, which he shares with Dunsay, Orenstein has made no known contribution to the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]]. Obviously, the writer of said newspaper article had only marginal knowledge of the history of the ''Transformers'' brand, was told what was most likely nothing more than an anecdote by Orenstein (his biography is full of fascinating episodes, by the way), and subsequently inflated it massively with hyperbole, possibly in an attempt to gain more attention to his article due to the popularity of the brand, even before the [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]]. The only question is, where did the photographer get the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime toy from?

===Generation 2===
*'''"Generation 2" means "after ''The Transformers: The Movie''."'''
:This common but explicitly false idea probably stems from the many casual fans who grew up with the original ''Transformers'' line but stopped paying much attention around 1986, when the animated ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' debuted and the ''Transformers'' craze began to die down. Many such fans regained some interest in ''Transformers'' many years later, particularly with hype surrounding the [[Transformers (film)|2007 live-action movie]]. Seeing the phrase "Generation 2" batted around in fandom, it might seem natural to assume it refers to the big changeover that happened with the animated film. It certainly didn't help that, early in the life of [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]], [[Pat Lee]] shared in this misconception, leading other new arrivals to the fandom to ape his use of the term.
:While the original animated movie certainly marked a change from one "generation" of toys to another, along with some new design trends, the phrase "Generation 2" refers to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|a very specific franchise]], marketed from 1992 to 1995—years after the animated film had come and gone. Its relative obscurity probably contributes to the mis-attribution of the term, as ''Generation 2'' marks a low point in popularity for ''Transformers'' as a whole.

*'''The ''Generation 2'' Autobot and Decepticon insignias were originally created by Hasbro UK, whose license for using the original faction insignias owned by Hasbro US had expired.'''
:The first half is ''maybe'' true, the second half certainly isn't. Long story short: While the new Autobot and Decepticon faction [[insignia]]s were popularized by the ''Generation 2'' line, said line didn't start in Europe until 1994, a year later than in the US. Instead, the ''Transformers'' brand had continued in Europe even after its cancellation in the United States in 1990 (see the page for the [[The Transformers (European toyline)|European toyline]] for more details), and new European-"exclusive" figures were still being released in 1993, many of which were later re-released in [[rebranding|rebranded]] ''Generation 2'' packaging in Europe in 1994, while some of them were also made available (including some color, name and faction changes) under the ''Generation 2'' line in the United States in 1993. It was those designed-for-Europe 1993 pre-''Generation 2'' figures that had first featured the new Autobot and Decepticon insignias on their packaging, and a popular myth claims that they had become a necessity for the European market due to Hasbro UK and Hasbro US being legally considered distinct entities under international law, and Hasbro UK alternatively didn't want to continue paying their parent company the fee for being allowed to use these symbols, or the license for using them had expired.<ref name="euhist">[https://tfarchive.com/fandom/features/thirtieth-anniversary/?s=countdown-04-european-history "European History"] at The Transformers Archive.</ref>

:The holes in this theory are legion: First of all, considering the trademark for the name "The Transformers" was registered with the UK Patent Office by Hasbro UK back in 1986, shouldn't the same also apply to the faction insignias? Therefore, how could Hasbro US, assuming it was indeed a distinct entity, enforce trademarks it hadn't registered in the UK? Why exactly would the UK Patent Office be enforcing the trademarks of a (supposedly) foreign company that didn't do business in the UK? In fact, why would ''anyone'' be enforcing trademark claims against Hasbro UK on behalf of Hasbro US? And why would this affect only the faction insignias? Wouldn't the names "Transformers", "Autobot" and "Decepticon" be equally subject to those alleged licensing fees?

:A much more likely explanation is that the faction insignias were changed for the same reason the "Transformers" title logo was changed to a new version (both in the US and Europe) in 1989, along with a major redesign of the toys' packaging, and why there had been another change to the packaging design and "Transformers" title logo for the European releases in 1992: To "refresh" the overall presentation of the brand, making everyhing look "new" and different for marketing reasons. Now whether the new insignias were originally created by Hasbro US for the ''Generation 2'' line and were simply applied to the European 1993 toys first for the sake of consistency, or whether they had indeed been created by Hasbro UK and Hasbro US just liked them so much they decided to adopt them for the ''Generation 2'' line is up for debate.

===Beast Wars===
*'''Beast Wars didn't originally have the Transformers branding.'''
:While the early design of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toy packaging had the ''Transformers'' brand name in a smaller typeface than the main ''Beast Wars'' logo, the toy range was ''always'' officially titled ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' in the United States from day one. Later on, with the release of the [[Transmetal]]s and [[Fuzor]]s subranges, the ''Transformers'' name was increased in size and prominence on the packaging, eventually reversing the order of the two parts of the title to ''Transformers: Beast Wars''.

:In Europe, things were a little less cut-and-dry: Various types of [[multilingual packaging]] that saw use in different markets further reduced the prominence (and in some cases, also the visibility) of the ''Transformers'' branding, initially relegating it to an entirely different section of the packaging far away from the ''Beast Wars'' title. Lastly, when British commercial broadcaster ITV aired the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' television series]] on their morning show (GMTV), the ''Transformers'' name was edited out of the title sequence entirely.

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise''===
*'''The ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline was known as "Transformers 2000" in Japan.'''
:As information about the then-new [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Car Robots'' toyline]] began to trickle out of Japan in 2000, early rumors purportedly from Japanese sources indicated that it was officially named "Transformers 2000".<ref name="Transformers 2000">http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/e6436b92178f0c0a</ref> It's possible those Japanese sources were also going by early, inaccurate rumors or perhaps a soon-to-be-discarded working title for the line. The idea persisted with many Western fans well after the true name of the show was revealed, encouraged by online import retailers (who were equally misinformed) using the title to promote pre-orders on their sites.

*'''''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn was so complex, the toy's designer later apologized.'''
:Basically. [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Car Robots'']] [[Side Burn (RID)|Speedbreaker]] was the first ''Transformers'' toy designed by [[Hironori Kobayashi]], and it kind of shows. In a later interview, he admitted that the development process was a "painful experience" and an "admonition" to do better in the future.<ref name="Translated interview at ToyboxDX">http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800</ref>

===Alternators===
*'''A yellow version of Alternators Tracks was released to North American stores (but then recalled by Hasbro).'''

[[File:YellowTracks.jpg|upright=0.6|thumb|Only in Japan, baby.]]
:When [[Hasbro]] (and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) originally announced the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' version of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in 2004, the toy's [[Alternate mode|vehicle mode's]] primary color was yellow. This caused the ire of a significant portion of the fandom, which insisted that the toy had to be ''blue'', like its [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] predecessor.
:Hasbro eventually confirmed at [[OTFCC 2004]] that the initial idea had been to release the toy in yellow first, and then later as a running change [[variant]] in blue, like Takara would ultimately do. However, Hasbro had encountered problems at the test shot stage, where it became evident that some of the toy's innards were shining through the yellow plastic. As a result, plans for a release of the yellow version were scrapped, and it was decided to release the blue version from the get-go.
:Rumors started circulating that some stores (usually [[Walmart]]) had indeed received a shipment of the toy, but were then asked by Hasbro to send back the entire batch. Naturally, no substantial evidence has ever surfaced to back up these claims. And while toys may occasionally be recalled [[for safety reasons]], it's highly doubtful that "aesthetics" would be enough of a reason to warrant an expensive product recall.
:The only "packaged" versions of a yellow ''Alternators'' Tracks we ever got to see were internet pranks of the "yellow ''Binaltech'' Tracks in photoshopped Hasbro box" variety. Which, of course, didn't help matters at all.

{{-}}
[[File:WindchargerOverdrive.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Castrated at the request of Honda.]]
*'''Hasbro omitted ''Alternators'' Windcharger's gun barrel for safety reasons.'''

: When the first stolen [[Prototype|test shots]] of ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Windcharger (G1)#Alternators|Windcharger]] surfaced in 2004, the toy sported an extraordinarily long gun barrel (which doubled as the [[Alternate mode|vehicle mode]]'s drive shaft). The toy was ultimately released without the barrel, which was not shown or mentioned anywhere on the packaging or in the instructions. Indeed, Windcharger's weapon accessory was officially identified as a "shield" on the back of the packaging (in addition to the actual, ragtop roof shield). [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], on the other hand, later released their own ''Binaltech'' version of the toy (named [[Overdrive]]) with the full barrel, prominently shown in the official promotional photos.

:The initial fan theory upon seeing the barrel-less toy was that Hasbro had gutted it for safety reasons, under the notion that the long barrel might pose a choking hazard. Even though this was refuted by actual experts on toy safety standards, the rumor still persisted. An official response from Hasbro's customer service department to an e-mail inquiry (published on a fan site's message board) confirmed that the reason for the barrel's omission was "so the accessory would not look like a weapon".<ref name="Windcharger gun barrel">"http://forums.tformers.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=13088 Response from Hasbro's customer service department regarding the lack of Alternators Windcharger's gun barrel.</ref> Eventually, Hasbro (in the presence of Takara representatives) would confirm the full story at [[BotCon 2005]]: It had indeed been Honda, specifically their North American branch, that had asked to remove the gun barrel and all references to "weapons" from the toy, its packaging and included paperwork. Honda's Japanese department, on the other hand, had no such concerns, which is why Takara were able to release the ''Binaltech'' version with the barrel intact.

===Masterpiece===
*'''Masterpiece Convoy has more diecast parts than 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece Convoy is made almost entirely out of diecast/20th Anniversary Optimus Prime is made entirely out of plastic.'''
:This misconception was started by now defunct Hong Kong-based online retailer Action-HQ<ref name="plasticahq">[http://tformers.com/transformers-20th-anniversary-optimus-prime-plastic/2150/news.html "20th Anniversary Optimus Prime Plastic?"], November 2003.</ref> and ''might'' have been extrapolated from the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toys, which are made entirely out of plastic (except for the rubber tires) for their Hasbro releases, whereas their Japanese ''Binaltech'' counterparts feature a few parts made out of [[die-cast|die-cast metal]].
:In fact, however, the amount of die-cast metal parts versus injection-[[mold]]ed plastic parts is the same between 20th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and his Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Convoy counterpart. The only differences between the two toys (not counting the packaging) are the shortened smokestacks for Hasbro's 20th Prime and the addition of painted battle damage that is missing from the Takara version.

===Transformers Collection===
[[File:G1 Vol.1 Issue2 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.55|A solicitation of then upcoming Takara reissues? Not really.]]
*'''Takara's ''Transformers Collection'' had something to do with Dreamwave.'''
:In 2002, Takara launched their series of [[Generation 1 reissues]] named ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'', also commonly referred to as "bookbox reissues" or even "Dreamwave reissues" among fans. The reason for that is simple: The [[package art]], especially for early releases such as [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] or [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], was directly taken from the covers of and promotional posters for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] first ''[[Prime Directive|Generation One]]'' mini-series drawn by [[Pat Lee]]. A common misconception among fans at that time was that Takara was coordinating their reissues with Dreamwave. Some even tried to predict upcoming reissues based on the existing Dreamwave covers. Yet [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]] never materialized.

:In fact, probably the main reason why Takara recycled Pat's Dreamwave artwork of those characters for the [[packaging]] of their reissues was its coincidental availability: The artwork had already been created and paid for, so why commission new art when they could just use what already exists? Furthermore, only about half of the TFC reissues actually sported "Dreamwave" package art, whereas the rest ''did'' use newly-commissioned art drawn by Japanese artist [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], who has never in his life worked for Dreamwave and had been drawing in this style long before Pat Lee rose to his brief "superstar artist" fame.
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===Prime===
*'''''Transformers: Prime'' was not initially planned to have any toys.'''
:The [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toy line]] for ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' was ''very'' delayed, debuting roughly a year after the associated cartoon had premiered. Previously, at a [[BotCon 2010]] panel about the then-upcoming ''Prime'' cartoon, a Hasbro representative had made a statement that they weren't talking about toys just then. ''Transformers'' fandom being [[Red Alert (G1)|what]] [[Breakdown (G1)|it is]], a widespread belief developed that Hasbro was never going to make ''Prime'' toys ''at all.'' As additional information gradually surfaced, this evolved into a rumor that ''Prime'' would only have a small number of toys, with some further speculating that they would also be limited to the Deluxe [[size class]] (since initially only Deluxes had been seen). The eventual revelation of a full ''Prime'' toyline caused the belief to evolve once more, with the new theory being that there wasn't ''originally'' going to be a ''Prime'' toyline, but Hasbro changed their minds due to demand.
:The reality, as usual, was much less apocalyptic. The statement from the Hasbro Studios panel was never intended to refer to anything except the panel itself—the people ''in that room'' weren't going to be discussing toys ''at that panel''. (In fact, [[Eric Siebenaler]] expressed excitement about [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]'s toy at the very same panel.) As for the delay in the line's launch, put simply, this was for appearance's sake. Hasbro wanted to establish ''Prime'' as a strong ''fictional'' franchise, rather than merely [[To sell toys|a glorified toy commercial]], and reasonably concluded that launching a toyline immediately would detract from that goal. There ''was'' a point when a few ''Prime'' toys were planned to be released under the ''[[Transformers: Generations]]'' banner, but since ''Generations'' was at that time exclusively Deluxes, the aforementioned Bulkhead (a Voyager) indicates that this idea had already been abandoned when the rumors started.
:In short, this is just a matter of fans jumping to conclusions based on misinterpreted statements.

===Europe (all generations)===
[[File:Jetfire-Dutch.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Oddly enough, Optimus Prime can still be seen in the background.]]
*'''Optimus Prime's toy was originally not released in Europe due to a trademark conflict.'''

:When Hasbro subsidiary [[Milton Bradley]] launched the [[The Transformers (European toyline)|''Transformers'' line]] on the European continent in 1985, many prominent characters were missing, among them [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Optimus Prime]]. Bizarrely, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] was branded as the Autobot leader, and depicted as such in [[In the Transformers|a pack-in mini-comic]]. Furthermore, Dutch publisher [[Junior Press]] initially renamed Optimus Prime into "Jetfire" for all his appearances in their translated versions of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]]. Optimus Prime's toy was eventually released with the second wave of MB-branded ''Transformers'', and the Junior Press comics subsequently referred to him by his correct name.

:The reason for Optimus Prime's initial omission from the MB line-up was claimed to be due to a [[trademark]] conflict with Swedish kitchen utensil manufacturer "[http://www.optimusstoves.com/ Optimus]". Though initially accepted by the fandom, this claim doesn't hold up under scrutiny. A manufacturer of kitchen utensils ''usually'' does not operate in the "toys" field, thus making a trademark conflict unlikely to begin with. An editor's note in the Junior Press comic trying to explain the "Optimus"/"Jetfire" name situation claimed that the ''Transformers'' were originally ''two'' toy lines by different manufacturers in the United States, and MB had only released ''one'' of them in the Netherlands, while the "[[copyright]]" to the name "Optimus Prime" belonged to the other manufacturer. Which is of course horsehockey. Many years later, this editor's note (including the incorrect use of the term "copyright" rather than "trademark") was cited by a Dutch fan who added his own speculation (without marking it as such), thus spawning the urban myth that was subsequently accepted by the fandom.<ref name="optimusdutch">[http://www.fredsworkshop.com/veuro2.html The origin (?) of the "Optimus trademark conflict in Europe" rumor?] at The Complete Transformers Variants Page</ref>

:A much more likely explanation lies in that French company [[Joustra]] released their own version of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' line in many of the same markets as Milton Bradley's ''Transformers''. The theory suggests that because of Joustra's exclusive contract with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], any toys from their ''Diaclone'' line-up were initially off-limits for Milton Bradley's ''Transformers'' line-up.<ref name="mijofive">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-5/ Mijo's "MB Transformers: Part 5" article] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref> A related theory suggests that Joustra's parent company, Ceji, got into financial trouble at the time, prompting them to sign a deal with Milton Bradley allowing them to use their existing (but still unsold) ''Diaclone'' stock released in ''Transformers'' packaging, which could explain why the second wave of MB-branded ''Transformers'' matches up almost perfectly with Joustra's ''Diaclone'' line-up.<ref name="mijofour">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ Mijo's "MB Transformers: Part 4" article] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref>

*'''The Generation 1 Seacon Overbite was released under the name "Jawbreaker" in some European markets.'''
[[File:JawbreakerComic.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|UK comic exclusive name variant!]]
:In [[Enemy Action!|issue 152]] of the Marvel UK comics, the first appearance of the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] is called "Jawbreaker", a name repeated in his appearance in [[Salvage!|issue 160]] and in an "A to Z" profile in "[[Transformers Annual 1989]]". In the early days of online fandom, American fans concluded that this must mean that the toy had been released under a different name in Europe—which is not ''entirely'' unfounded, as Transformers often got renamed in Canada and Italy, and many European-market toys from the post-US-cancellation line had multiple names, dependent on what country they were released in.
:However, European fans claimed the toy was called "Overbite" when released in their respective countries (except for Italy, where [[GiG]] actually didn't release the Seacons ''at all''). Furthermore, the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] in [[City of Fear!|issue #164]] of the UK comic features a question by a confused (British) reader about the "Jawbreaker" name, since the UK-release toy was apparently indeed called "Overbite" (resulting in a made-up-on-the-spot explanation from the Marvel staff to reconcile both names). Adding to the confusion was the letters page in [[A Savage Circle|issue #327]] from late 1991, which stated that Jawbreaker was his British name and Overbite his American name. By this time the toy was no longer on sale and the character had long disappeared from the comic. Apparently whoever answered letters at this point was not well-informed.
:So, why ''did'' the story identify the character as "Jawbreaker"? The answer was unknown until 2016, when a couple of early internal [[character model|model sheets]] were offered on [[eBay]]: Overbite's model sheet has his name crossed out, with "Jawbreaker" written below it.<ref name="modelsheets">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/93711-more-unseen-tftm-designs-plus-some-early-colors-and-some-show-design/?p=3191211 Early model sheets] at The Allspark.</ref> Since the same batch of model sheets also refers to the [[Sparkabot]]s as "Sparkler Minibots", another naming anomaly for the Marvel UK comics (and some translations thereof), Marvel UK writer [[Simon Furman]] may have used these model sheets (or similar reference materials) with the non-final names on them. The Overbite toy's instructions still refer to his ''weapon'' as a "Jawbreaker cannon", and his weapon mode for Piranacon is called a "Jawbreaker weapon" in the assembly instructions.

*'''Some toys were exclusively (or predominantly) available only in the United Kingdom/Netherlands.'''
:During the early days of the Transformers online fandom, most of the active European fans in English-language forums were based in the UK and Netherlands. So when information about non-US toys (or toy variants) was spread, there simply were no fans from Germany or France around to confirm that the toys in question had also been officially available in their respective countries. (Although to be fair, it's quite possible that some toys, such as the [[Milton Bradley]]-branded Generation 1 toys, were indeed released in bigger quantities in the Netherlands than in Germany or France.)<ref name="mbpart6">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-6/ "MB Transformers: Part 6"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref>
:As a result, numerous toys like the red [[Tracks (G1)#Toys|Tracks]] and [[IGA]] Mexican-market Transformers (imported under dubious circumstances) got labeled as "Netherlands-only", when they actually saw release in at least a half-dozen countries. Meanwhile, post-US-cancellation Transformers like the [[Action Master Elite]]s, "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" reissues, [[Turbomaster]]s, [[Obliterator]]s, etc, were (and sometimes still are) often referred to as "UK exclusives", even though all of them were available in multiple countries, including Canada and Australia!
:In reality, there are ''very'' few toys actually exclusive to a single European country. The first ''genuine'' "UK exclusives" were a set of multi-packs from the 2007 [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' live action movie]] [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|toyline]], but the toys themselves were identical to the US releases. Meanwhile, other multi-packs or minor variants of toys from the 2007 movie toyline that were available in the UK but not the US were also available in other places, such as Japan, Hong Kong, Australia or other European countries again.

*'''A green variant of Trailbreaker was available in some European countries.'''
:This belief seems to stem from the fact that [[IGA]]'s Mexican version of [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (which, like most Mexican Transformers, was widely available on the European gray market circa 1989, as mentioned above) used the same head sculpt as [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]. But like the "Blue" Bluestreak, no samples of an actual green version of the Trailbreaker mold actually sold ''as'' "Trailbreaker" have been found.

===Takara vs. Hasbro===
[[File:Cybertrontoy hasbro and takara vector primes.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Vector Prime]] features different color applications dependent on whether it was released in [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] or [[Hasbro]]'s market.]]
*'''Takara (alternatively, Hasbro) are ''solely'' responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing (all, or certain specific) ''Transformers'' toys.'''
: This was true only for the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toys]], and possibly also the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toys]]. Most of the toys from 1984 to 1986 were imported (and, occasionally, slightly altered) versions of already-existing Japanese toys originally designed and released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]. Following that, Takara developed new toys both for the Japanese and the Western market, now specifically with ''Transformers'' in mind. The primary exceptions are a handful of toys licensed from other Japanese companies (Jetfire, Whirl, and Roadbuster, for example), and the 1986 toys for the [[The Transformers: The Movie|animated movie]], which were mostly based on designs by [[Floro Dery]].
: However, ever since 1988,<ref name="dunsay">[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/images/full/BC04Dunsay.jpg BotCon 2004 program guide interview with George Dunsay]</ref> most "main" line toys released both in Japan and the Western hemisphere (such as the [[Unicron Trilogy]], ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'', the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 Movie line]] and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]/[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'') have been designed and developed in cooperation between [[Hasbro]] (or its subsidiary [[Kenner]]) and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] (now TakaraTomy). (For the specifics of this joint venture development process, see the article about [[toy]]s.)
: Still, numerous reasons have led some people to assume incorrectly that ''all'' ''Transformers'' toy lines were ''solely'' developed by only one of the two companies:
:*The Western public and mainstream media, naturally, tend to be unaware of the existence of Takara (TakaraTomy these days). It's therefore logical to assume that Hasbro, the company responsible for distributing Transformers toys outside Japan, is also solely responsible for developing and manufacturing the toys. The fact that Hasbro regularly chooses not to mention their Japanese business partner in official press releases and interviews hasn't exactly helped matters, either.
:*On the other hand, Western anime fans are used to Japanese companies being solely responsible for designing robot toys, which are then imported and sold by Western companies. For lack of better knowledge, those people then simply assume the same also applies to ''Transformers'' toys — namely, that Takara does ''all'' the design and engineering work on their own, and Hasbro is merely the Western ''distributor'' of those toys. The fact that the back of Hasbro's packaging for ''Transformers'' toys sports a small note saying "Manufactured under license from Takara Co., Ltd." (changed to "TOMY Company, Ltd." on more recent toys) is occasionally cited as "proof" that Takara is the sole manufacturer of ''Transformers'' toys as well. A long paper trail of evidence to the contrary<ref name="Hasbro Tour">[http://www.seibertron.com/events/gallery.php?event_id=70&size=0&start=272 Exemplary rundown] of the development process of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]], shown during the Hasbro tour at [[BotCon 2007]]. Of course, Hasbro just replaced the name "Takara" in some of the steps with "Hasbro" in order to convince fans that... yeah, riiiight.</ref> has not been able to convince those people of the flaws in their conspiracy theory — rather, some of them have even postulated the existence of a so-called "Hasbro PR machine", whose sole purpose is to convince ''Transformers'' fans that Hasbro has a larger part in the development of ''Transformers'' toys than is actually the case.<ref name="Propaganda">[http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?1,88668 ToyBoxDX thread with anime fanboys arguing that "Takara is an enormous toy '''manufacturing''' company. Hasbro doesn't manufacturer anything. The sole reason for its existence is for marketing the products of their partners and wholly-owned subs. Just to be clear here - Takara is bigger than Hasbro."] They wouldn't even believe that [[Joe Kyde]] actually worked at Hasbro. No kidding.</ref>

: That being said, there ''are'' indeed a few toys originally developed by either Hasbro or Takara without the other one's involvement, and then later picked up by the other company, but they're fewer than usually assumed: For Takara, those include the new molds for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1998 (Beast Wars II)|Beast Wars II]]'', ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1999 (Beast Wars Neo)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'', plus various mostly short-lived, collector-aimed, niche market lines (such as the new ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' molds, the ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'', the ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' toys etc.); for Hasbro, those are mostly either toys originally based on fiction-based franchises that did not originate with Hasbro (such as ''[[Animorphs]]'' or the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars Transformers]]'' and their later successor, ''[[Transformers: Crossovers]]''), cross-brand lines ''within'' Hasbro where the Transformers toys only make up one part of the overall lineup (such as the [[Titanium Series]] and the [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] figures) and a few very rare "main" line Transformers toys such as the ''Generation 2'' [[Power Master]]s and [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]], [[Swoop (Energon)|Swoop]], [[Alpha Quintesson]], [[Kicker Jones#Toys|Energon Kicker]] and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] from ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''.

*'''Takara's Japanese-market releases are always of intrinsically better quality than their U.S. counterparts. (E.g., they have sweeter exclusives, and are always more show-accurate, have more accessories, and have tighter quality control.)'''
: This one depends a bit on the speaker, as it can either be a genuine misconception, a matter of opinion, or at worst, [[Personal canon|willful]] [[True fan|snobbery]]. But, like any broad generalization, it does have some basis.
:*"Better quality" can refer to the fact that Japanese versions of individual toys sometimes have clear plastic instead of painted-on windows like [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Movie Bumblebee]], or have vac-metallized parts where the equivalent U.S. release doesn't, like [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|''Energon'' Optimus Prime/Grand Convoy]]. Or, "better" quality can refer to the fact that Japan is a less litigious society, with different toy safety laws, and Takara can thus give [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Prime]] toys old-school long smokestacks, which are now shortened in the U.S. [[for safety reasons]]. These laws also mean that [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Masterpiece Megatron]] is freely available in Japan, but hard to get in the U.S. (the exact opposite of ''real'' handguns, ironically). In the various forms of [[CHUG]], Takara releases also consistently boast more paint applications (for example, many ''[[Unite Warriors]]'' figures had painted hubcaps while their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' counterparts went without), something that was ironically reversed in their version of the [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|''Prime'' toyline]].
:*"More [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] decos" does have some basis, as Takara frequently releases its toys later than Hasbro does Stateside, and thus they are better able to reflect discrepancies between late-run changes to a character's coloration in a show (such as with the original [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] or [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|''Armada'''s Tidal Wave]]). The most extreme example of this was ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)#2005 (Beast Wars Returns)|Beast Wars Returns]]'', the Japanese release of ''Beast Machines'', which was ''years'' later than in the U.S., allowing Takara to add a lot of the deco that was added to the characters by [[Mainframe Entertainment]] that was not accurate to the original toys.
:*"More accessories" mostly comes from the fact that ''some'' of Takara's releases have some extra accessories, but the only cases of this before the reissues were [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s two [[sword]]s, Megatron's sword and bullets (even though the Japanese release lacked the barrel, scope and stock extensions) and clear cases from the various cassettes. Japanese reissues have included additional accessories from the cartoon (the axe, chain mace, Energon cubes and gun mode Megatron in the ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' reissues of Optimus and Megatron, Insecticons and Starscream, respectively, the Matrix from New Year's Convoy). Some ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Super Link]]'' releases came with [[redeco]]ed [[Energon weapon]]s as well. ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' [[Hot Shot (G1)|Hot Rod]] came with two missile launchers and missiles not included with ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Universe .282008.29|Hot Shot]] due to budget constraints, and featured the original tooling for the rear bumper for their inclusion. In contrast, ''Henkei! Henkei!'' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Lambor]] was ''lacking'' the supercharger engine accessory ''Universe'' Sideswipe came with—TakaraTomy officially confirmed that they had ''deliberately omitted the accessory'' to make the toy more "G1-accurate".<ref name="generations2009">Interview with Hisashi Yuki in [[Transformers Generations 2009|''Transformers Generations 2009'' vol. 1]], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/223379-takaratomy-staff-interview-generations-2009-vol-1-translation.html English translation] at TFW2005.</ref>
:*"Sweeter exclusives" is really a matter of taste. If endless redecos of Generation 1 toys as completely unprecedented Generation 1 characters, buying $40 worth of toys you got a month ago for a single [[Mini-Con]], and shelling out half your mortgage for [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] gold chrome figures is what floats your boat, then yeah, Japan has better exclusives.
:*"Tighter [[quality control]]" is a total myth. Takara products are manufactured under much the same production conditions as Hasbro's: Pretty much everything for both markets is made in China—in fact, according to Hasbro [[Australia]] representatives and Hasbro designer [[Eric Siebenaler]], ''all'' of the Transformers toys jointly developed between Hasbro and Takara/TakaraTomy are manufactured at factories contracted to the Japanese toy company. This means Takara is (at least indirectly) responsible for whatever quality control problems occur with Hasbro-released toys. Takara's standards of quality control for their domestically-released toys are just as likely to let mistakes creep through. Just ask any buyer of ''Henkei! Henkei!'' [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Thundercracker]] how well his weapons stay attached to the arms. And let's not even get started on ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Rodimus Convoy's]] first production run.
:*The fields in which Takara genuinely excels Hasbro are comparably minor: Takara's [[stock photography]] generally tends to be more impressive than Hasbro's, without obvious mistransformations and awkward poses, and at the same time looks more representative of the actual toy due to less reliance on blatant digital touch-ups. Likewise, Takara's [[instructions]] tend to be more detailed and useful than Hasbro's.

===Other===
[[File:SteamhammerEnergonUniverse.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Not literally a waste of packaging material.]]
*'''"Repackaged" toys are ''literally'' unsold toys sent back to Hasbro, taken out of the old packaging, put into new packaging and then sent back to stores.'''

:Every so often, a ''Transformers'' toy line features seemingly identical toys in multiple different [[packaging]] versions, such as multi-packs containing toys that were previously available separately. In addition, some toy lines also feature [[rebranding|rebranded]] items, namely toys that were originally released under one line, but are later re-released as part of another line with virtually no changes to the toy itself, only the packaging it is available in. The final stages of the original ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line took the concept of "rebranding" to a new level, featuring numerous straight re-releases of toys from the since-ended ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' lines, among many others. Since then, it has been repeated with the 2006 ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' line, the 2008 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the 2010 ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' line and many others. Because a common [[fandom]] term for those releases is "repackages", a popular misconception claims that those toys are ''literally'' "repackages": namely, unsold toys sent back to Hasbro, taken out of their old packaging, put into new packaging and then sent back to (different) stores. (The same train of thought also—very rarely—suggests that "repaints", another common fan term for [[redeco]]s, are ''literally'' "[[repaint]]s", i.e. existing toys painted over in new colors, rather than new production runs from the same toolings using new plastic colors.)

:Needless to say, this theory is dubious for various reasons. Generally, old unsold toys are ''not'' sent back to Hasbro. They either [[Shelfwarmer|remain in the store]] until someone finally decides to buy them, or the store somehow dumps them, such as by selling them off to closeout chains. And even ''if'' Hasbro did regularly get sent back huge shipments of unsold toys, they'd be highly unlikely to go through the effort (and additional cost) of literally repackaging them. Hasbro confirmed this in January of 2009, stating that due to the toys being manufactured in Asia, it would be a waste of time and money to repackage them only to sell them at the same price-point.<ref>[http://www.sirstevesguide.com/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=1934 SirStevesGuide.com, Tri-Weekly Hasbro Q&A - January 30th]</ref> Thus, they are ''not'' repackaged old product, but new production runs of previous product. These days, this misconception should be much easier to dispel: Every toy now features a manufacturing date stamp etched into the figure, as well as a product code [[tampograph]]ed onto the figure, thus proving that a figure was manufactured more recently than its superficially identical predecessor.

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[[File:SmokesniperStarscream.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The similarities are astounding. Especially those that aren't there.]]
*'''A new toy that is vaguely reminiscent of an older toy is a retool of said toy.'''

