MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Robot Replicas

2009-07-29T11:18:16Z

Rmkar9:

[[Image:Optimusprimemovierobotreplicas.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's an Evoltech Revol...tech.. um...]]
'''Robot Replicas''' is a line of non-transforming action figures created for the [[Movie (toyline)|Movie toyline]] and [[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|its sequel]]. The sculpts hew closer to the CGI models of the characters than the transformable toys are capable of, and feature joints based on the [[Revoltech]] design. This allows for interchangeable limbs, and each figure has a replacement "weapon" arm of some variety. They're [[Show-accuracy|show accurate]] in the sense they're not designed to transform (They're actually ''less'' accurate in most cases)

==Toys==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
====Wave 1 (mass retail)====
* [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]

====Wave 2 (mass retail)====
* [[Jazz (Movie)|Autobot Jazz]]
* [[Frenzy (Movie)|Decepticon Frenzy]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

====Wal-Mart exclusives====
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] vs. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] two-pack (battle damaged [[Redeco|redecos]])

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Wave 1 (mass retail)====
* [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

====Wave 2 (mass retail)====
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]
* [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]]
* [[Skids (ROTF)|Autobot Skids]]

====Future waves====
* [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]
* [[The Fallen]]

[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Pick-Up (Bat-RobÃ´)

2009-07-11T02:31:54Z

Rmkar9:

{{disambig2|the Bat-Robô|the Malignus|Pick-Up (Malignus)}}
:''Pick-Up is a Transformer from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Pick-UpBatRobo01.jpg|right|241px|thumb|GOOOAAAL!]]
'''Pick-Up''' is a [[Bat-Robô]]. He goes vroom, crashes, and then becomes an invincible robot!

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Pick-Up''' (Bat-Robô, 198?)

: The Pick-Up mold was not created by [[Takara]] (or even [[Bandai]]), but by a Japanese company called [[Fujisho]]. It was originally sold as "Distroid" in their "Powertron" (パワートロン) line. [[Estrela]] evidently licensed the toy to sell it in Brazil, and included it as part of their unique Transformers range.

: The toy features a friction-driven motor, which, as part of its [[gimmick]], is used to trigger its transformation. After pulling it back, the truck drives forward until it hits something with its front bumper, whenceupon it springs up into robot mode.

: Pick-Up was released simultaneously in orange/black and green/blue color schemes. It is unknown which, if either, is more difficult to come by.

==Trivia==
* Both of the Fujisho Powertrons were released in North America by the Ertl Company as Pow-R-Trons. It is uncertain if Estrela licensed the molds from Fujisho or Ertl. In any event, the color schemes Estrela used appear to be unique to Brazil.

* Nowhere on his box is Pick-Up indicated as an [[Autobot]] or a [[Decepticon]]; factioned robots did not appear in Brazil's toyline until the advent of the "[[Optimus (faction)|Optimus]] x [[Malignus]]" subline . However, the [[Turbo]] Bat-Robô was used as a Malignus in the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] ''[[Withered Hope]]'' text story, so make of that what you will.

* Korean [[Brave]] and Transformers licensee [[Sonokong]] released several Korean-exclusive Brave toys with the same gimmick as the Fujisho Powertrons, often in police car decos.

==External Links==
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Brazilian/BatRobos.html Bat-Robos at Super Toy Archive]

[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:South American-original characters]]
[[Category:Toy-only characters]]
[[Category:Transformers]]

Legends Class (2005)

2009-07-06T11:31:03Z

Rmkar9: /* Future waves */

{{disambig3|Legends}}
The '''Legends Class''' (originally known as '''Legends of Cybertron'''; see [[#Trivia|Trivia]] below), known as ''EZ Collection'' in Japan, is a sub-line of ''Transformers'' toys that are about 3 inches in height. All the original molds are based on toys/characters that are also available in other sizes, with less sculpted detail and often with different, simplified transformations. Unlike other [[Size class|size classes]], which are viewed as part of the respective toyline they've been released under and nothing else, the ''Legends'' toys have been continuously numbered as "series" across three subsequent toylines.

The ''Legends'' size class originally started out as a sub-set during the [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]]'s run, featuring small, simple, easily affordable versions of some of the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|show's]] core cast. Released in waves of four, the toys were originally available in smaller "[[market six]]" chain stores like Meijers for around $3.99, although later waves were later also available at Toys "R" Us and Kmart. The molds were later [[Redeco|redecoed]] as ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' characters for the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' line.

The [[Movie (toyline)|2007 live-action movie toyline]] introduced a batch of entirely new molds, later expanded by various redecos of those molds, most of which were available as part of the ''Allspark Battles'' two-packs (which also introduced more new molds).

The [[Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' line]] features more redecos of the old ''Cybertron''-derived molds as ''Generation 1'' characters, coupled with new molds, which are thus far alternatively "Classic" toys based on ''Generation 1'' and ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' characters and Legends-sized versions of ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' characters, which are released as part of the ''Universe'' rather than the [[Transformers Animated (toyline)|''Animated'' toyline]].

==''Cybertron''==
===Series 1 (Wave 1)===
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]]
*[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]

===Series 2 (Wave 2)===
*[[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]]
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]]
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]]

{{note|Waves 1 and 2 were only available at smaller retailers and specialty stores. Waves 3 (including carry-overs from wave 2) and 4 were also available at Toys"R"Us and Kmart.}}
===Series 3 (Wave 3)===
*[[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Galvatron]]
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (Cybertron Defense Red Alert body)
*[[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]
*[[Vector Prime]]

===Series 4 (Wave 4)===
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] ([[Excellion]] deco)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]] (Galaxy Force Optimus Prime deco)
*[[Sunstorm (LOC)|Sunstorm]]
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]

===US multi-packs===
*Legends 4-Pack (Target exclusive, unchanged [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]])

===US convention exclusives===
*[[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] (San Diego Comic-Con 2005, free giveaway for attending Hasbro's showroom)
*[[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] ([[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]] deco; [[BotCon 2005]], free giveaway for attending Hasbro's showroom)

===Japanese single pack releases (EZ Collection)===
*Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime)
*Master Megatron (Megatron)
*Starscream

{{note|These three toys sported more (and more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]]) paint details than the Hasbro versions (Galaxy Convoy was missing most of the Hasbro version's yellow paint). In a somewhat unique marketing move, they were packed in blister bubbles on cardbacks taken from the Hasbro versions (with the obligatory sticker sporting Japanese legal information on the back), but with new, Japanese-language name inserts for the blister bubble. They were not officially recognized as [[USA Edition|USA Editions]] by Takara.}}
===Japanese multi-packs and exclusives===
*GC-23 [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Megalo Convoy]] (Metroplex) with [[Mini-Con|Micron]] (Mini-Con) partner [[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Horri-Bull]] (Drill Bit) and EZ Collection Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime; metallic version) bonus figure
*Gold [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Megalo Convoy]] (Metroplex) with gold [[Mini-Con|Micron]] (Mini-Con) partner [[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Horri-Bull]] (Drill Bit) and EZ Collection Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime; gold version) bonus figure. Was a exclusive in a Japanese toy magazine.
*Galaxy Convoy, Master Megatron & Starscream three-pack (clear versions, exclusively available via mail order for buyers of ''TV Magazine'')
*Master Galvatron (Galvatron; free pack-in figure available with September 2005 edition of ''Dengeki Hobby Magazine'')

{{note|This toy once again sported more (and more show-accurate) paint details than the Hasbro version. It was available in a unique box that was essentially a modified, downsized version of the packaging for the larger GD-01 Master Megatron (Takara's version of Cybertron Leader Class Megatron) toy.}}
==''Classics''==
===Series 5 (Wave 1)===
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (originally intended to be [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]])
*[[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]

===Series 6 (Wave 2)===
{{note|This wave had even worse distribution than the early ''Cybertron'' waves and was only available at specialty stores and online retailers. They showed up in huge numbers at the Australian retail store Big W, for some reason.}}
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (originally intended to be [[Motormaster]])
*[[Whirl (G1)|Autobot Whirl]]

===Cybertron Collection===
{{note|These toys were re-releases of past ''Legends'' figures in unchanged decos and ''Classics''-style packaging; they were found at KB Toys, Kmart, Big Lots and Meijer stores in 2008, although it's possible they were already available in 2007 — nobody really seemed to care.}}
* Hot Shot (Legends of Cybertron)
* Leo Prime (Classics Legends)
* Optimus Prime (Legends of Cybertron)
* Soundwave (Legends of Cybertron)

==''Movie (2007)''==
===Series 7 (Wave 1)===
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Autobot Jazz]]
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]]

{{note|Initial shipments of this wave included a slightly off-color version of Autobot Ratchet. Later shipments included a more widespread "fixed" color version. Both color variants were available in the United States as well as on other markets, including Europe.}}
===Series 8 (Wave 2)===
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]

===Series 9 (Wave 3)===
{{note|This wave once again saw limited distibution on the United States market (possible because retailers were discontinuing the ''Movie'' Legends Class single pack assortment). The two toys saw a more widespread release on other markets, including Europe.}}
*[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]

===Series 9 (Wave 4)===
{{note|These toys were only released as single packs in Europe and Australasia; elsewhere, they were only released as part of ''Allspark Battles'' two-packs. Oddly, they were still labeled as "Series 9", the same number previously used for the Starscream/Blackout wave (also on the "international"/European packaging).}}
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Battle Jazz]]
*[[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]]
*[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Recon Barricade]]

===Allspark Battles===
'''Wave 1'''

*Autobot Jazz vs. Bonecrusher
*Rescue Ratchet vs. [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]]
*Cliffjumper vs. Recon Barricade

'''Wave 2'''

*Ironhide vs. Desert Blackout
*Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream

'''Wave 3'''

*Bumblebee vs. [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
*Battle Jazz vs. Ice Megatron

===US exclusive multi-packs===
*Generations Legends (exclusively available at Target stores) - Optimus Prime (Movie), Optimus Prime (Cybertron), Megatron (Movie), Megatron (Cybertron)
*Battle for the Allspark (exclusively available at Toys "R" Us stores) - Optimus Prime, Autobot Jazz, Bumblebee, Megatron, Starscream and Barricade
*Leader Class Optimus Prime with Legends Class Bumblebee & Autobot Jazz bonus figures (exclusively available at Costco stores)

{{note|None of the toys from these packs were changed as compared to their single releases.}}
===Regular Japanese releases (EZ Collection)===
*Optimus Prime
*Bumblebee
*Jazz
*Ratchet
*Megatron
*Barricade

{{note|These toys were distributed via TakaraTomy's subsidiary Subarudo. They were [[Blindpacking|blind-packed]] (but didn't include [[Shortpacking|shortpacked]] or [[Chase figure|chase figures]]), and unlike the ''Cybertron'' EZ Collection figures, they were identical to their Hasbro counterparts (Ratchet was only available as the less [[Show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] "off-color" variant). Ratchet and Jazz are also notable for not sporting the [[Trademark|"Autobot" prefixes]] the Hasbro versions (and the TakaraTomy versions of the larger [[Movie (toyline)|Movie toys]]) sported in front of their names.}}
===Japanese exclusives===
*Bumblebee (clear yellow "Scanning" version; free pack-in figure available with August 2007 edition of ''Hyper Hobby'' magazine)
*Bumblebee (metallic version; free pack-in figure available with the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]] DVD, exclusive to Tsutaya Records stores)

==''Animated''==
[[Hasbro Toy Shop]] had previously listed a category for an ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' Legends series, but no figures were announced, and it has since been removed from the site. Instead, Legends-sized toys based on ''Animated'' characters were released as part of the [[Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' line]].

[[Image:AnimatedLegends.jpg|left|190px|thumb|]]
However, there were two Target [[exclusive]] three-packs released as part of the ''Animated'' line, each containing a redeco of a mass retail ''Animated'' Deluxe Class toy and two Legends Class figures, which were also released as single packs in the ''Universe'' line (see below). There is one slight difference in the ''Animated'' Prowl and Bumblebee in the packs than the ''Universe'' single releases. The Target Packs have silver Autobot symbols, while their ''Universe'' releases have the standard red with white backgrounds. Bumblebee, Optimus, and Starscream also have slightly darker paint jobs, with Bumblebee having a darker yellow and windows, and Starscream resembling Thundercracker. Optimus's blue is lighter than the ''Universe'' release.

{{-}}

===Target exclusive Deluxe bonus packs===
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Stealth Lockdown]] with [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] with [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]

==''Universe''==
===Wave 1===
* [[Onslaught (G1)|''Classic'' Onslaught]]
* [[Red Alert (G1)|''Classic'' Red Alert]]
* [[Starscream (G1)/toys|''Classic'' Starscream]]

===Wave 2===
* [[Jazz (G1)/toys|''Classic'' Autobot Jazz]]
* [[Hound (G1)|''Classic'' Autobot Hound]]
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys|''Classic''/''Generation 2'' Megatron]]

===Wave 3===
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' Optimus Prime]]
* [[Prowl (Animated)|''Animated'' Prowl]]
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|''Animated'' Bumblebee]]

===Wave 4===
* [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' Starscream]]
* [[Brawn (G1)|''G1'' Brawn]]
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|''G1'' Beachcomber]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|''G1'' Bumblebee]]

===Wave 5===
* [[Cosmos (G1)|''G1'' Autobot Cosmos]]
* [[Warpath (G1)|''G1'' Warpath]]
* [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|''G1'' Rodimus]]
* [[Wheelie (G1)|''G1'' Autobot Wheelie]]

===Target exclusive 5-packs===
* '''Aerial Rivals''' (Classic Series):

:* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]
:* [[Blades]]
:* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
:* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]
:* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]

* '''Special Team Leaders''' (Classic Series):

:* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Autobot Hot Zone]]
:* [[Hun-Gurrr]]
:* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
:* [[Scattershot|Scattorshot]]
:* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]

===Henkei! Henkei!===
* C-18 Attack Team Minibots, contains:
:*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]
:*[[Brawn (G1)|Gong]]
:*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
* C-19 Spy Team Minibots, contains:
:*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]
:*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]
:*[[Cosmos (G1)|Adams]]
{{note| These feature more show-accurate paints jobs than their Hasbro counterparts. Cliffjumper is a repaint of G1 Bumblebee.}}

==Revenge of the Fallen==
===Wave 1===
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Springer (ROTF)|Autobot Springer]]
===Wave 2===
* [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
* [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
* [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]]
===Wave 3===
* [[Ironhide (Movie)|Enforcer Ironhide]]
* [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
* [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]
* [[The Fallen]]
===Future waves===
{{comingsoontoy}}
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]]
* [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]]
* [[Tankor (ROTF)|Tankor]]
* [[Skids (ROTF)|Autobot Skids]]
* Recon Bumblebee
* [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]]
* [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Autobot Wheelie]]
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]

===Regular Japanese releases (EZ Collection)===
{{comingsoontoy}}
* EZ-01 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]]
* EZ-02 [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
* EZ-03 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]]
* EZ-04 [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
* EZ-05 [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
* EZ-06 [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]
* EZ-07 [[Ratchet (Movie)|Desert Tracker Ratchet]]
* EZ-08 [[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]]
{{note|These toys are going to be [[Blindpacking|blind-packed]] and will presumably be identical to their Hasbro counterparts. Unlike his Hasbro counterpart, Springer doesn't sport an [[Trademark|"Autobot" prefix]] in front of his name.}}

===Regular Japanese releases (EZ Collection DX)===
{{comingsoontoy}}
* D1 [[Overload (ROTF)|Decepticon Overload]]
* D2 [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Decepticon Mixmaster]]
* D3 [[Rampage (ROTF)|Decepticon Rampage]]
* D4 [[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]]
* D5 [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]]
* D6 [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]]
* D7 [[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]]
{{note|The Hasbro versions of these toys have been announced to be released as store exclusives. The Takara versions are going to be [[Blindpacking|blind-packed]] and will presumably be identical to their Hasbro counterparts. Rampage sports an [[Trademark|"Autobot" prefix]] in front of his name the Hasbro version presumably ''won't'' have.}}

==Trivia==
* During the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toyline's run, there was some confusion as to the actual name of the price-point: It was variously solicited to online retailers as ''Cybertron All-Stars'' and ''Legends of Cybertron''. Online retailers even confirmed having received initial shipments alternatively sporting either name on the shipping cases, although later shipments exclusively sported the "Legends" name. The toys themselves, however, didn't sport ''any'' size-class-specific name on the packaging. Meanwhile, [[Hasbro]] originally listed the toys under the name ''Cybertron Micro Series'' on their [http://www.transformers.com/ official Transformers website], but later changed those listings to "Legends" as well. Later toylines that included toys of the same size class (including [[Redeco|redecos]] of the ''Cybertron''-derived molds) specifically used names such as ''Legends Class'' on the packaging, so that title seems to have won out. However, the "Cybertron" part of the name has never been used in an official capacity anywhere outside the ''Cybertron'' toyline.

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Knock Out (ROTF)

2009-07-06T07:42:18Z

Rmkar9: /* Scout Class Toys */

{{factions|autobot|NEST}}
{{disambig3|Knockout}}
:''Knock Out is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ROTF_Scout_Knock_Out_toy.JPG|thumb|300px|Who are you calling young and impetuous?]]

'''Knock Out''' is a bit of a show-off. While quite flashy and skilled on the battlefield, he's also real insecure, and very desperate to receive attention from his comrades. He's also curious about this [[combiner|combination retrofit]] everyone's so crazy about.

His big dream is to lead his own special operations groups. <ref>Knock Out toy bio</ref>

==Fiction==
===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' comic.}}

The hot-headed Knockout was sent to [[Peru]] along with [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Robert Epps]], and [[Petr Andronov]] to investigate a Decepticon signal. As soon as Knockout sighted their enemies, he rushed off, only to come running back as [[Blademaster]] and [[Ruination (ROTF)|Ruination]] chased him. After Longarm bitch-slapped him for being such a dick, Knockout actually did a good job of helping in the ensuing fight, even saving the older Autobot's life by holding Ruination back.

Later, when the team was hunting [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Dead End (Movie)|Deadend]] in Rome, Knockout was the one most capable of navigating the tight streets. He once again ran off on his own, but this time, he had good intentions; he got the two Decepticons to crash into each other, damaging them (albeit not severely) and pissing the hell out of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Knockout watched along with the other Autobots when the Decepticon commander challenged [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] to a fight, but they soon found themselves dealing with him instead when he tricked and trapped Optimus. But the Autobot leader soon arose, causing Starscream to take flight.

Later, when Epps and [[William Lennox]] were relaxing on the beach on [[Diego Garcia]] when Knockout came to them, saying something was about to happen and wondering what "shanghaied" meant. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

Knockout's whereabouts during the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]] are unknown.

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Scout Class Toys====
*'''Knock Out''' (Scout Class, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-07'''

:Knock Out is part of the first wave of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Scout Class figures. He transforms into a green racing motorcycle . Similar to [[Bumblebee (Movie)|another movie character]], his right hand is morphed in a plasma cannon. His head and colour scheme also bear some similarity to [[Waspinator (BW)|another character]], who coincidentally, would get 'knocked out' (or blown up) most of the time. The vehicle side panels, which become leg kibble in robot mode, are only held in place by pegs and tend to fall off during conversion. (Luckily, they can be attatched to his back, making him look MORE like waspinator)

:This mold will be used to make [[Reverb (ROTF)|Reverb]] in the same toyline.

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]

Pat Lee

2009-07-06T07:00:29Z

Rmkar9:

{{disambig2|Pat Lee, the superstar comic book artist|the uncredited artist who actually draws all his stuff for negligible pay|Alex Milne}}
[[Image:Patlee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This pretty muh sums up his idiocy.]]
'''Patrick C.K. "Pat" Lee''' (ミチヤメノテヒフナナ ''Michiyamenotehi Funana'') is a Canadian artist. He was the president of [[Dreamwave Productions]] and drew some of their ''Transformers'' comics, until most of his employees noticed he wasn't paying them. Subsequently, he was also the president of Dream Engine until all its employees noticed he wasn't paying them either. He's currently the president (?) of Pat Lee Productions, where it remains to be seen if he notices he isn't paying himself.

:''Known titles, aliases and nicknames:'' The '''[[Wikipedia:Transman|Transman]]''',<ref>[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/index.php?itemid=1490&catid=21 Dreamwave press release]</ref> '''Superstar Artist''', '''Mr. Talented'''<ref>[http://www.alivenotdead.com/rosannewong/A+MASTER+IN+DISGUISE-ANDREW+LIN+vs+PAT+LEE-MR.+TALENTED+(round+2-2)-profile-113669.html Rosanne Wong about Pat Lee painting a mural on her apartment wall]</ref>

{{bigquote|Over my dead body.|[[Simon Furman]] on if Pat Lee will do work for [[IDW]], [[BotCon 2008]]}}

==History==
===Before the Transformers===
[[Image:Dreamwave.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Chillingly prophetic.]]
Pat Lee was born in Montreal on [[June 28]], 1975<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/infrarred2.html Pat Lee's own biography on his old Angelfire website]</ref>, and raised in Toronto. At the age of 16, right after graduating from high school, Lee was eager to find a job in the comic book industry, sending over 150 pages of sample aftworks to [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Wikipedia:DC Comics|DC]]. Unfortunately for Lee, both publishers realized what a shoddy artist he was. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, however, Lee eventually managed to catch the attention of infamous [[Wikipedia:Image Comics|Image Comic]] co-founder [[wikipedia:Rob Liefeld|Rob Liefeld]] at a Toronto convention in 1994, who would hire Lee (now aged 19) to work as a penciller on various titles for Liefeld's Image studio [[Wikipedia:Awesome Comics|Extreme Studios]]. After that, Pat Lee would also work for [[Wikipedia:Jim Lee|Jim Lee's]] Image studio [[Wikipedia:Wildstorm Productions|Wildstorm Productions]], as well as accepting work-for-hire assignments from Marvel (who had now apparently changed their mind regarding his artwork).

In 1996, Pat and his brother [[Roger Lee|Roger]] decided to start their own studio within Image Comics, [[Dreamwave Productions]], with Pat acting as the company's president. With Dreamwave, Lee would continue accepting contractual work for other publishers (such as the four-issue limited series ''Wolverine/Punisher: Revelation'' for Marvel), but also started to publish his own <strike>blatantly plagiarized</strike> originally created titles such as ''[[Wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell|Darkminds]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Record of Lodoss War|Warlands]]''. Collaborations with various magazines and advertising campaigns helped to further advance Dreamwave's reputation. Initially, the "hook" for Dreamwave's financial success was Pat's drawing style, which many readers viewed as "manga-like" (although readers of actual Japanese Mangas had a different opinion on this matter).

===Transformers by Dreamwave===
In 2001, Pat and Dreamwave submitted a contribution for a feature named "Big 80s" that was published in issue #111 of ''Wizard: The Comics Magazine'', depicting Pat's own take on one of his favorite properties from his childhood days, the ''Transformers''. Proving to be a huge hit among fans, [[Hasbro]] would consider the general art style a benchmark when they were offering the license for a new ''Transformers'' comic later that year.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=1365 Lying in the Gutters confirming that other publishers were interested in the Transformers license]</ref> Unsurprisingly, it was Dreamwave themselves who finally acquired said license, commemorating this as a turning point in the history of their company by officially cutting all ties with Image and becoming an independent publisher on their own.

[[Image:Fallenpatlee.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why do Pat Lee's Transformers look like they're about to take a poop?]]
In addition to providing the art for various adverts, [[posters]] and covers, Pat would draw the first two ''Generation 1'' limited series, [[Prime Directive|Vol. 1]] (aka "Prime Directive") and [[War and Peace|Vol. 2: War and Peace]]. Subsequently, he would concentrate on controlling Dreamwave as its president and spend more time on his biggest hobby, fast cars, assigning art jobs to other artists (many of them hired directly out of the fandom) instead. Lee's only other major contribution in terms of art would ultimately be some of the character profiles published in the eight-issue [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]] limited series.

Despite having dominated Diamond's sales charts for several subsequent months with the ''Transformers'', Dreamwave eventually ended up in dire financial circumstances. Coinciding with rumors of unpaid freelancers, Pat Lee started to accept contractual work for Marvel and DC again, such as issues of ''House of M'' or ''Superman/Batman''. Dreamwave eventually declared bankruptcy on January 4, 2005, blaming the weak Canadian Dollar and other scapegoats for the company's failure.<ref>[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4053 Dreamwave's final press release]</ref>

===After Dreamwave===
With Dream Engine, Lee would work on various projects such as an ''X-Men/Fantastic Four'' crossover for Marvel, issues for the ''Batman/Superman'' series for DC and a relaunch of [[Wikipedia:Cyberforce|Cyberforce]] for [[Wikipedia:Top Cow Productions|Top Cow]], another Image studio.

Eventually, Pat Lee parted ways with Dream Engine again and started his new enterprise, Pat Lee Productions.<ref>[http://www.patleeproductions.com/main.html Pat Lee Productions]</ref> Pat Lee is currently residing in Hong Kong.

===Return to official ''Transformers'' work===
In mid-2008, three and a half years since the collapse of Dreamwave, Lee was commissioned to do a series of illustrations for Hasbro Hong Kong to use for promotional purposes as part of their appearance at Ani-Con 2008.<ref>[http://www.alivenotdead.com/patlee/Transform+and+ROLL+OUT--profile-225643.html Pat Lee showcases his illustrations for Hasbro on his blog.]</ref> Let's hope that art stays in Hong Kong.

In spite of the movie having been out for about a year, he couldn't even be bothered to look up recent art and stills and drew Megatron with his unused concept art head.

==Published Transformers works with Pat Lee credit==
===Comics===
* ''[[Prime Directive|Transformers: Generation 1 (vol. 1)]]'': [[Prime Directive Preview|Preview]], [[Prime Directive issue 1|#1]], [[Prime Directive issue 2|#2]], [[Prime Directive issue 3|#3]], [[Prime Directive issue 4|#4]], [[Prime Directive issue 5|#5]], [[Prime Directive issue 6|#6]]
* ''[[War and Peace|Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2: War and Peace]]'': [[New World Order|#1]], [[Brothers' Burden|#2]], [[Cold War|#3]], [[Passive Aggression|#4]], [[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|#5]], [[Revelation (War and Peace)|#6]]
* ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye (G1)]]'' #1, #3, #6 (assorted profiles)
* ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Transformers: Armada]]'': [[Dreamwave Armada issue 6|#6]], [[Dreamwave Armada issue 7|#7]]
* ''Transformers Armada: More Than Meets The Eye (Official Guidebook)'': #1, #2, #3 (assorted profiles)
* ''20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special'': Individual story "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]"
* assorted covers for nearly all the Dreamwave Transformers series

{{note|With the revelation of [[Alex Milne]] ghosting for Pat Lee on Top Cow's ''Cyberforce'', artist Edwin Garcia being credited for "backgrounds" on the ''Generation 1'' titles and at least one of his covers actually being done by a ghost artist, it's uncertain how much of the art credited to Pat Lee has actually been his work at all.

''Various artworks originally created by Lee for the covers of the first ''Generation 1'' limited series were also used by both [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] for their [[Commemorative Series]] and [[Transformers Collection]] series of reissues. Following the demise of Dreamwave, Hasbro would also continue to use cover artwork drawn by Lee for promotional images and various pieces of merchandise, such as a [[Transformers Monopoly]] board game. The reason for this is simply because the art has already been paid for, and is therefore cheaper to use for Hasbro than newly solicited artwork.}}

===Packaging art===
====Alternators====
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]

{{note|The packaging artwork for [[Alternators]] Smokescreen was also used for the profile card of Takara's ''Binaltech'' counterpart.}}
====Commemorative Series====
* Series III [[Jazz (G1)|Autobot Jazz]]
* Series IV [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* Series IV [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* Series V [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* Series V [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* Series VI [[Grapple|Autobot Grapple]]
* Series VII [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
* Series VII [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
* Series VIII [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]

{{note|The artwork for Hoist, Inferno, Grapple, Rodimus Prime and Dirge was done specifically for these reissues; the rest was recycled from covers of Dreamwave's first ''Generation 1'' limited series.}}

====Transformers Collection====
* No.0 [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Convoy]] (Optimus Prime)
* No.1 Meister (Jazz)
* No.2 Prowl
* No.6 [[Megatron (G1) toys|Megatron]]
* No.7 Lambor (Sideswipe)
* No.10 [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* No.12 [[Mini Vehicle|Minibot Team]]
* No.16 [[Insecticon (G1)|Insectrons]] (Insecticons)

{{note|None of these artworks were created specifically for these reissues, but were instead recycled from old promotional posters or covers of Dreamwave's first ''Generation 1'' limited series.}}
===Other===
* Hasbro Hong Kong Ani-Con 2008 [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] Commemorative boxset certificate

==Criticism and controversy==
===Art style===
[[Image:Patleehowtodrawoptimus.jpg|left|250px|thumb|1) Draw a circle. 2) Draw Optimus Prime. 3) Give him scraplets. 4) Give him leprosy.]]
Pat Lee's artwork has often been the target of criticism among fans. While he was initially praised by many fans for his "manga-like" drawing style (which is heavily inspired by the character designs and visual cues used by [[Studio Ox]]), others criticized his tendency for exaggerated proportions, emphasis on rounded robot body parts, making the characters look "inflated" and marshmallow-like, a general lack of sequential storytelling skills and the overall look of his human characters (see "[[dull surprise]]" for more on ''that''). Even his critics often admitted that his work for covers and posters was better than his actual comic book interior artwork; however, that would change soon when even his cover artwork saw a severe decline in quality starting with the [[War and Peace|second ''Generation 1'' limited series]]. The introduction of [[Don Figueroa|other]] [[Guido Guidi|artists]] who would draw Transformers characters in a similar style, while avoiding many of the problems Lee was criticized for, would further shift the public opinion against Lee's artwork.

[[Image:DWPrimewhatthe.jpg|right|200px|thumb|When you're being compared to Rob Liefeld, maybe it's time to quit<ref name="leefeld">[http://www.shortpacked.com/d/20061213.html Shortpacked!]</ref>]]
Lee's response to that was enforcing an internal "house style" that would force other artists to follow Pat Lee's own style more closely. [[Don Figueroa]] confirmed in an interview having received such requests from Dreamwave art director [[Rob Ruffolo]], a guideline which Figueroa declined.<ref name="dontrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php Interview with Don Figueroa]</ref> Fellow artist [[Guido Guidi]] confirmed having received similar requests.<ref name="guidtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php Interview with Guido Guidi]</ref> Ruffolo himself also later confirmed the existence of an internal "house style", without specifically referring to Lee.<ref name="ruftrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_ruffolo.php Interview with Rob Ruffolo]</ref>

Even though many fans preferred other artists over Pat Lee, official Dreamwave press releases and solicitations would often titulate the company's president as a "superstar artist".<ref name="dwadds">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/dreamwave-adds-transformers-creators-2492/ The infamous "Dreamwave Adds Transformers Creators" press release]</ref>

===Business practices===
The demise of Dreamwave didn't come overnight. The first rumors of freelancers not getting paid date back as far as October of 2003.<ref name="litgffreel">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=14548 Lying in the Gutters reporting on early rumors of Dreamwave artists not getting paid]</ref> Following the closure of Dreamwave, former freelance writers [[Adam Patyk]] and [[James McDonough]] reiterated their claims that Dreamwave (not explicitly referring to Lee himself) had stopped paying them even before declaring bankruptcy. They had then filed a lawsuit against their former employer, and when that became public, they had allegedly also heard from other Dreamwave employees and freelancers who were supposedly also complaining about not being paid anymore.<ref name="patnram">[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 Interview with writers Adam Patyk and James McDonough]</ref>

Aside from Patyk and McDonough, no other former Dreamwave employees or freelancers were nearly as explicit on the issue. Artist Don Figueroa only stated that Dreamwave was "getting really behind with the check" and pointed out that he "was also assured everything was cool" when he met Pat Lee in person only a month prior to the closing of Dreamwave.<ref name="dontrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php Interview with Don Figueroa]</ref> The latter complaint was also repeated by writer [[Simon Furman]].<ref name="furmtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_furman3.php Interview with Simon Furman]</ref> Likewise, artist [[Guido Guidi]] merely accused Dreamwave of a lack of "[g]ood communication", and even revealed an ambivalent attitude towards Pat Lee and his brother Roger.<ref name="guidtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php Interview with Guido Guidi]</ref> Artist James Raiz, meanwhile, claimed that he was "one of the very few who came out of Dreamwave with all [his] money.<ref name="raiztrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_raiz.php Interview with James Raiz]</ref>

Prior to declaring bankruptcy, Pat and his brother Roger had spent four months secretly transferring most of Dreamwave's assets to a new company named Dream Engine, whose website domain was registered to Roger's name.<ref name="litgdreame">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2059 Lying in the Gutters discovering the existence of Dream Engine]</ref> In addition, it would turn out that Lee had made sure to transfer ownership of his formerly company-owned Porsche to himself before giving up Dreamwave,<ref name="porsche">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2184 Lying in the Gutters reporting on the Pat Lee Porsche story]</ref> and had spent half a million Canadian dollars on a new luxury apartment even before the Dreamwave bankruptcy.<ref name="apartment">[http://comicbooks.org/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2203 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Pat Lee's new apartment]</ref> The overall amount of Dreamwave's debt was far over a million dollars.<ref name="litgmillion">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?article=2102 Lying in the Gutters' list of Dreamwave's creditors]</ref>

In addition, Guido Guidi and Don Figueroa later confirmed that they were additionally charged by FedEx for having shipped artwork to Dreamwave prior to the company's closure.<ref name="fedex">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050507073425/http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread73039.html Archived TFW2005 thread with Guido Guidi and Don Figueroa confirming the FedEx story]</ref>

Pat Lee himself gave several interviews following the closing of Dreamwave, presenting himself as a victim of circumstance while completely dodging the issue of unpaid creators and the existence of Dream Engine.<ref name="patwiz">[http://web.archive.org/web/20061120012852/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000230624.cfm Archived Wizard interview with Pat Lee]</ref><ref name="patnram">[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 Interview with writers Adam Patyk and James McDonough]</ref><ref name="jazma">[http://www.jazmaonline.com/interviews/interviews2.asp?intID=318 Jazma Online interview with Pat Lee, April 2006]</ref>

While working with Dream Engine, Pat Lee spent a significant amount of the company's funds on the campaign of his girlfriend [[Wikipedia:Aimee Chan|Aimee Chan]], who would eventually win the title of Miss Hong Kong in 2006. This ultimately resulted in Pat being asked by Dream Engine and his brother Roger to leave the company.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2575 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Pat Lee's involvement with Aimee Chan]</ref> In the fall of 2007, Aimee Chan changed her status on her [http://www.alivenotdead.com/aimeechan/details.html alive not dead social networking page] to "single". Oops!

