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Devastation issue 1

2010-02-08T07:56:19Z

Ronstar: Added easter egg

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[Devastation (IDW)|The Transformers: Devastation]]'' #1
|prev=Escalation issue 6
|next=Devastation issue 2
|image=Devastation 1a.jpg
|caption=Well, what do we have here?
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 3]], [[2007]]
|coverdate=September 2007
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[E. J. Su]]
|colors by=[[Zac Atkinson]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Dan Taylor]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Devastation]]
}}

'''As the Autobots discover their base is compromised, Megatron ups the stakes.'''

== Synopsis ==
In examining the data storage device that Verity swiped from Rogue-1, Nightbeat discovers a high-tech tracking device. He sends Bumblebee to scout the Lake Michigan area and he reports that they are surrounded with surveillance equipment. Nightbeat recommends moving the ''[[Ark-19]]'' and Optimus Prime agrees. Hot Rod (who has been reformatted into an Earth car) and Wheeljack receive word from Ratchet that [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] is scheduled to be crushed in a compactor, so they rush to rescue him.

Megatron briefs Sixshot that he wants the Autobots eliminated. Sixshot is confused, believing it to be too early for [[Siege mode|Phase Six]] but Megatron doesn't care—he just wants the job done. The other Decepticons seem to think that Megatron has lost it and is destroying their efforts at infiltration but are unwilling to confront him. Astrotrain and Blitzwing later go to consult with Starscream, who is being repaired in a [[CR chamber]].

Skywatch has reprogrammed Ravage and plans to use him to track down the other Transformers.

Sideswipe interrupts a transmission between Hound and Optimus Prime and states that with [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] gone, they should be assisting the Autobots on Earth. Hound apologizes for Sideswipe's outburst, but Optimus agrees, giving the order for Hound's unit to travel to Earth and assigning [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] to supervise the decommissioning of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s base.

The Autobots plan to move the ''Ark-19'' to the [[Gulf of Mexico]], but they are reported on by Ratbat, who informs Megatron. Megatron sends Sixshot to destroy the Autobots, and he blasts a hole in the ''Ark-19'', sending it down over Knoxville, Tennessee.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (24)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (10)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (21)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (18)
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (1)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (4)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (20)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (11)
|c2=
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (15)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (22)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (13)
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (25)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (17)
* [[Runabout]] (6)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (7)
* [[Sixshot]] (14)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (16)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (23)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (8)
|c3=
* [[Verity Carlo]] (9)
* [[Jimmy Pink]] (19)
* [[Stoker|"Rogue-1"]] (5)
}}

== Errors ==
* On page 18 the car doors on Nightbeat's hands are wrong way.

== Items of note ==
* When Ravage is released from his crate, the operator's computer reads the word "BINALTECH" at the top of the screen.
* Thunderwing was abducted from Hound's unit in ''[[Spotlight: Galvatron]]''.
* Ratbat has his familiar "bat" mode, unlike how he appeared in ''[[Megatron Origin]]''. However his alternate mode is not a cassette, likely due to the fact that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] had been missing for over a decade. Originally thought to be a portable CD player, E.J. Su revealed he's actually a Sony Mylo MP3 player.[http://ej-su.deviantart.com/art/Ratbat-Concept-104748256?offset=10 (1)] [[All Hail Megatron|At least until Shane McCarthy got ahold of him]].
* Hardhead appears to have been reformatted into an heavy gun-armed Earth APC.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Bumblebee discovering the [[Machination]]'s spying equipment on the shores of [[Lake Michigan]], art by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Cover B''': Prime, Ratchet, Verity and Jimmy with the ''[[Ark-19]]''; art by [[Nick Roche]].
* '''Cover RI''': Sketch cover (black and white of cover B)
<gallery>
Image:Devastation 1a.jpg|Bumblebee's headlights are on. Must be cold out.
Image:Devastation 1b.jpg|Can someone get these kids some new clothes?
Image:Devastation 1ri.jpg|RI Cover
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[Devastation issue 2|''Devastation'' #2]] (2 pages plus a 3-page black and white sketch preview)
* ''[[The Transformers Cover Gallery Book 2]]''
* Transformers movie toys (3 pages)
* CGC Grading, feat. Grimlock
* ''[[Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron]]''
* ''[[The Ascending|Beast Wars: The Ascending]]'' (back cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Megatron Origin issue 1

2010-01-09T08:39:03Z

Ronstar: /* Synopsis */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Megatron Origin|The Transformers: Megatron Origin]] #1
|next=Megatron Origin issue 2
|image=MO 1 a.jpg
|caption=How ya like me now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 20]], 2007
|coverdate=May 2007
|written by=[[Eric Holmes]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|color assist by=[[Zac Atkinson]]
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Megatron Origin]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
}}
'''A working-class miner accidentally kills some other guy in anger.'''

==Synopsis==
Senator Decimus and his assistant are hesitant to attend a formal ceremony on [[Mining Outpost C-12]], but they do it anyway because those are the rules. Decimus holds disdain for the personnel who operate the [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] mines, and understands why they must be replaced.

During the assembly, he announces the replacement of the working class, but makes sure to mention that the laborers will not be left without jobs. The crowd responds angrily to their replacement, led by one particularly angry bot with blue eyes, but for his protests, this bot is executed by an Autobot security official.