:Hasbro likes to [[redeco]] toys a lot (usually to recoup the R&D costs for developing the original [[mold]]). They also like to release redecos of toys from older lines in newer lines. In some instances, Hasbro also don't just redeco a toy, they [[retool]] it (or create new toolings for new parts that replace parts of the old version of the toy)—sometimes to improve a feature or fix an error, but sometimes also to give the toy new features or [[gimmick]]s, or simply to make it different enough from the original version so owners of the original version would be interested in buying the "retool" as well.

:Some of those retools are comparably minor (such as [[Jazz (Movie)|Final Battle Jazz]] from the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 Movie line]]), whereas others can be pretty elaborate. Sometimes the retools are so elaborate that the line between "retool" and "new [[mold]]" gets blurred. The most drastic instances in this regard would be [[K-9]] from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' (based on [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] from the same line) and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Dark Crumplezone]] from ''Cybertron'' (based on the original ''Cybertron'' Crumplezone toy), both of which have most, if not ''all'' of their parts entirely retooled. Another borderline case would be the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]]s [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] and [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], which were released around the same time and are based on the same basic design, share a similar body structure and have very similar [[alternate mode]]s.

:However, sometimes fans ''definitely'' get too far decrying a new toy a "retool" (or "remold"). Toys that share some superficial design similarities, coupled with similar transformation schemes, are often mistaken for retools even though they're simply that: Similar toys based on the same general design, maybe even directly influenced by the older toy, but nothing more. For more examples, see: [[retool#Not actually a retool|retool]].

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*'''Hasbro lost the rights to a lot of G1 Transformers names. That is why you see toys named "Autobot Jazz" or "Decepticon Brawl" these days. Takara is more competent than Hasbro and doesn't need to change their toys' names.'''

:That's not quite how name rights —aka [[trademark]]— work. There are indeed instances where another company has snatched a trademark, making it unavailable for Hasbro's use. The reason is because trademarks need to be consistently used in commerce (roughly once every year or so), or it could be considered "abandoned", making it open for grabs should another company try to claim it. "[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]]" was unavailable to [[Hasbro]] because Mattel held several similar trademarks, "[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys|Bluestreak]]" was too similar to Gendron's "Toledo 'Blue Streak'" trademark, and a company named Lanard held the trademark "Shockwave" until a few years ago. This prompted Hasbro to use substitute names for toys based on these characters, such as "Rodimus Major" and "Rodimus" for Hot Rod, "Silverstreak" for Bluestreak and "Shockblast" for Shockwave (Hasbro has since managed to reacquire all three aforemented trademarks).

:Meanwhile, the names with prefixes such as "Autobot" or "Decepticon"? Those are usually non-compound single real words from the English language. Hasbro's legal department considers them too "generic" to be easily defensible as trademarks, hence the addition of prefixes such as "Autobot Jazz", "Decepticon Brawl "or "Constructicon Devastator" for better protection. This does ''not'' work with names already trademarked by another company–otherwise, [[Bandai]] could release a toy named "Gunpla Optimus Prime" tomorrow, and Hasbro couldn't do anything about it.

:For a while, it seemed like these trademark quibbles were limited to Hasbro, and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] was somehow exempt due to a different market situation. However, the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' line saw the emergence of quite a few "Cybertron", "Destron" and "[[Stunticon (G1)|Stuntron]]" prefixes, implying that the trademark situation on the Japanese market was changing, and starting with the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|''Movie'' line]], TakaraTomy (now adopting Hasbro names instead of their established Japanese-market names) began to use "Autobot" and "Decepticon" prefixes. With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers United|United]]'', TakaraTomy even used prefixes for names Hasbro has been able to use ''without'' prefixes.

{{-}}
*'''Hasbro is responsible for your local store not having the newest toys right now.'''

: Hasbro actually has almost nothing to do with distribution (when Product A arrives in Store B) beyond making sure the manufactured product leaves the factories and shipyards of China at the desired time. Once the items arrive on US shores, they are almost immediately sent from the ships to the distribution centers for the retail chains that ordered them. From there, it's more truck rides to various regional warehouses, which is all controlled by the retailers, not Hasbro. After that, the schedule for taking product from those warehouses and putting it on shelves is dictated by each chain's inventory system.

: It's ''conceivable'' that Hasbro could take more control of the situation, but that would require chains like Wal-Mart to release the vise-like death grip they have on manufacturers' nuts that lets them dictate how the system works—and they're sooooooo not doing that.

{{-}}

{{anchor|Older collectors}}
*'''Hasbro should totally cater to the wishes of older collectors, as they purchase the most Transformers product.'''

: Fans would like to think they've got some sway over the direction of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]]. After all, they've been buying toys for many years (as opposed to the limited purchasing span of most children), and they buy many ''more'' toys than any individual child. And in truth, Hasbro does pay attention to the desires and discussions of its older buyers, even designing certain line segments like ''Alternators'' or ''Classics'' and its successors with collectors as the primary target audience.

: Collectors, however, simply can't compare to the vast numbers of children out there whose parents buy Transformers for them. The bulk of Transformers product is purchased for and/or by young children, and if a company like Hasbro wants to stay in business and keep making money (and by extension, more toys), it must design and market its products accordingly. No accurate figures exist on the collector/children ratio, but estimates mentioned at BotCon panels range from around 10% to 20% of all purchases coming from older collectors—enough to be worth listening to, but not at all the driving force behind the brand. Past toylines have shown that betting ''too much'' on sales from adult collectors can be disastrous.

: Furthermore, it's not as though the [[fandom|fans]] speak with a unified voice. More often, for every fan pushing for one particular idea, there's another fan who thinks that same idea is boring or [[Ruined FOREVER|awful]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====General====
*'''Transformers were meant as a "genderless" race. Arcee and the other female Transformers were added to the brand because feminists complained about the Transformers all being male.'''
: When [[Bob Budiansky]] was assigned to work out the character details for the toys, he initially intended some of them to represent female characters, like [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. However, he was not given permission by [[Hasbro]] to include females because the company feared it would have a negative impact on the sales of those toys.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass interview]</ref> Budiansky complied, and in later years, would even pen [[Recipe for Disaster!|a story]] for the Marvel comic in which the Transformer race was stated to have no concept of gender.

:[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The cartoon]] was a different story. Since television requires a bigger investment than comics, but also offers the potential for a much better payoff, it is of interest for a TV network to broadcast material that reaches the highest possible demographic. To this end, very early in its development, writer [[Jeffrey Scott]] penned a [[production bible]] which included original female Transformer characters as part of an effort to sell the series to TV Network CBS. When it was decided to produce the series for syndication rather than for a network, new story editors [[Bryce Malek]] and [[Dick Robbins]] dropped this idea, and the series went on to star an exclusively-male cast of robots. However, in late 1984, while working on the early story development for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', writer [[Ron Friedman]] argued for the inclusion of a female Autobot in the story, on the basis that he "had a daughter who love[d] this stuff." Friedman won his argument, Arcee was added to the movie, and in 1985, female Autobots were incorporated into the series in advance of the film's release, with the introduction of [[Elita One]] and her [[Female Autobots]] in the episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]."
:In other Transformers cartoons, [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] and the English dub gender flip of [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] have also been added to their respective series because of network demands, whereas [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] and [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] were a request from the writers to Hasbro.
: Despite persistent stories, there is no documented instance of feminists demanding the inclusion of female Transformers (and likely, they've got something better to do than complain about another generic boys show like there are hundreds of). There is, however, a comic story called "[[Prime's Rib!]]" which presents Arcee's introduction to the Autobot ranks as an attempt by Optimus Prime to appease [[Feminist mob|human feminists]]. While the story is obviously satire, through hearsay it has become believed by some that it is what actually happened.

====The original cartoon====
*'''The original ''The Transformers'' series was redubbed anime which originated in Japan, just like ''Battle of the Planets'', ''Voltron'', ''Robotech'' and other such shows screened in the '80s.'''
: Although most moderate-to-hardcore fans are well aware that this is a fallacy, there are those more casual fans (or those who have not rewatched the original ''Transformers'' cartoon since childhood) who are under the misconception that [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'']] was an anime.
: Although the original toyline and thus the characters' basic visual designs were taken from Japanese-originated products, the original characters, names, factions and entire story premise of the whole ''Transformers'' franchise were developed in the United States by [[Hasbro]], [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and eventually [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]]. Although the animation was farmed out to [[Toei|Japanese]] (and later also [[AKOM|Korean]]) [[TMS Entertainment|studios]], the writing and original voice recording of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|all four seasons of the original series]] plus ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|The Movie]]'' was entirely done in America.
: This misconception probably stems from distant childhood memories of the cartoon, the fact that shows like the aforementioned ''Robotech'' were redubbed anime and the ''Transformers''' obvious Japanese influences. This ''may'' also be due to passing exposure to [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]] and the [[Unicron Trilogy]] shows which, viewed as an adult, are ''very'' obviously redubbed anime.
: This is in part related to the misconception that '''all''' ''Transformers'' toys are ''solely'' designed, developed and manufactured by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], and all [[Hasbro]] ever does is to put them in new packaging and distribute them in the Western market (see above). Because this is true for other Japanese robot toylines, and therefore it must also apply to ''Transformers''.
: However, there's actually a ''little'' bit of truth to this misconception; since the G1 cartoon is an animated series made by Japanese studios, one could feasibly call it an anime; as "anime" is only a word to describe any form of animation in Japan, much like the word "cartoon" is here in the West, and ''not'' a term for a specific genre.

*'''Jazz was written out of the series due to the death of his voice actor.'''
: [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] conspicuously survives the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', yet went on to make no speaking appearances in the third season of the cartoon. As his voice actor, [[Scatman Crothers]], passed away of lung cancer in 1986, it is common for fans to assume that the latter caused the former. This isn't hurt by the fact that fellow Autobot and film survivor [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] also vanished due to issues involving [[Casey Kasem|his own voice actor,]] nor by the fact that one of Jazz's only appearances involved him seemingly being referred to as "[[Munka Spanka]]."
: However, the dates simply don't match up: Crothers's death happened on November 22, long after the third season had begun airing. In fact, by that point, the only remaining episodes were the two parts of "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|The Return of Optimus Prime]]", both of which aired months after the rest of the season. Add in the fact that any dialogue for the episodes would have been recorded months in advance, and the idea that Crothers dying affected the writing process becomes borderline impossible. The more likely answer is that Jazz stopped appearing, like much of the Season 1 and 2 cast, because his toy was no longer on shelves.

*'''''The Headmasters'' was going to be dubbed into English and shown in America.'''
: In America, "Season 4" consisted of "The Rebirth", a 3-episode mini-series. In Japan, "The Rebirth" was ignored, and a full-fledged series titled ''The Headmasters'' continued the story instead. Rumors once swirled in the fandom of an American-led dub of ''The Headmasters'' series; the dub was largely finished, goes the story, till the materials were lost in a warehouse fire.
: Given the meandering pace of the series (common for Japanese shows but anathema to American sensibilities), the presence of numerous characters who had no toy equivalent on US shelves, the incompatibility with the "[[Nebulan]]" head characters, the number of Japanese cultural references, and the very existence of "[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Rebirth]]", this rumor seems unlikely on the surface.
: More to the point, no official confirmation or other evidence has ever surfaced to back it up. In all likelihood the rumor was probably a {{w|Chinese whispers|Chinese Whisper}} from the fact that the laughably-bad English language [[Omni Productions]] dub was screened on UK satellite TV during the 1990s.

====''The Transformers: The Movie''====
[[File:TFTM dead gray Prime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Traumatizing enough as it is, frankly.]]
*'''There exists an "uncut version" of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' containing all sorts of non-kid-friendly content.'''

: These stories stem mainly from the fact that many home-video releases of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' omit two relatively minor instances of characters using profanity, which during the 1990s resulted in some [[alt.toys.transformers]] posters advertising "uncut" VHS copies of the movie for sale, thus either intentionally or unintentionally creating the myth of a really foul-mouthed and ultra-violent alternate version of ''The Transformers: The Movie''. At least one poster claimed to have uncut reels of the original film showing a number of violent scenes,<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/07464cbfbb5d0cc9/8aee0b30765b2b4a?hl=en#8aee0b30765b2b4a THE UNCUT JAPANESE TRANSFORMERS MOVIE]</ref> but, unsurprisingly, was unwilling to provide any form of proof.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/799fec40c1aa285e/6af42e4099affa04?hl=en# Doth the Canadian protesteth too much?]</ref> So have ended all claims of uncut footage from the film.

:A much stranger rumor, whose origins are unclear, claims that the original theatrical cut of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' depicted [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] crumbling into dust after dying, and that that scene was cut by the distributor in mid-release because children were traumatized by the imagery. Interestingly, the "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" track on the original soundtrack album does contain ten extra seconds of music. At the end, just before the song's final low-octave percussion sequence, there is a very distinct series of notes that appears nowhere else in the song and is not in the onscreen version. However, no other evidence of this "lost" animation sequence exists among the many storyboards, preliminary animations, interviews, varying formats, etc., that have come to light. The myth could be related to the death of Starscream, a few scenes later, where Starscream '''does''' indeed crumble to dust after being shot by Galvatron; time and distance could lead fans to confuse the two scenes.

:These claims should not be confused with the extra storyboarded scenes and early script revisions which have come to light over the years, which do in fact contain a lot more violence. But no evidence exists that any of these sequences, even those that made it to storyboard, were ever animated. Especially given the expense of producing full animation.

::''See also: [[The Transformers: The Movie#Edits]].''

{{-}}
*'''Some portions of Unicron's dialogue were recorded by an actor other than Orson Welles.'''

: A common rumor in the Western fandom claimed that Unicron's final lines ("Destiny... you cannot destroy my.. destiny!") were recorded by [[Leonard Nimoy]], based on claims that those lines sounded "different" from the rest of [[Orson Welles]]' lines.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092106/trivia IMDB.com reference to the Leonard Nimoy-as-Unicron rumor.]</ref> Compounding the rumor is the fact that Welles died shortly after recording his ''TF:TM'' lines<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/This-Orson-Welles/dp/030680834X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6174389-3113623?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182349938&sr=8-1 According to one biography, Welles recorded his ''TF:TM'' lines on October 5, 1985 and died five days later.]</ref> (and indeed, one version of the rumor has Welles actually dying ''before'' completing his lines). Despite being debunked repeatedly (including by [[Susan Blu]] and [[Wally Burr]], both of whom should know), this one still pops up from time to time.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/387399-leonard-nimoy-officially-announced-voice-sentinel-prime-13.html#post5858748 Nimoy-as-Unicron rumor repeated by TFW2005 user "RedAlert Rescue".]</ref><ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2007/07/when_orson_welles_was_a_transformer.single.html Slate.com discusses the Unicron rumor.]</ref>

{{-}}
*'''''The Transformers: The Movie''/Scatman Crothers coined the term "ginormous", which has since been added to several dictionaries.'''

: In ''The Transformers: The Movie'', [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], voiced by [[Scatman Crothers]], described [[Unicron]] as "a ginormous, weird-looking planet". The word "ginormous", a portmanteau of "gigantic" and "enormous", was officially added by the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary in 2007.<ref name="webster">[http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/newwords07.htm Merriam-Webster adding the word "ginormous]</ref>

: Some fans believe that Crothers had coined the term, which is incorrect for several reasons. Even putting aside the notion that under this theory, Crothers is assumed to have ad-libbed the line (rather than simply reading it from [[Ron Friedman]]'s script), the term has actually been around for much longer, being listed in the Oxford English Dictionary as a "British informal" word that has existed since at least the 1940s, and was originally military slang.<ref name="oxford">[http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/ginormous Oxford dictionary entry for "ginormous"]</ref>

{{-}}
*'''''The Transformers: The Movie'' was never released in Japan.'''

: It is true that ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was not released in Japan at the same time it was released in [[Hasbro]]'s markets, with Japanese fans instead getting the ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'' OVA prior to the release of the third season of the show (second for Japan). But ''The Movie'' ultimately made it to Japanese theaters in August 1989. The various discrepancies between it and subsequent Japan-only Generation 1 fiction (such as who [[Prowl (G1)#The Headmasters cartoon|didn't]] [[Wheeljack (G1)#Victory cartoon|survive]] the movie) are largely a matter of the Japanese animators and writers being unaware of the precise details of the film. This also led to a similar rumor that ''Scramble City'' was an out-and-out ''replacement'' for the film, similar to how ''The Headmasters'' replaced "The Rebirth." Actually viewing the OVA reveals that it has nothing to do with the events of ''The Movie'', other than that both feature [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and take place between the second and third seasons; at no point does it significantly contradict the film, and pretty much the only third-season change the film explains is where [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] came from. There were indeed attempts to summarize what had happened in the movie, including a narration added to "Five Faces of Darkness" and scans in ''Terebi Magazine'', but ''Scramble City'' served much more as an advertisement for its subline than a major turning point of the continuity.<ref>http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=216153#post216153</ref><ref>http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=216478#post216478</ref><ref>http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?threadid=30800</ref>

{{-}}
*'''''The Transformers: The Movie'' was released in Japan under the title "Matrix Forever".'''

: "[[The Transformers: The Movie - Apocalypse: Be Eternal, Matrix|Matrix Forever]]" is actually the shortened and slightly mistranslated title of a 20-minute video created to promote the Japanese release of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', but some Western fans have been confused into thinking that ''The Transformers: The Movie'' itself was renamed "Matrix Forever".<ref>http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/a5d29844863d2c29</ref>

====Japanese Generation 1 fiction====
*<span id="MegGalvJapan">'''In Japanese continuity, Megatron and Galvatron are two separate characters.'''</span>
:There are a few instances of Japanese fiction (and advertising) that would seem to support this notion, all of which can be attributed to a lack of communication between [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] prior to the release of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. All of them were ultimately ignored by the "primary" fiction, namely the (dubbed) third season of the cartoon (named ''Transformers: 2010'' in Japan) and the accompanying manga, which followed the Western story concept of Galvatron being a reformatted [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]].
:The [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|second issue]] of ''[[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers]]'' [[manga]] depicts [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] commanding [[Megatron Corps|a legion of automatons]] created in [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s image, which some non-Japanese-speaking fans misinterpreted as depicting Galvatron and Megatron co-existing. This even extended into ''[[The Battlestars]]'', where the appearance of Super Megatron solidified the idea to those fans; after all, surely if he were upgraded from Galvatron, he would be named Super Galvatron, right? One particularly sturdy rumor claimed that he was trying to hunt Galvatron down (possibly conflating him with [[Gilthor]]).<ref>http://tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=179</ref>

*<span id="PlanetDestron">'''In Japanese continuity, the Destrons (Decepticons) were invaders from a planet called Destron.'''</span>
:The [[Autobot]]s were renamed "Cybertrons" in the Japanese translation, resulting in a misconception that the Destrons ([[Decepticon]]s) must hail from somewhere other than the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. However, the Japanese translation also used slightly different spellings for the faction, "Cybertron" (literally: サイバトロン, "Sa-i-ba-to-ro-n"), and the planet, (literally: セイバートロン, "Se-i-baa-to-ro-n"), commonly interpreted as "Seibertron" by Western fans, in order to avoid confusion, even though both words originally started out based on the English name "Cybertron".<ref name="tfa522">[http://tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=522 The Transformers Archive essay about various urban legends surrounding the Transformers franchise]</ref>
:This rumor presumably originates from an article a Thomas Wheeler had written for ''Attic's Collectible Toys and Values Monthly'' during the hiatus between the [[The Transformers (toyline)|G1]] and [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|G2]] toylines. According to that article, Hasbro chose not to follow this element of the story because of the similarity between the term "Destron" and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'''s "[[Destro]]" character. Of course, seeing as the story originated in America to begin with and was only dubbed into Japanese later on, this doesn't make a lot of sense. In later years, Wheeler wrote toy reviews for Master Collector's website, which occasionally also display a certain lack of knowledge about various toys and the ''Transformers'' brand's overall history, so it doesn't seem entirely out of place for him.

*<span id="SpaceMafia">'''Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus are both members of a "Space Mafia".'''</span>
:[[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] of ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]'' has his function listed as "Space Gangster". An early fan translation of his on-package [[bio]] misinterpreted the Japanese word for "gangster" to mean "Mafia", hence the belief that a "Space Mafia" exists in the Japanese Generation 1 universe. This was naturally extended to his partner, [[Blue Bacchus]], whose function is "Space Gunman."

*<span id="MetrotitanZombie">'''Metrotitan is a zombie version of Metroplex.'''</span>
: [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] was a Destron [[redeco]] of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] from the ''[[Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Zone]]'' portion of Japanese Generation 1 continuity. For unclear reasons, Western fans believe that Metrotitan was a "zombified" version of Metroplex, and a stranger variation on this rumor holds that Metrotitan was somehow "regrown" from one of Metroplex's legs.<ref name="tfa522" />

====European Generation 1 fiction====
*'''Starscream and Shrapnel are female characters in the French dub of Generation 1.'''
: This rumor is only partly true. The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' cartoon]] used three different dub teams for the French version: one for the TV show's dub broadcast in Quebec, one for the TV show's dub broadcast in France and one for the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] used in both countries. Neither of the TV show's dubs depict [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] as a female as he uses a distinctively male voice;<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhOCYZRxypM YouTube: Doublage de France: Combaticons et Égo]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMXCeXw5Vdo Doublage Québécois: Égo et Dr. Croc-en-ville]</ref> however, the movie's dubbing team used a female voice for Starscream, and at one point [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] calls Starscream "une imbécile" (articles in French are gender-specific), clearly cementing Starscream's movie status as a female.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20080612225831/http://www.bigbot.com/mp3/transformers_mp3.shtml#Femmes</ref> All the same is also true for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], who is even referred to as "Mademoiselle Shrapnel" by [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] in the movie.

*'''The German version of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was edited and didn't depict Starscream's death scene.'''
: German TV didn't air a dubbed version of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] until 1989. ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was aired for the first time on German TV in 1994, with only one repeat. For unknown reasons, a rumor was circulating for several years claiming that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream's]] death was considered too "violent" for German TV standards for children's programs and had therefore been edited out.<ref>[http://www.ofdb.de/view.php?page=fassung&fid=7489&vid=38680 German movie database ''still'' listing the rumor about Starscream's "edited death" in TF:TM]</ref> However, recordings of the TV airing still exist, which don't feature any obvious edits other than [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike's]] infamous "swear" line. Furthermore, a German DVD edition of the movie released in 2004 that features an entirely different dub also depicts Starscream's death in all its glory.

*'''An Earthforce story was written to promote the non-combining Constructicon toys.'''
:The comic story "[[Desert Island Risks!]]" from issue 264 of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|G1 comic]] reveals that the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have somehow lost their ability to combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. As a result, they try to build another Devastator as a new robot.

:Some fans mistakenly believe that this is somehow related to a re-release of the Constructicons (now in yellow) that were available in [[The Transformers (European toyline)|Europe]] after the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' toyline had ended in the USA. Those Constructicons omitted the extra parts necessary to form Devastator; and furthermore, [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (neither of them officially named in this version; all six toys came on multi-purpose cardbacks simply named "Constructicon") were [[retool]]ed to omit the tabs that were necessary for combining them (and [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]) when forming Devastator. Since the toys couldn't combine into Devastator anymore, fans believe that the [[Earthforce]] comic story was intended to serve as an "explanation" for this.

:The problem with this theory, however, is that the yellow "Euro" Constructicon toys were released in 1992; the comic story, however, had already come out in early 1990. If anything, "Desert Island Risks!" was based on the [[Action Master]] version of Devastator, which no longer consisted of six individual Constructicons. (Also, the individual Constructicons don't even appear in the story.)

===Beast Era===
====Japanese ''Beast Wars''====
*'''Preface'''
:To give a better idea of how the following misconceptions came about, many of them stem from how little access the Western fandom had to understandable forms of the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' media at the time. After all, when the series were first released, the internet was still a relatively "new" thing, where [[alt.toys.transformers|USENET forums]] were still a major outlet for fan information and websites were... rudimentary. For about two decades since that time, the most that the West had access to were a small number of fan-subtitled episodes of ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]'', a fansubbed version of the theatrical feature segment ''[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]'', a translation of the first ''Beast Wars II'' [[Catalog#Beast Wars II|toy catalog]], and second-hand accounts from those who had seen the untranslated episodes of either series or had read each's respective [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (manga)|series]]. Over time, those who lacked an understanding of the Japanese language would misinterpret much of these series' specifics. The following are a few of the most well known misunderstandings.

[[File:Optimusx2.JPG|thumb|Well, that's just Prime.]]
*'''In Japanese ''Beast Wars'' continuity, Optimus Primal and Megatron were the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes.'''
:Initially, both ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] were identified in early packaging as new incarnations of Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], respectively, in the Western release of the toyline. This was most evident in the bios of the Basic class bat Optimus Primal and alligator Megatron toys, the very first toys of the two. But, the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] would do away with this by firmly establishing that the two were instead separate individuals from their Generation 1 namesakes.
:When ''Beast Wars'' was first brought over to Japan, Takara evidently thought that the original notion was still the case: Optimus Primal was renamed "Convoy", the same Japanese name as Optimus Prime, and the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] factions were given the same Japanese names as those of the Autobot and Decepticon factions—"Cybertron" and "Destron", respectively. Optimus and Megatron's Ultra and Basic class toys were each given Japanese bios loosely based on the English bios of their respective Basic class toys; their Ultra class toy bios even gave them the same functions as their Generation 1 namesakes ([[Supreme Commander]] and [[Emperor of Destruction]], respectively) and the one for Optimus even implied that he was the very same Optimus of old. Both of their Basic class toys were even given special redecos with new bios that ''explicitly'' claimed the two had previously been a tractor trailer and a Walther P-38, the very altmodes of the Generation 1 Optimus Prime and Megatron.
:When the first season of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon began airing in Japan, it was initially ambiguous on the matter, never actually saying one way or the other if Optimus and Megatron were meant to be new characters like their English counterparts, or the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes. More unhelpful to this confusion was Optimus Primal's later big-screen guest appearance in ''Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!'', in which the cast of ''Beast Wars II'' revered him as a "legendary Supreme Commander", in contrast to his depiction in the American cartoon as merely the captain of a lowly science vessel. Likewise, the Predacon leader [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] referred to a "Megatron" as "the greatest and most vicious legendary Transformer in history." But, it was never clarified if this grandiose description was in reference to Generation 1 or ''Beast Wars'' Megatron... likely because, at the time, the movie treated the two as the same person, just as it seemed to do for Optimus.
:Clarity would finally come in ''Beast Wars Metals'', the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon's second and third seasons, which had been held back from airing on Japanese television until after both seasons had been completed by [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]], and thus did not reach Japanese audiences until after ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo'' were over. In short, ''Metals'' remained consistent with the original English-language version in keeping the Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' namesakes as separate characters. In the Japanese dub of "[[The Agenda (Part 2)]]", ''Beast Wars'' Megatron even refers to Generation 1 Megatron as "My ancestor Megatron"<ref>我先祖のメガトロン, ''Waga senzo no Megatron''</ref> when relating the history of the Golden Disk to Ravage.
:As for the "legendary" status of ''Beast Wars'' Optimus and Megatron in the movie, that was (and still is) merely an aspect of long-running Japanese children's series that have multiple shows (e.g. – ''Kamen Rider'', ''Super Sentai'', etc.), in that the main hero of a previous series is treated with awe and reverence by the cast of the next series in any crossover team-ups. Optimus Primal was the leader of the good guys from the series preceding ''Beast Wars II'', so the cast of that series viewed him with due respect. Later, the cast of ''Beast Wars Neo'' did the same for Lio Convoy of ''Beast Wars II'', calling him a "legendary warrior" in [[Illusion? Lio Convoy|Episode 29]]. Heck, even [[Big Convoy]] was called a "legendary warrior" multiple times in ''Neo'', even as early as the [[Big Convoy, Move Out|first episode]]. To put it simply, being "legendary" in Japanese ''Beast Wars'' fiction is not as special as it sounds.
:Incidentally, it would later be confirmed that the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon actually took place eons ''after'' the later-made ''Beast Wars'' sequel series ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' (see below for more). This meant that ''Beast Wars'' Optimus Primal and Megatron actually ''were'' figures of the distant past from the ''Beast Wars II'' cast's perspective. In hindsight, this legendary status of the two in the movie fits rather well with how, in ''Beast Machines'', Megatron singlehandedly conquered all of Cybertron and "viciously" captured the sparks of its entire population, while Optimus saved the whole planet from Megatron at the cost of his own life. As Japan would not receive that series until [[2004]]—six years after the movie's release—this all proved rather fortuitous in the end.

*'''Optimus Primal was sent to Planet Gaia in the ''Beast Wars II'' movie when he flew into the alien machine at the end of "Other Voices, Part 2".'''
:The ''Beast Wars II'' feature film, ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]'', was initially released in Japanese theaters before the second season of the American ''Beast Wars'' cartoon first aired in Japan. During the ''Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!'' segment of this film, Optimus Primal made a guest appearance to team up with the cast of ''Beast Wars II''. At the end of the segment, he declares that he must "return to Energoa"; this was the name given to prehistoric Earth in the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, before its true identity as Earth was revealed. This meant that he had been transported to Planet [[Gaia]]—future Earth—from prehistoric Earth during the time of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]].
:The final episode of the first season of ''Beast Wars'', "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", ends with Optimus Primal flying up into the [[Vok]]'s [[Planet Buster|planet-destroying weapon]], sacrificing himself to save the planet. [[Aftermath|Three]] [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)|episodes]] [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|later]], he is restored to life after a difficult resurrection process. Since Primal's appearance in the movie was screened in Japan between the Japanese airings of Seasons 1 and 2 of ''Beast Wars'', some took this release order as a literal chronology for Optimus Primal's Japanese cartoon appearances, thinking that his final moment in "Other Voices, Part 2" was the exact moment he was pulled into the future and brought to Gaia. A statement given in the ''[[Beast Wars Theatrical Special Film Book]]'' even seemed to confirm this theory.<ref>Page 7: エイリアンマシンに激突した際、時空を超えて惑星ガイアにやってきた。("When he crashed into the [[Planet Buster|Alien Machine]], he crossed space-time and came to the planet Gaia.")</ref>
:Some even took his presence in the movie as an explanation for why the Maximal [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had great difficulty locating Primal's [[spark]] within "the other side of the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]]" in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]", as if to mean that it ''wasn't'' there at the time. ''Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!'' is even bookended by sequences that recap the events of Primal's death and rebirth in ''Beast Wars''. And most of all, when Optimus is brought to Gaia, he initially appears in a glowing, yellow, ghost-like form, which ''wasn't'' the case for the story's main antagonist, [[Majin Zarak]], who had arrived on Gaia through the exact same means as Optimus. He even returns to this glowing, yellow, spectral form upon his departure near the end of the movie.
:However, despite the longevity of this theory, the opening narration of the very next part of the movie—the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' season 2 episode "[[Bad Spark]]"—actually seems to debunk it by essentially reiterating what was true of Primal's fate in the English version of ''Beast Wars''. In this narration, Rhinox and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] claim that Optimus Primal did indeed die in the [[unspace|transwarp]] explosion at the end of "Other Voices, Part 2", and that Rhinox had brought his spark back from the dead in "Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)".
:While this apparently renders the ''Film Book''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s statement in error, it does seem like there was originally ''some'' intention for it to be true, given Primal's arrival and departure in the movie depicting him in his aforementioned ghostly form. But, while a neat idea, it raises too many questions and relies on too many assumptions in order for it to sensibly fit with Primal's onscreen resurrection. And since Rhinox and Rattrap claim otherwise, this would mean that Optimus was brought to the future from a different point during the Beast Wars, ''before'' the end of Season 1 due to Primal having his Season 1 body in the movie. Exactly when during Season 1, however, has never been disclosed.