===Failure to give proper credit===
During the Dreamwave days, several artists confirmed that Pat Lee had only been drawing the robot characters, leaving the backgrounds entirely to (credited) assistants such as Edwin Garcia.

In 2007, it would turn out that Lee's personal involvement in his girlfriend's beauty pageant campaign had resulted in him being unable to meet deadlines for issues of Top Cow's ''Cyberforce'' series. As a consequence, Pat had asked [[Alex Milne]] to draw those issues in his stead. After a few issues, what little credit was initially given to Milne was dropped entirely, with Pat submitting the artwork under his own name instead, paying Milne merely a fragment of the money Top Cow was paying him.<ref name="litgmilne1">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15355 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Alex Milne ghosting for Pat Lee]</ref> In addition, Lee later asked Milne to draw artwork for DC's ''Superman/Batman'' #34 as well, again giving his underpaid ghost artist no credit.<ref name="litgmilne2">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15547 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Alex Milne ghosting for Pat Lee even more]</ref> Eventually, Top Cow found out, resulting in Pat Lee not paying Milne ''at all'' for over 20 pages of artwork.<ref name="deviantmilne">[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-06-Alex-Milne-64254823 Interview with Alex Milne on DeviantArt]</ref>

In late 2008, former Dreamwave editor [[Matt Moylan]] confirmed that the Silver Snail exclusive variant cover for Dreamwave's [[Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|''Generation One'' (ongoing)]] [[Night of the Combaticons|issue 1]] that had been credited to Pat Lee had actually been drawn by a ghost artist as well.<ref name="g1ghost">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/2407689-post83.html Matt Moylan confirming that the Silver Snail exclusive G1 vol. 3 #1 cover had been drawn by a ghost artist too.]</ref>

===Attempts at cover-up===
In March and April of 2008, a newly registered Wikipedia user repeatedly tried to remove any reference to the controversies surrounding Pat Lee in his own article, instead replacing them with more PR-friendly resume details.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Hyrocomics Contributions by Wikipedia user "Hyrocomics"]</ref><ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/219.78.200.95 Contributions by IP 209.70.200.95]</ref> (The critical content in the Wikipedia article ''was'' later purged for other reasons, but not reverted to the blatant self-advertising Pat's own version was.)

==Trivia==
* Before the launch of Dreamwave's ''Transformers'' comic books, Pat expressed a certain level of ignorance with regard to the brand's history. For example, he claimed that, in retrospect, the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Transformers cartoon]] was so amazing that it was only a matter of time before the [[The Transformers (toyline)|toys]] were made.<ref name="animefringe">[http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/01.03/feature/2/index.php3 Interview with animefringe.com]</ref> In the same interview, he also admitted liking [[Generation 1]] [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], whom he considers a "wicked character", regretting that he "died" in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]].<ref name="animefringe">[http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/01.03/feature/2/index.php3 Interview with animefringe.com]</ref>

* During Dreamwave's heyday, Dreamwave press releases would constantly titulate the company's president as a "superstar artist", even after the company had started hiring various other artists, including [[Don Figueroa]], most of whom would prove to be vastly more popular among fans than Lee.

[[Image:FuNaNa.jpg|right|216px|thumb|Those fancy Japanese characters look AWESOME. Too bad I can't read them.]]
* Fans discovered an old personal website Pat had set up prior to the big breakthrough with Dreamwave.<ref name="infrarred">[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/ Infrarred] {{sic}} Pat Lee's Angelfire homepage</ref> In retrospect, many of the quotes and graphics featured on the site would prove to be either hilariously ironic or frighteningly prophetic, such as a promotional image depicting Pat, his brother Roger and then-Dreamwave exec Alvin Lee walking away from a nuclear explosion (see [[:Image:Dreamwave.jpg|Image:Dreamwave.jpg]]); or a header graphic that features his name, "Patrick Lee", replaced by random Katakana characters (ミチヤメノテヒフナナ), which read "''Michiyamenotehi Funana''". Soon, this would become his new nickname among fans, used exclusively in a mocking manner.
** The cause for this is almost certainly a character-replacement Katakana font, as used by someone who has no damn clue how Katakana works, nevermind ability to read it.
***If Pat Lee had any damn clue how to transliterate, the Katakana would be パトリックリー (''Patorikku Rī'').

* Pat Lee once set a hill on fire.<ref name="infrarred">[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/ Infrarred] {{sic}} Pat Lee's Angelfire homepage</ref>

* After the launch of Dream Engine, Lee's resume at the company's website claimed that he was responsible for relaunching "X-Men, Batman and more", thereby implying that those franchises had long lingered in a near-dead state until Superstar Funana blessed them with his divine reanimating powers.<ref>Pat's resume at the now defunct Dreamengine website.</ref>

* All of the above is ''absolutely true''. We're not kidding.

==Memorable quotes by and about Pat Lee==
{{bigquote|It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures.|Pat Lee<ref>[http://www.jazmaonline.com/interviews/interviews2.asp?intID=318 Jazma Online Interview]</ref>}}

{{bigquote|If he ever wants out of comics, Pat Lee's got a heck of a career as an auto mechanic.|''Wizard Magazine''<ref>Verbatim quote from a <strike>[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/dailyraider/patlee.jpg butt-kissing advert]</strike> article published in an issue of ''Wizard Magazine''.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|I remember working with Pat Lee and how kind of disappointed I was to find how little of the art was actually him. He gave me an original art page of Armada, and there’s so little art on it!|Simon Furman<ref>Talking about memorable experiences, [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871 http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871]</ref>}}

{{bigquote|If Pat had been some faceless bureaucrat it maybe wouldn’t now seem such an acute betrayal, but he looked me square in the eye and said everything’s hunky-dory. That’s what still, even now, burns.|Simon Furman<ref>Online interview talking about the collapse of Dreamwave</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Probably the richest guy I know.|Don Figueroa <ref>Word Association with the name "Pat Lee" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|A guy that really knows how to pitch himself.|Guido Guidi<ref>Word Association with the name "Pat Lee" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Cars are expensive.|Guido Guidi<ref>Word Association with the name "Dreamwave" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Can we get our money?|Adam Patyk<ref>Patyk's response to the question "If you could talk to Pat directly right now, what would you ask of him?" in an [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 interview] with Newsarama.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Some of the shapes and lines are a little misshapen. When you draw your lines, sketch them out in layout mode, and try to get as accurate as possible before making any final lines.|Pat Lee, not practicing what he preaches. <ref>[http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m190/PatLeeProductions/?action=view&current=page3.jpg Quote from Pat Lee's "How to draw Mecha" article from Wizard #118, July 2001.]</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[Dull surprise]]

==Other external links==
* [http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/infrarred2.html Infrarred]
* [http://www.myspace.com/patleeart PatLeeArt] at MySpace
* [http://www.alivenotdead.com/patlee Pat Lee's alive not dead profile blog site]
* [http://patleeart.deviantart.com/ Pat Lee's deviantART page.]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/PatLeeArt Pat Lee's Youtube account]
* [http://twitter.com/patleeart Pat Lee's Twitter feed]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Pat}}
[[Category:Colorists]]
[[Category:Designers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave]]
[[Category:Executives]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Pencillers]]

Pat Lee

2009-07-06T06:59:53Z

Rmkar9:

{{disambig2|Pat Lee, the superstar comic book artist|the uncredited artist who actually draws all his stuff for negligible pay|Alex Milne}}
[[Image:Patlee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This pretty muh sums uphis idiocy.]]
'''Patrick C.K. "Pat" Lee''' (ミチヤメノテヒフナナ ''Michiyamenotehi Funana'') is a Canadian artist. He was the president of [[Dreamwave Productions]] and drew some of their ''Transformers'' comics, until most of his employees noticed he wasn't paying them. Subsequently, he was also the president of Dream Engine until all its employees noticed he wasn't paying them either. He's currently the president (?) of Pat Lee Productions, where it remains to be seen if he notices he isn't paying himself.

:''Known titles, aliases and nicknames:'' The '''[[Wikipedia:Transman|Transman]]''',<ref>[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/index.php?itemid=1490&catid=21 Dreamwave press release]</ref> '''Superstar Artist''', '''Mr. Talented'''<ref>[http://www.alivenotdead.com/rosannewong/A+MASTER+IN+DISGUISE-ANDREW+LIN+vs+PAT+LEE-MR.+TALENTED+(round+2-2)-profile-113669.html Rosanne Wong about Pat Lee painting a mural on her apartment wall]</ref>

{{bigquote|Over my dead body.|[[Simon Furman]] on if Pat Lee will do work for [[IDW]], [[BotCon 2008]]}}

==History==
===Before the Transformers===
[[Image:Dreamwave.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Chillingly prophetic.]]
Pat Lee was born in Montreal on [[June 28]], 1975<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/infrarred2.html Pat Lee's own biography on his old Angelfire website]</ref>, and raised in Toronto. At the age of 16, right after graduating from high school, Lee was eager to find a job in the comic book industry, sending over 150 pages of sample aftworks to [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Wikipedia:DC Comics|DC]]. Unfortunately for Lee, both publishers realized what a shoddy artist he was. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, however, Lee eventually managed to catch the attention of infamous [[Wikipedia:Image Comics|Image Comic]] co-founder [[wikipedia:Rob Liefeld|Rob Liefeld]] at a Toronto convention in 1994, who would hire Lee (now aged 19) to work as a penciller on various titles for Liefeld's Image studio [[Wikipedia:Awesome Comics|Extreme Studios]]. After that, Pat Lee would also work for [[Wikipedia:Jim Lee|Jim Lee's]] Image studio [[Wikipedia:Wildstorm Productions|Wildstorm Productions]], as well as accepting work-for-hire assignments from Marvel (who had now apparently changed their mind regarding his artwork).

In 1996, Pat and his brother [[Roger Lee|Roger]] decided to start their own studio within Image Comics, [[Dreamwave Productions]], with Pat acting as the company's president. With Dreamwave, Lee would continue accepting contractual work for other publishers (such as the four-issue limited series ''Wolverine/Punisher: Revelation'' for Marvel), but also started to publish his own <strike>blatantly plagiarized</strike> originally created titles such as ''[[Wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell|Darkminds]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Record of Lodoss War|Warlands]]''. Collaborations with various magazines and advertising campaigns helped to further advance Dreamwave's reputation. Initially, the "hook" for Dreamwave's financial success was Pat's drawing style, which many readers viewed as "manga-like" (although readers of actual Japanese Mangas had a different opinion on this matter).

===Transformers by Dreamwave===
In 2001, Pat and Dreamwave submitted a contribution for a feature named "Big 80s" that was published in issue #111 of ''Wizard: The Comics Magazine'', depicting Pat's own take on one of his favorite properties from his childhood days, the ''Transformers''. Proving to be a huge hit among fans, [[Hasbro]] would consider the general art style a benchmark when they were offering the license for a new ''Transformers'' comic later that year.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=1365 Lying in the Gutters confirming that other publishers were interested in the Transformers license]</ref> Unsurprisingly, it was Dreamwave themselves who finally acquired said license, commemorating this as a turning point in the history of their company by officially cutting all ties with Image and becoming an independent publisher on their own.

[[Image:Fallenpatlee.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why do Pat Lee's Transformers look like they're about to take a poop?]]
In addition to providing the art for various adverts, [[posters]] and covers, Pat would draw the first two ''Generation 1'' limited series, [[Prime Directive|Vol. 1]] (aka "Prime Directive") and [[War and Peace|Vol. 2: War and Peace]]. Subsequently, he would concentrate on controlling Dreamwave as its president and spend more time on his biggest hobby, fast cars, assigning art jobs to other artists (many of them hired directly out of the fandom) instead. Lee's only other major contribution in terms of art would ultimately be some of the character profiles published in the eight-issue [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]] limited series.

Despite having dominated Diamond's sales charts for several subsequent months with the ''Transformers'', Dreamwave eventually ended up in dire financial circumstances. Coinciding with rumors of unpaid freelancers, Pat Lee started to accept contractual work for Marvel and DC again, such as issues of ''House of M'' or ''Superman/Batman''. Dreamwave eventually declared bankruptcy on January 4, 2005, blaming the weak Canadian Dollar and other scapegoats for the company's failure.<ref>[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4053 Dreamwave's final press release]</ref>

===After Dreamwave===
With Dream Engine, Lee would work on various projects such as an ''X-Men/Fantastic Four'' crossover for Marvel, issues for the ''Batman/Superman'' series for DC and a relaunch of [[Wikipedia:Cyberforce|Cyberforce]] for [[Wikipedia:Top Cow Productions|Top Cow]], another Image studio.

Eventually, Pat Lee parted ways with Dream Engine again and started his new enterprise, Pat Lee Productions.<ref>[http://www.patleeproductions.com/main.html Pat Lee Productions]</ref> Pat Lee is currently residing in Hong Kong.

===Return to official ''Transformers'' work===
In mid-2008, three and a half years since the collapse of Dreamwave, Lee was commissioned to do a series of illustrations for Hasbro Hong Kong to use for promotional purposes as part of their appearance at Ani-Con 2008.<ref>[http://www.alivenotdead.com/patlee/Transform+and+ROLL+OUT--profile-225643.html Pat Lee showcases his illustrations for Hasbro on his blog.]</ref> Let's hope that art stays in Hong Kong.

In spite of the movie having been out for about a year, he couldn't even be bothered to look up recent art and stills and drew Megatron with his unused concept art head.

==Published Transformers works with Pat Lee credit==
===Comics===
* ''[[Prime Directive|Transformers: Generation 1 (vol. 1)]]'': [[Prime Directive Preview|Preview]], [[Prime Directive issue 1|#1]], [[Prime Directive issue 2|#2]], [[Prime Directive issue 3|#3]], [[Prime Directive issue 4|#4]], [[Prime Directive issue 5|#5]], [[Prime Directive issue 6|#6]]
* ''[[War and Peace|Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2: War and Peace]]'': [[New World Order|#1]], [[Brothers' Burden|#2]], [[Cold War|#3]], [[Passive Aggression|#4]], [[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|#5]], [[Revelation (War and Peace)|#6]]
* ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye (G1)]]'' #1, #3, #6 (assorted profiles)
* ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Transformers: Armada]]'': [[Dreamwave Armada issue 6|#6]], [[Dreamwave Armada issue 7|#7]]
* ''Transformers Armada: More Than Meets The Eye (Official Guidebook)'': #1, #2, #3 (assorted profiles)
* ''20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special'': Individual story "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]"
* assorted covers for nearly all the Dreamwave Transformers series

{{note|With the revelation of [[Alex Milne]] ghosting for Pat Lee on Top Cow's ''Cyberforce'', artist Edwin Garcia being credited for "backgrounds" on the ''Generation 1'' titles and at least one of his covers actually being done by a ghost artist, it's uncertain how much of the art credited to Pat Lee has actually been his work at all.

''Various artworks originally created by Lee for the covers of the first ''Generation 1'' limited series were also used by both [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] for their [[Commemorative Series]] and [[Transformers Collection]] series of reissues. Following the demise of Dreamwave, Hasbro would also continue to use cover artwork drawn by Lee for promotional images and various pieces of merchandise, such as a [[Transformers Monopoly]] board game. The reason for this is simply because the art has already been paid for, and is therefore cheaper to use for Hasbro than newly solicited artwork.}}

===Packaging art===
====Alternators====
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]

{{note|The packaging artwork for [[Alternators]] Smokescreen was also used for the profile card of Takara's ''Binaltech'' counterpart.}}
====Commemorative Series====
* Series III [[Jazz (G1)|Autobot Jazz]]
* Series IV [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* Series IV [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* Series V [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* Series V [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* Series VI [[Grapple|Autobot Grapple]]
* Series VII [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
* Series VII [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
* Series VIII [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]

{{note|The artwork for Hoist, Inferno, Grapple, Rodimus Prime and Dirge was done specifically for these reissues; the rest was recycled from covers of Dreamwave's first ''Generation 1'' limited series.}}

====Transformers Collection====
* No.0 [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Convoy]] (Optimus Prime)
* No.1 Meister (Jazz)
* No.2 Prowl
* No.6 [[Megatron (G1) toys|Megatron]]
* No.7 Lambor (Sideswipe)
* No.10 [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* No.12 [[Mini Vehicle|Minibot Team]]
* No.16 [[Insecticon (G1)|Insectrons]] (Insecticons)

{{note|None of these artworks were created specifically for these reissues, but were instead recycled from old promotional posters or covers of Dreamwave's first ''Generation 1'' limited series.}}
===Other===
* Hasbro Hong Kong Ani-Con 2008 [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] Commemorative boxset certificate

==Criticism and controversy==
===Art style===
[[Image:Patleehowtodrawoptimus.jpg|left|250px|thumb|1) Draw a circle. 2) Draw Optimus Prime. 3) Give him scraplets. 4) Give him leprosy.]]
Pat Lee's artwork has often been the target of criticism among fans. While he was initially praised by many fans for his "manga-like" drawing style (which is heavily inspired by the character designs and visual cues used by [[Studio Ox]]), others criticized his tendency for exaggerated proportions, emphasis on rounded robot body parts, making the characters look "inflated" and marshmallow-like, a general lack of sequential storytelling skills and the overall look of his human characters (see "[[dull surprise]]" for more on ''that''). Even his critics often admitted that his work for covers and posters was better than his actual comic book interior artwork; however, that would change soon when even his cover artwork saw a severe decline in quality starting with the [[War and Peace|second ''Generation 1'' limited series]]. The introduction of [[Don Figueroa|other]] [[Guido Guidi|artists]] who would draw Transformers characters in a similar style, while avoiding many of the problems Lee was criticized for, would further shift the public opinion against Lee's artwork.

[[Image:DWPrimewhatthe.jpg|right|200px|thumb|When you're being compared to Rob Liefeld, maybe it's time to quit<ref name="leefeld">[http://www.shortpacked.com/d/20061213.html Shortpacked!]</ref>]]
Lee's response to that was enforcing an internal "house style" that would force other artists to follow Pat Lee's own style more closely. [[Don Figueroa]] confirmed in an interview having received such requests from Dreamwave art director [[Rob Ruffolo]], a guideline which Figueroa declined.<ref name="dontrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php Interview with Don Figueroa]</ref> Fellow artist [[Guido Guidi]] confirmed having received similar requests.<ref name="guidtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php Interview with Guido Guidi]</ref> Ruffolo himself also later confirmed the existence of an internal "house style", without specifically referring to Lee.<ref name="ruftrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_ruffolo.php Interview with Rob Ruffolo]</ref>

Even though many fans preferred other artists over Pat Lee, official Dreamwave press releases and solicitations would often titulate the company's president as a "superstar artist".<ref name="dwadds">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/dreamwave-adds-transformers-creators-2492/ The infamous "Dreamwave Adds Transformers Creators" press release]</ref>

===Business practices===
The demise of Dreamwave didn't come overnight. The first rumors of freelancers not getting paid date back as far as October of 2003.<ref name="litgffreel">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=14548 Lying in the Gutters reporting on early rumors of Dreamwave artists not getting paid]</ref> Following the closure of Dreamwave, former freelance writers [[Adam Patyk]] and [[James McDonough]] reiterated their claims that Dreamwave (not explicitly referring to Lee himself) had stopped paying them even before declaring bankruptcy. They had then filed a lawsuit against their former employer, and when that became public, they had allegedly also heard from other Dreamwave employees and freelancers who were supposedly also complaining about not being paid anymore.<ref name="patnram">[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 Interview with writers Adam Patyk and James McDonough]</ref>

Aside from Patyk and McDonough, no other former Dreamwave employees or freelancers were nearly as explicit on the issue. Artist Don Figueroa only stated that Dreamwave was "getting really behind with the check" and pointed out that he "was also assured everything was cool" when he met Pat Lee in person only a month prior to the closing of Dreamwave.<ref name="dontrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php Interview with Don Figueroa]</ref> The latter complaint was also repeated by writer [[Simon Furman]].<ref name="furmtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_furman3.php Interview with Simon Furman]</ref> Likewise, artist [[Guido Guidi]] merely accused Dreamwave of a lack of "[g]ood communication", and even revealed an ambivalent attitude towards Pat Lee and his brother Roger.<ref name="guidtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php Interview with Guido Guidi]</ref> Artist James Raiz, meanwhile, claimed that he was "one of the very few who came out of Dreamwave with all [his] money.<ref name="raiztrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_raiz.php Interview with James Raiz]</ref>

Prior to declaring bankruptcy, Pat and his brother Roger had spent four months secretly transferring most of Dreamwave's assets to a new company named Dream Engine, whose website domain was registered to Roger's name.<ref name="litgdreame">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2059 Lying in the Gutters discovering the existence of Dream Engine]</ref> In addition, it would turn out that Lee had made sure to transfer ownership of his formerly company-owned Porsche to himself before giving up Dreamwave,<ref name="porsche">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2184 Lying in the Gutters reporting on the Pat Lee Porsche story]</ref> and had spent half a million Canadian dollars on a new luxury apartment even before the Dreamwave bankruptcy.<ref name="apartment">[http://comicbooks.org/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2203 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Pat Lee's new apartment]</ref> The overall amount of Dreamwave's debt was far over a million dollars.<ref name="litgmillion">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?article=2102 Lying in the Gutters' list of Dreamwave's creditors]</ref>

In addition, Guido Guidi and Don Figueroa later confirmed that they were additionally charged by FedEx for having shipped artwork to Dreamwave prior to the company's closure.<ref name="fedex">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050507073425/http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread73039.html Archived TFW2005 thread with Guido Guidi and Don Figueroa confirming the FedEx story]</ref>

Pat Lee himself gave several interviews following the closing of Dreamwave, presenting himself as a victim of circumstance while completely dodging the issue of unpaid creators and the existence of Dream Engine.<ref name="patwiz">[http://web.archive.org/web/20061120012852/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000230624.cfm Archived Wizard interview with Pat Lee]</ref><ref name="patnram">[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 Interview with writers Adam Patyk and James McDonough]</ref><ref name="jazma">[http://www.jazmaonline.com/interviews/interviews2.asp?intID=318 Jazma Online interview with Pat Lee, April 2006]</ref>

While working with Dream Engine, Pat Lee spent a significant amount of the company's funds on the campaign of his girlfriend [[Wikipedia:Aimee Chan|Aimee Chan]], who would eventually win the title of Miss Hong Kong in 2006. This ultimately resulted in Pat being asked by Dream Engine and his brother Roger to leave the company.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2575 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Pat Lee's involvement with Aimee Chan]</ref> In the fall of 2007, Aimee Chan changed her status on her [http://www.alivenotdead.com/aimeechan/details.html alive not dead social networking page] to "single". Oops!

===Failure to give proper credit===
During the Dreamwave days, several artists confirmed that Pat Lee had only been drawing the robot characters, leaving the backgrounds entirely to (credited) assistants such as Edwin Garcia.

In 2007, it would turn out that Lee's personal involvement in his girlfriend's beauty pageant campaign had resulted in him being unable to meet deadlines for issues of Top Cow's ''Cyberforce'' series. As a consequence, Pat had asked [[Alex Milne]] to draw those issues in his stead. After a few issues, what little credit was initially given to Milne was dropped entirely, with Pat submitting the artwork under his own name instead, paying Milne merely a fragment of the money Top Cow was paying him.<ref name="litgmilne1">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15355 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Alex Milne ghosting for Pat Lee]</ref> In addition, Lee later asked Milne to draw artwork for DC's ''Superman/Batman'' #34 as well, again giving his underpaid ghost artist no credit.<ref name="litgmilne2">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15547 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Alex Milne ghosting for Pat Lee even more]</ref> Eventually, Top Cow found out, resulting in Pat Lee not paying Milne ''at all'' for over 20 pages of artwork.<ref name="deviantmilne">[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-06-Alex-Milne-64254823 Interview with Alex Milne on DeviantArt]</ref>

In late 2008, former Dreamwave editor [[Matt Moylan]] confirmed that the Silver Snail exclusive variant cover for Dreamwave's [[Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|''Generation One'' (ongoing)]] [[Night of the Combaticons|issue 1]] that had been credited to Pat Lee had actually been drawn by a ghost artist as well.<ref name="g1ghost">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/2407689-post83.html Matt Moylan confirming that the Silver Snail exclusive G1 vol. 3 #1 cover had been drawn by a ghost artist too.]</ref>

===Attempts at cover-up===
In March and April of 2008, a newly registered Wikipedia user repeatedly tried to remove any reference to the controversies surrounding Pat Lee in his own article, instead replacing them with more PR-friendly resume details.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Hyrocomics Contributions by Wikipedia user "Hyrocomics"]</ref><ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/219.78.200.95 Contributions by IP 209.70.200.95]</ref> (The critical content in the Wikipedia article ''was'' later purged for other reasons, but not reverted to the blatant self-advertising Pat's own version was.)

==Trivia==
* Before the launch of Dreamwave's ''Transformers'' comic books, Pat expressed a certain level of ignorance with regard to the brand's history. For example, he claimed that, in retrospect, the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Transformers cartoon]] was so amazing that it was only a matter of time before the [[The Transformers (toyline)|toys]] were made.<ref name="animefringe">[http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/01.03/feature/2/index.php3 Interview with animefringe.com]</ref> In the same interview, he also admitted liking [[Generation 1]] [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], whom he considers a "wicked character", regretting that he "died" in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]].<ref name="animefringe">[http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/01.03/feature/2/index.php3 Interview with animefringe.com]</ref>

* During Dreamwave's heyday, Dreamwave press releases would constantly titulate the company's president as a "superstar artist", even after the company had started hiring various other artists, including [[Don Figueroa]], most of whom would prove to be vastly more popular among fans than Lee.

[[Image:FuNaNa.jpg|right|216px|thumb|Those fancy Japanese characters look AWESOME. Too bad I can't read them.]]
* Fans discovered an old personal website Pat had set up prior to the big breakthrough with Dreamwave.<ref name="infrarred">[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/ Infrarred] {{sic}} Pat Lee's Angelfire homepage</ref> In retrospect, many of the quotes and graphics featured on the site would prove to be either hilariously ironic or frighteningly prophetic, such as a promotional image depicting Pat, his brother Roger and then-Dreamwave exec Alvin Lee walking away from a nuclear explosion (see [[:Image:Dreamwave.jpg|Image:Dreamwave.jpg]]); or a header graphic that features his name, "Patrick Lee", replaced by random Katakana characters (ミチヤメノテヒフナナ), which read "''Michiyamenotehi Funana''". Soon, this would become his new nickname among fans, used exclusively in a mocking manner.
** The cause for this is almost certainly a character-replacement Katakana font, as used by someone who has no damn clue how Katakana works, nevermind ability to read it.
***If Pat Lee had any damn clue how to transliterate, the Katakana would be パトリックリー (''Patorikku Rī'').

* Pat Lee once set a hill on fire.<ref name="infrarred">[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/ Infrarred] {{sic}} Pat Lee's Angelfire homepage</ref>

* After the launch of Dream Engine, Lee's resume at the company's website claimed that he was responsible for relaunching "X-Men, Batman and more", thereby implying that those franchises had long lingered in a near-dead state until Superstar Funana blessed them with his divine reanimating powers.<ref>Pat's resume at the now defunct Dreamengine website.</ref>

* All of the above is ''absolutely true''. We're not kidding.

==Memorable quotes by and about Pat Lee==
{{bigquote|It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures.|Pat Lee<ref>[http://www.jazmaonline.com/interviews/interviews2.asp?intID=318 Jazma Online Interview]</ref>}}

{{bigquote|If he ever wants out of comics, Pat Lee's got a heck of a career as an auto mechanic.|''Wizard Magazine''<ref>Verbatim quote from a <strike>[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/dailyraider/patlee.jpg butt-kissing advert]</strike> article published in an issue of ''Wizard Magazine''.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|I remember working with Pat Lee and how kind of disappointed I was to find how little of the art was actually him. He gave me an original art page of Armada, and there’s so little art on it!|Simon Furman<ref>Talking about memorable experiences, [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871 http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871]</ref>}}

{{bigquote|If Pat had been some faceless bureaucrat it maybe wouldn’t now seem such an acute betrayal, but he looked me square in the eye and said everything’s hunky-dory. That’s what still, even now, burns.|Simon Furman<ref>Online interview talking about the collapse of Dreamwave</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Probably the richest guy I know.|Don Figueroa <ref>Word Association with the name "Pat Lee" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|A guy that really knows how to pitch himself.|Guido Guidi<ref>Word Association with the name "Pat Lee" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Cars are expensive.|Guido Guidi<ref>Word Association with the name "Dreamwave" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Can we get our money?|Adam Patyk<ref>Patyk's response to the question "If you could talk to Pat directly right now, what would you ask of him?" in an [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 interview] with Newsarama.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Some of the shapes and lines are a little misshapen. When you draw your lines, sketch them out in layout mode, and try to get as accurate as possible before making any final lines.|Pat Lee, not practicing what he preaches. <ref>[http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m190/PatLeeProductions/?action=view&current=page3.jpg Quote from Pat Lee's "How to draw Mecha" article from Wizard #118, July 2001.]</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[Dull surprise]]

==Other external links==
* [http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/infrarred2.html Infrarred]
* [http://www.myspace.com/patleeart PatLeeArt] at MySpace
* [http://www.alivenotdead.com/patlee Pat Lee's alive not dead profile blog site]
* [http://patleeart.deviantart.com/ Pat Lee's deviantART page.]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/PatLeeArt Pat Lee's Youtube account]
* [http://twitter.com/patleeart Pat Lee's Twitter feed]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Pat}}
[[Category:Colorists]]
[[Category:Designers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave]]
[[Category:Executives]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Pencillers]]

Pat Lee

2009-07-06T06:58:36Z

Rmkar9:

{{disambig2|Pat Lee, the superstar comic book artist|the uncredited artist who actually draws all his stuff for negligible pay|Alex Milne}}
[[Image:Patlee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This pretty muh sums uphis idiocy.<ref>[http://patleeart.deviantart.com/ PatLeeArt] at deviantART</ref>]]
'''Patrick C.K. "Pat" Lee''' (ミチヤメノテヒフナナ ''Michiyamenotehi Funana'') is a Canadian artist. He was the president of [[Dreamwave Productions]] and drew some of their ''Transformers'' comics, until most of his employees noticed he wasn't paying them. Subsequently, he was also the president of Dream Engine until all its employees noticed he wasn't paying them either. He's currently the president (?) of Pat Lee Productions, where it remains to be seen if he notices he isn't paying himself.

:''Known titles, aliases and nicknames:'' The '''[[Wikipedia:Transman|Transman]]''',<ref>[http://www.americandreamcomics.com/index.php?itemid=1490&catid=21 Dreamwave press release]</ref> '''Superstar Artist''', '''Mr. Talented'''<ref>[http://www.alivenotdead.com/rosannewong/A+MASTER+IN+DISGUISE-ANDREW+LIN+vs+PAT+LEE-MR.+TALENTED+(round+2-2)-profile-113669.html Rosanne Wong about Pat Lee painting a mural on her apartment wall]</ref>

{{bigquote|Over my dead body.|[[Simon Furman]] on if Pat Lee will do work for [[IDW]], [[BotCon 2008]]}}

==History==
===Before the Transformers===
[[Image:Dreamwave.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Chillingly prophetic.]]
Pat Lee was born in Montreal on [[June 28]], 1975<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/infrarred2.html Pat Lee's own biography on his old Angelfire website]</ref>, and raised in Toronto. At the age of 16, right after graduating from high school, Lee was eager to find a job in the comic book industry, sending over 150 pages of sample aftworks to [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Wikipedia:DC Comics|DC]]. Unfortunately for Lee, both publishers realized what a shoddy artist he was. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, however, Lee eventually managed to catch the attention of infamous [[Wikipedia:Image Comics|Image Comic]] co-founder [[wikipedia:Rob Liefeld|Rob Liefeld]] at a Toronto convention in 1994, who would hire Lee (now aged 19) to work as a penciller on various titles for Liefeld's Image studio [[Wikipedia:Awesome Comics|Extreme Studios]]. After that, Pat Lee would also work for [[Wikipedia:Jim Lee|Jim Lee's]] Image studio [[Wikipedia:Wildstorm Productions|Wildstorm Productions]], as well as accepting work-for-hire assignments from Marvel (who had now apparently changed their mind regarding his artwork).

In 1996, Pat and his brother [[Roger Lee|Roger]] decided to start their own studio within Image Comics, [[Dreamwave Productions]], with Pat acting as the company's president. With Dreamwave, Lee would continue accepting contractual work for other publishers (such as the four-issue limited series ''Wolverine/Punisher: Revelation'' for Marvel), but also started to publish his own <strike>blatantly plagiarized</strike> originally created titles such as ''[[Wikipedia:Ghost in the Shell|Darkminds]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Record of Lodoss War|Warlands]]''. Collaborations with various magazines and advertising campaigns helped to further advance Dreamwave's reputation. Initially, the "hook" for Dreamwave's financial success was Pat's drawing style, which many readers viewed as "manga-like" (although readers of actual Japanese Mangas had a different opinion on this matter).

