MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Bill Fagerbakke

2019-05-17T13:43:43Z

Sideswipe84: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Bill}}

[[Image:Billfagerbakke.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Oh boy! 3am!]]
'''Bill Fagerbakke''' (born [[October 4]], [[1957]]) is an American actor and voice actor. His most famous on-screen roles include "Dauber" Dybinski on TV's ''Coach'', and Tom Cullen in the mini-series version of Stephen King's ''The Stand''. He also had a notable appearance on ''Heroes'' as a gangster.

Voice over-wise, he is recognized best as Broadway on ''Disney's Gargoyles'', Big Bear on ''Young Justice'', Patrick Star on ''[[Tom Kenny|Spongebob Squarepants]]'' and as Cpl. Jeff Gossard on ''Roughnecks: Starship Troopers''.

==Voice roles==
===''Transformers Animated''===
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]
*[[Master Disaster (Animated)|Master Disaster]]
*[[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]]
*[[Police drone|Security Bot]] ([[Rise of the Constructicons]])

====Incidentals====
* Technician 2 ([[Transform and Roll Out]])
* Citizen (Transform and Roll Out)
* Project Manager ([[Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec]])
* Teller (Nanosec)
* Customer ([[Sound and Fury]])
* Scientist #1 ([[Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found]])
* Patrolman ([[Survival of the Fittest]])
* Paramedic ([[Human Error, Part I]])

==Notes==
* He thinks [[David Kaye]]'s mom is hot. This disturbs David Kaye. '''And''' us.
* In January of 2011, an Idaho newspaper<ref>[http://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story "Rupert's Fagerbakke finds a voice that is truly golden"]</ref> announced Fagerbakke as the voice of a "Chevy Impala stock car" that would appear in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' (presumably meaning one of the three [[Wrecker]]s, who share that base altmode). Why Fagerbakke did not end up voicing any of the Wreckers in the final cut of the film is unknown. Considering [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] never spoke in the film, it's safe to say his voice would have been provided by Faggerbakke had he been in the film.
* Before you ask, no. Mayonnaise is ''still'' not an instrument.
* Or Horseradish.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0265067/ Bill Fagerbakke on the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fagerbakke, Bill}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]

Hot Rod (G1)

2019-05-10T13:47:30Z

Sideswipe84: /* Generation 1 cartoon continuity */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|wreckers|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{Disambigm|Hot Rod (disambiguation)|Rodimus (disambiguation)}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Hot Rod is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:DVDbox3d1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And yet he still gets carded.]]
'''Hot Rod''' (aka '''Rodimus''' and '''Hot Rodimus''') is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown.

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona—while still headstrong and stubborn—seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Of course, much of this comes from comparisons with his former commander [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—and let's face it, shoes-to-be-filled just don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience—neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

{{bigquote|I ''knew'' you had potential, lad.|[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] on Hot Rod's transformation into Rodimus Prime|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Fightorflee Rodimus explosion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"What about you, Dad?"]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
At some point before [[2005]], Hot Rod became stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and so was present during the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. This was a turning point in the life of the turbo-revving young punk, because he became Autobot leader after gaining the [[Matrix of Leadership]] following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. As Rodimus Prime, his first accomplishments were the defeat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and the return of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the Autobots.

During his time as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Rodimus not only had to deal with the Decepticons and [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|their new leader]], but also the political complexities of the planetary alliance Cybertron joined, the return of the Transformers' cruel masters from long ago, the [[Quintesson]]s, the possible revival of Unicron and the arrival of Unicron's "little brother" [[Tornedron]].

During the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in [[2006]], Optimus Prime was brought back to life and Rodimus gave up his rank of Prime, becoming Hot Rod once more. He would then become a Targetmaster and live to see the next Cybertronian [[Golden Age]].

In a splinter timeline, Hot Rod would lose the Matrix a whole bunch of times. ''Constantly.'' Eventually, he would resign himself to his role as Rodimus Prime, leader, though in 2011 it was under his watch that Cybertron was destroyed. Rodimus would later discover the planet Micro and help develop Micromaster technology, becoming one himself and reverting back to Hot Rod.
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Hoverscooter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Wheeeee....]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
Initially serving under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Rod travelled to [[Nebulos]] where he became a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] and then on to [[Earth]] where he joined [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s forces aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Returning to Cybertron, he survived the battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and formed part of the shaky Autobot-Decepticon alliance under the leadership of Prime's successor [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Betrayed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Decepticons, Hot Rod was killed during the ambush on [[Klo]] but revived shortly afterwards by the power of the [[Last Autobot]].

In some [[splinter timeline]]s Hot Rod went on to become Rodimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, and took part in further battles against Unicron and his minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], albeit with mixed results. In others, he has yet to fulfil this part of his destiny.
{{-}}

===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[File:PackIn RodimusPrimeRemembers Front.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Just like he remembers Woodstock.]]
Unicron just might consume the universe, and the Autobots need to determine who the Chosen One is so that he may rise from their ranks, unlock the Matrix of Power, and save all from Unicron! Unfortunately, not even the Chosen One himself knows his identity, and his discovery may come too late. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}

There was a legendary conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons when Optimus Prime led Rodimus Prime and a large team of Autobots in a search for the future site of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. They were ambushed by Megatron and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and this became known as the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. Rodimus Prime dubbed it "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} Some of the Autobots were forced to retreat due to Thundercracker's "force shield," and Optimus Prime told Rodimus and the others that their only hope was to call in for additional troops. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}

Later, Rodimus Prime remembered the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}
{{-}}

===Battle Beneath the Ice===
[[File:BBTI-RunaboutandRodimus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
Hot Rod had a run in with the Battlechargers when they tried to destroy the golden gate bridge. The altercation was caught on television.

A couple of weeks later, Hot Rod was part of an expedition to the Antarctic along with Slingshot and Skydive to investigate the discovery of a highly advanced underground city. He was parked in the cargo bay of a troop-carrier aero-plane when he met the young human [[Jeff Grey]]. Together, they watched Hot Rod’s battle with the Battlechargers on Jeff’s [[chronovid wristwatch]]. Some time later, their plane was caught in a blizzard, and shot down by an energy beam. Though many humans perished in the crash, Hot Rod attempted to keep the survivors warm by increasing the current through his temperature control unit to emit heat. Hot Rod and his group of humans were then met by three inhabitants of the subterranean city, who invited them into their futuristic world.

[[File:BBTI-JeffGrey+HotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Doesn't this image just scream "buy the toys"? Boy, I sure want an action figure of Old Man Shivering In The Snow.]]
The [[Watcher]], leader of the underground civilization, explained that they possessed technology far surpassing the surface world, save for their weaponry, as they were a peaceful people. The Watcher offered the humans a tour of the city while he and Hot Rod talked. Impressed by the technological wonders The Watcher’s people possessed, Hot Rod became convinced of their altruistic nature. He then met up with Skydive and Slingshot, who had gone on to rendezvous with the drilling team after being unable to locate the downed troop-carrier in the blizzard. The Watcher then showed them an image from the surface: Brawl, Vortex and Blast Off, the Decepticons the Watcher said were responsible for shooting down the troop-carrier. Skydive and Slingshot then took off to battle the Decepticons and draw them away from the city, leaving Hot Rod in charge of protecting the humans.

Hot Rod's group continued their tour of the city. They were shown a hologram chamber, where they encountered Ravage. Hot Rod warned the Decepticon to stay back from the humans, but Ravage assured him he wasn’t here as their enemy. Ravage informed Hot Rod that it wasn’t the Decepticons, but the city-dwellers that had shot down the plane. One of the city-dwellers entered the room with a weapon, intending to attack Ravage. Hot Rod accidentally shot him while aiming for Ravage, who had lept for the city-dweller's throat. Hot Rod was shocked to see the guide fall to the ground, seeing as his weapon only affected other robots. They came to the conclusion that Ravage was telling the truth; the city-dwellers were robots. They were after the warrior-factor encoded in both the Autobots and the Decepticons in order to turn themselves into a powerful army. Hot Rod and Ravage formed a temporary alliance to combat the city-dwellers. Jeff and Ravage then worked together to overwrite the city-dwellers’ programming with the cartoon antics of Gus Gopher that had been recorded by Jeff’s [[chronovid wristwatch]]. With the city-dwellers behaving like cartoon characters, Hot Rod made contact with the Aerialbots, and told them to stop fighting with the Combaticons, and to instead return to the city. The Autobots and Decepticons then went their separate ways on peaceful terms… for the moment being, at least. {{storylink|Battle Beneath the Ice}}
{{-}}

===Big Looker Storybook continuity===
[[File:CarShowBlowup-AutobotCity.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Hot Rod clearly does not pass emissions standards.]]
Kup and Hot Rod traveled to the coliseum to check out a robot car the [[human]]s had built that could respond to voice commands. They heard about it on their car radios! But when they arrived at the coliseum, Kup spotted Decepticons flying about. As some entered the back door, Kup shooed Hot Rod away, telling him to warn the others. If Hot Rod stayed, he would just get into trouble!

[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When Hot Rod returned with the Autobots, Kup had been captured and held prisoner, so the others entered the coliseum in vehicle mode. Meanwhile, Hot Rod snuck up behind Kup and freed him. Yelling "Geronimo!" they jumped from the control room onto the coliseum floor, taking the Decepticons by surprise. Galvatron and the others escaped, but Kup and Hot Rod agreed that they'd be ready for him when he returned. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

Later, Kup led Hot Rod, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and in the middle of their journey, the ship began to have problems. Hot Rod reassured Arcee that everything would be okay, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet which Kup recognized. It was the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed their earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Visiting [[Oil Valley]] with Daniel one day, Hot Rod spotted a group of Decepticons lurking nearby. Taking Daniel into his car mode, he headed back to Autobot City to report back to Ultra Magnus. The Decepticons noticed Hot Rod driving away, and gave chase. As Hot Rod neared Autobot City, he ran into Grimlock and the Dinobots. He quickly informed them of the situation before continuing on his way into the city, while the Dinobots stayed back to fend off the Decepticons. Once Hot Rod informed Ultra Magnus of the situation, Hot Rod stayed behind in Autobot City with Daniel while Ultra Magnus assembled a strike team to head out and help the Dinobots fight the Decepticons. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp}}}}

Hot Rod was returning from a road trip with Daniel, Hound and Kup, Bumblebee, Blurr, Wheelie, Springer and Sunstreaker when the group paused to eat at a rest stop. As the Autobots ingested Energon Cubes, Hot Rod asked Kup to tell a story. Kup told the others the story of how, upon first crash landing in Mt. St. Hillary, the Ark had lost an enormous shipment of Energon Cubes that remained lost to the day. Enthralled by Kup's story, the rest of the group were all eager to go looking for this lost treasure. When they realized that Laserbeak had been spying on them the whole time, and would soon inform Galvatron about the lost Energon shipment, Hot Rod and the others rushed back to Metroplex to inform Ultra Magnus on the situation. Hot Rod made a quick stop first, however, dropping Daniel off at his parents; house. After a brief conference, Ultra Magnus led his troops to the Ark's crash site. Finding the Decepticons there already, the two factions began to fight. When the Energon stash was uncovered, it was completely gobbled up by Starscream who proclaimed himself the most powerful Decepticon. With nothing left to fight over, Hot Rod and the Autobots left Galvatron and Starscream to their squabble. As they headed back for Autobot City, Hot Rod asked Kup for another story. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

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

===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|[[Blain Fairman]] (English)}}
[[File:DecepticonsatthePole-HotRodSparks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Say I'm badly drawn to my face, pal!]]
Hot Rod was one of several troops stationed on Earth when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was in charge and the Transformers' war was still a secret one. After a scrape with the Decepticons, he found himself in the Autobots' infirmary, impatiently telling Ratchet and Wheeljack to patch him up quickly so he could get going. Due to a shortage of [[cybernite]], however, Hot Rod's repairs took awhile. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} He got along well with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], the two spending their downtime looking at car magazines together, and was quite pleased to receive some snazzy gold wheel-trims from the boy. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

In the time following this campaign, Hot Rod would mature into a more sensible warrior and even a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, he prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} He also orchestrated a search for a new source of lubricant when the Autobots were running dry, and led the construction of a pipeline bringing the oil reservoir's contents to Autobot base.
{{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}
{{-}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Out searching for a missing shuttle, Hot Rod and Kup spied it crashed on the Junk planet. They landed to find their friends engaged in battle with the natives, but Kup cautioned Hot Rod not to rashly jump in and join them. Kup's use of the Universal Autobot Greeting resulted in the Junkions abandoning the fight and making friends with the newcomers, and causing Hot Rod to exclaim "Holy cow!" The Junkions helped repair the damaged shuttle before the Autobots left. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}}}
{{-}}

===Desert of Danger===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:Wolf at the door desert of danger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|When you're weary, feelin' small...]]
Hot Rod had himself delivered by freight to the planet of Nebulos, where he and his Targetmaster partner Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a treaty in place to limit their numbers. With [[you]]r help they traced the Decepticons to the [[Wolf at the Door]] nightclub, an [[oil]] bar for Nebulan miners run by [[Monzo]], and discovered that [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were importing [[Attack Squad robot]]s from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as [[Sirian brandy]].

After a confrontation with the Decepticons that left Skullcruncher and Mindwipe out of action, Hot Rod faced off against Weirdwolf and Monzo. Weirdwolf was defiant, but Monzo wasn't feeling lucky and surrendered to the Autobot. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. {{storylink|Desert of Danger}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers PD Type'' comic===
[[File:Pdtype rodimus manga.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|He's seen some slag.]]
Clutching a [[Blackball]], Rodimus Prime found himself being attacked by Galvatron. As the Decepticon leader attempted to throttle him, a light shone from Rodimus's chest, making Galvatron think it was the power of the Blackball. After Galvatron had fled, Rodimus revealed it was just a flashlight, and reflected on what an idiot his foe was. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##11 "Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!"|Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!}}

As Fortress Maximus and Mega Zarak clashed violently, Rodimus reminded Optimus that he had said never to let those two fight. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! Mega Zarak!}}

Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime enjoyed many victories against the Decepticons, but [[Greatshot|who was that in the background?]] {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##15 "No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot..."|No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot...}}

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

In a later altercation with Sixshot, Rodimus attempted to use his Photon Eliminator gun to strike down the fleeing ninja. Though he managed to shoot ''every other'' Decepticon on the battlefield, he failed to hit his intended target. Rodimus sat pouting in the corner as the other Autobots convened to register their disappointment that Rodimus let Sixshot get away. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##21|Photon Eliminator}}

Joining [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]] and Ultra Magnus in an assault on Mega Zarak, Rodimus was terrified when the mammoth Decepticon unleashed his titanic Anti-Gravity Rifle. Fortunately for the Autobots, the gun jammed and Mega Zarak was left fiddling with it while they opened fire. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##24|Anti-Gravity Rifle}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Hot Rod was pleased to have [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] back. Then [[Monitorus]] arrived with the news that [[Tau-Ursa]] had been attacked and leveled by Decepticons, and Hot Rod got to point out that the Tau-Ursans had refused the Autobots permission to build a defense base there. He shortly took part in an attempt to repel a Decepticon attack on Cybertron, finding himself fighting against Sixshot, who seemed more interested in goading him than fighting. This turned out to be a diversion, while [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] used his new [[Nullification Cannon]] on the planet's Energon supplies.

Hot Rod and Blurr next visited Tau-Ursa to check for Decepticons, and encountered [[Apeface|Ape Face]], who had found a [[Logicon]] warning beacon. The two Autobots wrestled it from him and returned to Cybertron, where the beacon was found to hold the coordinates to [[Metascan Alpha]], a major Energon storehouse. Prime placed Hot Rod in charge of one of two teams to search for the planet, though the operation was hampered slightly by the discovery of the two Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s spying on them. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{Note|At this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt and the storyline was never completed}}
{{-}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Both Hot Rod and Rodimus fought side-by-side during a tumultuous battle on a moon base. While Rodimus charged [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] alongside [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], Hot Rod received a punch to the face, courtesy of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Decipher the Decepticon}}

The Decepticons having stolen the Matrix of Creation, Hot Rod was called up by Ultra Magnus to help retrieve it. The Autobots used an army of [[decoy]]s to distract the Decepticons, while Hot Rod, Blurr, Kup and Ultra Magnus infiltrated their base. Hot Rod told Blurr of all people to hurry up and blast the Matrix out of same sort of crystal structure. The Autobots then made their getaway with the Matrix in hand. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection}}

When Optimus became stranded on Cybertron's hemisphere of darkness with his memory damaged, Hot Rod joined a small strike force of Autobots called H.O.P.E. ([[Help Optimus Prime Escape]]) to retrieve him. {{Storylink|Optimus Prime Is Back}}
{{-}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertKupandHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
While on a midnight spin, Hot Rod spotted Beachcomber, Springer and Blurr leaving Metroplex on a secret mission. The next day, after coming home from his karate lessons, Hot Rod began pestering Kup in order to glean more information on the nature of his fellow Autobots’ assignment. Before he learned anything of substance, an Autobot Alert sounded across the Autobots’ headquarters. The Autobots learned that the Decepticons were taking over Earth’s communication satellites. Shortly afterwards, Blurr returned prematurely from the aforementioned secret mission to deliver more bad news. The Decepticons had gotten their hands on an important coded message.

If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize the Decepticons’ orbital attack, Hot Rod became frustrated after once again being overlooked for a mission. Catching him sulking, Bumblebee approached Hot Rod and informed him that he had spotted Astrotrain skulking about nearby the previous night. Deducing that Astrotrain might have something to do with the ongoing Decepticon plot, the two Autobots decided to go on their own clandestine mission to investigate. They brought along a supply of "laser-ignited explosives" and went on their way. Soon happening upon the Decepticons’ control centre, the pair set out to sabotage the Decepticons’ operation. While Bumblebee wanted to sabotage the Decepticons’ communication centre on Earth, Hot Rod was in favour of sneaking aboard Astrotrain before he launched, and sabotage the Decepticons out in space.

If Hot Rod convinced Bumblebee to go along with his plan, the pair snuck aboard Astrotrain by concealing themselves within a trailer filled with bombs. As Astrotrain launched, Hot Rod happened upon a room filled with Decepticon space gear. The two Autobots donned the suits in order to disguise themselves. The disguises proved effective as Thrust and Starscream walked past the pair, none the wiser. As Hot Rod continued to explore Astrotrain, he spotted the giant Decepticon Cyclonus out of a nearby window, as well as the Autobot shuttle obliviously heading into a trap. Hot Rod had to then decide on two options. He could risk commandeering Astrotrain’s military command post, despite the Decepticons guarding the door, and warn the incoming Autobot shuttle about the Decepticons. Alternatively, he could find a hiding place from which he could attack Cyclonus himself.

If Hot Rod decided to commandeer the military commands, his disguise managed to fool the guards, but not Scourge, who happened upon them as Hot Rod was inspecting the commands. Bumblebee urged Hot Rod to go through with his plan quickly as Scourge approached them. Hot Rod succeeded in firing Astrotrain’s weapons at Cyclonus, warning the Autobot shuttle of the Decepticons, but was quickly overpowered by Scourge. Alongside Bumblebee, Hot Rod was flung out into the blackness of space by Scourge, stranded in zero-gravity, waiting for a rescue that might never come.

If instead Hot Rod and Bumblebee decided to find themselves a hiding spot, the pair snuck into a room labelled "Dirty Tricks Department" in order to dodge the incoming Laserbeak. Finding a hatch to the space shuttle’s exterior, Hot Rod trained one of Perceptor’s inventions, a "rapid-fire, high-intensity rifle cannon" towards Cyclonus and fired. Having successfully blown a massive hole into Cyclonus, Hot Rod and Bumblebee hid out for the rest of the mission inside the Dirty Tricks department room, finding a way to escape later when it docked.

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

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

If Hot Rod went ahead and pressed the button, he soon discovered that it was a Decepticon trap, as sirens began blaring across the Decepticon base and iron bars prevented them from escaping. Galvatron’s image appeared on a nearby monitor, explaining that both Hot Rod and Bumblebee would be used as hostages in order to secure a Decepticon victory. Hot Rod could do nothing but cover his face in shame in shame.

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

If the Autobots decided to head for the crater, Hot Rod raced Blurr to the site, only to find it void of any Decepticon activity. Finding Beachcomber tied to an explosive device, the two Autobots worked together to free their comrade. Once freed, Beachcomber informed the pair that the Decepticons had long ago broken the code and were already en-route to retrieve the cybertite sphere. It would now be much to late to catch up to the Decepticons, and all hope to retrieve the orb before them was lost.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Hot Rod was part of the main Autobot force that headed for the California coast. Arriving at the scene, Ultra Magnus’s troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching.

In one of the possible plans that Ultra Magnus concocted, Hot Rod was tasked with searching the ship once Sludge had used his titanic strength to haul it from the deep. Hot Rod tore through the wrecked vessel, and found the sphere in a timely fashion. He then hid alongside his fellow Autobots, and ambushed the Decepticons as they arrived on-scene.

If Ultra Magnus decided to execute a different plan, wherein Hot Rod, Bumblebee and Grapple had to work together to fetch the sphere, the Autobots did not find the sphere before the Decepticons reached the coast. While Hot Rod searched the ship, dangling from Grapple’s hook over a nearby cliffside, Galvatron and his troops swooped in and blew both the ship and the sphere to smithereens. With the sphere destroyed and the Autobots being pummelled by the Decepticons’ superior firepower, the Autobots’ only hope rested with Hot Rod, dangling on the coast-side in a literal and figurative cliff-hanger!

In yet another possible scenario, where Hot Rod was not involved at all in the actual retrieval of the sphere, the ancient Autobot formula was safely retrieved and taken back to Metroplex. Hot Rod then watched on as Perceptor produced the first batch of power-booster. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
{{-}}

====Project Brain Drain====
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainAutobotsCelebrate.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, upon hearing that the Decepticons were planning to use a "[[Brain Drain device]]" to syphon the intelligence of nearly 500, 000 concert goers, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops, Hot Rod included, to head for the concert to foil Galvatron’s plot. Rodimus and the other Autobots were told to hide themselves amidst the parked vehicles surrounding the concert, and lie in wait for the Decepticons. Once the Decepticons had shown themselves, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops to transform in unison and open fire on their enemies. But Galvatron had planned to light afire the parking lot in which the Autobots were standing in order to trap the humans. Being drenched from above by Decepticon jets dumping gasoline upon them, Ultra Magnus needed to decide whether the Autobots needed to retreat, or to keep on fighting and hope that they could defeat the Decepticons before the fire consumed them.

If Ultra Magnus decided on a retreat, Hot Rod was more than happy to rush out of the blazing inferno and move in closer to the humans in order to protect them. Hot Rod and the others fended off the airborne Decepticons who swooped down, unaffected by the blazing barrier encircling the concert.

In another possible scenario, wherein the Autobots stayed in the parking lot to battle at close-quarters the Decepticons, both he and Bumblebee noticed Soundwave pass the Brain Drain device to Galvatron after the latter had been able to fling Ultra Magnus away. If Hot Rod attempted to stop Galvatron, he successfully plucked the device out of the Decepticons’ hands and barrelled through the nearby circle of flames to make his escape. Just as he reached the other rim of the ring of fire, all four of his tires burst from the flames. He nonetheless skidded to safety, but found himself temporarily out of commission. Nonetheless, the Autobots managed to destroy the Brain Drain device, and Hot Rod was able to enjoy the concert-goers giving the Autobots a standing ovation as the Decepticons retreated.

In a completely different possible scenario, Hot Rod was out on patrol with Kup and Jazz when the three of them heard nearby commotion and went to investigate. Finding Wreck-Gar and Sparkplug being attacked by Thrust and Laserbeak, the Autobots moved in to rescue them and fended off the Decepticons. Hot Rod, Kup and Jazz were informed of the situation as it were; the Decepticons were going to drain the minds of the concert-goers with their Brain Drain device. The Autobots then decided whether they would launch a counter-attack on the Decepticons’ lab, or if they would send Hot Rod for reinforcements while the rest of them headed directly to the concert.

If the group settled on launching a counter-attack, the lot of them stormed the lab with such ferocity and suddenness that the Decepticons were caught completely unawares. Though most of the Decepticons’ forces scattered with the Autobots’ initial assault, Hot Rod and company still had to beat back a small contingency of Decepticons too afraid of Galvatron to desert their posts. Hot Rod and the others successfully beat them back, until Soundwave attempted to escape with the Brain Drain device in hand.

If Hot Rod attempted to shoot the device out of Soundwave’s hands, Soundwave tripped at the last moment over the fallen body of a Decepticon. Hot Rod’s blast his Soundwave’s shoulder, causing him to fling the Brain Drain device up in the air. Laserbeak then managed to snatch the device in mid-air, and flew off to rendezvous with Galvatron. Unable to follow, the Autobots realized that the concert-goers were doomed to all become incredibly stupid very soon. If Jazz attempted to stop him however, he was successful in doing so and the Autobots successfully destroyed the Brain Drain device.

Alternatively, if Hot Rod agreed to head off to Metroplex while the rest of the Autobots headed for the rock concert, he promised that he was soon meet up with them, backed up by an entire army of Autobots, and then sped off.

Some time later, Hot Rod finally arrived at the concert accompanied by Ultra Magnus and numerous other Autobots.

If Sparkplug was able to signal them, Hot Rod pinpointed the location at which his friends were fending off the Decepticons, and sped to meet them as Galvatron was beginning to active the Brain Drain device. Thanks to Ultra Magnus’s timely interference, the Brain Drain device was destroyed and the Autobots were victorious that day.

Otherwise, Hot Rod and the Autobots arrived just in time to congratulate Wreck-Gar, who had already destroyed the Brain Drain device. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

====The Invisibility Factor====
[[File:InvisibilityFactorHotRodKupmeetSarah.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Hot Rod accompanied Kup on a night drive in the desert, when he noticed a spacecraft barreling down from the heavens towards them. As it landed, Hot Rod perceived that it would alternate between being visible and invisible. Curious, he prompted Kup to come with him to investigate.