{{anchor|JBWchronology}}
[[File:PrimalLioConvoyCatalog01.jpg|thumb|Everything you know is a lie!]]
*'''The characters of the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoons hail from the same time-period as the cast of ''Beast Wars'', at a point set prior to ''Beast Machines''.'''
:It's almost not fair to call this one a misconception: By all appearances, this ''was'' the original intent for the Japanese-original ''Beast Wars'' shows. Both the first catalog packed in with ''Beast Wars II'' toys, and the ''Beast Wars II'' manga present Lio Convoy and Galvatron as contemporaries of ''Beast Wars'' Optimus Primal and Megatron, and the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon initially gave no reason to doubt this applied to its story. But then, months into its run, the show's [[Emissary of the Fourth Planet|thirty-sixth episode]] stated that humanity hadn't lived on Gaia for "tens of thousands of years." As the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon [[Dark Designs|established]] that its cast hailed from only three centuries after the era of Generation 1 era, when Earth was still populated by humans, this meant that it was impossible for the 'bots of ''Beast Wars II'' (and ''Neo'', by extension) to be from the same time period, and that the two Japanese series were, in fact, set ''long'' after the home time of the ''Beast Wars'' cast. Of course, as it would be nearly twenty years before the series was translated in full, western fans never ''learned'' about this at the time and, with only the catalog to go on, continued to assume that its story held true for the cartoon. It was only in the 2006, when TakaraTomy published a massive Generation 1/Beast Era timeline, which adhered to the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon's dating for the series, that English-speaking fans at large first learned of this fact.
:Now, to be honest, ''Beast Wars II'' probably didn't ''intentionally'' deviate from ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, but rather, just kinda goofed on the continuity, and history had to roll with it. That said, this did fix a discrepancy: By coincidence, both ''Beast Wars Neo'' and ''Beast Machines'' (both produced around the same time) had featured the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]], but depicted it in two very different, very contradictory ways. ''Beast Wars Neo'' had presented the computer as the ruler of Cybertron, while ''Beast Machines'' depicted it as a long-lost legend, unheard of for years until it was reactivated in [[The Reformatting|the first episode of the series]]. If ''Beast Wars Neo'' was meant to occur before ''Beast Machines'' (as was probably the intent), this didn't make any sense, but the timeline shuffle caused by ''Beast Wars II'' now helped these two different portrayals fit together.
:It did create a ''new'' discrepancy, though: In ''Beast Wars Neo'', Cybertron was depicted with its traditional appearance as a metallic planet, when, at the end of ''Beast Machines'', it was converted into a [[technorganic]] form. In [[2019]], a ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Transformers Legends]]'' [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Blue Big Convoy)|pack-in comic]] fixed this last gap in the timeline, explaining how and why Cybertron was turned back into a metallic world eons after its [[Great Transformation|technorganic reformatting]].
:While these retcons have tidied things up, the fans' original understanding of the timeline has influenced several pieces of American Beast Era media over the years. The Hasbro toy bio for [[Transmetal 2|Transmetals 2]] [[Cybershark]] referred to "a rogue band of Cybertronian space pirates" (an allusion to ''Beast Wars II'''s [[Seacon (BW)|Seacon Space Pirates]]) as his contemporaries, while the bio for ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' [[Magmatron]] all but explicitly pegged him as the same Magmatron from ''Neo'', mentioning his "[[Emperor of Destruction|emperor of destruction]]" title and his involvement in "an interplanetary quest for [[Angolmois Energy|energy capsules]]", the latter of which was also placed, by the bio, before the events of ''Beast Machines''.<ref>The full first sentence of ''Dinobots'' Magmatron's bio: "Following an interplanetary quest for energy capsules, Magmatron returned to Cybertron to find an alarmingly growing population of Vehicon drones."</ref> In both the ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic series and the prose story "[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]", characters from the two Japanese series appeared on Cybertron as contemporaries of the ''Beast Machines'' cast, at points set within a year after the planet's technorganic reformatting. The latter even referred to [[Combatron (BW)|some of them]] as "pre-reformatting". [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|The Gathering]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending|The Ascending]]'' comic series likewise chose to depict the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' casts as contemporaries of the ''Beast Wars'' characters (though these series played faster and looser with the timeline, depicting events similar to ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' as having happened ''before'' the home time-period of the ''Beast Wars'' instead of during or after), while the ''Beast Wars II'' Predacons [[Dirge (BW)|Dirge]] and [[BB|Max-B]] made appearances in the ''Beast Wars'' prequels "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]" and "[[Intimidation Game]]", respectively.
:Even after the release of the Japanese Generation 1/Beast Era timeline, new media set in other continuities have chosen to continue depicting characters from ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' (and even ''Car Robots'') existing side-by-side with the ''Beast Wars'' cast, with such series as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' and the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Transformers Legends]]'' comics set in the "[[Legends World]]" presenting all of them living together in societies and scenarios unique to those series.

*'''The characters in ''Beast Wars II'' travel forward in time to Future Earth just like how the characters of ''Beast Wars'' travel back in time to Prehistoric Earth.'''
:Seemingly an offshoot of the above misconception, this appears to have been born out of a misinterpretation of a scene in the [[The New Forces Arrive!|first episode]]. When the Maximal starship ''[[Yukikaze (BW)|Yukikaze]]'' takes off into space, there is a shot where it vanishes in a flash of light and reappears elsewhere within the vicinity of Gaia. Some have mistaken this flash of light to mean that the ''Yukikaze'' traveled through [[unspace|transwarp space]] forward in time to arrive in the future, as if to echo the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s own time-jump to the past in ''Beast Wars''.
:This feels like an attempt to hold on to the belief of the ''Beast Wars II'' cast originating from the same home-time of the ''Beast Wars'' cast, while also aligning with the revelation of Gaia being Earth several tens of millennia after humanity left planet.
:In truth, however, what really happens during the scene in question is that the ''Yukikaze'' simply travels to Gaia with no time travel involved. The ship's disappearance and reappearance in a flash of light was merely the ship going to warp speed, just like many other spacecraft of science fiction.

*'''In ''Beast Wars II'', Apache is a drunkard as part of a Native American stereotype.'''
:[[Apache]] did indeed get drunk in the first episode of the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon, but only in grief, believing (erroneously) that his earlier actions had caused the death of [[Lio Convoy]] (which didn't happen). He did not get drunk again for the duration of the cartoon, nor did he ever do so in the manga. Outside of that, the Native American stereotype "common" to Japanese fictions is a stoic, silent, and often mystical warrior—none of which could be used to accurately describe Apache at all.
:Amusingly enough, in the sixth installment of the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, ''Lio Convoy'' gets drunk for no apparent reason and ends up trashing Apache's room.

[[File:BWNeo Unicron.JPG|thumb|Looks can be deceiving.]]
*'''In ''Beast Wars Neo'', Unicron was resurrected by possessing the corpse of Galvatron.'''
:This misunderstanding is pretty understandable. In [[Illusion? Lio Convoy|Episode 29]], the coveted [[Angolmois Energy]] is revealed to be the life energy of [[Unicron]], who is successfully resurrected in [[Unicron Revived!?|the very next episode]]. Yet, when he makes his debut, he appears in the form of Galvatron, who had seemingly perished in the [[Farewell! Lio Convoy|final episode]] of ''Beast Wars II''. At first glance, it looks as though Galvatron's corpse had been recovered and used as a vessel to house Unicron's Angolmois Energy, and those who did not understand the Japanese dialogue simply assumed this to be the case.
:However, the Japanese dialogue actually states otherwise. Unicron's resurrected form is not Galvatron's physical body, but is actually an energy body made of Angolmois Energy that Unicron has deliberately shaped into resembling the likeness of Galvatron. He takes this form in an initial attempt to trick Magmatron into thinking that he ''is'' Galvatron, impersonating the deceased Predacon leader before revealing his true identity. After which , he simply decided to continue using Galvatron's likewise as his energy body's default appearance, even using Galvatron's name when transforming between dragon and robot modes.
:Ironically, the misconception of Galvatron's body absorbing the Angolmois Energy as a resurrection vessel is almost exactly what Unicron wanted Magmatron to think, with the difference being that Unicron wanted Magmatron to think that the absorption was for Galvatron's revival instead of Unicron's.

[[File:BWN Blentrons absorbed.jpg|thumb|Unicron absorbs the Blentrons for no reasons related Angolmois Energy]]
*'''The Blentrons are made of Angolmois Energy, and are later absorbed by Unicron to fully complete his resurrection.'''
:In [[End of the Maximals!?|Episode 33]] of ''Beast Wars Neo'', the resurrected Unicron reaches Planet Cybertron in his aim to posses [[Vector Sigma]] and turn Cybertron into his new physical body. However, before touching down on the planet, he battles his way through the entire Maximal space fleet, utterly annihilating it and exhausting much of his power in the process. In his weakened state, he is then nearly destroyed in a fight with Big Convoy. His loyal minions, the [[Blentron]]s, soon come to Unicron's aid and are promptly absorbed by their master.
:Since Angolmois Energy is Unicron's energy, fans who did not understand the Japanese dialogue simply misinterpreted the absorption of the Blentrons as if to say that they too were made up of Angolmois Energy, and that Unicron needed to absorb them to top off the last of his energy needed to complete his resurrection.
:In actuality, the three were absorbed because, in that moment, Unicron had been significantly weakened and needed to replenish his health. Otherwise, he would have been destroyed by Big Convoy's Mammoth Dynamite attack, which almost completely dissipated Unicron's energy body.
:The series didn't actually give any kind of backstory for the Blentrons. While they were creations of Unicron in the manga, no such origin was given in the show. Regardless, the idea of the three being made out of Angolmois Energy was certainly never stated or even suggested, having been born out of this misinterpretation of Unicron absorbing them to save his own life.

====''Beast Machines''====
*'''A ''Beast Machines'' writer said, "Real heroes don't use guns."'''
:''Beast Machines'' was the first (but not the last) ''Transformers'' series to explicitly avoid all hand-held projectile [[weapon]]ry. While the [[Vehicon (BM)|villains]] still had traditional "blasters" mounted on their bodies, some of the [[Maximal|heroes]]' weapons were more esoteric (such as [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s energy-web attack, activated by putting her hands on the ground, or [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]]'s gauntlets, powered by absorbing enemy fire). According to story editor [[Bob Skir]], this creative decision was agreed upon between the story editors, [[Fox Kids]], [[Mainframe Entertainment]], and [[Hasbro]],<ref name="Skir">[http://web.archive.org/web/20080222040119/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Sat_06_Nov_1999.html Archived Q&A from Bob Skir's now-defunct website,] where Skir responds to the gun controversy (question 7).</ref> and it is indeed reflected in the toys as well.

:Note that many Maximals had weaponry that was functionally no different from a "gun"—compare [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]]'s hip-mounted energy cannons, [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]'s back-mounted sonic blaster, or Optimus Primal's chest-mounted energy disc launcher to [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]'s shoulder-mounted ray guns or [[Strika (BM)|Strika]]'s wrist-mounted energy... tossing thingies.

:On his website, Skir also elaborated on his own position as a writer choosing if or how to portray gun use, including this statement: "Our heroes use their wiles and resourcefulness, plus a few cool weapons. Guns? I've never been a fan of them myself, and do not write heroes who need them."<ref>[http://members.aol.com/zobovor/guns.html Article on the fan Dave "Zobovor" Edwards' personal site,] quoting Bob Skir's original gun statement.</ref> Some fans interpreted Skir as condemning ''all'' gun use, even in the real world, no matter the circumstances. This led to the misquote, "Real heroes don't use guns,"<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/be5e55a90df944bb/b748601b997b3508#b748601b997b3508 Alt.toys.transformers thread] with the misquote and attendant assumptions right at the start.</ref> which remains a notoriously persistent error in the fandom. Skir, responding to the controversy, said on his site that "there '''are''' heroes who '''do''' need guns (such as the [[Punisher]]). Spider-Man doesn't need guns. Neither does the [[Hulk]]. And neither do Optimus, Cheetor, Black Arachnia{{sic}}, et al."<ref name="Skir" />
:Notably, the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|series]] [[Unicron Trilogy|immediately]] [[Movie (franchise)|following]] ''Beast Machines'' did return to classic hand-held gun use among both heroes and villains. However, the later ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' series once again eschewed guns, probably because of its younger target audience.

====''Car Robots''====
*'''Unlike the English version, Gigatron (Megatron) has multiple personalities, a different one for each of his modes.'''
:This seems to have arisen from how, in the Japanese version, Gigatron's bat and dragon modes each have their own unique-sounding voice and way of speaking. The Gigabat voice is higher-pitched, a bit dim-sounding, and speaks like how older people used to speak during Japan's Edo period, ending most of its dialogue with "deansu" (であんす). For the Gigadragon mode, Gigatron speaks with a much deeper, angrier, and overall more aggressive-sounding voice. Both of these differ from his much calmer and more "normal" sounding voice in robot mode (which he also used in each of his other modes), and are most noticeable in the first episode, in which Gigatron makes heavy use of both his Gigabat and Gigadragon modes.
:By contrast, the English ''Robots in Disguise'' version gave Megatron one voice for all of his modes, and rewrote his personality to be much more theatrical and ill-tempered. This in turn made his English voice sound like a combination of the two unique Japanese voices, combining the over-the-top aspects of the Gigabat voice with the seething aggression of the Gigadragon voice.

===Live-action film series===
====''Transformers'' (2007)====
[[File:Japaneseflowchart.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Look! No 2007 movie!]]
*'''The movie series takes place in the Generation 1 timeline in Japan.'''
: This is another one of those instances where one TakaraTomy thing, very early in the life cycle of a new ''Transformers'' [[franchise]], will say one thing about said franchise, and then literally ''everything else ever'' will say another.

: When the live-action movie series was getting started, TakaraTomy went live with their "World of Transformers" website. The website timeline appeared to make the rather bizarre claim that the 2007 live-action movie also somehow took place in the Japanese Generation 1 continuity, between ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and ''Transformers 2010'' in the year 2007. However, this was ''not'' reflected by the site's accompanying flow-chart, and was established to not be the case by the [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|''Kiss Players'' timeline]] (which noted that the movie-verse Autobots and Decepticons came from another universe when they appeared in a ''Beast Wars'' crossover). And of course, nothing else ever attempted to make the connection.
{{-}}

*'''''Transformers'' was nearly rated R by the MPAA.'''
: In the spring of 2007, it was reported that ''{{w|Disturbia (film)|Disturbia}}'', a then-upcoming [[DreamWorks]] film starring [[Shia LaBeouf]] and produced by [[Steven Spielberg]], had received an R rating from the {{w|Motion Picture Association of America}}. That film's rating was eventually lowered to PG-13 on appeal, but in the meantime some ''Transformers'' fans became confused and believed that it was ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' that had been rated R, leading to some heated discussion on ''Transformers'' message boards.

{{-}}
[[File:MovieCreditsNoBrawl.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Invisible credit.]]
*'''Brawl is named in the credits.'''

: The Decepticon tank, who was named "Devastator" in a subtitle in the movie, ended up being named "[[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]" in [[Hasbro|Hasbro's]] [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|toy line]]. Both Hasbro and the screenwriters, [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]], have expressly favored the toy's name, referring to the name in the movie as an "error".

: Since the character has a "speaking" line in the movie, some fans claim that the voice actor is named in the ending credits, and the character's name is stated as "Brawl" there. In fact, however, there's no credit ''at all'' for the character, under either name, as he has no voice actor, his "speaking role" being little more than echo-y electronic gibberish.

{{-}}
[[File:BanachekMustacheMan.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|One of these is not like the others.]]
*'''The Decepticons' hologram is Tom Banachek.'''

: Several Decepticons in the movie are seen using a holographic "pilot"/"driver" based on the same short-haired, mustache-clad human with an intense stare, only wearing different clothes to match their respective [[alternate mode]]s. Since [[Tom Banachek]], the head of [[Sector Seven]]'s Advanced Research Division, also sports a mustache, a short-cropped hairstyle and a pretty intense stare, many fans mistakenly believe that the Decepticons' hologram is meant to look like him.

: There are two problems with that. One, the Decepticons' hologram, dubbed "[[Moustache Man]]" in the credits, is played by real-life United States Air Force Major [[Brian Reece]], whereas Tom Banachek is portrayed by established actor [[Michael O'Neill]].

:Two... how would the Decepticons know who Banachek even was to model a hologram after him?

{{-}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen''====
*'''Barricade's return?'''
:A common misconception among fans is that [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] Saleen Mustang alternate mode was spotted on the set of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', possibly as part of the alleged "disinformation campaign" director [[Michael Bay]] repeatedly insisted he had initiated. In fact, however, a truck transporting three "Barricade" prop vehicles was spotted in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than ''two months'' before principal shooting for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref> There's been no indication that this had any significance other than moving the prop cars... someplace. Barricade would not make his reappearance until the ''next'' movie, ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''.

====''Dark of the Moon''====
*'''Optimus Prime let the Decepticons take over Chicago.'''
:Given the comparatively darker tone—and a decidedly more ruthless interpretation of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]—of the first five live-action films when compared to the majority of the ''Transformers'' franchise, one common criticism of ''Dark of the Moon'' was Prime's apparent complacency in the face of the Decepticon attack on [[Chicago]] after the destruction of the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]''—sometimes interpreted by some fans and critics as him "teaching Earth a lesson" after humanity unanimously agrees to exile Prime's Autobots in the hopes of appeasing [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. This reading of the film seems to misinterpret Prime's line of "now your leaders will understand" and "we needed them to believe that we had gone" as Prime having engineered the entire crisis for his own political gain; the second line assuredly refers to the ''Decepticons'', as Optimus and company faking their deaths allowed the heroes to sneak to Chicago and catch Megatron's forces by surprise. Even without the script, Cape Canaveral and Chicago are ''very'' far apart; if we assume that the Autobots hightailed it to Chicago seconds after splashing down in the Atlantic, it would ''still'' take them about eighteen hours to get there, a time discrepancy that more or less matches up with the way events play out onscreen.

====''Bumblebee''====
*'''Bumblebee is a reboot, and is separate from the rest of the "Bayverse"'''.
: ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was initially conceived as a straight prequel to the ''Transformers'' films, chronologically falling between the [[World War II]] flashback sequences seen in ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' and the 2007 ''Transformers'' film. However, the movie was hastily retooled relatively late into production, tweaking the film's opening to show Bumblebee arriving on Earth in the 1980s, and, as a result, became more-or-less irreconcilable with both the information given by the ''The Last Knight'' and the various prequel comics that had gone before. Likely due to a combination of wishful thinking and resentment of the Bay films, members of the fandom and various mainstream nerd sites quickly jumped on the idea that ''Bumblebee'' was now a "reboot" of the film series as a whole, similar to the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}'s interpretation of [[Spider-Man]] vs. his prior two cinematic outings—though both [[Hasbro]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] have been fairly mum on just how ''Bumblebee'' and the five prior Bay films will fit together moving forward: the closest we've gotten to a conclusive answer is that the film represents the start of a "new storytelling universe," <ref>[https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2467064/looks-like-bumblebee-is-officially-the-start-of-a-new-transformers-movie-universe "Looks Like Bumblebee is Officially The Start Of A New Transformers Movie Universe]</ref> which is... a pretty ambiguous statement, to say the least. Other fiction, such as the ''[[Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome]]'' comic included with the home media release of the film, has continued to tie the events of ''Bumblebee'' to the rest of the live-action film series, suggesting Hasbro is at least maintaining its prequel status for now.

: This vaguery has only continued in the lead-up to ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'', with the only official statement being their desire to avoid the "timeline" of the first five films. This is almost certainly meant to refer to the time''frame'' of the preceding films' events, with Rise of the Beasts being yet another prequel story set before the 2007 film, rather than any kind of alternate timeline. Either way, for the moment, we're no closer to a definitive answer.

===''Animated''===
*'''The Japanese dub of ''Transformers Animated'' presents it as a prequel to the live-action movies.'''

: This appears to have ''some'' basis: back in March 2010, the then-recent edition of ''[[TV Magazine]]'' published some early pre-release information about the Japanese dub of the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Animated'' cartoon]]. Among the details announced was the name-change of [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] to "Ironhide", and changing his character to be closer in personality to [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]]. The article allegedly also claimed that because [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] was not Supreme Commander of the Autobots in ''Animated'', the cartoon would be "set chronologically before the live action movies".<ref name="tvmagani">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/animated-8/latest-edition-of-tv-magazine-reveals-new-transformers-animated-japan-details-169265/ TFW2005 reporting on ''TV Magazine'' article about the Japanese dub of the ''Transformers Animated'' cartoon], March 2010.</ref>

: In actuality, however, not much of this has been reflected in the dub itself: aside from the aforementioned renaming of Bulkhead into "Ironhide", there's nothing in the Japanese dub that ties the ''Animated'' cartoon any closer to the live-action movies than its American counterpart.

: TakaraTomy chose to use the movie-style branding for ''Animated'' products, rendering the "Transformers Animated" logo in the gray steel look used for the movies.

===Aligned===
*'''The High Moon Studios games are part of G1.'''
{{quote|We really did look very closely at Generation 1 stuff and tried to capture what for us was the essence of the characters.|[[Sean Miller]], Director Character and Animation|[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/21/transformers-art-video.aspx Gameinformer interview]}}
:With its designs aiming at a video gamer audience who grew up with [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]], the development team for ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' took a great deal of inspiration from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] for such things as characters and the design aesthetic for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/21/transformers-art-video.aspx Gameinformer interview]</ref> A [[Commercial#War for Cybertron|commercial]] even depicted Shockwave ordering Soundwave to play [[The Touch|a song]] made famous by the [[The Transformers: The Movie|original animated movie]]. Furthermore, War for Cybertron toys were sold as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' toyline that featured Generation 1-styled characters. These factors led many to believe the game was actually part of Generation 1.

:To be fair, there was and is virtually no information available to the average fan that ''War for Cybertron'' is not part of Generation 1. Hasbro has essentially been folding ''War for Cybertron'' into their modern continuity, and have been informing dedicated fans of this fact through [[Hasbro Q&A|question and answer sessions]].<ref>"The official story of the original 13 and specifically Alpha Trion has not been explored fully in the modern continuity that Transformers War for Cybertron, Exodus, and Prime are a part of." [[Hasbro Q&A/September 2010: Answers]]</ref> The [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|''War for Cybertron'' comic adaptation]] and [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 online timeline] actually are adaptations from ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'', which is the basis for the new modern continuity fiction.

:Canonically, both WfC and its sequel ''Fall of Cybertron'' are in the Aligned continuity, but beyond suggestions and mandatory changes from Hasbro, High Moon Studios doesn't seem to care about Hasbro's declarations of canon. In the art book for the sequel to WfC, ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', the only influences of the concept art and designs mentioned are G1 related. Dreamwave, the original cartoon, and other concepts and ideas from Generation 1 are cited, but the fact that Cliffjumper's head is based off of ''Prime'' Cliffjumper's is not mentioned, nor are the modifications to Optimus Prime's gun, Megatron's new body, [[Tox-En]], or the other assorted influences from Prime.

:[[High Moon Studios]] has often described the games as prequels to the G1 cartoon. More savvy fans would recognize that the game is generally irreconcilable with the cartoon (or any other Generation 1 continuity for that matter): the circumstances of [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s rise to power would contradict "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", and Optimus's [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|predecessor]] does not possess the Matrix, unlike his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#The Transformers cartoon|cartoon counterpart]]. The Autobots left Cybertron because the [[Core]] shut down, not because energy sources were depleted, and characters like [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]], [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]], the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]], and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] wouldn't be on Cybertron or even ''exist''. Additionally, the game draws inspiration from other continuities, including characters not from Generation 1 like [[Slipstream (WFC)|Slipstream]] and [[Demolishor (WFC)|Demolishor]]. The game does share a lot of similarities with Dreamwave's ''[[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]'' series (where Jetfire and Trypticon are present), but it cannot take place in that continuity either.

==Companies==
===Marvel Comics===
*'''John Romita designed the Generation 1 character models.'''
:The rumor here comes about through a misreading of the credits to ''[[The Transformers Universe]]''. Legendary Marvel Comics artist John Romita, Sr. was listed as "Art Director", leading readers to assume that he was in charge of designing or developing the various [[character model]]s used in the series (and reprinted in said comic). However, Romita was actually the Art Director for Marvel Comics as a whole at the time. The majority of the character models were in fact done by [[Floro Dery]], who went uncredited.<ref>See [http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/01/11/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-85/ Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed] for more information.</ref>

===TakaraTomy===
*'''Takara was taken over by Tomy.'''
:In 2005, it was announced that Takara, longtime Japanese manufacturer/distributor of Transformers toys, and former competitor Tomy would merge into a new company, named [[TakaraTomy]], as of [[March 1]], 2006. Some fans misinterpreted the media coverage, believing that Takara had been bought out by rival Tomy. This was not helped by official press releases declaring Tomy the "surviving company", Tomy having the majority of shares, and the merged company simply going by the name "Tomy" outside Japan.
:The name issue is easily explained, as it was done for purely pragmatic reasons. "Tomy" is an internationally established brand, since the company already had divisions in many other countries prior to the merger, and distributed their toys under their own name there. Takara, meanwhile, had mostly abandoned ventures into international markets years ago, and had its products distributed through other companies (such as [[Hasbro]]) instead. Therefore, the merged company decided to use the better-known name for its international business, while it would continue as "TakaraTomy" within Japan itself.
:Now, as for the specifics of the merger... Although the merger ratio was set at 0.356 of a Tomy share for each Takara share (including a split of Tomy's stock), and the companies announced a layoff of 15% of their combined workforce mostly on the Takara side, the term "merger" (as compared to "take-over") was prominently used in all the official announcements by the two companies, and twisting tiny details into a de facto "takeover" of Takara by Tomy is effectively splitting hairs.

*'''e-Hobby is owned by Takara (TakaraTomy).'''
:The [[e-HOBBY]] shop is owned by Part One, Ltd. Although the company has had close ties with Takara for decades, the online store also sells toys by other companies, primarily TakaraTomy's rival [[Bandai]].
:The online store ''directly'' owned by TakaraTomy, meanwhile, is [[TakaraTomy Mall]] (formerly Toy Hobby Market).

===IDW Publishing===
*'''Hasbro pays IDW to publish comics for them, and profit directly from the comics selling well.'''
:Presumably stemming from the fact that most Transformers ''cartoons'' are commissioned by Hasbro in order to advertise their toys, a lot of fans are under the impression that Hasbro pays IDW Publishing and other licensees to produce ''Transformers'' comics for them. This is the exact opposite of how licensed comics work; IDW pays Hasbro for the privilege of publishing ''Transformers'' comics, and IDW keeps all the profits outside of that licensing fee. As such, Hasbro doesn't have any particular investment in the comics selling well, other than their indirect effects on toy sales and potential negative press caused by "failing" comics; all that matters to Hasbro is that they sell well enough that IDW keep paying for the license.

*'''The [[Hasbro Universe]] was pushed on IDW by Hasbro.'''
:While Hasbro is mostly hands-off with IDW's comics, one of the terms of the license is that IDW needs to work with Hasbro to do [[To sell toys|occasional promotion]] for new and upcoming toys; this most obviously took place with events such as [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]], [[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]] and [[Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return]] — and, if we're being honest, has resulted in some of the less popular arcs from "phase 2" of IDW.<ref>[[James Roberts]] has apologised on multiple occasions for Dark Cybertron, which says a lot.</ref> As such, when IDW announced that they were bringing [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|several]] [[Rom|other]] [[Action Man|Hasbro-]][[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|owned]] [[Micronauts|franchises]] into their [[2005 IDW continuity|acclaimed Transformers universe]], a lot of fans assumed that this was the result of another Hasbro mandate, especially given their stated desire to have a "Transformers {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe|Cinematic Universe}}." It also bore a startling resemblance to the shuttered plans to use the [[Aligned continuity family]] to launch a shared universe, even sharing the name of [[Unit:E]]. However, the creative teams involved were open from the start about the decision being an internal one that IDW had to ask Hasbro for permission to do.
:Reportedly, the decision stemmed from IDW obtaining multiple additional Hasbro licenses, and [[Chris Ryall]] and [[Christos Gage]] suggesting that G.I. Joe appear in their ''ROM'' comic; this led to [[John Barber]] bringing up [[Andrew Griffith]]'s suggestion that IDW's ''G.I. Joe'' universe could fit "between" big ''Transformers'' events, which led to all of them suggesting to [[Cullen Bunn]] that the Earth that the [[Micronaut]]s visited be the ''ROM''/''Transformers''/''G.I. Joe'' one... and, well, it all spiralled from there. Hasbro were apparently very on board with the idea, but it was far from something that they pushed onto unwilling creators.

*'''The Hasbro Universe comics are responsible for the ending of the 2005 IDW continuity.'''
:Given that IDW announced that they were concluding their [[2005 IDW continuity|main continuity]] less than two years after the VERY controversial Hasbro Universe was first announced, a lot of fans were under the impression that the shared universe, and the relaunch of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'']] and [[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More than Meets the Eye'']] into ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' and [[The Transformers: Lost Light|''Lost Light'']], were responsible for tanking sales to the point that IDW decided that it would be more profitable to reboot.
:However, the reason that those titles were relaunched in the ''first'' place is that their sales were on an unsustainable downwards spiral; and, other than a brief sales spike for the [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|first]] [[New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|issues]] of the relaunched series, the relaunch did pretty much nothing to the sales trends, which continued to decrease at the same level as they had from around the 51st issues to the relaunch.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/670-general-comics-discussion/page-60#entry3661883 Sales chart of the Phase 2 IDW ongoings]</ref> While the Hasbro Universe titles generally didn't sell ''great'', they didn't affect the sales of the ongoing ''Transformers'' series.

*'''Chris Ryall was kicked out of IDW because he conspired to break Hasbro mandates.'''
:He ''really'' wasn't, guys. In fact, he was [http://hasbrouniverse.libsyn.com/interview-chris-ryall outright surprised by the idea that this was a rumor going around].

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20121116134912/http://tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=522 Ten popular but incorrect rumors about Japanese Transformers, retrieved November 16, 2012] (archived)

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Lists]]

2005 IDW continuity

2021-09-21T20:13:59Z

Repowers:

{{nav-G1|logo=IDWTheTransformers 2014 logo.png}}
[[File:ChaosTheory1 montage.jpg|thumb|upright=2|This is less than ''half'' of what happens.]]
The '''2005 IDW continuity''' is the storyline of [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] reboot comic book series, launched in [[2005]] and running until [[2018]]. It re-imagined the traditional [[Autobot]]-[[Decepticon]] [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] as a galaxy-spanning conflict, with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] abandoned as a dead husk and teams from both sides covertly operating on various alien worlds to defend or destroy the native populations—including [[Earth]].

Later stories abandoned the cloak-and-dagger conflict in favor of a more traditional take on the Cybertronian war, before ending the war entirely. While early stories stuck to a small cast focusing mostly on the more-familiar 1984 characters, as the universe progressed its scope slowly expanded to cover more and more characters and concepts from late "Generation 1" and beyond. In addition to adapting characters from other continuities (such as [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)#2005 IDW continuity|Blackarachnia]]), authors felt free to introduce entirely new characters (such as [[Drift (G1)|Drift]], [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], and [[Aileron]]) with substantive roles. Many new [[List of minor IDW characters|minor characters]] were also included throughout the series.

A 2016 retcon/expansion established that this continuity was part of the shared [[Hasbro Universe]]; two years later it was brought to an end with a [[Transformers: Unicron|climactic battle]] against [[Unicron]] before IDW debuted its [[2019 IDW continuity|rebooted ''Transformers'' continuity]] the next year.

Having run almost continuously for 13 years in some form or another, IDW's first ''Transformers'' universe is one of the largest and most developed ''Transformers'' continuities. Many of the plots and character arcs from "Phase 2" onward earned widespread praise from both devoted ''Transformers'' [[fandom|fans]] and the broader comic book/science fiction industries.