===Transformers by Dreamwave===
In 2001, Pat and Dreamwave submitted a contribution for a feature named "Big 80s" that was published in issue #111 of ''Wizard: The Comics Magazine'', depicting Pat's own take on one of his favorite properties from his childhood days, the ''Transformers''. Proving to be a huge hit among fans, [[Hasbro]] would consider the general art style a benchmark when they were offering the license for a new ''Transformers'' comic later that year.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=1365 Lying in the Gutters confirming that other publishers were interested in the Transformers license]</ref> Unsurprisingly, it was Dreamwave themselves who finally acquired said license, commemorating this as a turning point in the history of their company by officially cutting all ties with Image and becoming an independent publisher on their own.

[[Image:Fallenpatlee.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why do Pat Lee's Transformers look like they're about to take a poop?]]
In addition to providing the art for various adverts, [[posters]] and covers, Pat would draw the first two ''Generation 1'' limited series, [[Prime Directive|Vol. 1]] (aka "Prime Directive") and [[War and Peace|Vol. 2: War and Peace]]. Subsequently, he would concentrate on controlling Dreamwave as its president and spend more time on his biggest hobby, fast cars, assigning art jobs to other artists (many of them hired directly out of the fandom) instead. Lee's only other major contribution in terms of art would ultimately be some of the character profiles published in the eight-issue [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]] limited series.

Despite having dominated Diamond's sales charts for several subsequent months with the ''Transformers'', Dreamwave eventually ended up in dire financial circumstances. Coinciding with rumors of unpaid freelancers, Pat Lee started to accept contractual work for Marvel and DC again, such as issues of ''House of M'' or ''Superman/Batman''. Dreamwave eventually declared bankruptcy on January 4, 2005, blaming the weak Canadian Dollar and other scapegoats for the company's failure.<ref>[http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=4053 Dreamwave's final press release]</ref>

===After Dreamwave===
With Dream Engine, Lee would work on various projects such as an ''X-Men/Fantastic Four'' crossover for Marvel, issues for the ''Batman/Superman'' series for DC and a relaunch of [[Wikipedia:Cyberforce|Cyberforce]] for [[Wikipedia:Top Cow Productions|Top Cow]], another Image studio.

Eventually, Pat Lee parted ways with Dream Engine again and started his new enterprise, Pat Lee Productions.<ref>[http://www.patleeproductions.com/main.html Pat Lee Productions]</ref> Pat Lee is currently residing in Hong Kong.

===Return to official ''Transformers'' work===
In mid-2008, three and a half years since the collapse of Dreamwave, Lee was commissioned to do a series of illustrations for Hasbro Hong Kong to use for promotional purposes as part of their appearance at Ani-Con 2008.<ref>[http://www.alivenotdead.com/patlee/Transform+and+ROLL+OUT--profile-225643.html Pat Lee showcases his illustrations for Hasbro on his blog.]</ref> Let's hope that art stays in Hong Kong.

In spite of the movie having been out for about a year, he couldn't even be bothered to look up recent art and stills and drew Megatron with his unused concept art head.

==Published Transformers works with Pat Lee credit==
===Comics===
* ''[[Prime Directive|Transformers: Generation 1 (vol. 1)]]'': [[Prime Directive Preview|Preview]], [[Prime Directive issue 1|#1]], [[Prime Directive issue 2|#2]], [[Prime Directive issue 3|#3]], [[Prime Directive issue 4|#4]], [[Prime Directive issue 5|#5]], [[Prime Directive issue 6|#6]]
* ''[[War and Peace|Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2: War and Peace]]'': [[New World Order|#1]], [[Brothers' Burden|#2]], [[Cold War|#3]], [[Passive Aggression|#4]], [[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|#5]], [[Revelation (War and Peace)|#6]]
* ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye (G1)]]'' #1, #3, #6 (assorted profiles)
* ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Transformers: Armada]]'': [[Dreamwave Armada issue 6|#6]], [[Dreamwave Armada issue 7|#7]]
* ''Transformers Armada: More Than Meets The Eye (Official Guidebook)'': #1, #2, #3 (assorted profiles)
* ''20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special'': Individual story "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]"
* assorted covers for nearly all the Dreamwave Transformers series

{{note|With the revelation of [[Alex Milne]] ghosting for Pat Lee on Top Cow's ''Cyberforce'', artist Edwin Garcia being credited for "backgrounds" on the ''Generation 1'' titles and at least one of his covers actually being done by a ghost artist, it's uncertain how much of the art credited to Pat Lee has actually been his work at all.

''Various artworks originally created by Lee for the covers of the first ''Generation 1'' limited series were also used by both [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] for their [[Commemorative Series]] and [[Transformers Collection]] series of reissues. Following the demise of Dreamwave, Hasbro would also continue to use cover artwork drawn by Lee for promotional images and various pieces of merchandise, such as a [[Transformers Monopoly]] board game. The reason for this is simply because the art has already been paid for, and is therefore cheaper to use for Hasbro than newly solicited artwork.}}

===Packaging art===
====Alternators====
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]

{{note|The packaging artwork for [[Alternators]] Smokescreen was also used for the profile card of Takara's ''Binaltech'' counterpart.}}
====Commemorative Series====
* Series III [[Jazz (G1)|Autobot Jazz]]
* Series IV [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* Series IV [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
* Series V [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
* Series V [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
* Series VI [[Grapple|Autobot Grapple]]
* Series VII [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]
* Series VII [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
* Series VIII [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]]

{{note|The artwork for Hoist, Inferno, Grapple, Rodimus Prime and Dirge was done specifically for these reissues; the rest was recycled from covers of Dreamwave's first ''Generation 1'' limited series.}}

====Transformers Collection====
* No.0 [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Convoy]] (Optimus Prime)
* No.1 Meister (Jazz)
* No.2 Prowl
* No.6 [[Megatron (G1) toys|Megatron]]
* No.7 Lambor (Sideswipe)
* No.10 [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* No.12 [[Mini Vehicle|Minibot Team]]
* No.16 [[Insecticon (G1)|Insectrons]] (Insecticons)

{{note|None of these artworks were created specifically for these reissues, but were instead recycled from old promotional posters or covers of Dreamwave's first ''Generation 1'' limited series.}}
===Other===
* Hasbro Hong Kong Ani-Con 2008 [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] Commemorative boxset certificate

==Criticism and controversy==
===Art style===
[[Image:Patleehowtodrawoptimus.jpg|left|250px|thumb|1) Draw a circle. 2) Draw Optimus Prime. 3) Give him scraplets. 4) Give him leprosy.]]
Pat Lee's artwork has often been the target of criticism among fans. While he was initially praised by many fans for his "manga-like" drawing style (which is heavily inspired by the character designs and visual cues used by [[Studio Ox]]), others criticized his tendency for exaggerated proportions, emphasis on rounded robot body parts, making the characters look "inflated" and marshmallow-like, a general lack of sequential storytelling skills and the overall look of his human characters (see "[[dull surprise]]" for more on ''that''). Even his critics often admitted that his work for covers and posters was better than his actual comic book interior artwork; however, that would change soon when even his cover artwork saw a severe decline in quality starting with the [[War and Peace|second ''Generation 1'' limited series]]. The introduction of [[Don Figueroa|other]] [[Guido Guidi|artists]] who would draw Transformers characters in a similar style, while avoiding many of the problems Lee was criticized for, would further shift the public opinion against Lee's artwork.

[[Image:DWPrimewhatthe.jpg|right|200px|thumb|When you're being compared to Rob Liefeld, maybe it's time to quit<ref name="leefeld">[http://www.shortpacked.com/d/20061213.html Shortpacked!]</ref>]]
Lee's response to that was enforcing an internal "house style" that would force other artists to follow Pat Lee's own style more closely. [[Don Figueroa]] confirmed in an interview having received such requests from Dreamwave art director [[Rob Ruffolo]], a guideline which Figueroa declined.<ref name="dontrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php Interview with Don Figueroa]</ref> Fellow artist [[Guido Guidi]] confirmed having received similar requests.<ref name="guidtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php Interview with Guido Guidi]</ref> Ruffolo himself also later confirmed the existence of an internal "house style", without specifically referring to Lee.<ref name="ruftrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_ruffolo.php Interview with Rob Ruffolo]</ref>

Even though many fans preferred other artists over Pat Lee, official Dreamwave press releases and solicitations would often titulate the company's president as a "superstar artist".<ref name="dwadds">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/dreamwave-adds-transformers-creators-2492/ The infamous "Dreamwave Adds Transformers Creators" press release]</ref>

===Business practices===
The demise of Dreamwave didn't come overnight. The first rumors of freelancers not getting paid date back as far as October of 2003.<ref name="litgffreel">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=14548 Lying in the Gutters reporting on early rumors of Dreamwave artists not getting paid]</ref> Following the closure of Dreamwave, former freelance writers [[Adam Patyk]] and [[James McDonough]] reiterated their claims that Dreamwave (not explicitly referring to Lee himself) had stopped paying them even before declaring bankruptcy. They had then filed a lawsuit against their former employer, and when that became public, they had allegedly also heard from other Dreamwave employees and freelancers who were supposedly also complaining about not being paid anymore.<ref name="patnram">[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 Interview with writers Adam Patyk and James McDonough]</ref>

Aside from Patyk and McDonough, no other former Dreamwave employees or freelancers were nearly as explicit on the issue. Artist Don Figueroa only stated that Dreamwave was "getting really behind with the check" and pointed out that he "was also assured everything was cool" when he met Pat Lee in person only a month prior to the closing of Dreamwave.<ref name="dontrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php Interview with Don Figueroa]</ref> The latter complaint was also repeated by writer [[Simon Furman]].<ref name="furmtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_furman3.php Interview with Simon Furman]</ref> Likewise, artist [[Guido Guidi]] merely accused Dreamwave of a lack of "[g]ood communication", and even revealed an ambivalent attitude towards Pat Lee and his brother Roger.<ref name="guidtrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php Interview with Guido Guidi]</ref> Artist James Raiz, meanwhile, claimed that he was "one of the very few who came out of Dreamwave with all [his] money.<ref name="raiztrans">[http://transfans.net/interviews_raiz.php Interview with James Raiz]</ref>

Prior to declaring bankruptcy, Pat and his brother Roger had spent four months secretly transferring most of Dreamwave's assets to a new company named Dream Engine, whose website domain was registered to Roger's name.<ref name="litgdreame">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2059 Lying in the Gutters discovering the existence of Dream Engine]</ref> In addition, it would turn out that Lee had made sure to transfer ownership of his formerly company-owned Porsche to himself before giving up Dreamwave,<ref name="porsche">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2184 Lying in the Gutters reporting on the Pat Lee Porsche story]</ref> and had spent half a million Canadian dollars on a new luxury apartment even before the Dreamwave bankruptcy.<ref name="apartment">[http://comicbooks.org/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2203 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Pat Lee's new apartment]</ref> The overall amount of Dreamwave's debt was far over a million dollars.<ref name="litgmillion">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?article=2102 Lying in the Gutters' list of Dreamwave's creditors]</ref>

In addition, Guido Guidi and Don Figueroa later confirmed that they were additionally charged by FedEx for having shipped artwork to Dreamwave prior to the company's closure.<ref name="fedex">[http://web.archive.org/web/20050507073425/http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread73039.html Archived TFW2005 thread with Guido Guidi and Don Figueroa confirming the FedEx story]</ref>

Pat Lee himself gave several interviews following the closing of Dreamwave, presenting himself as a victim of circumstance while completely dodging the issue of unpaid creators and the existence of Dream Engine.<ref name="patwiz">[http://web.archive.org/web/20061120012852/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000230624.cfm Archived Wizard interview with Pat Lee]</ref><ref name="patnram">[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 Interview with writers Adam Patyk and James McDonough]</ref><ref name="jazma">[http://www.jazmaonline.com/interviews/interviews2.asp?intID=318 Jazma Online interview with Pat Lee, April 2006]</ref>

While working with Dream Engine, Pat Lee spent a significant amount of the company's funds on the campaign of his girlfriend [[Wikipedia:Aimee Chan|Aimee Chan]], who would eventually win the title of Miss Hong Kong in 2006. This ultimately resulted in Pat being asked by Dream Engine and his brother Roger to leave the company.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2575 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Pat Lee's involvement with Aimee Chan]</ref> In the fall of 2007, Aimee Chan changed her status on her [http://www.alivenotdead.com/aimeechan/details.html alive not dead social networking page] to "single". Oops!

===Failure to give proper credit===
During the Dreamwave days, several artists confirmed that Pat Lee had only been drawing the robot characters, leaving the backgrounds entirely to (credited) assistants such as Edwin Garcia.

In 2007, it would turn out that Lee's personal involvement in his girlfriend's beauty pageant campaign had resulted in him being unable to meet deadlines for issues of Top Cow's ''Cyberforce'' series. As a consequence, Pat had asked [[Alex Milne]] to draw those issues in his stead. After a few issues, what little credit was initially given to Milne was dropped entirely, with Pat submitting the artwork under his own name instead, paying Milne merely a fragment of the money Top Cow was paying him.<ref name="litgmilne1">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15355 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Alex Milne ghosting for Pat Lee]</ref> In addition, Lee later asked Milne to draw artwork for DC's ''Superman/Batman'' #34 as well, again giving his underpaid ghost artist no credit.<ref name="litgmilne2">[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=15547 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Alex Milne ghosting for Pat Lee even more]</ref> Eventually, Top Cow found out, resulting in Pat Lee not paying Milne ''at all'' for over 20 pages of artwork.<ref name="deviantmilne">[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-06-Alex-Milne-64254823 Interview with Alex Milne on DeviantArt]</ref>

In late 2008, former Dreamwave editor [[Matt Moylan]] confirmed that the Silver Snail exclusive variant cover for Dreamwave's [[Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|''Generation One'' (ongoing)]] [[Night of the Combaticons|issue 1]] that had been credited to Pat Lee had actually been drawn by a ghost artist as well.<ref name="g1ghost">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/2407689-post83.html Matt Moylan confirming that the Silver Snail exclusive G1 vol. 3 #1 cover had been drawn by a ghost artist too.]</ref>

===Attempts at cover-up===
In March and April of 2008, a newly registered Wikipedia user repeatedly tried to remove any reference to the controversies surrounding Pat Lee in his own article, instead replacing them with more PR-friendly resume details.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/Hyrocomics Contributions by Wikipedia user "Hyrocomics"]</ref><ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/219.78.200.95 Contributions by IP 209.70.200.95]</ref> (The critical content in the Wikipedia article ''was'' later purged for other reasons, but not reverted to the blatant self-advertising Pat's own version was.)

==Trivia==
* Before the launch of Dreamwave's ''Transformers'' comic books, Pat expressed a certain level of ignorance with regard to the brand's history. For example, he claimed that, in retrospect, the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Transformers cartoon]] was so amazing that it was only a matter of time before the [[The Transformers (toyline)|toys]] were made.<ref name="animefringe">[http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/01.03/feature/2/index.php3 Interview with animefringe.com]</ref> In the same interview, he also admitted liking [[Generation 1]] [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], whom he considers a "wicked character", regretting that he "died" in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]].<ref name="animefringe">[http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/01.03/feature/2/index.php3 Interview with animefringe.com]</ref>

* During Dreamwave's heyday, Dreamwave press releases would constantly titulate the company's president as a "superstar artist", even after the company had started hiring various other artists, including [[Don Figueroa]], most of whom would prove to be vastly more popular among fans than Lee.

[[Image:FuNaNa.jpg|right|216px|thumb|Those fancy Japanese characters look AWESOME. Too bad I can't read them.]]
* Fans discovered an old personal website Pat had set up prior to the big breakthrough with Dreamwave.<ref name="infrarred">[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/ Infrarred] {{sic}} Pat Lee's Angelfire homepage</ref> In retrospect, many of the quotes and graphics featured on the site would prove to be either hilariously ironic or frighteningly prophetic, such as a promotional image depicting Pat, his brother Roger and then-Dreamwave exec Alvin Lee walking away from a nuclear explosion (see [[:Image:Dreamwave.jpg|Image:Dreamwave.jpg]]); or a header graphic that features his name, "Patrick Lee", replaced by random Katakana characters (ミチヤメノテヒフナナ), which read "''Michiyamenotehi Funana''". Soon, this would become his new nickname among fans, used exclusively in a mocking manner.
** The cause for this is almost certainly a character-replacement Katakana font, as used by someone who has no damn clue how Katakana works, nevermind ability to read it.
***If Pat Lee had any damn clue how to transliterate, the Katakana would be パトリックリー (''Patorikku Rī'').

* Pat Lee once set a hill on fire.<ref name="infrarred">[http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/ Infrarred] {{sic}} Pat Lee's Angelfire homepage</ref>

* After the launch of Dream Engine, Lee's resume at the company's website claimed that he was responsible for relaunching "X-Men, Batman and more", thereby implying that those franchises had long lingered in a near-dead state until Superstar Funana blessed them with his divine reanimating powers.<ref>Pat's resume at the now defunct Dreamengine website.</ref>

* All of the above is ''absolutely true''. We're not kidding.

==Memorable quotes by and about Pat Lee==
{{bigquote|It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures.|Pat Lee<ref>[http://www.jazmaonline.com/interviews/interviews2.asp?intID=318 Jazma Online Interview]</ref>}}

{{bigquote|If he ever wants out of comics, Pat Lee's got a heck of a career as an auto mechanic.|''Wizard Magazine''<ref>Verbatim quote from a <strike>[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/dailyraider/patlee.jpg butt-kissing advert]</strike> article published in an issue of ''Wizard Magazine''.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|I remember working with Pat Lee and how kind of disappointed I was to find how little of the art was actually him. He gave me an original art page of Armada, and there’s so little art on it!|Simon Furman<ref>Talking about memorable experiences, [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871 http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871]</ref>}}

{{bigquote|If Pat had been some faceless bureaucrat it maybe wouldn’t now seem such an acute betrayal, but he looked me square in the eye and said everything’s hunky-dory. That’s what still, even now, burns.|Simon Furman<ref>Online interview talking about the collapse of Dreamwave</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Probably the richest guy I know.|Don Figueroa <ref>Word Association with the name "Pat Lee" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_figueroa.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|A guy that really knows how to pitch himself.|Guido Guidi<ref>Word Association with the name "Pat Lee" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Cars are expensive.|Guido Guidi<ref>Word Association with the name "Dreamwave" from an [http://transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview] with TransFans.net.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Can we get our money?|Adam Patyk<ref>Patyk's response to the question "If you could talk to Pat directly right now, what would you ask of him?" in an [http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=39073 interview] with Newsarama.</ref>}}

{{bigquote|Some of the shapes and lines are a little misshapen. When you draw your lines, sketch them out in layout mode, and try to get as accurate as possible before making any final lines.|Pat Lee, not practicing what he preaches. <ref>[http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m190/PatLeeProductions/?action=view&current=page3.jpg Quote from Pat Lee's "How to draw Mecha" article from Wizard #118, July 2001.]</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[Dull surprise]]

==Other external links==
* [http://www.angelfire.com/pa/infrarred/infrarred2.html Infrarred]
* [http://www.myspace.com/patleeart PatLeeArt] at MySpace
* [http://www.alivenotdead.com/patlee Pat Lee's alive not dead profile blog site]
* [http://patleeart.deviantart.com/ Pat Lee's deviantART page.]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/PatLeeArt Pat Lee's Youtube account]
* [http://twitter.com/patleeart Pat Lee's Twitter feed]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Pat}}
[[Category:Colorists]]
[[Category:Designers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave]]
[[Category:Executives]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Pencillers]]

Starscream (Movie)

2009-07-05T09:19:14Z

Rmkar9: /* IDW Transformers movie comics */

{{disambig3|Starscream}}
{{factions|decepticon}}

:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie Starscream promorender2.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I got yer All Spark, right here.]]
'''Starscream''' is a hero on the wrong side. Over the centuries he's come to believe both [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] have lost sight of what is best for the Cybertronian race, and simply pursue their own agendas. At some point, he came to the decision that, for the good of the species, a new leader must emerge, and he would be that leader. However, over time, he became as corrupt in his own way as Megatron, although he prefers subtlety and deception to Megatron's brute force. Now, what may once have been noble goals are buried under layers of self interest, transforming Starscream into that which he supposedly despised.

{{quote|Truly the universe favors those who persist.|Starscream on himself, [[Ghosts of Yesterday]]}}
{{quote|In your absence, someone had to take command.|Starscream thinks the boss' death means instant promotion|[[Revenge of the Fallen]]}}

:''Hungarian name ([[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan Magazine]] only):'' '''Csillagsikoly''' ("Starcream")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Tīen-wáng Hsīng''' (天王星, "Planet Uranus")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Üstökös''' ("Comet")

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance1_Starscream_Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Someone is praising Starscream!? Stop the presses!]]

Many years before civil war broke out on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], commander Starscream was a member of the Cybertron defense forces. He was patrolling the [[Eshems Nebula]] when he encountered the fourth alien scout ship he had spotted in the same [[Units of time|cycle]]. As he related this to first officer [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] of the science division, this time the alien ship did not maintain a safe distance, forcing Starscream to attack, and he was damaged in the subsequent battle (and was late for a meeting with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and Protector [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]). Soon afterwards, these same aliens attacked Cybertron, and Starscream commanded the aerial forces in the defense of the [[Simfur]] temple near the city of [[Metrotitan (Movie)|Metrotitan]]. After Megatron was injured in battle, Starscream rushed to his side to enquire about his condition and to ask for further orders. He was informed to keep Optimus's team out of the military's way. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}}

Megatron was influenced by [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] found outside [[Simfur]] to wage a vengeful war against the aliens. Starscream attended at war rally at [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]] where Megatron assumed dictatorship of Cybertron and its armed forces. After destroying much of the enemy fleet and eliminating its leader, Megatron ordered Starscream and his fellow fliers to destroy the alien flagship and conquer the surrounding systems. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2}} Underground opposition to the new regime came in the form of Optimus and his science division, something Lord Megatron would not stand for. While [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] and security officers arrested Optimus on trumped-up charges of treason, Starscream's squadron was given orders to capture Optimus alive and leave no living witnesses. Unfortunately, Optimus ''Prime'' proved more than a match for Starscream's entire unit, bringing down the ruins of a city upon them. The group survived, and were used by Megatron as "proof" that there were enemies within Cybertron as well as without, to rally his army into a new faction: the Decepticons. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

During the subsequent civil war, Starscream blindly followed Megatron's orders, murdering those who did not bow to his Lord's will, even though who did not choose sides. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}} Some time later, Starscream was leading an assault on the Autobots at [[Tyger Pax]] when Blackout arrived to reinforce them. They witnessed the launch of the [[All Spark (Movie)|All Spark]] into space, a desperate gambit by the Autobots, and immediately Starscream and Blackout began to bicker over their next move. Seeing Megatron leave the planet in pursuit of the All Spark, Starscream decided that so would they. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

[[Image:Planetfall Starscream yesweare.jpg|200px|thumb|"Hey, what's that?" "I'd call it a TARGET!"]]

Starscream was concerned over the Autobots who still posed a threat, but Megatron ordered him to gather a crew to pursue [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] [[Ark (Movie)|ship]]. Unfortunately, [[Nemesis (Movie)|Starscream's ship]] was led into a trap and crippled by [[concussion pulse]] weapons, throwing them off the chase, for now. Humiliated, Starscream and his crew limped back home for repairs. Sometime later, they followed the All Spark's trace energy pulse and the wake of Prime's ship to a solar system galaxies away. Landing on the [[Mars|fourth planet]], they destroyed [[Beagle 2 Rover|a primitive lifeform]] that seemed to have been created from the All Spark, and felt the tag of the life-giving object on the third planet. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

Starscream's team made planetfall on [[Earth]] in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby US military base, which sent out an armoured personnel carrier to investigate. After it was destroyed, the Decepticons attacked the base itself. During the rather one-sided assault, a human agent of Sector Seven was impressed by the alien invaders' ability to adapt to Earth's finest weaponry. Starscream agreed that they were impressive, and killed the fleshling. After Blackout left the group for another nearby base, Starscream told his fellow Decepticons that their mission wouldn't always be this easy, as the Autobots were bound to turn up. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

{{note|The events of Planetfall are inconsistent with the events of IDW's own Prime Directive prequel comic. However, the depiction of the Decepticon arrival in Afghanistan was later used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

In 2003, Starscream's infiltration team, consisting of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and Blackout, touched down on [[Mars]] and destroyed the [[Beagle 2 Rover]]. Starscream was disgusted with the rover, but Blackout and Barricade warned that there was an obviously intelligent species nearby, so they would need to be cautious. Starscream agreed, as long as they got to kill something. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3}}

[[Image:MoviePrequel4 Starscream youcangonow.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Top this one, Samus.]]

Splitting up, they headed to Earth, where Starscream scanned an F-22 Raptor fighter jet being tested by the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] at [[Nellis Air Force base]]. He destroyed it, then adopted the vehicle form for himself. Leaving the scene of destruction, he radioed his fellow Decepticons to report in on their hunt for new disguise forms, which they did. He reiterated that their mission was to find the All Spark, to which Blackout responded with a reminder that the mission was also to find Megatron. Starscream dismissively replied, "Yeah, right... him too."

Later, Starscream and Blackout detected the unique radiation of the All Spark and investigated, but Starscream soon realized it was a trap by Sector Seven. Starscream destroyed several AH-64 Apache helicopters while Blackout attacked Sector Seven's bunker and attempted to hack into their mainframe. When the humans severed the connection, the Decepticons broke off from the battle and linked up with Barricade, who was in pursuit of the Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Patrick Hallahan]]

Starscream led the Decepticons to Earth while following the beacon signal used by Bumblebee to call the Autobots. In typical Starscream fashion, he seemed more concerned about collecting the All Spark to further his own goals than to rescue [[Megatron (Movie)|Lord High Protector Megatron]]. Attracting the attention of a nearby military installation, they were attacked, but easily overpowered the humans, after which he and Blackout took their [[alternate mode]]s from vehicles on base. Starscream, along with Blackout, followed Bumblebee as he fled from a losing battle against Barricade.

Later, when Sector Seven tried to use a false energy signature to attract Bumblebee to their location, the Decepticons picked up on it and followed. Realizing the signal was fake, Starscream pulled the troops out and waited for the Autobots to arrive and flush out the All Spark for them. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel (2007)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

====''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel====
Starscream had ascended to Decepticon leadership in the absence of their former lord, and though he had to ''seem'' to carry on the long search for the lost Megatron and the [[All Spark]] to keep his position as leader, his greatest hope was that Megatron would NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], strongly suspected this and sought to frustrate Starscream's species-serving plans. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] buddied up with him, but he did like to trick people. [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] hated him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s opinions are unknown, but Frenzy's a complete lunatic and nobody cared what the pet thought.

During a search of an abandoned solar system, the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'' came across ''[[Ghost 1|a vessel]]'' that bore a resemblance to Megatron's [[alternate mode]]. Starscream went to investigate it, intending to destroy it. After chasing off [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], he communicated with the creatures aboard the vessel, who called themselves [[human]]s. Starscream claimed that his people once lived with the [[Autobot]]s, and that their treacherous leader, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], started a war for the All Spark. The humans told him of a robotic creature that they had found on their world, and Starscream, recognizing it as Megatron, told them it was an Autobot scout. While communicating with them, he downloaded all the information on their computers, learning that the All Spark was also located on Earth. He offered to help the humans to return to their world if they helped Starscream's group attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime would destroy them and be guilt-stricken in the process. The humans attacked Optimus and Bumblebee, but the two Autobots escaped. After their ship sank into a cavern, Starscream revealed his true nature and abandoned them. As a result, the humans concluded neither faction could be fully trusted. Way to make first contact there, Screamer.

Returning to the battle, he lied to his fellow Decepticons, claiming that the two Autobots were dead and that he'd been unable to communicate with the humans. Blackout, unconvinced by the story, challenged Starscream to single combat. Starscream won, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]''. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human vessel showed up. Starscream, fearful of the information that the ship contained, ordered the Decepticons to destroy it. Unfortunately, Starscream experienced a minor mutiny when Bonecrusher and Blackout demanded answers, and even Barricade wanted to know why. As the battle drew to a close, Starscream was in a position to terminate Prime but came under fire from the humans' weapons. Seriously damaged, Starscream finished them off with a single plasma blast, then ordered the Decepticons to retreat, despite the advantage they had over the Autobots. The Autobots figured that Starscream would not risk traveling to [[Earth]] for fear of losing power, but Prime figured that it was only a matter of time before the desire for vengeance and the lure of the All Spark brought the Decepticons to that world. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

====Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game====
[[Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|200px|thumb|Masterpiece attack!]]
Disguised as an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Starscream was active on Earth in early 1982, with documented sightings of jets sporting his unique colors on several continents before he was caught on camera transforming to robot mode in California. This sighting (and its subsequent leak) was the direct impetus for [[Hungry Dragon|Hungry Dragon 1]].

{{note|In the [[Hungry Dragon 2]] misinformation campaign, Starscream wouldn't arrive until 2003. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}, though [[Transformers Comic issue 9|in a letter's column for Titan's Transformers comic]], Starscream refers to spending some time as an F-15.}}

Later, during late April/early May of 2007, [[Sector Seven]] intercepted two sound clips through Agent Cod3x and another source (currently unknown). Apparently, Starscream wanted to make his presence known and left a message announcing that he would have the All Spark, and that Agent Powers would be the one to hand it over. These messages were somewhat garbled, as they were apparently received over a SETI@home system. So far, only these two "blips" have been analyzed (the second still needing work), but more may come in the near future. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japan), [[José Sant'anna]] (Brazil), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)

[[Image:Movie2007_Starscream_HooverDam.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Starscream lacking the null-ray could destroy the universe as we know it. But we have others, so it's okay.]]

Starscream was lying in wait at a [[United States Military|US]] air base when covert agent [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported that the [[All Spark]] had been located, along with Megatron, underneath [[Hoover Dam]]. Though he had long feared this day would come, Starscream ordered the rest of the Decepticons to mobilize. The others responded, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.

[[Image:Starscreammovieheadshot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a... bird-legged freak that transforms into a plane...]]

The first to arrive, Starscream attacked the hydroelectric power plant attached to the dam to cause havoc to [[Sector Seven|Sector Seven's]] operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron quickly broke free of his icy restraints and escaped the facility. He almost immediately met with the waiting Starscream, who repledged his loyalty to Megatron. Demanding to know what had happened to the All Spark, Megatron was told by his [[second-in-command]] that it was now in the possession of the humans. Furious, Megatron berated his lieutenant for yet another failure. What a warm reunion.

During the assault on a [[Mission City|nearby city]], Starscream fooled [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox's]] unit by posing as an [[wikipedia:F-22 Raptor|F-22 Raptor]] providing cover. Starscream launched an attack that crippled [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] as [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] realized too late who the fighter really was. As [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]] ran with the All Spark, Starscream swooped down, blocking his path, only to be attacked by both Ironhide and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After fighting without much effort, but still besting them, Starscream took to the skies again, instead of securing the All Spark from the now-defenseless ladiesman217.

[[Image:Starscreammoviestillrobot.jpg|left|250px|thumb|How do you feel, mighty traffic? Yah!]]

While Megatron attempted to retrieve the All Spark from ladiesman217, Starscream perched on nearby buildings and shot down an Army Blackhawk helicopter when it attempted to help the human evacuate the Cube. Eventually, real F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force arrived, and Starscream disguised himself. Pretending to be a part of their squadron, Starscream surprised the human pilots by transforming in mid-air and, performing the best display of [[jet judo]] in 20 years, destroyed three of the Raptors before he was fired upon. He transformed back into his disguise and fled, and was not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. (Or was he?)

[[Image:Starscream bails.JPG|right|200px|thumb|I will rule the sequel, Megatron!]]

Most of the Decepticons were defeated, and their bodies cast into the deepest part of the ocean. Ultimately, Starscream retreated from Earth to parts—and with intentions—unknown. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Fleeing from the Mission City fiasco, Starscream repaired and reenergised himself from a nearby power plant, then fled into deep space to find Decepticon reinforcements. {{storylink|#Voyager Class toys|Deep Space Starscream}}

He eventually decided this was too time-consuming, and went back to Earth in a new stealthy form to wait for the Decepticons, alerted by the energy signature of the All Spark's destruction, to come to ''him''. He succeeded in building a small army, and had them distract the Autobot forces while he launched a surprise attack on a lone Optimus. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream}} The battle ended with Optimus still alive and the Decepticons beaten on Earth. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Fast Action Battlers|Fire Blast Optimus Prime}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===

{{bigquote|You could mark [your letters] 'All Hail Starscream' so long as you make it clear this is in no way a reflection on our glorious leader or a prelude to some sort of coup. Just so that we're clear on that.|Star Screams}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines comic continuity and thus doesn't occur anywhere else.}}

Within seconds of Megatron's defeat, Starscream dubbed himself the new Decepticon leader, with the main problem being that he didn't actually have any troops to lead. To amend this slight impediment, he attacked several [[Allspark Mutation]]s and removed the energy from their bodies, which he then proceeded to implant into the corpses of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]]. With his former comrades reanimated in this [[Zombie|rudimentary manner]], he directed the shambling husks to attack the Autobots, who were still recovering from their battle that had just finished. While the Autobots eventually destroyed the zombies, Starscream had escaped with several All Spark energy fragments still in his possession. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

[[Image:Tf mag 10 2008.JPG|left|150px|thumb|So evil, boats spontaneously explode rather than face him.]]
Starscream remained on Earth serving under Megatron—and taking orders from [[Dropkick]], who's got a higher rank. In secret, however, he was using [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticons]] to implant cerebro-strips in the heads of useful humans; at will, he could control their minds, paving the way for a more subtle conquest when he finally got Megatron out of the way. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}}

He became aware of the moon-based Autobots and while ordered to join [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] in beating up [[NATO]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} he got bored during the mission and left as soon as he could to attack the moon-based Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} He beat them up and viciously taunted them, forcing them to take the initiative and go to Earth—just as he wanted. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} As he hoped, the Autobots eventually won, killing Megatron, destroying the All Spark and halting the cyberforming of Earth... leaving him free to take command of the Decepticons!