The crowd is silenced at this display of force, and Megatron fights back against the oppression by tossing his axe into Decimus' shoulder. Before the security officer can react, Megatron tackles and disarms him. The two struggle, and in the ensuing fight, Megatron accidentally kills his opponent.

With one Autobot down, the rest of the miners get into an open rumble against the Autobots. However thanks to superior firepower, the Autobots are able to knock out all their foes.

Later, Megatron awakens aboard a prison vessel. Because of the violence he and his fellows engaged in, all the surviving miners are arrested, en route to [[Penal Facility H-3]] "The Rig". But the miners (including Rumble and Frenzy) take over their ship (the ''[[Longshot]]''). The ''Longshot'' blasts the ship containing Senator Decimus and heads towards [[Kaon]], a hive of villainy and scum easily defined as wretched, where the miners hide and plot.

Sentinel Prime's target practice is interrupted by Prowl with news of the incident in space. The Prime is uninterested in the dealings and appoints Prowl to handle the situation.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* Autobot security official (5)
* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (8)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (9)

|c2=
* The Decepticon faction does not yet exist

|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Decimus|Senator Decimus]] (2)
* Decimus' assistant (3)
* Outspoken miner (4)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (6)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (7)

}}
==Quotes==
"What…" 
"What… did I…" 
"No… Nonono…" 
"Oh ''no''."
:— '''Megatron''', possibly regretting taking the first Autobot life in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]].

"That was… unintentional. I shouldn't be here."
:— '''Megatron''' is a ''BIG SOFTIE.''

==Items of note==
* Kaon was previously established in [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[The War Within]]''.
* When Frenzy attempts to enlist Megatron's aid in escaping their imprisonment on the ''Longshot'', Megatron makes it clear that the violence he dealt during the mine revolt was unintentional (and indeed, he was remorseful). Yet on the next page, after he is freed, Megatron seems to be quite willing to beat the living daylights out of the security guard on the ship.

===Covers (3)===
{{picsneeded|Cover RI}}
* '''Cover A:''' Megatron with pickax by [[Alex Milne]] (pencils) and [[Josh Perez]] (colors)
* '''Cover B:''' Megatron smashing security guard by [[Marcelo Matere]] (pencils) and [[Andrew Elder]] (colors)
* '''Cover RI-A:''' Cover A, uncolored

<gallery>
Image:MO 1 a.jpg|
Image:MO 1 b.jpg|Oops, I dropped my glass of grape juice!
Image:MO-1 RI.jpg|
</gallery>
===Advertisements===
* [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]
* [[Movie Prequel (2007)|Movie Prequel]] comic
* Transformers posters
* 2-page ad for the ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'' movie comic adaptation
* Manga-sized collections of [[Stormbringer (comics)|''Stormbringer'']] and [[The Gathering|''Beast Wars: The Gathering'']]
* IDW trade paperbacks (''[[Infiltration]]'', ''Stormbringer'', ''The Gathering'', ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'', ''[[War and Peace]]'', ''[[Generations (comic reprints)|Generations]]''
* ''[[Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron]]''
* ''[[Transformers Cover Gallery Book 2]]''
* ''Star Trek: Year Four''
* [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' film]] (back cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

On the Edge of Extinction!

2009-12-15T08:32:07Z

Ronstar: clarity

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[The_Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #75
|prev=The_Void! (US)
|next=Still_Life!
|seriesissue2=[[The_Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #319-322
|prev2=The_Void! (US)
|next2=Still_Life!
|title="On the Edge of Extinction!"
|image=MarvelUS-75.jpg
|caption=OM NOM NOM NOM NOM
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=December 1990
|coverdate=February 1991
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|artist=[[Geoff Senior]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Unicron drops by for a light lunch.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Tastybrainstorm.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The in-between meals snack that won't ruin your appetite!]]
With [[Unicron]] looming over the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the assembled [[Transformer|Transformers]] flee in a blind panic. The dark god rips into the planet's surface, sampling its metal (and Brainstorm) and declaring it "succulent".

Primus — still possessing the form of Emirate Xaaron — urges Prime and Scorponok to calm their warriors and unite them in battle against the Chaos-Bringer, but even the two leaders are overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of their foe. Primus himself initiates an attack on Unicron — but the dark god sees through what is essentially a ruse, and destroys Xaaron.

[[Image:Xaaronpossessed.jpg|left|125px|thumb|"Eat me, and I'll shred the roof of your mouth!"]]
Galvatron blasts Unicron at full power; while it does virtually no damage, it does what Galvatron had hoped — inspires the Transformers to stand and fight. Soon a planet-wide battle is raging; many Transformers are killed in the fighting, most notably Scorponok, who makes a final stand to live up to his legacy as a [[Decepticon]] warrior. The [[Neo-Knights]] also attempt to engage, but their powers are no match for Unicron, and Circuit Breaker remains catatonic, despite G.B. Blackrock's attempts to revive her.

[[Image:Edgeofextinction-someonefight.jpg|right|200px|thumb|How do the physics of this even work??]]
Reinforcements arrive in the form of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which is filled with [[Autobot|Autobots]] reactivated by the [[Nucleon]] retrieved by Grimlock. Grimlock has the ship sideswipe Unicron, damaging it and forcing them to abandon it in flight.

As Prime struggles to keep his [[Powermaster]] bond from coming apart, the tainted Creation Matrix suddenly arrives at Cybertron, with the possessed Thunderwing at its core. The Matrix confronts its old foe, Unicron. But with its virtuous nature stripped away, the Matrix no longer has any advantage over Unicron, who unleashes a power burst that tears Thunderwing limb from limb and devastates the surface of Cybertron. As the blast passes, Prime spots the Matrix.