==Overview==
===Simon Furman and the "-ations" era===
[[File:TF Spotlight v1.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The [[Furmanism|down-to-earth one—literally.]]]]
{{chapters|title=''-ations'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]''</div>
* [[Infiltration issue 0|#0]]
* [[Infiltration issue 1|#1]]
* [[Infiltration issue 2|#2]]
* [[Infiltration issue 3|#3]]
* [[Infiltration issue 4|#4]]
* [[Infiltration issue 5|#5]]
* [[Infiltration issue 6|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]''</div>
* [[Stormbringer issue 1|#1]]
* [[Stormbringer issue 2|#2]]
* [[Stormbringer issue 3|#3]]
* [[Stormbringer issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' Volume 1</div>
* [[Spotlight: Shockwave|Shockwave]]
* [[Spotlight: Nightbeat|Nightbeat]]
* [[Spotlight: Hot Rod|Hot Rod]]
* [[Spotlight: Sixshot|Sixshot]]
* [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''</div>
* [[Escalation issue 1|#1]]
* [[Escalation issue 2|#2]]
* [[Escalation issue 3|#3]]
* [[Escalation issue 4|#4]]
* [[Escalation issue 5|#5]]
* [[Escalation issue 6|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''New Avengers/Transformers''</div>
*[[Man and Machine, Part One|#1]]
*[[Man and Machine, Part Two|#2]]
*[[Man and Machine, Part Three|#3]]
*[[Man and Machine, Part Four|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Spotlight'' Volume 2</div>
* [[Spotlight: Soundwave|Soundwave]]
* [[Spotlight: Kup|Kup]]
* [[Spotlight: Galvatron|Galvatron]]
* [[Spotlight: Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Spotlight: Ramjet|Ramjet]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]''</div>
*[[Devastation issue 1|#1]]
*[[Devastation issue 2|#2]]
*[[Devastation issue 3|#3]]
*[[Devastation issue 4|#4]]
*[[Devastation issue 5|#5]]
*[[Devastation issue 6|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Spotlight'' Volume 3</div>
* [[Spotlight: Blaster|Blaster]]
* [[Spotlight: Arcee|Arcee]]
* [[Spotlight: Mirage|Mirage]]
* [[Spotlight: Grimlock|Grimlock]]
* [[Spotlight: Wheelie|Wheelie]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Spotlight'' Volume 4 / ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]''</div>
* [[Spotlight: Cyclonus|Cyclonus]]
* [[Spotlight: Hardhead|Hardhead]]
* [[Spotlight: Doubledealer|Doubledealer]]
* [[Spotlight: Sideswipe|Sideswipe]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]''</div>
*[[Maximum Dinobots issue 1|#1]]
*[[Maximum Dinobots issue 2|#2]]
*[[Maximum Dinobots issue 3|#3]]
*[[Maximum Dinobots issue 4|#4]]
*[[Maximum Dinobots issue 5|#5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''</div>
*[[Megatron Origin issue 1|#1]]
*[[Megatron Origin issue 2|#2]]
*[[Megatron Origin issue 3|#3]]
*[[Megatron Origin issue 4|#4]]
}}

Veteran ''Transformers'' writer Simon Furman helmed the IDW continuity in its infancy, writing almost every series and one-shot to be released in its first few years. It began with [[2005]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' series, which ran for seven issues (including an introductory issue #0), which did away with the traditional "crashed on Earth 4 million years ago" origin in favour of a slow-burning "hiding in plain sight" storyline with emphasis on human characters, not dissimilar to the approach that was taken two years later by the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]]. However, detractors of this focus on human characters inspired the four-issue ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' miniseries, which checked in on the ruined [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. At this time, the concurrent ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' run of one-shots began. The first six of these ([[Spotlight: Shockwave|Shockwave]], [[Spotlight: Nightbeat|Nightbeat]], [[Spotlight: Hot Rod|Hot Rod]], [[Spotlight: Sixshot|Sixshot]], [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus]], [[Spotlight: Soundwave|Soundwave]]) elaborated on details from the first two miniseries and introduced cast members and concepts in time for [[2006]]'s six-issue ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]'' miniseries. The ''Spotlight'' issues for [[Spotlight: Galvatron|Galvatron]], [[Spotlight: Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime]], [[Spotlight: Blaster|Blaster]] and [[Spotlight: Arcee|Arcee]] followed on from the events of that miniseries. The Earth-based conflict reached a climax in [[2007]]'s six-issue ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]'' miniseries, and at this point (as evidenced by the apocryphal "Hail and Farewell" ''[[Transformers: Mosaic]]'' strip) Furman had sweeping plans for further series. However, IDW decided to switch directions for a major reboot, forcing Furman to squeeze the conclusion to the storyline he'd been building across the ''Spotlight'' stories into the four ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'' issues. His plans for tying up the Earth-based plots meanwhile escaped largely unscathed, with ''[[Spotlight: Grimlock]]'' leading into the five-issue ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]'' miniseries.

A few other writers contributed to the universe in its infancy:
*[[Nick Roche]] created ''[[Spotlight: Kup]]'', taking place sometime between ''Stormbringer'' and ''Spotlight: Optimus Prime''.
*[[Stuart Moore]] wrote a pair of titles loosely tying into ''Escalation'':
**''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]'', a four-issue crossover taking place during the first issue of that miniseries;
**''[[Spotlight: Ramjet]]'', which takes place in its immediate aftermath.
*[[George Strayton]] wrote ''[[Spotlight: Mirage]]'' (originally planned to be released after ''Spotlight Grimlock'', in chronological order), which takes place mostly in a parallel dimension—however, a portion of the story is set in the main universe some time after ''Maximum Dinobots''.
*[[Klaus Scherwinski]] co-wrote the standalone ''[[Spotlight: Wheelie]]'' with Furman.
*[[Eric Holmes]] wrote ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]''—this four-issue miniseries was originally written with Dreamwave's Generation 1 continuity in mind, but [[Chaos Theory Part 1|later stories]] [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|massaged it]] [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|into place]] as the earliest dedicated flashback series in the IDW continuity.
{{--}}
====Chuck Dixon and "Evolutions"====
[[File:Hearts of Steel 1ri.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The "look what they turn into in this" one.]]
{{chapters|title=''Evolutions'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''Hearts of Steel'' Volume 1</div>
*[[Hearts of Steel issue 1|#1]]
*[[Hearts of Steel issue 2|#2]]
*[[Hearts of Steel issue 3|#3]]
*[[Hearts of Steel issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Infestation 2'' Volume 2</div>
*[[Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|#1]]
*[[Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|#2]]
}}

In the early days of IDW's Transformers comics, plans were made for a full line of Elseworlds-style miniseries under the title "''[[The Transformers: Evolutions|Evolutions]]''", planned to run alongside the main IDW continuity. The first of these, the four-issue ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'', took place in an alternate timeline where the Transformers' first contact with humanity was in the late 19th century. This plan was shelved as focus shifted to comics based on the live action movies, but the later ''[[Infestation 2]]'' tie-in returned to this timeline. Both of these stories were written by [[Chuck Dixon]] with art by [[Guido Guidi]]. They would be little more than a footnote, were it not for the fact that [[Revolutionaries|much, ''much'' later]], a version of the events of these titles was folded into the mainstream continuity.
{{-}}

===Shane McCarthy and ''All Hail Megatron''===
[[File:All Hail Megatron TPB vol1.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The [[GEEWUN|Gee-one.]]]]
{{chapters|title=''All Hail Megatron'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''All Hail Megatron'' Volume 1</div>
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 1|#1]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 2|#2]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 3|#3]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 4|#4]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 5|#5]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 6|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''All Hail Megatron'' Volume 2</div>
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 7|#7]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 8|#8]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 9|#9]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 10|#10]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 11|#11]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 12|#12]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''All Hail Megatron'' Volume 3 / ''Spotlight'' Volume 5</div>
* [[Spotlight: Blurr|Blurr]]
* [[Spotlight: Jazz|Jazz]]
* [[Spotlight: Drift|Drift]]
* [[Spotlight: Cliffjumper|Cliffjumper]]
* [[Spotlight: Metroplex|Metroplex]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''All Hail Megatron'' Volume 4</div>
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 13|#13]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 14|#14]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 15|#15]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 16|#16]]
}}

During 2008, in an attempt to entice new readers, IDW brought on new writer [[Shane McCarthy]] for a twelve-issue maxiseries titled ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' and another run of five mostly-standalone ''Spotlight'' issues ([[Spotlight: Blurr|Blurr]], [[Spotlight: Cliffjumper|Cliffjumper]], [[Spotlight: Drift|Drift]], [[Spotlight: Metroplex|Metroplex]] (by [[Andy Schmidt]]) and [[Spotlight: Jazz|Jazz]] (by [[Josh van Reyk]] & [[Shaun Knowler]]). When the established fanbase's reaction to this new direction was... ''lukewarm,'' McCarthy suddenly began bringing more elements from Furman's run starting with issue #7, and following the series IDW released a four-issue "Coda" bringing some of Furman's ideas back to the fore. Each issue of the Coda contained two different stories by different writers, and most were set after the main series (with the exception of the two stories in issue #15 which respectively take place before and after ''Spotlight: Drift''). McCarthy later returned with a four-issue ''[[The Transformers: Drift]]'' miniseries, set before that same ''Spotlight'' issue.

[[File:FCBD 2009 coverB.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.8|The Serious Realistic Military Fiction™ one.]]
====IDW Publishing's ''G.I. Joe''====
Late in 2008, IDW acquired the license to publish ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comics from the previous holder, [[Devil's Due Press]]. Though their new G.I. Joe continuity—spearheaded by Chuck Dixon, [[Mike Costa]], [[Christos Gage]] and ''Joe'' alumnus [[Larry Hama]], with later contributions coming from writers like {{w|Fred Van Lente}} and {{w|Karen Traviss}}—took a similar approach to IDW's Transformers continuity, with a modernised, more "realistic" take on the original '80s premise, the two were not initially intended to take place in the same universe—indeed, the apocalyptic aftermath of ''All Hail Megatron'' seemingly left that impossible.

More than half a decade later, however, it was established via retcon that the events of both IDW's Transformers and G.I. Joe were part of a wider, shared "Hasbro Universe"; [[#"Revolution"|see below]] for details. While the majority of IDW's G.I. Joe comics aren't under this wiki's remit, and they certainly aren't required reading for later series in this continuity, you can see a full list of their titles on the {{i|G.I. Joe (franchise)#IDW G.I. Joe series|''G.I. Joe'' franchise page}} at our sister {{i|Main Page|IDW Hasbro Wiki}}.
{{-}}

===Mike Costa and ''The Transformers''===
[[File:IDW TF vol1.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|action movie]] one.]]
{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">Volume 1: "For All Mankind"</div>
*[[...For All Mankind|#1]]
*[[Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|#2]]
*[[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|#3]]
*[[Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|#4]]
*[[Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|#5]]
*[[Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Bumblebee''</div>
* [[The Hanging Sword|#1]]
* [[The Impossible Knot|#2]]
* [[The Gift Horse|#3]]
* [[Wings of Wax|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Last Stand of the Wreckers''</div>
*[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]]
*[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|#2]]
*[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|#3]]
*[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|#4]]
*[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|#5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">Volume 2: "International Incident"</div>
*[[All His Engines‎|#7]]
*[[Scrapper (issue)|#8]]
*[[International Incident Part 1: "The Land Ironclads"|#9]]
*[[International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|#10]]
*[[International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"|#11]]
*[[International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"|#12]]
<br/><div class="list-header">Volume 3: "Revenge of the Decepticons"</div>
*[[Heart Like a Wheel‎|#13]]
*[[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|#14]]
*[[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|#15]]
*[[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies‎|#16]]
*[[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome‎|#17]]
*[[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|#18]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Ironhide''</div>
*[[The Iron Age|#1]]
*[[Iron in the Blood|#2]]
*[[Ironing Out the Details|#3]]
*[[Any Old Iron|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Drift''</div>
*[[Drift issue 1|#1]]
*[[Drift issue 2|#2]]
*[[Drift issue 3|#3]]
*[[Drift issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Infestation'' Volume 1</div>
*[[The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|#1]]
*[[The Transformers: Infestation issue 2|#2]]
<br/><div class="list-header">Volume 4: ''Heart of Darkness''</div>
*[[Heart of Darkness issue 1|#1]]
*[[Heart of Darkness issue 2|#2]]
*[[Heart of Darkness issue 3|#3]]
*[[Heart of Darkness issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">Volume 5: "Chaos Theory"</div>
*[[Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|#19]]
*[[Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|#20]]
*[[The Transformers issue 21|#21]]
*[[Chaos Theory Part 1|#22]]
*[[Chaos Theory Part 2|#23]]
<br/><div class="list-header">Volume 6: "Police Action"</div>
*[[Police Action: Part 1|#25]]
*[[Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|#27]]
*[[Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|#29]]
*''[[Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl]]''
<br/><div class="list-header">Volume 7: "Chaos"</div>
*[[Chaos Part One: Lamentations|#24]]
*[[Chaos Part Two: Numbers|#26]]
*[[Chaos Part Three: Kings|#28]]
*[[Chaos Part Four: Genesis|#30]]
*[[Pax Cybertronia (issue)|#31]]
}}

Another major change in direction came in late [[2009]], and editor Andy Schmidt wrote "[[The Transformers Continuum]]", a prose summary intended to bring new readers up to speed—but the resulting account was ridden with errors, and widely panned. New writer [[Mike Costa]] (already known for his critically acclaimed work on IDW's ''{{i|G.I. Joe: Cobra}}'') was brought on board to spearhead a brand new ongoing series, titled simply ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]''. This series ran throughout [[2010]] and [[2011]] for thirty-one issues telling a continuous story, though several other spinoffs were released during this time:
*[[Zander Cannon]] wrote ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'', a four-issue miniseries taking place between issues #3 and #5 of the ongoing series and aimed at a slightly younger audience than usual.
*Fan-favourite writer/artist Nick Roche (''Spotlight: Kup'' and "Everything in Its Right Place" from [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|''All Hail Megatron'' #15]]) returned alongside new writer [[James Roberts]] with the five-issue ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' miniseries, set in deep space during the first arc of the ongoing.
*Mike Costa himself wrote two additional titles:
**''[[Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl]]'', a one-shot told mostly in post-''All Hail Megatron'' flashback but with a framing device set after issue #7 of the ongoing series, initially planned to be told later as part of the ongoing series itself but published in response to fan backlash to Prowl's characterisation;
**''[[The Transformers: Ironhide]]'', another four-issue miniseries set on Cybertron some time before [[Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|the later "Space Opera" story arc]].
*McCarthy returned for the aforementioned ''The Transformers: Drift'' miniseries, set before his previous ''Spotlight'' issue.
*[[Dan Abnett]] and [[Andy Lanning]] wrote a pair of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]-centric titles:
**''[[Infestation (IDW)|Infestation]]'', two issues set after the first arc of the ongoing series and tying into IDW's otherwise-disconnected multi-franchise "zombie invasion" crossover;
**''[[The Transformers: Heart of Darkness]]'', a poorly-received four-issue mini-series starring Galvatron and tying into the events of ''Infestation''.
{{-}}
===James Roberts, John Barber, and "Phase Two"===
[[File:MTMTE vol1.jpg|upright=1|thumb|left|The sad gay space one.]]
[[File:RID vol3.jpg|upright=1|thumb|right|The [[John Barber|continuity fixing]] one.]]
{{chapters|title="Season 1":|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 1</div>
*[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|"The Death of Optimus Prime"]]
*[[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|#1]]
*[[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|#2]]
*[[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|#3]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 2</div>
*[[Life After the Big Bang|#4]]
*[[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]]
*[[Interiors|#6]]
*[[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|#7]]
*[[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 3</div>
*[[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Annual 2012]]
*[[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]
*[[Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|#10]]
*[[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|#11]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 4</div>
*[[Before & After|#12]]
*[[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|#13]]
*[[Remembrance Day|#14]]
*[[Under Cold Blue Stars|#15]]
*[[The Gloaming|#16]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 5</div>
*[[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|#17]]
*[[Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|#18]]
*[[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|#19]]
*[[Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|#20]]
*[[More than Meets the Eye issue 21|#21]]
*[[Little Victories|#22]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 1</div>
*[[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|#1]]
*[[The World & Everything in It|#2]]
*[[Stick Together|#3]]
*[[Devisive|#4]]
*[[A Better Tomorrow|#5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 2</div>
*[[Syndromica (1)|#6]]
*[[Interference Patterns|#7]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]]
*[[Night and the City|#9]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 3</div>
*[[Primus: All Good Things|Annual 2012]]
*[[Syndromica (2)|#10]]
*[[The End of the Beginning of the World|#11]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 4</div>
*[[City on Fire|#12]]
*[[The Verge|#13]]
*[[Before the Dawn|#14]]
*[[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*[[Heavy Is the Head|#16]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 5</div>
*[[Shockwaves|#17]]
*[[Second Exodus|#18]]
*[[Homecoming (IDW)|#19]]
*[[Three Monologues|#20]]
*[[Shockpoint|#21]]
*[[Soundwaves (issue)|#22]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Dark Prelude''</div>
*[[Omega's Conundrum|Orion Pax]]
*[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Spotlight: Megatron|Megatron]]
*[[The Question|Bumblebee]]
*[[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]
*[[The Waiting Game|Hoist]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Dark Cybertron'' Volume 1</div>
*[[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|#1]]
*[[Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|#2]]
*[[Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|#3]]
*[[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|#4]]
*[[Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|#5]]
*[[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Dark Cybertron'' Volume 2</div>
*[[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|#7]]
*[[Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|#8]]
*[[Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|#9]]
*[[The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|#10]]
*[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|#11]]
*[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|#12]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Autocracy''</div>
*[[Law and Disorder|#1]]
*[[Parasites|#2]]
*[[The Hunt for Soundwave|#3]]
*[[Cause and Effect|#4]]
*[[Ruins|#5]]
*[[Purge|#6]]
*[[Choices|#7]]
*[[Overthrown|#8]]
*[[Transformation (issue)|#9]]
*[[Rise|#10]]
*[[Broadcast|#11]]
*[[Endgame|#12]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Monstrosity''</div>
*[[Derelicts|#1]]
*[[Wreckage (issue)|#2]]
*[[Faces of Darkness|#3]]
*[[Rage (IDW)|#4]]
*[[Fallout (issue)|#5]]
*[[Underworld (IDW)|#6]]
*[[Prey (issue)|#7]]
*[[Massacre|#8]]
*[[Unleashed|#9]]
*[[The Illusion of Control|#10]]
*[[Annihilation|#11]]
*[[Belly of the Beast (issue)|#12]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Primacy''</div>
*[[Primacy issue 1|1]]
*[[Primacy issue 2|2]]
*[[Primacy issue 3|3]]
*[[Primacy issue 4|4]]
}}

[[2012]] ushered in not one but ''two'' new ongoing series as successors to the previous series, kicking off with a one-shot titled "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime]]" and beginning what many fans would come to describe as a "golden age" of Transformers comics. In [[The Transformers: The IDW Collection|their hardback compendiums]], IDW themselves distinguished these titles from everything that had come before by labeling them "Phase Two".

This new era was helmed two writers:
*[[James Roberts]] (having made a name for himself with ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'') wrote ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'', in which [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] led the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' into space to find the mystical [[Knights of Cybertron]].
*[[John Barber]] (writer of [[IDW Publishing#Live-action film series|IDW's tie-ins to the live-action movies]]) wrote ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'', in which [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] led those remaining on Cybertron through the aftermath of the [[Great War (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Great War]].

Initially, these series were outlined for sixteen issues each, with the two plots running in parallel. A "Primus" Annual was released for each series, creating a loose two-part story ([[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|the ''MTMTE'' Annual]] takes place concurrently with its [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|seventh]] and [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|eighth]] issues, while [[Primus: All Good Things|the ''RiD'' Annual]] takes place after [[Night and the City|its ninth issue]]). The success of both series led to them being extended, and IDW began working in partnership to produce issues that could also be packed in with [[Hasbro]]'s [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Thrilling 30 (2013–2014)|figures]]. The first batch of these was six ''Spotlight'' issues, later collected as "Dark Prelude", with a common thread focusing on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]:
*''[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]'', written by James Roberts and taking place some time before ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]''
*''[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Spotlight: Thundercracker]]'', written by John Barber and taking place some time before ''[[Spotlight: Metroplex]]''
*''[[Spotlight: Megatron]]'', created by Nick Roche and taking place immediately after [[Heart Like a Wheel|issue #13]] of [[The Transformers (IDW)|the previous ongoing series]]
*''[[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]'', taking place in the background of the [[Police Action: Part 1|"Police Action"]] [[Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|story]] [[Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|arc]] of the previous ongoing series
*''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]'' and ''[[The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist]]'', written by James Roberts and set between [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issues #5]] [[Interiors|and #6]] of ''More than Meets the Eye''.

While Roberts used issues #17-22 of his series as an extended "season finale", Barber used his extended run to set up [[2013]]'s twelve-issue ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' crossover, which was told across alternating issues of both series and co-written by both authors.

Around this time [[Chris Metzen]] and [[Flint Dille]] (the latter of whom wrote for [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original Generation 1 animated series]]) wrote a trio of connected prequel stories: ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Monstrosity]]'', and ''[[The Transformers: Primacy]]''. These were ostensibly set sometime after ''Megatron Origin'', ''Spotlight: Orion Pax'' and ''Spotlight: Blurr'', but Metzen and Dille treated continuity rather loosely (apparently having planned to write a prequel to ''the original cartoon'', not the IDW comics) and few ideas from these series were picked up in any significant capacity by the other writers, aside from as the basis for further retcons.

===Post-''Dark Cybertron'', Mairghread Scott, and ''Windblade''===
[[File:IDWCountdownTo50RetailerIncentiveMilnePerez.jpg|upright=3|thumb|centre|The increasingly author appeal-y ones.]]
{{chapters|title="Season 2":|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 6</div>
*[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|#28]]
*[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|#29]]
*[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|#30]]
*[[Twenty Plus One|#31]]
*[[Slaughterhouse|#32]]
*[[slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|#33]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 7</div>
*[[Births, Deaths, and Interventions|#34]]
*[[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|#35]]
*[[Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|#36]]
*[[Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|#37]]
*[[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|#38]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 8</div>
*[[The Permanent Revolution|#39]]
*[[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|#40]]
*[[The Sensuous Frame|#41]]
*[[The Frail Gaze|#42]]
*[[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]]
*[[The Not Knowing|#44]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 9</div>
*[[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|#45]]
*[[Animals|#46]]
*[[The Lopsided Triangle|#47]]
*[[Speak, Memory: Part 1|#48]]
*[[Speak, Memory! (Part 2)|#49]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''More Than Meets The Eye'' Volume 10</div>
*[[More than Meets the Eye issue 50|#50]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|#51]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|#52]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|#53]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|#54]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|#55]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Windblade''</div>
*[[A 'Bot and Her City|#1]]
*[[A Long Way Down|#2]]
*[[Windblade issue 3|#3]]
*[[Windblade issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 6</div>
*[[Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|#28]]
*[[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|#29]]
*[[Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|#30]]
*[[Earthfall Chapter 4: Full Fathom Five|#31]]
*[[Earthfall Chapter 5: I Dream of Wires|#32]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Robots in Disguise'' Volume 7</div>
*[[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
*[[The Crucible|#34]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|#35]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|#36]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|#37]]
*[[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Combiner Wars''</div>
*[[First Contact (IDW)|Opening Salvo]]
*[[The Sum and Its Parts|Part 1]]
*[[The Possible Light|Part 2]]
*[[Mistakes and Mayhem|Part 3]]
*[[You, Me, and the Universe|Part 4]]
*[[All That Remains|Part 5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Windblade: Distant Stars''</div>
*[[Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|#4]]
*[[Race Against the Light|#5]]
*[[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|#6]]
*[[The Will of the Few|#7]]
*[[An Uneventful Night|"Combiner Hunters"]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''The Transformers'' Volume 8</div>
*[[Now and On Earth|#42]]
*[[South of Heaven|#43]]
*[[The Transgressors|#44]]
*[[The Nothing Man|#45]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''The Transformers'' Volume 9</div>
*[[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|#46]]
*[[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|#47]]
*[[Conquerors Part 3: Helden|#48]]
*[[Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|#49]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''The Transformers'' Volume 10</div>
*[[The Transformers issue 50|#50]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|#51]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|#52]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|#53]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|#54]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|#55]]

<br/><div class="list-header">Drift - Empire of Stone''</div>
*[[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 1|#1]]
*[[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 2|#2]]
*[[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 3|#3]]
*[[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 4|#4]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Redemption of the Dinobots''</div>
*[[City of Steel (issue)|''Punishment'' #1]]
*[[Fight or Flee (issue)|#2]]
*[[Quest for Fire|#3]]
*[[The Killing Jar (issue)|#4]]
*[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|#5]]
*[[The Transformers: Redemption|"Redemption"]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Sins of the Wreckers''</div>
* [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]]
* [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 2|#2]]
* [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|#3]]
* [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|#4]]
* [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|#5]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Till All Are One'' Volume 1</div>
*[[07:00:00|#1]]
*[[Applicable Skills|#2]]
*[[Things We Said We'd Never Do|#3]]
*[[The Line Between Us|#4]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Titans Return''</div>
*[[The Last Autobot|"Titans Return"]]
*[[White Light|''The Transformers'' #56]]
*[[White Heat|#57]]
*[[Ten to Midnight|''More than Meets the Eye'' #56]]
*[[Last Light (issue)|#57]]
}}

[[File:TAAO-V1.jpg|upright=1|thumb|right|The Till All Are one.]]
In [[2014]], after ''Dark Cybertron'', new writer [[Mairghread Scott]] (previously known for her work on ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'') was brought on board for ''[[The Transformers: Windblade]]''. This four-issue miniseries starred [[Windblade (G1)|a new female Autobot]], the result of Hasbro's "Fan-Built Bot" poll, and continued with intrigue on Cybertron. Meanwhile, the two ongoings continued apace, splitting back off in their own directions but sharing a common thread of flashbacks to the immediate aftermath of ''Dark Cybertron''. The story of ''Robots in Disguise'' transitioned to Earth, and [[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|shortly thereafter]] the series changed its name to "''The Transformers''" to prevent confusion with [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|a new animated series]] (and causing a great deal of confusion with [[The Transformers (IDW)|Mike Costa's ongoing series]]). ''More than Meets the Eye'' continued mostly without interruption through [[2015]] until [[The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|issue #55]]. [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] briefly departed the main cast in [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|issue #40]] to take part in the four-issue ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' miniseries (written, of course, by Shane McCarthy) and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] departed after [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue #43]] to participate in IDW's next big event—''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]''.

John Barber teamed up with Livio Ramondelli on "[[The Transformers: Punishment]]", a digital-first comic that would lead directly into this new event. ''Combiner Wars'' was told in alternating issues of ''The Transformers'' (starting with [[First Contact (IDW)|issue #39]]) and a renewed ''Windblade'' series (renumbered back to [[The Sum and Its Parts|#1]]). A "[[An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters]]" one shot was released, taking place between the first epilogue to the event (in [[Now and On Earth|''The Transformers'' #42]]) and the second (in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|''Windblade'' #4]]). As with ''Dark Cybertron'', these comics were packed in with various figures. Windblade's story continued for [[Race Against the Light|another]] [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|three]] [[The Will of the Few|issues]], creating a combined total of eleven issues across two miniseries.

''The Transformers'' plowed ahead, with three brief sidetracks:
*''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers]]'', Nick Roche's five-issue sequel to ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'', taking place between [[The Transgressors|issues #44]] [[The Nothing Man|and #45]];
*"[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]" containing three stories by Scott, Roberts and Barber taking place between issues #45 [[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|and #46]];
*"[[The Transformers: Redemption]]", Barber's sequel to "Punishment" taking place parallel to issues #46-[[Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|49]].

At their conclusion, the ongoings briefly converged for ''[[Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return]]''. This event consisted of [[The Last Autobot|a one-shot]] followed by a pair of stories told in ''The Transformers'' issues #[[White Light|56]]-[[White Heat|57]] and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #[[Ten to Midnight|56]]-[[Last Light (issue)|57]]. Around this time, Mairghread Scott got a fully-fledged ongoing of her own in the form of ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]''; the book suffered a highly delayed launch, and its events seem to begin after the events of ''Titans Return''.