On top of that, he got his hands on the nanovirus the Autobots used on Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}} He also took the All Spark interface module from Megatron's corpse and assimilated it. He started hearing Megatron's voice in his head some time after this... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

[[Image:InsecticonMovie.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Starscream's ''bugging'' us lolololololol]]

One of his first acts as leader was to begin a bombing campaign against any human attempt to rebuild infrastructure or regain a foothold in the United States. He then organised an attack that would get all the Autobots together so a NATO tank regiment (its commander under cerebro-strip control) could wipe them all out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}} While this failed, Starscream has still ensured the new [[President of the United States]] is under cerebro control—and the Autobots have no idea he's in command... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}}

As well as secretly overseeing scorched-earth strategies and attempted Energon grabs {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}, he also gained [[Mikaela Banes]] as a cerebro-controlled slave. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}} When the bulk of the Autobots prepared to briefly leave Earth and had Mikaela watch over their [[Savannah]] base, Starscream just waited until they'd gone and effortlessly seized the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} As a result, the six hundred square miles around the Autobot base were swiftly seized as an autonomous Decepticon nation, with all resistance smashed easily. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}} This means, shockingly, he actually ''is'' a better leader than Megatron. ''[[Jesus]]''.

[[Image:Starscream Titan22.JPG|left|210px|thumb|"Stop looking at me ''stop looking at me!''"]]
He sadistically taunted Mikaela, hoping there was part of her that was screaming for help, before dispatching [[Jazz (Movie)|the corrupted Jazz]] and [[Kullt]] to assassinate Optimus. It didn't work. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

While preparing an ambush for the Autobots who he knew would come for Mikaela, he ranted to the Megatron in his head how he'd been a ''far'' better leader and how he was about to kill all the Autobots. His ambush almost worked too, and he almost killed Prime himself—only for the Autobots to turn out to have had a better plan all along, and escape. Admitting to the voices that he had failed and demanding a strategy from then, he realised to his horror that Megatron's mind had wanted him to take the interface module and had downloaded his brain into it; the voice ''really was'' Megatron and he was demanding to be released! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He didn't release him, though Megatron did feed Starscream a strategy—blackmailing America into booting the Autobots out, then having Allen nuke their ship. This plan was a success {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}}, and a jubilant Starscream despatched his armies to seize the United States, all the while having his mind-controlled humans hamper ''any'' military counter-offensive. He was ''this'' close to total victory when [[Stockade (Movie)|''Stockade'']] turned up, turning a third of the drone armies and possibly two generals to his side, sparking a [[Decepticon Civil War]].

Watching everything collapse around him, a gibbering Starscream was visited by Megatron's voice again, telling him once again that the only way out was to release him and allow Megatron to live again... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"I'm as sane as the [[Thunderwing (G1)|next]] leader!"]]

...and this time, desperate and pressured, Starscream ''did''. With his mind now his own again, he realised to his horror what he'd done... but it was too late, he was now a minion again, and tasked to strafe Stockade's forces while Megatron took on the rebel himself. It all was for naught, however: the Autobots (surprisingly ''not'' dead!) intervened and forcibly teleported all the Decepticons to Cybertron, leaving Starscream trapped there ''forever''. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

====Star Screams====
{{Note|The following details Starscream's tenure as letter-answerer on the Star Screams letters page.}}

[[Image:Star Screams logo.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Hate mail!]]
As of issue 7, he runs the letters page (renamed Star Screams from the original Mech Mail). He hates the letters, the readers, the comic, the editorial team, and probably the baby [[Jesus]]—but he's still got nothing on ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream's]] [[Armada (Panini comic)|letter-answering stint]]. The source of his misanthropy appears to be that nobody ever sent in fan-art of him (#8). The few things he does like are recycling and environmental measures (#14), girls becoming Transformers fans (#19), and [[To sell toys|humans collecting his action figures]].

Autobot sympathisers are hunted down to be exterminated, especially those who dress up as Autobots (#8, #12 and #17), and even the Prime Minister isn't safe (#24). That said, Starscream appears to have a soft spot for his own fans—in #11, when a female reader complained her mum and aunt kept telling her she was too old for Transformers, he announced that the offending relatives had been shortlisted to spend forever polishing his armour with their own spit, bless.

In #8, he revealed he hates the movie because his best scenes and lines were cut out, and #13 confirmed the Decepticon army loathes [[Michael Bay]] for producing pro-Autobot propaganda. This still hasn't prevented him from shilling Bay's second documentary ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', as he believes it will depict a Decepticon victory (#10) and is going to ignore the script if it says otherwise (#18). Since then, however, he has come under the sway of an unknown higher power in regards to the film, one Starscream fears (#22)...

In #7, he expressed concern that this "[[Simon Furman|Fur-Man]]" was a [[Maximal]] agent, and warned that Titan Magazines would be destroyed if they continued to produce Autobot propaganda. By #13, the Decepticons appear to have taken over Titan and have imprisoned the staff and creators in cages, forcing them to work merely for food—it is surely no coincidence that during this period, Starscream became a successful leader of the Decepticons in the comic strip and that Starscream began wanting more issues brought out. This mistreatment is causing severe physical trauma to [[Steve White]] and [[Den Patrick]] (#19} though Fur-Man is still a free agent and is evading Decepticon capture (#21). Writer [[Robin Etherington]] appears to have angered him, as Starscream is believed to have deliberately miscredited one of his stories in #24. [http://www.studioblinktwice.com/announce.php?Year=2009]

He has incredible hate for [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], gleefully recounting the guy's horrible death and going berserk in #9 at the idea of Jazz answering the letters.

While he has said he talks to himself to get intelligent conversation and doesn't trust anyone (#9), he has shown some signs of wanting company: he hoped the [[Seeker]] jets would all be reunited in the next film (#9), is trying to convince [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in it too (#15), and wishes Ironhide would join the Decepticons (#16). Despite wanting to re-unite with Thundercracker, he shows contempt for the guy's lack of drive (#11). He views [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and Soundwave as potential successors if anything ever happens to him (#21). He also appreciates [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] work (#23) and while he's annoyed the helicopter is more popular than him, he did go to the trouble of giving the guy a proper burial. (#25)

Starscream appears to have had several "off the record" adventures. He has revealed he once had an [[Starscream (G1)|F-15 mode]] and liked it (#9), openly confirming he was [[:Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|active in 1982]] and the impetus for the [[Hungry Dragon]] cover-up. He also refers to [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] also being an F-15 (#11), implying both were active in 1982. He has also had some experience with and knowledge of [[Unicron]] (#12), something [[Transformers Comic issue 19|no other Transformer had]] and something that terrified him (#17), and in which he apparently witnessed Unicron trying to devour Cybertron (#19)...

He maintains that his voice is not [[Chris Latta|scratchy]] in any way.

Eventually, however, the constant stress of the letters drove him to a nervous breakdown, and he was sent to a very special home (or "on a mission of great importance", according to his cover story). (Vol.2 #1)

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{bigquote|My plan failed, or was it my troops that failed me? I can only process the situation and hope for a conclusion. There are allies on Earth, and more scattered across the Galaxy. I will seek them out. By my side they will join, and in time, I '''will''' have my kingdom... regardless of the location.|Starscream|[[The Reign of Starscream issue 5]]}}

Starscream assumed the role of [[Decepticon leader]] on Earth following Megatron's defeat and the destruction of the All Spark. Though tempted to exact revenge on the humans, he realized he might be the last functional Decepticon on the planet, so he escaped Mission City to recover the badly-damaged Barricade. Starscream gave him orders to continue his reconnaissance of the Autobot once he was able, and headed for Hoover Dam to retrieve Frenzy. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

Starscream made his way to Hoover Dam, taking out masses of human soldiers and a [[Landmine (Movie)|less-than-functional attack drone]]. Starscream took a [[Salazar|human captive]] along with Frenzy's body, but the fleshling didn't survive the Decepticon's trip to [[Mars]]. However, the trip, combined with the damage from the battle took its toll and upon finding his starship, he had to be helped inside by [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]]. The pair discussed Thundercracker's progress with the space bridge terminal, the physiology of humans and the abilities of Starscream's new form. While recharging, he ordered Thundercracker to download the information from Frenzy; however, an Autobot scouting party interrupted their efforts. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Two|The Reign of Starscream issue 2}}

[[Image:ROSWannabet.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Let's hope that Dreadwing isn't revived by Unicron.]]
Starscream ordered Thundercracker and the drones to deal with them while he prepared for take off. After recovering, he made short work of the Autobots and dragged a damaged Thundercracker inside the ship, before activating the terminal and warping to Cybertron. He handed Thundercracker over to [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]], and ordered construction of a [[replica All Spark]], based on Frenzy's data. Approaching Megatron's citadel, Starscream, still impressed by the power his new form gave him, destroyed the former leader's figurehead. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Three|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}}

A [[Units of time|quartex]] later, Starscream ruminated about ruling over a Cybertron free of war or factions, as well as bringing certain [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|war criminals]] to justice. He arrived at the All Spark construction yard, busted [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]]'s vocal processor for whining too much, and chained him up along with [[Elita-One|four]] [[Warpath (Movie)|enslaved]] [[Signal Flare (Movie)|Autobot]] [[Grindcore (Movie)|prisoners]] on the new All Spark, ready to offer up their lives in exchange for a new life for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Four|The Reign of Starscream issue 4}}

[[Image:StarscreamandWreckageAlliance2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's both!]]

Things sort of went downhill from there, though. First, the All Spark replica didn't work; then [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] rebelled. Then they saw that Arcee had snuck aboard Starscream's ship, led an Autobot attack on [[Simfur]] and destroyed the new All Spark. In the ensuing chaos, Starscream, along with his few remaining loyal subjects, fought off the army of Dreadwing drones and assorted other traitors. Starscream tracked Dreadwing to the space bridge as he took a starship through it. By the time the ship arrived on [[Mars]], it was damaged by Starscream's attack, but Dreadwing survived. However, Starscream also survived, revealed himself, and ripped out Dreadwing's spark core. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Five|The Reign of Starscream issue 5}}

After Dreadwing's betrayal, Starscream relocated to Earth, his aspirations for leadership and his faith in his fellow Decepticons shattered. As he brooded and carved All Spark runes onto his exo-structure, he picked up a transmission from [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], informing Starscream of Optimus Prime's forthcoming journey to a Sector Seven facility where Wreckage was held. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

Starscream arrived on Earth not long after Wreckage escaped. The two engaged in a heated battle, each accusing the other of betrayal. Wreckage managed to gain the upper hand, but the timely arrival of Bumblebee gave Starscream the chance to kill Wreckage. He thanked Bumblebee by blasting him, but was contacted by Soundwave before he could finish the job. Shocked that Soundwave was still alive, Starscream was nonetheless pleased when he was told a number of troops were headed for Earth. After receiving co-ordinates to Soundwave's ship, a more enthusiastic Starscream left Earth, aiming to bring the troops aboard out of stasis. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}}
{{-}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance]]'' comic.}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

[[Image:Titan1_FallenStarscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey! C'mon on outa there you!]]

With Megatron dead, Starscream found himself as [[The Fallen]]'s new proxy and was not too happy with the idea of working for another guy ''again''. He organised <strike>his</strike> the Fallen's Decepticon army and took them to Cybertron on the Fallen's orders. Unfortunately he was spied on by [[Mudflap (ROTF)|two]] [[Skids (ROTF)|Autobots]], and failed to exterminate them before they fled to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japanese), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)
{{spoilers|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|July 24}}
Starscream was unconcerned with reviving his leader Megatron, choosing to spend his time as acting commander on the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' and engineer a new army. His plan was failing miserably, as without [[energon (fuel)|energon]] the [[hatchling]]s were dying. After [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] successfully executed his plan to resurrect Megatron, Starscream attempted to welcome his commander with open arms, only to get slammed across a wall and criticized for leaving him for dead. Megatron noted the plight of the hatchlings though, and sought the advice of [[the Fallen]], whom Starscream had kept on life support, on another source of energon now that the [[All Spark]] was destroyed. The Fallen revealed there was another source, but first requested that they kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], so that he would be safe.

Starscream aided in [[Sam Witwicky]]'s capture by cutting open the car [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] had captured him in, and watched as Megatron and [[Scalpel]] threatened to dissect him for the information in his mind from the All Spark regarding the energon source. Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] arrived to rescue Sam: Starscream let Megatron do most of the fighting in the factory, before Optimus drove off with Sam to a forest. Starscream arrived immediately going for the boy, but Prime ran interference, leading to the three Decepticons to gang up on him. Surprisingly, it went quite poorly for the Decepticons: not only did Prime kill Grindor and cut off Starscream's arm, but he rubbed salt on the wound by using it to smack him around a few times. Megatron managed to kill Optimus, but before they could retrieve Sam, the rest of the Autobots arrived while Bumblebee spirited Sam away. Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|left|300px|25 years later and I'm still your punching bag!]]

Starscream and Megatron flew to the top of a skyscraper, where Megatron berated Starscream and hit him with the detached arm he was trying to stick in. Megatron decided to reveal the Decepticons' presence to the world: Starscream stood openly atop a skyscraper during the rejuvenated Fallen's announcement to the world. Starscream accompanied Megatron to [[Egypt]], standing with him atop the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] as the Fallen began his plan to activate the [[solar harvester]] inside. Starscream flew after Bumblebee, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], who had Sam, [[Mikaela Banes]], [[Leo Spitz]] and [[Seymour Simmons]] as their passengers, bombing them to no avail. As Sam and Mikaela tried to reach Optimus to revive him with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Starscream hunted for them in robot mode and attempted to capture the Matrix by ordering [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] to hold Sam's parents [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky|Judy]] for ransom: Sam was ready to exchange the Matrix, but Bumblebee rescued them and killed Rampage.

Starscream watched from the sidelines as Optimus was resurrected by the Matrix, and combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Although the Fallen had obtained the Matrix and activated his Solar harvester, as he had predicted, the last of the Primes killed the Fallen and destroyed the harvester. Starscream stood next to Megatron, who had lost his right arm and half his face blown off thanks to Optimus Prime, and advised that they should flee (cowards do survive after all), something that Megatron acknowledged. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

==Games==
{{picsneeded|Game screen shots, cut scenes, whatever}}
===Transformers: The Game===
====Autobot campaign====
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] drones all took on [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] during the battle of [[Mission City]]. Jazz beat all four of them. Guess he finally got to fight the big ones. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Starscream coordinated the missions for Blackout and Barricade while hiding in a military base. After receiving information from Barricade that Megatron had been located, Starscream ordered him to proceed to Hoover Dam, while he himself went to locate [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]. However, the humans were aware of the three Decepticons and used drones, weapon platforms, and fighters based on Cybertronian design. Starscream was forced to move back and forth between Bonecrusher and Brawl, rescuing them from human attackers, all to background music far too heroic for someone of Screamer's character. After taking a moment to enjoy the ruin he had made of the base, Starscream proceeded to Hoover Dam. Blackout informed him that the structure was blocking their scans, so Starscream ordered him to tear it down piece by piece to find Megatron and the All Spark. When Megatron emerged, Starscream bowed before his [[Lord High Protector|Lord]].

At [[Mission City]], Starscream took a moment to [[Ramjet (G1)|ram]] Optimus Prime during the latter's duel with Megatron, and tried to go head to head with Optimus Prime but was knocked away. After Megatron absorbed the All Spark and Earth was decimated, Starscream stood at his master's left side as the Decepticon leader declared their business on Earth was concluded.

There is an unlockable skin for Starscream that gives him a G1 paintjob. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===Transformers: Autobots (DS)===
:''voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

While on a mission in the Arctic to find and destroy Megatron and recover the All Spark, [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]] and Ironhide ran into the air commander during their escape. Making Create-A-Bot run for cover, Ironhide took on Starscream and his lackeys (despite mentioning he's "getting too old for this"). Once defeated, Starscream took off into the atmosphere, never to be seen again. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

{{Note|Starscream is the only Decepticon in this version of the game who is not definitively destroyed. (Bonecrusher isn't included, since Prime cut off his head on his way in. Bonecrusher hates this game because of that.) Starscream's body type appears as Skydive, unlockable with 2500 WiFi Tokens. In the US, this feature is also unlockable by downloading the ''Transformers'' preview movie from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: Decepticons (DS)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

After the disappearance of Megatron nearly a million years ago (yeah, we know), Starscream took over the Decepticons as their high commander. Arriving on Earth, he instructed [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]] to follow Barricade until he arrived. However, none of the other Decepticons would trust him, and he confided in Create-A-Bot a great number of secrets, including the location of the All Spark and the identity of the lost Decepticon they were retrieving: [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Starscream reasoned that he hid these things because revealing them would lead to a power struggle, but no one bought it except the naive rookie.

Soon, though, the other Decepticons revealed the reason for their lack of faith (which Create-A-Bot found disturbing): Starscream was a morally ambiguous backstabber. Of course, Megatron wasn't much better, since he was a treacherous, black-hearted face-stabber, but at least he let you know where you stood with him. Once the Autobots returned the All Spark to Tranquility, he gave chase after a now-All Spark-empowered Bumblebee (in the single most frustrating level of the game), caught the "babbling fool", and destroyed a meddlesome Blackout, until Barricade got in the way.

After threat of execution for treason, Starscream proceeded to show the smaller Decepticon WHY Megatron picked him as his second-in-command: his brute strength and incredible battle strategy. After a severe thrashing, Create-A-Bot arrived with intent to kill. However, Starscream now had the All Spark and was nearly unstoppable. They proceeded to battle over the Casino Strip, where Create-A-Bot took the All Spark from him and smashed it into his chest. Create-A-Bot was knocked back and severely damaged by the blast, but Starscream remained as powerful as ever, perhaps more so now that the All Spark had merged with his body. However, as was quickly proven, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscreams]] who receive [[Starscream (Armada)|ungodly power]] tend to explode, as Megatron found him and proceeded to chase and tear him apart. In his last breath, Starscream spat on Megatron's name, saying there would always be those who would question his power. Megatron simply replied by smashing his face in. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

{{note|Starscream's body type is available in two forms, the regular Starscream playable in certain missions (unlocked by beating the game) and G1 Starscream, based on the Target exclusive retooling/redeco. The G1 body is unlocked by earning 2500 WiFi tokens, or by downloading the preview movie for the game from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: The Game (PSP)===
Starscream attacked Hoover Dam to free Megatron from his "tomb". Afterwards, he battled [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] over the leadership of the Decepticons back on Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Legends Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A gold paint job can't hide the lameness.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends Class, 2007)

: Legends-class Starscream is a highly simplified, low-cost version of Starscream in his F-22 Raptor body. As such, he has a greatly compromised transformation sequence due to the smaller parts count, with limited articulation and detailing. He's also the bronzest F-22 Raptor Starscream toy there is.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny toys are tiny. And they don't do Starscream justice.]]
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

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

{{-}}
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)

: The previously released Legends-class Starscream toy is redecoed predominantly black and silver, somewhat resembling ''Generation 1'' [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. He comes with a redeco Legends-class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in his Nightwatch color scheme.

{{-}}
====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:MovieProtoform Starscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gold Plastic Syndrome just waiting to happen.]]
*'''Protoform Starscream''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

:Based upon the "Protoform" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the movie, Protoform Starscream transforms into his "entry" mode Cybertronic rocket thing. This mode somewhat resembles a Cybertronic spaceship, with a visible bridge between the two dorsal fins. A flame decoration piece fits onto the back of the "vehicle" over the missile projectile, creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail . The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces.

:In robot mode, Starscream marginally resembles previous Starscreams, mostly G1 Starscream, with the large turbines on his chest, wings and vents on his legs. Due to his extensive use of ball joints, he has excellent articulation. Starscream is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that fires the previously mentioned projectile cast in the same bronze color as his body. Alternatively, the flame decoration can be fitted onto the end of the barrel.

:This toy also has an [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] feature, as most of the figures in the main line do. Pushing his head back during transformation will move his shoulder pieces back into place, while moving the shoulders forward will make the head pop back up. While either the missile or the flame can be placed into the gun, the flame can be placed onto the missile, using both at once. However, in some cases, the flame does not have a snug fit on the missile and falls off easily. This makes firing the missile rather awkward and makes the gun look extremely goofy.

: It's also entirely possible that this figure will eventually suffer from [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|GPS]], as the bronze plastic it is cast in has the same characteristic swirling exhibited by older figures that rapidly deteriorated. However, newer materials and processes may prevent the toy from ever seeing a single crack form. It is highly suggested that this toy not be painted or altered in any way to maximize its lifespan.

*'''Protoform Starscream Fusion Cluster Edition''' (C3xHobby Convention exclusive Deluxe, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

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

{{-}}
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Starscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Shake hands with danger.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-08'''
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: The Voyager-class version of Movie Starscream transforms into an officially-licensed [[wikipedia:F-22|Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet]], albeit in beige.

:Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the missile-launching barrels to rotate and fire their projectiles, which can also be stored in the black flip-up braces on the launchers. During transformation, pushing up upon the canopy fuselage piece activates Starscream's [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick, which pushes panels out of the torso, wings and stabilizers. In robot mode, Starscream is mostly faithful to his movie CGI model, except for being bulkier around his chest, lacking engines on his back and having the very large Gatling cannons serve as his arms (a facsimile of his much slenderer weapons from the movie). Interestingly, his projectile missiles are sculpted to resemble fingers, should users choose keep them loaded while Starscream is in robot mode. An interesting note is [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle's]] (or Camshaft's) hands, when detached, make a snug fit in between the three main cannons; if you're feeling sillier, ''Legends'' [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] shoulder does, too. Go on, try it yourself, yes, we'll wait...

:This toy was later retooled and [[Redeco|redecoed]] into Movie [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]], ROTF [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]] and, ROTF [[Skywarp (ROTF)|Skywarp]].

{{-}}
*'''Battle damage three-pack''' (Sam's Club exclusive three-pack, 2007)

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

{{-}}
[[Image:Starscream target.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"The first G1 fan who complains gets a minigun... to the face."]]
*'''Starscream''' (Target exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: An extensive redeco of Voyager class Starscream available only as a Target [[exclusive]], this version is [[Redeco|redecoed]] in a color scheme based upon ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. This version of Starscream shares the retooled version of this mold with Movie Thundercracker, giving Starscream a new, vaguely G1-ish head sculpt. The packaging for this toy explains that Starscream altered his appearance following his escape at the end of the film in order to avoid detection.

{{-}}
[[Image:Starscream Vardia red.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Pinkscream]]
*'''Starscream Vardia Red Model''' (Toshiba exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: In a joint venture by Paramount Home Entertainment Japan and electronics giant [[wikipedia:Toshiba|Toshiba]], Starscream Vardia Red Model is an exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream only available with Toshiba's new ''Vardia'' RD-A301 HD DVD recorder. The package also comes with an HD-DVD copy of ''Transformers'', five HD DVD-R and five DVD-R discs.

:Starscream Vardia Red Model is '''extremely''' red, with some gold, a little black and Toshiba ''Vardia'' markings on his hull. With the player expected to cost just under 100,000 yen, this may be the most expensive Transformers exclusive to be released in relatively large quantities.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie DeepSpaceStarscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I'm Starcream, and I can breathe in space. ]]
*'''Deep Space Starscream''' (Target exclusive "Premium Series" Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

:A Target exclusive (But appeared in European retail in 2009), Deep Space Starscream is a redeco of the first version of Voyager class Starscream, based upon the colours used by [[Industrial Light & Magic]] on Starscream's CGI model (instead of the totally made up and inaccurate tan colouring on the previous release). As such he is metallic silver with complementary greys in fighter mode, including the 'First Fighter' (FF) squadron markings indicating he is an F-22 Raptor from [[wikipedia:Langley_Air_Force_Base|Langley Air Force Base]]. In robot mode reveals gold paint inside his chest detailing and red for circuitry detailing. Oddly, his eyes are painted red, but the rest of the [[Light-piping]] that makes up the back of his head is left uncolored, making the glowing eye effect no longer work while STILL retaining the miscolored bronzed glass color that the clear plastic was molded in, though the paint is fairly easy to remove.

: Deep Space Starscream is presented in 'Premium Octagonal' packaging very similar to Robo-Vision Optimus Prime. Even though Hasbro officially considers him as part of the Premium Series, this is not indicated anywhere on the packaging.

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Movie FAB Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|You are the Dragon Booster Artha!]]
*'''Battle Blade Starscream''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''QC-02'''

: [[Fast Action Battler|Fast Action Battlers]] "Battle Blade" Starscream transforms into a somewhat superdeformed F-22 Raptor, simplifying the overall design to the point of his feet noticeably sticking out the aft of the fighter, and has a truncated transformation sequence reminiscent of past Transformers such as ''Generation 1'' [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and ''Cybertron'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]. Rather than having a separate weapon, he only has a claw-like blade that flips over the right hand (hence "Battle Blade") and non-removable missiles in the palms of his hands.

: This toy was later redecoed as [[Ramjet (Movie)|Claw Slash Ramjet]].

: There is a Korean [[Knockoff|fake]] of this model going around, under the name of "Latent Spider". Fortunately no real spiders have been found latent inside the toy.

{{-}}
====Other toys====
*'''Starscream''' (Little Red Rooster Meal, 2007)

:One of five toys that was available at Red Rooster, an Australian based fast food chain. This kids meal toy is a black F-22 Raptor with a silver canopy that transforms by simply flipping the jet around to reveal the gray robot mode underneath, pulling down the landing gear and legs, and standing him upright.

{{-}}
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF Legends toy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|So I wake up with a hangover and find all these tattoos all over me. Damn parties.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-04'''

:Legends class Starscream is a redeco of 2007's Legends class Starscream, the main difference being a mostly single main colour scheme (compared to 2007's rather random colour choices) and the ''Revenge of the Fallen''-specific Cyberglyph tattoos.
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Voyager Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|At long last, I have fingers! And tattoos! Odd.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 projectiles

:''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager class Starscream is an all new mold that is far more accurate in both modes than the previous Voyager Starscream toy from the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie line. Although his F-22 Raptor mode's design is no longer severely compromised by the play pattern or transformation gimmicks that plagued the 2007 toy, it still suffers as Starscream's hands essentially stick out the back end. His robot mode is more accurate to the movie design, no longer burdened with having giant handless rotating missile launchers, ''Revenge'' Starscream has 2 arm-mounted launchers sculpted to resemble his [[wikipedia:M61_Vulcan|M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon]]. Starscream's [[Mech Alive]] gimmick is linked between his head and chest: when you turn his head, the gears in his chest spin. Curiously, although almost every other part of his alt mode is rearranged, this Starscream's nose cone ''doesn't'' flip down to reveal his head. He has amber light piping for his eyes, but they've been painted over in red.

[[Image:ROTFtoy-StarscreamVoyager-popoutlaunchers.jpg|left|thumb|150px|I had more joints!]]

:The surface of Starscream's fighter mode and robot mode are covered in [[Cybertronian_languages#Transformers_.282007.29|Cybertronian glyphs]], based on his appearance in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie]], but chronologically first appeared in [[Alliance issue 1]]. In a strange backwards step from the mostly-accurate Deep Space Starscream, ''Revenge'' Starscream's main base color is a light beige.

:According to the stock photographs of the hand-painted prototype, Starscream's hands originally had a joint down the middle of his palms, possibly to facilitate in hiding them in fighter mode. His arm-mounted cannons were also originally separate parts from his forearms, jointed to move back and forth, again possibly to hide them in fighter mode. However, on the final toy, the hands are molded as one piece and cannot be hidden in vehicle mode, and his cannons' details (including the joints) are simply molded directly onto his arms. His knee caps were also a separate movable piece and not joined to his upper leg. It is assumed this was done for cost cutting. His packaging call-outs (excepting Europe) still claim that he has "pop out missile launchers," despite this gimmick's removal.
{{-}}

====Leader Class toys====
*'''Starscream''' (Leader, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:''
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF FAB toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Kids, tattoos are awesome, get some NOW!]]
*'''Starscream''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Gravity Bots====
[[Image:ROTF GravityBots Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Some toys have hands or maybe a head sticking out of their alternate modes, but Starscream has WHOLE LEGS.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Gravity Bot, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GB-03'''

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:ROTF RobotReplicas Starscream.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Hey guys, like my tattoos?"]]
*'''Starscream''' (Robot Replica, 2009)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Starscreambarrelrollblaster.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Eat your heart out, Peppy.]]
*'''Starscream Barrel Roll Blaster''' (2007)
**''Accessories:'' 4 Nerf N-Strike foam missiles

:This version of Starscream's altmode turns into not a robot, but a robot '''fist''' holding a two-barreled blaster. The guns in this form fire [[Nerf]] N-Strike-sized foam missiles.

{{-}}

*'''Lunchables''' "Pocket Transformers" toy prize (2007)

[[Image:Starscreamlunchables.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I come with crappy chicken.]]
:Free inside specially marked boxes of Oscar Meyer Lunchables dinners, Starscream is one of six "Pocket Transformers" toy prizes. Molded in green, his tablet unfolds to reveal a picture of his robot mode inside.

:The Lunchables website code engraved on his back is "MISLEAD."

{{-}}

*'''Starscream Micro Flyer''' (2007)

{{charstubtoys}}

*'''Starscream''' Burger King free toy (2007)

:A non-transformable version of Starscream, cast primarily in chalk-grey plastic. It can rotate its arms at the shoulder. The toy's main gimmick, though, is the wheel in his chest. Striking the wheel causes it to advance to the next slot, revealing damage to Starscream's torso. A second tap reveals even more damage. Despite being a free pack-in toy, the figure is surprisingly well molded, having well defined head parts and the twin afterburners on his back that even the Voyager version lacks. It even has six fingers (or rather, four fingers and two thumbs) on each hand!

{{-}}

====Basic Fun====
*'''Articulated keychain''' (2009)

: Produced by [[Basic Fun]], this keychain is a likeness of Starscream's robot mode with articulated arms, legs, head, waist, and a keyring sticking out of his ass.
{{comingsoontoy}}

*'''Mini Figural Clip-Ons''' (2009)
{{comingsoontoy}}

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Armored Bumblebee vs. Starscream''' (2007)

[[Image:Rhstarbee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Packaged with Bumblebee holding the Allspark. TWICE.]]
:Robot Heroes Starscream is sculpted in a crouching pose, possibly inspired by his landing when talking to Megatron in the film. He has the standard Robot Heroes articulation of both shoulders and his neck, however the pre-posed nature means his right arms is really more useful as a support than a usable joint.

{{-}}
*'''Bumblebee vs. Starscream''' (2008)

[[Image:RH Movie Bumblebee Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's my turn to use the Rubik's Cube, Bumblebee!]]
:This version of Starscream is almost a prelude to the previous one, as he's now sculpted in a touching down pose as opposed to a full land. Like the previous mold, it has articulation at the shoulders and neck. Unfortunately, the left arm is lifted straight out to side, allowing him to rotate the arm but not pose it.

{{-}}

*'''Autobot Springer and Starscream''' (2009)

[[Image:Robotheroesspringerstarscream.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who's ''that'' dude?]]
: Starscream is part of the first wave of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figures and is packaged versus [[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]]. A [[redeco]] of the first Movie-style Starscream, he still has articulation at the shoulders and neck, and now sports [[Cyberglyphics]] tattooed on his body.
{{-}}

*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (2009)

:Packaged in a set depicting the battle in [[Mission City]] with [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], plus new figures of [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in truck mode and Bumblebee in vehicle mode, this is the first Starscream Robot Heroes figurine in vehicle mode.

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* The card back of Protoform Starscream's packaging features a completely different, earlier head sculpt. What's more, this head design is featured on his protoform body in IDW's movie prequel comics.

* His protoform was not the only design to get a new head. The earliest concepts of Starscream's head were more skull-like and oblong in shape. This was, of course, redesigned to look more "like a samurai helmet." Unlike the redesigned head of Megatron, Starscream's earlier face only shows up in ''one'' piece of media: the book [[Look and Find Transformers]].

* On-screen in the first live-action movie, Starscream has only one short conversation with Megatron and a total screen time of less than 10 minutes. The tie-in fictions are ''much'' kinder.

* It has been suggested that, following his attack on the F-22 squadron over the city, Starscream was able to hide among the survivors and take part in the attack on Megatron shortly thereafter. This theory is speculative; while it fits the character of the G1 Starscream from the '80s, there is nothing actually on the screen to suggest it. (Roberto Orci was asked, but refused to give a definite answer.)<ref>http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=387172&postcount=185 Roberto Orci refusing to comment on the possibility of Starscream attacking Megatron during the final battle</ref>

* The Sector Seven online ARG used the "[[Masterpiece]]" version of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to represent the "real" Starscream who had infiltrated Earth. A lot of Generation 1 cameos were made in this manner. Make of that what you will.

* Even though Starscream had only two lines of dialogue in the first film, José Sant'anna, who played the Generation 1 character in the Brazilian dub of the original cartoon, was re-cast to play the role in the movie. However, his voice was so heavily modulated that only someone with a really good ear could recognize him. Go figure.

*Speaking of two dialogues, most of his lines are Cybertronian. He begins his role with speaking Cybertronian ("This is Starscream. All Decepticons mobilize") and ends with saying another Cybertronian line that isn't subtitled. Of course, he could have been talking to himself (as he does when he reaches Sector Seven) or even cursing. Considering ''The Reign of Starscream'' has a guy exploding inside him at this point, swearing seems appropriate.

*He's probably the only Starscream that hasn't died or suffered grievous bodily damage. ''Yet''.
** Although he loses an arm in ''RotF'', he eventually (when Megatron stops slapping him with it) puts it back on. Must be a ball joint.