[[Image:Circuitbreakervsunicron.jpg|left|125px|thumb|Consequence of the "Dine-and-Dash".]]
Tiring of the battle, Unicron reverts to his planet mode and prepares to devour Cybertron entirely. But as he begins, he is blasted by the revived Circuit Breaker, who pours every bit of her power at him in an insane rage. The distraction gives Prime enough time to reach the Matrix. His mind free from doubt, he reclaims it, purges it of darkness, and plunges it — and himself — into Unicron's maw. Overloaded with "terrible, wonderful life", Unicron explodes while the survivors on Cybertron's surface look on in awe.

Some while after the battle, Battletrap and Runabout are walking somewhere on Cybertron. Runabout goes to investigate some movement in the shadows. He is promptly snatched underground by a clawed hand and, as observed by a hidden Hi-Q, devoured.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Cloudburst]] (8)
* [[Brainstorm]] (9)
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (20)
* [[Siren]] (21)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (22)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (23)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (24)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (27)
* [[Waverider]] (30)
* [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] (31)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (32)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (33)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (34)
|c2=
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (1)
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (4)
* [[Octopunch]] (5)
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (7)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Galvatron II]] (17)
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (18)
* [[Darkwing]] (19)
* [[Finback]] (25)
* [[Misfire]] (26)
* [[Bomb-Burst]] (28)
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (29)
* [[Battletrap]] (37)
* [[Runabout]] (38)
|c3=
* [[Thunderpunch]] (12)
* [[Circuit Breaker]] (13)
* [[Dynamo]] (14)
* [[Rapture]] (15)
* [[G.B. Blackrock]] (16)
|h4=[[Nebulos|Nebulans]]|c4=
* [[Hi-Q]] (36)
|c5=
* [[Primus]]/[[Emirate Xaaron]] (2)
* [[Unicron]] (6)
* [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]/[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (35)
* A [[Demon]] (39)
}}

==Errors==
* There are, of course, the errors of [[scale]] typically associated with the supposedly planet-sized Unicron.

==Items of note==
* When Primus is killed when it inhabits Xaaron's body, it's ''Scorponok'' who screams out Xaaron's name in shock and Optimus who calls out for Primus (despite being an old comrade of Xaaron's).
* While Primus is outright said to be [[death|dead deadity dead]], the [[Primus#Fleer and DK|later retcon]] of the Primus/Unicron plan would say he isn't.
* Among hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of Transformers... Circuit Breaker's the only being on the planet who can manipulate electricity? [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] hadn't been seen in donkey's years and may have been [[Dark Star (issue)|long dead]], so this isn't as jarring as it could have been.
* Grimlock's (shown) reinforcements are the same cast as [[Earthforce]], more or less.
* Those apparently killed in this issue include Brainstorm, Xaaron, Cloudburst, Highbrow, Finback, Misfire, Hardhead, Bomb-Burst, Joyride, Waverider, Scorponok, Thunderwing, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], and Runabout.
:It's "apparently" because Joyride and Mindwipe show up alive and well in ''[[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2]]''. Quake, who was with Joyride and Waverider when they were blasted, is not shown getting hit — and is fine just a couple of issues later.
* The next issue's opening page would reveal several more deceased Transformers: [[Apeface]], [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], [[Hosehead]], and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (who nevertheless appeared in ''Generation 2'' long enough to die again.) Prime's gruesome fate would be revealed as well, as he was still within Unicron during the explosion.
* Most of the surviving Transformers, including [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Prowl, Wheeljack, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and Jazz show up in the [[Action Master]]s line. While most never transform after this issue, Prowl clearly retains his ability to do so.
* ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay]] are found after the main story.

===References===
* The grand battle with Unicron concludes a storyline that began way back in issue [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]].
* Grimlock's reinforcements were fueled with Nucleon in the previous issue.

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-75.jpg|'''US issue #75''' - Cybertron - with delicious crunchy filling!
Image:MarvelUK-319.JPG|'''UK issue #319''' - UK Cybertron - strawberry flavoured.
Image:MarvelUK-320.jpg|'''UK issue #320''' - I can hear the fangirls crying...
Image:MarvelUK-321.jpg|'''UK issue #321''' - "Wasn't me guv, it was that big orange guy with horns."
Image:MarvelUK-322.jpg|'''UK issue #322''' - Come on, how ''awesome'' is this?
</gallery>

* '''US issue #75 cover:''' Unicron devouring Cybertron by [[Geoff Senior]].
* '''UK issue #319 cover:''' recolored version of U.S. cover by [[Robin Bouttell]].
* '''UK issue #320 cover:''' Unicron destroying Xaaron by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]].
* '''UK issue #321 cover:''' Optimus Prime and the defeated Scorponok by Stewart Johnson.
* '''UK issue #322 cover:''' Prime entering Unicron with the Matrix by Stewart Johnson.

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

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

Enemy Action!