===''Revolution'' and "Phase Three"===
[[File:Rev4 HasbroUniverse.jpg|upright=3.5|thumb|centre|The "tip out the toybox" one.]]
{{chapters|title="Season 3":|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''ROM'' Volume 1</div>
*{{i|Earthfall: Prelude|#0}}
*{{i|Earthfall: Part One|#1}}
*{{i|Earthfall: Part Two|#2}}
*{{i|Earthfall: Part Three|#3}}
*{{i|Earthfall: Part Four|#4}}

<br/><div class="list-header">''Micronauts'' Volume 1</div>
*{{i|Micronauts issue 1|#1}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 2|#2}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 3|#3}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 4|#4}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 5|#5}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 6|#6}}

<br/><div class="list-header">''Action Man''</div>
*{{i|To the Victors the Spoils|Prologue}}
*{{i|Absolute Beginners|#1}}
*{{i|England, Half English|#2}}
*{{i|Out of the Way|#3}}
*{{i|Mr Love and Justice|#4}}

<br/><div class="list-header">''Revolution''</div>
*[[Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|#0]]
*[[Concorde Hymn|#1]]
*[[The Divine Source of Liberty|#2]]
*[[O Ship of State|#3]]
*[[The New Colossus|#4]]
*[[Valley Forge|#5]]
<br><div class="list-header">''Revolution: Heroes''</div>
*''[[Field Test|ROM]]''
*''[[M.A.S.K.: Revolution|M.A.S.K.]]''
*''[[Micronauts: Revolution|Micronauts]]''
*''[[D.T.A.|G.I. Joe]]''
*''[[The Modern World|Action Man]]''
<br/><div class="list-header">''Revolution: Transformers''</div>
*[[Informed|''Till All Are One'']]
*[[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|''The Transformers'']]
*[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|''More than Meets the Eye'']]
*[[The Transformers Holiday Special|Holiday Special]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Lost Light'' Volume 1</div>
*[[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|#1]]
*[[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|#2]]
*[[Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|#3]]
*[[Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|#4]]
*[[Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|#5]]
*[[Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''ROM'' Volume 2</div>
*[[Reinforcements, Part 1|#5]]
*{{i|Reinforcements, Part 2|#6}}
*{{i|Reinforcements, Part 3|#7}}
*{{i|Reinforcements, Part 4|#8}}
*{{i|Reinforcements, Part 5|#9}}
*{{i|Cold Fire|Annual}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor''</div>
*[[Shining Armor issue 1|#1]]
*[[Shining Armor issue 2|#2]]
*[[Shining Armor issue 3|#3]]
*[[Shining Armor issue 4|#4]]
*[[Shining Armor issue 5|#5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Micronauts'' Volume 2</div>
*{{i|Micronauts issue 7|#7}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 8|#8}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 9|#9}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 10|#10}}
*{{i|Micronauts issue 11|#11}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Micronauts: Into the Microspace''</div>
*{{i|Micronauts Annual 2017|Annual}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Till All Are One'' Volume 2</div>
*[[Informed|Revolution]]
*[[Ping|#5]]
*[[Desperate Times|#6]]
*[[Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|#7]]
*[[Rubicon|#8]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''G.I. Joe'' Volume 1</div>
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 1|#1]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 2|#2]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 3|#3]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Revolutionaries'' Volume 1</div>
*[[Crisis Intervention|#1]]
*[[Enter The Shadow|#2]]
*[[The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb|#3]]
*[[The Iron Klaw|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''M.A.S.K.'' Volume 1</div>
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 1|#1}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 2|#2}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 3|#3}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 4|#4}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 5|#5}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Optimus Prime'' Volume 1</div>
*[[New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|#1]]
*[[New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|#2]]
*[[New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|#3]]
*[[New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|#4]]
*[[New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|#5]]
*[[New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|#6]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Redemption of the Dinobots''</div>
*"[[The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation]]"

<br/><div class="list-header">''Lost Light'' Volume 2</div>
*[[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|#7]]
*[[An Axe to Break the Ice|#8]]
*[[Chasing the Infinite|#9]]
*[[The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|#10]]
*[[The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|#11]]
*[[The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|#12]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''ROM'' Volume 3</div>
*{{i|Interlude|#10}}
*{{i|ROM issue 11|#11}}
*{{i|ROM issue 12|#12}}
*{{i|ROM issue 13|#13}}
*{{i|ROM issue 14|#14}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Micronauts: Wrath of Karza''</div>
*[[Wrath of Karza issue 1|#1]]
*[[Wrath of Karza issue 2|#2]]
*[[Wrath of Karza issue 3|#3]]
*[[Wrath of Karza issue 4|#4]]
*[[Wrath of Karza issue 5|#5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Till All Are One'' Volume 3</div>
*[[Heavy|#9]]
*[[The Price of You|#10]]
*[[If I Know You|#11]]
*[[Your First Mistake|#12]]
*[[The Chosen One|Annual]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''G.I. Joe'' Volume 2</div>
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 5|#5]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 6|#6]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 7|#7]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 8|#8]]
*[[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 9|#9]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Revolutionaries'' Volume 2</div>
*[[Strange Visitors|#5]]
*[[Power and Glory|#6]]
*[[When Eagles Scream|#7]]
*[[Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|#8]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''M.A.S.K.'' Volume 2</div>
*[[The Deathstone|Annual]]
*{{i|The Origin of V.E.N.O.M. Part 1|#6}}
*{{i|The Origin of V.E.N.O.M. Part 2|#7}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 8|#8}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 9|#9}}
*{{i|M.A.S.K. issue 10|#10}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Optimus Prime'' Volume 2</div>
*[[The Next Day, and the Next|#7]]
*[[What It's Really Like|#8]]
*[[Ghost Stories|Annual]]
*[[The Life of Sideswipe|#9]]
*[[Origin Myths|#10]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook''</div>
*[[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|#1]]
*[[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|#2]]
*[[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 3|#3]]

<br/><div class="list-header">''Transformers/G.I. JOE: First Strike''</div>
*[[First Strike issue 0|#0]]
*[[First Strike issue 1|#1]]
*[[First Strike issue 2|#2]]
*[[First Strike issue 3|#3]]
*[[First Strike issue 4|#4]]
*[[First Strike issue 5|#5]]
*[[First Strike issue 6|#6]]
*''[[The Origins of Evil]]''
<br/><div class="list-header">''Optimus Prime'' Volume 3</div>
*[[Unification Day: Dawn|''Optimus Prime: First Strike'']]
*[[Unification Day: Dusk|''The Transformers: First Strike'']]
*[[Primeless, Part 1|#11]]
*[[Primeless, Part 2|#12]]
*[[The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|#13]]
*[[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|#14]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Lost Light'' Volume 3</div>
*[[Sardines|#13]]
*[[The Ties That Bind (issue)|#14]]
*[[Kill All 'Cons|#15]]
*[[The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|#16]]
*[[The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|#17]]
*[[The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|#18]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Rom & The Micronauts''</div>
*''[[Micronauts: First Strike]]''
*''[[ROM: First Strike]]''
*{{i|Small World|#1}}
*{{i|Microspace Knight|#2}}
*{{i|Entropy|#3}}
*{{i|Asymmetric Warfare|#4}}
*{{i|Gods and Monsters|#5}}
<br/><div class="list-header">''Scarlett's Strike Force''</div>
*''[[G.I. Joe: First Strike]]''
*''[[M.A.S.K.: First Strike]]''
*[[Scarlett's Strike Force issue 1|#1]]
*[[Scarlett's Strike Force issue 2|#2]]
*[[Scarlett's Strike Force issue 3|#3]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Optimus Prime'' Volume 4</div>
*[[The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|#15]]
*[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|#16]]
*[[The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|#17]]
*[[The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|#18]]
*[[The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|#19]]
*[[The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|#20]]
*[[The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|#21]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Transformers vs. Visionaries''</div>
*[[Schismatic|#1]]
*[[Cybertron No More|#2]]
*[[Desperate Measures (Transformers vs. Visionaries)|#3]]
*[[Good Men|#4]]
*[[The Curtain|#5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''The Wreckers Saga''</div>
*''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers]]''
<br/><div class="list-header">''Lost Light'' Volume 4</div>
*[[Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|#19]]
*[[Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|#20]]
*[[Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|#21]]
*[[Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|#22]]
*[[Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|#23]]
*[[Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|#24]]
*[[How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2|#25]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Optimus Prime'' Volume 5</div>
*[[Unstopped and Unstoppable|#22]]
*[[Time Will Rust|#23]]
*[[A Sunrise Dark|#24]]
*[[Post|#25]]
*[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Annual 2018]]
<br/><div class="list-header">''Unicron''</div>
*[[Our Darkest|#0]]
*[[Last Stand (Unicron)|#1]]
*[[Stranger Eons|#2]]
*[[Our Finest|#3]]
*[[Road's End|#4]]
*[[Assembly (Unicron)|#5]]
*[[Ceremony|#6]]
}}

[[File:Revolution-TPB.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' one.]]
This was when things got reaaally crazy.

In [[2016]], IDW announced the "[[Hasbro Universe]]"—a new direction for the Transformers continuity that will slowly bring other Hasbro properties into the fold. The first steps in building this new shared universe came in the form of a new six-issue series for the ''{{i|Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts}}'', written by [[Cullen Bunn]], and later for ''{{i|ROM (comic)|ROM}}'' (issues #0-4 courtesy of [[Chris Ryall]] and [[Christos Gage]]) and ''{{i|Action Man (comic)|Action Man}}'' (a four-issue miniseries from John Barber). IDW's previous ''{{i|G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe}}'' comics were retroactively folded into the continuity, supposedly having taken place in the time since ''All Hail Megatron''. Barber and Bunn teamed up to set these properties on a collision course in ''[[Revolution]]'', the most ambitious [[crossover]] event in history.

IDW presented a checklist for the event at the back of each issue, but the publication order of the tie-ins didn't match the main series due to various delays and complications. For reference, a sequential ordering would be as follows:
*[[Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|''Revolution'' #0]]
*[[Concorde Hymn|''Revolution'' #1]]
*''[[Field Test|ROM: Revolution]]''
*''[[M.A.S.K.: Revolution]]'' (scheduled after #2, but introduces M.A.S.K. for their appearance there)
*[[The Divine Source of Liberty|''Revolution'' #2]]
*''[[Micronauts: Revolution]]''
*''[[Informed|Till All Are One: Revolution]]'' (scheduled before #4, but set between #2 and #3, building on the reveal from the ''Micronauts'' tie-in)
*[[O Ship of State|''Revolution'' #3]]
*''[[D.T.A.|G.I. Joe: Revolution]]''
*''[[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|The Transformers: Revolution]]''
*''[[The Modern World|Action Man: Revolution]]''
*[[The New Colossus|''Revolution'' #4]] (scheduled before the tie-ins for ''The Transformers'' and ''Action Man'', but takes place afterwards)
*[[Valley Forge|''Revolution'' #5]]
*''[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|More than Meets the Eye: Revolution]]'' (a standalone comedy issue not referenced by the main series, scheduled before #5)

After the publication of ''Revolution'', a non-canon three-issue spoof of the event was released: ''[[Aw Yeah Revolution!]]'' written by [[Art Baltazar]] in the style of his other comics. Originally solicited for five issues, the series was seemingly truncated down to three issues.

[[File:FirstStrike TPBcvr.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|left|The "go buy ''Visionaries''" one.]]
''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' continued to run from issues #5-12, while ''More than Meets the Eye'' was relaunched as ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]''. Roberts' story was still playing catch-up, chronologically speaking, but was so disconnected from everything else that it ran until issue #25 without really interacting with the rest of the Hasbro Universe. He found out that ''Lost Light'' was to be cancelled at issue #25 while writing issue #12, resulting in a great deal of reshuffling of plot threads from that point on. Scott's plans, however, were to be truncated even earlier, by IDW's next crossover.

''ROM'' continued until issue #14. A pair of flashback stories focused on the Space Knight were also released: {{i|Cold Fire|an annual}} and a five-issue ''[[Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor]]'' crossover miniseries. These stories are probably best read after issue #10, which included a similar flashback. ''Micronauts'' continued until issue #11, with {{i|Micronauts Annual 2017|an additional annual}} taking place between issues #9 and #10, before concluding in a five-issue miniseries titled ''[[Micronauts: Wrath of Karza]]''.

New [[G.I. Joe vol. 5|''G.I. Joe'']] and {{i|M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand|''M.A.S.K.''}} series were launched. [[Aubrey Sitterson]]'s ''G.I. Joe'' ran for nine issues; eschewing the "realistic" approaches of earlier authors, Sitterson's take on the premise was one that incorporated overt science-fiction and fantasy elements, including the surprise introduction of [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] as a supporting character. Meanwhile, {{i|Brandon Easton}}'s ''M.A.S.K.'' ran for ten issues. [[The Deathstone|An ''M.A.S.K.'' annual]] by the co-writer of IDW's next event saw them team up with the ''G.I. Joe'' cast, but various inconsistencies with Easton's timeline make placing it chronologically a little tricky (the collected editions just put it between issues #5 and #6).

''The Transformers'' was relaunched as ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]''. [[Ghost Stories|An annual]] was published under a generic ''Transformers'' label, taking place between issues #8 and #9. John Barber also released "[[The Transformers: Salvation]]", the final part of his ''Redemption of the Dinobots'' trilogy (the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s would later show up in issue #13). At the same time, Barber also wrote the eight-issue team book ''[[Revolutionaries]]'', which continued plot threads from ''The Transformers'', ''Action Man'', and ''Revolution'' while featuring frequent guest-stars from the other series. After issue #10 of ''Optimus Prime'', IDW's next crossover began.

Three issues of the [[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook]] profile series were released—in addition to profiles on various characters in the universe, each issue included a four-page comic story. [[2017]]'s ''[[First Strike]]'' event, written by Mairghread Scott and David A. Rodriguez, brought the Transformers and G.I. Joe together in a six-issue miniseries. A series of backup strips titled ''[[The Origins of Evil]]'' ran alongside the event. Meanwhile, four loosely-connected two-part tie-in stories were published for other series, taking place concurrently with the crossover without directly factoring into its events:
*''Optimus Prime'' #11-12
*''[[Unification Day: Dawn|Optimus Prime: First Strike]]'' & ''[[Unification Day: Dusk|Transformers: First Strike]]''
*''[[G.I. Joe: First Strike]]'' & ''[[M.A.S.K.: First Strike]]''
*''[[Micronauts: First Strike]]'' & ''[[ROM: First Strike]]''
[[File:Unicron-Bcovers-JamesRaiz.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The Unicron-eats-every-one.]]

Following the event, the non-''Transformers'' books were relaunched as ''{{i|Rom & The Micronauts}}'' by Gage and ''[[Scarlett's Strike Force]]'' by Sitterson. Sitterson's story was cancelled prematurely, ending on a cliffhanger in issue #3, with the script to issue #4 and outlines to the rest of the series later being released on his Patreon. Gage fared a little better, releasing the planned five issues of the miniseries.

Another ''Optimus Prime'' two-parter, #13 and #14's "The Dead Come Home", picked up where the event left off. Scott returned one final time to tie up her dangling plot threads in a ''Till All Are One'' annual; Barber wrote another annual set roughly concurrently with hers and leading into his next six-issue arc, "The Falling". The five-issue ''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' miniseries introduced another old Hasbro property to the universe, and Roche returned in its immediate aftermath for ''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers]]'', the final part of his ''Wreckers Saga''.

The 2005 IDW continuity finally drew to a close in [[2018]] with Barber's six-issue ''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' crossover. An additional issue #0 was released a little out-of sequence for [[Free Comic Book Day]]; the events of ''Optimus Prime'' #22, released three months later, bookend those of that issue and are intended to be read afterwards. To check in on the Hasbro Universe at large, a series of four-page back-up strips (mostly by those books' creative teams) were printed alongside the event.

Following the continuity's conclusion, IDW published a chronological prose recap of the entire story in the form of ''[[Transformers: Historia]]''. In [[2020]], quite unexpectedly, Chris Ryall returned for the three-issue ''{{i|Rom: Dire Wraiths}}'' flashback miniseries, set in the Hasbro Universe.

A [[Transformers (2019 comic)|new series]] set in [[2019 IDW continuity|a fully-rebooted continuity]] began in [[2019]].
{{-}}

==Collected editions==
[[File:IDWCollection1.jpg|upright=1|thumb|right|The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume one.]]
Every single comic published as part of the 2005 IDW continuity, bar one (see below), has been collected in at least one trade paperback. Each trade paperback typically collects four to six issues, usually forming one or more complete arcs.

Since 2010 IDW has also been collecting stories in hardback with ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection]]'', which presents stories in a "suggested reading order" that ultimately leaves much to be desired. Phase One was collected across eight volumes, the first two of which were also collected together in [[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Compendium, Vol. 1|a paperback compendium]]. Phase Two's collections are still being released at a glacial pace, with a reading order that haphazardly jumps back and forth between the two ongoings. Still, these collections remain the only way of getting many of the older series new in print.

If you live in the UK, [[Hachette]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]'' is similarly attempting to print every story in hardback along with previous [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] series. The reading order presented in this partwork, however, is every bit as baffling as that of ''The IDW Collection'' and is further complicated by the fact that individual volumes are ''themselves'' being released out of order in order to keep people subscribed for the full duration of the run.

''Requiem of the Wreckers'' was only collected as part of a larger trade paperback—''[[Transformers: The Wreckers Saga]]'', containing over ten issues that had already seen release in prior collections. It was later released in Vol. 80 of the aforementioned ''Definitive G1 Collection''.

A similar situation would have occurred for {{i|Micronauts Annual 2017|the 2017 ''Micronauts'' annual}}, which would have been collected as part of ''{{i|Micronauts: Into the Microspace}}''. Unfortunately, the trade was cancelled, leaving this annual as the only comic of this continuity '''not''' to have been collected in a trade.

==Timeline==
''See main article: [[2005 IDW timeline]].''
{{note|As information about the IDW universe was slowly revealed in non-chronological order, this timeline is intended mainly as a reference for people who are already familiar with it.}}

==Artists==
{{Creatorstub|accurate information on more artists and colourists. Notable missing include [[Livio Ramondelli]], [[Joana Lafuente]], [[Priscilla Tramontano]], [[Marcelo Matere]], [[Josh Perez]], [[Rob Ruffolo]]}}
Many artists contributed to the IDW continuity across its thirteen-year run.

===Line art===
[[File:Infiltration EJ covers.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The "{{w|Ultimate Marvel}}" one.]]
*[[Alex Milne]] illustrated a whopping 1407 pages. He was the main artist of ''Megatron Origin'', ''The Transformers: Drift'', ''More than Meets the Eye'', ''Rom vs. Transformers'', and ''Transformers: Unicron''. In addition, he worked on ''Spotlight: Arcee'', several issues of the 2009 ''Transformers'' series, an issue of ''Optimus Prime'' and an issue of ''Lost Light''.
*[[Andrew Griffith]] worked on 1020 pages, most notably as the main artist of ''Robots in Disguise'', but also contributing to many others, such as a coda story in ''All Hail Megatron'', inking 2 issues of ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'', the full series of ''Micronauts: Wrath of Karza'' (with [[Ron Joseph]]), 3 pages of ''Lost Light'', one issue ''Optimus Prime'', 4 pages of the Annual 2018, 7 pages of issue 24, and 7 pages of the sixth issue of ''Transformers: Unicron''.
*[[Guido Guidi]] illustrated 722 pages for ''Hearts of Steel'', ''Infestation 2'', ''All Hail Megatron'', ''Spotlight: Galvatron'', ''Spotlight: Mirage'', ''Drift - Empire of Stone'', ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'', ''The Transformers'', ''More than Meets the Eye'', ''Robots in Disguise'', ''Revolutionaries'', and ''Optimus Prime: First Strike''.
*[[Nick Roche]] illustrated 603 pages, including ''Spotlight'' issues for Shockwave, Hot Rod, Kup, Hardhead, and Megatron along with ''Infestation'' and ''The Death of Optimus Prime''. He was the main artist on ''Maximum Dinobots'', and also contributed to ''Devastation'', the ''All Hail Megatron'' Coda, ''The Transformers'', and ''More than Meets the Eye''. He was the creative force behind IDW's ''Wreckers'' stories.
*[[E. J. Su]] illustrated 511 pages. He was the main artist for ''Infiltration'', ''Escalation'', ''Devastation'', and ''Revelation'', in which he redesigned many G1 characters with a sense of realism and updated, modern alternate modes, while still being relatively faithful to the originals. He also illustrated ''Spotlight: Jazz'', ''Spotlight: Prowl'', the flashback sequences in ''All Hail Megatron'' #7, and ''The Transformers'' #7. Years later, he would return to the IDW comics for the final arc of ''Lost Light''.
[[File:Earthworks menasor vs autobots.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|The "[[:File:IDWongoing1 dons new style.jpg|Oh Primus, Rodimus, what happened to your face?]]" one.]]
*[[Jack Lawrence]] created 320 pages over 16 issues of ''Lost Light''.
*[[Don Figueroa]] illustrated 297 pages including the entirety of ''Stormbringer'' and ''Spotlight: Optimus Prime''. He also contributed [[All Hail Megatron issue 13#"Old Ways"|a story]] to the ''All Hail Megatron'' Coda. For the 2009 ongoing series, to which he contributed eight issues, Don brought an entirely new (and controversial) aesthetic, with detailed and complex designs that were evocative of those used in [[Live-action film series|the live-action film series]]. He was also responsible for designing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s stealth bomber form.
*[[Brendan Cahill]] illustrated 270 pages including the entirety of the "Police Action" storyline in ''The Transformers'' and several contributions to ''Robots in Disguise'', ''More than Meets the Eye'', ''Lost Light'', and ''Requiem of the Wreckers''.
*[[Kei Zama]] illustrated 246 pages as she was the main artist of ''Optimus Prime'', as well as contributing 9 pages to the sixth issue of ''Unicron''.
*[[Casey Coller]] illustrated 205 pages, including ''Spotlight: Blurr'', ''Spotlight: Drift'', the entirety of ''Ironhide'', and a couple of contributions to ''All Hail Megatron'', ''The Transformers'' and Barber's various ongoings. He regularly provided variant covers.
*[[Saren Stone]] created 132 pages for ''Windblade'' and ''Robots in Disguise''.
*[[Ulises Farinas]] created 89 pages for ''Heart of Darkness''. He was clearly unfamiliar with Transformers and his artwork did no favors for the already-disjointed writing, resulting in perhaps the most-reviled miniseries in IDW ''Transformers'' history.
*[[Emiliano Santalucia]] illustrated 52 pages across ''Spotlight: Blaster'' and ''All Hail'' Megatron #9, #10, and #14.
*[[James Raiz]] illustrated 41 pages—a few for ''Maximum Dinobots'', and the entirety of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #22.
*[[Jimbo Salgado]] and [[Emil Cabaltierra]] contributed 37 pages total in the ''More than Meets the Eye'' Annual.
*[[Robert Deas]] illustrated 14 pages of ''All Hail Megatron'' #9.
*[[Marcelo Ferreira]] pencilled 6 pages of the last issue of ''Drift - Empire of Stone''.

===Colors===
* [[Josh Burcham]] colored an amazing 2029 pages. He started almost at the beginning with ''Infiltration'' #1, the full ''Stormbringer'' arc, 5 ''Spotlights'' and 2 issues of ''Devastation''. He colored the main set of ''All Hail Megatron'' plus an issue and a half of the coda, 2 issues of ''Maximum Dinobots'' and all issues of ''Last Stand of the Wreckers''. Into "Phase 2", he worked on ''The Death of Optimus Prime'', 23 issues of ''More than Meets the Eye'', "The Thirteenth Day of Christmas" (art and colors), the full ''Sins of the Wreckers'' series, 6 issues of ''The Transformers'' Vol. 2, and work on ''More than Meets the Eye: Revolution''. Finally he colored 21 issues of ''Optimus Prime'', its Annual and the ''Requiem of the Wreckers'' one-shot.

==Toyline==
Although IDW's stories were never really intended to promote any particular toyline being produced by Hasbro, over the years there were many instances of Hasbro looking to IDW's character designs for inspiration, or vice versa! The following list can be broadly split into the following categories:
*Toys in '''bold''' are directly inspired in some part by their appearance in the comics.
*Toys which are <u>underlined</u> share a "common ancestor" with an IDW design, usually in the form of a particular piece of concept art.
*The rest were either directly used for reference by IDW's artists, or specifically requested by Hasbro for inclusion in the comics.

===''Stormbringer''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Classics|''Classics'' Jetfire]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Scoop (G1)#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' Scoop]]''' (head only, later used in ''Dark Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Spotlight''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Classics|''Classics'' Ramjet]] (''Spotlight: Ramjet'')}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Galvatron]]''' (''Spotlight: Galvatron'')}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#T30Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' Orion Pax]]''' (''Spotlight: Blurr'')}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#T30Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' Thundercracker]] (''Spotlight: Thundercracker'')}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Landmine (Energon)#Energon|''Energon'' Landmine]] (''Spotlight: Trailcutter'', artist error)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hoist (G1)/toys#T30Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' Hoist]] (non-canonical)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Megatron Origin''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Ratbat (G1)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Ratbat]]''' (head only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Generations|''Titans Return'' Sentinel Prime]]''' (loose inspiration only, later used in ''Titans Return'')}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Devastation''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Jhiaxus (G2)#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' Jhiaxus]]''' (sculpt only, colors/head later used in ''Dark Cybertron'')}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''All Hail Megatron''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#MasterpieceUS|''Masterpiece'' Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Thundercracker]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Skywarp]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thrust (G1)/toys#Gentei! Gentei!|''Gentei! Gentei!'' Thrust]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Classics|''Classics'' Astrotrain]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Octane#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Tankor]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dropshot (G1)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Dropshot]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Scourge]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hound (G1)/toys#Univ2008Dx|''Universe'' Hound]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Sideswipe]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Sunstreaker]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Prowl]]}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|''Reveal the Shield'' Perceptor]]''' (details only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Drift (G1)#Generations|''Generations'' Drift]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Blurr (G1)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Blurr]]''' (head only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Kup (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Kup]]''' (later used in ''Revolutionaries'')}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Perceptor]]'''}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TFU08-toy Dropshot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Universe'' Dropshot put in a surprise appearance in ''All Hail Megatron''.]]
|}

===''The Transformers''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Silverbolt]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Silverstreak]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Smokescreen]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Drag Strip]] (loose inspiration only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Windcharger (G1)#Transformers (2010)|''Reveal the Shield'' Windcharger]]}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Legends Optimus Prime]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#T30Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' Deluxe Bumblebee]]'''}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Megatron (G1)/toys#T30Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' Deluxe Megatron]]'''}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Sunstorm (G1)#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Sunstorm]]</u> (sculpt only)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Acid Storm (G1)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Acid Storm]] (deco only) / <u>[[Acid Storm (G1)#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Acid Storm]]</u> (sculpt only)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Legends Megatron]]'''}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Legends Starscream]]''' / '''[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Starscream]]'''}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Skywarp]]''' (Legends/Leader)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Thundercracker]]''' (Legends/Leader)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Generations Leader TC.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Guido Guidi's updated version of E.J. Su's Seeker design was the basis for several toys.]]
|}

===''Last Stand of the Wreckers''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Guzzle (DOTM)#Dark of the Moon|''Dark of the Moon'' Guzzle]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Springer (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Springer]]'''}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Impactor (Prime)#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Impactor]]''' (head only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Impactor (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Timelines'' Impactor]]''' (head only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Impactor (G1)#AmazonFanVote3Pack|''Siege'' Decepticon Impactor]]''' (head only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Drift''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Drift (G1)#Legends|''Legends'' Deadlock]]''' (deco only)}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Lockdown (ROTF)#Revenge of the Fallen|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Lockdown]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''The Death of Optimus Prime''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Timelines|''Timelines'' Sideswipe]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''More than Meets the Eye / Lost Light''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Swerve (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Swerve]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Tailgate (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Tailgate]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Trailcutter]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Brainstorm (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Brainstorm]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Brainstorm (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Titan Force Brainstorm]]''' (head and deco only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Whirl (G1)#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' Whirl]]''' (loose inspiration only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Skids (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Skids]]'''}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Gears (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Gears]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Sandstorm (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Sandstorm]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet (WFC)/toys#Robots in Disguise|''Prime'' Ratchet]] (vehicle mode only, artist error)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Drift (G1)#Adventure|''Adventure'' Drift]]''' (head only)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Blades]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rook (CW)#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Rook]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Defensor]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Windcharger (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Windcharger]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Ultra Magnus / Minimus Ambus]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Chromedome (G1)#Timelines|''Timelines'' Chromedome]]''' (head only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Rewind (G1)#Timelines|''Timelines'' Rewind]]''' (head only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Chromedome (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Chromedome]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Rewind (G1)#Generations|''Titans Return'' Rewind]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Getaway#Generations|''Titans Return'' Breakaway]]''' (head only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Cerebros (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Cerebros]] (robot mode only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Roller (IDW)#Unite Warriors 2|''Unite Warriors'' Wandering Roller]]''' (deco only)}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Rung (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' Rung]]'''}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Black Shadow (G1)#Generations|''Generations'' Sky Shadow]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Vehicon (Prime)#Toys|''Prime'' Vehicon]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Vehicon (Prime)#Toys|''Prime'' Air Vehicon]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Insecticon (WFC)#Prime|''Prime'' Insecticon]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:TF-Generations-WFC-E-Battle-Master-Rung.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Rung finally made the jump to toy form in the ''Siege'' line, as a [[Battle Master]].]]
|}

===''Robots in Disguise''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Rumble (G1)/toys#United|''United'' Rumble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Frenzy (G1)/toys#United|''United'' Frenzy]]}}
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Starscream (WFC)#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' Starscream]]</u>}}
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Shockwave (WFC)#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' Shockwave]]</u>}}
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Soundwave (WFC)/toys#War for Cybertron|''War for Cybertron'' Cybertronian Soundwave]]</u> / <u>[[Soundwave (WFC)/toys#Fall of Cybertron|''Fall of Cybertron'' Soundwave]]</u>}}
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Laserbeak (WFC)#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Laserbeak]]</u>}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Onslaught (WFC)#Retail|''Fall of Cybertron'' Onslaught]]</u>}}
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Brawl (WFC)#Retail|''Fall of Cybertron'' Brawl]]</u>}}
{{Bp-d1|<u>[[Blast Off (FOC)#Retail|''Fall of Cybertron'' Blast Off]]</u>}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Skywarp]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (G2)#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' Dreadwing]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Blitzwing]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Warpath (G1)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Warpath]]}}
{{Bp-a1|<u>[[Jazz (WFC)#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Jazz]]</u>}}
{{Bp-a1|<u>[[Sideswipe (WFC)#Generations|''Fall of Cybertron'' Sideswipe]]</u>}}
{{Bp-a1|<u>[[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#War for Cybertron|''War for Cybertron'' Cybertronian Bumblebee]]</u> / '''[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Legends Bumblebee]]'''}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldfire|''Thrilling 30'' Goldfire]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Waspinator (BW)/toys#T30Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' Waspinator]]}}
{{Bp-m1|[[Rhinox (BW)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Rhinox]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Rattrap]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Alpha Bravo#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Alpha Bravo]]}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Arcee (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Arcee]]''' (head only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Generationstoy-BumblebeeBlazemaster.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Andrew Griffith's version of Bumblebee's ''War for Cybertron'' design served as the basis of his ''Thrilling 30'' toy.]]
|}

===''Autocracy Trilogy''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Heavy Load (Universe)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Heavy Load]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Hailstorm (TF 2010)#Transformers (2010)|''Hunt for the Decepticons'' Hailstorm]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Lugnut (TF 2010)#Transformers (2010)|''Reveal the Shield'' Lugnut]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Bulkhead (Prime)/toys|<u>''Prime'' Bulkhead</u>]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Dark Cybertron''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' ''Armada'' Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Mini-Con Assault Team#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' Mini-Con Assault Team]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Tankor (BM)#Generations|''Thrilling 30'' Tankor]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Nautica (G1)#Toys|''Titans Return'' Nautica]]''' (head/turbines only)}}
{{Bp-a1|<u>[[Windblade (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Windblade]]</u>}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Windblade (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Windblade]]'''}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Chromia (G1)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Chromia]]}}
{{Bp-a1|<u>[[Arcee (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Arcee]]</u>}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Crosscut (Autobot)#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Crosscut]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetfire (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Thrilling 30'' Jetfire]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Windblade''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Rippersnapper (Prime)#Prime|''Prime'' Rippersnapper]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Windrazor (Prime)#Cyberverse|''Prime'' Windrazor]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Twinstrike (Prime)#Cyberverse|''Prime'' Twinstrike]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Combiner Wars''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Motormaster]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dead End (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Dead End]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Breakdown (G1)#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Breakdown]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Drag Strip]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Offroad (CW)#Generations|''Combiner Wars'' Offroad]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackjack (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Blackjack]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Air Raid]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Skydive]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Firefly]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Silverbolt]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Hot Spot]] (artist error)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Optimus Prime]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Combiner Hunters''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Arcee (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Combiner Hunters Arcee]] (sculpt non-canonical)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Windblade (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Combiner Hunters Windblade]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Chromia (G1)#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Combiner Hunters Chromia]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Till All Are One''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Onslaught]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Swindle]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Blast Off]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Vortex]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Brawl]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Titans Return''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Infinitus#Generations|''Titans Return'' Infinitus]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Sovereign#Generations|''Titans Return'' Sovereign]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Optimus Prime''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Seaspray (G1)#Generations|''Titans Return'' Seaspray]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Beachcomber (G1)#Generations|''Power of the Primes'' Beachcomber]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Transformers vs. Visionaries''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Quickswitch#Generations|''Titans Return'' Quickswitch]] (robot mode only)}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Thrustinator|''Timelines'' Thrustinator]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Requiem of the Wreckers''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Smolder (PCC)#Power Core Combiners|''Power Core Combiners'' Smolder]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Steamhammer (PCC)#Power Core Combiners|''Power Core Combiners'' Steamhammer]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

===''Unicron''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Broadside (Classics)#Classics 2|''Classics'' Broadside]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Sledge (Classics)#Classics 2|''Classics'' Sledge]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Wideload (Classics)#Classics 2|''Classics'' Wideload]]}}
</ul>
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

{{toystub|Flame Toys, Evergreen, and perhaps even 3P? ''Siege'' Chromia has roots in IDW as mentioned by John Warden}}

==Notes==
[[File:Spotlight Octane unused.jpg|upright=0.66|thumb|right|The [[Octane#TitansReturn|Oct-one]].]]
*The IDW continuity overtook the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics US continuity]] in terms of raw issue count with issue #6 of the 2009 ongoing series. [[Primus]] only knows how many more issues there are now.
*When IDW first picked up the ''Transformers'' license, Simon Furman pitched a story that would have tied in to his idea for a ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' ongoing comic, and would possibly have been in continuity with the [[Dreamwave Productions]] comics. The G1 story would have begun with the destruction of Cybertron and the discovery that the destruction of [[Unicron]] in the [[universal stream|Aurex cluster]] had destabilized the entire [[omniverse]]. To save all of existence, the Autobots would have travelled across the galaxy attempting to reassemble an artifact called the 'Decepticon Matrix', which would have resurrected Unicron. This plot parallels that of ''Cybertron'', in which the Autobots seek out the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to revive [[Primus]]. [[Vector Prime]] would have appeared in both series, travelling between universes to guide both groups of Autobots in their quest. 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>
*A couple of other ultimately-unused pitches are known to the public:
**In [[2007]], [[Nick Roche]] and [[James Roberts]] pitched an [[Octane]]-based issue of ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight]]'' to IDW.<ref>[https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/737318150660886529 Nick Roche on Twitter]</ref> Some of the concepts from the pitch were later used in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''.<ref>[https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/737321240428486656 Nick Roche on Twitter]</ref>
**Roche also pitched a ''Spotlight: Rumble''. The only available information is a sequence that would have seen [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]] tailing [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], when he was on "a weapons grade pub-crawl".<ref>Sins of the Wreckers TPB - "Noisemaze Logic"</ref>
**A four-issue miniseries titled ''[[Legacy of Rust]]'' was planned at some point, starring [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] and [[Jimmy Pink]].<ref>http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=15437</ref> It was announced as being in development by [[Andy Schmidt]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con|San Diego Comic-Con 2010]],<ref>http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27527</ref> and brought up again at [[BotCon 2011]].<ref>http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-idw-publishing-chaos-begins-panel/15843/news.html</ref> All four issues were written by [[Stuart Moore]],<ref>http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2015/02/27/windblade-returns-in-transformers-combiner-wars/</ref> but the title was delayed<ref>http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=15437</ref> until changes in the IDW universe meant that it could no longer be released without significant rewrites to fit the new status quo.
*In a couple of cases, in-canon material by writers on the continuity has been published in an unofficial capacity online:
**After the release of ''[[Spotlight: Cyclonus]]'', Nick Roche posted [http://web.archive.org/web/20100104064123/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=77231 a one-page joke comic] finishing a dropped plot thread.
**Later, Josh Burcham illustrated [https://dcjosh.tumblr.com/post/107665292031/its-done-the-mtmte-22-deleted-scene-in-all-its a short deleted scene] by James Roberts, originally written for ''More than Meets the Eye'' #22 but cut for space.
*It was originally unclear whether {{i|Kelly Thompson}}'s ''{{i|Jem and the Holograms (comic)|Jem and the Holograms}}'' comics were part of the Hasbro Universe or not. Some version of the band was shown to exist there, but later information meant that events in that series were incompatible with those that took place in the Hasbro Universe at large.
*{{i|Paul Allor}}'s ''{{i|Clue (comic)|Clue}}'' miniseries was in a similar situation, as its story gave no indication that it was taking place in the Hasbro Universe. However, the [[Hasbro Tribune]] was printed in the back of the first issue, and [[Sarah Gaydos]] later "officially confirmed" that it was indeed part of the continuity, so... we ''guess'' it's canon?<ref>[https://twitter.com/PaulAllor/status/969761848399548417 Paul Allor on Twitter]</ref>
*''[[Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase]]'' was released in the aftermath of the continuity, featuring an autobiographical comic by Mairghread Scott and some short strips focusing on Hasbro Universe characters (but generally not set in the canon).