If Kup agreed to look into the spacecraft right away, the two Autobots were surprised to spot a young woman emerge from the craft. Though Hot Rod startled her at first, the woman was reassured that the Autobots were friendly beings by Kup. Hot Rod learned that her name was [[Sarah Sanders]], and that she was a scientist working to perfect her latest invention, an "[[Invisibility Device]]."

In one possible scenario, Hot Rod, unable to control himself, snatched the device away from Sarah. Despite Sarah’s protests, Hot Rod insisted that the device would be put at its best use in the hands of the Autobots, keeping the world safe from the Decepticons. As Hot Rod daydreamed of glory while driving towards the Autobots’ base, he accidentally triggered the Invisibility Device’s self-destruct mechanism. The ensuing explosion blew him to bits.

If Hot Rod and Kup attempted to politely coax Sarah into giving them the Invisibility Device willingly, Sarah informed the Autobots that she had a strong stance against her invention being used for warfare. As the three of them stood conversing in the open, they soon heard the Decepticons approaching. As the evil robots began to fire upon them, Hot Rod whisked Sarah away to safety. Upon realizing that the Decepticons weren’t pursuing them, and that the Invisibility Device had been left behind, the trio hid behind some nearby rocks to spy upon the Decepticons, who were busy inspecting Sarah’s ship and her Invisibility Device.

If Hot Rod and Kup decided to attack immediately, they were easily defeated and destroyed by the Decepticons.

If Hot Rod and Kup decided to lay low in an attempt to steal the device back from the Decepticons, they first told Sarah to wait for them here, then the pair sneakily followed the Decepticons as they left for their headquarters. As the Decepticons descended into a canyon, Hot Rod was eager to follow them in, but was stopped by Kup. Kup told the young Autobot of how he defeated the Decepticons on Renerian, and the two of them put into action a similar plan. Driving back and forth atop the canyon’s edge, firing from all angles while remaining hidden in the dark, they tricked the Decepticons into thinking a whole team of Autobots had ambushed them. Hot Rod the snuck down into the canyon to retrieve the Invisibility Device. As he crept closer to Shockwave, clutching the device in his robotic arms, Hot Rod noticed that Galvatron was nearby, with his back turned to him.

If Hot Rod forewent attaining the Invisibility Device and attempted to take out Galvatron instead, Starscream spotted him before he could do so, and Hot Rod was promptly dispatched.

If Hot Rod went through with his plan to steal the device back from the Decepticons, he successfully snatched Sarah’s invention from Shockwave’s grasp and took off. Though the Decepticons gave chase, If they were unable to catch him before Kup fired down onto the canyon’s walls, causing it to collapse and burying the Decepticons under an avalanche of earth and rocks. Convinced that Sarah Sanders would now allow the Autobots to use her device now that she had seen how evil the Decepticons were, Hot Rod and Kup drove back to meet up with her.

In a different possible scenario, the Decepticons took off in Sarah’s spaceship upon finding it, forcing Kup and Hot Rod to head back to Metroplex city for reinforcements and a ship of their own. Hot Rod and Kup were joined by Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Jazz and Springer, and blasted off. Once in space, however, they found it difficult to locate the Decepticons. The ship’s crew had to decided where to look next for the Decepticons.

If the Autobots decided to investigate the dark side of the moon, they found themselves unable to see anything on the satellite’s shadowy surface. Hot Rod suggested that they fire down laser blasts, in the hopes of making the Decepticons fire back, making them reveal their position. Jazz dismissed Hot Rod’s plan as being too risky.

If Ultra Magnus decided to go through with Hot Rod’s plan, the Autobots succeeded only in making themselves an easy target for the Decepticons, who blasted their shuttle to bits. Hot Rod and his friends were reduced to space junk.

If Ultra Magnus listened to Jazz’s plan, he ordered his Autobots to remain silent, and to shut off all of the shuttle’s lights and mechanisms. Launching a probe as a decoy, the Autobots successfully tricked the Decepticons into revealing their position when they mistook the probe as their shuttle and opened fire upon it. Firing back, the Autobots began crippling the Decepticons’ ship, until a lucky shot rocked their own shuttle. Though the Decepticons attempted to escape while the Autobots were off-balance, the Autobots were able to deliver the finishing blow, ending the Decepticons’ menace as the evil robots' ship exploded.

In an alternate scenario wherein the Autobots listened to Prowl’s suggested and searched the Asteroid Belt beyond Mars, they soon found themselves struggling to get through the maze of floating rocks. Hot Rod was in favour of retreating from the asteroid field when it proved increasingly difficult to navigate it.

If the Autobots pushed on their search in the Asteroid Belt, they soon found themselves on a collision course with two enormous asteroids. If they only managed to blast one of asteroids, the Autobots were forced to retreat back to Earth after their shuttle took substantial damage. If the Autobots managed to blast neither of the Asteroids, they were all crushed between the giant pieces of space debris.

If they managed to blast away both asteroids, they reached a vast, empty expanse of space within the asteroid belt. Despite no longer being in danger of being crushed, Hot Rod announced that he had a horrible sense of foreboding about their situation. His feelings of being watched were confirmed when the Decepticons, now invisible, began firing upon them. The Autobots considered retreating, but Kup reminded them that Sarah Sanders had not perfected her device yet, and the Decepticons’ invisibility may yet wear off.

If the Autobots attempted to flee from the Decepticons’ attack, they found themselves at too much of a disadvantage to successfully make it out of the Asteroid Belt. They were blown into space junk before they could reach Earth.

If the Autobots held their ground, they were instructed by Ultra Magnus not to open fire upon the Decepticons until ordered to do so. Though things were tense as the Autobots were hit over and over again by their invisible opponents, soon the enemy ship came into view, just as Kup had predicted. The Autobots opened fire on the flimsier vessel, blowing it and the Decepticons within to smithereens. Hot Rod noted that it was a shame the invisibility device had been lost in the process, but Ultra Magnus comforted him, noting that at least the Decepticons had been taken care of, once and for all.

If the Autobots did retreat out of the Asteroid Belt, they convinced one another that the Decepticons most likely perished within it. Then, a few days later, when the invisible Decepticons attacked Metroplex city, Hot Rod and the rest of the Autobots were reduced to scrap metal, unable to fight the unseen enemy.

In a completely different scenario, wherein Hot Rod and Kup returned to Autobot headquarters for reinforcements after seeing the spaceship land, the two of them reported to Ultra Magnus directly, who agreed the situation necessitated further investigation. Hot Rod and Kup returned to the ship’s landing site accompanied by Jazz, Sunstreaker, Prowl and Springer. When they arrived, the ship in question was nowhere to be found, prompting Jazz and Springer to second-guess the veracity of Hot Rod and Kup’s story.

If Jazz and Springer convinced Hot Rod and Kup to return to Metroplex city to make sure they didn’t have a few wires loose, Ratchet found nothing wrong with the pair, but the incident was forgotten nonetheless. That is, until Galvatron returned with a fleet of identical ships, and destroyed both Metroplex and all of its inhabitants.

If Hot Rod and Kup convinced the other Autobots to keep on looking, Hot Rod eventually found trail marks, indicating that a heavy object the size of their spacecraft had indeed landed and had been dragged away. Hot Rod and the others followed the trail to a more rocky terrain, where tracking the ship would become more difficult. The trail seemingly lost, the Autobots then heard someone incoming, and took cover. From their hiding places, they saw the Decepticons Scavenger, a human captive within the grasp of his steam-shovel.

If the Autobots decided to rescue Sarah immediately, Scavenger dropped the woman, and cried for help while attempting to flee.

If the Autobots pursued Scavenger, they found him rejoining a whole squadron of Decepticons. Fighting the Decepticons immediately would cost them their lives. Otherwise, if the Autobots decided on a retreat when faced by the whole squadron of Decepticons, they managed to do so by blinding their enemies by their high beams and then splitting off into different direction. They later regrouped and found Sarah Sanders wandering in the desert.

If the Autobots paused a moment to listen to Sarah, she informed them of her spacecraft and its invisibility capabilities.

If the Autobots asked Sarah to build them their own Invisibility Device, Sarah refused, stating she would not build weapons for war. Running away from the group Sarah was almost killed when Dirge passed overhead and dropped a missile on her position. After rescuing her from the Decepticon attack, Hot Rod and the others brought Sarah to safety within Metroplex. Grateful for the rescue, Sarah showed the Autobots how to create an [[Invisibility Scrambler]] to counteract the Decepticons’ Invisibility Device. Anticipating the Decepticons’ attack, the Autobots successfully defeated the evil robots when they came. As Starscream, having been taking prisoner, was being escorted to his cell Hot Rod made a quip about seeing "right through the Decepticons’ plans."

If instead of asking Sarah to build them an Invisibility Device, Hot Rod and the others attempted once more to retrieve her ship, the whole group snuck over to where the Decepticons were stationed. Once there, Hot Rod and Prowl argued over which plan of action would be the smartest to undertake next.

If the Autobots agreed with Hot Rod to try and take the Decepticons by surprise with a head-on attack, the Autobots manage to stun the Decepticons by dazzling them with their headlights. While the Decepticons were distracted, Hot Rod raced down, snatched the Invisibility Device out of the hands, and retreated while the rest of the group provided cover fire. The Autobots then successfully peeled back, congratulating one another on a job well done.

If the Autobots agreed with Prowl to take a moment to come up with a more detailed plan, Prowl instructed Hot Rod to taunt the Decepticons into following him. The plan worked, and the bulk of the Decepticons took off after the young Autobot. Though Hot Rod encountered a canyon that blocked off his escape route, by keeping his wits about him, he managed to come out on top. In one scenario, Hot Rod even discovered a secret Decepticon base, which the Autobots managed to destroy thanks to him. In another, Hot Rod watched on as Sarah left in her spaceship in order to destroy it, vowing it would never be used to bring destruction.

In an alternate scenario where the Autobots silently trailed Scavenger while the Decepticon held Sarah Sanders captive, Hot Rod and the others followed him all the way to the Decepticons’ secret desert base. Inside, they spied upon Galvatron telling Sarah Sanders that the Decepticons would use Cerebro-Shells to control her mind, so that she would reveal to them to secret of invisibility. At this point, the Autobots decided to step in. A direct attack would only end in the Autobots’ defeat. In order to rescue Sarah, the Autobots would need to employ trickery. Using Jazz’s special abilities, the Autobots could do just that. In this scenario, the Autobots grabbed Sarah while the Decepticons were too dazzled by the illusions that Jazz projected. Sarah directed the Autobots towards where the Decepticons had stored her ship. Upon following her directions, Hot Rod and the others came upon two doors, unable to tell behind which one they would find their means of escape. If the Autobots happened upon Sarah’s ship as they were, they would be destroyed by the droids guarding it. However, if the Autobots first opened the door which led to a closet filled with Decepticon spare parts, they found a pile of spare Decepticon emblems. Donning them, Hot Rod and the rest of his team were able to fool the Decepticon Droids guarding Sarah’s ship. Escaping in the ship, despite the Decepticons best efforts to stop them, the Autobots returned to Metroplex. Sarah then gave the Autobots the secret to her Invisibility Device, ensuring the Autobots their victory in their war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}
{{-}}

===St. Michael ''The Transformers'' Sticker Book===
{{notemultipath}}
Hot Rod served on an alien spacecraft with the Autobots [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] under the command of Ultra Magnus. While fighting Decepticons, their spaceship took heavy damage and crash-landed on the planet [[Barrenikon]]. There, he met [[you]], having just emerged from the Vortex, a portal through space and time contained within the planet. Together, you went on an adventure, fighting Decepticons, braving Barrenikon's barren desert or its putrid swamp, and trying to find a way to get the Autobots space-bound once more. {{storylink|The Transformers Sticker Book (St. Michael)|The Transformers Sticker Book}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Hotroddreamwave.jpg|left|thumb]]
Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], whom Hot Rod became attached to. From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Shortly afterward, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold the Autobot leader at gunpoint. After receiving a corrective slap from and being admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot]]s on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Prime organized the resistance cell and other Autobot forces on the planet in an assault on Shockwave's citadel. Fighting alongside the Autobot leader, Hot Rod was amazed that the stories Kup had told him about Prime's courage and heroism had all been true. As an injured Prime breached the citadel, Hot Rod, Ironhide and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] provided cover fire, taking down a number of Guardians in the process. Along with the rest of Iacon, they witnessed the divine light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] when Shockwave activated it. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterward, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian robot—a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wrecker]]s, the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel, and successfully brought to an end Shockwave's reign. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Some time later, Hot Rod ran a simulation combat scenario against Kup, and won using tactics that, in Kup's opinion, would have killed them both had it been real. Only after his victory did Hot Rod remember that he'd promised to take Arcee to see an [[Earth]]-bound shuttle launch—a duty Springer was happy to relieve him of. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Soon afterward, he was assigned to perimeter guard duty at [[Autobase]] with Gnaw and Wheelie, separating him from Arcee. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

Optimus Prime once experienced a vision showing, at some unknown point in the future, Hot Rod had become a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]].{{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
After looking upon the still-recovering Optimus Prime with Wheelie and Gnaw, Hot Rod was accosted by several "[[Female Autobots|Transformer-like warriors]]," and knocked off-line. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}
{{-}}

===3H comics===
[[File:Skidswreckers2.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]
A few months after he destroyed [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in 2005, {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}} Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

After the Great Wars ended and the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, he changed his name to simply "Rodimus" and decided to check out the new "[[Great Upgrade|Maximal Upgrade]]". His relationship with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] ended shortly after, as the latter went through dark gripping depression over the death of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and vanished.

Rodimus joined the [[Wrecker]]s at some undetermined point afterward. After [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] took over Cybertron with his [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]], Wrecker leader [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] got stranded on prehistoric [[Earth]], leaving Rodimus in charge. True to form, he ditched leadership duties to [[Primal Prime]] as soon as possible.

After Primal Prime got his marching orders from the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], he met Rodimus deep inside Cybertron's caverns, where Arcee—in a new Maximal body—lurked and stewed in her depression. Realizing he couldn't convince her to give a damn about anything, he left, rejoining the main Wrecker force in battle. Making it onto an ancient Autobot shuttle, the Wreckers blasted off... with late-arrival Arcee. {{storylink|Departure}}

[[File:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Except you're the size of my arm now.]]
Rodimus recognized the homing beacon emitting from [[Akalo|Archa Nine]] as one of those missing exploration parties mentioned before. When the shuttle landed, Rodimus stayed behind to help repair the damage the ship had suffered. The entire Wrecker team later gathered in an [[Akalouthan]] village, where Rodimus was reunited with [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], who took them to see the artifact known as the [[Divine Light]]. The Wreckers' analysis of the item was cut short, as it was stolen by the traitor [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Rodimus saw the back-in-his-old-body [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] off, who was sent to chase after Cyclonus, while the Wreckers made for their next destination... even though several of them were now leery of the visions Primal Prime had been getting. Because they'd really done ''so well'' by the Wreckers so far. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Upon landing on the frozen planet, Rodimus was part of the search party immediately dispatched to look for... something. Primal Prime wasn't too specific. They came across [[Al-Badur]], an exiled [[Quintesson]], who gave them a little history lesson. They were then promptly attacked by a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], but the Wreckers made short work of them. They made their way back to the ship, with Al-Badur in tow, and made for their next destination... {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[File:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If Optimus can die, so can I!]]
...Cybertron. As Primal Prime took some Wreckers after their true foe, [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]], Rodimus tried to get their injured to a safe place. Unfortunately, the planet was under a full scale Quintesson invasion, and some anti-aircraft fire inevitably clipped the ship and sent them plummeting downwards. After they made it to safe ground, Rodimus and the crew hooked up with his fellow [[Matrix Templar]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], and followed his insight to the battle. They confronted Cryotek's underling, Cyclonus, and his purloined squad of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s. With casualties mounting on both sides, Cyclonus beat a safe retreat, collapsing the tunnel behind him to prevent pursuit. Rodimus was quick enough to dive through the falling debris, however, leaving the two old enemies alone to do battle. Centuries of bad blood carried them through the conflict, until both drew their weapons at point blank range, and fired.

Horribly damaged by this last attack, Rodimus struggled to keep up with the other Wreckers and the running conflict between [[Sentinel Maximus]] and Cryotek. The fighting came to an end at a Quintesson banishing chamber, where the treacherous Al-Badur had attempted to toss Sentinel and Cryotek into a formless void. The two warriors were trapped behind an energy dome, barely able to fight off the portal's pull using their flight systems. Once [[Fractyl]] pointed out that Cryotek was empowered by the Divine Light, a fraction of Primus's own power, Rodimus realized that as Matrix Templars he and Cheetor could drain that power away from the Predacon. They managed to extract most of it before Cryotek cut off their siphoning effect. In the end, Sentinel Maximus sacrificed himself to pull Cryotek into the void with him. Rodimus finally expired from his wounds from fighting Cyclonus, quietly passing on into the Matrix. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time after his time travel adventure, Hot Rod reported to Optimus Prime that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s team on Earth had been sidetracked by a Cobra attack. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} When said team ended up disappearing in Cybertron's [[Gladiator Zone]], Hot Rod convinced Optimus to stay behind and take care of an Autobot peace ceremony instead of going out and searching for them. Hot Rod then assembled his own search party, but they failed to find the missing Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Unfortunately, [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces attacked the peace ceremony and captured Optimus Prime, leading to Hot Rod assembling a new team intent on rescuing him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} [[File:Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus BlackHorizon1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]] They fought Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army together with reinforcements from G.I. Joe, and during the battle, Hot Rod paused in horror as he saw the light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] being opened inside the Decepticon base. The Decepticon army eventually defeated, and by the time Hot Rod reached inside their base, Serpent O.R. had been killed as well. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Hot Rod questioned Optimus Prime's choice to go to Earth again, accusing his leader of feeling guilty about [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death at Serpent O.R.'s hands and doing everything by himself just to prevent more people from dying. Prime just looked at him sadly before leaving, causing Ultra Magnus to tell Hot Rod that he really needed to learn when to stop talking. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{-}}

===IDW 2005 continuity===
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity}}
[[File:SpotlightHotRod-HotRodcvrAexcerpt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|As much as anything else, this was to troll [[Prowl (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity|Prowl]].]]
Originating from the city-state of [[Nyon]], Hot Rod destroyed it to keep its population from being painfully, fatally drained to fuel the corrupt [[Zeta Prime]]'s war machines.

Years later, Hot Rod held a fairly high rank in the Autobot army, equivalent to [[Prowl (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity|Prowl]], and was sent on a mission to [[Ki-Aleta]] to retrieve the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] which turned into a only technically-successful disaster, with himself the only apparent survivor. When he found out [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] had also survived, he rescued him from a Decepticon prison, unaware that he was the traitor who had caused things to go so wrong. Soon after, he was called to Earth to aid [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity|Optimus Prime]], but briefly returned to retrieve the Magnificence to gain information on the [[Expansion]], during which he discovered Dealer's treachery and killed him. Thereafter, he returned to his information-gathering task on the [[Machination]], and though was badly beaten by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], he still aided in the Decepticon's defeat.

After surviving the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] and watching Optimus surrender to [[Skywatch]], he led a group of Autobots to make an alliance with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to get off Earth, with the capitalist Decepticon buttering him up by dubbing him "Rodimus Prime", a name he adopted and continued to use even after Swindle's inevitable betrayal. Flying off in a stolen shuttle to retrieve the Matrix from the Decepticons, he was blasted into space by [[Megatron (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity|Megatron]] after taking it from [[Starscream (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity|Starscream]], leading to a trip that involved the discovery of [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW 2005 continuity|Galvatron's]] army-building. Returning the Matrix and this information to Optimus, he was permanently redubbed Rodimus and joined him in facing Galvatron, convincing Optimus that only the Matrix could undo the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]' contamination of Vector Sigma.

After the Chaos War was done, he was given half of the now-empty Matrix by Optimus, and led a two-hundred strong crew into space aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' to seek the [[Knights of Cybertron]], leaving Cybertron and its returned, hostile, population of [[NAIL|neutral Transformers]].

{{--}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}
{{-}}
===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When a surprise party was thrown for Optimus in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Hot Rod didn't wind up getting invited. He bemoaned that no one ever remembered ''his'' anniversary.

Later, Optimus told a couple of humans that the Transformers were in the midst of doing something really interesting... and showed them Hot Rod and Sunstreaker eating a pie! {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
[[File:Henkei manga rodimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
While the other Autobots were busy dealing with a rampaging [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Astrotrain]], Hot Rod disrupted [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons' attack on a power plant by engaging them solo. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Unable to tackle Megatron in hand-to-hand combat, he was able to get [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Starscream]] to accidentally blast his leader instead, but this did little more than annoy Megatron, who flattened Hot Rod with a [[fusion cannon]] blast. With Hot Rod defeated, the Decepticons pulled out, but the Autobot cavalier didn't let the defeat get him down, and he sped off to join the other Autobots in battling Astrotrain. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}} Soon after, Hot Rod helped defend another power plant against a Decepticon attack, shielding the human workers from Starscream's blasts with his own body. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

When the mysterious new Decepticon warrior [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] provided Megatron with the means to transform himself into the monstrous [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Hot Rod, [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Mirage]] trailed Cyclonus's Targetmaster partner [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] to the volcano in which Megatron was carrying out his transformation. Despite resistance from Starscream and Cyclonus, Hot Rod and his team were able to collapse the volcano's cone in on itself. They believed they had sealed Megatron within, and were about to focus their attack on Starscream when they were sent scattering by the explosive emergence of Galvatron from the remains of the caldera. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] on [[Earth]], Hot Rod was among the Autobots that [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] summoned to the planet. Together with [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], Hot Rod was to protect the planet while Optimus's team set off for Cybertron in pursuit of the fleeing Galvatron. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 3}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 4}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 6}}}}

===Fire Rodimus===
{{note|Fire Rodimus is based on an unproduced toy concept. For information about the toy concept, see [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|here]].}}
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Primax 092.0 Beta]], Rodimus (in his [[Micromaster]] body) was severely injured defending [[Micro|Zone]] from a [[Galaman|Great Galaman]] invasion. Subsequently, Rodimus's essence was transferred into [[Duke Fire]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Star Convoy]]'s power-up being, and Rodimus became known as Fire Rodimus. Star Convoy and Fire Rodimus's powerful combined form, Supernova Convoy, defeated [[Dark Nova|Star Giant]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Ultra Megatron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/15}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Fire Rodimus was among the many alternate universe incarnations glimpsed by [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]]'s [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} and was also summoned to Primax 512.5 Gamma to fight the [[Dark Matrix (G1)|Dark Matrix]] creature. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
After being asked to by [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]], the [[Autobot]]s, including Rodimus, attacked the Decepticon Base and chased away [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]. {{Storylink|A Reliable Warrior!? Vortex the Lookout from Hell}} After Megatron transformed into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus helped stop Galvatron's rampage by distracting him long enough for [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] to take Galvatron's helmet off, returning him to normal. {{storylink|Enter the New Emperor of Destruction!? Stop Galvatron's Rampage!}}

===''Cloud''===
[[File:Cloud Hot Rodimus.jpg|thumb|"Let me ask before I grab your purse; Why do I look like the [[Springer (G1)|Green guy]]?]]
'''Hot Rodimus''' was a young knight among the [[Autobot]]s, the space-time guardians who resided in [[Cloud World]]'s [[Metropolis]]. He was a powerful warrior with a strong sense of justice, but had a rather brash and immature attitude because of his youth.

Hot Rodimus was dispatched by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to deal with an energy surge at the 24-BW Spacetime. {{storylink|Uprising (Cloud)|Uprising}} Returning after the appointed time, Hot Rodimus explained to Optimus that a space-time disturbance delayed his return with the energy for [[SARA]]. As they spoke, the Decepticon uprising began with a devastating level of destruction levelled against Metropolis. Though overcome with emotion, Hot Rodimus was pacified by Optimus, who dispatched him to prepare their district's defenses. {{storylink|Raid}}

The Autobots fought back against the Decepticon invaders, but little did they suspect that the destruction being wrought was little nothing more than a distractio. While the bulk of their forces had been drawn away from their base of operations, a group of Decepticons forced their way in and abducted [[SARA]] before returning to the Underground. When the Autobots reconvened to discuss their next course of action, Hot Rodimus bemoaned their foolishness and inability to see through the Decepticons' ruse. The Autobots began to lose hope when it became clear that they would have to venture into the vast, dangerous, and unmapped Decepticon territory to retrieve SARA. Though Optimus, taking full blame of the situation onto himself, suggested that he venture into the Underground alone, Hot Rodimus refused to allow Optimus to go on such a dangerous venture. He declared that all the Autobots would join him. His comrades, though scared at first, agreed with Hot Rodimus's sentiment. Optimus thanked Hot Rodimus for preventing him from making another foolish decision, and then gave the order... ROLL OUT! {{storylink|Resolve}}

After zeroing in on SARA's energy signature, a decrepit old building, Hot Rodimus, Optimus Prime and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] headed underground. While a team headed by Jazz blitzed the Decepticons on the building's main floor, Hot Rodimus's team infiltrated its basement covertly. They reached the inner sanctum were SARA was being kept only to find that Megatron had already wired her into his own body. The Decepticon leader revealed the extent of his megalomania, declaring that he would rule all of space-time, even if it meant destroying his home dimension in the process. Though they tried to stop him, both Hot Rodimus and Brawn were shoved away effortlessly by the newly empowered Megatron. Hot Rodimus was knocked unconscious by the attack. His back-up disabled, Optimus Prime rammed Megatron, causing a disruption in SARA's energy and sending the combatants across dimensions. {{storylink|Leap}}

When a close friend of Hot Rodimus was injured by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the righteous anger burning within him awakened the power of [[SARA]], granting him a second [[alternate mode]] in the form of a helicopter.