2009-11-29T06:26:33Z

Ronstar: puncuation

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #152–153
|prev=The Legacy of Unicron!
|next=Toy Soldiers!
|title=Enemy Action!
|image=MarvelUK-152.jpg
|caption=Galvatron auditions for a part in Jaws 5.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|coverdate=13th February 1988 - 20th February 1988
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|pencils=[[Jeff Anderson]]
|inks=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colours=[[Steve White]]
|letters=[[Gary Gilbert|Glib]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Shockwave hastily attacks Galvatron and plays right into the future Decepticon's hands.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MarvelUK 152 Seacons.JPG|left|300px|thumb|In the navy/Yes, you can sail the seven seas]]
Having recently escaped from his entombment in [[Mount Verona]], Galvatron approaches the Decepticons' island base, causing Shockwave to fear for his position as leader. Against Soundwave’s recommendation he unleashes the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] who have recently arrived on Earth to fortify the base. They attack Galvatron, much to the future Decepticon’s amusement.

Meanwhile on the surface the [[Sparkabot|Sparkabots]], on Springer’s orders, have been tracking Galvatron since his escape from the volcano. As they plan what action to take they are attacked by the [[Firecon|Firecons]] who have been sent to Earth to forge an alliance between Galvatron and the Decepticons on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Firecons.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The new Monster Olympics gets off to a good start.]]
Galvatron makes short work of the Seacons even when they combine to form [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]. Shockwave begins to fear that he has made a terrible mistake by attacking Galvatron so hastily and he gathers the Decepticons together, ready to fight Galvatron. Much to Shockwave’s horror and surprise when Galvatron enters the base he informs the Decepticons that he had come in peace to form an alliance. But now because Shockwave chose to attack him he is now their enemy.

Galvatron then leaves Shockwave to deal with his angry troops. His plan had always been to undermine Shockwave’s leadership so that the Decepticons would ultimately welcome him when he later takes control.

As he comes out of the ocean Galvatron is approached by the Firecons with an offer of an alliance. He laughs the suggestion off and leaves the Firecons and Sparkabots alone on the beach. Shockwave decides that what he needs is an expendable weapon and begins his search for Megatron.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]] (11)
* [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] (12)
* [[Fizzle]] (13)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (14)
|c2=
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (1)
* [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (2)
* [[Skalor]] (3)
* [[Overbite (G1)|Jawbreaker]] (4)
* [[Nautilator]] (5)
* [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (6)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (7)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (8)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] (10)
* [[Sparkstalker]] (15)
* [[Cindersaur]] (16)
* [[Flamefeather]] (17)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (18)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (19)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (20)
* [[Drag Strip]] (21)
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (22)
}}

==Quotes==
"What '''is''' this? Shockwave sends '''fish''' against me? Does he expect me to '''laugh''' myself to death?" 
"Laugh this off, Galvatron! No-one badmouths Skalor and lives!" 
''Galvatron slugs Skalor'' 
"Sadly, that is no longer the case!"
:—'''Galvatron''' makes '''Skalor''' look like a tool.

==Errors==
* Fizzle and Sizzle's colour schemes were reversed so that Fizzle appeared in red and Sizzle in blue.
* Snaptrap's name is consistently spelt as two words—Snap Trap.
* Flamefeather's chest gains a feathered pattern between parts 1 and 2.

==Items of note==
* First appearance of the Seacons.
* First appearance of the Sparkabots.
* First appearance of the Firecons. Did Hasbro UK order [[To sell toys|all this product placement]] at once?
* The Seacon known as Jawbreaker in the comic was released as a toy under the name of Overbite. A letters page later clarified that Shockwave arbitrarily renamed Jawbreaker "Overbite" when he arrived on Earth, but that everyone still called him Jawbreaker.
* Shockwave is a jerk.
* For some reason the Sparkabots are here referred to as the Sparkler Mini-Bots.
* Following the demise of the UK ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|Action Force]]'' (G.I. Joe) comic after 50 issues, ''Transformers'' issue #153 saw the comic start to reprint US G.I. Joe stories as the regular back-up strip. The comic's name was changed to ''The Transformers and Action Force''.
* Additionally the ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' strip was replaced by ''Action Force'''s ''[[Combat Colin]]''.

==Back-Up Stories==
'''Issue #152:'''
* [[Iron Man]] - "Stratosfire" Part 7
* [[Robo-Capers]]

'''Issue #153:'''
* [[G.I. Joe (team)|Action Force]] - "Slaughter" Part 1
* [[Combat Colin]]

==Reprints==
* This story was reprinted in [[Collected Comics (Marvel)|Collected Comics]] #14. A printing error resulted in the inversion of the colours on page five of part two.

* It was reprinted again by [[Titan Books]] in 2003 as part of their "[[The Legacy of Unicron!|Legacy of Unicron]]" trade paperback. The colours were correct this time.

==Covers==
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUK-152.jpg|'''Issue #152 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-153.jpg|'''Issue #153 cover'''
Image:TitanLoU.jpg|'''Legacy of Unicron TPB cover'''
</gallery>
* '''Issue #152 cover:''' Galvatron battles the Seacons, by [[Lee Sullivan]].
* '''Issue #153 cover:''' Action Force burst into the comic, by Lee Sullivan.
* '''Collected Comics #14 cover:''' Re-use of issue #152 cover, by Lee Sullivan.
* '''Legacy of Unicron TPB cover:''' [[Unicron]]'s head vs. [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] & [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], by [[Geoff Senior]] & [[Oliver Harud]].