==External links==
*[https://tfwikicommunity.wordpress.com/reading-guides/idw/ IDW Reading Guide] at the TFWiki community blog

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:IDW (2005)| ]]

IP infringement

2021-09-21T20:12:30Z

Repowers:

{{move|IP infringement|Suggestion for a more professional term with less inherently-negative connotations}}
{{disambig2|unlicensed toys based on ''Transformers''|third parties that produce actual ''Transformers'' products under license|Third party}}
[[File:01-Studio Headless Unicron.jpg|thumb|200px|"You underestimate me, Hasbro."]]
The many and varied facets of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] are the intellectual property (IP) of [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]], and their ownership of these ideas and designs is [[Copyright|protected by law]]. Alas, some rascally elements have, over the years, decided they'd like a slice of that pie, which has led to the creation of what have been described as '''IP infringing items''' by employees of former Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]].

{{bigquote|Theft of IP like this is staggering, develop your own characters and designs!|[[Aaron Archer]], former [[Hasbro]] employee<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170510214929/https://aaron-archer-art.tumblr.com/post/88471654165/aeonmagnus-fans-toys-ft-03-scoria-gallery Aaron Archer on Tumblr]</ref><ref>Archer would later do design work for a not-[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] figure for an abortive Kickstarter project. TFWiki.net leaves you to make of this what you will.</ref>}}

==Kinds of IP theft==
Technically, any use of Hasbro and Takara's ''Transformers'' names, characters, and concepts without obtaining a license could be considered IP theft. Things such as fan art and fan fiction, however, are rarely considered problematic, being as they are not intended to generate profit or are otherwise one-off works. In fact, in the past Hasbro has laid out guidelines to fan-artists and similar creators wishing to make and sell art and crafts based on ''Transformers'', which basically boiled down to being careful how one "branded" it (or, in practice, ''didn't'' brand it by just avoiding the use of brand names and some minor semantics).

When things get dicey —and the license-holders get tetchy— is when IP theft occurs on a grander, and more organised scale.

===Knockoffs===
[[File:DOTM.MIRAGEKO.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Automatons in Concealment]]
{{main|Knockoff}}
In the context of ''Transformers'', [[knockoff]] is often used to describe both low-budget/quality toys, the kind of off-color, oversized/undersized thing that one might come across in a "dollar store" cranked out by the bajillions from China, and higher-quality toys that actually attempt to pass themselves off as genuine Hasbro or Takara products. Knockoffs that are direct replicas of existing Hasbro toys are very obviously the result of theft – in that case, it is the precise design and engineering for the toy that has been stolen. However, it is not unheard of for manufacturers to create their own cheap toys in the image of ''Transformers'' characters, and these still constitute IP theft – Optimus Prime the Character is as much Hasbro's property as Optimus Prime the Specific Toy.

Conversely, a toy that copies the engineering (i.e. [[transformation]]) of an existing Hasbro/Takara product but is changed enough as to not resemble an existing character protected by copyright might not necessarily constitute IP theft: Functionality is protected by patents, and patent protection legally expires after 20 years. This is why you occasionally see off-brand toys that work just like the [[Jumpstarter]]s but look nothing like [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] or [[Twin Twist]].
{{--}}

==="Third party" toys===
[[File:MechaformNotJetfire.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|I Can't Believe It's Not Jetfire!]]
In the late 2000s, spurred on by the ''Transformers'' nostalgia boom invoked by the [[live-action film series]], a new phenomenon arose—unlicensed products based on ''Transformers'' aimed at the adult collector market. The very earliest examples of this kind of product were accessories and then "upgrades" for existing Hasbro toys, such as a trailer/armor set for ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], but the market quickly grew to include standalone action figures based on ''Transformers'' characters. The number of groups producing these figures has ballooned rapidly, to the point that two or even three separate companies will be simultaneously releasing toys of the same characters. Popular market trends have included [[combiner]]s and, more recently, faux-''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figures.

The [[fandom]]'s generally recognized name for these kinds of figures is "third party Transformers", although this is ultimately a misnomer for the plain reason that they are not actual ''Transformers'' products. (This terminology makes more sense in light of their history, as the initial accessories, add-ons and "upgrade" kits can still somewhat be considered "third party" products, and the term, once established among the fandom, was simply never adjusted when standalone figures became the main focus of such offerings.) Obviously, these should not be confused with the actual [[Third party|third parties]] who produce ''Transformers'' merchandise under license from Hasbro or Takara. In (very half-hearted) attempts to dissuade the notion that they are pinching ''Transformers'' characters, "third party" toy manufacturers typically avoid using [[Insignia|faction symbols]] (although sometimes including molded spaces for the buyer to apply their own), and give their figures alternative names that attempt to capture the sound and/or spirit of the [[trademark]]ed originals, with varying degrees of bizarreness. A toy intended to look like [[Starscream (disambiguation)|Starscream]] might, for example, wind up named "Stellaryell". Initially, fans would often avoid confusion by referring to these figures as "not" versions of the characters they were based on (for example, "Not-Starscream"), though as the market has grown that terminology has been mostly abandoned since there's liable to be multiple different Not-Starscreams.

After many years of these products, name overlaps are bound to happen; for example, different companies have figures alternatively based on [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] that are both named "Rager". Even more hilariously (though not really surprising), there are even ''knockoffs'' of "third party" toys! Let's see ''them'' duke out their IP conflicts in court.

Desire for those toys arises for various reasons—wanting a toy of a toyless character, wanting a collection with consistent scale, desiring different visuals (be it show-accuracy or more unique takes on characters), or simply believing them to be higher-quality than the official releases are among those reasons.

For reasons that should, again, be obvious, TFWiki considers "third party" toys unrelated to its goal of documenting the ''Transformers'' brand, beyond examples where they have influenced official product.

====Types of "third party" toys====
Note: The following terms are descriptors rather than actual official terms since, well, they're clearly not official products.

* Accessories: these are generally items that are designed to interact with official product, but involve no modification to said official product. These are most often weapons (e.g. the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] and [[Dark Star Saber]] from ''Transformers: Prime''), but may also include [[:Category:MacGuffins|MacGuffins]] like the [[AllSpark Matrix]] or even characters like notable humans such as [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] and [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]].
* Add-ons: these are items that are designed to interact with official product and modify their appearance. However, said modification takes advantage of preexisting tabs, slots, posts and so on, thus requiring no actual modification of the official product. An example would be panels designed to fill in the gaps in the thighs of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Powermaster Optimus Prime]], which slot in snugly into the gaps.
* Upgrade kits: these are items designed to interact with official product and modify their appearance, but require some sort of actual modification to the official product. This can be as simple as popping off and swapping a limb on ball joints, to more comprehensive modifications like partial disassembly and replacing of parts. A kit that allows someone to switch the head of ''Classics'' Bumblebee to create a ''Classics''-styled Goldbug or giving ''G1'' Ironhide and Ratchet actual heads would be an example of this.
* Full figures: as mentioned above, these are generally what is meant when references are made to "third party Transformers". These are standalone fully transformable figures clearly based on and meant to evoke actual Transformers characters. One of the earliest and most (in)famous examples was a triple-changing Not-Springer which became wildly popular because official Springer toys of that time transformed into either a land vehicle or an air vehicle, but not both. These types of products are arguably the most problematic, as they may actually cause lost sales for an official figure. Add-ons and upgrade kits, in contrast, may actually encourage collectors to purchase the official products they are meant to complement.

Again, these are descriptors, partially because there is a lot of overlap. For example, would a replacement head for a reissue G1 Bruticus that comes with light up LED eyes be considered an upgrade kit (since it replaces the original head) or an add-on (since it makes use of the post hole already intended for the original head)? Would hands and feet for a ''Combiner Wars'' Combiner that also transform into weapons for the component bots fall under accessories (as they're weapons) or upgrade kits (since they replace the original hands and feet) or add-ons (since they slot into preexisting ports)? And what about stickers that can change, for example, [[Prowl (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' Prowl]] into an approximation of an [[Autotrooper (disambiguation)|Autotrooper]]? In fact, a lot of what created the demand for figures in the first place was that grey area. The first widely-successful "third-party" figures were technically an upgrade kit for [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)|Bruticus Maximus]], which were "fixing" the problem of the set having only two limb molds by adding two additional Basic-sized figures to the mix.
{{--}}

===Doujinshi===
Generally understood to mean fan-comics, doujinshi (同人誌) are a uniquely Japanese occurrence. Japan has a very healthy culture of fan groups who make their own manga, many of them starring original characters but a huge portion starring characters owned by companies (for a ''Transformers'' example, imagine a gag manga where [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] is portrayed as a little child and being raised by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons to be the mighty [[Emperor of Destruction]] he is in [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|''Transformers Victory'']]. Hijinks ensue). This would of course never fly in a litigious society like the US, but in Japan doujinshi exist in a strange gray area.<ref>[https://www.tofugu.com/japan/doujinshi-definition/ A page explaining doujinshi and why they're tolerated in Japan]</ref>

Basically, the difference between what would be understood as a fan-comic in the West and a doujinshi in Japan is that in the West (especially the US) while a company might turn a blind eye to someone making fan-comics for fun (e.g. on a site like DeviantArt), they would come down on them if they tried to put those same fan comics up for sale. [[Hasbro]] might allow (or at least ignore) people selling fanart and fan-comics at a proper ''Transformers'' convention like [[BotCon]], but might be much less forgiving if those same people tried to sell those items at, say, a general science fiction convention. Meanwhile in Japan, there are various conventions where doujinshi are actually the key focus, such as the famous Comiket. A ''Transformers'' doujinshi might be sold at a ''Transformers''-related convention, but might also appear at, say, a mecha-related convention or a general science fiction-related convention (since the Transformers would fall under a mecha or science fiction category).

Long story short, [[TakaraTomy]] could complain and shut groups making doujinshi down any time they wanted, but like many Japanese companies it appears that it simply isn't worth the hassle. People who make doujinshi are often the most hardcore of fans, and so alienating them isn't something most companies are eager to do. In addition, any victory would simply not be worth the resulting bad press, since fan groups are not exactly swimming in cash and while doujinshi are put up for sale, a lot of groups seem to just do it for love of the art or love of the series. It should also be mentioned that many big names in manga got their starts or honed their skills in doujinshi circles, and it isn't impossible for a company to want to recruit some of these up-and-coming talents.

It, er, probably should be pointed out that some doujinshi are very, very NSFW.

{{--}}

==Hasbro and IP theft==
===Remarks and actions===
Official statements from Hasbro on "third party" toys are few and far between. In one response, provided as part of the company's now-defunct fansite Q&A program, they noted the illegal nature of the figures, and remarked that this kind of IP theft was unfair to legitimate licensees who pay to produce ''Transformers'' merchandise.<ref>[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/499 TFviews Hasbro Q&A, August 2009]</ref>

In 2015, Hasbro's UK branch distributed an online survey of the collecting habits of ''Transformers'' fans to coincide with the Auto Assembly unofficial convention, which included a surprising number of questions regarding "third party" products. In a bit of an embarrassing ''faux pas'', a Hasbro representative present at the convention itself also addressed a [[Vos (DJD)|Vos]] cosplayer as "Cynicus", the name of an unofficial figure of that character.<ref>[http://waspshot23.tumblr.com/post/127569311096/ok-so waspshot23 on Tumblr]</ref>

To date, there have been no known instances of Hasbro pursuing actual legal action against the manufacturers of "third party" toys. While such unofficial toys were banned from being sold at the dealer room at [[BotCon 2012]],<ref>This mandate initially encompassed fan art too, but this was quickly relaxed.</ref> [[BotCon 2015|2015]] and [[BotCon 2016|2016]], they generally seem to adopt a "laissez-faire" approach to such toys; while they don't officially condone such material, they're happy to allow it to exist as long as it isn't impacting Hasbro's bottom line. A noted exception was an unofficial toy of [[Unicron]], announced during the [[Hasbro Pulse#HasLab|HasLab]] campaign for [[Unicron/toys#War for Cybertron|''War for Cybertron'' Unicron]], seemingly intended to directly undercut Hasbro's big-ticket crowdfunded toy; evidently and understandably unhappy with his, Hasbro apparently intervened to have all posts about the pretender to the throne taken down from social media.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/3rd-party-not-unicron-apparently-removed-by-hasbro/43937/ 3rd Party (Not) Unicron Apparently Removed by Hasbro] at Seibertron</ref>

===Third party designs in official products and marketing===
[[File:MTMTE18 cvrB.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|IP untheft?]]
Beginning in the 2010s, there have been occasions where "third party" figure designs have slipped into official media. One cover for [[Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|''More than Meets the Eye'' #18]] saw [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] drawn based on unofficial figures "Rager" and "Cogz" (do you see what we meant about the names?). Hasbro and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] did not comment on this, although it seems likely that somebody somewhere might've gotten a slap on the wrist. (The artist in question has not done any comic covers since...)

Meanwhile, ''official'' third party licensee [[Imaginarium Art]]'s statues of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] seem to be based on the unofficial figures "Carry" and "Green Giant", with [http://imaginarium-art.com/project_news.php Rodimus Prime] featuring detailing on his forearms otherwise unique to Carry and [https://www.facebook.com/imaginarium.hobby/posts/575739045925230 Devastator] having kneepads only found on Giant. One has to assume Hasbro wasn't looking too closely, or were understandably unaware of those figures, when they signed off on these.

In what was presumably an innocent mistake that resulted from the use of a fan's personal collection, a slide shown at the Hasbro investor and press event presentation during [[Toy Fair 2016]] that represented Transformers "Spanning Generations" featured a photograph of a father and son surrounded by a variety of ''Masterpiece'' toys... and the "third party" [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] "Green Giant".<ref name="toyfair16">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/tfw2005-coverage-hasbro-toy-fair-2016-investor-press-event-309206 Slides from the Hasbro investor and press event presentation during Toy Fair 2016].</ref> Oops!

Although stylized, the ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'' models for the Predacons are recognizably based upon the "Feralcons" (remember what we were saying?), one of the three notable sets of "third party" Predacons. It even leaked into their combined mode. Meanwhile, [[Motormaster (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Motormaster]] is modeled on the TransFormMission "Powertrain" interpretation of Motormaster's design from IDW's [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing series]].

Similarly, ''Earth Wars'' and the ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]'' cartoon feature models for the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] based on the Fanstoys' "Iron Dibots" figures, rather than those from the concurrent [[Power of the Primes (toyline)|toyline]].

In an odd occurrence for a game almost exclusively using screen models and recent toys, [[Jazz (G1)#Transformers: Forged to Fight|Jazz]] in ''[[Transformers: Forged to Fight]]'' is directly modeled on Toyworld's "Coolsville" figure.

[[E. J. Su]], fulfilling the role of guest artist for [[Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|''Lost Light'' #19]], was not given vehicle mode references for Rodimus, Drift, Ratchet, and Chromedome. Consequently, he had to make do with googling and used alt-modes [[:File:LL19 vehicle modes.jpg|based directly]] on the Mastermind Creations "Calidus" and "Stray" figures. Ratchet and Chromedome were based on official, though inaccurate, toys of the character.

An [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]] [[:File:BBArcee Head Revisions.jpg|design presentation]] about the 2018 ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' movie used an image of Fans Toys "Rouge" as a [[Arcee (G1)|"Generation 1" Arcee]] design reference for [[Arcee (Movie)|''Bumblebee'' Arcee]].<ref>[https://www.ilm.com/visual_development/bumblebee-developing-an-epic-set-piece/ Bumblebee: Developing an Epic Set Piece - ILM San Francisco]</ref> This is probably an unsurprising fruit of research as Arcee did not receive an official ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figure until 2020, with multiple unlicensed third-party companies vying for fans' attention throughout the 2010s.

===Hasbro's own copyright dodging===
[[File:CYB sonic bomber originalsculpt.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|First party problems.]]
Despite Hasbro's own (completely understandable) aversion against people making a profit off their IP without permission, it's not like Hasbro is entirely innocent in this regard: In fact, the ''Transformers'' toys' [[alternate mode]]s being unlicensed reproductions of real-world vehicles and aircraft goes back all the way to the very first ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]]'' toys.

While the whole market situation was still very different back in the 1980s, and car manufacturers apparently didn't start properly enforcing their intellectual properties in the field of toys and merchandise until the early 2000s, ''Transformers'' toys with [[licensed vehicle alternate modes]] are still the exception rather than the rule. The vast majority of [[popular Earth vehicle alternate modes]] are still unlicensed approximations of their real-life inspirations, basically "[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|not-Lamborghinis]]" or "[[Powerglide (G1)/toys|not-A-10s]]", with a few details altered to avoid a lawsuit — though this wasn't enough in [[Side Burn (RID)#Toys|one notable case]]. [[Downshift (Energon)#Cybertron|Some]] [[Windcharger (G1)#Transformers (2010)|examples]] are a little more creative, meshing together two or more real-life inspirations to create a genuine "hybrid" design, but most are just barely altered and instantly recognizable for what they are supposed to represent. While the target audience is obviously a different one (most people who buy a Hasbro Sunstreaker do so because he represents Sunstreaker the ''Transformers'' character, not because they want a Lamborghini for their toy car collection; however, most, if not all, people who buy a "third party" version of Sunstreaker do so because he represents Sunstreaker the ''Transformers'' character), it illustrates the gray area involved.

Less of a gray area appears to be the case of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[High Beam#Generation 2|High Beam]] (released in 1995), though: Its alternate mode looks plain ''identical'' to a vehicle from Mattel's ''Hot Wheels'' line that was first released in 1991 under the names "Back Burner" and "Sonic Special", but would eventually become more well-known in 1995 under the name "[[Wikia:hotwheels:Speed Blaster|Speed Blaster]]". Unless both toys were based on the same obscure real-life concept car that has since been ''completely'' forgotten by history, that would be a ''very'' blatant case of Hasbro ''literally'' copying one of its competitor's toys and just making it transform.

However, Hasbro's [[Built to Rule!]] and [[Kre-O]] toylines "knocking off" the {{w|Lego}} brand's iconic bricks cannot be considered IP theft by the point they came out, because the technical patents for their brick-building system expired in 1978.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Megatron (BW)

2021-09-21T20:11:13Z

Repowers:

{{factions|predacon|vehicon|decepticon|onyxprime|liegemaximo|unicron|hofsilver}}

{{disambig3|Megatron}}{{suite}}
:''Megatron is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]], yesss.''

[[File:MegatronBWsourcebook.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|That's the problem with heroes, really. Their only purpose in life is to thwart others. They make no plans, develop no strategies. They react instead of act. Without villains, heroes would stagnate. Without heroes, villains would be running the world. Heroes have morals. Villains have work ethic.]]
'''Megatron''' (aka '''[[Noble (BM)|Savage, Noble]],''' '''Gnashteeth,''' '''Beast Megatron,''' '''Galavar''' and, um, '''Joe''') began with one goal: restoring glory and power to the Predacon race, with himself at the helm. What distinguishes Megatron from the countless others who share this goal is his chutzpah. This is a guy who [[Megatron (myth)|named himself after his faith's equivalent ''of the Antichrist'']]. He is willing to risk ''everything''—time, space, himself—if need be. He's willing to commit omnicide if it will further his goals. And there were times he would have won were it not for [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]].

Megatron is skillful at orchestrating vast schemes by manipulating others into doing them for him—an idle suggestion here, a conspicuously-planted object of interest there. He knows his enemies, and these include [[Tarantulas (BW)|some]] [[Blackarachnia (BW)|minions]], inside and out and exactly how to provoke them. He has no friends, only pawns, or occasionally, [[Inferno (BW)|pawns that are too reliable to risk losing]]. Because of this attitude, this superiority complex, he despises working with the very troops he needs to carry out his plans. His hubris does not make him very popular, and so he must rely on power and fear to rule them. In fact, he prefers [[Vehicon (BM)|mindless drones]].

Megatron is a gambler and can sometimes be a ham. (His manner of saying "Yesss..." is practically vaudevillian.) He has a twisted sense of humor and an overdeveloped sense of drama which rule everything he conceives, both long and short term. When he destroys you, he wants you to know that it was he who did this, and just how badly you were had. This is his greatest weakness. Like a Bond villain, he'll gladly boast to the hero at length about how smart and clever he was, giving his victim time to formulate a counterattack (he admits the Predacons sometimes gloat too much). He often sabotages himself by neglecting the quick and easy solutions for the bigger, meaner, and more complex.

He has a [[Rubber Ducky]].

{{bigquote|The universe cowered once at the name of Megatron and it shall do so again!|Megatron|"[[Optimal Situation]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
{{main|Megatron (G1)#Beast Wars pack in material}}
{{note|The pack-in fiction of the first wave of Beast Wars toys predates the development of the Beast Wars cartoon and its backstory. Instead, it presents the setting as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal and Megatron cast as new forms for their Generation 1 counterparts and their battles taking place on present day [[human]]-inhabited Earth rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched the toyline adjusted itself to match, relegating this to a [[micro-continuity]] separate from the rest of [[Beast Era]] fiction.}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
{{main|Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity}}
[[File:Double Dinobot Megatron clone.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|A picture can tell a lot without words.]]

Megatron was a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] criminal who stole the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], realizing that [[Megatron (G1)|his namesake]] left a message on it pointing to the location of [[Earth]] where, with [[unspace|time travel technology]], one could attempt to change history so that the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] ended in favor for the [[Decepticon]]s. Despite the interference of the [[Maximal]] ship ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', commanded by [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], the Predacons in the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' managed to make it to Earth, although it was not apparent at first. Megatron put his original plans on hold to gather the massive amounts of [[energon]] on the planet that he could use to conquer the universe. His band of Predacons fought Optimus Primal's Maximals in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. Despite much plotting and machination, such as the attempted murder of [[human]]ity and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Megatron was defeated and brought back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars}}

However, Megatron was able to free himself from his bonds and arrive on Cybertron before the Maximals did. Using an immobilizing virus and the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] on an unsuspecting populace, Megatron conquered the planet, beginning an era of technological superiority in deadly opposition to the organic. However, the Maximals soon returned and were tasked by the mystical [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] to end Megatron's reign and bring about a widespread evolution into the [[technorganic]]. Optimus Primal succeeded at this task, sacrificing both himself and Megatron in the organic core of Cybertron. {{storylink|Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines}}

When [[Unicron]] began his abduction of Transformers across the [[multiverse]], starting the [[Universe War]], [[Primus]] called Optimus Primal out of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] to lead his troops against Unicron. This action also freed Megatron's spark, and he returned to his typical plotting nature. {{storylink|Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe}}

In a divergent timeline, Megatron joined forces with the original Megatron in 21st century Earth and with a [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] from another [[Universal stream|universal cluster]]. He was also considered as a recipient of the powers of the ancient Transformer, [[Logos Prime]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Reborn}}

===''Beast Wars II'' catalog===
[[File:MegatronGalvatronBW1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Pwned.]]
On planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron once disagreed with [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] over opinions on galactic conquest, and engaged him in battle over it. At the time, Megatron momentarily let his guard down, and was defeated. Galvatron declared "Your era is over, Megatron!"

Later, Megatron noted that while Galvatron was ambitious, he cared for his underlings—and although he was loathe to admit it, he acknowledged that Galvatron probably had all the regal bearing of a new [[Emperor of Destruction]]. {{storylink|Catalog#Beast Wars II|The next stage of battle advances to the Second War... ...Beast Wars, Transform!}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
{{voiceactor|[[David Kaye]] (English)}}

Somehow ending up at the multiversal hub of [[Axiom Nexus]], Megatron hid out under the alias "Joe". When he ran into [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and learned of the [[AllSpark Key]], he pretended to be a heroic character and helped rescue Bumblebee's friends, only to steal the Key. Using his experience with MacGuffins, he swiftly learned how to power himself and create an army. Unfortunately, his army turned on him after learning of bureaucracy and the amount of forms they'd have to fill in now that they were alive. However, before being carried away by his former minions, Megatron promised that he would be back, and that he would get his extremely overwrought and melodramatic revenge. {{storylink|Bee in the City}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Bee in the City 2: Electric Bugaloo}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga===
[[File:MegatronMangaDominatrix01.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|''Megs!'' Kids could be reading this comic!!]]

After killing Optimus Primal in a Transwarp explosion, Megatron was mutated by the resulting Quantum Surge into a Transmetal, as was almost every other Transformer on [[Earth|Energoa]]. With their leader dead and their forces scattered, Megatron wasted no time in plotting an immediate counter-attack on the Maximals. Quickstrike and his drone forces were sent to attack the Maximal base while, with Tarantulas's help, Megatron recovered and resurrected Primal's body as a mindless killing machine.

Through a strange voodoo ritual, Megatron attempted to use his mutated blood to put Primal's body under his everlasting control. However, with the intervention of Rhinox, Primal's spark was retrieved from Transwarp Space and returned to his body. Primal swiftly defeated Megatron in battle. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 1|Beast Wars Metals #1}}

Recovering from his injuries in a hot spring, Megatron was not pleased when Waspinator buzzed in with news of a new stasis pod landing. Megatron, unable to go after it, swatted the bug away. More than that, he was being haunted by visions of [[Megatron (G1)|his ancestor]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 2|Beast Wars Metals #2}}

Megatron later confronted [[Jaguar]], but the rogue Predacon promptly defeated him, severing his head in battle. Waspinator recovered Megatron's noggin and flew away with it. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 3|Beast Wars Metals #3}}

Megatron directed Waspinator to the ''Ark'' where he intended to kill the slumbering [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Blackarachnia didn't want to see the timestream mangled, so she kicked his head into a lava pit. There, Megatron floated down to the body of the original Megatron and merged with his spark, taking on a humongous dragon form. He then waited for Optimus Primal to show up and blasted Optimus Prime to pieces in front of his eyes. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}

Optimus Primal quickly ate Optimus Prime's spark in order to save him and became Optimal Optimus in the process. The two enemies then had a showdown and Optimus prevailed, plucking Megatron's spark out of his body and crushing it like a beer can, killing his arch foe. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 6|Beast Wars Metals #6}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
The Predacons crash landed in [[Mexico]] around 1,000 BC. A time into their war with the Maximals, Megatron found the village in which the [[Natiltec]] tribe dwelt. After the Predacons had asserted their dominance, Megatron ordered Tarantulas and Waspinator to enslave the male villagers and use them to mine energon. {{storylink|Fire in the Dark}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta]], Megatron's Predacons fought Optimus Primal's Maximals in the war for the [[Mini-Con]]s, which the Maximals emerged victorious . {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/13}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}

===''Lil Formers''===
Megatron claimed that he spent so much time in his Jacuzzi because a true leader had to be squeaky clean. {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===Legends World===
[[File:Legends 13 Megatron.jpg|thumb|]]
The president of [[Tera-Kura Co.]], Megatron once watched [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] party it up after work. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 10#Head of Partying, Cheetor|Head of Partying, Cheetor}} He thought of his company as the rivals of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s [[Axalon Trading Company]], but had all kinds of trouble dealing with his eccentric employees. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 13#Rivals! Tera-Kura Co.!|Rivals! Tera-Kura Co.!}} Among them was [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], who Megatron had to punish more than once for talking about or playing with ''Transformers'' instead of doing his job. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 13#Buzz Buzz Buzz, Wasps Flyyy|Buzz Buzz Buzz, Wasps Flyyy}} This changed when he learned that [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], his favorite hostess at a host club, was also a ''Transformers'' fan, at which point he sheepishly asked Waspinator to teach him more about the franchise so he could impress her. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 14#President Mega's Requests|President Mega's Requests}} Through songs and glossary cards, Megatron learned to recite the names of several ''Transformers'' characters, much to Blackarachnia's excitement. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 14#President Mega's Studies|President Mega's Studies}}

[[File:Xmas Megatron.jpg|thumb|left]]
During a lesson on the subject of [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], Megatron latched onto the fact that they'd [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|first appeared in the UK]] and imagined them as English stereotypes, ignoring Waspinator's protests that they were nothing like that. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 15#Whirl and Roadbuster Now on Sale, Buzz|Whirl and Roadbuster Now on Sale, Buzz}} Megatron spent that [[Christmas]] lovingly exchanging presents with Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Merry X'mas!!}} After watching the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|third Transformers movie]] as part of his studies, he acted strange while interviewing [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]], giving the potential new employee a time limit to "appeal to him". {{storylink|Legends Vol. 16#The Results of Mega-chan's Studies|The Results of Mega-chan's Studies}} Megatron was annoyed when Blackarachnia remained at the office to work longer than everyone else, wanting to leave himself so that he could visit his usual club. {{storylink|Legends Vol. 16#Widow-chan at Work|Widow-chan at Work}}

[[File:Deckss SD Beasties.jpg|thumb|]]
Megatron listened to [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] explain that the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]] he and the others lived in was created by the telepathic powers of the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]], but didn't understand a word of it. To his annoyance, Waspinator took the story at face value and told him that he'd understand too if he'd properly studied ''Transformers'' like he was supposed to. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} As part of a partnership between Tera-Kura Co. and Axalon Trading Company, Megatron invited Optimus Primal and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] to a ''[[Q-Transformers]]'' event, which he mostly just went to buy gifts for Blackarachnia. During their visit, the three tried different food and drink to collect stamps to exchange for prizes, but Megatron messed up the stamping process and made his all blurry. {{storylink|Deckss × Q-Transformers Collaboration Event Report|Deckss × Q-Transformers}}

[[File:LG13 Megses.jpg|thumb|left]]
While holding more job interviews, Megatron was interrupted by a tank driving through the wall, transforming into a robot and announcing that it was another [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]! Knowing nothing of the newcomer's identity, Megatron had Waspinator explain who the other Megatron was, and was actually pretty impressed by his resume. Unfortunately, the new Megatron had no intent of ''working'' for Tera-Kura Co. as the old Megatron had assumed, but sought to ''control'' the company by making himself president. Beast-Megatron protested that ''he'' was the president, but this only led to tank-Megatron declaring himself the chairman above the president instead, nevertheless causing the original to lose control of his company. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13|Bonus Edition Vol. 13}} To add to this insult, he was forced to have a suit made for Chairman Megatron. {{storylink|LG13 Megatron Sequel#Presidential Inauguration! Lord Megatron|Presidential Inauguration! Lord Megatron}} He was confused by Blackarachnia's cold treatment of their new boss, unaware that she was just trying really hard not to fangirl about working for the "real" Megatron. {{storylink|LG13 Megatron Sequel#Widow-chan's Usual Day|Widow-chan's Usual Day}}