{{-}}

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/ProtoformStarscream/starscream.htm Starscream at TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Reassigned toys]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Seekers]]

Starscream (Movie)

2009-07-05T09:18:40Z

Rmkar9: /* IDW Transformers movie comics */

{{disambig3|Starscream}}
{{factions|decepticon}}

:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie Starscream promorender2.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I got yer All Spark, right here.]]
'''Starscream''' is a hero on the wrong side. Over the centuries he's come to believe both [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] have lost sight of what is best for the Cybertronian race, and simply pursue their own agendas. At some point, he came to the decision that, for the good of the species, a new leader must emerge, and he would be that leader. However, over time, he became as corrupt in his own way as Megatron, although he prefers subtlety and deception to Megatron's brute force. Now, what may once have been noble goals are buried under layers of self interest, transforming Starscream into that which he supposedly despised.

{{quote|Truly the universe favors those who persist.|Starscream on himself, [[Ghosts of Yesterday]]}}
{{quote|In your absence, someone had to take command.|Starscream thinks the boss' death means instant promotion|[[Revenge of the Fallen]]}}

:''Hungarian name ([[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan Magazine]] only):'' '''Csillagsikoly''' ("Starcream")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Tīen-wáng Hsīng''' (天王星, "Planet Uranus")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Üstökös''' ("Comet")

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance1_Starscream_Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Someone is praising Starscream!? Stop the presses!]]

Many years before civil war broke out on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], commander Starscream was a member of the Cybertron defense forces. He was patrolling the [[Eshems Nebula]] when he encountered the fourth alien scout ship he had spotted in the same [[Units of time|cycle]]. As he related this to first officer [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] of the science division, this time the alien ship did not maintain a safe distance, forcing Starscream to attack, and he was damaged in the subsequent battle (and was late for a meeting with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and Protector [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]). Soon afterwards, these same aliens attacked Cybertron, and Starscream commanded the aerial forces in the defense of the [[Simfur]] temple near the city of [[Metrotitan (Movie)|Metrotitan]]. After Megatron was injured in battle, Starscream rushed to his side to enquire about his condition and to ask for further orders. He was informed to keep Optimus's team out of the military's way. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}}

Megatron was influenced by [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] found outside [[Simfur]] to wage a vengeful war against the aliens. Starscream attended at war rally at [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]] where Megatron assumed dictatorship of Cybertron and its armed forces. After destroying much of the enemy fleet and eliminating its leader, Megatron ordered Starscream and his fellow fliers to destroy the alien flagship and conquer the surrounding systems. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2}} Underground opposition to the new regime came in the form of Optimus and his science division, something Lord Megatron would not stand for. While [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] and security officers arrested Optimus on trumped-up charges of treason, Starscream's squadron was given orders to capture Optimus alive and leave no living witnesses. Unfortunately, Optimus ''Prime'' proved more than a match for Starscream's entire unit, bringing down the ruins of a city upon them. The group survived, and were used by Megatron as "proof" that there were enemies within Cybertron as well as without, to rally his army into a new faction: the Decepticons. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

During the subsequent civil war, Starscream blindly followed Megatron's orders, murdering those who did not bow to his Lord's will, even though who did not choose sides. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}} Some time later, Starscream was leading an assault on the Autobots at [[Tyger Pax]] when Blackout arrived to reinforce them. They witnessed the launch of the [[All Spark (Movie)|All Spark]] into space, a desperate gambit by the Autobots, and immediately Starscream and Blackout began to bicker over their next move. Seeing Megatron leave the planet in pursuit of the All Spark, Starscream decided that so would they. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

[[Image:Planetfall Starscream yesweare.jpg|200px|thumb|"Hey, what's that?" "I'd call it a TARGET!"]]

Starscream was concerned over the Autobots who still posed a threat, but Megatron ordered him to gather a crew to pursue [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] [[Ark (Movie)|ship]]. Unfortunately, [[Nemesis (Movie)|Starscream's ship]] was led into a trap and crippled by [[concussion pulse]] weapons, throwing them off the chase, for now. Humiliated, Starscream and his crew limped back home for repairs. Sometime later, they followed the All Spark's trace energy pulse and the wake of Prime's ship to a solar system galaxies away. Landing on the [[Mars|fourth planet]], they destroyed [[Beagle 2 Rover|a primitive lifeform]] that seemed to have been created from the All Spark, and felt the tag of the life-giving object on the third planet. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

Starscream's team made planetfall on [[Earth]] in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby US military base, which sent out an armoured personnel carrier to investigate. After it was destroyed, the Decepticons attacked the base itself. During the rather one-sided assault, a human agent of Sector Seven was impressed by the alien invaders' ability to adapt to Earth's finest weaponry. Starscream agreed that they were impressive, and killed the fleshling. After Blackout left the group for another nearby base, Starscream told his fellow Decepticons that their mission wouldn't always be this easy, as the Autobots were bound to turn up. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

{{note|The events of Planetfall are inconsistent with the events of IDW's own Prime Directive prequel comic. However, the depiction of the Decepticon arrival in Afghanistan was later used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

In 2003, Starscream's infiltration team, consisting of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and Blackout, touched down on [[Mars]] and destroyed the [[Beagle 2 Rover]]. Starscream was disgusted with the rover, but Blackout and Barricade warned that there was an obviously intelligent species nearby, so they would need to be cautious. Starscream agreed, as long as they got to kill something. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3}}

[[Image:MoviePrequel4 Starscream youcangonow.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Top this one, Samus.]]

Splitting up, they headed to Earth, where Starscream scanned an F-22 Raptor fighter jet being tested by the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] at [[Nellis Air Force base]]. He destroyed it, then adopted the vehicle form for himself. Leaving the scene of destruction, he radioed his fellow Decepticons to report in on their hunt for new disguise forms, which they did. He reiterated that their mission was to find the All Spark, to which Blackout responded with a reminder that the mission was also to find Megatron. Starscream dismissively replied, "Yeah, right... him too."

Later, Starscream and Blackout detected the unique radiation of the All Spark and investigated, but Starscream soon realized it was a trap by Sector Seven. Starscream destroyed several AH-64 Apache helicopters while Blackout attacked Sector Seven's bunker and attempted to hack into their mainframe. When the humans severed the connection, the Decepticons broke off from the battle and linked up with Barricade, who was in pursuit of the Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Patrick Hallahan]]

Starscream led the Decepticons to Earth while following the beacon signal used by Bumblebee to call the Autobots. In typical Starscream fashion, he seemed more concerned about collecting the All Spark to further his own goals than to rescue [[Megatron (Movie)|Lord High Protector Megatron]]. Attracting the attention of a nearby military installation, they were attacked, but easily overpowered the humans, after which he and Blackout took their [[alternate mode]]s from vehicles on base. Starscream, along with Blackout, followed Bumblebee as he fled from a losing battle against Barricade.

Later, when Sector Seven tried to use a false energy signature to attract Bumblebee to their location, the Decepticons picked up on it and followed. Realizing the signal was fake, Starscream pulled the troops out and waited for the Autobots to arrive and flush out the All Spark for them. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel (2007)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

====''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel====
Starscream had ascended to Decepticon leadership in the absence of their former lord, and though he had to ''seem'' to carry on the long search for the lost Megatron and the [[All Spark]] to keep his position as leader, his greatest hope was that Megatron would NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], strongly suspected this and sought to frustrate Starscream's species-serving plans. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] buddied up with him, but he did like to trick people. [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] hated him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s opinions are unknown, but Frenzy's a complete lunatic and nobody cared what the pet thought.

During a search of an abandoned solar system, the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'' came across ''[[Ghost 1|a vessel]]'' that bore a resemblance to Megatron's [[alternate mode]]. Starscream went to investigate it, intending to destroy it. After chasing off [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], he communicated with the creatures aboard the vessel, who called themselves [[human]]s. Starscream claimed that his people once lived with the [[Autobot]]s, and that their treacherous leader, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], started a war for the All Spark. The humans told him of a robotic creature that they had found on their world, and Starscream, recognizing it as Megatron, told them it was an Autobot scout. While communicating with them, he downloaded all the information on their computers, learning that the All Spark was also located on Earth. He offered to help the humans to return to their world if they helped Starscream's group attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime would destroy them and be guilt-stricken in the process. The humans attacked Optimus and Bumblebee, but the two Autobots escaped. After their ship sank into a cavern, Starscream revealed his true nature and abandoned them. As a result, the humans concluded neither faction could be fully trusted. Way to make first contact there, Screamer.

Returning to the battle, he lied to his fellow Decepticons, claiming that the two Autobots were dead and that he'd been unable to communicate with the humans. Blackout, unconvinced by the story, challenged Starscream to single combat. Starscream won, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]''. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human vessel showed up. Starscream, fearful of the information that the ship contained, ordered the Decepticons to destroy it. Unfortunately, Starscream experienced a minor mutiny when Bonecrusher and Blackout demanded answers, and even Barricade wanted to know why. As the battle drew to a close, Starscream was in a position to terminate Prime but came under fire from the humans' weapons. Seriously damaged, Starscream finished them off with a single plasma blast, then ordered the Decepticons to retreat, despite the advantage they had over the Autobots. The Autobots figured that Starscream would not risk traveling to [[Earth]] for fear of losing power, but Prime figured that it was only a matter of time before the desire for vengeance and the lure of the All Spark brought the Decepticons to that world. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

====Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game====
[[Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|200px|thumb|Masterpiece attack!]]
Disguised as an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Starscream was active on Earth in early 1982, with documented sightings of jets sporting his unique colors on several continents before he was caught on camera transforming to robot mode in California. This sighting (and its subsequent leak) was the direct impetus for [[Hungry Dragon|Hungry Dragon 1]].

{{note|In the [[Hungry Dragon 2]] misinformation campaign, Starscream wouldn't arrive until 2003. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}, though [[Transformers Comic issue 9|in a letter's column for Titan's Transformers comic]], Starscream refers to spending some time as an F-15.}}

Later, during late April/early May of 2007, [[Sector Seven]] intercepted two sound clips through Agent Cod3x and another source (currently unknown). Apparently, Starscream wanted to make his presence known and left a message announcing that he would have the All Spark, and that Agent Powers would be the one to hand it over. These messages were somewhat garbled, as they were apparently received over a SETI@home system. So far, only these two "blips" have been analyzed (the second still needing work), but more may come in the near future. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japan), [[José Sant'anna]] (Brazil), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)

[[Image:Movie2007_Starscream_HooverDam.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Starscream lacking the null-ray could destroy the universe as we know it. But we have others, so it's okay.]]

Starscream was lying in wait at a [[United States Military|US]] air base when covert agent [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported that the [[All Spark]] had been located, along with Megatron, underneath [[Hoover Dam]]. Though he had long feared this day would come, Starscream ordered the rest of the Decepticons to mobilize. The others responded, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.

[[Image:Starscreammovieheadshot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a... bird-legged freak that transforms into a plane...]]

The first to arrive, Starscream attacked the hydroelectric power plant attached to the dam to cause havoc to [[Sector Seven|Sector Seven's]] operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron quickly broke free of his icy restraints and escaped the facility. He almost immediately met with the waiting Starscream, who repledged his loyalty to Megatron. Demanding to know what had happened to the All Spark, Megatron was told by his [[second-in-command]] that it was now in the possession of the humans. Furious, Megatron berated his lieutenant for yet another failure. What a warm reunion.

During the assault on a [[Mission City|nearby city]], Starscream fooled [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox's]] unit by posing as an [[wikipedia:F-22 Raptor|F-22 Raptor]] providing cover. Starscream launched an attack that crippled [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] as [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] realized too late who the fighter really was. As [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]] ran with the All Spark, Starscream swooped down, blocking his path, only to be attacked by both Ironhide and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After fighting without much effort, but still besting them, Starscream took to the skies again, instead of securing the All Spark from the now-defenseless ladiesman217.

[[Image:Starscreammoviestillrobot.jpg|left|250px|thumb|How do you feel, mighty traffic? Yah!]]

While Megatron attempted to retrieve the All Spark from ladiesman217, Starscream perched on nearby buildings and shot down an Army Blackhawk helicopter when it attempted to help the human evacuate the Cube. Eventually, real F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force arrived, and Starscream disguised himself. Pretending to be a part of their squadron, Starscream surprised the human pilots by transforming in mid-air and, performing the best display of [[jet judo]] in 20 years, destroyed three of the Raptors before he was fired upon. He transformed back into his disguise and fled, and was not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. (Or was he?)

[[Image:Starscream bails.JPG|right|200px|thumb|I will rule the sequel, Megatron!]]

Most of the Decepticons were defeated, and their bodies cast into the deepest part of the ocean. Ultimately, Starscream retreated from Earth to parts—and with intentions—unknown. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Fleeing from the Mission City fiasco, Starscream repaired and reenergised himself from a nearby power plant, then fled into deep space to find Decepticon reinforcements. {{storylink|#Voyager Class toys|Deep Space Starscream}}

He eventually decided this was too time-consuming, and went back to Earth in a new stealthy form to wait for the Decepticons, alerted by the energy signature of the All Spark's destruction, to come to ''him''. He succeeded in building a small army, and had them distract the Autobot forces while he launched a surprise attack on a lone Optimus. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream}} The battle ended with Optimus still alive and the Decepticons beaten on Earth. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Fast Action Battlers|Fire Blast Optimus Prime}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===

{{bigquote|You could mark [your letters] 'All Hail Starscream' so long as you make it clear this is in no way a reflection on our glorious leader or a prelude to some sort of coup. Just so that we're clear on that.|Star Screams}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines comic continuity and thus doesn't occur anywhere else.}}

Within seconds of Megatron's defeat, Starscream dubbed himself the new Decepticon leader, with the main problem being that he didn't actually have any troops to lead. To amend this slight impediment, he attacked several [[Allspark Mutation]]s and removed the energy from their bodies, which he then proceeded to implant into the corpses of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]]. With his former comrades reanimated in this [[Zombie|rudimentary manner]], he directed the shambling husks to attack the Autobots, who were still recovering from their battle that had just finished. While the Autobots eventually destroyed the zombies, Starscream had escaped with several All Spark energy fragments still in his possession. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

[[Image:Tf mag 10 2008.JPG|left|150px|thumb|So evil, boats spontaneously explode rather than face him.]]
Starscream remained on Earth serving under Megatron—and taking orders from [[Dropkick]], who's got a higher rank. In secret, however, he was using [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticons]] to implant cerebro-strips in the heads of useful humans; at will, he could control their minds, paving the way for a more subtle conquest when he finally got Megatron out of the way. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}}

He became aware of the moon-based Autobots and while ordered to join [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] in beating up [[NATO]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} he got bored during the mission and left as soon as he could to attack the moon-based Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} He beat them up and viciously taunted them, forcing them to take the initiative and go to Earth—just as he wanted. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} As he hoped, the Autobots eventually won, killing Megatron, destroying the All Spark and halting the cyberforming of Earth... leaving him free to take command of the Decepticons!

On top of that, he got his hands on the nanovirus the Autobots used on Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}} He also took the All Spark interface module from Megatron's corpse and assimilated it. He started hearing Megatron's voice in his head some time after this... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

[[Image:InsecticonMovie.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Starscream's ''bugging'' us lolololololol]]

One of his first acts as leader was to begin a bombing campaign against any human attempt to rebuild infrastructure or regain a foothold in the United States. He then organised an attack that would get all the Autobots together so a NATO tank regiment (its commander under cerebro-strip control) could wipe them all out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}} While this failed, Starscream has still ensured the new [[President of the United States]] is under cerebro control—and the Autobots have no idea he's in command... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}}

As well as secretly overseeing scorched-earth strategies and attempted Energon grabs {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}, he also gained [[Mikaela Banes]] as a cerebro-controlled slave. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}} When the bulk of the Autobots prepared to briefly leave Earth and had Mikaela watch over their [[Savannah]] base, Starscream just waited until they'd gone and effortlessly seized the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} As a result, the six hundred square miles around the Autobot base were swiftly seized as an autonomous Decepticon nation, with all resistance smashed easily. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}} This means, shockingly, he actually ''is'' a better leader than Megatron. ''[[Jesus]]''.

[[Image:Starscream Titan22.JPG|left|210px|thumb|"Stop looking at me ''stop looking at me!''"]]
He sadistically taunted Mikaela, hoping there was part of her that was screaming for help, before dispatching [[Jazz (Movie)|the corrupted Jazz]] and [[Kullt]] to assassinate Optimus. It didn't work. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

While preparing an ambush for the Autobots who he knew would come for Mikaela, he ranted to the Megatron in his head how he'd been a ''far'' better leader and how he was about to kill all the Autobots. His ambush almost worked too, and he almost killed Prime himself—only for the Autobots to turn out to have had a better plan all along, and escape. Admitting to the voices that he had failed and demanding a strategy from then, he realised to his horror that Megatron's mind had wanted him to take the interface module and had downloaded his brain into it; the voice ''really was'' Megatron and he was demanding to be released! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He didn't release him, though Megatron did feed Starscream a strategy—blackmailing America into booting the Autobots out, then having Allen nuke their ship. This plan was a success {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}}, and a jubilant Starscream despatched his armies to seize the United States, all the while having his mind-controlled humans hamper ''any'' military counter-offensive. He was ''this'' close to total victory when [[Stockade (Movie)|''Stockade'']] turned up, turning a third of the drone armies and possibly two generals to his side, sparking a [[Decepticon Civil War]].

Watching everything collapse around him, a gibbering Starscream was visited by Megatron's voice again, telling him once again that the only way out was to release him and allow Megatron to live again... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"I'm as sane as the [[Thunderwing (G1)|next]] leader!"]]

...and this time, desperate and pressured, Starscream ''did''. With his mind now his own again, he realised to his horror what he'd done... but it was too late, he was now a minion again, and tasked to strafe Stockade's forces while Megatron took on the rebel himself. It all was for naught, however: the Autobots (surprisingly ''not'' dead!) intervened and forcibly teleported all the Decepticons to Cybertron, leaving Starscream trapped there ''forever''. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

====Star Screams====
{{Note|The following details Starscream's tenure as letter-answerer on the Star Screams letters page.}}

[[Image:Star Screams logo.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Hate mail!]]
As of issue 7, he runs the letters page (renamed Star Screams from the original Mech Mail). He hates the letters, the readers, the comic, the editorial team, and probably the baby [[Jesus]]—but he's still got nothing on ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream's]] [[Armada (Panini comic)|letter-answering stint]]. The source of his misanthropy appears to be that nobody ever sent in fan-art of him (#8). The few things he does like are recycling and environmental measures (#14), girls becoming Transformers fans (#19), and [[To sell toys|humans collecting his action figures]].

Autobot sympathisers are hunted down to be exterminated, especially those who dress up as Autobots (#8, #12 and #17), and even the Prime Minister isn't safe (#24). That said, Starscream appears to have a soft spot for his own fans—in #11, when a female reader complained her mum and aunt kept telling her she was too old for Transformers, he announced that the offending relatives had been shortlisted to spend forever polishing his armour with their own spit, bless.

In #8, he revealed he hates the movie because his best scenes and lines were cut out, and #13 confirmed the Decepticon army loathes [[Michael Bay]] for producing pro-Autobot propaganda. This still hasn't prevented him from shilling Bay's second documentary ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', as he believes it will depict a Decepticon victory (#10) and is going to ignore the script if it says otherwise (#18). Since then, however, he has come under the sway of an unknown higher power in regards to the film, one Starscream fears (#22)...

In #7, he expressed concern that this "[[Simon Furman|Fur-Man]]" was a [[Maximal]] agent, and warned that Titan Magazines would be destroyed if they continued to produce Autobot propaganda. By #13, the Decepticons appear to have taken over Titan and have imprisoned the staff and creators in cages, forcing them to work merely for food—it is surely no coincidence that during this period, Starscream became a successful leader of the Decepticons in the comic strip and that Starscream began wanting more issues brought out. This mistreatment is causing severe physical trauma to [[Steve White]] and [[Den Patrick]] (#19} though Fur-Man is still a free agent and is evading Decepticon capture (#21). Writer [[Robin Etherington]] appears to have angered him, as Starscream is believed to have deliberately miscredited one of his stories in #24. [http://www.studioblinktwice.com/announce.php?Year=2009]

He has incredible hate for [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], gleefully recounting the guy's horrible death and going berserk in #9 at the idea of Jazz answering the letters.

While he has said he talks to himself to get intelligent conversation and doesn't trust anyone (#9), he has shown some signs of wanting company: he hoped the [[Seeker]] jets would all be reunited in the next film (#9), is trying to convince [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in it too (#15), and wishes Ironhide would join the Decepticons (#16). Despite wanting to re-unite with Thundercracker, he shows contempt for the guy's lack of drive (#11). He views [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and Soundwave as potential successors if anything ever happens to him (#21). He also appreciates [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] work (#23) and while he's annoyed the helicopter is more popular than him, he did go to the trouble of giving the guy a proper burial. (#25)

Starscream appears to have had several "off the record" adventures. He has revealed he once had an [[Starscream (G1)|F-15 mode]] and liked it (#9), openly confirming he was [[:Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|active in 1982]] and the impetus for the [[Hungry Dragon]] cover-up. He also refers to [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] also being an F-15 (#11), implying both were active in 1982. He has also had some experience with and knowledge of [[Unicron]] (#12), something [[Transformers Comic issue 19|no other Transformer had]] and something that terrified him (#17), and in which he apparently witnessed Unicron trying to devour Cybertron (#19)...

He maintains that his voice is not [[Chris Latta|scratchy]] in any way.

Eventually, however, the constant stress of the letters drove him to a nervous breakdown, and he was sent to a very special home (or "on a mission of great importance", according to his cover story). (Vol.2 #1)

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{bigquote|My plan failed, or was it my troops that failed me? I can only process the situation and hope for a conclusion. There are allies on Earth, and more scattered across the Galaxy. I will seek them out. By my side they will join, and in time, I '''will''' have my kingdom... regardless of the location.|Starscream|[[The Reign of Starscream issue 5]]}}

Starscream assumed the role of [[Decepticon leader]] on Earth following Megatron's defeat and the destruction of the All Spark. Though tempted to exact revenge on the humans, he realized he might be the last functional Decepticon on the planet, so he escaped Mission City to recover the badly-damaged Barricade. Starscream gave him orders to continue his reconnaissance of the Autobot once he was able, and headed for Hoover Dam to retrieve Frenzy. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

Starscream made his way to Hoover Dam, taking out masses of human soldiers and a [[Landmine (Movie)|less-than-functional attack drone]]. Starscream took a [[Salazar|human captive]] along with Frenzy's body, but the fleshling didn't survive the Decepticon's trip to [[Mars]]. However, the trip, combined with the damage from the battle took its toll and upon finding his starship, he had to be helped inside by [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]]. The pair discussed Thundercracker's progress with the space bridge terminal, the physiology of humans and the abilities of Starscream's new form. While recharging, he ordered Thundercracker to download the information from Frenzy; however, an Autobot scouting party interrupted their efforts. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Two|The Reign of Starscream issue 2}}

[[Image:ROSWannabet.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Let's hope that Dreadwing isn't revived by Unicron.]]
Starscream ordered Thundercracker and the drones to deal with them while he prepared for take off. After recovering, he made short work of the Autobots and dragged a damaged Thundercracker inside the ship, before activating the terminal and warping to Cybertron. He handed Thundercracker over to [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]], and ordered construction of a [[replica All Spark]], based on Frenzy's data. Approaching Megatron's citadel, Starscream, still impressed by the power his new form gave him, destroyed the former leader's figurehead. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Three|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}}

A [[Units of time|quartex]] later, Starscream ruminated about ruling over a Cybertron free of war or factions, as well as bringing certain [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|war criminals]] to justice. He arrived at the All Spark construction yard, busted [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]]'s vocal processor for whining too much, and chained him up along with [[Elita-One|four]] [[Warpath (Movie)|enslaved]] [[Signal Flare (Movie)|Autobot]] [[Grindcore (Movie)|prisoners]] on the new All Spark, ready to offer up their lives in exchange for a new life for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Four|The Reign of Starscream issue 4}}

[[Image:StarscreamandWreckageAlliance2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Is it a bird? Is it a plane It's both!]]

Things sort of went downhill from there, though. First, the All Spark replica didn't work; then [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] rebelled. Then they saw that Arcee had snuck aboard Starscream's ship, led an Autobot attack on [[Simfur]] and destroyed the new All Spark. In the ensuing chaos, Starscream, along with his few remaining loyal subjects, fought off the army of Dreadwing drones and assorted other traitors. Starscream tracked Dreadwing to the space bridge as he took a starship through it. By the time the ship arrived on [[Mars]], it was damaged by Starscream's attack, but Dreadwing survived. However, Starscream also survived, revealed himself, and ripped out Dreadwing's spark core. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Five|The Reign of Starscream issue 5}}

After Dreadwing's betrayal, Starscream relocated to Earth, his aspirations for leadership and his faith in his fellow Decepticons shattered. As he brooded and carved All Spark runes onto his exo-structure, he picked up a transmission from [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], informing Starscream of Optimus Prime's forthcoming journey to a Sector Seven facility where Wreckage was held. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

Starscream arrived on Earth not long after Wreckage escaped. The two engaged in a heated battle, each accusing the other of betrayal. Wreckage managed to gain the upper hand, but the timely arrival of Bumblebee gave Starscream the chance to kill Wreckage. He thanked Bumblebee by blasting him, but was contacted by Soundwave before he could finish the job. Shocked that Soundwave was still alive, Starscream was nonetheless pleased when he was told a number of troops were headed for Earth. After receiving co-ordinates to Soundwave's ship, a more enthusiastic Starscream left Earth, aiming to bring the troops aboard out of stasis. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}}
{{-}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance]]'' comic.}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

[[Image:Titan1_FallenStarscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey! C'mon on outa there you!]]

With Megatron dead, Starscream found himself as [[The Fallen]]'s new proxy and was not too happy with the idea of working for another guy ''again''. He organised <strike>his</strike> the Fallen's Decepticon army and took them to Cybertron on the Fallen's orders. Unfortunately he was spied on by [[Mudflap (ROTF)|two]] [[Skids (ROTF)|Autobots]], and failed to exterminate them before they fled to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japanese), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)
{{spoilers|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|July 24}}
Starscream was unconcerned with reviving his leader Megatron, choosing to spend his time as acting commander on the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' and engineer a new army. His plan was failing miserably, as without [[energon (fuel)|energon]] the [[hatchling]]s were dying. After [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] successfully executed his plan to resurrect Megatron, Starscream attempted to welcome his commander with open arms, only to get slammed across a wall and criticized for leaving him for dead. Megatron noted the plight of the hatchlings though, and sought the advice of [[the Fallen]], whom Starscream had kept on life support, on another source of energon now that the [[All Spark]] was destroyed. The Fallen revealed there was another source, but first requested that they kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], so that he would be safe.

Starscream aided in [[Sam Witwicky]]'s capture by cutting open the car [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] had captured him in, and watched as Megatron and [[Scalpel]] threatened to dissect him for the information in his mind from the All Spark regarding the energon source. Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] arrived to rescue Sam: Starscream let Megatron do most of the fighting in the factory, before Optimus drove off with Sam to a forest. Starscream arrived immediately going for the boy, but Prime ran interference, leading to the three Decepticons to gang up on him. Surprisingly, it went quite poorly for the Decepticons: not only did Prime kill Grindor and cut off Starscream's arm, but he rubbed salt on the wound by using it to smack him around a few times. Megatron managed to kill Optimus, but before they could retrieve Sam, the rest of the Autobots arrived while Bumblebee spirited Sam away. Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|left|300px|25 years later and I'm still your punching bag!]]

Starscream and Megatron flew to the top of a skyscraper, where Megatron berated Starscream and hit him with the detached arm he was trying to stick in. Megatron decided to reveal the Decepticons' presence to the world: Starscream stood openly atop a skyscraper during the rejuvenated Fallen's announcement to the world. Starscream accompanied Megatron to [[Egypt]], standing with him atop the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] as the Fallen began his plan to activate the [[solar harvester]] inside. Starscream flew after Bumblebee, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], who had Sam, [[Mikaela Banes]], [[Leo Spitz]] and [[Seymour Simmons]] as their passengers, bombing them to no avail. As Sam and Mikaela tried to reach Optimus to revive him with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Starscream hunted for them in robot mode and attempted to capture the Matrix by ordering [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] to hold Sam's parents [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky|Judy]] for ransom: Sam was ready to exchange the Matrix, but Bumblebee rescued them and killed Rampage.

Starscream watched from the sidelines as Optimus was resurrected by the Matrix, and combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Although the Fallen had obtained the Matrix and activated his Solar harvester, as he had predicted, the last of the Primes killed the Fallen and destroyed the harvester. Starscream stood next to Megatron, who had lost his right arm and half his face blown off thanks to Optimus Prime, and advised that they should flee (cowards do survive after all), something that Megatron acknowledged. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

==Games==
{{picsneeded|Game screen shots, cut scenes, whatever}}
===Transformers: The Game===
====Autobot campaign====
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] drones all took on [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] during the battle of [[Mission City]]. Jazz beat all four of them. Guess he finally got to fight the big ones. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Starscream coordinated the missions for Blackout and Barricade while hiding in a military base. After receiving information from Barricade that Megatron had been located, Starscream ordered him to proceed to Hoover Dam, while he himself went to locate [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]. However, the humans were aware of the three Decepticons and used drones, weapon platforms, and fighters based on Cybertronian design. Starscream was forced to move back and forth between Bonecrusher and Brawl, rescuing them from human attackers, all to background music far too heroic for someone of Screamer's character. After taking a moment to enjoy the ruin he had made of the base, Starscream proceeded to Hoover Dam. Blackout informed him that the structure was blocking their scans, so Starscream ordered him to tear it down piece by piece to find Megatron and the All Spark. When Megatron emerged, Starscream bowed before his [[Lord High Protector|Lord]].

At [[Mission City]], Starscream took a moment to [[Ramjet (G1)|ram]] Optimus Prime during the latter's duel with Megatron, and tried to go head to head with Optimus Prime but was knocked away. After Megatron absorbed the All Spark and Earth was decimated, Starscream stood at his master's left side as the Decepticon leader declared their business on Earth was concluded.

There is an unlockable skin for Starscream that gives him a G1 paintjob. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===Transformers: Autobots (DS)===
:''voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

While on a mission in the Arctic to find and destroy Megatron and recover the All Spark, [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]] and Ironhide ran into the air commander during their escape. Making Create-A-Bot run for cover, Ironhide took on Starscream and his lackeys (despite mentioning he's "getting too old for this"). Once defeated, Starscream took off into the atmosphere, never to be seen again. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

{{Note|Starscream is the only Decepticon in this version of the game who is not definitively destroyed. (Bonecrusher isn't included, since Prime cut off his head on his way in. Bonecrusher hates this game because of that.) Starscream's body type appears as Skydive, unlockable with 2500 WiFi Tokens. In the US, this feature is also unlockable by downloading the ''Transformers'' preview movie from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: Decepticons (DS)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

After the disappearance of Megatron nearly a million years ago (yeah, we know), Starscream took over the Decepticons as their high commander. Arriving on Earth, he instructed [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]] to follow Barricade until he arrived. However, none of the other Decepticons would trust him, and he confided in Create-A-Bot a great number of secrets, including the location of the All Spark and the identity of the lost Decepticon they were retrieving: [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Starscream reasoned that he hid these things because revealing them would lead to a power struggle, but no one bought it except the naive rookie.

Soon, though, the other Decepticons revealed the reason for their lack of faith (which Create-A-Bot found disturbing): Starscream was a morally ambiguous backstabber. Of course, Megatron wasn't much better, since he was a treacherous, black-hearted face-stabber, but at least he let you know where you stood with him. Once the Autobots returned the All Spark to Tranquility, he gave chase after a now-All Spark-empowered Bumblebee (in the single most frustrating level of the game), caught the "babbling fool", and destroyed a meddlesome Blackout, until Barricade got in the way.

After threat of execution for treason, Starscream proceeded to show the smaller Decepticon WHY Megatron picked him as his second-in-command: his brute strength and incredible battle strategy. After a severe thrashing, Create-A-Bot arrived with intent to kill. However, Starscream now had the All Spark and was nearly unstoppable. They proceeded to battle over the Casino Strip, where Create-A-Bot took the All Spark from him and smashed it into his chest. Create-A-Bot was knocked back and severely damaged by the blast, but Starscream remained as powerful as ever, perhaps more so now that the All Spark had merged with his body. However, as was quickly proven, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscreams]] who receive [[Starscream (Armada)|ungodly power]] tend to explode, as Megatron found him and proceeded to chase and tear him apart. In his last breath, Starscream spat on Megatron's name, saying there would always be those who would question his power. Megatron simply replied by smashing his face in. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

{{note|Starscream's body type is available in two forms, the regular Starscream playable in certain missions (unlocked by beating the game) and G1 Starscream, based on the Target exclusive retooling/redeco. The G1 body is unlocked by earning 2500 WiFi tokens, or by downloading the preview movie for the game from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: The Game (PSP)===
Starscream attacked Hoover Dam to free Megatron from his "tomb". Afterwards, he battled [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] over the leadership of the Decepticons back on Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Legends Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A gold paint job can't hide the lameness.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends Class, 2007)

: Legends-class Starscream is a highly simplified, low-cost version of Starscream in his F-22 Raptor body. As such, he has a greatly compromised transformation sequence due to the smaller parts count, with limited articulation and detailing. He's also the bronzest F-22 Raptor Starscream toy there is.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny toys are tiny. And they don't do Starscream justice.]]
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

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

{{-}}
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)

: The previously released Legends-class Starscream toy is redecoed predominantly black and silver, somewhat resembling ''Generation 1'' [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. He comes with a redeco Legends-class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in his Nightwatch color scheme.

{{-}}
====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:MovieProtoform Starscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gold Plastic Syndrome just waiting to happen.]]
*'''Protoform Starscream''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

:Based upon the "Protoform" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the movie, Protoform Starscream transforms into his "entry" mode Cybertronic rocket thing. This mode somewhat resembles a Cybertronic spaceship, with a visible bridge between the two dorsal fins. A flame decoration piece fits onto the back of the "vehicle" over the missile projectile, creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail . The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces.