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}} {{storylink|Crisis (Cloud)|Crisis}} {{storylink|Showdown (Cloud)|Showdown}} {{storylink|Return}} {{storylink|Awakening (Cloud)|Awakening}} {{storylink|Wandering}} {{storylink|Shock (Cloud)|Shock}} {{storylink|Wild (Cloud)|Wild}} {{storylink|Eagerness}} {{storylink|Lightwave}} {{storylink|Metamorphosis (Cloud)|Metamorphosis}} {{storylink|Overwhelm}} {{storylink|Concealment}} {{storylink|Struggle}} {{storylink|Fury (Cloud)|Fury}} {{storylink|Transcendence}}{{storylink|TFC-A01}} {{storylink|TFC-A03}} {{storylink|TFC-A04}} {{storylink|Transformers Cloud (issue)|Transformers Cloud}}}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe4 hotrod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Flame deco now available with Kirby Krackle!]]
Polymath warrior prince '''Imhotep Rodimus''' was Optimus Prime's chosen successor as Autobot leader. Unfortunately for Rodimus, when Optimus disappeared and Megatron seized control of Cybertron, Dinobot leader Grimlock objected to the "chosen one" taking leadership and defeated him in combat, casting him out of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Fallen and dejected, with no fight left in him, the young 'bot became a cog in Megatron's great machine, and wound with a lowly job in reactor maintenance, cleaning up vermin droppings and ferrying around the tubular [[energon]] containers from which he took his new name: Hot Rod.

On a routine collection of [[turborat]] traps, Hot Rod was puzzled to find that one trap contained not the robotic pests he was used to, but small, organic beings: unfortunate members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who had recently arrived on the planet. Tossing them in with the rest of his cargo and going on his weary way past the [[smelting pool]]s, he was suddenly confronted by Autobot revolutionary Blaster, who despised him for his defection and opened fire on him. A G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|missile bombardment]] subsequently took Blaster out, but when Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher]] arrived, they assumed Hot Rod was responsible and congratulated him. Praise from these low-lifes was the last straw for Hot Rod, and he threw the pair into one of the furnaces, loaded up the unconscious Blaster, and roared off back to Metroplex, unintentionally providing the Joes with an escape from their own missiles in the process. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

Hot Rod returned to Metroplex just as it was coming under attack from both [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and a mind-controlled [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. He managed to get inside the Autobot city anyways, and brought Blaster to Ratchet, urging the medic to save the brave Autobot to whom he owed his reawakening. Hot Rod then made his way to Metroplex's control room and ordered him to convert to his battle mode. Before he could convince the traumatized city to do so, Grimlock happened by. The Dinobot tried to chase off Hot Rod as he had done so in the past, but with a solid left hook Rodimus challenged Grimlock for leadership once more. Whatever the outcome of the duel, Grimlock expired shortly thereafter at the hands of Megatron. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} Afterwards, Rodimus, Brawn, and Mirage found that [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]], while in a trance, had drawn a map to the Chamber of Primus on Metroplex's floor. Following the map, the three Autobots, Bazooka, Cover Girl, and Duke found the face of the dormant Cybertronian god whispering: "No will but Megatron's"... Decepticobra guards, posted at a nearby Megatronian temple, caught sight of them, and a firefight began between both sides. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

The group's pilgrimage took them deep beneath the surface of Cybertron, where they encountered the mysterious [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. The Keeper told the group about the creation of Cybertron from its progenitor [[Daiakuron]]. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Their tour of the netherworld was cut short by tremors from above, and the team made a break for it. Rodimus made up to the surface safely, where he dispatched Springer and some Joes to rescue the individuals who hadn't made it out. {{storylink|Escape from Primus}} As the maddened Primus drew closer to the sun, both sides prepared for the final confrontation. Rodimus rallied the shellshocked Metroplex, convincing him to transform into his robot form for the first time in millennia. As the Jotobots attacked Trypticon, Rodimus rode Sky Lynx into the battle. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

Rodimus was one of the many Autobots forced to combine with Megatron to form "Mega-Megatron". After the resurrection of Optimus Prime and the end of the war, Optimus departed Cybertron aboard the ''Ark-2'', once again offering Rodimus a second chance to rule Cybertron. Rodimus gratefully accepted the opportunity. As a peacetime "philosopher-king", he and Wreck-Gar frequently visited [[Uranus]] to contemplate. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Kenshō Ono]] (Japanese)}}
{{Charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mystery of Mystery of Convoy}} {{storylink|Mystery of Return of Convoy}}}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:Micro-Aggressions HotRodGrimlock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
During the original Great War, Hot Rod fought on Earth and once tore off [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s wing in a parking garage. {{storylink|Derailment}}

When the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]] came into power, Hot Rod quickly became aware of how oppressive their rule was. He believed he could work within their system however, and set about implementing gradual change without resorting to violence. To this end, he downsized his body and became a [[Micromaster]], even though doing so meant he lost much of his status in the government's hierarchy. Hot Rod worked the system for seventy years, along the way getting posted as the head of [[Micropolis]]. Then, in the late 24th century, [[Lio Convoy]] sparked a revolution among the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] populace, calling for an aggressive societal reform. Hot Rod and his team, [[Drillbuster]], [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]], [[Spaceshot]], and [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]], were assigned to deal with and counter the [[Resistance]]'s [[Grand Uprising]].

In energy-starved times, Hot Rod, like most other members of society, was privy to a very limited amount of fuel. It surprised him then when he was given a full tank in preparation for an upcoming mission. The severity of the situation cleared up why he had been allowed more than his usual ration: the Resistance had managed to steal the [[G-Virus]]. This potent weapon had been reverse-engineered from [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s remains, and would replicate the process that transformed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] into the mad scion of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in anyone that was infected with it. Hot Rod was furious to learn that the one who had orchestrated the theft was none other than [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]; his former teammate had previously transplanted his spark into a Maximal body and then led many violent attacks against the government. Hot Rod did find solace in the fact that Grimlock was a predictable opponent though. He quickly puzzled out that the Resistance's next target would be the first [[Games|gladiatorial game]] to be hosted since Lio Convoy's call to arms. Hot Rod called in every favor owed to him to secure two hundred extra guards for [[Tesarus (polity)|Tesarus Arena]], with an extra three-hundred [[Maximal Command Security Force|MCSF]] officers to patrol the stadium's crowd.

Despite these precautions, Grimlock's cell managed to come dangerously close to the crowd before Hot Rod was alerted to their presence. He went to deal with the intruders in person, leaving most of his troops in place in case Grimlock was merely creating a diversion for another attack. Hitching a ride atop of Blackout and Spaceshot's combined vehicle mode, he managed to reach the Resistance fighters before they were in position to infect the Builders enjoying the Game. While his subordinates dealt with The [[Manterror|Man Terror]] and [[Snapper]], two Predacons operating under Grimlock, Hot Rod took on the former [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] himself. The battle that ensued left both Hot Rod and his opponent gravely wounded. Many verbal attacks were also traded between them, with Grimlock accusing Hot Rod of spitting on everything the Autobot badge once stood for by siding with the Builders. Hot Rod countered that though he hated what their world had become, he was leading by example, unlike Grimlock who had remained a violent brute. Their brawl eventually led to both 'bots tumbling out into the arena crowd. Grimlock's remaining allies came to his aid, and Hot Rod was tossed aside as Snapper prepared to unleash a virulent payload on the unsuspecting crowd. Hot Rod pleaded with him not to, explaining to the Predacon what the virus actually did; Grimlock had neglected to inform his underlings of this particular detail. Snapper was swayed to not unleash a thousand more mad tyrants on Cybertron, and destroyed the virus. Though Hot Rod had been specifically instructed to retrieve the G-Virus, he was simply content with the fact that it had not been unleashed. In thanks for his cooperation, Hot Rod promised Snapper that he would be treated fairly as he was taken into custody. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}{{storylink|Derailment}}}}

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

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Ben Pronsky]] (''Combiner Wars'', English), [[Judd Nelson]] (''Titans Return'', ''Power of the Primes'', English)}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream}} {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade}} {{storylink|The Council}} {{storylink|Homecoming (CW)|Homecoming}} {{storylink|A War of Giants}} {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}}}
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Rodimus-scan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|So we're letting any fool with a costume into the hall now?]]
[[File:TF-TR-Cartoon-Ep5-Ridealong.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''You're gonna climb over the top of all Nobody beats you 'cause you're fast as lightning Gekiso Sentai Carranger'']]
Following the Combiner Wars, Rodimus returned to the [[Primal Basilica]], where he asked the [[Chorus of the Primes]] to take back the [[Matrix of Leadership]], as he no longer believed himself worthy to carry it. The Chorus agreed and restored his arm before reformatting him back into his previous body as Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} When the [[Mistress of Flame]] alerted him to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s attack, he rushed back towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]] to help fight, assuring the Mistress he wouldn't be long. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Finally arriving, he ran into Windblade and the two worked together to attack Trypticon, though they were unable to save Metroplex. When [[Emissary (Generations)|Emissary]] was swallowed by Trypticon, Hot Rod Entered Trypticon's body himself and rescued the [[Titan Master]], though he was hit by Trypticon's tail and sustained severe damage. Unable to move, he asked Windblade to take Emissary and find [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. As he lay on the ground, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] arrived and forced the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] into the weakened Hot Rod's chest, corrupting him. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} The two later observed the end of the conflict and the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}
[[File:Machinima-POTP-Rodimus-Cron-fires.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Carbon fiber, 28 caliber, made in China; if you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.]]

Now an acolyte of Megatronus, Hot Rod found himself dramatically powered up by the Matrix of Chaos, which granted him the new name '''Rodimus Cron'''. He joined Overlord in assaulting the remaining Combiners, killing [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and disabling [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. He proceeded to destroy Devastator's limbs one by one until [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] finally confessed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s whereabouts, only to finish the job anyway before departing for [[Primal Swamp]] with Overlord. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} At first their search proved fruitless, but they spotted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and took them down, attempting to interrogate them for Megatron's whereabouts. Rodimus found himself momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], who identified the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]] from [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s description before killing [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] as a warning, leaving Rodimus's body as he and Overlord headed for the library. There, they caught Megatron's team unaware, giving Rodimus the opportunity to kill Victorion. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Rodimus then proceeded to beat down any member of the team that came his way, culminating in him strangling Windblade when she moved to defend Megatron. Though she pleaded with him in an attempt to reach him, he assured her the old Hot Rod was dead and tossed her aside. He again prepared to execute Megatron, but Overlord insisted he do it himself. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Rodimus-Cron-evolves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|"We. Are [[Venom (Crossovers)|Venom]]."]]
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Hot-Rod-aftermath.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''We'll be right back''.]]
Unfortunately for him, Megatron used the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] to kill Overlord, overwhelming Rodimus with its power and leaving him on the ground. As Megatronus arrived to take the blaster, revealing his intention to combine it with the Matrix, Rodimus was again possessed by Unicron. Hellbent on destroying the Matrix, he approached Megatronus, but was knocked away before the Fallen Prime escaped with the blaster. Undeterred, Rodimus got to his feet and gave chase in vehicle mode. Although Windblade still hoped to save her friend, the others all agreed that if the time came, Rodimus might have to be sacrificed to save their race. {{storylink|Consequences}} Rodimus eventually arrived at the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] just as Megatronus had incapacitated everyone but Megatron, and the power of Unicron morphed him into an even stronger form. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Now fully possessed by Unicron, Rodimus battled Megatronus for the Matrix. When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] got his hands on it instead and transformed into Optimal Optimus, he drew Rodimus's attention and the two began fighting, seemingly evenly matched. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Ultimately, Optimal got the upper hand and managed to remove the Matrix of Chaos from Rodimus, freeing him from Unicron's control and turning him back to Hot Rod. With Unicron now attempting to take control of Megatron, the still-weak Hot Rod confirmed their only option was to kill them both, to which Optimal obliged. In the aftermath, Hot Rod was placed in intensive care to recover from his experience, though Optimus Prime suspected that the emotional wounds from his time as Rodimus Cron would never heal. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:ChaosOnVelocitron-Rodimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|YEEHAW!!!]]
Hot Rod was partnered with the [[Titan Master]] [[Firebolt (G1)|Firedrive]], who granted him the ability to firei electrostatic fire blasts to disable enemy systems. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Firedrive/Hot Rod toy bio}} Later, during a mission to [[Velocitron]], Rodimus Prime crossed the finish line in a race to win the power of dominion over speed, but he had to convert himself into a Titan Master to use the power.<ref>''Titans Return'' Chaos on Velocitron bios</ref>
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] came to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s aid when the Autobot leader was fighting against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Hot Rod taunted the Decepticons, telling them to "watch my smoke!" {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, Rodimus Prime|Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, and Rodimus Prime commercial}}
*Hot Rod and Kup found themselves stranded on the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. The two Autobots drove up to the edge of a greenish pool, from which a pile of Sharkticons emerged and attacked. The duo fist-fighted their way through the enemy 'bots, with the help of an intervening [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sharkticon|Sharkticon commercial}}
*A stone sculpture of Rodimus was savaged by Weirdwolf as part of his training. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Decepticon Headmasters|Decepticon Headmasters commercial}}
*Rodimus Prime charged into battle with Kup, Blurr, and Wheelie against Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge. Then [[Sixshot]] joined the scuffle. Rodimus took the brunt of many of the Six-Changer's attacks, getting fired upon while Sixshot was in his jet fighter mode, pounced onto when Sixshot assumed his "wheeled wolf" mode, and blasted once more by the Decepticon's "laser pistol" mode. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sixshot|Sixshot commercial}}
*Rodimus handed his totally trustworthy agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] an important device, and saluted him as he drove off. Unbeknownst to Rodimus, Punch would meet with the Decepticons under his "Counterpunch" guise and hand the device over to Galvatron himself! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Punch and Clones|Punch/Counterpunch and Clones commercial}}
*Rodimus and Blurr drove to an Autobot laboratory, only to be informed by a distressed Kup that there had been an accident; the newest Autobots were monsters! Thankfully, they were still Autobots nonetheless, and helped ward off a Decepticon attack. After seeing how viciously the [[Monsterbot]]s dealt with the Decepticons, Rodimus expressed relief that these new 'bots were on his side. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Monsterbots|Monsterbots commercial}}
*The Autobots were caught by surprise when it seemed at first that a tank and jet were about to crash into one another on the battlefield, only for them to transform together into the Decepticon [[Flywheels]]! Rodimus was unfazed by this turn of events, and pounced onto this new combatant. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Duocons and Throttlebots|Duocons and Throttlebots commercial}}
*Rodimus Prime fought next to Blurr against Galvatron and his cronies while Transformers from both factions prepared to leave Cybertron and expand their war to the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}
*Hot Rod's voice narrated a handful of commercials, including:
**The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmasters|Headmasters commercial}}
**The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Technobots and Terrorcons|Technobots and Terrorcons commercial}}

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

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[File:C64RodimusPrimeAndHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

{{note|In this game, "Hotrod" and Rodimus Prime are separate characters who can be in the same place at the same time. Don't try to think about this too hard.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy''===
[[File:Mysteryofconvoy rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When Optimus Prime went missing under mysterious circumstances, Ultra Magnus was given the task of battling hordes of Decepticons in order to solve the mystery of his whereabouts. The Decepticons had also stolen a collection of seven energon cubes belonging to Rodimus Prime, which Magnus strove to recover during his fight. When all seven were successfully obtained and the battle was won, a new challenge rose its head, but with his energon cubes back, Rodimus was able to take up the fight! He had a funny habit of looking like an orange Ultra Magnus if you looked at him sideways. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
Rodimus Prime was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on Cybertron by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Rodimus Prime and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
====Autobot story====
[[File:Callofthefuture rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] gained the incredible power of the [[Zel Quartz]] in the year 2010 and began cutting a swath of destruction across the galaxy, Rodimus Prime, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] resolved to prevent this devastation by traveling back in time and eliminating the quartz in the past, thereby altering their future. Using a [[Transwarp]]-equipped ship supplied by the [[Quintesson]]s, they traveled to the world of [[Zel Samine]] in the year 2003, where they ran across teams of present-day Autobots and Decepticons led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who were carrying out investigations on their own on the planet.

Making matters worse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] also followed them back in time, and the two teams allied themselves with their respective present-day factions in order to locate the Zel Quartz. It wasn't necessarily an easy alliance to make: Rodimus was barely able to keep his cool when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], not believing that he and his team were really Autobots, demanded to know if Rodimus was Autobot leader in the future, what happened to Optimus? Fortunately, Optimus calmed his lieutenant down and welcomed the trio of future Autobots into his forces.

Working with the present day Autobots was not easy for Rodimus, as he was well aware of the fate that awaited them. On a number of occasions, he struggled with his knowledge of the future, knowing he could prevent a [[Battle of Autobot City|great tragedy]] but could also cause untold damage to the timestream by doing so. He also showed some interest in Arcee when he attempted to give her a precious stone he'd found during a mission to a mine, only for the female Autobot to scold him for taking something that didn't belong to him. Luckily for him, Optimus stepped in and settled things by ordering Rodimus and Arcee to return the stone. That Optimus makes one heck of a wingman.

After several false leads, the quartz was eventually located, serving as the power source of the [[ELTA]] power transmission array. After fighting their way through the likes of Cyclonus, Scourge, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and both [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his future counterpart Soundblaster, Rodimus and Optimus engaged Megatron and Galvatron in a two-on-two battle over ELTA, using the power of their twin Matrices to stop the computer from self-destructing. Once the dust from the fight had settled, Starscream reemerged and snatched up the Zel Quartz, only to promptly take it off-planet, where it disintegrated without Zel Samine's atmosphere and electromagnetic properties to sustain it. With their future thus averted, Rodimus and his Autobots began fading away to rejoin the timestream. Before they disappeared, Rodimus attempted to warn Optimus of the coming dangers in the future, including his Optimus's death (for which Rodimus continued to blame himself), but Optimus silenced him, telling him that he did not need to know what the future held. Rodimus told Optimus that he would always be the greatest leader in Autobot history, but Optimus told him that he was merely a soldier who loved justice, and that that was all Rodimus needed to be too.

====Decepticon story====
Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave encountered Rodimus Prime while investigating the presence of unknown craft over Zel Samine. Rodimus was stunned to see the Decepticon [[Emperor of Destruction]] before reminding himself of the era he was in. For his part, Megatron thought he was facing Hot Rod, but quickly realised his mistake. After a short, sharp fight that saw Rodimus defeated, Megatron was distracted enough by the appearance of Galvatron to allow the future Autobot to escape.

Rodimus would again battle Megatron as well as Galvatron at the ELTA power transmission array, this time alongside his hero Optimus Prime. He was shocked that despite the fact the two Primes were working together, they were still defeated. When Megatron and Galvatron resolved to destroy the ELTA array Rodimus pleaded with them to stop, pointing out that the array generated a massive amount of energy, the same energy the Decepticons so loved. Sadly, the two Emperors of Destruction felt that with the Zel Quartz now in their possession, they no longer needed the array and proceeded to destroy it with their combined power. The wounded Rodimus barely escaped.

He presumably returned to the future alongside all the future Transformers when Starscream unwittingly rendered the Zel Quartz powerless. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

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

===''Transformers: Battle Masters''===
Rodimus arrived in the city for a decent battle, and though he was defeated by local fighters, he decided not to leave the town. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Masters (mobile game)|Battle Masters}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Following [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rebirth as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus led the Autobots to a decisive victory over the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|All Hail Galvatron}} When Galvatron summoned [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to the battlefield, Rodimus attempted to block the Decepticon advance with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], though unsuccessfully. {{storylink|The Colossus War}}

Rodimus and [[Kup (G1)|Sergeant Kup]] were put on trial by the [[Quintesson]]s. They faced death by [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] until [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] organized a well-timed coup. {{storylink|Mockery of Justice}} The Autobots subsequently found themselves up against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. Rodimus defeated the monster by opening the [[Matrix of Leadership]], saving [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and becoming the new Autobot leader in the process. {{storylink|'Til All Are One (Legends)|'Til All Are One}}

When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] were abducted by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Rodimus Prime traveled to [[Chaar]] to see if the Decepticons were responsible. Damaged in an attack, he had a vision revealing the Quintessons were behind the kidnapping. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} He almost sacrificed himself on the planet Goo to save the rest of his team. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} Rodimus traveled into the Matrix to learn the origin of the Transformer race. Following an attack on Cybertron, Galvatron was only prevented from fighting with Rodimus by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

Following an Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus, alongside Spike, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ultra Magnus were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. This did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. Rodimus returned the Matrix of Leadership to the resurrected Autobot leader, reverting to Hot Rod in the process. Once in possession of the Matrix, however, Optimus fled for Cybertron, leaving the other Autobots stranded. The Matrix was returned to Hot Rod when Optimus regained his senses, who sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap, much to the chagrin of the Autobots. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}

Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Springer were trapped in human bodies by [[Victor Drath]] and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], but still managed to foil the pair's plan to destroy Autobot City. They were later successfully returned to their robot bodies. {{storylink|Only Human (Legends)|Only Human}}

Rodimus attempted to defend an experimental space bridge from Galvatron and his forces, only for a stray shot to hit the space bridge, sending all nearby combatants hurtling back in time. Finding themselves in a time where Primus and Unicron were battling one another, shaking the very cosmos with their blows, Rodimus and his troops allied themselves with their creator, while the mad Galvatron ordered his troops to help the Chaos Bringer. Despite the superior amount of beings that Unicron was able to will into being, the Autobots prevailed. Unicron was sent into a retreat, and the time-displaced Transformers were sent back to their proper place in the timestream by Primus. {{storylink|Battle of the Brothers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Rodimus-(CW).jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|We've got to get a new travel agent.]]
Rodimus (CW) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who could be acquired as a reward in the "Optimus Maximus Awakes!" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

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

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:RodimusEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|wHY Do mY PipES BeNd??]]
Hot Rod encounters [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Transformers:Earth Wars|Nemesis Prime]].
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Light our Darkest Hour event}}

[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] met with Hot Rod to offer information on [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s dimensional recruitment scheme; Hot Rod was skeptical, and when the other [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s arrived on the scene, Hot Rod declared that it was an ambush. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Rogue Trader}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Hot Rod wields two blasters. ''And'' he can also throw a hand grenade from a distance and set a building on fire!
*'''Ability: Blessing of the Matrix:''' Makes a friendly bot invulnerable to damage and stun effects for 8 seconds. Upgrading this ability increases duration.
**'''Cost''': 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:HotRod Hot Rod at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Image and story from all three cutscenes upon obtaining him, and after Researching twice.}}}}

;'''Rodimus Prime'''
[[File:Rodimus_Prime_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|That's right folks, the Matrix can also cure pipe bending!(Becoming the next leader of the Autobots included)]]

*'''Class''': Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: ''' Matrix Burst - Overcharge the Sparks of your allies, making them deal damage in an area around them over 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-prime Rodimus Prime at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

;'''Rodimus Unicronus'''
[[File:RodimusUnicronusEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Just like [[Darth Vader|Anakin Skywalker]], I became evil in the third movie >:D]]

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: '''To Battle!: Rush into combat and inspire your allies, giving them an increase to all damage (including abilities) for 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-unicronus Rodimus Unicronus at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|All information on character, after he comes out.}}}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:RodimusPrime-earlymodel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Hey, ladies. Look at your G1 Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime toys, now back to us, now back at your toys, now back to us."]]
*According to earliest materials (also the source of the earliest Hot Rod head seen in this section's first image), Rodimus Prime's original name was '''Hot Rodimus'''.
*Like the rest of the 1986 movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, only for the designs to then be refined over time into their finalized form. The early models were used for the characters' Marvel Comics appearances, the original promo reel for the movie, and would occasionally erroneously appear in [[AKOM]]-animated episodes of the cartoon. Rodimus's early design is one of the mostly commonly-seen in the series, popping in and out of episodes from scene to scene quite literally at random; it features curving shoulders and a spoiler that flares outward, and lacks an additional trapezoid in the centre of his pelvis that is part of his finalized model. Notably, Rodimus's final character model has never actually been found—only his early design is published in character model compendiums like ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' or ''[[Transformers: The Ark]]''.
**While AKOM bounced back and forth between early and finished designs for Rodimus, they ''always'' used the ''color scheme'' of the early design. This scheme colors the indentations on his shoulders burgundy-red instead of white; the "windscreen" details on his pelvis (see below) white instead of light-burgundy; the aforementioned trapezoid the same burgundy as the rest of his pelvis instead of the same light burgundy the windscreen is supposed to be; and finally, his his tires black (the finalized model is the odd one here, as it made them burgundy).
**Additionally, Rodimus also has an even ''older'' design, seen at right, which is substantially more different. Here, he appears to carry the trailer of the truck on his back, plus additional [[kibble]] on the back of his forearms. If only there were art of the back of this design. We'd plotz.
**Meanwhile, on Hot Rod's early character model, both sets of wheels are on his arms, as they are intended to span the entire length of the vehicle; his wrist-cuffs are intended to become the vehicle's taillights. Unsurprisingly, this has never been duplicated on any toy.
*As mentioned above, both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime's character models suggest that the windshield and roof of their respective vehicles form the pelvic area, including little side windows on their hips. This was highlighted by on both characters' early color model, used by AKOM, which colored that area white, as if it were a window, but was downplayed on their finalized models, which recolored those sections in a lighter shade than the surrounding area. The sheer physical impossibility of this has, again, meant it has never been duplicated on any toy, although the Masterpiece version makes a nod to it with a transparent groin plate with indentations underneath denoting two seats and a steering wheel.
[[File:Hotrodrodimuscharactermodels.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Rodimus is always embarrassed by his yearbook photos. (Early AKOM Rodimus model pictured, colored like the finished Toei Rodimus model.]]
*Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime look very similar in fiction, but there are ways to distinguish them by sight.
**Rodimus Prime's character model has extra lines on his face that go from the bottom of his nose and connect to another line forming a triangle shape. Hot Rod's cheeks are more clear and youthful.
**Despite their toys being the same color of red, the cartoon series rendered Hot Rod as magenta, and Rodimus a dark shade of burgundy (the movie, however, made Rodimus the same color as Hot Rod). In addition to repeatedly getting the two character models mixed up, sometimes the animation would depict one model colored as the other.
**In Marvel stories, Hot Rod was also colored almost entirely magenta, with a yellow spoiler and flame deco, but with silver thighs instead of orange. Whoever did the Marvel deco sheet seems to have been looking at the [[:File:G1catalog86-PinkHotRod.jpg|original toy photos]] and colored the thighs like the toy's silver stickers. While Marvel Hot Rod was stark magenta, Marvel Rodimus was colored in the reds, oranges and yellows of his toy. Future comics and toys would often ignore any differences in color between the character's two forms, presenting them both in the original toy colors (see the image at the head of the article for a good example).
**The Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon, in addition to featuring the coloration differences of the American Generation 1 cartoon, also added some extra lines around the perimeter of Rodimus's eyes to further distinguish him from Hot Rod. These odd-looking lines appeared only intermittently, thankfully so—they made Rodimus look like he was wearing robo-mascara. The ''Headmasters'' Rodimus Prime character model also moved the wheel kibble from the back of the arms to the front, to better approximate their position on the toy.
[[File:RodimusPrimeG1-trailermanagement.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Maybe his Mobile Defense Bay is just an extra set of legs!]]
*Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] was realized in toy form with Rodimus's [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|6" ''Titanium Series'' action figure]].
*A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic. As with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.
*Hot Rod's 1986 tech specs figures are ''extremely'' high (six 10/10s, one 9/10, one 7/10). They are actually higher than both Ultra Magnus and Galvatron's stats. None of the other movie characters have such inflated tech specs, so this was possibly an attempt (albeit small) to convince the kids of the time how awesome their new hero was. Rodimus Prime's tech specs are only ever so slightly higher than Hot Rod's, but as the latter was near maximum anyway that isn't saying much. One year later, for his Targetmaster release, Hot Rod's stats have been reduced to slightly more sensible figures (which leads to the amusing situation where his "Firepower" stat actually goes ''down'' from 10 to 7 when he becomes a Targetmaster. Also his top speed has changed from 120 mph to 330 mph. Maybe Firebolt weighs less than his old gun?)
*Hot Rod might be the ''Transformers'' character with the most names in the US. From "Hot Rod" to "Rodimus Prime", to "Rodimus Major" to just plain "Rodimus". Varieties of "Rodimus" appeared to be how he would be named for a while, but his [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Titans Return]] figure is back to being "(Autobot) Hot Rod", suggesting that Hasbro has somehow reclaimed the [[trademark]] on the name.
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's. The reference came full circle with [[Side Burn (RID)|G1 Side Burn]], who was a redeco of a Rodimus toy.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