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Brick (term)

2009-05-12T01:00:48Z

Ronstar: fixed spelling

{{disambig2|the fan term for a poorly articulated toy. For the US singer in the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel comics]] story [[Rock and Roll-Out!]]|Brick Springstern}}
[[Image:G1Battletrap toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I left my arms back at the office!]]
'''A brick''' is a fan term, usually derogatory, to describe a [[Toy|Transformers toy]] that has particularly low [[articulation]]. Most examples of bricks tend to be smaller toys that have been given limited articulation to keep costs down. The [[Throttlebot|Throttlebots]] and the [[Duocon|Duocons]] are prime examples. Some larger toys, however, can also be described as bricks, such as [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Powermaster Optimus Prime]].

Due to the limitations of the toy technology of the time, bricks are usually molds originating in [[Generation 1|Generations 1]] and [[Generation 2|2]]; however, some more modern toys such as [[Optimus Prime (Armada) toys|''Armada'' Super Optimus Prime]] have earned the same description. When modern toys are bricks, it is usually because a [[gimmick]] of some sort makes it difficult to add more articulation.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Toy

2009-05-12T00:41:11Z

Ronstar: Updated store list

[[Image:Armada airmilitaryteam toys.jpg|right|350px|thumb|The Air Military Team from Armada. The gimmicks: micro-size, ability to "powerlinx" with larger toys, triple-changing, being awesome.]]
In contrast to most science fiction franchises, '''toys''' are the core of the [[Transformers brand]], its original reason for being. Most ''Transformers'' fiction exists to showcase, spotlight, promote, and, in general, [[To sell toys|sell toys]]. Merchandise and other non-transforming "artifacts" also generally exist in support of the toy lines.

''Transformers'' toys are generally created and marketed as part of a particular "[[franchise]]" (i.e. ''[[Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the retroactively-named [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] etc.), a whole merchandising family with associated characters and fiction. However, this article deals with the physical toys themselves, separate from their representation as fictional characters.

Since the brand debuted in 1984, innumerable Transformer toys have been designed, manufactured and marketed. An exact count is difficult due to the varied nature of the toys (for example, does a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] robot and its partner mini-figure count as one Transformer or two? What about minor [[Retool|retools]] and [[Running change|running changes]]?). But even conservative estimates by collectors tend to run into the low thousands.

==Design==
[[Image:Concept-ArmadaMegatron.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Where the hell do you KEEP that enormous cannon, Megatron?]]
Most Transformers are designed as a joint venture between [[Hasbro]] in America, and [[TakaraTomy]] (previously Takara) in Japan. Hasbro typically provides concepts and artistic direction, while Takara(Tomy) handles the engineering tasks of turning the designs into working physical objects. This division of labor is not cut-and-dried, however; the process involves a great deal of back-and-forth communication between the two companies, with staff members from both working in close conjunction and corresponding on a daily basis. The teams travel overseas several times a year to meet in person, alternating between Japan and Rhode Island. The relationship has grown closer and more intense over the years; the two companies now plan their futures together, compromising along the way to meet the differing requirements of their target markets; this includes not only to toy designs, but associated storylines as well. <ref name="stoneb">[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/tidbits/botcon2005.txt Steve-o Stonebraker's Botcon 2005 notes]</ref>

[[Image:Classics cosmos concept.gif|right|200px|thumb|Design concepts for an unproduced Classics Cosmos. If Hasbro makes this, fans will have their babies.]]
The toy design process begins with a range of character types and possible alternate modes. In the days of ''Beast Wars'', for example, a range of about 100 animal forms was considered.<ref name="built1">[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html A guy on the Internet]</ref>

Nearly all ''Transformers'' toys have a minimum of two forms, most commonly a humanoid "robot" form and an [[alternate mode]]. This means that even a fairly simple Transformer is much more complex than the typical [[action figure]]. Multiple alternate modes, [[articulation]], and complex transformations can multiply this many times over. TakaraTomy works out the transformation schemes; as of 2002, Takara still did this on paper. Hasbro would then overlay their detailing designs on the drawings. The entire process of taking a toy from concept to finished, mass-produced product takes approximately one year.<ref name="built2">[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-bc02.html Some random web site]</ref>

Because of their worldwide marketing, Transformers must be designed to meet many widely-varying [[For safety reasons|safety laws]]. This often results in certain limitations, and even changes being made before toys are sold in the highly litigious [[United States of America]] compared to their Japanese releases.

''Related articles:''

* [[Hasbro]]
* [[Takara]]
* [[Playskool]]
* [[Tonka]]
* [[Play pattern]]
* [[For safety reasons]]
* [[Transformation (toys)]]
* [[Alternate mode]]
* [[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]
* [[Instruction booklet]]
* [[Scale]]
* [[Kibble]]
* [[Shellformer]]
* [[Partformer]]
* [[Unreleased toy]]

==Components==
[[Image:MovieLeader OptimusPrime toy.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Gone are the days when the instructions said, "Flip out rear of vehicle to form legs; pull out arms."]]
Transformer toys contain a "vocabulary" of working parts, joint types, and standardized design items that reappear across many figures. The vast majority are humanoid in their robot mode, and thus require a head, (at least) two arms, two legs and a torso.