:In robot mode, Starscream marginally resembles previous Starscreams, mostly G1 Starscream, with the large turbines on his chest, wings and vents on his legs. Due to his extensive use of ball joints, he has excellent articulation. Starscream is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that fires the previously mentioned projectile cast in the same bronze color as his body. Alternatively, the flame decoration can be fitted onto the end of the barrel.

:This toy also has an [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] feature, as most of the figures in the main line do. Pushing his head back during transformation will move his shoulder pieces back into place, while moving the shoulders forward will make the head pop back up. While either the missile or the flame can be placed into the gun, the flame can be placed onto the missile, using both at once. However, in some cases, the flame does not have a snug fit on the missile and falls off easily. This makes firing the missile rather awkward and makes the gun look extremely goofy.

: It's also entirely possible that this figure will eventually suffer from [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|GPS]], as the bronze plastic it is cast in has the same characteristic swirling exhibited by older figures that rapidly deteriorated. However, newer materials and processes may prevent the toy from ever seeing a single crack form. It is highly suggested that this toy not be painted or altered in any way to maximize its lifespan.

*'''Protoform Starscream Fusion Cluster Edition''' (C3xHobby Convention exclusive Deluxe, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

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

{{-}}
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Starscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Shake hands with danger.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-08'''
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: The Voyager-class version of Movie Starscream transforms into an officially-licensed [[wikipedia:F-22|Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet]], albeit in beige.

:Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the missile-launching barrels to rotate and fire their projectiles, which can also be stored in the black flip-up braces on the launchers. During transformation, pushing up upon the canopy fuselage piece activates Starscream's [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick, which pushes panels out of the torso, wings and stabilizers. In robot mode, Starscream is mostly faithful to his movie CGI model, except for being bulkier around his chest, lacking engines on his back and having the very large Gatling cannons serve as his arms (a facsimile of his much slenderer weapons from the movie). Interestingly, his projectile missiles are sculpted to resemble fingers, should users choose keep them loaded while Starscream is in robot mode. An interesting note is [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle's]] (or Camshaft's) hands, when detached, make a snug fit in between the three main cannons; if you're feeling sillier, ''Legends'' [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] shoulder does, too. Go on, try it yourself, yes, we'll wait...

:This toy was later retooled and [[Redeco|redecoed]] into Movie [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]], ROTF [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]] and, ROTF [[Skywarp (ROTF)|Skywarp]].

{{-}}
*'''Battle damage three-pack''' (Sam's Club exclusive three-pack, 2007)

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

{{-}}
[[Image:Starscream target.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"The first G1 fan who complains gets a minigun... to the face."]]
*'''Starscream''' (Target exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: An extensive redeco of Voyager class Starscream available only as a Target [[exclusive]], this version is [[Redeco|redecoed]] in a color scheme based upon ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. This version of Starscream shares the retooled version of this mold with Movie Thundercracker, giving Starscream a new, vaguely G1-ish head sculpt. The packaging for this toy explains that Starscream altered his appearance following his escape at the end of the film in order to avoid detection.

{{-}}
[[Image:Starscream Vardia red.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Pinkscream]]
*'''Starscream Vardia Red Model''' (Toshiba exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: In a joint venture by Paramount Home Entertainment Japan and electronics giant [[wikipedia:Toshiba|Toshiba]], Starscream Vardia Red Model is an exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream only available with Toshiba's new ''Vardia'' RD-A301 HD DVD recorder. The package also comes with an HD-DVD copy of ''Transformers'', five HD DVD-R and five DVD-R discs.

:Starscream Vardia Red Model is '''extremely''' red, with some gold, a little black and Toshiba ''Vardia'' markings on his hull. With the player expected to cost just under 100,000 yen, this may be the most expensive Transformers exclusive to be released in relatively large quantities.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie DeepSpaceStarscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I'm Starcream, and I can breathe in space. ]]
*'''Deep Space Starscream''' (Target exclusive "Premium Series" Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

:A Target exclusive (But appeared in European retail in 2009), Deep Space Starscream is a redeco of the first version of Voyager class Starscream, based upon the colours used by [[Industrial Light & Magic]] on Starscream's CGI model (instead of the totally made up and inaccurate tan colouring on the previous release). As such he is metallic silver with complementary greys in fighter mode, including the 'First Fighter' (FF) squadron markings indicating he is an F-22 Raptor from [[wikipedia:Langley_Air_Force_Base|Langley Air Force Base]]. In robot mode reveals gold paint inside his chest detailing and red for circuitry detailing. Oddly, his eyes are painted red, but the rest of the [[Light-piping]] that makes up the back of his head is left uncolored, making the glowing eye effect no longer work while STILL retaining the miscolored bronzed glass color that the clear plastic was molded in, though the paint is fairly easy to remove.

: Deep Space Starscream is presented in 'Premium Octagonal' packaging very similar to Robo-Vision Optimus Prime. Even though Hasbro officially considers him as part of the Premium Series, this is not indicated anywhere on the packaging.

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Movie FAB Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|You are the Dragon Booster Artha!]]
*'''Battle Blade Starscream''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''QC-02'''

: [[Fast Action Battler|Fast Action Battlers]] "Battle Blade" Starscream transforms into a somewhat superdeformed F-22 Raptor, simplifying the overall design to the point of his feet noticeably sticking out the aft of the fighter, and has a truncated transformation sequence reminiscent of past Transformers such as ''Generation 1'' [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and ''Cybertron'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]. Rather than having a separate weapon, he only has a claw-like blade that flips over the right hand (hence "Battle Blade") and non-removable missiles in the palms of his hands.

: This toy was later redecoed as [[Ramjet (Movie)|Claw Slash Ramjet]].

: There is a Korean [[Knockoff|fake]] of this model going around, under the name of "Latent Spider". Fortunately no real spiders have been found latent inside the toy.

{{-}}
====Other toys====
*'''Starscream''' (Little Red Rooster Meal, 2007)

:One of five toys that was available at Red Rooster, an Australian based fast food chain. This kids meal toy is a black F-22 Raptor with a silver canopy that transforms by simply flipping the jet around to reveal the gray robot mode underneath, pulling down the landing gear and legs, and standing him upright.

{{-}}
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF Legends toy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|So I wake up with a hangover and find all these tattoos all over me. Damn parties.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-04'''

:Legends class Starscream is a redeco of 2007's Legends class Starscream, the main difference being a mostly single main colour scheme (compared to 2007's rather random colour choices) and the ''Revenge of the Fallen''-specific Cyberglyph tattoos.
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Voyager Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|At long last, I have fingers! And tattoos! Odd.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 projectiles

:''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager class Starscream is an all new mold that is far more accurate in both modes than the previous Voyager Starscream toy from the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie line. Although his F-22 Raptor mode's design is no longer severely compromised by the play pattern or transformation gimmicks that plagued the 2007 toy, it still suffers as Starscream's hands essentially stick out the back end. His robot mode is more accurate to the movie design, no longer burdened with having giant handless rotating missile launchers, ''Revenge'' Starscream has 2 arm-mounted launchers sculpted to resemble his [[wikipedia:M61_Vulcan|M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon]]. Starscream's [[Mech Alive]] gimmick is linked between his head and chest: when you turn his head, the gears in his chest spin. Curiously, although almost every other part of his alt mode is rearranged, this Starscream's nose cone ''doesn't'' flip down to reveal his head. He has amber light piping for his eyes, but they've been painted over in red.

[[Image:ROTFtoy-StarscreamVoyager-popoutlaunchers.jpg|left|thumb|150px|I had more joints!]]

:The surface of Starscream's fighter mode and robot mode are covered in [[Cybertronian_languages#Transformers_.282007.29|Cybertronian glyphs]], based on his appearance in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie]], but chronologically first appeared in [[Alliance issue 1]]. In a strange backwards step from the mostly-accurate Deep Space Starscream, ''Revenge'' Starscream's main base color is a light beige.

:According to the stock photographs of the hand-painted prototype, Starscream's hands originally had a joint down the middle of his palms, possibly to facilitate in hiding them in fighter mode. His arm-mounted cannons were also originally separate parts from his forearms, jointed to move back and forth, again possibly to hide them in fighter mode. However, on the final toy, the hands are molded as one piece and cannot be hidden in vehicle mode, and his cannons' details (including the joints) are simply molded directly onto his arms. His knee caps were also a separate movable piece and not joined to his upper leg. It is assumed this was done for cost cutting. His packaging call-outs (excepting Europe) still claim that he has "pop out missile launchers," despite this gimmick's removal.
{{-}}

====Leader Class toys====
*'''Starscream''' (Leader, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:''
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF FAB toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Kids, tattoos are awesome, get some NOW!]]
*'''Starscream''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Gravity Bots====
[[Image:ROTF GravityBots Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Some toys have hands or maybe a head sticking out of their alternate modes, but Starscream has WHOLE LEGS.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Gravity Bot, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GB-03'''

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:ROTF RobotReplicas Starscream.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Hey guys, like my tattoos?"]]
*'''Starscream''' (Robot Replica, 2009)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Starscreambarrelrollblaster.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Eat your heart out, Peppy.]]
*'''Starscream Barrel Roll Blaster''' (2007)
**''Accessories:'' 4 Nerf N-Strike foam missiles

:This version of Starscream's altmode turns into not a robot, but a robot '''fist''' holding a two-barreled blaster. The guns in this form fire [[Nerf]] N-Strike-sized foam missiles.

{{-}}

*'''Lunchables''' "Pocket Transformers" toy prize (2007)

[[Image:Starscreamlunchables.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I come with crappy chicken.]]
:Free inside specially marked boxes of Oscar Meyer Lunchables dinners, Starscream is one of six "Pocket Transformers" toy prizes. Molded in green, his tablet unfolds to reveal a picture of his robot mode inside.

:The Lunchables website code engraved on his back is "MISLEAD."

{{-}}

*'''Starscream Micro Flyer''' (2007)

{{charstubtoys}}

*'''Starscream''' Burger King free toy (2007)

:A non-transformable version of Starscream, cast primarily in chalk-grey plastic. It can rotate its arms at the shoulder. The toy's main gimmick, though, is the wheel in his chest. Striking the wheel causes it to advance to the next slot, revealing damage to Starscream's torso. A second tap reveals even more damage. Despite being a free pack-in toy, the figure is surprisingly well molded, having well defined head parts and the twin afterburners on his back that even the Voyager version lacks. It even has six fingers (or rather, four fingers and two thumbs) on each hand!

{{-}}

====Basic Fun====
*'''Articulated keychain''' (2009)

: Produced by [[Basic Fun]], this keychain is a likeness of Starscream's robot mode with articulated arms, legs, head, waist, and a keyring sticking out of his ass.
{{comingsoontoy}}

*'''Mini Figural Clip-Ons''' (2009)
{{comingsoontoy}}

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Armored Bumblebee vs. Starscream''' (2007)

[[Image:Rhstarbee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Packaged with Bumblebee holding the Allspark. TWICE.]]
:Robot Heroes Starscream is sculpted in a crouching pose, possibly inspired by his landing when talking to Megatron in the film. He has the standard Robot Heroes articulation of both shoulders and his neck, however the pre-posed nature means his right arms is really more useful as a support than a usable joint.

{{-}}
*'''Bumblebee vs. Starscream''' (2008)

[[Image:RH Movie Bumblebee Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's my turn to use the Rubik's Cube, Bumblebee!]]
:This version of Starscream is almost a prelude to the previous one, as he's now sculpted in a touching down pose as opposed to a full land. Like the previous mold, it has articulation at the shoulders and neck. Unfortunately, the left arm is lifted straight out to side, allowing him to rotate the arm but not pose it.

{{-}}

*'''Autobot Springer and Starscream''' (2009)

[[Image:Robotheroesspringerstarscream.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who's ''that'' dude?]]
: Starscream is part of the first wave of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figures and is packaged versus [[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]]. A [[redeco]] of the first Movie-style Starscream, he still has articulation at the shoulders and neck, and now sports [[Cyberglyphics]] tattooed on his body.
{{-}}

*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (2009)

:Packaged in a set depicting the battle in [[Mission City]] with [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], plus new figures of [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in truck mode and Bumblebee in vehicle mode, this is the first Starscream Robot Heroes figurine in vehicle mode.

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* The card back of Protoform Starscream's packaging features a completely different, earlier head sculpt. What's more, this head design is featured on his protoform body in IDW's movie prequel comics.

* His protoform was not the only design to get a new head. The earliest concepts of Starscream's head were more skull-like and oblong in shape. This was, of course, redesigned to look more "like a samurai helmet." Unlike the redesigned head of Megatron, Starscream's earlier face only shows up in ''one'' piece of media: the book [[Look and Find Transformers]].

* On-screen in the first live-action movie, Starscream has only one short conversation with Megatron and a total screen time of less than 10 minutes. The tie-in fictions are ''much'' kinder.

* It has been suggested that, following his attack on the F-22 squadron over the city, Starscream was able to hide among the survivors and take part in the attack on Megatron shortly thereafter. This theory is speculative; while it fits the character of the G1 Starscream from the '80s, there is nothing actually on the screen to suggest it. (Roberto Orci was asked, but refused to give a definite answer.)<ref>http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=387172&postcount=185 Roberto Orci refusing to comment on the possibility of Starscream attacking Megatron during the final battle</ref>

* The Sector Seven online ARG used the "[[Masterpiece]]" version of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to represent the "real" Starscream who had infiltrated Earth. A lot of Generation 1 cameos were made in this manner. Make of that what you will.

* Even though Starscream had only two lines of dialogue in the first film, José Sant'anna, who played the Generation 1 character in the Brazilian dub of the original cartoon, was re-cast to play the role in the movie. However, his voice was so heavily modulated that only someone with a really good ear could recognize him. Go figure.

*Speaking of two dialogues, most of his lines are Cybertronian. He begins his role with speaking Cybertronian ("This is Starscream. All Decepticons mobilize") and ends with saying another Cybertronian line that isn't subtitled. Of course, he could have been talking to himself (as he does when he reaches Sector Seven) or even cursing. Considering ''The Reign of Starscream'' has a guy exploding inside him at this point, swearing seems appropriate.

*He's probably the only Starscream that hasn't died or suffered grievous bodily damage. ''Yet''.
** Although he loses an arm in ''RotF'', he eventually (when Megatron stops slapping him with it) puts it back on. Must be a ball joint.

{{-}}

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/ProtoformStarscream/starscream.htm Starscream at TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Reassigned toys]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Seekers]]

Megatron (BW)

2009-07-04T08:21:21Z

Rmkar9: /* Notes */

{{factions|predacon|vehicon|decepticon}}

{{disambig3|Megatron}}
:''Megatron is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]], a [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]], and a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He's also briefly known as [[Noble|Savage and Noble]]. He's a busy villain, yesss.''

[[Image:Beastwarsmegatron-thegatheringcover.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Best. Megatron. Ever. Yesss...]]
'''Megatron''' 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. He is willing to risk everything—time, space, himself—if need be. And there were times he would have made it happen were it not for [[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|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 over-developed 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.

Prior to the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], Megatron was a field commander in the Predacon army, where he learned much about strategy and tactics. Upon ratification of peace with the [[Maximal Imperium]] most Predacons laid down their arms. Megatron refused and went rogue.

{{quote|The universe cowered once at the name of Megatron and it shall do so again!|—Megatron, "[[Optimal Situation]]}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Megaligator''' (Alligator version)
:''European-market name:'' '''Metal T-Rex''' (Transmetal version), '''Dragone''' (Transmetal 2 version)
:''Botcon 2008 script reading:'' '''Joe''' and later '''Joe Convoy'''
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Kǔng-lúng Wáng''' (恐龍王, "King Dinosaur", not ''[[Dinoking]]'')
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Bawang Lung''' (霸王龍, "Tyrannosaurus")

==Fiction==
{{note|There are many ''Beast Wars'' continuities, but most use the ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' cartoons as a basis.}}

===''Beast Wars II'' catalog===
{{note|This fiction takes place before "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]".}}

[[Image:MegatronGalvatronBW1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Pwned.]]
On planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron once disagreed with [[Galvatron (BWII)|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}}

{{-}}

===Timelines===
====Theft of the Golden Disk====
{{note|This fiction takes place before "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]".}}
[[Image:Megatronbwtheft.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Megatron steals sacred Maximal cup coaster.]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English)

Megatron was the star pupil of the crimelord [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]], and successfully carried out his plan to steal the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]]. Cryotek loved him like a son—which didn't stop him setting up Megatron to take the fall for the crime, knowing he'd betray him some day anyway. Unfortunately for Cryotek, "some day" was today—Megatron had everyone on the mission who wasn't loyal to him killed, had the data for the location of the Disk secretly decoded by [[Tarantulas]], and then kept it for himself while directing the Maximals to his tutor. This was the first known time that Megatron would co-opt the plan of someone who thought they were the ones being manipulative and backstabbing, but [[Other Voices, Part 2|wouldn't]] [[The Agenda (Part 2)|be]] [[The Agenda (Part III)|the]] [[Nemesis Part 1|last]]. {{storylink|Theft of the Golden Disk}}

{{-}}

====Dawn of Future's Past====
{{note|This fiction takes place before "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]".}}
[[Image:Megatronbwsuit.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Megatron's technicolor dreamcoat.]]
On Cybertron, Megatron wore removable transformable armor, which transformed into a missile-launching armored platform, over his basic bodyframe (which transforms into a hovertank). This quickly-discarded outer shell was possibly used to comply with the ratification of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], which required Predacons to lay down their arms. A Predacon field commander before the peace, Megatron refused to comply with these new regulations and struck out on his own to destroy the [[Maximal Imperium]].

With some [[Cryotek (RID)|help]] from [[Divebomb (G1)|various sources]], he assembled a crew of ragtag criminals and miscreants for the purpose of stealing the Golden Disk and using it to find [[Earth]]. Succeeding in stealing the disk, he, [[Dinobot (BW)|his lieutenant]], and [[Scorponok (BW)|another accomplice]] fought their way out of the [[Archives]], eliminating [[Unit 1|one guard]] and dodging [[Tigatron|another]]. They were swiftly picked up by the ''[[Darksyde]]'', a ship stolen by the rest of their crew.

Megatron instructed [[Tarantulas]] to study the disk for the coordinates of Earth while the ''Darksyde'' battled its several pursuers. Although they were followed by the Maximal ships [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] and the ''[[Chromia 10]]'', the ''Darksyde'''s mission was also aided by a third ship crewed by the Predacon agents [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]. Though the ''Chromia 10'' and the Predacon ship were destroyed, the ''Darksyde'' was still followed by the ''Axalon''. Megatron removed his transformable armor and patched a video feed through to the ''Axalon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s captain, [[Optimus Primal]]. Declaring himself the leader of the Predacons, Megatron opened a [[transwarp]] portal through which both ships travelled. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

====Bee in the City====

{{note|This takes place after Beast Wars, but its placing beyond that is unknown}}

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 [[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}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1===
{{note|This fiction takes place before "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]".}}
After stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], Megatron broke into [[Vector Sigma]] along with [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and reviewed historical files on many of the Autobots and Decepticons from the era of the Great War. He told Dinobot to refer to him henceforth as Megatron. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #8}}

{{note|The Golden Disk was wrongly drawn as the [[Golden Disk (Vok)|Alien Disk]]. This two-page story is contradicted by many other versions of the story—specifically Megatron's spontaneous renaming of himself—possibly placing it in a version of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] that occurs only in Dreamwave's Generation 1 continuity. Of course, Dreamwave chose that time to [[Pat Lee|fold]] before this could be explained.}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English), [[Shigeru Chiba]] (Japanese), [[Antonio Moreno]] (Portuguese), [[Hans Sievers]] (German)

[[Image:Megatronbwspidersgame.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I thought I told you NO MORE BARNEY JOKES.]]
After stealing the Maximal relic, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], and [[Darksyde|a ship]], he and his crew were followed through a [[transwarp]] portal by the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']]. After crashing on a planet that was supposed to be [[Earth]], yet seemingly wasn't, both the [[Maximal|Maximals]] and the Predacons took organic beast forms to protect themselves against the massive amount of Energon radiation. Megatron now transformed into a purple ''Tyrannosaurus rex''.

Dinobot chastised Megatron, accusing him of leading the Predacons to the wrong planet and challenged Megatron for leadership of the Predacons. Megatron simply ignored the challenge and had Scorponok dispose of him. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)|Beast Wars (Part 1)}}

Despite the loss of a formidable crony, Megatron positioned himself on the new world and the "Beast Wars" began. Being on a world filled with Energon allowed [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to find a superhorde, and power himself to great levels. With this power, Terrorsaur was able to demolish Megatron in battle and take over the Predacons. However, through the Maximals' actions, the superhorde was destroyed. Terrorsaur was eventually ridden of his newfound power and returned to an angered Megatron, who was rebuilt by [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Power Surge|Power Surge}}

[[Image:Megatronbwtrex.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Today is a beautiful day to be stomping on things!]]

Again, Terrorsaur tried to usurp Megatron, this time using an apparently-turned [[Rattrap]], who used a device to paralyze Megatron. The Predacons argued over who would be leader, but agreed to put Rattrap and Megatron away for the time being. Megatron was able to easily escape using his secret voice commands, leaving Rattrap to his fate. Revealing himself to have escaped, Megatron allowed Terrorsaur to lead the Predacons in battle with the Maximals. Terrorsaur failed miserably, showing his ineptitude to the Predacons, which was Megatron's plan all along. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy|Double Jeopardy}}

Megatron later formulated a plan to get off Earth. First, he had the other Predacons act dissatisfied with his leadership, causing a battle that apparently destroyed the Predacons, using a Maximal spy camera that he was aware of to play out the trick. Then, the Maximals scavenged the ''Darksyde'' for parts to repair the ''Axalon'''s stardrive. Dinobot discovered the deception and rushed to warn the leaving Maximals. In the scuffle, Megatron snuck aboard. In the ''Axalon'', he managed to knock out every Maximal on the ship but Rattrap, who he started crushing to death. An angered [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] woke up and threw Megatron off the ''Axalon''. However, Megatron's tail weapon was stuck in the console, causing the ''Axalon'' to crash. Again. {{storylink|Victory (episode)|Victory}}

[[Image:Megs transmetal.JPG|left|180px|thumb|Gimme fuel Gimme fire Gimme that which I desire BOOM!]]

Later, Megatron caught wind of the return of the [[Vok]] and called a ceasefire between the two factions, realizing he had more important things to worry about. He carefully manipulated events so the Maximals would find out about the Vok and that Tarantulas's attempt to escape with a modified stasis pod would succeed. {{storylink|Before the Storm|Before the Storm}} The Vok did indeed return, and planned to destroy the planet the Transformers were on with their massive [[Planet Buster]] (cleverly disguised as the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]). Optimus Primal stopped the Buster by using Tarantulas's stasis pod as a kamikaze weapon. Megatron, having planned (via a virus) to hijack the pod for that purpose anyway, decided to take advantage of this and locked the pod door so that Primal could not escape and was destroyed alongside the Planet Buster. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2|Other Voices, Part 2}}

The [[quantum surge]] from the exploding planet buster bathed Megatron in quantum energies, upgrading him into a [[Transmetal]]. Megatron quickly rallied his forces and attempted an all-out attack on the leader-less Maximals. Megatron and the Predacons took the upperhand in battle until a Transmetal Optimus Primal (brought back online by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]) saved the day. He was annoyed to find the Disks had been stolen from him by Dinobot and that [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had destroyed his back-ups (while lying that Dinobot had done it). {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

With both factions now aware that the planet they were stranded on was really prehistoric [[Earth]], Megatron was free to put his full plan into motion. He continued his operations without the Disks and successfully retrieved them, simultaneously plotting to alter history and to exploit any new Vok incident. However, both the Maximals and Tarantulas ruined his attempt to hijack the Vok [[Metal Hunter]] {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 2)|Other Visits (Part 2)}}, and Dinobot both destroyed the Golden Disk and ruined Megatron's attempt at eradicating the human race's prehistoric ancestors to alter the Great War. {{storylink|Code of Hero|Code of Hero}} With the humans scattered, only a fragment of the Disk remaining and the quantum surge meaning the [[Tripredacus Council]] knew where to send their agents, Megatron could only gamble. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)|The Agenda (Part 1)}}

[[Image:Agenda3 MegatronOptimusPrime.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A little off the top, sir?]]

The gamble paid off; the Tripredacus Council sent former Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to capture Megatron, while Blackarachnia fled to the location of the crashed [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], having gained its location and [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s access codes from the Disk back-ups. From behind his cell, Megatron manipulated Optimus Primal into a trap while using the Disk's one last fragment (containing part of the original Megatron's message) to get Ravage to switch loyalties to him. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)|The Agenda (Part 2)}} While his army fought the Maximals, Megatron arrived at the Ark just as Blackarachnia had done all the work for him and forced her to give him access. He finally took "the ultimate risk", the mission from the first Megatron that he'd been previously been unwilling to completely follow, and attempted to alter history by assassinating the unconscious [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. By doing so, he intended to ensure the defeat of the [[Autobot|Autobots]] and thus the victory of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] and Predacons. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)|The Agenda (Part III)}}

The Maximals managed to save Prime's life by having Teletraan I repair his body while Optimus Primal kept his spark within his own structure, transforming his body into a more powerful form. The Maximals defeated Megatron and returned Prime's spark to its proper place. {{storylink|Optimal Situation|Optimal Situation}}

[[Image:Megatrontm2render.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Two Megatrons for the price of one.]]

Megatron did not rest. He went on to [[Transmetal driver|reverse-engineer alien technology]], gained by means unknown, to create the [[Transmetal|Transmetal 2]] process and create himself a loyal clone of Dinobot. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 1|Feral Scream Part 1}} He also worked towards taking control of Optimus and seizing control of the new Maximal base, allowing him to enter the Ark again. Wanting to replicate the effect Optimus Prime's spark had on Primal, he deliberately took the spark of the original Megatron and placed it in his body. He was transformed into a powerful dragon and able to give Optimus Primal a sound beating, until chased away by the recovered Maximal group. {{storylink|Master Blaster|Master Blaster}}

[[Image:Megs tm2.JPG|right|180px|thumb|Red dragon, without Hannibal Lecter.]]

Even this power was useless when [[Tigerhawk]] arrived and casually destroyed the Predacon base. {{storylink|Other Victories|Other Victories}} Desperate once again, Megatron investigated the now-deceased Tarantulas's base for anything of value—and found the legendary Decepticon battleship, the [[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]], rebuilt and with Transwarp capabilities. Bringing it out of the ocean depths, Megatron intended to pilot it back to the future and lay waste to the Maximals on Cybertron. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1|Nemesis Part 1}}

First, however, he planned to annihilate the entire Ark rather than simply Optimus Prime.

Primal infiltrated the Nemesis and kept Megatron busy until Rhinox could fly a shuttlecraft through the bridge and take the Predacon out. The Nemesis crashed a second time and thus preserved history. After returning the original Megatron's spark to its proper body, the Maximals headed back to Cybertron with the incarcerated Megatron shackled to the outside of their ship. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}}

{{-}}

===''Tales of the Beast Wars''===
{{note|This fiction takes place during the first season of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.}}

{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Ground Zero}}

{{note|This fiction takes place during the second season of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. The Shokaract events ended with them being paradoxed out of existence.}}
[[Image:Antagony megatron.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Kinky.]]
[[Antagony]], future-born Herald Maximo of [[Shokaract]], arrived on prehistoric Earth to protect the Dark Essence of [[Unicron]]. She attempted to terminate Megatron, who quickly conned her into fighting Optimus and then took her captive when she went into stasis lock. {{storylink|Visitations}}

He began patiently (and happily) torturing her for information on the future she came from, and when that failed he hacked into her mind using a nanoprobe "mind drill". That triggered a suicide device that killed her before he could gain any information; Megatron was left with no information, beyond that her master would surely try again.

{{note|This fiction takes place after "[[Master Blaster]]".}}
Almost immediately after his transformation into dragon form, Megatron detected a temporal breach. Having his troops ambush the Maximals (who had also detected), he attempted to reach the time-traveller ([[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]]) and gain access to the future, not caring what would happen if he took the original Megatron's spark with him. In the process, he encountered the Dark Essence and almost became a willing vessel for it, until it realised Windrazor would be easier to control. When the Fuzor fought the influence off, Shokaract himself emerged. {{storylink|Herald, Covenant, Schism, Paradox}}

Megatron's reaction to a horrifically powerful spark-devouring demigod, and time and space being shattered into a chaotic maelstrom was to blackmail said demigod by opening fire on the Dark Essence of the Chaos-Bringer, demanding knowledge of the future or he'd cause the erasure of Shokaract's future. Megatron is ''hardcore''. He failed, but this was a crucial distraction that helped bring about Shokaract's defeat. {{storylink|Terminus}}

===''Beast Wars II'' cartoon===
{{note|This fiction takes place during the first season of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.}}
[[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] tried to summon a Megatron to [[Gaea]] using a time machine. [[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger|Maybe this one. Maybe not.]]

When his brother [[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] screws up the wavelength calculations and instead summons the titanic [[Majin Zarak]], Galvatron is pleased and declares, "we obtained a weapon far superior to Megatron". {{storylink|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger}}

===''Robot Masters''===
====Pack-in comic====
====Cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Toshitsugu Takashina]] (Japanese)

{{note|This fiction takes place after ''[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger]]''.}}
Taking advantage of the [[Blasty Zone]] as a means of time travel (and apparently size-enhancer), Megatron journeyed to a point in history where the original Megatron had gone missing, leaving the [[Decepticon]]s without a leader. "Beast Megatron" took command of the Decepticons, leading them on a quest to collect a powerful element, [[solitarium]], from within the Earth. Beast Megatron's plans were quickly thwarted by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and a troop of time-displaced Autobots and Maximals, including [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]], [[Victory Leo]], [[Lio Convoy]] and Beast Megatron's arch nemesis, [[Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Fight! The Group of the Strongest Commanders!}}

Beast Megatron later discovered a large deposit of solitarium beneath [[New York City]], and along with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Smokesniper]], [[Gigant Bomb]] and [[Wingstun]], laid waste to the Big Apple. The Autobots, accompanied by [[Reverse Convoy]], arrived and dealt with Beast Megatron's forces quickly. However, Reverse Convoy revealed himself to be the original Megatron in disguise and betrayed them. Now going by the name [[Megatron (G1)|Rebirth Megatron]], he teamed up with Beast Megatron and the pair made trouble for the Autobot commanders. However, the Autobots were able to defeat the two Megatrons, sending the villains into retreat. {{storylink|The Lio Convoy Typhoon Enters (episode)|The Lio Convoy Typhoon Enters}}

====Online comic====

===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
{{note|This fiction takes place after "[[Changing of the Guard]]".}}
[[Image:IDW Megatron Magmatron.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Go back to anime, Magmatron!]]
In Lio Convoy's opinion, Megatron was a simple wild card, no real threat when compared with [[Magmatron]]. This drives home the fact that Cybertron had no idea of the damage Megatron had and would inflict, or the lengths he would go to becoming arguably the most powerful Transformer since the Great War.

After dispatching [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] to oversee the installation of [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] into the [[Darksyde]], Megatron was attacked by Magmatron, who had been assigned to arrest him by the [[Tripredacus Council]]. Although Megatron proved more than a match for the experienced Predacon general individually, he was ambushed and paralyzed by [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] and [[Drill Bit (BW)|Drill Bit]]. Magmatron intended to use a [[transwarp shunt]] to transport his prisoner back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 3|The Gathering #3}} Thanks to the intervention of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Optimus Minor]], and [[Razorbeast]], Magmatron was sent home empty-handed. Razorbeast was tempted to dispatch the prone Megatron, but released him instead, due to his desire to avoid interfering with the timeline. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 4|The Gathering #4}}

{{note|This fiction takes place during and after "[[Nemesis Part 2]]".}}
[[Image:MegatronAscending4.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Oh, we are so dead]]
Ravage attempted to free Megatron after his capture, but didn't progress very far in his plans. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 1|The Ascending #1}} Despite this, Megatron arrived to a battle-damaged Cybertron, having finally completed his transwarp journey, and having arrived long before the Maximals responsible for his defeat, thanks to Shokaract's suicide, with little else to stand in his way. Yessssss... {{storylink|The Ascending issue 4|The Ascending #4}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Machines'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English), [[Shigeru Chiba]] (Japanese), [[Francisco José]] (Portuguese), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German)

[[Image:Megatron for life.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"If you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to fear. If you've something to hide, you shouldn't even be here..."]]
Breaking free from his constraints on the Autobot shuttle while it traveled through transwarp space, Megatron arrived back home on Cybertron well before the Maximals did. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent}} He used the window of opportunity for maximum effect, releasing a [[Transformation virus|virus]] across the planet that quickly incapacitated the population. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}} He then began extracting the victims' [[spark]]s and storing them in a citadel, planning to one day absorb them into his own spark. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege}} Meanwhile, he used factories to rebuild the bodies into mindless [[drone]]s he called "[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]." {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}} Eventually, he had almost every spark on Cybertron in his possession.

Clearly Megatron had changed since the Beast Wars, not only in his goals, but also in his mannerisms. Gone was the ham who sought conquest for the sake of glory and power and the Predacon cause. He spoke not of revenge on the Maximals, but rather of the liberation of all Transformerkind from the chaos of free will. He referred outright to his own ascension to godhood. And he had also developed a sense of honor, keeping his word to his enemies even at the risk of future losses. {{storylink|The Weak Component}} This was quite the change, as right up to the end of the Beast Wars he would flatten a subordinate for even mentioning "the H word." {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}} In that time, he had also positively ''reveled'' in his dinosaur and dragon beast modes. But on his return to Cybertron, something convinced him that beast modes and other vestiges of the organic were an abomination which should be scoured from the planet, leaving only technological purity. Despite his pontifications, Megatron himself had not achieved the "purity" of which he spoke. His dragon form remained, and at times, it overwhelmed his control. His unfruitful attempts to remove the organic elements from his own body became a source of constant frustration. This was a new and even madder Megatron.