===Foreign names===
====Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rodimus''' (ホットロディマス ''Hotto Rodimasu''), '''Hot Rod''' (ホットロッド ''Hotto Roddo'')
*''English:'' '''Roadimus Prime''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''Météorite''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagyágyú''' ("Hot Shot"), '''Peca''' (''The Movie'', "Fisher")
*''Italian:'' '''Folgore'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rod''' (Taiwan, 羅德 ''Lúo Dé''), '''Rè Pò''' (China, 热破, "Hot Break")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Roda Quente''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Patron''' (cartoon, Патрон, "Cartridge")

====Rodimus Prime====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Convoy''' (ロディマスコンボイ ''Rodimasu Konboi''), '''Rodimus Prime''' (ロディマスプライム ''Rodimasu Puraimu'')
*''French:'' '''Rodimus Primo''' (Canada toy, "Rodimus First"), '''Rodimus Primus''' (Canada cartoon)
*''German:'' '''Rodius Prime''' ([[Condor Verlag]] comics)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Rodimusz Fővezér''' ("Prime Commander Rodimus")
*''Italian:'' '''Captain'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rhodie Jr-tsūn''' (Taiwan, 羅迪至尊, "Rodimus Prime"), '''Bǔ Tīan Shì''' (China, 补天士, "Gentleman Who {{w|Nüwa|Repairs the Sky}}")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rodimus Supremo''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Rodimes Prime''' (cartoon, Родаймес Прайм)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Rodimus Najkrashhyj''' (cartoon, Родімус Найкращий, "Rodimus The Best")

====Nemesis Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Nemesis Hot Rod''' (ネメシスホットロッド ''Nemeshisu Hotto Roddo'')

====Rodimus Unicronus====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Unicronus''' (ロディマスユニクロナス ''Rodimasu Yunikuronasu'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Battle Masters Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Convoys]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Personal canon

2019-02-28T19:57:29Z

Sideswipe84: /* Common examples of personal canon */

{{disambig2|fans' homebrewed storylines|Generation 1 Decepticon leader Megatron's personal '''cannon'''|Fusion cannon}}
{{disambig2|fans' head canon|the Generation 1 Autobot with cannons for a head|Headcannon}}

[[File:Lockdown gun face.gif|thumb|right|upright=1.67|No, not this sort of head cannon.]]
A '''personal canon''', '''headcanon''', (or a more limited '''personal continuity''') is one fan's interpretation of the Transformers mythos. This can range from picking and choosing stories and characters that they favor and assembling them as they like, to discarding one or two distasteful properties from an otherwise accepted continuity. A personal canon can also be various events from different universes brought together into one single storyline (e.g. G1 and the Unicron Trilogy in the same universe).

This is often used in [[fan fiction]], where an author will use an established continuity ''up until a certain point,'' from which they would start telling their own stories. Motivations for these stories can range from a desire to [[retcon]] another story that the author dislikes, or to curiously pursue a 'what if' continuity based on a key event happening in some different way.

On a more simple level, personal canon can refer to an individual fan's overall preference for certain interpretations of the ''Transformers'' mythos over multiple continuities, such as saying "[[Quintesson]]s are cool, as long as they didn't create the Transformers", or the acceptance/assumption of the popular retcon that Transformers have [[spark]]s in all timelines.

When fans make it to the big leagues and become official creators on the franchise, they may end up [[canonizing]] their own personal theories.

==Common examples of personal canon==
*Accepting some seasons of a continuous show or some shows in a sequence of shows, but not others. Examples: only accepting the first two seasons of the Generation 1 animated series, but not the subsequent ones. Or only counting ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but not ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
*Having one's fan-favorite characters survive their depicted deaths. Examples: saying that Brawn survived ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' or [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] survived Marvel's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' comics.
*Renaming unnamed characters after ones who fulfill similar roles in another continuity.
*Disregarding one animated-series origin of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] for another (or concocting a way for them to work together somehow).
*Merging elements of the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|version of ''Armada'']] with the animated cartoon's.
*Regarding Decepticons being descended from the [[Liege Maximo]] or [[Quintesson]] military hardware (and thus being ''intrinsically'' evil) as antithetical to the concept of [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|the Civil War]] being political and that wartime factions were chosen through the exercise of free will.
*Accepting everything in every known Transformers continuity as having happened as a single jumbled entity, ignoring the inconsistencies as "gray areas" that one mustn't be concerned with.
*Considering one's own (or somebody else's) [[fan fiction]] as a part of continuity.
*Taking one's favored pairing as canon... And waging flame wars on anyone who disagrees.
*Believing the Aligned Continuity doesn't fit ''at all.''
And so on. There are, of course, infinite possibilities.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Continuities| *]]

Personal canon

2019-02-28T19:56:30Z

Sideswipe84: /* Common examples of personal canon */

{{disambig2|fans' homebrewed storylines|Generation 1 Decepticon leader Megatron's personal '''cannon'''|Fusion cannon}}
{{disambig2|fans' head canon|the Generation 1 Autobot with cannons for a head|Headcannon}}

[[File:Lockdown gun face.gif|thumb|right|upright=1.67|No, not this sort of head cannon.]]
A '''personal canon''', '''headcanon''', (or a more limited '''personal continuity''') is one fan's interpretation of the Transformers mythos. This can range from picking and choosing stories and characters that they favor and assembling them as they like, to discarding one or two distasteful properties from an otherwise accepted continuity. A personal canon can also be various events from different universes brought together into one single storyline (e.g. G1 and the Unicron Trilogy in the same universe).

This is often used in [[fan fiction]], where an author will use an established continuity ''up until a certain point,'' from which they would start telling their own stories. Motivations for these stories can range from a desire to [[retcon]] another story that the author dislikes, or to curiously pursue a 'what if' continuity based on a key event happening in some different way.

On a more simple level, personal canon can refer to an individual fan's overall preference for certain interpretations of the ''Transformers'' mythos over multiple continuities, such as saying "[[Quintesson]]s are cool, as long as they didn't create the Transformers", or the acceptance/assumption of the popular retcon that Transformers have [[spark]]s in all timelines.

When fans make it to the big leagues and become official creators on the franchise, they may end up [[canonizing]] their own personal theories.

==Common examples of personal canon==
*Accepting some seasons of a continuous show or some shows in a sequence of shows, but not others. Examples: only accepting the first two seasons of the Generation 1 animated series, but not the subsequent ones. Or only counting ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but not ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
*Having one's fan-favorite characters survive their depicted deaths. Examples: saying that Brawn survived ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' or [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] survived Marvel's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' comics.
*Renaming unnamed characters after ones who fulfill similar roles in another continuity.
*Disregarding one animated-series origin of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] for another (or concocting a way for them to work together somehow).
*Merging elements of the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|version of ''Armada'']] with the animated cartoon's.
*Regarding Decepticons being descended from the [[Liege Maximo]] or [[Quintesson]] military hardware (and thus being ''intrinsically'' evil) as antithetical to the concept of [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|the Civil War]] being political and that wartime factions were chosen through the exercise of free will.
*Accepting everything in every known Transformers continuity as having happened as a single jumbled entity, ignoring the inconsistencies as "gray areas" that one mustn't be concerned with.
*Considering one's own (or somebody else's) [[fan fiction]] as a part of continuity.
*Taking one's favored pairing as canon... And waging flame wars on anyone who disagrees.
*Refusing to believe the Alligned continuity doesn't fit ''at all.''
And so on. There are, of course, infinite possibilities.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Continuities| *]]

User talk:Sideswipe84

2019-02-27T17:35:15Z

Sideswipe84:

{{welcome}}

However...

{{captionbastard}}

It's considered poor etiquette to edit captions without having contributed actual content to the wiki, and REALLY poor etiquette to replace someone else's caption with your own. Please contribute more proper content before you decide to make jokes willy-nilly. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 14:29, 26 February 2019 (EST)

I really have no idea how to format, or create pages. I honestly don't know whether this is how I respond to your message. Furthering the neccessity of said message. Thank you for making me aware of this issue. My most sincere apologies. I would love to add some pages to this wiki, if possible, such as articles for Larry Cullen, or Diamondbolt, or something along those lines. Any pointers would be greatLY appreciated. -- [[User:Sideswipe84|Sideswipe84]] ([[User talk:Sideswipe84|talk]]) 10:20, 27 February 2019 (EST)
:In those specific instances, I'm not sure either of those pages are necessary, as the only real people who have articles on this wiki are those who have worked on Transformers in an official capacity. Larry Cullen has nothing to do with Transformers aside from being Peter Cullen's inspiration for Optimus Prime's voice and receiving a dedication in "[[Partners]]", both of which are already noted on their respective pages, so there's really no need for a dedicated page. As for Diamondbolt, he's only made fan videos and hasn't worked on any official Transformers products, so he wouldn't be eligible for inclusion either. However, if you do want to create pages, I suggest you give our [[Help:Contents|Help]] section a look to learn the dos and don'ts. And if you're not sure how to format something, try doing it in this [[User:Sideswipe84/sandbox|Sandbox]] first. That way, you have a spot all to yourself where you can test things out and make sure everything looks right without risk of breaking any proper pages. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 10:36, 27 February 2019 (EST)

Will the recent announcement that Bumblebee is in fact a reboot have any effect on the character's or any other characters that appeared in the film on the site, as it is a brand new continuity? Like how they're considered bayverse iterations on this site? -- [[User:Sideswipe84|Sideswipe84]] ([[User talk:Sideswipe84|talk]]) 12:33, 27 February 2019 (EST)

Air Raid (G1)

2019-02-27T17:24:21Z

Sideswipe84: /* Legends */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Air Raid}}
{{picsneeded|various anime}}
:''Air Raid is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] and sometimes [[Cyberjet]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TFU Air Raid.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Danger? HA! I laugh at danger! LAUGH, I TELL YOU!!!]]
Some might call '''Air Raid''' reckless, the way he dives out of nowhere, charging enemy units head on. Air Raid would laugh at that. A rash and fearless young warrior who loves surprises (especially those that leave his foes too stunned to fight back), he has only one real goal in life: to have fun. Needless to say his attitude puts him in a lot of danger, but you can be sure he's enjoying himself the whole time.

Air Raid combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] or with other Transformers to form [[Galvatronus (Generations)|Galvatronus]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Rob Paulsen]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Kōki Kataoka]] (Japanese, "War Dawn"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, "Thief in the Night"), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese, "Fight or Flee"), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese, "The Ultimate Weapon")|[[Xu Hong]] (Chinese), [[Wolfgang Mascher]] (German, ''Forever Is a Long Time Coming''), [[Imo Heite]] (German, ''Starscream's Ghost''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Thief in the Night''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Fight or Flee'' and ''The Big Broadcast of 2006''), [[Fritz von Hardenberg]] (German, ''The Ultimate Weapon''), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, Generation 2 Dub)}}

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life and intellect, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthly jets, and bringing them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his tech-savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus' plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Like most of the Aerialbots, Air Raid was slow to learn the Autobots' ways. Overly impressed with the flying skills of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and his wingmen, the Aerialbots were easily lured onto a [[Kronosphere]] platform, and cast more than nine million years into the past. They had the opportunity to view Megatron's evil firsthand, as the early Decepticons deactivated their new friends [[Elita One (G1)|Ariel]], [[Dion (G1)|Dion]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]]. Air Raid and the others soon returned to the future with a newfound resolve to oppose the Decepticons' tyranny. {{storylink|War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn}}

Air Raid led the Aerialbots in a flight around the Statue of Liberty, which the Autobots were gracefully coating with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new invention, [[Corrostop]], to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were just as interested in Perceptor's work, and the Stunticons arrived to kidnap him. Air Raid and the others chased the Stunticons aboard [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] all the way back to the Decepticons' undersea base, but were driven off by the [[Lightning Bug]]. This impressive heat ray zapped Air Raid's missile in mid-flight, then tagged his tail for good measure. He was forced to sit there and smolder while giving his report to Optimus Prime before being allowed to pick up some replacement parts. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[File:Airraidairassault.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Happybot!]]Air Raid was with the Aerialbots when they answered a distress call about a canyon cave-in, but the team soon discovered the call was a trap laid by the Combaticons. After taking out Slingshot the Combaticons claimed the upper hand, until the arrival of Autobot reinforcements changed their minds and the tide of battle. As the Combaticons retreated, Silverbolt held Air Raid back from pursuing the Combaticons in order to get his help in digging out Slingshot. After his recovery, Slingshot volunteered to be a decoy as part of Skydive’s plan to investigate a plane smuggling ring. Air Raid sarcastically told his fellow jets to enjoy their 'vacation' as he departed.

Returning later to assist Slingshot and Skydive, Air Raid and Silverbolt took on Vortex, Ramjet, Blast Off and a fleet of drone jets while under fire from the Combaticons and Megatron’s [[Giant Purple Griffin|purple griffin fortress]]. After the Combaticons formed Bruticus, Air Raid tried to distract the giant Decepticon from smacking Silverbolt, and got smacked himself instead. With the arrival of Fireflight, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and wrestled with Bruticus, then separated again. With a well-placed shot, they set an [[oil]] field ablaze and the resulting blast sent the defeated Decepticons and Bruticus flying into the sky.

[[File:AirraidandaliassaultG1.jpg|thumb|225px|What!!! A fly in my energon soup?!]]
After regrouping in [[Jumal|Prince Jumal]]’s palace, Air Raid threatened some good old fashioned Autobot justice against captured Decepticon minion [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]], but Silverbolt said the Aerialbots should let Prince Jumal deal with his fellow human. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

After the death of Megatron and the retaking of Cybertron, Air Raid and the Aerialbots became part of the Autobot Fleet. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and Spike were kidnapped to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], the rescue party alerted the Aerialbots to swoop by for covering fire and pick-up. Air Raid and Skydive made the strafing run that took out the Quintessons' defensive [[proton cannon]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} When the Quintessons destroyed their own planet to get at the Autobots, the resulting blast wave destroyed the Aerialbots' ship, sending Air Raid and the rest hurtling through space. They eventually impacted on [[Goo 8739B]], {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} and were rescued by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

{{Note|In the episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]", several jets in the Autobot Fleet resembling the Aerialbots' alt modes were destroyed by the Quintessons. Repeatedly. Since the Aerialbots unquestionably survived the attack, it would seem their character models were merely used to build up the size of the fleet, and the casualty figures.}}

When Perceptor's science team were attacked in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots accompanied [[Hot_Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] in rescuing them. As Superion, they confronted a horde of Quintessons and drove them off. After Silverbolt disengaged their super mode, Air Raid still wanted to chase after the Quintessons, but Silverbolt reined him in. Air Raid chastised him for having no sense of adventure, to which Silverbolt retorted that was exactly why he was in charge. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

One lovely afternoon in space, Air Raid was playing cat-and-mouse with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Once he had finished his fun, Air Raid led the Decepticon duo into an asteroid field where his fellow Aerialbots were waiting to spring an ambush. The Aerialbots messed the Decepticons up pretty badly, especially after they transformed into Superion. Eventually, they chased the Decepticons through a strange warp in space. This proceeded to have no consequences for [[Sandstorm (G1)|anyone]] [[Paradron|whatsoever]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}}

[[File:Airraidfightorflee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|I'll kill you, asteroid!]]Air Raid and the Aerialbots were spending a relaxing day watching home movies on [[Teletraan II]] when things suddenly got serious, as the Autobots' computer off-handedly informed them [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] was never destroyed in his last battle with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When they tracked Trypticon to his new staging grounds, Air Raid and the Aerialbots launched from [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], but the Decepticon presence in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] was more than they had anticipated. Still, Air Raid paid tribute to his leader Silverbolt by reciting his famous battle-cry, "Good-bye, cruel world!" He dipped his singed tailfins in the ocean and managed to make a hasty retreat with Broadside and his fellow Aerialbots. The Aerialbots soon returned with reinforcements and drove the Decepticons from Carbombya. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

When Starscream possessed [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and attempted to get rid of Galvatron, he lured him into an Autobot trap involving Rodimus Prime and the Aerialbots. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

During a battle in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots may or may not have been present. Superion, at least, was surely there on the planet [[Eurythma]]...sometimes. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

After [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] took some hostile fire over the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], Rodimus Prime dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. They were caught in a crossfire between the brain-addled Junkions and the Quintessons, who were responsible for messing with the Junkions' air waves, and their minds. Even after becoming Superion, the Aerialbots took heavy fire and had to be brought back to [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] on Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

On one occasion, Air Raid was buzzing too close to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during a battle on Earth, and the dinosaur city unleashed his full plasma breath. Air Raid's tail-fins were scorched and he had to set down in a small lake, but his sacrifice gave Silverbolt a chance to fly down Trypticon's throat now that his flame was temporarily used up. The Aerialbot leader was then able to cause serious internal damage to the giant Decepticon before flying back out again. And Air Raid ''totally'' planned it that way. No, really. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

During the Decepticon invasion of Japan, the Aerialbots fought against [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] when he tried to derail a bullet train full of passengers. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Sometime thereafter, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were recruited by Rodimus Prime to rescue the body of Optimus Prime from [[Gregory Swofford|Swofford]] and [[Mark Morgan|Morgan]]. Unfortunately, this only meant they were among the first Autobots exposed to the [[Hate Plague]]. Despite the madness induced by the red dust, the Aerialbots were apparently still willing to form Superion. Superion ran amok, causing serious property damage, infecting [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and taking several other Autobots out of action. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron searching for the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], the Aerialbots tried to stop them. Unfortunately, they didn't reckon with [[Sixshot]]. Flying heedlessly into battle, Air Raid was shot down first by the [[Six Changer]]'s siege tank mode. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] then took his [[power pack]] to use as fuel for the giant rocket engine they were constructing for [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Fortunately, the Autobots won the day and ushered in a new Golden Age for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
When the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] confronted Menasor at a baseball stadium, Air Raid and the Aerialbots arrived as back-up. They formed Superion to engage Menasor and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. After [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] was injured, Superion targeted the Decepticon combiners' legs, shaking them loose and giving the smaller Protectobots a chance to link up with the Decepticon gestalts and override control of their bodies. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}} After the Autobots discovered a utopia island paradise, it was besieged by Megatron and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who wanted to build an impregnable fortress. [[Kenji]] radioed for help, and Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to the rescue. As Superion they fought off [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], using their smarts to outthink the evil warriors. As [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] cast a massive hologram of Metroplex, Air Raid detached from Superion to buzz around Trypticon's head, tricking him into charging at the not-quite-there Autobot. Instead of grappling with his foe, Tryppy tripped over a cliff into the waters below. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City: Mobilization=====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched from the [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to aid Optimus Prime in battle with the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their aerial firepower frankly overwhelmed the marauding Decepticons, and sent them home with their transistors between their struts. On his second attempt, Megatron sent the Stunticons, who were considerably more successful in engaging the Autobots. Damaged in jet modes, Air Raid the Aerialbots chose instead to merge and form Superion. As Superion, they possessed scramble combining abilities, but so did the Stunticons when they formed Menasor. The Aerialbots were in the midst of reconfiguring their limb formation when Fireflight, being... well, a daydreaming idiot, mixed up whether he was supposed to be the right leg or the left. His indecision gave Menasor time to shoot him down, and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] assumed the place of Superion's right leg instead, corrupting his programming. Air Raid and the others were trapped as Superion, literally fighting themselves, until Fireflight retook his place as Superion's limb. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====Full Throttle Scramble Power!=====
The Decepticons, up to their usual tricks, threatened to plunder Earth's resources. The Aerialbots pleaded with Optimus Prime to allow them to deal with their bitter rivals, the Stunticons, currently attacking a powerplant. Though Optimus was hesitant at first, the Aerialbots being new and inexperienced, he allowed them this chance to prove themselves. The two teams met, and quickly combined into their gestalt forms to do battle. Though Superion was initially crippled by the [[Omega Whip]], a new weapon controlled by the Decepticons, he held his own until the Autobots dispatched enough reinforcements to turn the tide of battle, and send the Decepticons fleeing. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
In [[2010]], Galvatron kidnapped [[Dalton]] of [[Eran]] to utilize his skills and improve the Decepticons' combiner technology. Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the Protectobots in assaulting Trypticon, in hopes of rescuing the hostage scientist. Air Raid and his team formed Superion for a first strike, but the Decepticon combiners countered with their deployment modes, launching the Stunticon and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] troops with enough force to tear Superion apart. The Protectobots stood guard over [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] as he performed battlefield triage on the Aerialbots in his repair bay mode, bringing them back on-line. Silverbolt then transformed into launcher mode and unleashed Air Raid and the other Aerialbots in their own scramble attack, blinding Menasor and Bruticus long enough for the Autobots to escape safely with Dalton. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were stationed at Autobot City on Earth in 2011. When Galvatron attacked Cybertron via the old [[space bridge]] network, the Aerialbots were summoned to Cybertron as reinforcements. They soon arrived with the [[Trainbot]]s and quickly joined the battle. Air Raid and his team formed Superion and battled [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and Devastator. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Later, the combined Aerialbots fought alongside [[Raiden]] and Defensor against the Decepticon combiners, and were nearly crushed when Bruticus collapsed a building on their position. They were bailed out by the arrival of the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] began his search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on Earth, Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to the humans' planet to assist him. They confronted the Stunticons in the desert, pitting Superion against Menasor yet again. The battle was so fierce it eventually carried them to the Arctic where Hot Rod was searching. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Air Raid and his flying comrades joined the [[Triple Changer]]s in distracting the Decepticons long enough for [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] to sneak inside Trypticon and gather data on the [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}Sometime later, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were on a research vessel that passed near a [[Metamorphose|strange meteorite]]. The meteorite had been altered by Galvatron to produce magnetic warping waves whenever it detected metal, and so it sent the Aerialbots and their ship twisting through space. Although the Decepticons tried to intervene, the Autobots eventually recovered Air Raid and his injured colleagues. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Following a lengthy repair cycle, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were ready for action when Galvatron and the Decepticons laid siege to Cybertron one last time. Transporting to Cybertron from Earth, they raced into battle (on foot, for some reason). Air Raid and the team got the drop on the Stunticons when they merged into Superion, smashing and scattering the 'Cons before they could form Menasor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} As the fighting continued, the Aerialbots battled Abominus as Superion and later separated to trade blaster fire with the Stunticons. The warring only came to an end once [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s bombs blew up [[Vector Sigma]] and annihilated the planet.{{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

When [[buridanka|a giant carnivorous plant]] attacked San Francisco, Ultra Magnus dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to combat it. Although they made frequent bombing runs on the organism, the Aerialbots were unable to stop it. Only the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] and his powerful giant [[Transtector]] brought an end to the creature's rampage. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots were part of a strike team that flew to the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to disrupt Scorponok's gathering of Decepticons. They immediately formed Superion upon entering the battle. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

When one of Scorponok's Death Towers emerged in Washington D.C., Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched to investigate it. As part of Superion, Air Raid participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. He lent his energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

=====''Cloud''=====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|TFC-A01}}}}

=====Wars manga=====
As part of Superion, Air Raid was stationed at [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] while it was under reconstruction after an attack from [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]. {{storylink|Metrowars}}

=====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''=====
In the 2030s, Air Raid and the Aerialbots deployed from Metroplex to put a stop to the Stunticons' latest bout of mischief. {{storylink|Unite Warriors Offshot|Today Is Us Stunticons' Annual Holiday Demolition Race!}} This led to a battle in which Superion battled and was seized by [[Grand Scourge]], though the Aerialbots were able to separate and escape thanks to [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'s intervention. They went on to accompany Broadside to the [[Legends World]] and help him defeat [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], who then started living with them on Broadside's giant [[transtector]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 53|Bonus Edition Vol. 53}} The Aerialbots later visited Metroplex, another visitor to this world, and hosted their annual barbecue party on his city mode together with their old friend, [[Jumal|King Hassan]]. {{storylink|Unite Warriors Offshot|Energon BBQ Today!}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Aerialbots second generation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Talk to me, Goose!"]]
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race—amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}} ''Together, Optimus and Buster witnessed a prophetic vision in which Skydive and the other Aerialbots assisted the Protectobots in defending the [[Pullen Power Plant]] from the Combaticons and the Stunticons by combining into their gestalt forms.'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} ''It was this vision which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Air raid aerialbots over america.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Character models? HA! I laugh at character models!"]]
Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicons' electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Air Raid and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Air Raid proved to be the most effective of the new Aerialbots in battle. After his fellow jets took a few hits in battle with the Cybertronian [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], Air Raid singlehandedly shook their formation and tore up [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s nosecone with his torque rifle, giving the other Aerialbots time to regroup.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

[[File:Aerialbots minds wiped marvel 22.jpg|thumb|"Being lobotomized? HA! I laugh at being lobotomized!"]]
After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputted fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh...didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} It was only when the [[Battlecharger]]s went on a rampage across America and Circuit Breaker wanted to take them down that she struck a deal with her Autobot captives—they could go free if they allowed themselves to be temporarily combined into a [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|battlesuit]] that she could use to defeat the Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
[[File:Aerialbots all fall down.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7]]
Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to back up Bumblebee as he investigated possible Decepticon activity at the unveiling of [[Power Station Alpha]]. They arrived just in time to see Bumblebee being blown away by the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team guarding the power station and combined into Superion in an attempt to retrieve his body. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} Upon learning that Optimus Prime had died in battle while the Aerialbots were on their mission Superion immediately disengaged and returned to the Ark. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} United with both G.I. Joe and [[Cobra]] against the Decepticons, who planned to use Power Station Alpha to destroy the world, Slingshot and the Aerialbots entered the battle and once more formed Superion, this time to defeat Devastator. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

''The Aerialbots would once again encounter Menasor at a [[Blackrock Enterprises|Blackrock]] plant. When they combined into Superion this time their individual personalities merged and Air Raid and the others discovered that Silverbolt suffered from vertigo. Horrified at his fear of heights being found out, he drove their combined form into a vicious, brutal fury.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

''Later, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots fell under Jetfire's command, investigating enemy activity in a small East Coast town. Little did they suspect that Jetfire had been tasked with undermining each one of them as a means of testing their psychological limits. Early in the mission, Air Raid and Skydive teased Silverbolt over his displacement as team leader, unaware on how deep their words cut.''