The complexity of Transformers toys has grown over time, making several leaps forward during the course of ''[[Generation 2]]'' and ''Beast Wars'', and then again during the [[Transformers (2007)|Movie]] line. G2 introduced complex posability and the notion of toys that could store or hold all of their accessories in both modes; ''Beast Wars'' made these concepts universal, and featured a number of toys with extremely complicated transformations and a maximum number of ball joints, providing a huge range of articulation. Other toy lines would revisit these levels of complexity, particularly ''[[Robots in Disguise]]'' and ''[[Alternators]]''.
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''Related articles:''

* [[Articulation]] (see also: ''[[Brick]]'')
* [[Ratchet (mechanism)]]
* [[Slide joint]]
* [[Swivel joint]]
* [[Ball joint]]
* [[Peg]]
* [[Hardpoint]]
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==Production/Manufacturing==
[[Image:Hotshotprotosuperjaam.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Prototype Hot Shot really likes JaAm!!]]
Though the toys are designed in America and Japan through a collaborative process between Takara and Hasbro, most are manufactured in places like China.

The production process is complex and expensive. Before mass production can begin, a hard-copy [[prototype]] must be created. Steel-cut [[Mold|molds]] can then be made; this is by far the most costly part of the process. Once the molds are cut, one or more test shots are typically created, usually in random colors. If the molds are ready, mass production commences.

The expense of cutting molds is the main reason that retools and recolors are such a common phenomena in ''Transformers''. [[Redeco|Recolors]] allow Hasbro and TakaraTomy to capture a greater return on their considerable investment.

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''Related articles:''

* [[Prototype]] (includes test shots)
* [[Mold]]
* [[Gang-molding]]
* [[Retool]]
* [[Sprue]]
* [[Running change]]
* [[For safety reasons]]
* [[Pre Rub]]
* [[Unreleased toy]]

==Materials==
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tracks from the Alternators/Binaltech line. The Japanese version uses die-cast metal for added heft, while the American iteration is all-plastic for added being-able-to-stand-up.]]
The vast majority of the toys are made of plastic, held together with metal screws and pins, along with the occasional adhesive. The plastics used in Transformer construction have generally increased in flexibility and durability over the years, allowing toys to survive child-inflicted trauma that would have destroyed early Generation 1 toys.

Die-cast, used as an accessory material from 1984-1986, has been all but abandoned due to its excessive cost, shipping weight and design limitations, though it has reappeared in the fan-oriented ''[[Binaltech]]'' and [[Titanium Series]] sublines.

''Related articles:''

* [[Plastic]]
* [[Die-cast]]
* [[Rubber tires]]
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==Common gimmicks==
[[Image:G1Rollbar toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Not much articulation, but man, can he scoot across your kitchen floor.]]
As if Transformers weren't complicated enough, Hasbro has seen fit to revitalize and enhance the line constantly with numerous special features, commonly referred to in the fandom as ''gimmicks''. These may range from things as simple as a common decorative theme (such as vacuum metalizing on the [[Transmetal]] toys) to complex mechanisms that drive the entire design of a toy. Gimmicks have been a part of ''Transformers'' from Day 1 and continue to provide the line with diversity and interest today.

{{main|Gimmicks}}

===Static gimmicks===
* [[Rubsign]]
* [[Spark crystal]]
* [[Light-piping]]
* [[Energon star]]

===Active gimmicks===
* [[Missile]]
* [[Pull-back motor]]
* [[Autotransform]]
* [[Flipchanger]]
* [[Sparking gimmick]]
* [[Soundbox]]
* [[Light-emitting diode]]
* [[Combiner]]
* [[Mini-Con]]
* [[Cyber Planet Key]]
* [[Automorph]]

==Decoration==
[[Image:Sentmaxtoy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|OTFCC-exclusive Sentinel Maximus, a toy heavily slathered in paint applications.]]
Most Transformers are cast in a limited number of plastic colors. To help bring them to life, paint, tampographs, and stickers are commonly used to provide additional color.

Stickers were common during the days of Generation 1, but have mostly dropped out of use due to changing aesthetic tastes and the feasibility of more complex paint operations. Today, [[Faction symbol|faction symbols]] are typically applied via tampograph, with most other details brought out by paint applications.

''Related articles:''

* [[Sticker]]
* [[Paint application]]
* [[Paint mask]]
* [[Vacuum metalizing]]
* [[Unpaintable plastic]]
* [[Tampograph]]
* [[Redeco]]
* [[Repaint]] (see also: ''[[Black repaint]]'')

==Marketing==
[[Image:BW-MegaPromo.jpg|right|200px|thumb|In the market-driven rush to production, sometimes the wires get a little crossed. This package cross-sell presents other toys in the line... in color schemes that were never mass-produced. Oops!]]
As awesome as the toys themselves may be, they tend to sell better when they represent fictional characters. The marketing engine that promotes the toys is organized into [[Franchise|franchises]], each encompassing a range of related toys with a storyline built around them. A full-blown, flagship franchise typically features an animated cartoon, and often a comic book series as well. These fictional portrayals may also be a source of considerable income for Hasbro/TakaraTomy, but ultimately they exist [[to sell toys]].

The toy packaging also commonly supports the marketing effort, with [[Bio|biographies]] and [[package art]] of the characters, as well as cross-sell ads promoting other toys currently available. Inside the packaging, [[Catalog|catalogs]] and [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] further market other toys.