{{note|The time period from when Megatron broke free from the shuttle, to when Optimus Primal and the Maximals arrived on Cybertron, was vastly transformative for both Megatron and the planet, and probably constituted an epic story in its own right. Nevertheless, the period was only vaguely described in the cartoon and barely elaborated upon in secondary media. Many questions remain unanswered.}}
When the Maximals arrived in their shuttle, they found the planet empty aside from Vehicons who immediately attacked them with canisters of a gas that infected them with the virus. The fully-Transmetal among them "devolved" into their original beast modes but were able to keep moving and escape. The remaining two, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (who never received any form of upgrade on Earth), were instead paralyzed and quickly overtaken. Their sparks soon joined Megatron's collection. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent}}

The escaped Maximals would have succumbed to the virus eventually if not for the [[Oracle]] [[reformatting]] them. This was the beginning of Megatron's undoing, for their new [[technorganic]] bodies were both immune to the virus and (while in beast mode) invisible to Vehicon sensors. Megatron's first resulting change in strategy was to imbue three Vehicons with captured sparks so they could think on their feet in battle. The original personalities of these "[[Vehicon general|generals]]" were deeply buried under shell programs, which allowed Megatron to use sparks of the Maximals' former allies. Thus, if the Maximals discovered who they really were, they would be reluctant to destroy them. The recently-captured Silverbolt and Rhinox were made into [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] and [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], respectively. The third general, [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], was created from the Predacon [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] for reasons that remain opaque.

[[Image:Survivor Megatron dragon.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Just don't call him "Patches" or he'll scorch your ass.]]
Megatron considered using the same technology on himself, transferring his own spark to a "pure" Vehicon body. But he decided it was not worth the risk to expose his spark, however briefly. Previously, he had apparently been attempting to use alternative methods of transforming his current body into a purely technological one without leaving it or becoming unconscious—with little success, though his dragon form had taken on a ragged patchwork "cyborg" appearance as a result of these failed attempts.

Rhinox eventually awakened and went rogue, planning a grand scheme to usurp Megatron's dominance, but Megatron effortlessly seized control of his traitor-general's evil plan at the last minute and almost wiped out all resistance with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]. At the last moment, Optimus unleashed the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] force {{storylink|End of the Line|End of the Line}} and the combined energies destroyed Megatron's body. He was presumed dead, but the combined energies had actually succeeded in separating his organic half from his body—unfortunately, his spark went with it and was now trapped in a purely organic Transformer. He took the identity of "innocent" Maximal [[Noble]] and, preying on [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream's]] survivor guilt and Optimus's inherent goodness, got the Maximals to help transfer his spark to the [[Grand Mal]], a vessel shaped in his own head. {{storylink|Prometheus Unbound}}

With Tankor destroyed and Jetstorm eventually reformatted into Silverbolt, Megatron used the sparks of famous generals [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] to replace them. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}} He also managed to gain a link to the [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]] itself, stealing the knowledge from Primal. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search}} This gave him the ability to move ahead with his grand plan—to consume the captured sparks and eventually consume/replace the [[Allspark]] itself—but Nightscream temporarily stopped him by depolarizing Megatron's own spark. Now severed from a body, it jumped between discarded shells and attacked everyone in a zombie like fashion. Rattrap would use a [[spark extractor]] to repolarize his spark, allowing Megatron to regain his senses, but trapping him in a [[Diagnostic Drone]]. {{storylink|Spark of Darkness}}

[[Image:Megatron Sparkwar Search.JPG|left|180px|thumb|"We've been expecting you, Mr. Anderson."]]
Immediately following this, Megatron launched an all-out battle for the sparks and succeeded in capturing them, as well as the sparks of all the Maximals and obliterating their [[technorganic]] orchard—leaving just Optimus Primal and himself as the only two Transformers on the entire planet. To add insult to injury, he uploaded his spark into a copy of Primal's old Optimal Optimus form. Over the conflict, his personality had gradually become more like that of his Beast Wars self, and by this point he was once again hamming it up—revelling in his victory, mocking his enemies (his stated reason for copying Optimus's old body) and deliberately not killing Optimus outright, and having melodramatic outbursts when in his new body.

[[Image:Optimalmegatronoptimusprimal.jpg|right|150px|thumb|They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.]]
At the end of a fierce one-on-one fight, Megatron won and began consuming his amassed sparks, growing ever more powerful and planning to become both the new Matrix and the new core consciousness of Cybertron. However, he'd made his old mistake—leaving Optimus alive (to make him watch his "ascension") instead of killing him. When he attempted to use the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the planet's [[organic core]] into [[technomatter]], Primal managed to dislodge them both. They plummeted into the planet's goopy core and from there, Primal was able to reformat the entire planet, destroying himself and Megatron completely, but freeing all the lost sparks to repopulate their newly redecorated planet. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future}}

{{-}}

===Transformers Legends Anthology===
{{note|This fiction takes place during "[[Spark of Darkness]]".}}
When Megatron was defeated by Nightscream, the spark of Rhinox attempted to act as a spirit guide and redeem the tyrant. Megatron proved to be a lost cause. While briefly tempted to move on, his inherent hypocrisy manifested and—despite fervently advocating the eradication of individuality—refused to relinquish his own identity. Rhinox’s attempts at enlightenment were misconstrued, and his efforts only strengthened Megatron’s desire for apotheosis. Repeated returns to Cybertron convinced him that godhood was still within his reach and as he charged his particles with “purity of purpose”, erased Rhinox's spark from existence.

===''Universe'' comic===
{{note|This fiction takes place after "[[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future]]".}}
When [[Optimus Primal|Optimus Primal's]] spark is revived from the within the Matrix to protect the multiverse, this action freed Megatron's spark as well. The reborn Megatron returned to the ranks of the Predacons, but this time, Optimus Primal found himself in an uneasy alliance with him against Unicron. Megatron traveled with his old nemesis from universe to universe, wherever the growing multiversal conflict had spread. But now with Unicron disappeared into the [[Unicron Singularity]], it remains to be seen whether Megatron's insane ambition will resurface.

Prior to the Universe Conflict an alternate dimension's Megatron was killed by a [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Tigerhawk]] who was corrupted by the Vok. Yet another dimension's Megatron was killed by its reality's [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]. All three Megatron-murderers were eventually promoted to the rank of [[Unicron's General]]. It seems that killing Megatron may be part of Unicron's criteria for choosing a General.

===''Beast Wars Reborn''===
{{note|This fiction takes place after "[[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future]]".}}
[[Image:BeastWarsRebornMegatronArtwork1.jpg|right|233px|thumb|Reborn on the wagon of a travelin' show, Primal used ta dance fer the money they'd throw! Megatron would do whatever he coooouuuld!]]
Both Megatron and Optimus Primal awoke inside a bizarre temple-like spaceship which was hurtling through space. Neither had any memory of who they were or how they got there, only their own names and a feeling of discomfort between one another. The pair went about investigating the ship in search of answers. While Megatron's memory was lost, his personality remained mostly intact: he was more concerned with seizing control of the ship before Primal did in order to gain the upper hand.

They eventually found a data log and discovered that their sparks had been taken and they were reborn into new bodies (unbeknownst to them, bodies identical to their original Earth forms). However, their memories were intentionally not uploaded into their new bodies. While searching the log they discovered that the ship's main power source was a [[Golden Disk]] lodged within a giant pillar. Megatron immediately raced to obtain the Disk and Primal followed him. The closer they got to the disk the more the ship attempted to thwart their advance by manipulating its atmosphere conditions.

Once they reached the chamber the ship's environment suddenly morphed to that of a decaying planet littered with the corpses of robots. The corpses came to life and began shambling toward them, intent on eating their sparks. They made short work of the zombies, leaving Megatron to obtain the Golden Disk and Primal with a feeling that he shouldn't entirely trust Megatron.

From another dimension beyond time and space, [[Primus]] recognized that something was amiss and sent one of his messengers to meet Primal and Megatron within the spaceship. {{storylink|The Mysterious Temple in Space}}

{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
{{note|This fiction takes place after an altered version of the first season of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.}}
After killing Optimus Primal in a Transwarp explosion, Megatron was mutated by the resulting Quantum Surge into a Transmetal, as was 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|Raise the Curtain for Beast Wars Metals!!}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Megatron leads a ragtag group of Decepticon warriors from various backgrounds (and/or universes) against Optimus Primal and his Autobot allies.

==Toys==
:''Main article: [[Megatron (BW) toys]]''

==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Megatron (BW) toys|Merchandise]]''

==Notes==
[[Image:Dinobot Clone.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A picture can tell lots without words.]]
*Hasbro originally intended 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."

*Throughout the series, Megatron seems to have a mild obsession with creating [[Clone|clones]] of Dinobot, as seen with the [[Dinobot Clone|purely biological clone]], the [[Cyber raptor|Cyber raptors]] and [[Dinobot II]]. Some people never know when to let a relationship go.

[[Image:BWRConcept35.jpg|right|200px|thumb|TM2 Megatron's control art. Look! Spark figure! Painful amounts of detail!]]
*The Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'' chose to interject humor at every available opportunity. Due to this, Megatron's personality and character were taken on a complete U-turn. Instead of being a smooth and charismatic leader, he was a screaming maniac and a bumbling oaf. His most notable character-trait in Japan was that whenever he was fired-upon or startled he would let out a high-pitched shriek like a [[Scorponok (BW)|little girl]].

*Megatron was mentioned in the [[Sector Seven (game)| Sector Seven game]],belonging to a Spider T which may or may not be [[Tarantulas]], Megatron was described as "a purple lizard. Said "Yes!"" a lot and was called a "Silly Tin Tyrant". "Sleeping Dragon" was also said which could be a mention of Megatron's Dragon Mode.

*During the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon, Megatron said "yesss..." 166 times, and "no..." 54 times. Someone was clearly bored, yesss.

*he was once seen [[Humanization|brushing]] his Rex Head/Hand's Teeth.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Predacon/MegatronGator/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]
*[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/BeastChanger/beastchanger.htm Beast Changer at TFU.info]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hJkvwoddxY All of Megatron's Yeeeessss's and No's in Beast Wars on YouTube]

[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Predacon leaders]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Transmetals 2]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Vehicons]]

Transformers: Universe CD-ROM

2009-07-04T02:18:01Z

Rmkar9:

[[Image:Tfu cdrom.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Not decoed like a [[Golden Disk]]? that just killed it for me!]]
The '''''Transformers: Universe'' CD-ROM''' was produced in 2003, and packaged with early waves of [[Universe (2003 toyline)|''Transformers: Universe'']] toys. The CD-ROM was to be the ''first'' CD-ROM [[Pack-in material|pack-in]], refreshed seasonally, which would tell the ''Transformers: Universe'' story to the general market. However, only one CD-ROM was ever produced.

The ''Universe'' CD-ROM features the ''Armada'' theme song, an ''Armada'' game, an ''Armada'' episode, and another non-''Universe'' game. The only ''Transformers: Universe'' content on the disk is an animated comic, which tells a version of the basic ''Universe'' story.

The disk navigation features an animated robot head guiding one through the contents, with an animated system called the "Cyerber-Transformer" {{sic}} unit. It uses the same library/archive color scheme as the librarian from the Generation 1 episode "[[Surprise Party]]". The navigation system uses plentiful sound effects from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], the rights of which were almost certainly not cleared with [[Sunbow]].

==Disk Contents==
[[Image:Tfu cdrom interior.jpg|right|180px|thumb|The Cyerber-Transformer [sic] Unit guides you though the disk's contents.]]
The CD-ROM takes the form of a Cybertronian information archive (complete with library agent to guide you.) It contains 5 sections.

* Cybertron Factory - A Make-Your-Own-Transformer Game
* ''[[The Energon Within]]'' - An ''Armada'' game
* Video Datafeeds - The ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode "[[Awakening]]"
* Historical Data Link - A short animated ''Universe'' comic
* Web Link - A link to Hasbro's Transformers site

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Optimusprimal-tfucdrom.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Optimus Primal went to the Rodimus Prime School of Surrender Acceptance.]]
The Historical Data Link relates the story of a gigantic, mysterious space ship that, once a year, every year, travels to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], when the fighting there is at its peak. The ship arrives this time as Optimus Primal is beating the stuffing out of Reptillion; it kidnaps Reptillion and some other Decepticons, then silently returns to deep space.

The Autobots [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_Behind left behind] have no idea where the great ship goes, but the truth is that the vessel returns to Unicron, where its passengers are disgorged and ultimately stored in a giant [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_of_tubes series of tubes] - a vast Decepticon army awaiting the day it is unleashed. Unicron plans to absorb the [[energon radiation]] emitted by the battling [[Transformer]]s, for collectively, this energy is powerful enough to control the universe and make its wielder unstoppable.

Fortunately, a counter-power exists deep within Cybertron and is recruiting an army of its own. Will ''Primus'' be able to gather enough Autobot recruits to counter the threat of Unicron?
{{-}}

===Featured characters===
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Primal]] (1)
* [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
* [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]] (3)
* [[Striker]] (4)
|c2=
* [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (5)
* [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]] (6)
* [[Reptilion|Reptillion]] (7)
* [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (8)
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (9)
|c4=
* [[Unicron]] (10)
* [[Primus]] (11)
}}

==Items of Note==
[[Image:Unicron tfu cdrom.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Odd. I don't remember having purple paint applications yesterday..."]]
* The comic shows no signs of being intended to fit with other ''Universe'' fiction. However, since ''Universe'' is entirely ABOUT alternate dimensions, this could still be a side-note to the [[Universe (2003 comic)|main storyline]]. Even taking this view, though, there are still many factors that set this story apart:
*Unicron's abduction ship is unique; in the main ''Universe'' comic, he simply teleports victims out of their universes. Also, here he seems to be merely building up a Decepticon army, not running multi-allegiance deathmatches. And lastly, he is depicted as an intact robot, not a decimated planet. These discrepancies could perhaps be accounted for by placing this story at a significantly different timeframe in the [[Universe war]] than the main comic series... though the spaceship is still just weird, no matter how you look at it.
*This Cybertron must be an alternate, as its combatants are described as "Autobots" and "Decepticons" despite their mainstream incarnations being [[Maximal|almost]] [[Predacon (BW)|everything]] [[Vehicon (BM)|but]].
*Nearly everyone is in post-[[Unicron virus|Unicron-exposure]] colors and forms, yet no one has any idea what's going on with the abductions. This most definitely sets the Autobots and Blackarachnia apart as alternate incarnations, but it doesn't necessarily disqualify the other Decepticons.
*In fact, Blackarachnia isn't even colored like her ''Universe'' self at all. This look has never been seen before or since.
*Reptillion must be another alternate, as his mainstream ''Universe'' incarnation was "snatched away from a routine exploratory mission" according to his bio. Plus his name is spelled with only one "l" elsewhere, so there you go.
*Obsidian, Tankor, and Razorclaw are the least conflicted in terms of backstory. In the main ''Universe'' storyline, all three came from alternate universes... so could this ''be'' where they came from? Obsidian and Tankor hail from an alterna-''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', while Razorclaw originated in an alterna-''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' (and both Tankor and Razorclaw are said to have destroyed their Megatrons, so take that as you will). This Cybertron, with its centuries of Autobot and Decepticon domination, doesn't particularly resemble either setting, but too little is known about it to declare an outright contradiction. Perhaps the biggest conflict is that, if Unicron is as revitalized as he appears, then it's far too late in the game for these incarnations to be the ones seen in the main ''Universe'' comic.

* So... this bigass ship comes to town once a year, every year, and kidnaps a bunch of Cybertron's citizens. And ''nobody has bothered to investigate where it goes?'' Plus why is everybody still shocked at this point?
* How does the ship know it's the most intense day of fighting for the whole year? What if tomorrow turns out to be even ''more'' extreme?
* Unicron (parts of him, at least) is based on an unproduced 1998 [[:Image:Neocron.jpg|''Beast Wars Neo'' Unicron toy]].
* Unicron's Decepticon storage chamber bears some conceptual resemblance to the human storage plant from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix the ''Matrix'' movies].

==External Links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/universe/cdrom/ ''Universe'' CD-ROM on BWTF.com]
*[http://www.emopanda.com/tfu-cdrom/ ''Universe'' CD-ROM comic screengrabs]

[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Stories]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)

2009-06-30T13:41:52Z

Rmkar9:

{{nav-rotf}}
'''''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''''' is the first of two planned sequels to ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]''. It was released in North America on [[June 24]], 2009.

{{quote|Revenge is mine!|The Fallen, ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

:''Japanese title:'' '''''Transformers: Revenge'''''
:''French title:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Revanche''''' (''Transformers 2: The Revenge'')
:''German title:'' '''''Transformers: Die Rache''''' (''Transformers: The Revenge'')
:''Polish title:'' '''''Transformers: Zemsta Upadłych''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', except the word "Fallen" is a plural.)
:''Italian title:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Vendetta Del Caduto''''' (''Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
:''Serbian title:'' '''''Transformers 2: Najveće govno ikada''''' (''Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
:''Spanish title:'' '''''Transformers: la Venganza de los Caidos'''''
:''Russian title:'' '''''Transformery: Mest' Padshikh''''', cyrillic: '''''Трансформеры: Месть падших''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', except the word "Fallen" is a plural, like in Polish version.)

==Main cast==
{{spoiler|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|July 24, 2009}}

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]]) (6)
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (12)
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]]) (4)
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]]) (16)
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] ([[Mark Ryan]]) (37)
*[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Grey DeLisle]]) (8)
**[[Chromia (ROTF)|Chromia]]
**Third Purple Bike Bot
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] ([[Tom Kenny]]) (10)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] ([[Reno Wilson]]) (11)
*[[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] ([[André Sogliuzzo]]) (9)
*[[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] (17)
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]]) (14)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]]) (31)
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]]) (32)
*[[The Fallen]] ([[Tony Todd]]) (1)
*[[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] (19)
*[[Alice]] ([[Isabel Lucas]]) (24)
*[[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] (34)
*[[Scalpel]] ([[John Di Crosta]]) (30)
*[[Reedman]] ([[Frank Welker]]) (20)
*[[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] (7)
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] (41)
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]]) (15)
*A [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] lookalike (42)
*[[Decepticon]] protoform army (41)
*[[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s
**[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] ([[Frank Welker]]) (40)
***[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]]) (25)
***[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (26)
***[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (27)
***[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (28)
***[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] (29)
***[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (38
***[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (39)
**[[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] ([[Calvin Wimmer]]) (6)
|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]]) (9)
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]]) (13)
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]]) (2)
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]]) (3)
*[[Leo Spitz]] ([[Ramon Rodriguez]]) (21)
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]]) (36)
*[[Theodore Galloway]] ([[John Benjamin Hickey]]) (18)
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]]) (10)
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]]) (11)
*[[General Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) (15)
*[[Professor Colan]] ([[Rainn Wilson]]) (33)
*[[Tova Simmons]] ([[Annie Korzen]]) (35)
*[[Fassbinder]] ([[Jonathon Trent]]) (22)
*[[Sharsky]] ([[Walker Howard]]) (23)
}}

==Technical details==
{{stub}}

==Short synopsis==
[[Image:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|right|250px|thumb|For dry, red eyes, the difference is clear: Clear Eyes.]]

The Autobots have found a home in "NEST", a secret military unit created to seek out and eliminate the remaining Decepticons. All is not well, however. Unbeknownst to them, Soundwave is in orbit, coordinating the Decepticon counterstrike. After Ravage steals the Allspark shard from NEST, a team of Constructicons and The Doctor journey to the bottom of the ocean and use it revive Megatron. The Decepticon leader journeys to the crashed Nemesis, rebukes Starscream, and meets with his master, The Fallen.

The Fallen explains that he had constructed a Solar Harvester on Earth, in violation of the Primes' code to never harm an inhabited planet. The Primes turned on him, banished and imprisoned him. However the Harvester still stands, and only one Prime remains. If Megatron destroys Optimus Prime, The Fallen will be freed to activate the Harvester, which will kill off the humans and provide the Decepticons with enough energon to raise an army. Megatron eagerly agrees, and returns to Earth with a vengeance.

It transpires that the location of the Harvester is hidden within Sam Witwicky, who absorbed the knowledge from another Allspark fragment. The Decepticons begin an all-out war across the Earth as they hunt down the human, and the Autobots and NEST are blamed for the ensuing carnage. Witwicky goes to ground, and must turn to unlikely allies in the race to find a solution. Ultimately, the last of the Primes defeats The Fallen, destroys the Harvester, and proves the Transformers' greatest power is found in their unexpectedly-ancient alliance with the humans.

==Full synopsis==
{{stub}}

==Quotes==


"Ding-a-ling, come out an' get yo' ice cream. Any bad robot out there better get ready for an ass-whoopin'."
:— '''Skids''' and '''Mudflap''' speaking their first line in the movie as the ice cream truck.

"Sam, fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
:— '''Optimus Prime'''

"Need parts. Kill ze little one!"
:— '''Scalpel''' instructs the Constructicons to kill one of their own, which they so happily oblige.

"Starscream, I'm home!"
:— '''Megatron'''. And the fangirls go wild!

"I know you’re pissed-I know you’re pissed, I tried to kill you, right? It’s totally understandable. I mean, if you tried to kill me, I’d be pissed, too."
:— '''Sam Witwicky''' tries to relate with '''Megatron'''.

"Is the fate of our race not worth one human life?" 
"You'd never stop at just ''one''. '''I'll take you all on!'''"
:— '''Megatron''' tries to justify killing Sam, but '''Optimus Prime''' disapproves based on the potato chip theory. Beatdown ensues.

"What planet am I on?" 
"Earth." 
"''Earth''? Terrible name for a planet. Might as well call it ''Dirt''. Planet Dirt."
:— '''Jetfire''' asks '''Simmons''' where he is, only to have negative thoughts.

"You know what my father was? [[Scrounge|A wheel]]! The first wheel! And you know what he transformed into? NOTHING! But he did so with honor! Dignity!"
:— '''Jetfire''' tells a story.

"Beginning. Middle. End. Facts. Details. Condense. Plot. Tell it."
:— '''Simmons''' demands more coherent exposition from Jetfire.

"Lemme show ya how we brought the pain in ''my'' day!!"
:—'''Jetfire''' enters the fray to show us young whippersnappers how it's ''really'' done.

"One man, alone, abandoned by the country he loves."
:— '''Agent Simmons''' being, well, Agent Simmons as he bravely charges off to lure the Decepticons away.

"GIVE ME YOUR FACE."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' warns The Fallen of his violent fetish.

"Not to call you a coward, master, but, sometimes, cowards do survive."
:— '''Starscream''' pitches his usual battle plan to an unusually receptive Megatron.

----

==Production staff==
* Writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] recruited [[Ehren Kruger]] to help them write the screenplay. [[Michael Bay]] and producers [[Don Murphy]], [[Tom DeSanto]], and [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] also returned.<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6372 Transformers 2 Writers Confirmed]</ref>
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}
===Locations department===
{{stub}}

==Prequel material==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
While the Decepticons were disgusted with the pro-Autobot propaganda of Bay's first documentary {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|#13's Star Screams}}, they're quite optimistic about the second film. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] has taken a strong interest in it, going to the trouble of personally convincing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in the film {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|15's Star Screams}}.

The Decepticons promise this new documentary will show a glorious Decepticon victory {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|#10's Star Screams}} - whether it's in the script or not. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|#18's Star Screams}}

Shockingly, even ''they'' are under a non-disclosure agreement regarding the script; Starscream fearfully refers to a greater power keeping him quiet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|#22's Star Screams}} Talking about it could even undermine the Decepticon war effort! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|#23's Star Screams}}

In the same week the film came out, the Decepticons suddenly became unhappy with it and the detente period ended. Bay, Kurtzman, and Orci are once again marked for extermination for their propaganda films. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|#1's Law and Disorder}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{stub}}

==Adaptations==
:''Main article:'' [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation]]
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}
'''Children's adaptations'''
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel}}
{{main|The Last Prime}}
{{main|Operation Autobot}}
{{main|When Robots Attack!}}
{{main|I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)}}
{{main|Rise of the Decepticons}}
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: Sound Like the Transformers}}

==Sequels==
{{stub}}

==Soundtrack==
:''Main article:'' [[Revenge of the Fallen: The Soundtrack]]

==Score==
{{cleanup|June 25, 2009}}
:''Main article:'' [[Revenge of the Fallen: The Score]]
* [[Linkin Park]] and Hans Zimmer worked with Steve Jablonsky on the score of the movie. Linkin Park also wrote a song, called "New Divide". It was one of the theme songs for the movie, and they did several interpretations on that theme. <ref>[http://www.mikeshinoba.com/blog/special_events-recommended_music-in_the_studio-featured-linkin_park_/transformers_2_new_linkin_park_song_and_score]</ref>

==DVD release==

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery perrow="3">
Image:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|Teaser poster
Image:ROTF Theatrical poster.jpg|Theatrical poster
Image:ROTF International poster.jpg|International poster
Image:ROTF Prime poster.jpg|Prime poster
Image:ROTF bumblebee poster.jpg|Bumblebee poster
Image:ROTF Starscream poster.jpg|Wait...Starscream gets a poster but Megatron doesn't? That's just wrong.
</gallery></center>

==Reception==
{{quote|Transformers: ROTF has mostly gotten pretty hideous reviews, but that's because people don't understand that this isn't a movie, in the conventional sense.|[http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-finally-made-an-art-movie Michael Bay Finally Made An Art Movie], Charlie Jane Anders|[http://i09.com i09.com,] [[June 24]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|[The critics] never seem to understand that I make movies for people to take a ride and escape.|[http://tinyurl.com/nyscnv forum post] by Michael Bay|[http://shootfortheedit.com shootfortheedit.com,] [[June 25]], [[2009]]}}

In the week leading up to the United States release, while the film had been released in Japan and the United Kingdom, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was ranking 38% fresh on [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen/ Rotten Tomatoes.com]. As American reviews were added into the ranking on June 24, the movie's freshness slipped slowly to 22%. RottenTomatoes.com's consensus was that "''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' is a noisy, underplotted, and overlong special effects extravaganza that lacks a human touch." Roger Ebert, who gave the movie one star, remarked that "if you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together." <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090623/REVIEWS/906239997 Roger Ebert's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' review] on RogerEbert.com</ref> Todd Gilchrist of Cinematical.com said Michael Bay "has exceeded even the possibilities of sequel-driven 'moreness,' combining his own muscular, high-gloss sensibility with the conventions of blockbusters past, present, and probably future to create a monolithic action masterpiece that feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time." <ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/22/review-transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/ Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen] on Cinematical.com</ref> Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune said "the first, comparatively lucid ''Transformers'' was a headache, but I sort of enjoyed it....''Revenge of the Fallen'' is more like listening to rocks in a clothes dryer for 2½ hours." <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-tc-mov-transformers-0623-0624jun23,0,7350387.story 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel] on chicagotribune.com </ref> Roger Ebert went back for more in a second article, declaring not only that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was awful, but that it'd [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined action films FOREVER]]. <ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/06/the_fall_of_the_revengers.html "The Fall of the Revengers"] on suntimes.com</ref>

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' poised itself quickly as a blockbuster maelstrom. It grossed $16 million in its opening midnight showings alone, an all-time record for Wednesday openings and a second-best for openings on any day of the week behind ''The Dark Knight''. After the full Wednesday was over, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had grossed $55 million in domestic ticket sales, surpassing the previous Wednesday release record, held by ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', by over $10 million. <ref> [http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1614673/story.jhtml 'Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen' Breaks Wednesday Box-Office Record] on MTV.com</ref> By the end of the first five days, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had taken an estimated $201.2 million in the United States, just shy of ''The Dark Knight's'' record $203.8 million 5-day US total. In the same period, international markets took in $186.1 million, bringing the 5-day worldwide total to $387.3 million.<ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2601&p=.htm BoxOfficeMojo.com - Weekend Report: ‘Revenge of the Fallen' Rises with Optimal Debut, June 28, 2009]</ref>

==Trivia==
*The official title of the film is ''Revenge of the Fallen'' (with a lower-case "t" in "the") even though it is apparently referring to [[The Fallen]] (with a capital "T" in "The").
*Leo's room features posters for [[Wikipedia:Naruto|Naruto]], [[Wikipedia:Cloverfield|Cloverfield]], and [[Wikipedia:Bad Boys 2|Bad Boys 2]].
*During the scenes set in and around the deli in NYC, posters for the bands [[Wikipedia:Catch 22 (band)|Catch Twenty-Two]] and [[wikipedia:Voodoo Glow Skulls|Voodoo Glow Skulls]] are prominently featured.
*[[Frank Welker]] dubbed [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] not only in English but also in Italian, as a result, in the Italian edition of the movie Soundwave speaks with a strange, foreign accent.

==Transformers references==
In addition to carryovers from the previous film, various concepts and characters are derived from previous iterations of Transformers:
* The whole concept of "Transformers disguised as a human" used for [[Alice]] is inspired by the [[Pretender]]s. Roberto Orci even used the term "Pretender" during an interview before the movie release. However, a Transformer with an "organic" alt-mode instead of an external shell is a concept more reminiscent of the [[Beast Era]].
* The Generation 1 iteration of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] is frequently portrayed as switching from Decepticon to Autobot (he's usually a young and technologically up-to-the-minute 'bot, however.)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his ejectible minion [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] both have Generation 1 counterparts. Movie Soundwave even has the same voice actor as 1984 cartoon Soundwave, using the same voice, though without the synthetic vocal processing that made the cartoon voice so distinctive.
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] bears little physical resemblance to his Generation 1 namesake, but is a vaguely similar character archetype, and he ''does'' have that characteristic door armor hanging from his elbows.
* Generation 1 [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was the first female Transformer with a starring role, and was likewise a pink-colored girlbot. The idea of Arcee the pink girlbot as a motorcycle dates back to ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the combined form of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]], was the first [[combiner]] robot in Generation 1.
* The characters are new, but the names "[[Mudflap]]", "[[Skids]]", "[[Jolt]]", "[[Rampage]]" and "[[Wheelie]]" are not. Likewise for the concept of "[[Seeker]]s".
* Prime dying and coming back to life has been done [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|times beyond counting]].
* Prime combining with another 'bot to increase his power (and often gain flight capabilities) is a trope that has occurred in many recent Transformers series (''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', ''Energon'', ''Cybertron''.) In ''Armada'', a different [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was his most frequent combination partner. This is the first time the other 'bot had to die for it to happen, though.
* The Fallen is based on a comic book character that made his debut in the 2004 miniseries [[The War Within: The Dark Ages]]. In fact, according to Hasbro, he is the ''exact'' same character!
* The [[Matrix of Leadership]] is one of the franchise's oldest MacGuffins.
* [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] (mentioned though never seen) is the Transformers' power source in numerous incarnations, beginning with the original cartoon.
* Though it is almost certainly not an actual ''reference'' (it's a pretty generic and predictable sci-fi trope), the [[solar harvester]] is quite similar in function to the [[Solar Needle]] from the Generation 1 episode "[[Changing Gears]]", sucking energy from the [[Sun]] to produce energon. Both devices would have destroyed the Sun if allowed to fulfill their function.
* The same is true for Sam having Cybertronian knowledge pumped directly into his brain via a sacred Transformer talisman, which is reminiscent of [[Buster Witwicky]]'s similar situation in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] G1 comics.

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
On may 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> [[Megan Fox]] had already been confirmed for the first of those sequels twelve days eaerlier<ref name="foxcon">[http://www.mtvmoviesblog.com/2007/05/18/megan-fox-confirmed-for-transformers-sequel/ MTV confirming Megan Fox for the sequel]</ref>, while [[Shia LaBeouf]] had already confirmed his participation in an–at that time still theoretical–sequel in November 2006.<ref name="shias">Rebecca Murray: [http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Interview with Shia LaBeouf from 2006, confirming his participation in a theoretical sequel]</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]], meanwhile, only once briefly questioned his involvement in a sequel in August 2007, when [[Paramount Pictures]] announced that ''Transformers'' would be released on HD DVD, but not on Blu-ray Disc.<ref name="bayhd">[http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/21/michael-bay-responds-to-paramounts-abandonment-of-blu-ray-no/ One of many sites reporting Michael Bay's announcement that he would not direct the sequel if the first movie wouldn't be released on Blu-ray]. Bay deleted his original post after changing his mind.</ref> Bay quickly changed his mind, however, and Paramount would later release the first movie on Blu-ray anyway, after the HD DVD had been abandoned.

In September of 2007, Paramount officially announced the first sequel for June 2009.<ref name="reldat">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972852.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety reporting Paramount's official announcement of the first sequel]</ref> Bay was given a budget of $200 million, and ultimately managed to come in $4 million below that.<ref name="showest">[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/11461/tcid/1 Michael Bay talking the ''Transformers'' sequel at ShoWest“]</ref>

The ''Transformers'' screenwriters, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], initially hesitated writing the sequel, but ultimately had a change of mind.<ref name="sciforc">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talking to Sci Fi Wire.]</ref> In October 2007, [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as a third writer, who, according to Kurtzman, brought in a "fresh perspective"<ref name="kickoff">[http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/14/kicking-off-2009-with-writers-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-two-transformers-2/ Another interview with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci]</ref>, and who reportedly impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref> For the movie, orci and Kurtzman searched the various ''Transformers'' comics and cartoons for "the most elemental bad guy", and eventually found one in [[The Fallen]].<ref name="sciforc"/>

In addition to that, they wanted to include many things in the sequel that hadn't made it into the first movie, including the Decepticon [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Likewise, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had initially been intended to be used in the first movie, but for fear of confusion with the ''Matrix'' movies, the cube had been renamed into [[All Spark]]. In return, the Matrix in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' bears more resemblance to the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Matrix.