''Air Raid's sensors detected the Decepticons upon the team's arrival, but the group's chance to strike in an organized manner was lost when Slingshot rushed a surprise attack. The Aerialbots came upon Starscream, Skydive, and Thundercracker syphoning electricity to create Energon cubes, and a stray shot caused the cache to detonate. The group managed to escape the explosion, and the Aerialbots merged into Superion to do away with Starscream, the other two Decepticons having already escaped. Superion proved destructive and slow-witted as ever, and his target managed to escape. Despite the mission ending on a sour note, Jetfire gave the Aerialbots a positive review, having been unconscious during Superion's poor showing.'' {{storylink|The Return of the Transformers}}

Air Raid and the other Autobots aboard the Ark watched as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] tried and failed to revive Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} As [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again. Back on Earth, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] replayed some of Optimus Prime's memories of Air Raid in an attempt to convince him that he was more than just a computer program. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Air Raid disembarked with the rest of the Earth-bound Autobots from the Ark onto Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], where he and the other Autobots witnessed a battle for leadership between [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. This was a moment of opportunity for [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s Decepticons, who attacked Slingshot and the others on the moon's surface. Though the Decepticons struck a devastating first blow, Blaster and Grimlock managed to temporarily put aside their differences in order to lead their troops together. Though many Autobots were severely damaged, the Decepticons were successfully pushed into a retreat. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

''At some point, the Aerialbots shot down [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]] over one of Earth's oceans. Unfortunately the Decepticon was carrying a vital power source, requiring the resurrected Optimus Prime and the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s to go down to the sea bed to retrieve it.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

[[File:Aerialbots buster marvel 50.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Kids ODing? HA! I laugh at kids ODing!"]]
Sometime later, it was Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been the Decepticons' prisoner for nearly a year. They found the boy nearly frozen to death on an iceberg, and brought him to the care of his older brother, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], and the latter's binary bonded partner, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. But the Autobots had been led into a trap laid out by Starscream, who had planted Buster outside the Decepticons' secret base. Though a brief fire-exchange ensued, the Autobots and Decepticon forces joined together when they realized that [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], planning to acquire the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]], posed a greater threat. Together, they were able to prevent him from absorbing most of the Underbase's power. Unfortunately, the fraction Starscream did manage to take into himself still bestowed him with unimaginable power. In an effort to protect the Earth from his rampage, the Aerialbots were Starscream's first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over [[New York City]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]]. He was ambushed and killed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s forces on [[Klo]], then revived by the mystical powers of the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Air raid mystery.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Problem?]]
One dark and stormy night, Air Raid heard a commotion in the halls of Earthforce's makeshift shuttle base, and turned on the lights to find [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] struggling with each other in the dark. The story was, Skydive had come by to relieve Wheeljack from guard duty, only to find the post abandoned and signs of a serious struggle in place of his comrade. There was a smoldering patch of ground, a hastily discarded blaster, and animal tracks all over. Thinking quickly, Skydive concluded that [[Fantasy Predacon|one]] of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] had entered the base and ambushed Wheeljack where he sat. He rushed back to the shuttle and found the door had been forced. Seeing a shadowy figure carrying a heavy burden in the dark, Skydive figured it for the Predacon carrying Wheeljack's remains and LEAPT into action!

[[File:Aerialbots the house that wheeljack built.jpg|thumb]]
As it turned out, Wheeljack had just overheated the makeshift heating unit he had brought out to keep warm. Getting tangled in the smoking heater, Wheeljack knocked over his own table and broke the lamp. The noise brought an angry [[polar bear]] over, and a frantic Wheeljack tore out of there carrying the still smoldering heater, forcing the door to the shuttle when he reached it. Then some NUT jumped him from out of nowhere!

Air Raid suggested everyone go to bed and forget the incident ever happened. The motion carried. {{storylink|Mystery!}}

Air Raid was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Air Raid and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bat]]s at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Beachcomber air raid space pirates.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"Redshirts dying? HA! I laugh at redshirts dying!"]]
In [[2008]], Air Raid and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] rushed to defend [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] from [[Quintesson]] invaders. Their crew was quickly overwhelmed, however, and so were the duo when they ran to get some more help. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
Air Raid joined Silverbolt and Skydive in an assault on Hydrus Four, blasting open a medical center occupied by the Decepticons in order to rescue the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and prevent the resurrection of Megatron. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

=====The Big Broadcast of 2006=====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
[[File:Aerialbots big broadcast of 2006.jpg|thumb]]
After receiving reports from [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] that [[Quintesson|strange goings-on]] were happening around the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodiums Prime]] sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. Encountering a [[Quintesson Cruiser]] above the planet, they formed Superion, who fired his jets at the ship's force fields. The resultant explosion not only damaged the Quintesson craft but also knocked Superion unconscious. He was recovered by Sky Lynx, who returned him to Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}}}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Air raid escalation.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Why are you crumbling? You're not the [[Slingshot (G1)|guy]] with [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]].]]
After the defeat of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe. Once Optimus Prime and Grimlock learned of the threat posed by the second generation [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian army]], though, the Autobot forces reconsolidated under their command. Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were first seen after the Autobots had retreated to an asteroid sanctuary for retraining. They were, um, outsmarted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] during the war games, and led into a Dinobot ambush. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, he was rescued by the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] in the skies over [[Ethos]] while battling [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Still, he managed to do a little better against the Cybertronians the second time around, popping jets out of the sky so that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] could, ah... greet them on the ground below. {{storylink|Total War!}} He was last seen preparing for the Autobot-Decepticon alliance's last stand against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] on Earth. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Aerialbots destiny.jpg|thumb|"Mission aborted? Ha! I laugh at missions being aborted!"]]
After Silverbolt was reformatted into a new [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]-free body, he was reunited with Air Raid and the rest of the Aerialbots, flying scouting missions for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s [[Cybertronian Civil Defense]]. They were recalled to base before they were able to stumble upon [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s Neo-Decepticons, which may have been fortunate as Soundwave had [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] waiting for them. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} Soon after that Air Raid and the Aerialbots flew alongside [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] as he located Ultra Magnus, missing since his first bout with [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], and updated him regarding the arrival of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s ''[[Warworld]]'' and its invading army of [[Blitz Engine]]s above Cybertron. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots then joined [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Blades, [[Doubleheader]], [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]], [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]], [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] and [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] in attacking the ''Warworld'' directly, providing a distraction so that the [[Wrecker]]s could sneak aboard. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
Air Raid was created on Cybertron, where Vector Sigma first ignited the spark of life within him. Air Raid, and the rest of the Aerialbots were nearly convinced to join the Decepticons upon their initial alliance with the Autobots. This was due to a fault in the Aerialbots’ programming, present due to a sudden drop in the mega-computer when they were being created. The Aerialbots were sent over by Optimus to help the Protectobots defend the [[Pullen Power Plant]] from the Decepticons. Happening upon Bruticus and Menasor teaming-up to take on Defensor, the Aerialbots combined into Superion to even the odds. Bruticus fell early in the battle, prompting the Aerialbots to separate and give chase to Starscream while Defensor took over the fight with Menasor. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
When an Autobot salvage expedition was unexpectedly ambushed by Decepticons, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] became concerned that the Cons had developed a new form of surveillance. Silverbolt suggested his men perform a full scan of the area for any spy installation. The Aerialbots were unable to locate any sites on the ground, but a ghost of a radar contact at high altitude caught their attention. Forming Superion, they flew as high as possible and confirmed that ''something'' was out there in the upper atmosphere. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
At some point in Cybertronian history, roughly around the time of the [[Dark Ages]], Air Raid and his Aerialbot comrades became a combiner subgroup, able to merge to form Superion. Because Superion and his fellow super-robots began causing too much sheer devastation during the war, however, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]s were signed by the various factions, prohibiting the use of super-robots. Combiner sub-group members could either join different factions separately (like [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) or remain together as a neutral, unaligned group (like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]). What Air Raid and the Aerialbots chose to do is unknown. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

[[File:PrimeDirective6 AirRaid punches Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Who's the best F-15?? ME!]]
At some point in the late 20th century, Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' in defeating the Decepticons on Earth, only to be deactivated when the ''[[Ark II]]'' exploded in mid-air on its journey back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} In reality the ship was sabotaged by the rogue engineer-turned arms dealer Adam Rook, known as [[Lazarus]], and General [[Robert Hallo]], who planned on reprogramming the Transformers into the service of the United States military. The Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture, now aimed at hiring out the Transformers to the highest bidder. Instead, they lay immobile in the Arctic waters until reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots in their Superion form, battled the Decepticons in the Northwest Territories of [[Canada]] {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} and again in [[San Francisco]]. However, during the initial skirmish, Superion was broken down into his individual components by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], and the Autobots watched in horror as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] hoisted Air Raid in his hand in triumph. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} The Autobots were then tied up with steel girders while Megatron tried to convince Optimus to join him, purporting that humans were too morally bankrupt to be worth his efforts. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} But thanks to the interference of some humans, the Autobots were freed and proceeded to clobber the Decepticons, with Air Raid punching [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. However, the insane General Hallo launched a nuclear missile at San Francisco in the hopes of wiping out all the Transformers. Before Optimus Prime could stop them, the Aerialbots formed Superion and intercepted the missile, ramming it head-on. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

The remains of Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were gathered up and studied by [[Earth Defense Command]]. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 issue #0}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
The Aerialbots were awakened on the [[Fera Islands]] in [[1939]] and were reformatted as [[World War II]]-era fighter planes. After joining the battle against [[Cobra]] and the Decepticons, Air Raid and the others battled the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], forcing them back. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} When [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] fell off a cliff, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and rescued them. {{storylink|Wolves}}

As Superion, they came under fire from [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], {{storylink|Trenches}} eventually succumbing to his firepower, and were destroyed. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[Chaos Part Two: Numbers|''Transformers vol. 1'' #26]] (modern era)

Before the war, Air Raid was a fan of the underground gladiatorial games in which [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] participated. He was witness to Megatron killing [[Cy-Kill (G1)|Cy-Kill]], and cheered at the spectacle. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

Early in the war, the Aerialbots responded to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus]]' rallying call for additional support against the Decepticons and fought against the Seekers in the battle that followed. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots later buzzed [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] when that Spawn of [[Mortilus]] was reactivated on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}}

Thousands of years later, Air Raid was among the Autobots poised to fight against [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'s army on Cybertron. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], he and the other Autobot fliers attacked [[Kimia Facility]] and fought with the many [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

[[File:StickTogether-Aerialbots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
After the war ended years later, Air Raid and his fellow Aerialbots worked crowd control on the Decepticons after [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] was murdered. He later followed Silverbolt's lead along with the rest of the Aerialbots in deserting Bumblebee's fledgling government. {{storylink|Stick Together}} Shortly after leaving [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] behind and traveling into the untamed wilderness Cybertron had become, the Aerialbots were the first to fall victim to Megatron's experiments with a [[combiner]] energy that influenced their minds and made them turn on each other. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} Air Raid eventually teamed up with the other Aerialbots and tried to do Silverbolt in, tracking him for three days. After Silverbolt finally succumbed to the influence of the signal, the team was forcibly merged into a single being: [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]! {{storylink|Night and the City}}

Superion soon fell in battle against a [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]-controlled [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], leaving all the surviving Aerialbots comatose and on life support. {{storylink|Three Monologues}} They were eventually rebuilt and resuscitated through the efforts of [[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]]. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} As part of [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s political maneuvers, Air Raid and the new Aerialbots were deployed to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] to stop [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]; Superion was able to dispatch the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] combiner. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} Following another clash with Devastator, Superion was briefly reduced to his components, although Starscream thought otherwise and forcibly reintegrated the Aerialbots back into Superion. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}}

Much to Optimus Prime's concern, Superion hadn't separated since the fight with Devastator; Prowl commented that for all intents and purposes Superion ''was'' the new default form for the Aerialbots. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}}

As Superion joined Optimus Prime's Autobots on Earth, he disassembled into his individual Aerialbot components from time to time. Air Raid and the Aerialbots performed a "bombing" run in the arid desert, releasing payloads that caused dramatic botanical growth where they fell, providing food to support the local humans. Air Raid and the Aerialbots then fled the air resistance they faced, reluctantly holding to Prime's orders to not engage any human counter-strikes. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|Edge of the Earth}}

During a conflict with [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]], however, the ancient Decepticon manipulated the power of the Enigma of Combination through the Onyx Interface's source code, creating new combiners under his control and disrupting existing ones. As a natural-born combiner, uncreated by the Enigma, Superion had some immunity. He copied and isolated the Onyx code into his own core-processor then dismantled himself, neutralizing the Onyx code so long as the Aerialbots remained separated. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}} Air Raid and the other discombobulated Aerialbots were recovered from the site of the ocean battle {{storylink|White Light}} and returned to the newly-established [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Autobot City]] to recover. {{storylink|White Heat}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to Cybertron and took to the skies when [[Shockwave (G1)|Onyx Prime]] descended on their homeworld in his [[Nemesis (BWII)|personal vessel]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Air Raid - Kre-O Micro-Changers Combiners.jpg|thumb]]

Air Raid and Fireflight were surprised to learn the Aerialbots' leader Silverbolt was afraid of heights, but modified their fighting style as the combined Superion to compensate for Silverbolt's phobia. {{storylink|Kre-O Micro-Changers Combiners comic}}
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
In [[Primax 096.0 Beta]], Air Raid was part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#General Optimus|General Optimus Prime]]'s newly-reconstituted [[Firestormer|Firestormer Squadron]]. At the final battle of the [[Great War (G1)|third Cybertronian war]] on [[Mirtonia]], General Optimus Prime led the Firestormers to victory over the [[Decepticon Empire|Decepticon Star Empire]], although this ended with the General and [[Hound (G1)#TransTech|Sergeant Hound]] being blasted away by an explosion into [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Timelines|General Optimus Prime profile card}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Air Raid was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Air Raid and the rest of the Aerialbots flew over a barren, rocky terrain to meet against the Stunticons. Both teams combined, and their gestalt forms engaged in a no-holds-barred slug-fest. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Aerialbots and Stunticons|Aerialbots and Stunticons commercial}}
*Air Raid and the Aerialbots received a message from Optimus Prime alerting them that [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] was wrecking havoc in a human city, and that the threat was "bigger than ever." The Aerialbots combined into Superion to better combat the Decepticon. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#2015|Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars commercials}}
*After being upgraded to their "Generation 2" bodies, the Aerialbots flew over some suburbs, greatly impressing a young boy. They then merged into Superion to duel against [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Aerialbots and Combaticons|Generation 2 Aerialbots and Combaticons commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
When the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were planning to create a new batch of Decepticons, the Autobots responded by returning to Cybertron and building the Aerialbots. Both they and the Stunticons were brought to life at the same time before Vector Sigma, and Air Raid and the Aerialbots fought to defend the supercomputer from the Decepticons. Though it seemed that the Decepticons might win thanks to the power of Menasor, the Aerialbots managed to rout the Decepticons and chase them away. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1 (Legends)|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} Air Raid and the rest of the Aerialbots clashed against the Stunticons once more on Earth, when the Decepticons attempted to use the power of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the planet into a new Cybertron. He and his teammates merged into Superion, and they were ultimately victorious. {{storylink|Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Air Raid and the other Aerialbots managed to drive [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] into a retreat after this twisted creation of [[Doctor Arkeville]] was unleashed on the world. {{storylink|Nemesis Rising}} Air Raid was among the Autobots who fought the Decepticons after they joined forces with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsAirRaid.jpg|thumb|400px]]
Air Raid participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character first available as a reward in he "Superion's Guard" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Air_RaidEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|I laugh at...... Huh. surprisingly enough, I fit every category. So, do I laugh at my everything? ]]

*'''Class''': Aerial
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''': Air Raid uses a standard issue laser rifle to blast targets.
*'''Ability: Fusion Bomb:''' Drops a fusion bomb on a target and explodes if it is destroyed within 20 seconds, dealing massive damage in the blast radius. (He had a simple Air Strike in the Beta version)
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +3 for reuses.
[http://http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:air-raid| Air Raid at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Airraid toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I laugh at my [[Brick (term)|lack of articulation!]]]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, [[1986]]/[[1990]]/[[1991]])
**''Team ID number'': '''A5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-54'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Torque rifle]]"

:Air Raid transforms from a black {{w|F-15 Eagle}}. He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion, and as a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style limb toy, he can also combine with any Scramble City team leader, though his nominal position is as Superion's left leg.

:Air Raid, along with his teammates, were released in the 1990 European/Australian "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" reissue series of Generation 1 toys.

:In Japan, the Aerialbots were also later all made available again as mail-away items during ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. The smaller toys cost 1000 yen (120 more than their original retail price!) and 2 [[Robot Point|robot points]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Superion}}
*'''Superion''' (Gift set, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

:All five Aerialbots were also available in many markets as a gift set. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.
{{-}}

===Generation 2===
*'''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, [[1994]])
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Accessories'': "Torque Rifle"

:The first ''Generation 2'' Air Raid was a [[redeco]] of the original. His [[alternate mode|plane mode]] was primarily blue and featured stickers with a pattern reminiscent of the costume of a [[human]] [[Spider-Man|superhero]]. His [[robot mode]] was mostly white and silver.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Generation 2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Cyberjet}}
[[File:AirRaidCybJet-AeroRaid-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"I laugh at my q-tip arsenal!"]]
*'''Air Raid''' (Cyberjet, [[1995]])
**''Accessories'': 2 air-to-air heat-seeking missiles

:Air Raid's second ''Generation 2'' appearance was a redeco of the [[Cyberjet]] [[Skyjack (G2)|Skyjack]], transforming into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk]]. He features a pressure-launch missile launcher that becomes his right arm in robot mode. His non-loaded missiles can be stored in clips on the undersides of his wings.

:This toy was sold in Japan without changes (though it did come with an extra decal sheet) as [[Aero Raid]]. This mold was also used to make the 2004 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|version of Air Raid]], and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' [[Delta Seeker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Cyberjet Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy AirRaidCyberjet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I laugh at my unfortunate naming error!]]
*'''Air Raid & Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, [[2004]])
**''Accessories'': Missile

:For the 2003 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the Cyberjet Air Raid was redecoed again and released in a two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Wind Sheer (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Wind Sheer]] at the Deluxe price point. The lack of [[bio]]s for ''Universe'' characters leaves open the possibility that this is not the original Air Raid. Then again, there's nothing that says it ''isn't'', either.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Universe 2003 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:Universe-AR-AirRaid.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at my resemblance to Soundwave!]]
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, [[2008]])
**''Series'': '''Classic Series'''

:[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'']] [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Air Raid is a redeco of [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Soundwave (Cybertron)#Legends|Soundwave]], transforming into a Cybertronic stealth bomber somewhat akin to a F-117A Nighthawk prototype, the {{w|Have Blue}}, and with a color scheme based upon his ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet incarnation.

:He was only available in a [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] five-pack with Legends Class [[Blades (G1)#LOC|Blades]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Universe (2008)|Skydive]], [[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Thrust]]. The [[packaging]] back and the [[instructions]] swap Air Raid and Skydive's names, but since the deco used for "Skydive" is very clearly based on ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet Air Raid, this can be assumed to be an error.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUSkydive/skydive.htm More information on Legends Air Raid (mislabeled) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Uni08Superion}}
[[File:Universe2008 AirRaid.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm finally a combiner again? Who's laughing now!]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Series'': '''G1 Series'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 dual-barrel cannons, connector piece, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of Superion, this version of Air Raid is a dark grey and black redeco of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]/[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], transforming into a small, futuristic fighter resembling an F-22 Raptor. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left leg to Superion. He comes with two double-barreled guns and a connector piece, which can form hand-held weapons as well as become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Air Raid was released, along with the others in this box set, in 2008 ''Universe'' packaging in Australia and Singapore, but was only released as Target-exclusive set in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging in North America. Thus, this toy doubles as live-action movie [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]].

:He comes with [[Silverbolt (G1)#Uni08Superion|Silverbolt]], [[Fireflight (G1)#Universe (2008)|Fireflight]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Universe (2008)|Skydive]], and [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] (who shares his mold). This mold was also redecoed into ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] and ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Airazor (ROTF)|Airazor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on ''Universe (2008)/Revenge of the Fallen'' Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Bot Shots===
[[File:BotShots 5pack Air Raid.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I laugh at my tinier than tiny size!]]
*'''Autobot Air Force''' (Five-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''T015'''
***''Fist strength'': '''128'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''714'''
***''Sword strength'': '''768'''
:Air Raid is a redeco of the [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] mold. As such, he turns into a super-deformed jet with a spring-loaded transformation back into robot mode. He was available in a five-pack with [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Slingshot (G1)|Quickslinger]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Autobot Firestrike]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Kre-O===
[[Image:KreO-Toy Air Raid.jpg|right|thumb|300px|I laugh at myself for being an Autobot Conehead!]]
*'''Superion''' w/ [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Firestrike]] Kreons

:Air Raid comes as part of the Superion [[Micro-Changer]] combiner set, and can be rebuilt from his robot mode into a jet. He can also contribute his bricks to form Superion.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Kre-OAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|Combiner3pack}}
*'''Combiner Robot Mega Pack''' (3-pack, 2016)
**''Set number'': '''???'''
**''Pieces'': '''245'''

:3 years later, the 3 Micro-Changer combiners, Superion, Bruticus and Menasor is reissed and released as a 3-pack. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.
{{-}}

===Generations===
====Combiner Wars====
[[File:Air Raid Generations.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at my newly-found spectacular range of articulation!]]
*'''Air Raid''' (Deluxe Class, [[2015]])
**'''1 OF 5: [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Double barrelled gun, Gun/fist/foot
:Released under the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' subline of the [[Transformers: Generations|''Generations'']] toyline, Air Raid is a major [[retool]] of [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Generations|Skydive]] from the same assortment (keeping only the thighs, fronts of the lower legs, middles of the arms, combiner connector, and gun from the original mold), with the alternate mode changed to a black F-14 Tomcat fighter jet, whereas the robot mode homages his original form. He is also able to form either an arm or leg on any Voyager Class toys from the ''Combiner Wars'' or ''Unite Warriors'' lines or form one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber's]] legs, but is intended to be combined with the other Deluxe Class Aerialbots ([[Alpha Bravo#Generations|Alpha Bravo]], [[Fireflight (G1)#Generations|Firefly]], and the aforementioned Skydive) and the Voyager Class [[Silverbolt (G1)#Generations|Silverbolt]] to form [[Superion (G1)#Generations|Superion]]. He is also officially associated with [[Galvatronus (Generations)#Generations|Galvatonus]].

:The hand-painted [[prototype]]s on display at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014, as well as the prototype used for early [[stock photography|stock photos]] of Superion, featured some minor coloring differences with the final product. Notably, Air Raid's upper arms were originally colored silver. However, the hand-painted prototype used for stock photos of Air Raid himself is closer to the final product.

:Air Raid comes with a copy of "Combiner Wars #7" (actually ''[[Plan for Everything|Robots in Disguise #15]]''). Non-American releases instead come with a collector card featuring art from the "[[Nemesis Rising]]" episode of ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]''.

:Air Raid was retooled into ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' [[Thrust (Armada)#Unite Warriors|Curse Armada Thrust]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Combiner Wars Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{CWSkydiveMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|GenerationsG2}}
[[File:Generations-Combiner-Wars-G2-Air-Raid.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]'s bleeding optics (that I caused)!]]
*'''Superion''' (Collection Pack, 2016)
**''Accessories:'' Rifle, individual Aerialbots guns/fists/feet

:A G2-themed redeco of ''Combiner Wars'' Air Raid was packed along with the other Aerialbots (including [[Powerglide (G1)/toys#GenerationsG2|Powerglide]]), and sold as a [[giftset]].