''Related articles:''

* [[To sell toys]]
* [[Commercial]]
* [[Franchise]]
* [[Show-accuracy]]
* [[Trademark]]
* [[Tech spec]]
* [[Bio]]
* [[Package art]]
* [[Instruction booklet]]
* [[Catalog]]
* [[Cross-sell]]
* [[Pack-in material|Pack-in flyer]]
* [[Robot Point|Robot point]]

==Distribution and retail==
[[Image:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Packaging! It's elegant, sleek, attractive, and lasts for about five seconds.]]
Once the toys are manufactured and packaged, they are shipped from their place of birth in Asia to America. As of 1998, their first destination is a Seattle distribution warehouse. From there, they proceed to the distribution centers for the various chain stores that sell the toys at retail; at that point, control of distribution is out of Hasbro's hands. On average, it takes six to eight weeks from the time the toys ship from Hasbro to their appearance on retail shelves. <ref name="built1">[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html A guy on the Internet]</ref>

Toy retailers do their best to predict what toys will and won't sell, and order accordingly; however, it is an imperfect process, and slow sellers in one wave of toys can compel a retailer to order fewer toys from the following waves. Retailers are particularly reluctant to order large numbers from the tail-end of a toy line. <ref name="stoneb">[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/tidbits/botcon2005.txt Steve-o Stonebraker's Botcon 2005 notes]</ref>

Today, the largest distributors of Transformer toys in America are Wal*Mart, Target, and Toys "R" Us, though the toys can also be found at many other stores such Meijer, Kmart, Kohl's, and Walgreens, as well as various regional grocery and drug store chains.

''Related articles:''

* [[Packaging]]
* [[Wave]]
* [[Size class]]
* [[Market six]]
* [[Multilingual packaging]] (see also: ''[[JaAm]]'')
* [[Rebranding]]
* [[Subline imprint]]
* [[Black Friday]]
* [[Exclusive]]
* [[Shortpacking]]
* [[Blindpacked]]
* [[Chase figure]]
* [[Shelfwarmer]]

==Secondary market==
In Transformers fandom, "secondary market" refers to the buying and selling of used toys. The original, stereotypical secondary market was the old-fashioned garage sale — you know, the one where your mom sold all your G1 toys for ten bucks while you were off in college.

The secondary market among fans began with internet auctions, primarily on [[alt.toys.transformers]] in the early 1990s. By the late '90s, ATT's primacy as a marketplace had been supplanted by eBay and various fan-run sites. Buyers and sellers also found a bonanza of opportunities at [[BotCon]], with thousands of toys changing hands over the course of a weekend.

Like any economic market, the secondary market has a life of its own. Older toys can be worth hundreds of dollars, depending on their condition, rarity, and popularity, or they may be worth [[Jumpstarter|next to nothing]]. Most toys from ''Beast Wars'' and later [[Franchise|franchises]] tend to be of comparatively lower value, as many adult fans were buying the toys when they were at retail, and have since kept them in pristine or even unopened condition.

''Related articles:''

* [[alt.toys.transformers]]
* [[Fandom]]
* [[eBay]]
* [[MISB]]
* [[Toy scalping]]
* [[Toy swapping]]

==Toy aging==
[[Image:Pretendermonsters-toys-shellrot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Split open and melt.]]
Transformer toys are, to put it bluntly, not meant to last forever. They are marketed to a fleeting and transitory age group, with the notion that if they survive a few years, their work is done. Thus collectors who have retained Generation 1 toys for many years can find some unexpected surprises as their toys age, regardless of how carefully the toys have been stored. Among the most common problems are:

* plastic discoloration — see ''[[Photodegradation]]''
* cracking of [[rubber tires]] and the rubber tubing on [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]].
* deterioration of the [[Pretender Monster|Pretender Monsters]]' rubber Pretender shells
* chrome flaking, a problem common on the [[Transmetal]] toys — see ''[[Vacuum metalizing]]''.
* deterioration of sub-par [[Plastic|plastics]] that can cause a toy to physically disintegrate — see ''[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]''.
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==External links==
<references />

[[Category:Toys]]

Starscream (Movie)

2009-05-12T00:29:02Z

Ronstar: fixed wording

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

:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] portion of 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|...I believe that Starscream [is] given to leaving out certain details. He favors short phrases emphasizing his own contributions, and tends to shout.|[[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] thinks Starscream might be less than 100% truthful|[[The Veiled Threat]] p71}}

:''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===
Many years before civil war broke out on Cybertron, commander Starscream was in 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 and Lord High Protector 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}}

{{charstubfiction}}

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 into space, 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|left|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]] ship. Unfortunately, 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|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3}}

[[Image:MoviePrequel4 Starscream youcangonow.jpg|right|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|This seemingly contradicts Starscream's 2003 arrival on Earth in [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''Prime Directive'' prequel comic, 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. It's possible Starscream simply concealed an earlier visit to Earth because he had no desire for the Decepticons to find Megatron.}}

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:Starscream missiles.JPG|left|200px|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|200px|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|200px|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|175px|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}}

{{Note|The following events occur in an alternate timeline/continuity where Megatron won the battle of Mission City.}}

[[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}}

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|right|250px|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}}

{{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).

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).

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.

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
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 new 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? Yes, it is!]]

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}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
{{comingsoon}}
{{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. {{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]].

{{-}}
*'''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 pipe]] 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===
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Voyager Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|At long last, I have fingers! And tattoos! Odd.]]
*'''Starscream''' (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.

[[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. It is assumed this was done for cost cutting. His packaging call-outs still claim that he has "pop out missile launchers," despite this gimmick's removal.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}
====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF FAB toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]
*'''Starscream''' (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''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GB-03'''

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

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==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!

{{-}}
===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 has only two lines of dialogue, 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, but it is also possible that he was summoning some Decepticons to the Earth, just like Optimus does to Autobots. This leaves doubts about what will happen in the sequel.