{{cleanup|June 25, 2009}}
* In an interview with BANG! Showbiz, Shia LeBouf stated that the injuries he suffered in his recent vehicular collision were written into the script and did not adversely affect the filming schedule.<ref name="TheList2008">[http://www.list.co.uk/article/10788-shia-labeoufs-transformers-hand/ The List 1 August 2008]</ref>
* Also on January 29, 2009, Simon Furman commented on MTV Movie Blog about how the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] wouldn't fit very well into the movie's universe, and that he is glad they were dropped from the cast very early in development.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/01/29/no-dinobots-in-transformers-2-revenge-of-the-fallen-original-film-consultant-explains-why/ MTV Movie Blog interview with Simon Furman, January 29, 2009.]</ref>
* Michael Bay stated in interview with ''The Collider'' that he obtained permission to film in Egypt by contacting [[Zahi Hawass]], secretary general of Egypt's council of antiquities, who turned out to be a fan of the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie.<ref>[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 The Collider article and video interview with Michael Bay, February 9, 2009]</ref>
* In an interview with Sci Fi Wire on March 31st, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman said they had looked through the comics and cartoons for the "most elemental bad guy" that "jumped off the material" and found that in the Fallen. They also stated that due to production necessities (Hasbro and Bay needing characters for scenes and design to begin as soon as possible) and the 2008-2009 Writers Strike, some characters were in their initial treatment while others were designed specifically for the movie production, and that due to the overall numbers of robots, the audience would not get to know all of the Transformers closely. Indeed, Orci and Kurtzman referred to some characters via descriptors such "Volt" (Jolt) and "Wheelbot" (Demolishor). They also confirmed that Nimoy was open to playing the Fallen if the role was offered, and that they were in the middle of hashing it out with Frank Welker over a role in the movie, but the final decision was down to Bay.<ref name="scifiwireMarch2009">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php SciFi Wire March 2009 interview with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman]</ref>
* On the MTV Movies blog, Michael Bay reported that they were still doing for the voices for the film, and that he was (jokingly) nervous of asking his relative Leonard Nimoy if he wanted to voice The Fallen in the movie for fear of offending him with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer'', MTV.com Movies blog, April 21, 2009]</ref>
* In a June 22nd article in Forbes (released online on June 4th), Michael Bay talked about his philosphy in movie-making, his demand of part-ownership of movies he makes, and the revelation that he receives an 8% cut of all toy sales from the ''Transformers'' movies.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0622/celebrity-09-transformers-michael-bay-making-movies-enemies-money.html Michael Bay article on Forbes.com June 4, 2009]</ref>
* On June 8th, 2009, the movie had its world premiere in Japan. Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Isabel Lucas and Ramon Rodriguez attended.<ref>[http://www.michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/47a23fdbb6ddc8ece6a0a6c87ccc2bbe-499.html Japanese Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 8, 2009]</ref>. Other countries such as South Korea<ref>[http://www.michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/f7a7af7e754cfa877a635b95d8908eea-506.html Korean Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 9, 2009]</ref>, the United Kingdom and Germany followed over the course of the next few days.
===Disinformation===
{{cleanup|June 25, 2009}}
* Michael Bay has claimed that the studio is putting out deliberate misinformation, to obscure real leaks.<ref>[http://io9.com/382919/michael-bay-plays-internet-punkd Michael Bay Plays Internet Punk'd]</ref> (Like our jobs weren't hard enough.)
* During San Diego Comic-Con 2008, in an interview on July 25th, [[Simon Furman]] claimed that the film would feature a character called [[The Fallen]], which was a character they created for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[The War Within: The Dark Ages]]''<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17412 Simon Furman confirms The Fallen is a character in an interview with Comic Book Resources]</ref> Three days later, [[IDW Publishing]] writer [[Chris Mowry]] corroborated the claim in an interview with MTV Splash Page, calling "The Fallen" the main villain of ''Revenge'' ([[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was also confirmed in the same interview, but the reference to her was mysteriously removed shortly after publication). <ref>[http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/07/28/exclusive-transformers-2-prequel-comic-gives-inside-scoop-on-2009-movie/ MTV Splash Page interviews Chris Mowry]</ref> Less than a week after this, however, Michael Bay reiterated that everything leaked thus far is part of their misinformation campaign and that only a handful of people involved with the production of ''Revenge'' have seen the script, contradicting IDW's interviews where their representatives confirm that they have the script. Additionally, Bay claimed the only truth about the film was Sam going to college.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44729&postcount=2 A post made by Michael Bay on his forum]</ref> Curiously, on August 5th 2008, after a fan posted on Michael Bay's forum pointing out the contradiction, all references to the Fallen were removed from the aforementioned interviews, as well as any references to IDW Publishing having the script.
* ''Empire'' magazine's February 2009 issue features information on the role of the Egyptian Pyramids in the Movieverse's backstory. Michael Bay also confirmed The Fallen and denied Megatron would be resurrected (this later turned out to be untrue). Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics resembling helicopters will be revealed to be depictions of Transformers who visited Earth before the pyramids were built.<ref name="EmpireFeb2009">''Empire'' article entitled "20 to watch in 2009", written by Nick de Semelyn, dated February 2009, pages 68 and 69, issue 236</ref>
* After a short and poorly excuted "misinformation campaign" on the part of Michael Bay, Paramount and their licensees where they claimed that Megatron was not in the movie despite all ''officially released'' evidence to the contrary (including Megatron's brief appearance in the February 1 Superbowl tv spot and the February teaser trailer), Roberto Orci confirmed that Megatron does indeed return.<ref name="Megatron returns">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-211.html#post3333713 Roberto Orci confirms Megatron's return on TFW2005.com - February 22, 2009]</ref>
* On March 6, due to the reports of Weaving's return, Michael Bay finally admitted Megatron was back, but claimed that Megatron would only appear briefly in a flashback to the past, despite the fact Megatron can be seen pinning Sam Witwicky to the ground in ''Revenge's'' tv spot and teaser trailer. One can assume that the director was trying to salvage some form of audience surprise in seeing Megatron return in the movie. In other news of a presumably legitimate kind, Bay said that the movie would go into the distant past and explain the history of the [[Prime]]s.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=66825&postcount=4 Michael Bay on his forum - March 6, 2009]</ref>

==Errors==
*Bumblebee picks up Sam at a frat party in the evening. He then takes him to a graveyard where it's daytime.

*During Sam's campus freakout, when he drops his notes on the steps, a blonde woman in a suit can be seen coming down the steps to his left, nearly reaching him. However, when the camera angle shifts, the woman is suddenly at the top of the stairs again.

*On the sonar, there are "five contacts" diving down to Megatron's location, and "six contacts" going up after his resurrection. Since one Constructicon was killed to repair Megatron, shouldn't there be only five contacts going up as well? Keep in mind, Scalpel is too small to register on sonar, but Ravage is just large enough.

*When the [[Wikipedia:USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)|USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'']] is sunk by Decepticon [[transition form]]s, the hull number of 74 can clearly be seen.{{fact}} CVN-74 belongs to the [[Wikipedia:USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)|USS ''John C. Stennis'']], a carrier that shows up later in the film and was also the carrier used for filming.

*Simmons has [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy's]] head in a glass case, but Frenzy's head was shattered completely in the previous film.

*When Jetfire is activated at the [[Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]] (actually the [[Wikipedia:Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center|Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]], an annex of the Smithsonian) in Washington, he leaves the exhibition center and exits into the desert location of the [[Wikipedia:309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (aka The Boneyard)]], which is in Tuscon, Arizona. When Jetfire breaks out of the building, we can see a composited image of the Boneyard's rows of planes, so it's arguable that in this universe the middle of Washington DC happens to be a desert full of old planes, and no buildings and uh... heh heh. Given that this and the Transformers are the ''only'' changes between this universe and ours, that's a stretch.

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com Dreamworks/Paramount's ''Transformers'' Movie website]
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/ Hasbro's ''Transformers'' homepage]
*[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 Interview with Michael Bay 02/09/2009] — Collider.com

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

[[Category:Films]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)

2009-06-30T13:40:43Z

Rmkar9:

{{nav-rotf}}
'''''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''''' is the first of two planned sequels to ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]''. It was released in North America on [[June 24]], 2009.

{{quote|Revenge is mine!|The Fallen, ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

:''Japanese title:'' '''''Transformers: Revenge'''''
:''French title:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Revanche''''' (''Transformers 2: The Revenge'')
:''German title:'' '''''Transformers: Die Rache''''' (''Transformers: The Revenge'')
:''Polish title:'' '''''Transformers: Zemsta Upadłych''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', except the word "Fallen" is a plural.)
:''Italian title:'' '''''Transformers 2: La Vendetta Del Caduto''''' (''Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
:''Serbian title:'' '''''Transformers 2: Najveće govno ikada''''' (''Transformers 2: The Revenge Of The Fallen'')
:''Spanish title:'' '''''Transformers: la Venganza de los Caidos'''''
:''Russian title:'' '''''Transformery: Mest' Padshikh''''', cyrillic: '''''Трансформеры: Месть падших''''' (''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', except the word "Fallen" is a plural, like in Polish version.)

==Main cast==
{{spoiler|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|July 24, 2009}}

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]]) (6)
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (12)
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]]) (4)
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]]) (16)
*[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] ([[Mark Ryan]]) (37)
*[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Grey DeLisle]]) (8)
**[[Chromia (Movie)|Chromia]]
**Third Purple Bike Bot
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] ([[Tom Kenny]]) (10)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] ([[Reno Wilson]]) (11)
*[[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] ([[André Sogliuzzo]]) (9)
*[[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] (17)
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]]) (14)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]]) (31)
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]]) (32)
*[[The Fallen]] ([[Tony Todd]]) (1)
*[[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] (19)
*[[Alice]] ([[Isabel Lucas]]) (24)
*[[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] (34)
*[[Scalpel]] ([[John Di Crosta]]) (30)
*[[Reedman]] ([[Frank Welker]]) (20)
*[[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] (7)
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] (41)
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]]) (15)
*A [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] lookalike (42)
*[[Decepticon]] protoform army (41)
*[[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s
**[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] ([[Frank Welker]]) (40)
***[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] ([[Kevin Michael Richardson]]) (25)
***[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (26)
***[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (27)
***[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (28)
***[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] (29)
***[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (38
***[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (39)
**[[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] ([[Calvin Wimmer]]) (6)
|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]]) (9)
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]]) (13)
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]]) (2)
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]]) (3)
*[[Leo Spitz]] ([[Ramon Rodriguez]]) (21)
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]]) (36)
*[[Theodore Galloway]] ([[John Benjamin Hickey]]) (18)
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]]) (10)
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]]) (11)
*[[General Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]]) (15)
*[[Professor Colan]] ([[Rainn Wilson]]) (33)
*[[Tova Simmons]] ([[Annie Korzen]]) (35)
*[[Fassbinder]] ([[Jonathon Trent]]) (22)
*[[Sharsky]] ([[Walker Howard]]) (23)
}}

==Technical details==
{{stub}}

==Short synopsis==
[[Image:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|right|250px|thumb|For dry, red eyes, the difference is clear: Clear Eyes.]]

The Autobots have found a home in "NEST", a secret military unit created to seek out and eliminate the remaining Decepticons. All is not well, however. Unbeknownst to them, Soundwave is in orbit, coordinating the Decepticon counterstrike. After Ravage steals the Allspark shard from NEST, a team of Constructicons and The Doctor journey to the bottom of the ocean and use it revive Megatron. The Decepticon leader journeys to the crashed Nemesis, rebukes Starscream, and meets with his master, The Fallen.

The Fallen explains that he had constructed a Solar Harvester on Earth, in violation of the Primes' code to never harm an inhabited planet. The Primes turned on him, banished and imprisoned him. However the Harvester still stands, and only one Prime remains. If Megatron destroys Optimus Prime, The Fallen will be freed to activate the Harvester, which will kill off the humans and provide the Decepticons with enough energon to raise an army. Megatron eagerly agrees, and returns to Earth with a vengeance.

It transpires that the location of the Harvester is hidden within Sam Witwicky, who absorbed the knowledge from another Allspark fragment. The Decepticons begin an all-out war across the Earth as they hunt down the human, and the Autobots and NEST are blamed for the ensuing carnage. Witwicky goes to ground, and must turn to unlikely allies in the race to find a solution. Ultimately, the last of the Primes defeats The Fallen, destroys the Harvester, and proves the Transformers' greatest power is found in their unexpectedly-ancient alliance with the humans.

==Full synopsis==
{{stub}}

==Quotes==


"Ding-a-ling, come out an' get yo' ice cream. Any bad robot out there better get ready for an ass-whoopin'."
:— '''Skids''' and '''Mudflap''' speaking their first line in the movie as the ice cream truck.

"Sam, fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."
:— '''Optimus Prime'''

"Need parts. Kill ze little one!"
:— '''Scalpel''' instructs the Constructicons to kill one of their own, which they so happily oblige.

"Starscream, I'm home!"
:— '''Megatron'''. And the fangirls go wild!

"I know you’re pissed-I know you’re pissed, I tried to kill you, right? It’s totally understandable. I mean, if you tried to kill me, I’d be pissed, too."
:— '''Sam Witwicky''' tries to relate with '''Megatron'''.

"Is the fate of our race not worth one human life?" 
"You'd never stop at just ''one''. '''I'll take you all on!'''"
:— '''Megatron''' tries to justify killing Sam, but '''Optimus Prime''' disapproves based on the potato chip theory. Beatdown ensues.

"What planet am I on?" 
"Earth." 
"''Earth''? Terrible name for a planet. Might as well call it ''Dirt''. Planet Dirt."
:— '''Jetfire''' asks '''Simmons''' where he is, only to have negative thoughts.

"You know what my father was? [[Scrounge|A wheel]]! The first wheel! And you know what he transformed into? NOTHING! But he did so with honor! Dignity!"
:— '''Jetfire''' tells a story.

"Beginning. Middle. End. Facts. Details. Condense. Plot. Tell it."
:— '''Simmons''' demands more coherent exposition from Jetfire.

"Lemme show ya how we brought the pain in ''my'' day!!"
:—'''Jetfire''' enters the fray to show us young whippersnappers how it's ''really'' done.

"One man, alone, abandoned by the country he loves."
:— '''Agent Simmons''' being, well, Agent Simmons as he bravely charges off to lure the Decepticons away.

"GIVE ME YOUR FACE."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' warns The Fallen of his violent fetish.

"Not to call you a coward, master, but, sometimes, cowards do survive."
:— '''Starscream''' pitches his usual battle plan to an unusually receptive Megatron.

----

==Production staff==
* Writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] recruited [[Ehren Kruger]] to help them write the screenplay. [[Michael Bay]] and producers [[Don Murphy]], [[Tom DeSanto]], and [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] also returned.<ref>[http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6372 Transformers 2 Writers Confirmed]</ref>
{{stub}}

===Visual effects===
{{stub}}
===Locations department===
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==Prequel material==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
While the Decepticons were disgusted with the pro-Autobot propaganda of Bay's first documentary {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|#13's Star Screams}}, they're quite optimistic about the second film. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] has taken a strong interest in it, going to the trouble of personally convincing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in the film {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|15's Star Screams}}.

The Decepticons promise this new documentary will show a glorious Decepticon victory {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|#10's Star Screams}} - whether it's in the script or not. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|#18's Star Screams}}

Shockingly, even ''they'' are under a non-disclosure agreement regarding the script; Starscream fearfully refers to a greater power keeping him quiet. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|#22's Star Screams}} Talking about it could even undermine the Decepticon war effort! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|#23's Star Screams}}

In the same week the film came out, the Decepticons suddenly became unhappy with it and the detente period ended. Bay, Kurtzman, and Orci are once again marked for extermination for their propaganda films. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|#1's Law and Disorder}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{stub}}

==Adaptations==
:''Main article:'' [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation]]
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}
'''Children's adaptations'''
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel}}
{{main|The Last Prime}}
{{main|Operation Autobot}}
{{main|When Robots Attack!}}
{{main|I Am Optimus Prime (ROTF)}}
{{main|Rise of the Decepticons}}
{{main|Revenge of the Fallen: Sound Like the Transformers}}

==Sequels==
{{stub}}

==Soundtrack==
:''Main article:'' [[Revenge of the Fallen: The Soundtrack]]

==Score==
{{cleanup|June 25, 2009}}
:''Main article:'' [[Revenge of the Fallen: The Score]]
* [[Linkin Park]] and Hans Zimmer worked with Steve Jablonsky on the score of the movie. Linkin Park also wrote a song, called "New Divide". It was one of the theme songs for the movie, and they did several interpretations on that theme. <ref>[http://www.mikeshinoba.com/blog/special_events-recommended_music-in_the_studio-featured-linkin_park_/transformers_2_new_linkin_park_song_and_score]</ref>

==DVD release==

==Theatrical posters==
<center><gallery perrow="3">
Image:ROTFteaserposter.jpg|Teaser poster
Image:ROTF Theatrical poster.jpg|Theatrical poster
Image:ROTF International poster.jpg|International poster
Image:ROTF Prime poster.jpg|Prime poster
Image:ROTF bumblebee poster.jpg|Bumblebee poster
Image:ROTF Starscream poster.jpg|Wait...Starscream gets a poster but Megatron doesn't? That's just wrong.
</gallery></center>

==Reception==
{{quote|Transformers: ROTF has mostly gotten pretty hideous reviews, but that's because people don't understand that this isn't a movie, in the conventional sense.|[http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-finally-made-an-art-movie Michael Bay Finally Made An Art Movie], Charlie Jane Anders|[http://i09.com i09.com,] [[June 24]], [[2009]]}}
{{quote|[The critics] never seem to understand that I make movies for people to take a ride and escape.|[http://tinyurl.com/nyscnv forum post] by Michael Bay|[http://shootfortheedit.com shootfortheedit.com,] [[June 25]], [[2009]]}}

In the week leading up to the United States release, while the film had been released in Japan and the United Kingdom, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was ranking 38% fresh on [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_revenge_of_the_fallen/ Rotten Tomatoes.com]. As American reviews were added into the ranking on June 24, the movie's freshness slipped slowly to 22%. RottenTomatoes.com's consensus was that "''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' is a noisy, underplotted, and overlong special effects extravaganza that lacks a human touch." Roger Ebert, who gave the movie one star, remarked that "if you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together." <ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090623/REVIEWS/906239997 Roger Ebert's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' review] on RogerEbert.com</ref> Todd Gilchrist of Cinematical.com said Michael Bay "has exceeded even the possibilities of sequel-driven 'moreness,' combining his own muscular, high-gloss sensibility with the conventions of blockbusters past, present, and probably future to create a monolithic action masterpiece that feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time." <ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/22/review-transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/ Review: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen] on Cinematical.com</ref> Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune said "the first, comparatively lucid ''Transformers'' was a headache, but I sort of enjoyed it....''Revenge of the Fallen'' is more like listening to rocks in a clothes dryer for 2½ hours." <ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-tc-mov-transformers-0623-0624jun23,0,7350387.story 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel] on chicagotribune.com </ref> Roger Ebert went back for more in a second article, declaring not only that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was awful, but that it'd [[Ruined FOREVER|ruined action films FOREVER]]. <ref>[http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/06/the_fall_of_the_revengers.html "The Fall of the Revengers"] on suntimes.com</ref>

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' poised itself quickly as a blockbuster maelstrom. It grossed $16 million in its opening midnight showings alone, an all-time record for Wednesday openings and a second-best for openings on any day of the week behind ''The Dark Knight''. After the full Wednesday was over, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had grossed $55 million in domestic ticket sales, surpassing the previous Wednesday release record, held by ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', by over $10 million. <ref> [http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1614673/story.jhtml 'Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen' Breaks Wednesday Box-Office Record] on MTV.com</ref> By the end of the first five days, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had taken an estimated $201.2 million in the United States, just shy of ''The Dark Knight's'' record $203.8 million 5-day US total. In the same period, international markets took in $186.1 million, bringing the 5-day worldwide total to $387.3 million.<ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2601&p=.htm BoxOfficeMojo.com - Weekend Report: ‘Revenge of the Fallen' Rises with Optimal Debut, June 28, 2009]</ref>

==Trivia==
*The official title of the film is ''Revenge of the Fallen'' (with a lower-case "t" in "the") even though it is apparently referring to [[The Fallen]] (with a capital "T" in "The").
*Leo's room features posters for [[Wikipedia:Naruto|Naruto]], [[Wikipedia:Cloverfield|Cloverfield]], and [[Wikipedia:Bad Boys 2|Bad Boys 2]].
*During the scenes set in and around the deli in NYC, posters for the bands [[Wikipedia:Catch 22 (band)|Catch Twenty-Two]] and [[wikipedia:Voodoo Glow Skulls|Voodoo Glow Skulls]] are prominently featured.
*[[Frank Welker]] dubbed [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] not only in English but also in Italian, as a result, in the Italian edition of the movie Soundwave speaks with a strange, foreign accent.

==Transformers references==
In addition to carryovers from the previous film, various concepts and characters are derived from previous iterations of Transformers:
* The whole concept of "Transformers disguised as a human" used for [[Alice]] is inspired by the [[Pretender]]s. Roberto Orci even used the term "Pretender" during an interview before the movie release. However, a Transformer with an "organic" alt-mode instead of an external shell is a concept more reminiscent of the [[Beast Era]].
* The Generation 1 iteration of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] is frequently portrayed as switching from Decepticon to Autobot (he's usually a young and technologically up-to-the-minute 'bot, however.)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his ejectible minion [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] both have Generation 1 counterparts. Movie Soundwave even has the same voice actor as 1984 cartoon Soundwave, using the same voice, though without the synthetic vocal processing that made the cartoon voice so distinctive.
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] bears little physical resemblance to his Generation 1 namesake, but is a vaguely similar character archetype, and he ''does'' have that characteristic door armor hanging from his elbows.
* Generation 1 [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was the first female Transformer with a starring role, and was likewise a pink-colored girlbot. The idea of Arcee the pink girlbot as a motorcycle dates back to ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the combined form of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]], was the first [[combiner]] robot in Generation 1.
* The characters are new, but the names "[[Mudflap]]", "[[Skids]]", "[[Jolt]]", "[[Rampage]]" and "[[Wheelie]]" are not. Likewise for the concept of "[[Seeker]]s".
* Prime dying and coming back to life has been done [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|times beyond counting]].
* Prime combining with another 'bot to increase his power (and often gain flight capabilities) is a trope that has occurred in many recent Transformers series (''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', ''Energon'', ''Cybertron''.) In ''Armada'', a different [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was his most frequent combination partner. This is the first time the other 'bot had to die for it to happen, though.
* The Fallen is based on a comic book character that made his debut in the 2004 miniseries [[The War Within: The Dark Ages]]. In fact, according to Hasbro, he is the ''exact'' same character!
* The [[Matrix of Leadership]] is one of the franchise's oldest MacGuffins.
* [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] (mentioned though never seen) is the Transformers' power source in numerous incarnations, beginning with the original cartoon.
* Though it is almost certainly not an actual ''reference'' (it's a pretty generic and predictable sci-fi trope), the [[solar harvester]] is quite similar in function to the [[Solar Needle]] from the Generation 1 episode "[[Changing Gears]]", sucking energy from the [[Sun]] to produce energon. Both devices would have destroyed the Sun if allowed to fulfill their function.
* The same is true for Sam having Cybertronian knowledge pumped directly into his brain via a sacred Transformer talisman, which is reminiscent of [[Buster Witwicky]]'s similar situation in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] G1 comics.

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
On may 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> [[Megan Fox]] had already been confirmed for the first of those sequels twelve days eaerlier<ref name="foxcon">[http://www.mtvmoviesblog.com/2007/05/18/megan-fox-confirmed-for-transformers-sequel/ MTV confirming Megan Fox for the sequel]</ref>, while [[Shia LaBeouf]] had already confirmed his participation in an–at that time still theoretical–sequel in November 2006.<ref name="shias">Rebecca Murray: [http://movies.about.com/od/bobby/a/bobbysl111006_4.htm Interview with Shia LaBeouf from 2006, confirming his participation in a theoretical sequel]</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]], meanwhile, only once briefly questioned his involvement in a sequel in August 2007, when [[Paramount Pictures]] announced that ''Transformers'' would be released on HD DVD, but not on Blu-ray Disc.<ref name="bayhd">[http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/08/21/michael-bay-responds-to-paramounts-abandonment-of-blu-ray-no/ One of many sites reporting Michael Bay's announcement that he would not direct the sequel if the first movie wouldn't be released on Blu-ray]. Bay deleted his original post after changing his mind.</ref> Bay quickly changed his mind, however, and Paramount would later release the first movie on Blu-ray anyway, after the HD DVD had been abandoned.

In September of 2007, Paramount officially announced the first sequel for June 2009.<ref name="reldat">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972852.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 Variety reporting Paramount's official announcement of the first sequel]</ref> Bay was given a budget of $200 million, and ultimately managed to come in $4 million below that.<ref name="showest">[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/11461/tcid/1 Michael Bay talking the ''Transformers'' sequel at ShoWest“]</ref>

The ''Transformers'' screenwriters, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], initially hesitated writing the sequel, but ultimately had a change of mind.<ref name="sciforc">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talking to Sci Fi Wire.]</ref> In October 2007, [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as a third writer, who, according to Kurtzman, brought in a "fresh perspective"<ref name="kickoff">[http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/14/kicking-off-2009-with-writers-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-two-transformers-2/ Another interview with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci]</ref>, and who reportedly impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref> For the movie, orci and Kurtzman searched the various ''Transformers'' comics and cartoons for "the most elemental bad guy", and eventually found one in [[The Fallen]].<ref name="sciforc"/>

In addition to that, they wanted to include many things in the sequel that hadn't made it into the first movie, including the Decepticon [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. Likewise, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had initially been intended to be used in the first movie, but for fear of confusion with the ''Matrix'' movies, the cube had been renamed into [[All Spark]]. In return, the Matrix in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' bears more resemblance to the ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Matrix.

{{cleanup|June 25, 2009}}
* In an interview with BANG! Showbiz, Shia LeBouf stated that the injuries he suffered in his recent vehicular collision were written into the script and did not adversely affect the filming schedule.<ref name="TheList2008">[http://www.list.co.uk/article/10788-shia-labeoufs-transformers-hand/ The List 1 August 2008]</ref>
* Also on January 29, 2009, Simon Furman commented on MTV Movie Blog about how the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] wouldn't fit very well into the movie's universe, and that he is glad they were dropped from the cast very early in development.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/01/29/no-dinobots-in-transformers-2-revenge-of-the-fallen-original-film-consultant-explains-why/ MTV Movie Blog interview with Simon Furman, January 29, 2009.]</ref>
* Michael Bay stated in interview with ''The Collider'' that he obtained permission to film in Egypt by contacting [[Zahi Hawass]], secretary general of Egypt's council of antiquities, who turned out to be a fan of the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie.<ref>[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 The Collider article and video interview with Michael Bay, February 9, 2009]</ref>
* In an interview with Sci Fi Wire on March 31st, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman said they had looked through the comics and cartoons for the "most elemental bad guy" that "jumped off the material" and found that in the Fallen. They also stated that due to production necessities (Hasbro and Bay needing characters for scenes and design to begin as soon as possible) and the 2008-2009 Writers Strike, some characters were in their initial treatment while others were designed specifically for the movie production, and that due to the overall numbers of robots, the audience would not get to know all of the Transformers closely. Indeed, Orci and Kurtzman referred to some characters via descriptors such "Volt" (Jolt) and "Wheelbot" (Demolishor). They also confirmed that Nimoy was open to playing the Fallen if the role was offered, and that they were in the middle of hashing it out with Frank Welker over a role in the movie, but the final decision was down to Bay.<ref name="scifiwireMarch2009">[http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-reveal-tran.php SciFi Wire March 2009 interview with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman]</ref>
* On the MTV Movies blog, Michael Bay reported that they were still doing for the voices for the film, and that he was (jokingly) nervous of asking his relative Leonard Nimoy if he wanted to voice The Fallen in the movie for fear of offending him with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref>[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer'', MTV.com Movies blog, April 21, 2009]</ref>
* In a June 22nd article in Forbes (released online on June 4th), Michael Bay talked about his philosphy in movie-making, his demand of part-ownership of movies he makes, and the revelation that he receives an 8% cut of all toy sales from the ''Transformers'' movies.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0622/celebrity-09-transformers-michael-bay-making-movies-enemies-money.html Michael Bay article on Forbes.com June 4, 2009]</ref>
* On June 8th, 2009, the movie had its world premiere in Japan. Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Isabel Lucas and Ramon Rodriguez attended.<ref>[http://www.michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/47a23fdbb6ddc8ece6a0a6c87ccc2bbe-499.html Japanese Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 8, 2009]</ref>. Other countries such as South Korea<ref>[http://www.michaelbay.com/newsblog/files/f7a7af7e754cfa877a635b95d8908eea-506.html Korean Premiere photos at Michael Bay.com, June 9, 2009]</ref>, the United Kingdom and Germany followed over the course of the next few days.
===Disinformation===
{{cleanup|June 25, 2009}}
* Michael Bay has claimed that the studio is putting out deliberate misinformation, to obscure real leaks.<ref>[http://io9.com/382919/michael-bay-plays-internet-punkd Michael Bay Plays Internet Punk'd]</ref> (Like our jobs weren't hard enough.)
* During San Diego Comic-Con 2008, in an interview on July 25th, [[Simon Furman]] claimed that the film would feature a character called [[The Fallen]], which was a character they created for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[The War Within: The Dark Ages]]''<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17412 Simon Furman confirms The Fallen is a character in an interview with Comic Book Resources]</ref> Three days later, [[IDW Publishing]] writer [[Chris Mowry]] corroborated the claim in an interview with MTV Splash Page, calling "The Fallen" the main villain of ''Revenge'' ([[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was also confirmed in the same interview, but the reference to her was mysteriously removed shortly after publication). <ref>[http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/07/28/exclusive-transformers-2-prequel-comic-gives-inside-scoop-on-2009-movie/ MTV Splash Page interviews Chris Mowry]</ref> Less than a week after this, however, Michael Bay reiterated that everything leaked thus far is part of their misinformation campaign and that only a handful of people involved with the production of ''Revenge'' have seen the script, contradicting IDW's interviews where their representatives confirm that they have the script. Additionally, Bay claimed the only truth about the film was Sam going to college.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=44729&postcount=2 A post made by Michael Bay on his forum]</ref> Curiously, on August 5th 2008, after a fan posted on Michael Bay's forum pointing out the contradiction, all references to the Fallen were removed from the aforementioned interviews, as well as any references to IDW Publishing having the script.
* ''Empire'' magazine's February 2009 issue features information on the role of the Egyptian Pyramids in the Movieverse's backstory. Michael Bay also confirmed The Fallen and denied Megatron would be resurrected (this later turned out to be untrue). Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics resembling helicopters will be revealed to be depictions of Transformers who visited Earth before the pyramids were built.<ref name="EmpireFeb2009">''Empire'' article entitled "20 to watch in 2009", written by Nick de Semelyn, dated February 2009, pages 68 and 69, issue 236</ref>
* After a short and poorly excuted "misinformation campaign" on the part of Michael Bay, Paramount and their licensees where they claimed that Megatron was not in the movie despite all ''officially released'' evidence to the contrary (including Megatron's brief appearance in the February 1 Superbowl tv spot and the February teaser trailer), Roberto Orci confirmed that Megatron does indeed return.<ref name="Megatron returns">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-211.html#post3333713 Roberto Orci confirms Megatron's return on TFW2005.com - February 22, 2009]</ref>
* On March 6, due to the reports of Weaving's return, Michael Bay finally admitted Megatron was back, but claimed that Megatron would only appear briefly in a flashback to the past, despite the fact Megatron can be seen pinning Sam Witwicky to the ground in ''Revenge's'' tv spot and teaser trailer. One can assume that the director was trying to salvage some form of audience surprise in seeing Megatron return in the movie. In other news of a presumably legitimate kind, Bay said that the movie would go into the distant past and explain the history of the [[Prime]]s.<ref>[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showpost.php?p=66825&postcount=4 Michael Bay on his forum - March 6, 2009]</ref>

==Errors==
*Bumblebee picks up Sam at a frat party in the evening. He then takes him to a graveyard where it's daytime.

*During Sam's campus freakout, when he drops his notes on the steps, a blonde woman in a suit can be seen coming down the steps to his left, nearly reaching him. However, when the camera angle shifts, the woman is suddenly at the top of the stairs again.

*On the sonar, there are "five contacts" diving down to Megatron's location, and "six contacts" going up after his resurrection. Since one Constructicon was killed to repair Megatron, shouldn't there be only five contacts going up as well? Keep in mind, Scalpel is too small to register on sonar, but Ravage is just large enough.

*When the [[Wikipedia:USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)|USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'']] is sunk by Decepticon [[transition form]]s, the hull number of 74 can clearly be seen.{{fact}} CVN-74 belongs to the [[Wikipedia:USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)|USS ''John C. Stennis'']], a carrier that shows up later in the film and was also the carrier used for filming.

*Simmons has [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy's]] head in a glass case, but Frenzy's head was shattered completely in the previous film.

*When Jetfire is activated at the [[Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]] (actually the [[Wikipedia:Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center|Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]], an annex of the Smithsonian) in Washington, he leaves the exhibition center and exits into the desert location of the [[Wikipedia:309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (aka The Boneyard)]], which is in Tuscon, Arizona. When Jetfire breaks out of the building, we can see a composited image of the Boneyard's rows of planes, so it's arguable that in this universe the middle of Washington DC happens to be a desert full of old planes, and no buildings and uh... heh heh. Given that this and the Transformers are the ''only'' changes between this universe and ours, that's a stretch.

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com Dreamworks/Paramount's ''Transformers'' Movie website]
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/ Hasbro's ''Transformers'' homepage]
*[http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/10866/tcid/1 Interview with Michael Bay 02/09/2009] — Collider.com

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

[[Category:Films]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]