:The Superion "Collection Pack" was (at least in theory) a "shared exclusive" between various online retailers (such as [[Hasbro Toy Shop]], [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], [[BigBadToyStore]], and Entertainment Earth) and the online storefronts of major "big box" retailers (such as [[Toys"R"Us]], [[Walmart]], [[Target]], and [[Kmart]]). It was still available at general retail in Hasbro's Asian markets, though.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/CWAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Combiner Wars G2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{CWSkydiveMold}}

{{-}}

====Titans Return====
*'''Blunderbuss & Broadside''' (2017)
:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Broadside (G1)#Generations|Broadside]] comes with tiny Aerialbot jets (specifically in the alternate modes of their ''Combiner Wars'' figures) molded on a sprue; once cut off this sprue, the jets can be attached to his carrier and robot mode ports.

{{-}}

===Unite Warriors===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-UW01-Air-Raid.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at my show-accurate paint ops!]]
*'''UW-01 Superion''' (Giftset, 2015-[[June 27|06-27]])

:TakaraTomy's iteration of ''Combiner Wars'' Superion features a redeco of Air Raid, swapping out colors on his detailing, and lacking both the gold trim and blue forehead of the Hasbro version.
{{CWSkydiveMold}}
{{-}}

===Legends===
*'''Broadside''' (Voyager Class, 2017-[[November 25|11-25]])
**''ID number'': '''LG53'''

:The ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' release of Broadside also includes five Airbot sprues, redecoed in a different shade of gray to match Broadside's cartoon-accurate appearance.

==Notes==
*The ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Air Raid/[[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack was initially listed under the name "Skyjack" in [[Walmart]] computers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Air Rider''' (エアライダー ''Ea Raidā''), '''Air Raid''' (エアレイド ''Ea Reido'')
*''French:'' '''Bombardo''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Tornado'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kōng Xí''' (China, 空袭, "Air Raid")
*''Russian:'' '''Naletchik''' (Налётчик, "Raider")

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars]]
[[Category:Cyberjets]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Air Raid (G1)

2019-02-27T17:23:57Z

Sideswipe84: /* Legends */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Air Raid}}
{{picsneeded|various anime}}
:''Air Raid is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] and sometimes [[Cyberjet]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TFU Air Raid.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Danger? HA! I laugh at danger! LAUGH, I TELL YOU!!!]]
Some might call '''Air Raid''' reckless, the way he dives out of nowhere, charging enemy units head on. Air Raid would laugh at that. A rash and fearless young warrior who loves surprises (especially those that leave his foes too stunned to fight back), he has only one real goal in life: to have fun. Needless to say his attitude puts him in a lot of danger, but you can be sure he's enjoying himself the whole time.

Air Raid combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] or with other Transformers to form [[Galvatronus (Generations)|Galvatronus]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Rob Paulsen]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Kōki Kataoka]] (Japanese, "War Dawn"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, "Thief in the Night"), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese, "Fight or Flee"), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese, "The Ultimate Weapon")|[[Xu Hong]] (Chinese), [[Wolfgang Mascher]] (German, ''Forever Is a Long Time Coming''), [[Imo Heite]] (German, ''Starscream's Ghost''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Thief in the Night''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Fight or Flee'' and ''The Big Broadcast of 2006''), [[Fritz von Hardenberg]] (German, ''The Ultimate Weapon''), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, Generation 2 Dub)}}

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life and intellect, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthly jets, and bringing them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his tech-savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus' plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Like most of the Aerialbots, Air Raid was slow to learn the Autobots' ways. Overly impressed with the flying skills of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and his wingmen, the Aerialbots were easily lured onto a [[Kronosphere]] platform, and cast more than nine million years into the past. They had the opportunity to view Megatron's evil firsthand, as the early Decepticons deactivated their new friends [[Elita One (G1)|Ariel]], [[Dion (G1)|Dion]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]]. Air Raid and the others soon returned to the future with a newfound resolve to oppose the Decepticons' tyranny. {{storylink|War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn}}

Air Raid led the Aerialbots in a flight around the Statue of Liberty, which the Autobots were gracefully coating with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new invention, [[Corrostop]], to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were just as interested in Perceptor's work, and the Stunticons arrived to kidnap him. Air Raid and the others chased the Stunticons aboard [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] all the way back to the Decepticons' undersea base, but were driven off by the [[Lightning Bug]]. This impressive heat ray zapped Air Raid's missile in mid-flight, then tagged his tail for good measure. He was forced to sit there and smolder while giving his report to Optimus Prime before being allowed to pick up some replacement parts. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[File:Airraidairassault.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Happybot!]]Air Raid was with the Aerialbots when they answered a distress call about a canyon cave-in, but the team soon discovered the call was a trap laid by the Combaticons. After taking out Slingshot the Combaticons claimed the upper hand, until the arrival of Autobot reinforcements changed their minds and the tide of battle. As the Combaticons retreated, Silverbolt held Air Raid back from pursuing the Combaticons in order to get his help in digging out Slingshot. After his recovery, Slingshot volunteered to be a decoy as part of Skydive’s plan to investigate a plane smuggling ring. Air Raid sarcastically told his fellow jets to enjoy their 'vacation' as he departed.

Returning later to assist Slingshot and Skydive, Air Raid and Silverbolt took on Vortex, Ramjet, Blast Off and a fleet of drone jets while under fire from the Combaticons and Megatron’s [[Giant Purple Griffin|purple griffin fortress]]. After the Combaticons formed Bruticus, Air Raid tried to distract the giant Decepticon from smacking Silverbolt, and got smacked himself instead. With the arrival of Fireflight, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and wrestled with Bruticus, then separated again. With a well-placed shot, they set an [[oil]] field ablaze and the resulting blast sent the defeated Decepticons and Bruticus flying into the sky.

[[File:AirraidandaliassaultG1.jpg|thumb|225px|What!!! A fly in my energon soup?!]]
After regrouping in [[Jumal|Prince Jumal]]’s palace, Air Raid threatened some good old fashioned Autobot justice against captured Decepticon minion [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]], but Silverbolt said the Aerialbots should let Prince Jumal deal with his fellow human. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

After the death of Megatron and the retaking of Cybertron, Air Raid and the Aerialbots became part of the Autobot Fleet. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and Spike were kidnapped to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], the rescue party alerted the Aerialbots to swoop by for covering fire and pick-up. Air Raid and Skydive made the strafing run that took out the Quintessons' defensive [[proton cannon]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} When the Quintessons destroyed their own planet to get at the Autobots, the resulting blast wave destroyed the Aerialbots' ship, sending Air Raid and the rest hurtling through space. They eventually impacted on [[Goo 8739B]], {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} and were rescued by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

{{Note|In the episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]", several jets in the Autobot Fleet resembling the Aerialbots' alt modes were destroyed by the Quintessons. Repeatedly. Since the Aerialbots unquestionably survived the attack, it would seem their character models were merely used to build up the size of the fleet, and the casualty figures.}}

When Perceptor's science team were attacked in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots accompanied [[Hot_Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] in rescuing them. As Superion, they confronted a horde of Quintessons and drove them off. After Silverbolt disengaged their super mode, Air Raid still wanted to chase after the Quintessons, but Silverbolt reined him in. Air Raid chastised him for having no sense of adventure, to which Silverbolt retorted that was exactly why he was in charge. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

One lovely afternoon in space, Air Raid was playing cat-and-mouse with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Once he had finished his fun, Air Raid led the Decepticon duo into an asteroid field where his fellow Aerialbots were waiting to spring an ambush. The Aerialbots messed the Decepticons up pretty badly, especially after they transformed into Superion. Eventually, they chased the Decepticons through a strange warp in space. This proceeded to have no consequences for [[Sandstorm (G1)|anyone]] [[Paradron|whatsoever]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}}

[[File:Airraidfightorflee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|I'll kill you, asteroid!]]Air Raid and the Aerialbots were spending a relaxing day watching home movies on [[Teletraan II]] when things suddenly got serious, as the Autobots' computer off-handedly informed them [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] was never destroyed in his last battle with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When they tracked Trypticon to his new staging grounds, Air Raid and the Aerialbots launched from [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], but the Decepticon presence in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] was more than they had anticipated. Still, Air Raid paid tribute to his leader Silverbolt by reciting his famous battle-cry, "Good-bye, cruel world!" He dipped his singed tailfins in the ocean and managed to make a hasty retreat with Broadside and his fellow Aerialbots. The Aerialbots soon returned with reinforcements and drove the Decepticons from Carbombya. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

When Starscream possessed [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and attempted to get rid of Galvatron, he lured him into an Autobot trap involving Rodimus Prime and the Aerialbots. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

During a battle in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots may or may not have been present. Superion, at least, was surely there on the planet [[Eurythma]]...sometimes. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

After [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] took some hostile fire over the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], Rodimus Prime dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. They were caught in a crossfire between the brain-addled Junkions and the Quintessons, who were responsible for messing with the Junkions' air waves, and their minds. Even after becoming Superion, the Aerialbots took heavy fire and had to be brought back to [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] on Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

On one occasion, Air Raid was buzzing too close to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during a battle on Earth, and the dinosaur city unleashed his full plasma breath. Air Raid's tail-fins were scorched and he had to set down in a small lake, but his sacrifice gave Silverbolt a chance to fly down Trypticon's throat now that his flame was temporarily used up. The Aerialbot leader was then able to cause serious internal damage to the giant Decepticon before flying back out again. And Air Raid ''totally'' planned it that way. No, really. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

During the Decepticon invasion of Japan, the Aerialbots fought against [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] when he tried to derail a bullet train full of passengers. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Sometime thereafter, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were recruited by Rodimus Prime to rescue the body of Optimus Prime from [[Gregory Swofford|Swofford]] and [[Mark Morgan|Morgan]]. Unfortunately, this only meant they were among the first Autobots exposed to the [[Hate Plague]]. Despite the madness induced by the red dust, the Aerialbots were apparently still willing to form Superion. Superion ran amok, causing serious property damage, infecting [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and taking several other Autobots out of action. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron searching for the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], the Aerialbots tried to stop them. Unfortunately, they didn't reckon with [[Sixshot]]. Flying heedlessly into battle, Air Raid was shot down first by the [[Six Changer]]'s siege tank mode. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] then took his [[power pack]] to use as fuel for the giant rocket engine they were constructing for [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Fortunately, the Autobots won the day and ushered in a new Golden Age for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
When the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] confronted Menasor at a baseball stadium, Air Raid and the Aerialbots arrived as back-up. They formed Superion to engage Menasor and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. After [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] was injured, Superion targeted the Decepticon combiners' legs, shaking them loose and giving the smaller Protectobots a chance to link up with the Decepticon gestalts and override control of their bodies. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}} After the Autobots discovered a utopia island paradise, it was besieged by Megatron and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who wanted to build an impregnable fortress. [[Kenji]] radioed for help, and Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to the rescue. As Superion they fought off [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], using their smarts to outthink the evil warriors. As [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] cast a massive hologram of Metroplex, Air Raid detached from Superion to buzz around Trypticon's head, tricking him into charging at the not-quite-there Autobot. Instead of grappling with his foe, Tryppy tripped over a cliff into the waters below. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City: Mobilization=====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched from the [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to aid Optimus Prime in battle with the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their aerial firepower frankly overwhelmed the marauding Decepticons, and sent them home with their transistors between their struts. On his second attempt, Megatron sent the Stunticons, who were considerably more successful in engaging the Autobots. Damaged in jet modes, Air Raid the Aerialbots chose instead to merge and form Superion. As Superion, they possessed scramble combining abilities, but so did the Stunticons when they formed Menasor. The Aerialbots were in the midst of reconfiguring their limb formation when Fireflight, being... well, a daydreaming idiot, mixed up whether he was supposed to be the right leg or the left. His indecision gave Menasor time to shoot him down, and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] assumed the place of Superion's right leg instead, corrupting his programming. Air Raid and the others were trapped as Superion, literally fighting themselves, until Fireflight retook his place as Superion's limb. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====Full Throttle Scramble Power!=====
The Decepticons, up to their usual tricks, threatened to plunder Earth's resources. The Aerialbots pleaded with Optimus Prime to allow them to deal with their bitter rivals, the Stunticons, currently attacking a powerplant. Though Optimus was hesitant at first, the Aerialbots being new and inexperienced, he allowed them this chance to prove themselves. The two teams met, and quickly combined into their gestalt forms to do battle. Though Superion was initially crippled by the [[Omega Whip]], a new weapon controlled by the Decepticons, he held his own until the Autobots dispatched enough reinforcements to turn the tide of battle, and send the Decepticons fleeing. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
In [[2010]], Galvatron kidnapped [[Dalton]] of [[Eran]] to utilize his skills and improve the Decepticons' combiner technology. Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the Protectobots in assaulting Trypticon, in hopes of rescuing the hostage scientist. Air Raid and his team formed Superion for a first strike, but the Decepticon combiners countered with their deployment modes, launching the Stunticon and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] troops with enough force to tear Superion apart. The Protectobots stood guard over [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] as he performed battlefield triage on the Aerialbots in his repair bay mode, bringing them back on-line. Silverbolt then transformed into launcher mode and unleashed Air Raid and the other Aerialbots in their own scramble attack, blinding Menasor and Bruticus long enough for the Autobots to escape safely with Dalton. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were stationed at Autobot City on Earth in 2011. When Galvatron attacked Cybertron via the old [[space bridge]] network, the Aerialbots were summoned to Cybertron as reinforcements. They soon arrived with the [[Trainbot]]s and quickly joined the battle. Air Raid and his team formed Superion and battled [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and Devastator. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Later, the combined Aerialbots fought alongside [[Raiden]] and Defensor against the Decepticon combiners, and were nearly crushed when Bruticus collapsed a building on their position. They were bailed out by the arrival of the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] began his search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on Earth, Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to the humans' planet to assist him. They confronted the Stunticons in the desert, pitting Superion against Menasor yet again. The battle was so fierce it eventually carried them to the Arctic where Hot Rod was searching. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Air Raid and his flying comrades joined the [[Triple Changer]]s in distracting the Decepticons long enough for [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] to sneak inside Trypticon and gather data on the [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}Sometime later, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were on a research vessel that passed near a [[Metamorphose|strange meteorite]]. The meteorite had been altered by Galvatron to produce magnetic warping waves whenever it detected metal, and so it sent the Aerialbots and their ship twisting through space. Although the Decepticons tried to intervene, the Autobots eventually recovered Air Raid and his injured colleagues. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Following a lengthy repair cycle, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were ready for action when Galvatron and the Decepticons laid siege to Cybertron one last time. Transporting to Cybertron from Earth, they raced into battle (on foot, for some reason). Air Raid and the team got the drop on the Stunticons when they merged into Superion, smashing and scattering the 'Cons before they could form Menasor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} As the fighting continued, the Aerialbots battled Abominus as Superion and later separated to trade blaster fire with the Stunticons. The warring only came to an end once [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s bombs blew up [[Vector Sigma]] and annihilated the planet.{{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

When [[buridanka|a giant carnivorous plant]] attacked San Francisco, Ultra Magnus dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to combat it. Although they made frequent bombing runs on the organism, the Aerialbots were unable to stop it. Only the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] and his powerful giant [[Transtector]] brought an end to the creature's rampage. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots were part of a strike team that flew to the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to disrupt Scorponok's gathering of Decepticons. They immediately formed Superion upon entering the battle. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

When one of Scorponok's Death Towers emerged in Washington D.C., Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched to investigate it. As part of Superion, Air Raid participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. He lent his energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

=====''Cloud''=====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|TFC-A01}}}}

=====Wars manga=====
As part of Superion, Air Raid was stationed at [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] while it was under reconstruction after an attack from [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]. {{storylink|Metrowars}}

=====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''=====
In the 2030s, Air Raid and the Aerialbots deployed from Metroplex to put a stop to the Stunticons' latest bout of mischief. {{storylink|Unite Warriors Offshot|Today Is Us Stunticons' Annual Holiday Demolition Race!}} This led to a battle in which Superion battled and was seized by [[Grand Scourge]], though the Aerialbots were able to separate and escape thanks to [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'s intervention. They went on to accompany Broadside to the [[Legends World]] and help him defeat [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], who then started living with them on Broadside's giant [[transtector]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 53|Bonus Edition Vol. 53}} The Aerialbots later visited Metroplex, another visitor to this world, and hosted their annual barbecue party on his city mode together with their old friend, [[Jumal|King Hassan]]. {{storylink|Unite Warriors Offshot|Energon BBQ Today!}} {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Aerialbots second generation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Talk to me, Goose!"]]
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race—amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}} ''Together, Optimus and Buster witnessed a prophetic vision in which Skydive and the other Aerialbots assisted the Protectobots in defending the [[Pullen Power Plant]] from the Combaticons and the Stunticons by combining into their gestalt forms.'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} ''It was this vision which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Air raid aerialbots over america.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Character models? HA! I laugh at character models!"]]
Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicons' electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Air Raid and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Air Raid proved to be the most effective of the new Aerialbots in battle. After his fellow jets took a few hits in battle with the Cybertronian [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], Air Raid singlehandedly shook their formation and tore up [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s nosecone with his torque rifle, giving the other Aerialbots time to regroup.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

[[File:Aerialbots minds wiped marvel 22.jpg|thumb|"Being lobotomized? HA! I laugh at being lobotomized!"]]
After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputted fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh...didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} It was only when the [[Battlecharger]]s went on a rampage across America and Circuit Breaker wanted to take them down that she struck a deal with her Autobot captives—they could go free if they allowed themselves to be temporarily combined into a [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|battlesuit]] that she could use to defeat the Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
[[File:Aerialbots all fall down.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7]]
Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to back up Bumblebee as he investigated possible Decepticon activity at the unveiling of [[Power Station Alpha]]. They arrived just in time to see Bumblebee being blown away by the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team guarding the power station and combined into Superion in an attempt to retrieve his body. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} Upon learning that Optimus Prime had died in battle while the Aerialbots were on their mission Superion immediately disengaged and returned to the Ark. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} United with both G.I. Joe and [[Cobra]] against the Decepticons, who planned to use Power Station Alpha to destroy the world, Slingshot and the Aerialbots entered the battle and once more formed Superion, this time to defeat Devastator. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

''The Aerialbots would once again encounter Menasor at a [[Blackrock Enterprises|Blackrock]] plant. When they combined into Superion this time their individual personalities merged and Air Raid and the others discovered that Silverbolt suffered from vertigo. Horrified at his fear of heights being found out, he drove their combined form into a vicious, brutal fury.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

''Later, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots fell under Jetfire's command, investigating enemy activity in a small East Coast town. Little did they suspect that Jetfire had been tasked with undermining each one of them as a means of testing their psychological limits. Early in the mission, Air Raid and Skydive teased Silverbolt over his displacement as team leader, unaware on how deep their words cut.''

''Air Raid's sensors detected the Decepticons upon the team's arrival, but the group's chance to strike in an organized manner was lost when Slingshot rushed a surprise attack. The Aerialbots came upon Starscream, Skydive, and Thundercracker syphoning electricity to create Energon cubes, and a stray shot caused the cache to detonate. The group managed to escape the explosion, and the Aerialbots merged into Superion to do away with Starscream, the other two Decepticons having already escaped. Superion proved destructive and slow-witted as ever, and his target managed to escape. Despite the mission ending on a sour note, Jetfire gave the Aerialbots a positive review, having been unconscious during Superion's poor showing.'' {{storylink|The Return of the Transformers}}

Air Raid and the other Autobots aboard the Ark watched as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] tried and failed to revive Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} As [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again. Back on Earth, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] replayed some of Optimus Prime's memories of Air Raid in an attempt to convince him that he was more than just a computer program. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Air Raid disembarked with the rest of the Earth-bound Autobots from the Ark onto Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], where he and the other Autobots witnessed a battle for leadership between [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. This was a moment of opportunity for [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s Decepticons, who attacked Slingshot and the others on the moon's surface. Though the Decepticons struck a devastating first blow, Blaster and Grimlock managed to temporarily put aside their differences in order to lead their troops together. Though many Autobots were severely damaged, the Decepticons were successfully pushed into a retreat. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

''At some point, the Aerialbots shot down [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]] over one of Earth's oceans. Unfortunately the Decepticon was carrying a vital power source, requiring the resurrected Optimus Prime and the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s to go down to the sea bed to retrieve it.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

[[File:Aerialbots buster marvel 50.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Kids ODing? HA! I laugh at kids ODing!"]]
Sometime later, it was Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been the Decepticons' prisoner for nearly a year. They found the boy nearly frozen to death on an iceberg, and brought him to the care of his older brother, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], and the latter's binary bonded partner, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. But the Autobots had been led into a trap laid out by Starscream, who had planted Buster outside the Decepticons' secret base. Though a brief fire-exchange ensued, the Autobots and Decepticon forces joined together when they realized that [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], planning to acquire the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]], posed a greater threat. Together, they were able to prevent him from absorbing most of the Underbase's power. Unfortunately, the fraction Starscream did manage to take into himself still bestowed him with unimaginable power. In an effort to protect the Earth from his rampage, the Aerialbots were Starscream's first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over [[New York City]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]]. He was ambushed and killed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s forces on [[Klo]], then revived by the mystical powers of the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Air raid mystery.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Problem?]]
One dark and stormy night, Air Raid heard a commotion in the halls of Earthforce's makeshift shuttle base, and turned on the lights to find [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] struggling with each other in the dark. The story was, Skydive had come by to relieve Wheeljack from guard duty, only to find the post abandoned and signs of a serious struggle in place of his comrade. There was a smoldering patch of ground, a hastily discarded blaster, and animal tracks all over. Thinking quickly, Skydive concluded that [[Fantasy Predacon|one]] of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] had entered the base and ambushed Wheeljack where he sat. He rushed back to the shuttle and found the door had been forced. Seeing a shadowy figure carrying a heavy burden in the dark, Skydive figured it for the Predacon carrying Wheeljack's remains and LEAPT into action!

[[File:Aerialbots the house that wheeljack built.jpg|thumb]]
As it turned out, Wheeljack had just overheated the makeshift heating unit he had brought out to keep warm. Getting tangled in the smoking heater, Wheeljack knocked over his own table and broke the lamp. The noise brought an angry [[polar bear]] over, and a frantic Wheeljack tore out of there carrying the still smoldering heater, forcing the door to the shuttle when he reached it. Then some NUT jumped him from out of nowhere!