[[File:Legends 28 three Megatrons.jpg|thumb|]]
After a hard day's work, Megatron invited his co-workers for a night on the town, but to his disappointment no one showed up other than the chairman. They then ran into a ''third'' Megatron, [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Megatron]], at the place they went to eat, and President Megatron listened on in fear as the other two bonded over subjects like Chairman Megatron having killed his [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|old second-in-command]]. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#The Autumn Megatron Festival|The Autumn Megatron Festival}} When the two larger Megatrons drunkenly agreed to conquer the world together, the small beast Megatron was left weakly pleading to his boss that they cut it out and continue their after-work fun instead. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14}}

[[File:LG17 Megatrons.jpg|thumb|left]]
Megatron was initially pleased that Tera-Kura was able to sell a ton of clones based on [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], a robot brought to the Legends world by the other Megatron, but got very concerned when they started going on a rampage. His chairman explained that their innate evil couldn't be suppressed, causing Megatron to snap at him, asking why they'd gone ahead and sold them then. He tried ordering a recall of the products only to find customers ''liked'' their evil robots, though he doubted Chairman Megatron's claims that this was part of the plan. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 15|Bonus Edition Vol. 15}} Megatron would later gain another employee when Tera-Kura hired [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}} The Megatrons went trick-or-treating for [[Halloween]], and Legends Megatron had to remind his counterpart that the tradition didn't involve threatening people with a fusion cannon. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}}

[[File:LG20 Headmaster Megatron.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Megatron was at his usual club when his waiter, [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Starscream]], was assaulted by Slipstream. {{storylink|LG-16 Slipstream Sequel}} After Armada Megatron's greed powered up the Zamojin and almost destroyed the Legends World, Legends Megatron warned his chairman to be careful with his own ambitions. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 18|Bonus Edition Vol. 18}} Megatron found himself overthrown when the [[Waspinator (BW)#Cartoon continuity|Waspinator]] of another world took over Tera-Kura Co. and declared himself president, though the intruder quickly left again. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} He was distressed when G1 Megatron was seemingly killed in [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s attempts to return him to his own universe, and pleasantly surprised when the chairman turned out to be okay. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20}}

Jealous that Axalon Trading Company had joined forces with the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], Megatron struck a deal with their Decepticon counterparts to form the "Decepticon Tera-Kura Co." partnership. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 22|Bonus Edition Vol. 22}} Unfortunately their new allies conspired against G1 Megatron and turned him into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who went on a rampage before returning to his normal self. Noting that the destruction had led to increased sales for his company, Legends Megatron sheepishly asked the chairman if he could do a repeat performance. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} He was later hypnotized into serving [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] for a while. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 34|Bonus Edition Vol. 34}} Megatron was hired by [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] to star in his film ''[[Transformers: Convobat Amazon Showdown]]'' as [[Megalligator]], but upset the director by ad-libbing his lines. During filming, he helped pacify the transtector used for [[Convobat]] by combining with Optimus Primal and blasting it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Convobat)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Megatron was present when his company was further taken over by [[Devil Z]], who'd bought all their stocks, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 35|Bonus Edition Vol. 35}} and suffered Devil Z's rage when he was betrayed by [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 36|Bonus Edition Vol. 36}} He was then levitated by [[Apeface]] after he'd mastered [[telekinesis]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 38|Bonus Edition Vol. 38}} When [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] attacked the Legends World, Megatron was both impressed and annoyed that Waspinator could identify him. {{storylink|LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter}} He was around when the Decepticon Headmasters constructed [[Godbomber]] at the Tera-Kura, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 42|Bonus Edition Vol. 42}} as well as when the [[Dimensional Patrol]] showed up and caused trouble for everyone. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

When the Headmasters betrayed the company and came to steal the [[transformation cog]] from their new office building, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], Megatron was ordered to hide the device but was caught by [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] who stole it. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}} The Headmasters used the cog to complete [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and attack the city, and Megatron could do nothing about it but stay at Metroplex and fidget uselessly. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} After Trypticon devastated [[Akihabara]] and it was rebuilt as Neo Akihabara City, Megatron was seen wandering the town. He got his company back when G1 Megatron moved on to be mayor of the city. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} When [[Fastlane]] and [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] arrived in the Legends World, Megatron was surprised by the airplane and the car. {{Storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 58|Bonus Edition Vol. 58}}

While Megatron was doing business at Tera-Kura, the [[Concurrence]] invaded and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] used his [[synthoid]] process in reverse to strip out Megatron's organic nature and convert him to a wholly robotic [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]. The organic parts formed a new being, [[Noble (BM)|Noble]], who was disposed of. Filled with revenge for the other Megatron for overthrowing him, President Megatron turned over his company's resources to the Concurrence so that they could conquer Mayor Megatron's precious world. G1 Megatron, not wanting to another subordinate to come under harm, found Noble and set off a chain of events that allowed Noble and Beast Megatron to "combine" and restore Beast Megatron's sanity. The two Megatrons chased the Concurrence off the Legends World, although Beast Megatron still had trouble not falling to his wicknedness when separated from Noble, but beast half was there to keep him on the wagon. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 63|Bonus Edition Vol. 63}}

Before the Legends World was destroyed, Megatron was forced to board the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' to flee the universe. They crash landed on [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] in the [[G1 World]]'s [[2038]]. When [[Galvatron II]] arrived with his [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]], [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] induced [[Transformers sickness]] on the Legends World's refugees, transforming them into their G1 World counterparts' likenesses. Crashing the ''Axalon'' into Nemesis, the Beast Warrior were able to take down the fortress. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3}} The refugees settled on Beast, where they received news from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] that G1 Megatron had died as part of the [[Dark Nova|Star Giant]]. Beast Megatron in particular took this news badly, dropping to his knees and crying. But Optimus told them to help resurrect the fallen Decepticon if the Legends World was restored. [[2039|The next year]], this indeed came to pass, and Beast Megatron worked on constructing a new body for G1 Megatron that he revived in. Things went back to normal on the Legends World, till G1 Megatron announced his departure. Beast Megatron was again the most touched, so G1 Megatron told him he could keep up with his adventures in the fiction of the Legends World. Taking his words to heart, Beast Megatron consumed all the ''Transformers'' media he could and kept a portrait of G1 Megatron in the Tera-Kura offices. One of his workdays was disturbed when [[T-AI|Officer Ai]] tried to arrest [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] speculated that the [[Dark Spark]] could have been the essence of Megatron from a timeline where the Maximals failed to stop his plot to absorb all sparks, among other explanations. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[Thrashclaw]] had a mentor who was a "[[Dinobot (BW)|brown and blue, thick-headed, dynamic]]" bot who went off with a "purple lunatic". {{storylink|Life Finds a Way}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
The Predacon known as '''Gnashteeth''' was an apprentice and even a friend to the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] [[Double Punch]]. An amenable, open sort, even towards Maximals, though still egotistical, Gnashteeth was assigned as deputy administrator of the [[Dynamic Energon Distilleries]] Plant, a rare position for a Predacon in the Maximal-friendly [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], much less the Builder-dominated Cybertron. Within eight stellar cycles of his posting, having gradually absorbed more and more power from the uninterested Double Punch, he was promoted to administrator. From there, secretly advising Double Punch all the way, Gnashteeth managed to increase all of DED's energy output. Some twenty cycles after gaining the position, he made an appointment with Scorponok, a programmer with several decades of experience at the plant, to talk with him about an incident where the older Predacon had accidentally prevented a severe case of theft. The two talked about Scorponok's algorithms for a whole three megacycles, developing a rapport.

Then everything changed. Double Punch summoned Gnashteeth to his luxurious estate to inform his friend that due to his promotion to the [[Builder Assembly]], he had to make someone chairman in his place. And it wouldn't be Gnashteeth. Outraged, the two began arguing, only stopping when Punch snapped that the Predacon should have shown gratitude for being allowed to get as far as he had.

This changed the mechanoid, bringing out his darker side. Some cycles after his first meeting with Scorponok, he summoned him back to his office, to discuss a proposal the analyst had made, one that promised a 10% increase in efficiency, but the time to properly see whether it would work would have taken years, by which time Gnashteeth would be long gone from his job. Furthermore, rushing the process would just get Gnashteeth shot down, and doing it in secret would raise questions as to where the extra energon came from. And then Scorponok idly suggested selling it. Within three solar cycles, the two had no less than fifty-four energon cubes of their own, ready to sell on the border of Iacon. Not satisfied with the meager rate of their first transaction, Gnashteeth decided the two would sell their produce directly to the consumers, using their newly acquired payment to do it. Despite an initial shaky start, their scheme soon began to grow.

[[File:IdentityPolitics beatdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
As the deca-cycles passed, the day came when Gnashteeth was removed from his position at the plant, down to co-deputy administrator with his former deputy [[Budora (BWU)|Budora]], their new boss [[Datamine]] expecting the two to jockey for favor, something Gnashteeth had no intention of doing. To make matters worse, one of Gnashteeth's best dealers had been murdered the night before by the [[Kospego (group)|Kopsego]]s. Determined not to be forced out, Gnashteeth had the word spread out that he wished to talk with the gang's leadership. The meeting did not go well. First, the gang leader [[Thunderhoof (BWU)|Thunderhoof]] made them wait before making his presence known, then took issue when Gnashteeth tried to smooth things over. Then, after Thunderhoof gave Gnashteeth's hired help the "generous offer" to go for a stroll, he offered to sell the Predacon's wares for much less than their actual worth. Gnashteeth refused, vehemently, earning himself a vicious beating from the Maximal crime boss, though he was spared thanks to Thunderhoof admiring the quality of the administrator's energon (and secretly wanting Gnashteeth under his employ). Gnashteeth's colorful vow to get even with Thunderhoof earned him the mocking title of "Megatron", and a leg removed at the knee.

After thirteen hours in the plant's CR Chamber, the bad news kept on coming: Budora was threatening to oust Gnashteeth, endangering their supply lines. This was the last straw for Gnashteeth, who decided to stop playing by the rules altogether. Rather than take a small sample of the plant's energon, Gnashteeth decided it was best to take all of it. That night, Gnashteeth burgled his former mentor's estate, and killed Double Punch with his own former weapons, framing the Kopsegos for it. After that, the two returned to the plant, where Gnashteeth repayed Budora for his lack of loyalty, and began a meltdown, allowing Gnashteeth and Scorponok to abscond with the energon.

A decacycle later, they met with Thunderhoof again. Only this time, Gnashteeth had come prepared. Before arriving, he'd thought to buy out the gang leader's muscle, and the two turned on their employer, allowing Gnashteeth to fulfill his former promise. As the newly minted "[[Darksyder]]s" celebrated, Gnashteeth informed Scorponok that his former name was no more. From that moment on, he would be Megatron. {{storylink|Identity Politics}}

[[File:NotAllMegatrons-newbodies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Alright. I can see that I will have to teach you how to be...''villains''!"]]

The Darksyders continued to bully their way through Cybertron's underworld, eventually edging out the reigning [[Minion of Unicron (BW)|Minions of Unicron]]. [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]] and his goon squad paid a visit to Megatron after capturing and interrogating a low-ranking nobody named [[Doom-Lock (BWU)|Doom-Lock]]. Megatron managed to see off the intruders by outwitting them... and siccing a horde of [[Dropkick (G1)|Dropkick]] drones on the interlopers when they refused to join his growing movement. Cryotek, the sole survivor, grudgingly swore allegiance to the 'bot who had bested him - Megatron returned the favor by sending [[Psychobat (BWU)|Psychobat]] to [[mnemosurgery|ensure]] that his newest recruit wouldn't get any ideas.

Urged onward by a mental computer simulation of the original Megatron, the Predacon leader mused on the best way to take advantage of the [[Grand Uprising]] when Scorponok's hubris spurred a moment of self-reflection. The Builders had designed the Maximals and Predacons to run off of conventional energon, forever shackling them to the dwindling supplies controlled by their elders. Reflecting on the native [[mechanimal]] life, Megatron began to wonder if Transformers could process their own energon - and in the process free themselves from the thumbs of the Builders by becoming beasts themselves.

The Predacon leader began experimenting on willing and unwilling volunteers, scrounging materials for his experiments from various illicit sources. The very first test subject, a nebbish sort named [[Overbite (BWU)|Overbite]], wound up mutating into a horrific [[oxide shark]]-submarine hybrid, forcing Megatron to put the monster out of its misery. Volunteers two through five didn't end up much better; [[Paralon (BWU)|the fifth victim]] of his experiments revealed that the [[Predacon Secret Police|PSP]] had gotten wind of his activities and were currently shadowing the organization. From this mole, however, Megatron learned of the disgraced ex-Autobot [[Leatherhide (Universe)|Leatherhide]], who had conducted similar experiments on himself decades ago, and sent Terrorsaur to bring the Builder into the fold.

Meanwhile, Megatron met with an addled [[Bisk (BWU)|Predacon nobody]], whom he used as a catspaw to gain access to the Builder's supply of new protoforms in the ruins of the [[Grand Mal]]. From the purloined protoform, he created [[Inferno (BW)|Formikon]], an energy-independent Predacon with an [[Antroid|ant-droid]] alternate mode. That wasn't enough for Megatron; within a few cycles, he and all of the Cybertronians under his command had successfully upgraded to beast modes. Now that the technology was out in the open, Megatron took the opportunity to delete the original Megatron from his processor, then proclaimed that soon all Maximals and Predacons would adopt this technology–the Beast Wars had begun. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

Sure enough, the Beast Upgrade as it was called spread through the Maximals and Predacons like wildfire, and Megatron became very, ''very'' rich indeed. He used that wealth to securely reinforce the center of his "legitimate" enterprises, which came in handy at the end of the war, during the nightmare of the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]], as he and his inner circle managed to hold off the Vehicon hordes, until Leatherhide and Packrat revealed their new invention: The [[esau]], which saved them all by turning the hapless Wasp into half a Vehicon himself, and allowing him a measure of control over the hordes. Megatron was pleased, declaring that the Darksyders would be able to take advantage of the aftermath.

And take advantage they did. With the addition of a creepy new recruit called Tarantulas, Megatron was a leading figure in the post-war Cybertron, with the Darksyders about the only pan-geographic faction left. When the prospective delegates of the remaining states and factions met, Megatron chose to represent himself, looking for all the world to Lio Convoy like he was going to swallow the room. {{storylink|Derailment}}

Ironically, and curiously, Megatron's pivotal role in his species' history would end up being forgotten entirely over the following millennia, with his deeds instead being credited to Lio Convoy (at least according to questionable historians). {{storylink|Lio Convoy: Unity Through Tyranny}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:ASurfeitOfPrimes-OptimusPrimalMegatron.jpg|left|thumb|300px]]

Twelve million years ago, "'''Beast Megatron'''" was a [[Maximal]] under the command of [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} When [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and his [[Darklands|Darklander]] army conquered the [[Forgotten Plains]], Maximo and his army were forced into exile, and eventually came into the employ of "[[Onyx Prime]]"... in reality, an alias assumed by a time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} As part of his grand plan to engineer Cybertronian history, "Onyx" took control of Liege Maximo's forces and incorporated them into his "Menagerie" of bestial warriors, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} and Beast Megatron was one of the warriors who accompanied his new master to the [[Crystal City]]. There, they joined forces with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s council to battle the Darklanders. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

[[File:GhostStories-MegatronBeastMode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The only shot of my beast mode and it's miscoloured.]]

Two million years later—after the ascension of the [[Thirteen]] and the subsequent [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] that saw their alliance undone—Beast Megatron became now a member of Onyx Prime's innermost retinue, and joined the Prime when he left Cybertron aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]] to advance his plans. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} The Maximals made camp on [[Antilla]], a planet that the Cybertronians had once attempted to colonize years before, now the site of a weapon that Onyx dubbed the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]". {{storylink|Our Finest}} After many millions of years, Onyx sent the Talisman away aboard the starship ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} with Beast Megatron and the other Maximals remaining on Antilla. At some point afterwards, the [[Mistress of Flame|Matriarch of Incaendium]], [[Praesidia Magna|Praesidia]], and [[Magrada]] traveled there to investigate a Cybertronian signal, and Beast Megatron was one of the Maximals who watched as Onyx slew Magdra. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Some time later, he was among the Maximals who travelled to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the Cybertronian colony from whence the intruders had came, and clashed with the [[Torchbearer]]s over a supply of [[Ore-4]]. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

In the modern day, Shockwave began the final stage of his plan to begin a new Cybertronian empire, and in early 2018 Beast Megatron joined the other Maximals as they boarded Nemesis and travelled to Cybertron. With Onyx claiming that he had "captured" his co-conspirator Liege Maximo and delivered him to be tried by the [[Council of Worlds]], Beast Megatron guarded Liege Maximo alongside [[Ramulus]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} "Onyx" soon unmasked himself as Shockwave, and with his machinations having plunged Iacon into chaos, Beast Megatron joined Maximo's squadron to finish off the crew of the fallen [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]]. He later helped [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] restrain [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] after Maximo confiscated her sword. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Though Shockwave and Liege Maximo were both defeated—fatally, in the case of the latter—Beast Megatron and the other surviving Maximals fled Cybertron aboard Nemesis {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} to rendezvous with Shockwave's ultimate weapon: [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}}

[[File:StrangerEons-MutantMaximals.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You! You're not Megatron! You're one of those Kung Fu Creatures on the Rampage... 2!]]

Shockwave believed that the Maximals had done so at his behest, helping Unicron devour each colony world before destroying Cybertron, at which point the Talisman would kill Unicron and allow the Transformers to establish a new Transformer empire on Earth. He was unaware of their true intentions; despite pledging fealty to Shockwave, the manipulative ex-Decepticon had shattered ''their'' faith as well, and their decision to ''truly'' join forces with Unicron was an act of revenge, aiming to bring down the entire galaxy in defiance of Shockwave's carefully-curated plan. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

After meeting up with Unicron as the planet-eater consumed [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} the Maximal swarm travelled with him to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and attacked the surface, allowing Unicron to consume them as he devoured Caminus. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} This was not the end of the Maximals, however; as Unicron had already consumed [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]] and its supplies of [[Ore-11]], the Maximals were exposed to the mutagenic ore in Unicron's systems. It was in this state that Unicron regurgitated them to deal with the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], and thanks to the powers of Ore-11, Beast Megatron and the other Maximals were able to manifest a monstrous new robot mode. D.V.D. commander [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], already a Unicron loyalist, had double-crossed the fleet under his command, and allowed the Maximals to board the [[Worldsweeper]] flagship so as to pass on their mutation to the Decepticons sent to impede Unicron's progress. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:Unicron5-BWMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Are you Samuel James... er, wait.]]

Concealing his new form beneath his old bestial guise, Beast Megatron and several other Maximals made their way to [[Earth]] in advance of Unicron's arrival and landed in [[Toronto]] as Shockwave teleported in. With Cybertron gone, Shockwave believed that his plan had worked, and that Unicron had perished in the act; at his command, Primal, Beast Megatron, and Rhinox began razing the city to make way for the birth of Shockwave's new Cybertronian empire.{{storylink|Road's End}} Beast Megatron noticed members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] trying to sneak past him and moved to attack, but was nailed in the throat (and subsequently slain) by a well-placed shot from [[Agent Helix]], which sent him to his knees and alerted his two comrades to the interlopers. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

{{note|Several other Maximals in the 2005 IDW continuity are depicted with Megatron's [[Megalligator|alligator]], [[Transmetal]] ''T. rex'' and [[Transmetal 2]] dragon bodies.}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Megatron-Beast-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
The Predacons traveled across time to find the [[AllSpark]] and change the fate of Cybertron. While battling the [[Maximal]]s on pre-[[Ice Age]] Earth, both sides were joined by the Autobots and Decepticons, their epic battle changing their combined destinies forever.

Megatron's function was leader of the Predacons, and he [[trans-scan]]ned into a Tyrannosaurus rex. His tail whip and [[missile]]s were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his egocentrics, fanatics, and theatrics. Megatron's message from the future was that he holds [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|the key]] to saving [[Megatron (G1)|the one he holds in highest esteem]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>
{{--}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Marqus Bobesich]] (English), [[Shigeru Chiba]] (Japanese)|[[Peter Sura]] (German), [[Lionel Tua]] (French), [[Marcos Souza]] (Portuguese), [[Lorenzo Beteta]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Mau Pérez]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Ambujeshwar Pandey]] (Hindi)}}
{{bigquote|Now, why would little old me ever become a problem for Lord Megatron?|Predacon Megatron, [[Kingdom episode 5]]}}
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep2-Cybertronian-Predacon-Megatron.jpg|thumb|250px|left]]
A [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] born out of an uninhabitable [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] due to loss of the [[AllSpark]] by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} and the threat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]], {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}} he honorably named himself after his ancestor and Galvatron's past self, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], whom he held to the highest esteem. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} Galvatron, desperate to end his slavery to Unicron by returning an artifact with the complete memoirs of Megatron to his past self, {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} allowed Predacon Megatron to deliver the artifact instead. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}}

Personally intending to save Megatron from becoming Galvatron, {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}} Predacon Megatron and his small band of thieves stole the artifact, now known as the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], from the Maximals. While being fired at by Maximal Enforcers, Megatron was hit and tossed the Golden Disk, only for his lieutenant [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] to catch it while [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] attempted to stop Megatron. However, Blackarchnia returned the disk to Megatron, and the Predacon leader scolded Dinobot for his lack of loyalty. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} Megatron later decrypted a few minutes of the Golden Disk, and was able to trace the original Megatron's steps back to [[Earth]] in the past, where the Predacons took on [[beast mode]]s and engaged in a battle with the Maximals from the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. The conflict would continue for cycles, {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} with both sides suffering devastating blows to their ranks {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} until the Golden Disk proved right, and the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' crashed onto Earth.

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Predacon-Megatron-Trex-roars.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Along with Dinobot, Predacon Megatron met with Decepticons and recognized Megatron as his ancestor, displaying the Golden Disk to him. In the ''Nemesis'', Predacon Megatron explained to the original Megatron what became of Cybertron, why the Predacons traveled to Earth at this time and place, and what importance the Golden Disk holds. The two 'cons then ushered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and Dinobot out of the room, and formed an alliance. [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] later brought in a falcon, whom Predacon Megatron identified as the Maximal [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}}
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Predacon-Megatron-pets-Trex-head.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]

{{charfictionstub}}

===2021 IDW ''Beast Wars'' comic===
[[File:Megatron BW 2021.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.50]]
'''Galavar''' worked in some capacity under the [[Tripredacus Council]]. Knowing that the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] contained the coordinates of an [[energon]]-rich planet, he sought to obtain and decode more of its secrets. To this end, he and his men infiltrated the [[Maximal]] [[Wheeljack Ministry of Science|Science Ministry]], killed its [[Maximal Command Security Force|guards]], and pilfered the Disk from its resting place there; to prevent any pursuers, they also destroyed the fleet of [[unspace|transwarp]]-capable ships at the [[Great Shipyard]] and took [[Darksyde (BW)|the remaining one]] for their own escape. Galavar conveyed this plan to the Tripredacus Council and clarified that he wasn't asking for its permission to pull off the heist—he had already done it. He ended his transmission by declaring his new name—Megatron—and promised to bring the Predacons to new heights that the Council was too timid to reach.

Fleeing the scene in their stolen ship, Megatron and his Predacons were confronted by the Maximal-crewed ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. After Megatron ordered [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] to use the coordinates (which were "familiar somehow" to the subordinate) he gave for the [[Transwarp Drive]], the Predacons entered the resulting portal with the Maximals in pursuit. They ended up above a mysterious planet, where their ships crashed onto following a battle. Thrown into [[stasis lock]], Megatron and his Predacons were outfitted in new forms to deal with the detected [[energon radiation]], with the leader emerging as a ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. Delighted in reaching the energon-rich world that the Golden Disk spoke of, Megatron realized that the further secrets it held must also be true and declared that their new Maximal opponents would be eliminated in [[Beast Wars (event)|the following war]]. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}}

Isolating himself in his quarters, Megatron went to work attempting to decode more of the Golden Disk's secrets, giving explicit instructions that he was not to be disturbed and ordering his troops to take stock of the environment and their own defences. After he threw out Scorponok for violating these instructions, he was prepared to do the same to Terrorsaur before the flyer revealed that he'd taken the Maximal [[Nyx]] prisoner. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 2}}
{{--}}

===Scorching Heat Showdown===
Megatron possessed an [[Avatar]] in the form of [[Megalligator]]. After [[Armordillo]] was gunned down by [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] and Convobat swooped in to fight, Megatron himself joined the battle. He was soon met by Optimus Primal, who vanquished the Predacon leader after a tussle. {{Storylink|Scorching Heat Showdown}}

==Commercial appearances==
Megatron hid in his beast mode amid a bask of alligators in a tropical river. When Optimus Primal fluttered over him in his bat mode, Megatron nearly managed to snap him out of the air. When his adversary transformed, Megatron did so as well, and the two Transformers began exchanging blows. Though Megatron managed to land a laser blast, Optimus relieved him of his gun with a swing of his sword. {{storylink|Commercial/Beast Wars#Wave 1 Deluxe|Beast Wars Wave 1 Deluxe toys commercial}}

==Games==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game continuity===
====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game advertising comic====
Upon arriving on "[[Earth|Planet Energon]]," the dangers of Energon radiation forced the six surviving Predacons and their Maximal adversaries to take on beast alternate forms. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic}}

====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game====
{{voiceactor|??? (English), ??? (Japanese)}}

Many Beast Wars combatants had managed to construct personal bases, customized to their personal tastes, due to the extended duration of the war. Megatron opted to stay within the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon ship]] as the central hub of Predacon activity. Megatron joined his fellow Predacons in battling not only the persistent Maximal resistance, but the interdimensional monsters known as the [[Skriix]].

=====Maximal campaign=====
Retaliating after the Maximals eliminated Inferno and halted the experiments on the Skriix the Predacon was performing, Megatron sent his own troops to attack the ''Axalon.'' his aggressions were rebuffed, however, and the Maximals launched a counter-strike. After having secured access to the Predacon ship, the Maximals destroyed Megatron, winning the Beast Wars in the process.

=====Predacon campaign=====
When the Maximals had been eliminated, Megatron was able to fulfill his objective of using the planet's vast Energon resources to destroy Cybertron, and conquer the Galaxy! {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}

{{Note|Due to the nature of this game, a player may select various individual characters to perform the feats required in every level, and complete the game's narrative. Thus, any playable Maximal can fill the role of protagonist in Maximal Mode, and any playable Predacon can fill the role of protagonist in Predacon Mode. To view the various feats Megatron can accomplish throughout gameplay in Predacon Mode, it is told on the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|''Beast Wars'' video game]] page, wherein Megatron fills the role of the nameless Predacon.}}

===''Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars''===
[[File:DuelFightMegatronGameGuideArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Ah am alpha an' omega, da beginnin' an' da end. Ah am dat which is, which wuz, and is yet ta come... an' ya will know mah name is Megatwon when I way my veng-e-ance upon ya!"]]
Megatron battled several other Maximals and Predacons in an attempt to obtain the super-powerful [[Energon Quartz]] recently discovered on [[Earth]]. He was capable of summoning his lackeys Waspinator, Terrorsaur, Tarantulas, Inferno, and Scorponok in order to aid him in this task.

Megatron could also partake in various other tasks, such as a mission to break a boulder to reveal an energon crystal hidden within before sundown, using a block in a mission to defend himself against various incoming projectiles, and missions to run across a pit-riddled field, sometimes involving hideously large bacteria he had to fend off.

The series of one-on-one battles that ensued ended in a strange duel, when Megatron had to battle his double as a final opponent. Once he defeated himself, he gained possession of the Quartz, setting out to defeat his eternal nemesis, [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars}}

{{note|Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if the game was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages, see the other characters' pages for Megatron's fate in those outcomes.}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Megatron, in his original ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' body, leads a ragtag group of Decepticon warriors from various backgrounds (and/or universes) against Optimus Primal and his Autobot allies. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}

===''Transformers Battle Universe''===
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Megatron was among several warriors (and [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatrons]]) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
After a huge earthquake exposed a large amount of [[Energon]], Megatron led his Predacons in an ambush of the Maximals, successfully gaining control of the new Energon supply. As the Predacons harvested this new resource, Megatron set his sights on the Maximal base and the destruction of Optimus Primal. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Legends)|Beast Wars}}

Much later, when a badly wounded [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] stood near death, Megatron offered a piece of his own spark. Accepting this transfusion of sorts, Rampage's life would most likely be saved. It would also ensure that the new Predacon recruit would forever be bound to Megatron's will from that moment forth. {{storylink|When Sparks Fly}}

Megatron eventually managed to conquer Cybertron with the aid of his Vehicon armies, and set his three generals on the Maximals after they returned to the planet. {{storylink|Beast Machines (Legends)|Beast Machines}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
Megatron participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in multiple different bodies:
*''Megatron''—This Super Rare character first appeared in the "Beast Wars: Episode 1" event, and could be recruited by collecting 250 units of Cybermetal, 75 units of Transmetal, 35 event cores, and 10 cores of this character.
*''Megatron Alligator''—This Epic character first appeared in the "Beast Wars: Episode 3" event, and could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, 100 event cores, and 50 cores of this character.
*'' Megatron Transmetal''—This Epic character was available as a reward in the "Transmetals: Beast Wars - Episode 1" event.
*''Megatron Transmetal II''—This Epic character first appeared in the "Transmetals 2: Episode 1" mini events, and could be recruited by collecting 650 units of Cybermetal, 350 units of Transmetal, 150 exclusive cores, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:BattleTacticsBWMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Yesss...]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Megatron-Transmetal.jpg|thumb|right|400px|In this game, Megatron goes Transmetal at the cost of turning into a tiny ''T-Rex''.]]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Megatron-Alligator.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Yeesss...]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Megatron-Transmetal-II.jpg|thumb|right|400px|He sometimes has a weird visual glitch in which he has empty eyes, missing legs, and is breathing white mist from his mouth.]]
{{!}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Beast-Wars-Megatron-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|400px| Ah, Yesss!]]
In an unknown time and place, the Beast Wars came to a conclusion. [[Optimus Primal (BW)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Optimus Primal]] planned on going home, with Megatron's future in an iso-containment cell. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Primal Instinct}} As the [[Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta|shuttle]] traveled through chronospace, Megatron, unanchored in time, reverted to his original beast mode, as did Optimus Primal. {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|A Stitch in Time}}

They were pulled to 21st century Earth due to [[Shockwave (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Shockwave]]'s meddling with the signals the Autobots were using to bring Optimus Primal to their Headquarters. Optimus ordered the transit be aborted, but he faded out before his comrades could hear him. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Mixed Signals}} The two arrived on Earth, where they were forced to part ways when the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] closed on to them. Megatron ran into [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who assumed the fellow ''Tyrannosaurus'' was himself from the future; the Predacon clarified who he was and fought the Autobot to test his beast mode's strength. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Blast from the Past}} {{storylink|Quantum Beast Leap}}

Elsewhere, Shockwave explained to the original [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] his completed plan and their new "recruit", but the Decepticon leader was enraged that "a prehistoric throwback" would dare call himself "Megatron".

Despite his reluctance at the presence of another Megatron, Starscream decided to assist the Predacon in his plan to make the original Megatron extinct. They left the battlefield and Grimlock behind.