*He's probably the only Starscream that hasn't died or suffered grievous bodily damage. ''Yet''.

{{-}}

== 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]]

Gold Plastic Syndrome

2009-05-12T00:19:13Z

Ronstar: fixed spelling

[[Image:GPSSlingshot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Emoformer: He breaks himself.]]
'''Gold Plastic Syndrome''' (commonly shorthanded to '''GPS''') is fandom terminology used to describe the phenomenon of a toy's [[plastic]]
decomposing and becoming brittle to the point of shattering or
crumbling under minimal-stress conditions. In the most extreme cases,
toys have been reported to spontaneously crumble to small bits without
any applied force at all, even if they're fresh out of their [[MISB|unopened package]].

This breakage is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some [[Toy|Transformers toys]].
All noted instances of GPS have occurred in hard, glossy gold-colored
plastics that appear to have a "swirl" to their coloration.

==Notability==
GPS is notably widespread among toys made in the tail-end of [[Generation 1]], typically the second year of [[Pretender|Pretenders]] and even some European-market exclusives, but examples have surfaced from lines as recent as ''[[Generation 2]]'' and the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' series. Transformers toys are not the only ones to suffer from this; there have been reports of ''[[G.I. Joe]]'' and ''Visionaries'' toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord.

==Cause of GPS==

{{bigquote|The problem likely arises, as with many composites, when the bonding between the polymer and the dye/particles breaks down. This could occur do to a natural chemical/phase change of the plastic, due to oxidation, for example, or by another mechanism, say the forces incurred by the toy being played with, or more likely, due to some combination thereof. In any case, when the bonds between the particles and the polymers break down, you would get small voids in the plastic structure. If this occurs frequently enough, the structure would become effectively porous (that is, it would be filled with lots of tiny voids/cracks where the polymers and particles have come apart). With even a slight amount of force, some of these cracks/voids could expand, even slightly, to the point where they intersect another void and join, making an even bigger crack. Once a critical crack length is reached, the sample fractures.

So effectively, the plastic becomes more brittle, and this would also explain it "crumbling" as well as cracking.}}
:-Aernaroth suggests a cause for GPS [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=57191&view=findpost&p=1174876 on the Allspark]

==GPS misconceptions==
[[Image:Brownplasticsyndrome.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The one image for the wiki you don't want to be able to make.]]
The most common misconception about GPS is that ''all''
gold-colored plastic can suffer from this rot. Only certain plastic
grades (described above) have been noted to be susceptible to GPS
crumbling; in the past few years, more durable, pliable plastics have
become the norm for toy construction, so the gold plastic on more
recent toys like [[Cannonball]] are highly unlikely to have the flaw.

Also, not every type of plastic breakage is the kind caused by
GPS. In most instances of broken toys, visible stress marks appear long
before any breakage in the form of discoloration (since these plastics
have a bit more "give" to them), and are typically very clean "snaps"
due to excess pressure.
Even if not subject to "true" GPS breakage, older gold
plastics tend to be rather brittle and more likely than most to snap
under relatively light stresses. But "true" GPS breakages seemingly
come from simple decomposition of the plastic without any form of
excess force at all, and the breaks tend to leave shards of plastic and
dust, appearing similar to dry Play-Doh crumbling.

Additionally, it is not limited to gold plastic. Some other
older metally-swirled plastics may also suffer. However, it is far less
common and is possibly related, though it is just as likely (such as
Transmetal Megatron) that it is simply cast out of more easily broken
plastic.
{{-}}
==Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome==
====Generation 1====
* [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]]
* [[Bristleback]]
* [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
* [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]
* [[Slog]]
* [[Killbison]]

====Generation 1-2 Transitional Phase====
* [[Pyro]]

====Generation 2====
* [[Electro]]
* [[Slingshot]]
(Slingshot is infamous for being made almost entirely of gold plastic,
and has been reported to come apart straight out of the package [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b8b3dec846e5479?hl=en].)

====Beast Wars====
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Randy (BWN)|Randy]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
* [[Torca]] - His legs, tail hinge and sides are prone to Gold Plastic Syndrome.
* NOT Transmetal Megatron. He suffers from something different entirely: Brown Plastic Syndrome.

====Other notable instances====
* [[Predator]] [[missile]] launchers
* [[Serpentor]], while not a Transformer, is also known to suffer from this problem.

==Clear Plastic Syndrome==
There is a similar condition in figures made with translucent and
transparent colored plastics. Though it doesn't seem anywhere near as
bad as Gold Plastic Syndrome (which can affect ANY part of a figure),
it seems to affect mostly the joints, either pivot or ball versions.
The main cause of this is the higher friction ratio the plastic has
(pin joints seem to be more susceptible) and the lower flexibility of
the plastic. Some toys were made entirely of clear plastic and didn't
fare much better than ones made entirely of gold plastic. Sorry, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]].

==Etymology==
The earliest use of the term that can be found in the
alt.toys.transformers archives dates to September 2002 in a post by
user Sky Shadow [http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b3d532961b2c2dc],
though it is unclear from his usage of the term whether or not it was
already in use. A post by Dave "Zobovor" Edwards, meanwhile, made in
June of the previous year,[http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6ed7e0f3586f37e4], is the earliest identifiable acknowledgment of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

[[Category:Diseases]]
[[Category:Toys]]