Air Raid suggested everyone go to bed and forget the incident ever happened. The motion carried. {{storylink|Mystery!}}

Air Raid was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Air Raid and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bat]]s at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Beachcomber air raid space pirates.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"Redshirts dying? HA! I laugh at redshirts dying!"]]
In [[2008]], Air Raid and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] rushed to defend [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] from [[Quintesson]] invaders. Their crew was quickly overwhelmed, however, and so were the duo when they ran to get some more help. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
Air Raid joined Silverbolt and Skydive in an assault on Hydrus Four, blasting open a medical center occupied by the Decepticons in order to rescue the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and prevent the resurrection of Megatron. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

=====The Big Broadcast of 2006=====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
[[File:Aerialbots big broadcast of 2006.jpg|thumb]]
After receiving reports from [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] that [[Quintesson|strange goings-on]] were happening around the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodiums Prime]] sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. Encountering a [[Quintesson Cruiser]] above the planet, they formed Superion, who fired his jets at the ship's force fields. The resultant explosion not only damaged the Quintesson craft but also knocked Superion unconscious. He was recovered by Sky Lynx, who returned him to Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}}}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Air raid escalation.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Why are you crumbling? You're not the [[Slingshot (G1)|guy]] with [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]].]]
After the defeat of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe. Once Optimus Prime and Grimlock learned of the threat posed by the second generation [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian army]], though, the Autobot forces reconsolidated under their command. Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were first seen after the Autobots had retreated to an asteroid sanctuary for retraining. They were, um, outsmarted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] during the war games, and led into a Dinobot ambush. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, he was rescued by the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] in the skies over [[Ethos]] while battling [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Still, he managed to do a little better against the Cybertronians the second time around, popping jets out of the sky so that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] could, ah... greet them on the ground below. {{storylink|Total War!}} He was last seen preparing for the Autobot-Decepticon alliance's last stand against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] on Earth. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Aerialbots destiny.jpg|thumb|"Mission aborted? Ha! I laugh at missions being aborted!"]]
After Silverbolt was reformatted into a new [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]-free body, he was reunited with Air Raid and the rest of the Aerialbots, flying scouting missions for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s [[Cybertronian Civil Defense]]. They were recalled to base before they were able to stumble upon [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s Neo-Decepticons, which may have been fortunate as Soundwave had [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] waiting for them. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} Soon after that Air Raid and the Aerialbots flew alongside [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] as he located Ultra Magnus, missing since his first bout with [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], and updated him regarding the arrival of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s ''[[Warworld]]'' and its invading army of [[Blitz Engine]]s above Cybertron. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots then joined [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Blades, [[Doubleheader]], [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]], [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]], [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] and [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] in attacking the ''Warworld'' directly, providing a distraction so that the [[Wrecker]]s could sneak aboard. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
Air Raid was created on Cybertron, where Vector Sigma first ignited the spark of life within him. Air Raid, and the rest of the Aerialbots were nearly convinced to join the Decepticons upon their initial alliance with the Autobots. This was due to a fault in the Aerialbots’ programming, present due to a sudden drop in the mega-computer when they were being created. The Aerialbots were sent over by Optimus to help the Protectobots defend the [[Pullen Power Plant]] from the Decepticons. Happening upon Bruticus and Menasor teaming-up to take on Defensor, the Aerialbots combined into Superion to even the odds. Bruticus fell early in the battle, prompting the Aerialbots to separate and give chase to Starscream while Defensor took over the fight with Menasor. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
When an Autobot salvage expedition was unexpectedly ambushed by Decepticons, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] became concerned that the Cons had developed a new form of surveillance. Silverbolt suggested his men perform a full scan of the area for any spy installation. The Aerialbots were unable to locate any sites on the ground, but a ghost of a radar contact at high altitude caught their attention. Forming Superion, they flew as high as possible and confirmed that ''something'' was out there in the upper atmosphere. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
At some point in Cybertronian history, roughly around the time of the [[Dark Ages]], Air Raid and his Aerialbot comrades became a combiner subgroup, able to merge to form Superion. Because Superion and his fellow super-robots began causing too much sheer devastation during the war, however, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]s were signed by the various factions, prohibiting the use of super-robots. Combiner sub-group members could either join different factions separately (like [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) or remain together as a neutral, unaligned group (like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]). What Air Raid and the Aerialbots chose to do is unknown. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

[[File:PrimeDirective6 AirRaid punches Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Who's the best F-15?? ME!]]
At some point in the late 20th century, Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' in defeating the Decepticons on Earth, only to be deactivated when the ''[[Ark II]]'' exploded in mid-air on its journey back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} In reality the ship was sabotaged by the rogue engineer-turned arms dealer Adam Rook, known as [[Lazarus]], and General [[Robert Hallo]], who planned on reprogramming the Transformers into the service of the United States military. The Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture, now aimed at hiring out the Transformers to the highest bidder. Instead, they lay immobile in the Arctic waters until reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots in their Superion form, battled the Decepticons in the Northwest Territories of [[Canada]] {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} and again in [[San Francisco]]. However, during the initial skirmish, Superion was broken down into his individual components by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], and the Autobots watched in horror as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] hoisted Air Raid in his hand in triumph. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} The Autobots were then tied up with steel girders while Megatron tried to convince Optimus to join him, purporting that humans were too morally bankrupt to be worth his efforts. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} But thanks to the interference of some humans, the Autobots were freed and proceeded to clobber the Decepticons, with Air Raid punching [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. However, the insane General Hallo launched a nuclear missile at San Francisco in the hopes of wiping out all the Transformers. Before Optimus Prime could stop them, the Aerialbots formed Superion and intercepted the missile, ramming it head-on. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

The remains of Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were gathered up and studied by [[Earth Defense Command]]. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 issue #0}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
The Aerialbots were awakened on the [[Fera Islands]] in [[1939]] and were reformatted as [[World War II]]-era fighter planes. After joining the battle against [[Cobra]] and the Decepticons, Air Raid and the others battled the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], forcing them back. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} When [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] fell off a cliff, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and rescued them. {{storylink|Wolves}}

As Superion, they came under fire from [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], {{storylink|Trenches}} eventually succumbing to his firepower, and were destroyed. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[Chaos Part Two: Numbers|''Transformers vol. 1'' #26]] (modern era)

Before the war, Air Raid was a fan of the underground gladiatorial games in which [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] participated. He was witness to Megatron killing [[Cy-Kill (G1)|Cy-Kill]], and cheered at the spectacle. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

Early in the war, the Aerialbots responded to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus]]' rallying call for additional support against the Decepticons and fought against the Seekers in the battle that followed. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots later buzzed [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] when that Spawn of [[Mortilus]] was reactivated on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}}

Thousands of years later, Air Raid was among the Autobots poised to fight against [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'s army on Cybertron. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], he and the other Autobot fliers attacked [[Kimia Facility]] and fought with the many [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

[[File:StickTogether-Aerialbots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
After the war ended years later, Air Raid and his fellow Aerialbots worked crowd control on the Decepticons after [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] was murdered. He later followed Silverbolt's lead along with the rest of the Aerialbots in deserting Bumblebee's fledgling government. {{storylink|Stick Together}} Shortly after leaving [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] behind and traveling into the untamed wilderness Cybertron had become, the Aerialbots were the first to fall victim to Megatron's experiments with a [[combiner]] energy that influenced their minds and made them turn on each other. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} Air Raid eventually teamed up with the other Aerialbots and tried to do Silverbolt in, tracking him for three days. After Silverbolt finally succumbed to the influence of the signal, the team was forcibly merged into a single being: [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]! {{storylink|Night and the City}}

Superion soon fell in battle against a [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]-controlled [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], leaving all the surviving Aerialbots comatose and on life support. {{storylink|Three Monologues}} They were eventually rebuilt and resuscitated through the efforts of [[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] and the [[Enigma of Combination]]. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} As part of [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s political maneuvers, Air Raid and the new Aerialbots were deployed to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] to stop [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]; Superion was able to dispatch the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] combiner. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} Following another clash with Devastator, Superion was briefly reduced to his components, although Starscream thought otherwise and forcibly reintegrated the Aerialbots back into Superion. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}}

Much to Optimus Prime's concern, Superion hadn't separated since the fight with Devastator; Prowl commented that for all intents and purposes Superion ''was'' the new default form for the Aerialbots. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}}

As Superion joined Optimus Prime's Autobots on Earth, he disassembled into his individual Aerialbot components from time to time. Air Raid and the Aerialbots performed a "bombing" run in the arid desert, releasing payloads that caused dramatic botanical growth where they fell, providing food to support the local humans. Air Raid and the Aerialbots then fled the air resistance they faced, reluctantly holding to Prime's orders to not engage any human counter-strikes. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|Edge of the Earth}}

During a conflict with [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]], however, the ancient Decepticon manipulated the power of the Enigma of Combination through the Onyx Interface's source code, creating new combiners under his control and disrupting existing ones. As a natural-born combiner, uncreated by the Enigma, Superion had some immunity. He copied and isolated the Onyx code into his own core-processor then dismantled himself, neutralizing the Onyx code so long as the Aerialbots remained separated. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}} Air Raid and the other discombobulated Aerialbots were recovered from the site of the ocean battle {{storylink|White Light}} and returned to the newly-established [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Autobot City]] to recover. {{storylink|White Heat}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to Cybertron and took to the skies when [[Shockwave (G1)|Onyx Prime]] descended on their homeworld in his [[Nemesis (BWII)|personal vessel]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Air Raid - Kre-O Micro-Changers Combiners.jpg|thumb]]

Air Raid and Fireflight were surprised to learn the Aerialbots' leader Silverbolt was afraid of heights, but modified their fighting style as the combined Superion to compensate for Silverbolt's phobia. {{storylink|Kre-O Micro-Changers Combiners comic}}
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
In [[Primax 096.0 Beta]], Air Raid was part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#General Optimus|General Optimus Prime]]'s newly-reconstituted [[Firestormer|Firestormer Squadron]]. At the final battle of the [[Great War (G1)|third Cybertronian war]] on [[Mirtonia]], General Optimus Prime led the Firestormers to victory over the [[Decepticon Empire|Decepticon Star Empire]], although this ended with the General and [[Hound (G1)#TransTech|Sergeant Hound]] being blasted away by an explosion into [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Timelines|General Optimus Prime profile card}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Pursuing the AllSpark after it had been launched into space, Air Raid was one of the many Autobots that found their way to Earth. There, he participated in a great battle within a human settlement against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Air Raid and the rest of the Aerialbots flew over a barren, rocky terrain to meet against the Stunticons. Both teams combined, and their gestalt forms engaged in a no-holds-barred slug-fest. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Aerialbots and Stunticons|Aerialbots and Stunticons commercial}}
*Air Raid and the Aerialbots received a message from Optimus Prime alerting them that [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] was wrecking havoc in a human city, and that the threat was "bigger than ever." The Aerialbots combined into Superion to better combat the Decepticon. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#2015|Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars commercials}}
*After being upgraded to their "Generation 2" bodies, the Aerialbots flew over some suburbs, greatly impressing a young boy. They then merged into Superion to duel against [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Aerialbots and Combaticons|Generation 2 Aerialbots and Combaticons commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
When the Autobots learned that the Decepticons were planning to create a new batch of Decepticons, the Autobots responded by returning to Cybertron and building the Aerialbots. Both they and the Stunticons were brought to life at the same time before Vector Sigma, and Air Raid and the Aerialbots fought to defend the supercomputer from the Decepticons. Though it seemed that the Decepticons might win thanks to the power of Menasor, the Aerialbots managed to rout the Decepticons and chase them away. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1 (Legends)|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} Air Raid and the rest of the Aerialbots clashed against the Stunticons once more on Earth, when the Decepticons attempted to use the power of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the planet into a new Cybertron. He and his teammates merged into Superion, and they were ultimately victorious. {{storylink|Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Air Raid and the other Aerialbots managed to drive [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] into a retreat after this twisted creation of [[Doctor Arkeville]] was unleashed on the world. {{storylink|Nemesis Rising}} Air Raid was among the Autobots who fought the Decepticons after they joined forces with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsAirRaid.jpg|thumb|400px]]
Air Raid participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character first available as a reward in he "Superion's Guard" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Air_RaidEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|I laugh at...... Huh. surprisingly enough, I fit every category. So, do I laugh at my everything? ]]

*'''Class''': Aerial
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''': Air Raid uses a standard issue laser rifle to blast targets.
*'''Ability: Fusion Bomb:''' Drops a fusion bomb on a target and explodes if it is destroyed within 20 seconds, dealing massive damage in the blast radius. (He had a simple Air Strike in the Beta version)
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +3 for reuses.
[http://http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:air-raid| Air Raid at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Airraid toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I laugh at my [[Brick (term)|lack of articulation!]]]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, [[1986]]/[[1990]]/[[1991]])
**''Team ID number'': '''A5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-54'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Torque rifle]]"

:Air Raid transforms from a black {{w|F-15 Eagle}}. He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion, and as a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style limb toy, he can also combine with any Scramble City team leader, though his nominal position is as Superion's left leg.

:Air Raid, along with his teammates, were released in the 1990 European/Australian "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" reissue series of Generation 1 toys.

:In Japan, the Aerialbots were also later all made available again as mail-away items during ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. The smaller toys cost 1000 yen (120 more than their original retail price!) and 2 [[Robot Point|robot points]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Superion}}
*'''Superion''' (Gift set, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

:All five Aerialbots were also available in many markets as a gift set. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.
{{-}}

===Generation 2===
*'''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, [[1994]])
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Accessories'': "Torque Rifle"

:The first ''Generation 2'' Air Raid was a [[redeco]] of the original. His [[alternate mode|plane mode]] was primarily blue and featured stickers with a pattern reminiscent of the costume of a [[human]] [[Spider-Man|superhero]]. His [[robot mode]] was mostly white and silver.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Generation 2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Cyberjet}}
[[File:AirRaidCybJet-AeroRaid-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"I laugh at my q-tip arsenal!"]]
*'''Air Raid''' (Cyberjet, [[1995]])
**''Accessories'': 2 air-to-air heat-seeking missiles

:Air Raid's second ''Generation 2'' appearance was a redeco of the [[Cyberjet]] [[Skyjack (G2)|Skyjack]], transforming into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk]]. He features a pressure-launch missile launcher that becomes his right arm in robot mode. His non-loaded missiles can be stored in clips on the undersides of his wings.

:This toy was sold in Japan without changes (though it did come with an extra decal sheet) as [[Aero Raid]]. This mold was also used to make the 2004 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|version of Air Raid]], and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' [[Delta Seeker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Cyberjet Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy AirRaidCyberjet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I laugh at my unfortunate naming error!]]
*'''Air Raid & Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, [[2004]])
**''Accessories'': Missile

:For the 2003 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the Cyberjet Air Raid was redecoed again and released in a two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Wind Sheer (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Wind Sheer]] at the Deluxe price point. The lack of [[bio]]s for ''Universe'' characters leaves open the possibility that this is not the original Air Raid. Then again, there's nothing that says it ''isn't'', either.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Universe 2003 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:Universe-AR-AirRaid.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at my resemblance to Soundwave!]]
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, [[2008]])
**''Series'': '''Classic Series'''

:[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'']] [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Air Raid is a redeco of [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Soundwave (Cybertron)#Legends|Soundwave]], transforming into a Cybertronic stealth bomber somewhat akin to a F-117A Nighthawk prototype, the {{w|Have Blue}}, and with a color scheme based upon his ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet incarnation.

:He was only available in a [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] five-pack with Legends Class [[Blades (G1)#LOC|Blades]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Universe (2008)|Skydive]], [[Ramjet (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Thrust]]. The [[packaging]] back and the [[instructions]] swap Air Raid and Skydive's names, but since the deco used for "Skydive" is very clearly based on ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet Air Raid, this can be assumed to be an error.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUSkydive/skydive.htm More information on Legends Air Raid (mislabeled) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Uni08Superion}}
[[File:Universe2008 AirRaid.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm finally a combiner again? Who's laughing now!]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Series'': '''G1 Series'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 dual-barrel cannons, connector piece, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of Superion, this version of Air Raid is a dark grey and black redeco of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]/[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], transforming into a small, futuristic fighter resembling an F-22 Raptor. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left leg to Superion. He comes with two double-barreled guns and a connector piece, which can form hand-held weapons as well as become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Air Raid was released, along with the others in this box set, in 2008 ''Universe'' packaging in Australia and Singapore, but was only released as Target-exclusive set in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging in North America. Thus, this toy doubles as live-action movie [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]].

:He comes with [[Silverbolt (G1)#Uni08Superion|Silverbolt]], [[Fireflight (G1)#Universe (2008)|Fireflight]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Universe (2008)|Skydive]], and [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] (who shares his mold). This mold was also redecoed into ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] and ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Airazor (ROTF)|Airazor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on ''Universe (2008)/Revenge of the Fallen'' Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Bot Shots===
[[File:BotShots 5pack Air Raid.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I laugh at my tinier than tiny size!]]
*'''Autobot Air Force''' (Five-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''T015'''
***''Fist strength'': '''128'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''714'''
***''Sword strength'': '''768'''
:Air Raid is a redeco of the [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] mold. As such, he turns into a super-deformed jet with a spring-loaded transformation back into robot mode. He was available in a five-pack with [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Slingshot (G1)|Quickslinger]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Autobot Firestrike]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Kre-O===
[[Image:KreO-Toy Air Raid.jpg|right|thumb|300px|I laugh at myself for being an Autobot Conehead!]]
*'''Superion''' w/ [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Firestrike]] Kreons

:Air Raid comes as part of the Superion [[Micro-Changer]] combiner set, and can be rebuilt from his robot mode into a jet. He can also contribute his bricks to form Superion.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Kre-OAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|Combiner3pack}}
*'''Combiner Robot Mega Pack''' (3-pack, 2016)
**''Set number'': '''???'''
**''Pieces'': '''245'''

:3 years later, the 3 Micro-Changer combiners, Superion, Bruticus and Menasor is reissed and released as a 3-pack. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.
{{-}}

===Generations===
====Combiner Wars====
[[File:Air Raid Generations.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at my newly-found spectacular range of articulation!]]
*'''Air Raid''' (Deluxe Class, [[2015]])
**'''1 OF 5: [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Double barrelled gun, Gun/fist/foot
:Released under the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' subline of the [[Transformers: Generations|''Generations'']] toyline, Air Raid is a major [[retool]] of [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Generations|Skydive]] from the same assortment (keeping only the thighs, fronts of the lower legs, middles of the arms, combiner connector, and gun from the original mold), with the alternate mode changed to a black F-14 Tomcat fighter jet, whereas the robot mode homages his original form. He is also able to form either an arm or leg on any Voyager Class toys from the ''Combiner Wars'' or ''Unite Warriors'' lines or form one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber's]] legs, but is intended to be combined with the other Deluxe Class Aerialbots ([[Alpha Bravo#Generations|Alpha Bravo]], [[Fireflight (G1)#Generations|Firefly]], and the aforementioned Skydive) and the Voyager Class [[Silverbolt (G1)#Generations|Silverbolt]] to form [[Superion (G1)#Generations|Superion]]. He is also officially associated with [[Galvatronus (Generations)#Generations|Galvatonus]].

:The hand-painted [[prototype]]s on display at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014, as well as the prototype used for early [[stock photography|stock photos]] of Superion, featured some minor coloring differences with the final product. Notably, Air Raid's upper arms were originally colored silver. However, the hand-painted prototype used for stock photos of Air Raid himself is closer to the final product.

:Air Raid comes with a copy of "Combiner Wars #7" (actually ''[[Plan for Everything|Robots in Disguise #15]]''). Non-American releases instead come with a collector card featuring art from the "[[Nemesis Rising]]" episode of ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]''.

:Air Raid was retooled into ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' [[Thrust (Armada)#Unite Warriors|Curse Armada Thrust]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Combiner Wars Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{CWSkydiveMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|GenerationsG2}}
[[File:Generations-Combiner-Wars-G2-Air-Raid.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]'s bleeding optics (that I caused)!]]
*'''Superion''' (Collection Pack, 2016)
**''Accessories:'' Rifle, individual Aerialbots guns/fists/feet

:A G2-themed redeco of ''Combiner Wars'' Air Raid was packed along with the other Aerialbots (including [[Powerglide (G1)/toys#GenerationsG2|Powerglide]]), and sold as a [[giftset]].

:The Superion "Collection Pack" was (at least in theory) a "shared exclusive" between various online retailers (such as [[Hasbro Toy Shop]], [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], [[BigBadToyStore]], and Entertainment Earth) and the online storefronts of major "big box" retailers (such as [[Toys"R"Us]], [[Walmart]], [[Target]], and [[Kmart]]). It was still available at general retail in Hasbro's Asian markets, though.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/CWAirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Combiner Wars G2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{CWSkydiveMold}}

{{-}}

====Titans Return====
*'''Blunderbuss & Broadside''' (2017)
:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Broadside (G1)#Generations|Broadside]] comes with tiny Aerialbot jets (specifically in the alternate modes of their ''Combiner Wars'' figures) molded on a sprue; once cut off this sprue, the jets can be attached to his carrier and robot mode ports.

{{-}}

===Unite Warriors===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-UW01-Air-Raid.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I laugh at my show-accurate paint ops!]]
*'''UW-01 Superion''' (Giftset, 2015-[[June 27|06-27]])

:TakaraTomy's iteration of ''Combiner Wars'' Superion features a redeco of Air Raid, swapping out colors on his detailing, and lacking both the gold trim and blue forehead of the Hasbro version.
{{CWSkydiveMold}}
{{-}}

===Legends===
*'''Broadside''' (Voyager Class, 2017-[[November 25|11-25]])
**''ID number'': '''LG53'''

:The ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' release of Broadside also includes five Airbot sprues, redecoed in a different shade of gray to match Broadside's cartoon-accurate appearance.
http://www.transformers-universe.com/content/images/galerie/pics/18/7021.jpg

==Notes==
*The ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Air Raid/[[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack was initially listed under the name "Skyjack" in [[Walmart]] computers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Air Rider''' (エアライダー ''Ea Raidā''), '''Air Raid''' (エアレイド ''Ea Reido'')
*''French:'' '''Bombardo''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Tornado'''
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User talk:Sideswipe84

2019-02-27T15:21:03Z

Sideswipe84:

Vector Prime

2019-02-26T19:15:42Z

Sideswipe84: /* Cybertron cartoon */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|guardian}}
{{featured}}
[[File:VectorPrime dvd.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|He gives a new meaning to the term "grandfather clock".]]
'''Vector Prime''' is [[Primus]]'s appointed guardian of time and space. Though recorded history pegs him as 25 million years old,<ref>[[Revelations Part 4]]</ref> he has identified himself as 9 billion years old,<ref name="AVP">[[Ask Vector Prime]]</ref> making the clockwork-covered Transformer one of the [[Thirteen]]. He's so old that in many timelines, the locals have called him "the First Autobot".<ref>[[Ask Vector Prime]], 11 September 2015: "Come to think of it, in many timelines, I was not called "Vector Prime" but "The First Autobot." Indeed, this was from time-to-time shortened to simply "Autobot," though usually as an invective hurled at me."</ref> Despite his age, Vector Prime is very powerful, and can warp both space and time, though excessive use of this power can severely weaken him. His powers allow him to traverse the [[multiverse]] at will, allowing Vector Prime to track and record events across a countless number of realities.

Vector Prime was once a holder of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]<ref name="AVP">[[Ask Vector Prime]]</ref> before he left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to guard space and time, a lonely job which isolated him from Cybertronian culture for tens of millions of years. Though he has rejoined the timestream on occasion to protect it from large-scale dangers,<ref>[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]</ref> his extraordinary exile has left him emotionally, culturally, and politically disconnected from his race. He speaks in archaic terminology steeped in chivalry from an age long past, which has led [[Transcendent Technomorph|some]] to believe him to be little more than a doddering relic. Despite this disconnect, Vector Prime never forgets that these strange modern creatures are the reason he guards space and time so fiercely. It is the miracle of time that allows these precious lives to continue and flourish across the multiverse.

Vector Prime has a "Guardian [[Mini-Con]]" called [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]], and is also responsible for the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]].

{{quote|I finally understand the true value of time, for it is the bonds between us that give time its meaning.|Vector Prime's last words|"[[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
====Fun Publications comics====
[[File:Vectorprimeut.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, I can see THE DAWN OF TIME from here! Hi, Phil!]]
Vector Prime was created by Primus at the very beginning of its struggle with Unicron, 'drawn from the sublime material of a multiverse at the far end of entropy'. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 5|Vector Prime's profile in Club magazine #5}} During the long dormancy of [[Primus]] and [[Unicron]] at the beginning of time, Vector Prime retreated from the march of history to prepare for when his skills would once again be called upon. From this isolation he watched the greatest victories and defeats of the Transformers race across the various timelines, intervening only when his hand was needed to preserve the balance of time. (For example, Vector Prime helped mend [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and repair the [[The Agenda (Part III)|timestorm]] that [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had unleashed in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]].) However, the awakening of Primus and Unicron returned Vector Prime to active service, following the wake of Unicron across the multiverse to prevent or restore what damage the Dark God had inflicted with its contaminating presence.

After the [[The Powerlinx Battles|Powerlinx Battles]], Primus attempted to lock Unicron's essence away in the center of a newborn sun, but this plan backfired and the sun collapsed into a black hole, also known as the [[Unicron Singularity]]. This threatened the multiverse itself, so Vector Prime was called back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to assist the Autobots in locating artifacts which would destroy the black hole. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

[[File:Vectorprimeutramjet.jpg|thumb|Hey, we got swords. Let's parry.]]
During the Autobots' search, Vector Prime would routinely confer with [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]] on their progress. During one such visit, Unicron's heralds [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] attacked Cybertron, prompting Alpha Trion to recruit some extra-dimensional help in the form of [[Sentinel Maximus]]. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}} No sooner had Maximus arrived than Ramjet and Nemesis came blasting into Alpha Trion's chamber; Vector duelled with Ramjet, but was unable to prevent him from heavily damaging Alpha Trion and destroying [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Balancing Act}} After placing Alpha Trion in a repair chamber, Vector Prime explained to Sentinel Maximus the extent of the peril they faced; it was Ramjet's plan that Nemesis Prime would unleash his [[Dead Matrix]] to destroy their Creator. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} Deducting that their opponents would likely next strike at the [[Kalis Primary Energon Reserves Control]], Vector Prime and his allies preemptively traveled there to defend it. Sure enough, another one of Unicron's pawns, [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]], soon turned up and attacked the facility. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 3}} Dark Scorponok was felled, but Vector Prime came to realize that the shambling creature had acted as a distraction while Ramjet and Nemesis Prime had made their way towards their true target: the chamber housing Primus's essence, deep within Cybertron. Vector Prime opened a warp gate and traveled with Sentinel Maximus to head off their enemies before the wicked machinations came to fruition. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} Vector Prime and Ramjet's fight left the chamber and took them high above Cybertron. Ramjet offered Vector Prime another option to his plan: it was within Vector Prime's power to restore Unicron from the Singularity, dooming this Cybertron but saving all others. Vector Prime refused, claiming that they could restore balance to the multiverse without saving Unicron. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}} Though Vector Prime was able to defeat Ramjet and seal him away in another dimension, {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}} this act weakened him considerably. The guardian of space and time returned to the Autobots on [[Earth]] and left Cybertron in the care of [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]], a Mini-Con who had taken the reins of what remained of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

While on Cybertron of [[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]], [[Nexus Prime]] decided to tell his companion [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] about the ancient artifact he was trying to find, the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. As he explained to Aquarius that the artifact was originally intended to serve good Transformers, the face of Vector Prime flashed through his mind. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}} Eventually, Nexus succeeded in finding all the pieces of the shattered sword, and united the rebuilt blame with the [[Terminus Blade]] with the intention of strengthening the multiverse and making the walls between dimensions less permeable. Vector Prime and the rest of the Thirteen were drawn to this momentous event from across space and time, but as a consequence of Nexus's actions, Vector and his brothers and sisters ceased to exist as multiversal singularities. They were splintered into infinite variations of themselves and scattered throughout the multiverse, sentient reoccurring themes each appearing in their own way, if at all, in all the worlds of the multiverse. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Richard Newman]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese)|[[Joscha Fischer-Antze]] (German), [[Sepuh Apikian]] (Armenian), [[Ossi Valo]] (Finnish)}}

[[File:Cyb ep47 outside of time.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Twelfth Doctor, Transformerfied]]

Vector Prime spent much of his existence outside the linear flow of time, observing reality from afar. When he sensed the effect of the [[Unicron Singularity]] upon the timestream, he attempted to voyage further into the future to see what the outcome would be, only to strike a barrier which he found he could not pass beyond. Peering through the barrier and seeing only endless nothingness, Vector Prime realized that the black hole would go on to consume all space and time if he did not finally leave the safety of his extra-dimensional realm and re-enter the linear flow of time to help seal it. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}} Appearing in the skies over Cybertron, Vector Prime immediately made contact with Optimus Prime and his Autobot team, making them aware of the Cyber Planet Keys and how they could stop the black hole. As Vector Prime then synchronized his map of the keys’ locations to the current arrangement of the cosmos, he was approached by the evil [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who exploited Vector Prime's diminished memory of the Autobot/Decepticon conflict and convinced him to hand over the map. Alas, Vector Prime realized his mistake just as the other Autobots arrived to attack Megatron. The villain made good his escape, but not before his lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] caused Autobot warrior [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] to be caught in the black hole’s gravitational pull, forcing Vector Prime to open a portal to save him, transporting him to [[Earth]].

[[File:Cyb ep1 loris shirt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"This is Clara, my carer. She cares so I don't have to."]]