*'''Class''': Special
*'''Lowest star rating''': 2 stars
*'''Weapons''': Megatron in his beast mode first uses his fire breath on a target far away. (15 second cooldown) He thens leaps into the air and lands on a defense dealing Area of Effect damage. (10 second cooldown) He then proceeds to bite and smash the target.
*'''Ability: Battle Orders''' - Target their defenses! Friendly bots are given a health shield and prioritize all defenses for a time.
{{note|This ability was fan-voted as a community favorite on the Transformers: Earth Wars BAND page. It has been redesigned from restoring health to bonus health.}}
**'''Cost''': 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:beast-wars-megatron Beast Wars Megatron at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

==Toys==
{{Main|Megatron (BW)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{Main|Megatron (BW)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
*Hasbro originally intended [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] to be the new body for Megatron. According to [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/b334d45514e26ab4/bc8e54e9165e0823?hl=en&lnk=st&q=bob+forward+interview+inferno+megatron&rnum=1#bc8e54e9165e0823 a 1997 interview conducted by fan HooksX], [[Bob Forward]] stated: "For a while there Hasbro was planning to make the Inferno toy the new Megatron. We were going to kill Megatron and bring him back as Inferno."
*Megatron's characterization in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' cartoon significantly diverges from his classic portrayal: Predacon Megatron is a typically insecure leader and a loyal but sycophantic follower of the "original" [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], lacking his iconic manipulative traits. This interpretation of Megatron speaks with a high-pitched North American accent, as opposed to his more iconic English accent. The other "Beast Era" characters from the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' show are more or less similar to their '90s counterparts, even those with notably differing voices.
*In the 2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic, Megatron's Cybertronian body is a heavily stylized version of his [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Timelines|2006 BotCon toy]], with the missile being excluded.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jcburcham/status/1357035373184962561 Josh Burcham on twitter]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Megatron''' (メガトロン ''Megatoron''), '''Megalligator''' (alligator, メガリゲーター ''Megarigētā''), '''Beast Megatron''' (ビーストメガトロン ''Bīsuto Megatoron'')
*''European:'' '''Metal T-Rex''' (Transmetal), '''Dragone''' (Transmetal 2)
*''Korean:'' '''Megatron''' (메가트론 ''Megateuron'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kǒnglóng Wáng''' (Taiwan, 恐龍王, "King Dinosaur"), '''Bàwánglóng''' (China ''Beast Wars'', 霸王龙, "Tyrannosaur"), '''Wúdí Lóng''' (China ''Beast Machines'', 无敌龙, "Invincible Dragon"), '''Wēi Zhèn Tīan Èrshì''' (comics, 威震天二世, "Extremely Prestigious II", literally "Heaven-shaking Might II")
*''Spanish:'' '''Megatrón''' (Latin America)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Vehicons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Emperors of Destruction]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Maximals]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Predacon leaders]]
[[Category:Robotmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Transmetals 2]]
[[Category:TransTech Predacons]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Predacons]]

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)

2021-09-21T20:10:33Z

Repowers:

{{Nav-aoe}}
{{Disambig2|the home console/PC version|the Nintendo 3DS version|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)}}
{{videogame
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''
|prev=Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)
|next=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
|title2=
|prev2=
|next2=
|image=Rise Of The Dark Spark Cover.jpg
|caption=USA cover
|publisher=[[Activision]]
|developer=[[Edge of Reality]]
|platforms=[[PlayStation|PlayStation 3 & 4]]<br>[[Xbox 360]] & [[Xbox One|One]]<br>[[Wii U]]<br>[[PC]]
|date=
|continuity=[[Aligned continuity family]]<br>[[Movie continuity]]
|chronology=Between ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]''<br>Alternate version of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]''
|price=
|rating=ESRB: Teen<br>PEGI: 12
|music=
}}

'''''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''''' is a video game jointly-created by both [[Hasbro]] and [[Activision]], released on June 24, [[2014]] in Europe and North America, and June 25 in Australia.<ref>https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/05/transformers-rise-of-the-dark-spark-release-date-revealed</ref> Developed by [[Edge of Reality]] for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, and PC,<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/article/transformers-rise-of-the-dark-spark-announced-3ds-version-to-be-strategy-rpg "Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark" announced; 3DS version to be Strategy RPG]</ref> it incorporates elements of both the ''Transformers'' [[Live-action film series|film franchise]] and the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' / ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' games. The story takes place before the ''Ark'' is launched in the Aligned continuity, and it also deals with a storyline revolving around one of [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]]'s schemes in the ''Age of Extinction'' portion. It features over forty playable characters, slightly fewer than [[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|the Nintendo 3DS version]].<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/new-rise-of-the-dark-spark-preview-from-game-informer-179722/</ref>

On [[December 21]], [[2017]], ''Rise of the Dark Spark'' and its downloadable content were delisted from multiple digital storefronts due to the expiration of [[Activision]]'s licensing deal with [[Hasbro]].<ref>https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/22/16810202/platinum-games-transformers-devastation-legend-of-korra-steam-xbox-live-playstation-store</ref>

==Synopsis==
===Chapter I: The Dark Spark===
:'' Character: [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] ''
[[File:ROTDS1.jpg|thumb|right|Are you an Angel?]]
Above [[Earth]], a strange object flies through space, destroying a satellite in orbit. The mysterious item flies past a ship, piloted by none other than the legendary mercenary [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]]. One of [[Shadow Raider|his henchmen]] arrives in the cockpit and asks Lockdown what it was. He replies that it is "the past come calling." [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]], the Decepticon-turned-Autobot, arrives in a burning city to investigate. He notices that something crash-landed nearby. He contacts [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], leader of the Autobots, and tells him about the strange object.
Prime instructs Drift to investigate the crash site, but while Drift is en route, Lockdown's goons attack the city. Recognizing that they are not [[Decepticon]]s, Drift reports to Optimus, who correctly guesses that they are mercenaries (much to Drift's disdain). Drift takes out all three mercenaries and, at Optimus's instruction, equips himself with blasters to better fight with, he continues to the site of the crash, taking out mercenaries as he goes. Drift meets up with Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and the three arrive at the crash site. The Autobots discover an object that Drift does not recognize, but its appearance horrifies Optimus. To make things worse, Lockdown's henchman have arrived first. After another fight, the Autobots walk to the edge of the crater, and Optimus reveals to Drift that it is the Dark Spark. Before it can be retrieved, Lockdown arrives and steals the artifact for himself. The Dark Spark's power prevents him from intervening, and all he can do is furiously watch as Lockdown departs in his ship for parts unknown.

===Chapter II: The Lost Vault===
:'' Characters: [[Soundwave (WFC)]]/ [[Shockwave (WFC)]]''
As Shockwave and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] fly through an ancient, abandoned Cybertronian city, Starscream complains of Megatron sending him on a fool's errand to find a mystical relic that may or may not exist. As this sparks a discussion between Shockwave and Starscream, Soundwave chimes in over the com link, demanding "less talk". As the three 'cons make their way through the city and into an ancient vault, they are met with heavy resistance from feral cybernetic life forms Shockwave has dubbed "[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]]".
Upon destroying the Insecticons attacking them, Shockwave splits off from the group, hoping to find out more about the vault they are in and what is hidden in it. He never gets the chance, however, as he is attacked by, to his surprise, [[Sharpshot|three]] [[Kickback (FOC)|sentient]] [[Hardshell|insecticons]]. Inadvertently insulting them, (kind of) and incurring their wrath they all attack him, and are all soundly defeated.
As Soundwave and Starscream come upon more Insecticons, they go about opening up the vault further so that they can keep moving. Upon defeating the attacking Insecticons, Starscream is alarmed at the appearance of Hardshell, and begins shooting at him, only to be stopped by Shockwave, who reveals Hardshell, along with Kickback and Sharpshot, to be "new recruits" to the Decepticon cause. Sharpshot points the Decepticons in the direction of the Dark Spark before departing with the other Insecticons.
The Decepticons continue their trek further into the vault, they are met with resistance in the form of auto turrets and [[Crystal Guardian]]s as they deactivate the chamber to the Dark Spark. While doing so, Soundwave begins to notice Autobot energy signatures on his scanners, but Shockwave passes them off as glitches. Soon, the Decepticons arrive, triumphant, at the entrance to the chamber holding the Dark Spark.

===Chapter III: Getaway===
:'' Character: [[Sideswipe (WFC)]]''
Sideswipe and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]] have been tailing the aforementioned Decepticon trio through their whole trip to find the Dark Spark, and have arrived at the Dark Spark before the Decepticons. Ironhide, wishing to be long gone before they are found, takes the Dark Spark. As the Autobots are leaving, marveling at their luck, the Decepticons enter the chamber, and, enraged that the Autobots beat them to the Dark Spark, open fire. Ironhide and Sideswipe barely escape from the chamber as security measures cause it to close itself up, trapping the Decepticons inside. Starscream is enraged, but Shockwave bids him to calm down, as Soundwave had released [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] before they entered the chamber, and the small bird-bot would ensure they are not trapped for long.
Meanwhile, Sideswipe and Ironhide are running into resistance from the Insecticons, and Sideswipe must juggle keeping the Insecticons away from Ironhide and the Dark Spark, along with using his grappling hook to ''pull Ironhide'' up through the tunnel to the exit. As Sideswipe and Ironhide keep moving, they get separated when Sideswipe accidentally closes a blast door between himself and Ironhide. As Sideswipe fights off swarming Insecticons, Ironhide opens up another path for him to travel through, allowing them to meet up again.
As they reach the scheduled rendezvous point (some abandoned subway tunnels), Ironhide reports to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Prime]] that they have the Dark Spark. They are greeted at the rendezvous point by Optimus himself and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]. As Optimus and the others fight off the swarming Insecticons, Sideswipe is ordered to get to the control panel for the subway and call a train. Sideswipe is successful, but the train, being revealed to be on a timer, leaves as quickly as it came, with only Bumblebee on board. Optimus declares that they will have to hold the line against the Insecticons until the next train arrives.
As the Autobots fend off the Decepticons, Starscream, having been freed by Laserbeak, arrives, triumphantly demanding that the Autobots surrender or face his wrath. The Insecticons proceed to swarm him. As Starscream is distracted by the Insecticons, the next train arrives, and the Autobots board, departing for Iacon. As the train leaves, Shockwave and Soundwave arrive, just in time for Starscream to finish off the Insecticons and berate them for not coming sooner and letting the Autobots get away. Shockwave simply looks at Starscream, then presses a switch on his arm, causing the train, which had been wired, to explode.

===Chapter IV: Possession===
:'' Character: [[Sharpshot]]''
Shockwave, believing Optimus Prime has the Dark Spark, hides in the rubble of the smoldering train. Sharpshot appears and informs Shockwave of the Dark Spark's real location, with Ironhide, and the two set off to get it. After a short firefight, Shockwave seizes the Dark Spark from a heavily damaged Ironhide and begins to head for [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. The bridge is destroyed while he is on it, but he manages to escape before he falls. Sharpshot transforms into insect mode and covers him as he advances along the walkway, eventually barred by an energy barrier. Sharpshot destroys the energy barrier, allowing Shockwave to progress, only to be met by another one. After destroying the second barrier, Shockwave is met by a duo of [[Titan (FOC)|Titans]], which cause him to jump off the walkway. He lands in an ancient research laboratory, and, after inserting some [[moleculon fuse]]s, some history of the Dark Spark is revealed. When Sharpshot journeys down into the catacombs to activate the final switch, he is attacked by Crystal Guardians. Sharpshot returns to Shockwave, and the two exit the facility. Outside, they are found by [[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]], who alerts the other [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticons]]. [[Onslaught (WFC)|Onslaught]] and [[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]] arrive soon after. Onslaught orders a reluctant Swindle to escort Shockwave and Sharpshot to Kaon.

===Chapter V: Hustle===
:'' Character: [[Swindle (FOC)]]''
While making their way towards Kaon, Swindle, Shockwave, and Sharpshot find themselves in a spacecraft boneyard. As Swindle activates some beacons in order to find a way through, the Decepticons are ambushed by a fleet of Autobot Flyers. Swindle manages to open up a hallway while an Autobot [[Dropship (WFC)|Dropship]] sends in reinforcements. The Decepticons destroy the Dropship in order to make some makeshift stairs and enter the hallway. While making their way through, Sharpshot senses something and abandons the group (much to Swindle's relief). Shortly afterwards, Swindle & Shockwave are ambushed by a squadron of Autobots led by [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. After defeating Cliffjumper and his forces, Swindle & Shockwave surround the Autobot before he activates his invisibility cloak and escapes. Swindle alerts Shockwave that they are nearly at the gates of Kaon and that the other Combaticons should meet up with them at the rendezvous point. Meanwhile, Cliffjumper reports to Optimus that he failed to stop the Decepticons, but Optimus reassures him that he bought them enough time to set their plan into motion.

===Chapter VI: Gates of Kaon===
:'' Characters: [[Swindle (FOC)]]/ [[Bruticus (WFC)]]''
As the Combaticons meet up at the gates of Kaon, they find themselves under attack by the Autobots. [[Blast Off (FOC)|Blast Off]] offers to deliver the Dark Spark via air, but Shockwave warns that should the Dark Spark fall from a great height, it would cause massive damage to the city. Onslaught orders Shockwave to stay behind while the Combaticons take care of the Autobots. Swindle is tasked with taking down the Enforcers so Blast Off can provide air support. After the Enforcers are destroyed, Shockwave requests some back-up from Swindle. After arguing with Swindle, Blast Off finally provides some air support after Shockwave angrily orders him to. Swindle & Shockwave soon find themselves blocked off by a barrier, and Swindle is forced to protect Shockwave while he hacks the force-field. Swindle meets up with Onslaught and helps him take down a Titan. Soon the rest of the Combaticons arrive and they combine into [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]]. Bruticus begins defeating wave after wave of Autobot soldiers. While Bruticus has his back turned, Cliffjumper tries to plant a bomb on his back. However, Bruticus finds out and smashes Cliffjumper against a wall. Holding Cliffjumper hostage, Shockwave orders the Autobots to ceasefire. [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and his troops comply, but the Decepticons take Cliffjumper with them into Kaon anyway. Jazz alerts Optimus to their situation, with Optimus assuring that they'll rescue Cliffjumper and secure the Dark Spark.

===Chapter VII: Infiltration===
:'' Character: [[Optimus Prime (WFC)]]''
Optimus & Jazz begin their rescue mission by driving down a road towards [[Kolkular]], Megatron's fortress. Jazz asks Prime why they just can't leave the Dark Spark with Megatron, considering the Autobots are leaving Cybertron anyway. Optimus is worried however that Megatron may use the Dark Spark's power to destroy the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]], which is still under construction. Optimus and Jazz manage to make their way into Kolkular by blowing out the vents. Jazz heads off to find a way through, leaving Optimus to fight off some Decepticon soldiers. Jazz finds himself trapped by some turrets, which Optimus manages to shut off. The two Autobots meet up and continue to fight their way through the Recycling Pits. After making their way through some defense grids, Jazz hacks into a terminal and finds out where Shockwave is keeping Cliffjumper. Jazz notices how easy their journey has been, and both he and Optimus agree that they're walking into a trap. On cue, Megatron treats the two with a warm Decepticon welcome, which naturally includes gunfire. Optimus and Jazz fight off Megatron's troops and find the prison cell that Cliffjumper is being held captive. Optimus provides cover for Jazz using a turret while he breaks Cliffjumper out. As Optimus and Jazz check up on Cliffjumper, walls begin to surround the cell, trapping all three Autobots. Optimus contacts [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]] and orders him to commence Operation Longshot.

===Chapter VIII: A Desperate Plan===
:'' Character: [[Jetfire (WFC)]]''
Perceptor relays the details of Operation Longshot to Jetfire, namely how Jetfire's mission is to infiltrate the smoldering remains of [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. Perceptor has reprogrammed a Decepticon maintenance probe to map out Trypticon's interior, which would have changed since Jetfire's last visit. Once inside, Jetfire finds that some of Typticon's systems are still online, but these are automatic functions and not a sign of Trypticon's consciousness. However, Jetfire notices some new gear inside Trypticon and he is attacked by some Decepticon soldiers. Jetfire discovers that Starscream is salvaging some Energon from Trypticon without Megatron's permission. Jetfire continues on his way towards the cargo bay, but he catches the attention of some turrets, alerting Starsceam to his presence. Jetfire soon arrives at the weapon chamber, and he is tasked with reactivating Trypticon's weapon system. Perceptor activates Trypticon's orbital strike, giving Jetfire barely enough time to escape. Starscream is enraged that all his Energon has gone to waste and vows revenge against Jetfire. The energy beam fired from Trypticon soon reaches its target: Kolkular. Things go according to plan, as Optimus, Jazz, and Cliffjumper are freed due to the damage to the fortress and the three begin their escape.

===Chapter IX: Ascension===
:'' Character: [[Optimus Prime (WFC)]]''
During the Autobot's prison break, Cliffjumper recalls Shockwave bringing up his experiments with the Dark Spark and how Cliffjumper "wouldn't have to be an Autobot much longer". Optimus orders Jazz to get Cliffjumper to safety, while he'll go after Megatron and the Dark Spark alone. Jazz & Cliffjumper are reluctant, but comply. Optimus is soon suppressed by turret fire, but he manages to destroy the turrets power source. Optimus accesses a computer terminal to discover where Megatron's location is, and also locks the doors behind him to prevent any counter-strike against him. After fighting through more Decepticon troops, Optimus enters a room that contains some fallen Autobot soldiers. Megatron and Shockwave observe from a distance and decide to use Optimus for an experiment. Using [[Dark Energon]], Shockwave [[Terrorcon (Prime)|resurrects]] the Autobots, now pledging their allegiance to Megatron. Megatron, now using the Dark Spark to increase his power, joins his new troops in their fight against Optimus. Whenever Megatron begins to recharge the Dark Spark, Optimus starts destroying the charging towers. In a last ditch effort, Optimus and Megatron begin to unleash the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and the Dark Spark, respectively. Eventually, the power of the Matrix overpowers the Dark Spark, causing it to eject itself out of Megatron and launch itself into space. Shockwave begins to drag Megatron away, having sustained serious injuries. Jazz contacts Optimus to ask him about his condition. Optimus informs him that the Dark Spark has been neutralized and the Autobots should now focus their attention on finishing the Ark. Optimus does express his concerns however, that the Dark Spark may eventually cause havoc [[Live-action film series|elsewhere]]...

===Chapter X: Hunted ===
:'' Character: [[Bumblebee (Movie)]] ''
Across time and space, Lockdown is contemplating how fortunate it was for him to find the Dark Spark. Bumblebee and Drift have been busy tracking [[Knight Ship|Lockdown's ship]] and report to Optimus that he may be heading towards an abandoned military base. Bumblebee asks (well, more like beeps) Optimus if their back-up is ready, but Optimus tells him to be patient. After ending their transmission, the two Autobots are attacked by snipers. The duo manage to flank the snipers, and Bumblebee provides cover for Drift as he makes his way down the cliffs. The two eventually make it to base, which is swarming with mercenaries. Drift attempts a stealth attack against Lockdown, but he is quickly spotted and taken down. Lockdown then orders his men to find Bumblebee, knowing that Autobots rarely travel alone.

===Chapter XI: Investigation ===
:'' Characters: [[Bumblebee (Movie)]]/ [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] ''
Bumblebee continues to fight his way through Lockdown's men while looking for Drift. The mercenaries have jammed the Autobot's radio signals, leaving them unable to communicate with Optimus. Bumblebee eventually finds Drift being interrogated by Lockdown. Lockdown mocks Drift for his shift in allegiance and leaves him to get roughed up by the mercenaries. Bumblebee takes this opportunity to snipe one of the henchmen, allowing Drift to escape. While fighting wave after wave of Lockdown's henchmen, Drift overhears Lockdown assuring he'll keep the Autobots distracted. Lockdown unveils [[Combaticon Warrior|his new Titan mercenary]], which is impervious to the Autobot's weapons. This forces Drift and Bumblebee to flee.

===Chapter XII: Ambushed===
:''Characters: [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]]/ [[Grimlock (AOE)]]''
Drift and Bumblebee make their way outside while more mercenaries try to take them out. Just when it seems like there's no hope left for the two, Grimlock, one of the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]], comes to their rescue. After Grimlock easily dispatches the mercenaries, the Titan mercenary finally arrives. Grimlock smacktalks the Titan before rendering it "extinct". Lockdown takes this opportunity to escape, much to Grimlock's anger.

===Chapter XIII: Extinction===
:'' Character: [[Grimlock (AOE)]]''
Lockdown and his men enter their base located in the middle of a city. Upon hearing that the Autobots have entered the city, Lockdown orders the mercenaries to keep them occupied. Grimlock and Optimus make their way through a blockade on a bridge. Afterwards, Optimus heads off to meet up with Drift and Bumblebee, and Grimlock has to continue alone. As Grimlock rampages his way through, Optimus detects Energon surges coming from within the city. The Autobots reach the entrance to Lockdown's hide out and Grimlock is tasked with destroying the transmitters that allow Lockdown to communicate with his troops. Grimlock then meets up with the rest of the Autobots and provides cover for Optimus as he tries to get the entrance to open. Optimus succeeds, and he and Bumblebee enter Lockdown's lair.

===Chapter XIII: Locked Down===
:'' Character: [[Optimus Prime (Movie)]]''
Optimus and Bumblebee make their way underground, while Drift and Grimlock guard the entrance. Optimus and Bumblebee fight Lockdown's mercenaries as they make their way through the base. Drift meets up with the two and assures them that Grimlock has everything under control. The three Autobots soon confront Lockdown and discover that he has built himself a time bridge. Since the Autobots failed to prevent him from recovering an amplifier that was located in the jungle, Lockdown is free to go back in time and save the Decepticons that were in the [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Battle for Chicago]]. After destroying the energy stabilizers for the time bridge, Lockdown begins to monologue about how well-paid he was during the war and that after [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] death, things haven't been the same. Lockdown intends to bring the Decepticons into the present and continue the war anew. Lockdown intends his first job to deliver Optimus to Megatron. Optimus is disgusted by Lockdown's plan and tries to fight the bounty hunter. Lockdown is impervious to Optimus' weapons thanks to the Dark Spark and Optimus has to resort to melee attacks in order to damage him. Eventually, the two begin to grapple with each other and Optimus tosses Lockdown towards Drift, who cuts the Dark Spark out of Lockdown's chest. Optimus then uses the Matrix to toss the Dark Spark into the time bridge. The time bridge becomes too unstable, and the Autobots make their escape. His plans ruined, Lockdown flees from the Autobots in his ship.

Meanwhile, the Dark Spark finally lands in the middle of a desert. Watching over this, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|a familiar face]] expresses horror that the day has finally come...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Movie Autobots
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] ([[Chris Jai Alex]])
*[[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] ([[Gregg Berger]])

|h2=Mercenaries
|c2=
*[[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] (Gregg Berger)
*[[Stinger (AOE)|Stinger]] (via [[Walmart]] pre-order/DLC)

|h3=Aligned Autobots
|c3=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (Peter Cullen)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]]
*[[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] ([[Troy Baker]])
*[[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] (Troy Baker)
*[[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] ([[Travis Willingham]])
*[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] ([[Nolan North]])
*[[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Hound (Prime)|Hound]]
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]
*[[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]]
*[[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Scattershot (WFC)|Scattershot]]
*[[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]]
*[[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]] ([[Jim Ward]])
*[[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]]
*[[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]]
*[[Slug (FOC)|Slug]]
*[[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]
|h4=Decepticons
|c4=
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]])
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] ([[Sam Riegel]])
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] ([[Steve Blum]])
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]]
*[[Onslaught (WFC)|Onslaught]] (Travis Willingham)
*[[Blast Off (FOC)|Blast Off]] ([[Keith Silverstein]])
*[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]] ([[Dave Boat]])
*[[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]] (Nolan North)
*[[Kickback (FOC)|Kickback]] (Troy Baker)
*[[Sharpshot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Hardshell]] ([[Scott Whyte]])
*[[Quake (FOC)|Quake]]
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]
*[[Dead End (WFC)|Dead End]]
*[[Dragstrip (WFC)|Dragstrip]]
*[[Demolishor (WFC)|Demolishor]]
*[[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] (via Gamestop pre-order/DLC)
*[[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] (via Gamestop pre-order/DLC)
|h5=Other
|c5=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Optimus Prime]] (Peter Cullen)
'''Non-Player'''
'''Mercenaries'''
*[[Shadow Raider|Mercenaries]]
*[[Combaticon Warrior|Behemoth]]
'''Autobots'''
*[[Heavy Soldier]]
'''Decepticons'''
*[[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]]
*[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Leaper]]
*Insecticon Swarmers
*Insecticon Bruisers
*Insecticon Spitters
'''Other'''
*Soldiers
*Rocket Soldiers
*Shotgunners
*Flyers
*Sharpshooters
*[[Marauder (FOC)|Marauder]]
*[[Wall Crawler]]
*[[Titan (FOC)|Titan]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
'''Starscream:''' "Soundwave, did Shockwave make a ''joke'' back there? <br />
'''Soundwave:''' "AFFIRMATIVE." <br />
'''Starscream:''' "Was it intentional? <br />
'''Soundwave:''' "AFFIRMATIVE." <br />
'''Starscream:''' "You know, Soundwave, you've become quite the conversationalist." <br />
'''Soundwave:''' "AFFIRMATIVE."
:-'''Starscream''' and '''Soundwave''' discuss Shockwave's brief moment of humor.

'''Starscream:''' "A pity, then, that ''we'' are only ''three''." <br />
'''Soundwave:''' "LASERBEAK: EJECT." <br />
'''Starscream:''' "My mistake. ''Three and a half''."
:-'''Starscream''' does not think much of '''Soundwave's''' minions.

''[A failed headshot prompts the [[Combaticon Warrior|Mercenary Titan]] to turn towards Bee and Drift]'' <br />
'''Bumblebee:''' ''[Surprised beeps]''<br />
'''Drift''': Bee, I have formed a plan: '''Run!'''
:-'''Drift''', coming up with brilliant impromptu plans.

'''Swindle:''' "No sign of the bug ''[Sharpshot]''. Oh well, can't say I'm sad to see him go." <br />
'''Shockwave:''' "Are you implying that you two were not forming a ''long and lasting bond of friendship''?"<br />
''' Swindle:''' "You can't be serious?"
:-'''Shockwave''' discusses with Swindle about his <s> slash fic </s> observations of the two.

''' Jetfire:''' "I used to be ''stationed'' on [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], remember? I can find my way." <br />
''' Perceptor:''' "Your knowledge is based on the ''erroneous'' notion that Trypticon's layout was not altered during his conversion from space station to ''smoldering wreck''." <br />
'''Jetfire:''' "Point taken... Well, lead the way, little buddy."
:-'''Jetfire''' and '''Perceptor'''

"The only future to master is one's own. The [[fandom|humans]] understand this. Yet they also understand that [[The Transformers (franchise)|the past]] is the genesis of all things, and must be [[GEEWUN|afforded proper deference]]."
:-'''Movie Optimus Prime''' is willing to segue into a Generation One epilogue...but he's going to be meta about it.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The Cybertron portion of the game occurs between ''War for Cybertron'' and ''Fall of Cybertron'' – the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' is under construction, [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] still lies where he crashed, and we see Shockwave discover the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] for the first time. However, there are two notable inconsistencies – see 'Errors' below.
*The ''Age of Extinction'' story, meanwhile, is utterly irreconcilable with the events of the film – the Autobots have an existing alliance with the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]], and Optimus Prime and Bumblebee sport the new bodies they acquire during the film, yet Lockdown is perfectly alive and Prime is active on Earth. Stinger's brief cameo as a mercenary is similarly impossible to reconcile (although KSI could have plagarized Stinger's model.)
*Audio logs speak of the [[Patterner]]s and [[Galvatron (COP)|Galvatron]] indicating that studies of the [[Dark Spark]] took place during the Age of Origins in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]''.
*Starscream sarcastically makes note of how Soundwave is becoming a "conversationalist", likely alluding to the vow of silence he takes and employs during the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon.
*Like his [[Drift (G1)|namesake]], [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] was once a Decepticon before switching allegiance to join the Autobots, as noted by [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] when the former was held captive. Whether this background also applies to the film is unknown, given the above differences in the continuity.

===Transformers references===
*In the first level of the game, there's a billboard that reads "Vote Berger for Mayor", an obvious reference to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] character [[Shawn Berger]], who expressed such mayoral desires in the two-part episode "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|Megatron's Master Plan]]".
*Shockwave quotes his motto from his toy's [[bio]], "Clarity of thought before rashness of action".
*Ironhide and Sideswipe both paraphrase Ironhide's motto from his original bio, "High-tech circuitry is no replacement for guts".
*Blast Off quotes his motto from his original bio, "I destroy Autobots by choice, not command".
*Swindle mentions Starscream freeing the Combaticons from the Decepticon brig, a reference to the origin of the Combaticons in the G1 cartoon episode "[[Starscream's Brigade]]".

===Errors===
*Despite the game's script clearly positioning it before the events of ''Fall of Cybertron'', Megatron is depicted in the new body he acquired only part-way through that game.
*Ironhide and Sideswipe encounter an Insecticon Bruiser, despite ''Fall of Cybertron'' having established them as a creation of Shockwave.
*The live-action film universe Matrix of Leadership uses the model from the Aligned games, rather than the very different Matrix design first seen in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.
*Lockdown's model has a Decepticon insignia and is undersized.
*During the fourth chapter, Shockwave plummets off a ledge and crashes through a ceiling while carrying the Dark Spark, to no ill effect. Two chapters later, Shockwave conversely claims that that Dark Spark falling from height could could ''citywide'' damage.
*If the player hits an allied character, they react physically, but the accompanying sound effects present in previous games in the series are missing.

===Trivia===
*''Rise of the Dark Spark'' marks a [[PlayStation]] 4 milestone by being the very first game to support the PlayStation Store pre-loading feature introduced in the console's 1.70 update.<ref>[http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/06/18/pre-order-pre-load-upcoming-ps4-games/ PlayStation Blog: Pre-Order, Pre-Load Upcoming PS4 Games]</ref>
*The game reuses a large portion of existing game assets from ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', such as character models, environmental textures, animation cycles, control sequences and weapons. In contrast, the majority of assets freshly created to represent the AOE scenarios do not match the quality of the re-used assets, and even go as far as to reskin a number of them.
**The Crystal Guardians the Decepticons face in chapter 2 are all [[generic]]s with the [[body-type]] of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]].
**Grimlock's AOE iteration in the game is a complete reskin of his depiction from ''Fall of Cybertron'', meaning he retains all his animations and attacks from that game, despite using a mace rather than a sword. This does not stop him from somehow stabbing enemies with the aforementioned mace, and also results in an unusual transformation, with Grimlock's parts flipping around randomly before suddenly swapping models from T-Rex to Robot mode.
*The game notably features the return of the use of "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]" as a common expletive, having been replaced with "[[scrap]]" for the majority of the Aligned continuity thus far.
*During Escalation, Earth characters are noticeably bigger than Cybertron characters with Earth Optimus hilariously towering over Warpath.
*This game marks the first time Shockwave and Sharpshot are playable in a Story mode, as well as the first instance of Hardshell speaking.
*The relationship between Bumblebee and Drift is much more friendly than in the movie. Lockdown also is very different. In the game, greed and personal power seems to be his primary motivation, while in the movie Lockdown simply wanted fair payment for his services as he talks about how inferior humans are and how he thinks extremely highly of his creators.
*[[Steve Blum]] really gets his work cut out for him, since he gets more than an entire level dedicated to his three characters, Swindle, Sharpshot, and Shockwave. [[Scott McNeil]] would be proud!

===Foreign names===
*''Europe:'' '''''Transformers: The Dark Spark'''''
*''Russia:'' '''Трансформеры: Битва за Тёмную Искру''' (''Transformers: Battle for the Dark Spark'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{gamestub}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj-lD5gthQ8 Announcement trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMfLEbUqGyQ G1 Optimus Prime trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0azQrLC07OI Bumblebee trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKT6KeuEGi0 Gameplay trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bae87EGy-1E Bruticus trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMZn4uBsOAY Grimlock trailer]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=288YItFXPfI Gampelay trailer - Escalation]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rise of the Dark Spark (console)}}
[[Category:Age of Extinction video games]]
[[Category:Aligned video games]]