Vector Prime joined with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots in relocating to Earth. En-route, Vector Prime explained to Optimus that the black hole threatened not only Cybertron, but would go on to swallow all of creation if not dealt with. He then doubled back, explaining he had to retrieve the cosmic map Megatron had stolen. Optimus Prime insisted on having Jetfire, Hot Shot, and Overhaul accompany him, deeming the task too dangerous for Vector Prime to handle on his own. Vector Prime's team came upon Megatron and Starscream inside an asteroid belt. While Jetfire and Vector Prime dealt with Starscream, Overhaul and Hot Shot tackled Megatron. Unfortunately, the Decepticons proved to be simply too powerful, and the Autobots were unable to prevent them from escaping once more. Vector Prime then rendezvoused with Optimus back on Earth, where the Autobots had already befriended three human children. Upon meeting these humans, Vector Prime recognized a symbol decorating the T-shirt of the female, [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]], as the pattern of the Omega Lock, the device that focused the power of the Cyber Planet Keys, and deduced that it lay in hiding somewhere on Earth. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} {{storylink|Inferno (episode)|Inferno}}

Vector Prime then aided his Autobot allies in building their base of operations on Earth. During the blasting that preceding construction, he discovered that the children were able to hear the [[Omega Frequency]], the trans-sonic signal given off by the Omega Lock that was inaudible to the Autobots. This would make them invaluable in the search for the artifact. As the base neared completion, Megatron and Starscream were detected heading towards Earth once again. The base's stealth coating had yet to be fully applied, and so Vector Prime joined Optimus, Jetfire, and Hot Shot in keeping the villains out of sensor range while the rest of the team finished this task. Vector Prime used the power of a Cyber Planet Key to send the Decepticon leader and his lackey fleeing, awing his comrades. Having deemed them worthy, Vector Prime then granted Optimus, Hot Shot, and Jetfire the ability to also summon their own Cyber Planet Keys. {{storylink|Haven}}

Walking in on the Autobots receiving word that the latest attempt at collapsing the black hole had failed, Vector Prime reiterated that they needed to track down the keys to the Omega Lock. The Autobots were doubtful at first, but Red Alert spoke up on Vector Prime's behalf, convincing his comrades that the keys should be their priority. Thundercracker was then detected by the airforce, forcing Vector Prime to help take him down before he caused too much trouble. He saved two human pilots from the Decepticon by opening a temporal portal for them to escape through. Megatron and Starscream then joined the battle, and explained that they had already found the first of the Cyber Planet Keys before they were forced away. {{storylink|Hidden}}

Further studies on the Omega Lock's pattern around the world led the Autobots to a museum in Mexico. While Vector Prime studied the artifacts within it, the rest of the team held off Thundercracker and Starscream, who had been tracking them. This Omega Lock turned out to be merely an imitation, but Vector Prime's scans yielded the co-ordinates of [[Velocitron]], the Speed Planet, resting place of the first Cyber Planet Key. Using his sword in conjunction with Optimus Prime's Matrix, Vector Prime opened a portal to this other world, through which Hot Shot and Red Alert were sent as an advance party. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}} The search for the Omega Lock next took the Autobots to the [[United Kingdom|British Isles]]. They excavated an ancient druid site, only to be met with another dead end. Once more, they were pestered by Starscream and Thundercracker, who managed to isolate Vector Prime and Optimus from their ground-based reinforcements. Though Starscream was fighting more strategically however, the Primes managed to lure their opponents close enough to the ground to overpower them and force them into another retreat. {{storylink|Space (episode)|Space}} Vector Prime teamed up with Landmine to continue searching for the Omega Lock, but returned from their excursion with nothing to show for it. That evening, Lori alerted the Autobots to a strange beacon emanating from a nearby forest, depicting the Lock's "Atlantis Pattern". Vector Prime and the team sped off to what seemed like a lucky break at last, only to find that the signal had been created by the Decepticons to lure them into a trap. As Optimus took on the enemy, Jolt reported that humans were inbound to their location. As neither side wanted to be discovered by more of the locals, the battle was brought to an abrupt halt, and all combatants withdrew. {{storylink|Speed}}

[[File:Cyb ep9 time slip.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|But where's Cringer, his fearless friend?]]

Jetfire and Vector Prime were contacted by Scattorshot and Optimus to alert them of an emergency in [[Rockville]]: the nearby [[Mount McDermott]] was about to collapse into an underwater reservoir, which would lead to a catastrophic flooding of the entire town. Thankfully, Coby came up with a plan to drain the reservoir, and the Autobots created a controlled collapse of the mountain to prevent further harm from coming to Rockville. After this plan was successfully implemented, Vector Prime congratulated his comrades on a job well done. {{storylink|Collapse}}

Returning to the search for the Omega Lock, Vector Prime next headed for a tropical island, allowing the children to tag along for a mini-vacation of sorts. This turned out to be another false lead. Before heading off to their next destination, Vector Prime took the time to discuss his temporal powers with the children, informing them that though they might seem impressive, they had become limited in his old age. The group next headed for the [[Sahara]], where they were joined by Optimus and Jetfire. There, they found what appeared to be the Omega Lock on open display within some ancient ruins. But the Decepticons had been following them, and the battle for the artifact had catastrophic consequences: Megatron's managed to kill the Mini-Cons! Distraught over their untimely demise, Vector Prime drew on a greater portion of his powers for the first time in ages. He rewound time to save the Mini-Cons, though the resulting drain on his systems left him too weak to continue fighting. The lock in question was proven to be a fake. {{storylink|Time (episode)|Time}}

[[File:Cyb ep11 control room.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]

After rescuing an Autobot civilian from Thundercracker, the Autobots were led to another iteration of the Atlantis pattern. The inscription detailed the coordinates to the next planet where a Cyber Planet Key was hidden: the [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]]. Vector Prime opened a dimension gate to transport Overhaul and Landmine to this new world, but was struck by the returning Thundercracker before Landmine could traverse the portal. Due to his injuries, Vector Prime couldn't open up another dimension gate, leaving Overhaul stranded on an alien world alone. {{storylink|Search (episode)|Search}} Shortly afterwards, another Autobot civilian alerted Optimus Prime's team to another sighting of the Atlantis seal, this time on the ocean bottom in the [[Bermuda Triangle]]. Making their way underwater, the Autobots explored the area. Vector Prime, the Mini-Cons and the children found an entrance leading to a control room, and the elder Cybertronian concluded that Atlantis was in fact an ancient Cybertronian ship that had crashed in Earth's prehistory. In order to keep it out of the Decepticons' reach, Vector Prime activated the craft and teleported it away with only himself, the kids and Mini-Cons aboard. {{storylink|Deep}} Using the children's sensitivity to the Omega Frequency, Vector Prime tracked down the Omega Lock in the bowels of the ''Atlantis''. Though Megatron appeared to claim the relic for himself, activating the ship's self-destruct mechanism in the process, Optimus caught up to his old foe and dueled him for the Omega Lock. Meanwhile, Vector Prime took the children to safety. Optimus emerged victorious. When Vector Prime laid hands on the Omega Lock afterwards, it created new spacebridge network, linking all of the planets hosting Cyber Planet Keys. Vector Prime accompanied Optimus and Landmine to the Speed Planet in response to a distress call from Red Alert. {{storylink|Ship}}

There, he observed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] try to win the world’s Cyber Planet Key in a racing tournament. {{storylink|Hero (episode)|Hero}} He did not actually participate-mainly because his vehicle mode lacked wheels-but he offered encouragement and advice when he could. {{storylink|Race}} The races were intense enough to get even him worked up, although he did his best to restrain his enthusiasm-to Optimus Prime's mild amusement. {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}}

[[File:Cyb ep16 feed me seymour.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|But whatever they offer you, don't feed the plants!]]

While Hot Shot trained for a particularly grueling track, the Autobots received a transmission urging them to come to the [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] to help [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]], sent there in advance to seek out the second Cyber Planet Key. [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] offered to go, but Vector Prime and Optimus decided to make the trip, as they could open the dimension gate necessary to go there anyway. When they arrived, they were attacked by a massive plant monster, but Overhaul-now in the form of Leobreaker-saved them with his claws. Vector Prime joined Optimus in explaining the black hole's threat to Leobreaker's new friends, [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] and [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]], but was confused to learn that they had not, in fact, sent a distress signal at all. He then joined the others in confronting world leader [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], battling [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (who had sent the distress signal simply to watch the factions battle) and witnessing Optimus and Leobreaker's first combination into Savage Claw Mode. {{storylink|Savage}}

[[File:Cyb ep9 meteor attack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hitting you where the sun definitely shines.]]

Soon after, Vector Prime and the other Autobots met Scourge and Megatron's forces in another battle, lured into a canyon thanks to Sideways' trickery. He was also among the 'bots who watched Leobreaker's attempted interrogation of the two-faced trickster when the battle ended, {{storylink|Sand}} and returned to Velocitron in time to stop Megatron from stealing the Planet Cup after Hot Shot defeated Override in the final race. {{storylink|Champion}}

While most of the Autobots went back to Earth to investigate a disturbance created by the Omega Lock, Vector Prime returned to the Jungle Planet with Optimus Prime and Leobreaker, intending to secure the second Cyber Planet Key. {{storylink|Ice}} Their attempt to reason with Scourge failed miserably, leading to Leobreaker separating from Optimus mid-speech and futilely attacking the dragon-bot himself. With the lion storming off in a huff, Vector Prime accompanied Optimus back to Backstop's cave, where he learned of Scourge's beginnings as a student of Backstop's. Vector Prime was also present at the volcano Leobreaker had chosen to seclude himself in, and witnessed his reconciliation with Optimus Prime, the latter at last deciding to face Scourge in battle. {{storylink|Honor}} The Autobots ran into a Decepticon ambush en route to Scourge's temple, and Vector Prime had to use his sword to free the beast 'bots and Hot Shot from a net. He later stood back and watched Optimus and Leobreaker finally defeat Scourge in battle, winning the right to take the Cyber Planet Key. {{storylink|Primal (Cybertron)|Primal}}

[[File:Cyb ep22 autobots together.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Unfortunately, Megatron led his Decepticons on an immediate counterattack, desperate to obtain the Planet Key. While most of the Autobots fended off Starscream and Thundercracker, Vector Prime came up with a plan to splinter the Decepticons. He distributed boxes amongst the Autobots, with the key's location unknown to even them, and bade them scatter to force the Decepticons to spread out. Vector Prime himself came face-to-visor with Sideways, intent on acquiring the "key". The enigmatic jet managed to steal the box, warping around Vector Prime and bypassing Safeguard with his faction-switching abilities, but learned it was a fake when he found naught but a rock inside. He later joined the rest of the Autobots in fending off Megatron and Starscream's attempted theft of the true key. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

[[File:Cyb ep22 shell game.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

The insertion of the Jungle Planet Key into the Omega Lock transported the Autobots into a strange dimension that Vector Prime identified as the consciousness of Primus. The god himself briefly spoke to them through the Mini-Cons before fading away, and a signal again alerted them to something in the North Pole. {{storylink|Trap}} Unfortunately, what came out of the North was Starscream, Sideways, and ''legions'' of [[Ancient Decepticon]]s, hell-bent on finding the Cyber Planet Key hidden on Earth. Vector Prime soon joined the fray, using his sword to warp in the main Autobot forces to back Snarl up. The Autobots were eventually forced to fall back, but made two new allies in the form of [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] and [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]]. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}}

Knowing that Starscream would come looking for the Omega Lock and the other two Keys, the Autobots established a communications blackout, using a direct link to the human telephone network to keep the refugee Autobots calm. Vector Prime soon brought up another worry, however-the children and Mini-Cons were missing! The kids soon returned, bringing the eccentric scientist [[Lucy Suzuki]] with them, but [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]]'s advance transmission about the government's knowledge of the Autobots allowed Sideways to find the Autobot's base. With no other option, Optimus Prime led a full retreat to Velocitron while Evac retrieved the Cyber Planet Key of Earth, but Starscream followed them up the space bridge and launched a one-bot assault to claim the artifacts for himself. Vector Prime was the last to stand in the Decepticon's way, vowing to give up his spark before he relinquished the Lock. Despite being blackened and battered from previous attacks, Starscream still managed to take down the ancient guardian of time, stealing the Lock and all three Planet Keys. {{storylink|Retreat}}

Vector Prime was present at the Autobot's base when it received a strange signal after Starscream inserted the third Cyber Planet Key. Enlisting the aid of [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] to decrypt it, he reported that it came from Cybertron itself, instructing them to return the Lock and Keys to the planet itself. Unfortunately, the part about ''what'' happens when the Lock is returned was lost due to interference from the black hole-and worse yet, Megatron's Decepticons were on their way to Earth to settle their own grudge with Starscream. Vector Prime generated a warp to speed his allies' trip to [[Niagara Falls]], and found himself battling the traitorous Autobot [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]]. He was shocked to discover that Landmine had practically raised the disgruntled warrior back on Cybertron...and even more dismayed to see Megatron cut down Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Scattorshot with a single volley from his newly unlocked Cyber Key machine gun. {{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}}

[[File:Cyb ep27 giant vector.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtkGtXtDlQA Lets go on a journey / a journey through all time / a TIME that's changing all the TIME / it's TIME to go to TIME!]]]

While others kept Megatron busy, Vector Prime evacuated the fallen warriors, assuring the pessimistic Scattorshot that they'd be fine. Upon returning to the battlefield, however, he grimly informed Optimus Prime that the situation of the trio was dire at best. Thankfully, Hot Shot, Scattorshot, and Red Alert recovered and reformatted, returning as the powerful [[Cybertron Defense Team]]. They kept the Decepticons occupied while Vector Prime warped Optimus, Override, and Evac to Starscream's newly discovered island base. {{storylink|Critical}}

Megatron's forces soon made a break for the island, causing Vector Prime to warp the rest of his team into the fray as well. He and Optimus pursued Megatron into a volcano, and Vector Prime saved Optimus' life by blocking Megatron's shots with his own body. They would have both met their ends nonetheless, had [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] not chosen that moment to join the party as well. In response to Coby's warning that the black hole was distorting the space around Cybertron, Vector Prime would suggest sending an advance team to clear a path for the return of the Omega Lock. {{storylink|Assault}}

[[File:Cyb ep28 vector takes the hit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]

The two Primes continued their descent into the volcano, soon joined by Leobreaker. Vector Prime used a small warp to redirect one of Sideways' traps, hitting Scourge instead of them. When they finally met Sideways in battle, Vector Prime had the novel idea of attaching Safeguard to the warping enigma's back, allowing him to detect where Sideways would appear. When Starscream manifested himself as a giant, courtesy of Primus' stolen power, Vector Prime was trapped in the volcano, unable to move and with his sword out of reach. Wing Saber came to his rescue, and the pair escaped with the Omega Lock after fending off [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} After seeing the Lock off with Leobreaker, Evac, and Override, he continued fighting against Starscream, and witnessed Optimus' combination with Wing Saber into Sonic Wing Mode to defeat the behemoth. {{storylink|United}}

With Starscream defeated, Vector Prime joined the rest of the Autobots in crossing the space bridge to Cybertron. They engaged Megatron, who managed to escape with the Omega Lock, but Optimus Prime battled him for possession of the Lock and keys within [[Fire dimension|Megatron's personal fiery dimension]]. At Optimus' order, Vector Prime used his portal-generating abilities to collapse the dimension in upon itself, forcing Megatron to use all his power just to keep it open. Combining his own power with that of the Lock, Vector Prime fired a beam straight into the occupied Decepticon, apparently destroying Megatron. Vector Prime later encouraged Optimus to place the Lock within Cybertron-and the planet started coming apart beneath their feet. After evacuating the team to a nearby moon, Vector Prime realized that the planet wasn't separating; it was transforming into Primus himself! {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}}

After Primus revealed that the fourth Cyber Planet Key rested on [[Gigantion]], homeworld of the Recon Mini-Con Team, Vector Prime recounted how he met the diminutive Transformers when they were lost playing hide-and-seek. He joined his friends in confronting the Decepticons (tenuously led by Scourge), and then joined everyone in gaping at Starscream's brazen attack on Primus himself. Vector Prime doubted Starscream's sanity for daring to attack their creator, but Primus' disposal of the treacherous jet allowed Vector Prime to finally regain the Planet Map. {{storylink|Balance}}

Sadly, a series of problems presented themselves after this small victory; Megatron returned in a mysterious ghost-like form, and the Mini-Cons seemingly disappeared along with the children. Vector Prime left to investigate the latter development, and reviewed the security camera footage at their headquarters. Discovering that Sideways had stolen the Mini-Cons and that the children had pursued him, Vector Prime requested Scattorshot and Red Alert's aid in locating them. {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}} Continuing to work as the battle raged outside {{storylink|Memory (Cybertron)|Memory}}, they finally received a signal from the kids, reporting that they were trapped on the ''Atlantis'' in the shadow of Earth's moon. Vector Prime led Scattorshot and Red Alert through a warp gate to the ship and caught an escape pod carrying Coby, Lori, and [[Six-Speed (Cybertron)|Six-Speed]]. Unfortunately, the other pod (carrying Bud, Jolt, and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]) was caught in the warp field of the ''Atlantis'' before the Autobots could retrieve it and was teleported away to parts unknown. {{storylink|Escape (episode)|Escape}}

[[File:Cyb ep36 autobots revealed.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Predicting that the ''Atlantis'' will be heading for Gigantion, Vector Prime reassured Coby and Lori that their friends would be fine in the warp gate to the planet, thanks to their flexible minds. Transformers, however, are not so flexible, and so Red Alert began working on a stabilizing program, partially based on Vector Prime's sword. Vector Prime would join Optimus Prime in convincing the kids' doubting parents to allow Coby and Lori to join them on the trip to Gigantion. He also denied their fathers' wish to go as well, citing the requirement of an open mind (which the adults had just proven they lacked), but joined Optimus in promising to protect the children with his life. {{storylink|Family}}

With the children's assistance cemented, Vector Prime began rigorously studying the Planet Map for the location of the dimensional rift that led to Gigantion. He discovered the gate just after Primus defeated a superpowered Starscream, {{storylink|Titans}} informing the others that the gate is open for only a few days every year. After again reminding Coby and Lori about their immunity to the warp's effects, he helped load supplies onto the newly arrived ''[[Ogygia (Cybertron)|Ogygia]]'' starship. After receiving his copy of the stabilizing program via injection (and observing Primus shooting down Jetfire's attempt to avoid getting one), Vector Prime boarded the ''Ogygia'' as it entered the warp, warning everyone that even the slightest moment of doubt or fear could destabilize the tunnel. After an unpleasant encounter with the Starscream-controlled ''Atlantis'', he joined his comrades in blasting a hole through a massive asteroid in the ''Ogygia'''s path before finally arriving in the dimension of Gigantion. {{storylink|Warp}}

After landing on the Giant Planet, Vector Prime joined the search for the Cyber Planet Key, and came up empty-handed. When the Autobots met planet leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] and his lieutenant [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]], neither of whom allowed them access to the lower levels of the planet, Vector Prime attempted to create a warp, but found he could not due to security measures around the planet. After a confrontation with Megatron's goons, now including rebellious Gigantion native [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] and enigmatic impersonator [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], Metroplex and Quickmix were more willing to cooperate, {{storylink|Giant}} but admitted that they deleted all data on the lower levels from their memories to escape their past.

[[File:Cyb ep45 save the universe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Undeterred, the team set up equipment to help Vector Prime determine the general location of the Cyber Planet Key. Using the Omega Lock, Vector Prime found the Key, but also realized that someone else had drawn power from it. Fearing the worst, the Autobots split into teams, with Vector Prime accompanying Optimus and Metroplex. Unfortunately, this allowed them to be picked off by Megatron, who had used the Cyber Planet Key to upgrade himself. By the time Optimus's team caught up with the Decepticon leader, he had dealt with every other Autobot, completed his transformation, and renamed himself Galvatron! In this state, he struck down Vector Prime with a single blow, and only the combined strength of Optimus Prime and Metroplex was enough to force his retreat. {{storylink|Fury (Cybertron)|Fury}}

When Scattorshot determined that there were four potential routes to the Cyber Planet Key, the Autobots again split up to cover all of the paths. Vector Prime teamed up with Optimus, Metroplex, Bud, and the Mini-Cons to travel down one of the trails. He joined Optimus in pursuit of Ransack and Crumplezone when the bumbling lackeys snatched Jolt, unable to fire for fear of hurting his friend, and gave Coby an approving thumbs-up when he dramatically transformed [[Cobybot|his personal mech]] to save Jolt. {{storylink|City}} After that, the journey was mostly uneventful, save for watching the Velocitronian partners in grime get beaten up and sent off (repeatedly), {{storylink|Ambush (episode)|Ambush}} and meeting up with Lori and Override. {{storylink|Challenge}}

When Bud and the Mini-Cons accidentally fell down a secret passage, Vector Prime remained with the group, as Optimus claimed they would be more effective as a team searching for their lost comrades. When they found their small friends, Bud had given Scourge an eye-opening talk, and the Jungle Planet leader immediately challenged them all to a duel (for reasons only they seemed to understand). Vector Prime was the second opponent, and easily defeated the dragon, who nonetheless challenged the next comer with enthusiasm. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}}

[[File:Cyb ep45 matrix glow.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Two hearts beat as one..."]]

At last, the Autobots reached the central, organic layer of Gigantion, where the Cyber Planet Key rested in the ancient starship ''[[Lemuria (Cybertron)|Lemuria]]''. Unfortunately, both Galvatron and Starscream chose that moment to make their appearances, and the former's taunts were enough to force Optimus into a breakdown of self-doubt. Finding his best logic to the contrary useless, Vector Prime was forced to drastic measures: ''punching'' Optimus in the face. Berating his peer for his arrogance, Vector Prime explained that Optimus' men trust him with their lives, but ''he'' has to trust ''them'' to do their jobs. His words snapped Prime out of his momentary funk, and the duo continued on in time to see a super-sized Landmine defeat Starscream and engage Galvatron. The combined strength of the Autobots was enough to send the Decepticon leader into retreat, leaving Optimus to claim the Cyber Planet Key and thank Vector Prime for his support (and comment on his mean right hook). {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}}

Vector Prime personally inserted the final key into the Omega Lock, opening a path to their home universe (via opening the planet layers and creating a space bridge). Barring their path, however, was Galvatron, intent on taking the now-completed Lock and achieving his dark plans. Vector Prime moved to stop him, but was aghast to learn that Galvatron could warp-as well as summon a massive blast that sent all the Autobots sprawling. With the Lock in Decepticon hands, Vector Prime made a final attempt to take it back, but Galvatron simply electrocuted the ancient Transformer through his own sword and knocked him back. Perhaps due to this beating, Vector Prime was only able to watch Galvatron's apocalyptic confrontation with Starscream and subsequent escape through the space bridge. He theorized that Starscream (and the two Planet X survivors also caught in the final clash of superpowered Decepticons) had been blasted into ''another'' dimension rather than destroyed, but bigger concerns arose when the gate between universes closed, leaving the Autobots stranded on Gigantion. {{storylink|Showdown (Cybertron)|Showdown}}

[[File:Cyb ep47 vector prime dies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|I'll see you in another life, brother!]]

In the wake of this shock, Vector Prime was the only Autobot with any ideas on what to do, but Jolt, seemingly aware of what was coming, insisted against it. Instead, an attempt to create a space bridge generator was made, but Vector Prime was forced to destroy it after it released hordes of [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|bird-like drone robots]]. Optimus assured Vector Prime that he had done the right thing, but it was realized by all that the only way back was through the warp, which would not open again for a year. With no other options, Vector Prime revealed the only way to get back to Cybertron was for him to reverse time to the point where the warp to Gigantion was open. Jolt cut in to point out that the effort would be enough to destroy him-in the conventional sense, anyways. Despite this, Vector Prime was adamant, knowing that the black hole would destroy all of time itself if left unchecked. In preparation for this final act, he released Safeguard, telling his old partner to live on Cybertron with the other Mini-Cons, gave his Planet Map to Bud, and told Optimus Prime that it was an honor to work with him. As the three Autobot starships took off, Vector Prime gave it his all to get his allies back to Cybertron, finally returning them to their own dimension before his energy gave out and his body dissolved into green particles of light. {{storylink|Guardian (episode)|Guardian}} Primus was aware of Vector Prime's sacrifice and assured Optimus Prime that Vector Prime would live on and that he would be honoured by the closing of the black hole. {{storylink|Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming}}

[[File:Cyb ep49 vector ghost.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Remember, the force will be with you. Always...]]

However, as Vector Prime had already explained to the Autobots, since he had existed for most of his life outside of time, he would ''always'' exist there, able to observe the passage of time, even though he could now no longer enter the linear universe. He swore to always watch over Optimus Prime and the Autobots, and would be there for them in spirit when their need was greatest. The first such moment came during Optimus Prime's pivotal moment within the black hole, as he appeared alongside the Autobot leader as he reached for the Omega Lock. {{storylink|End}}

[[File:Vector Primevs.Megatron.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|Battling... IN THE NEXT DIMENSION!]]
Subsequently, the black hole was sealed, but Galvatron was not yet through, and challenged Prime to a final one-on-one duel. During the battle, as Galvatron stood poised to deliver the final blow, Vector Prime's Planet Map flew from the pocket of the watching Bud and moved between the two combatants, blocking Galvatron's blow. Vector Prime spoke to Optimus once more, promising to always be there for him, and bestowing upon him the greatest of gifts—his own sword, [[Rhisling]], with which Optimus Prime defeated and destroyed Galvatron once and for all. {{storylink|Unfinished}} Not long afterwards, as the Autobots departed on a mission across the universe to create a new [[space bridge]], Vector Prime appeared to Optimus once more, smiling at his old friend. {{storylink|Beginning}}

Vector Prime was last seen dueling Galvatron in an existence after death.
{{-}}

====''Galaxy Force'' manga====
When the [[Unicron Singularity|Grand Black Hole]] began to devour Cybertron, Vector Prime opened a warp and sent [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] to Earth. When the humans Coby, Bud, and Lori failed to repair Landmine, Vector Prime arrived through a warp and thanked the kids for their efforts before repairing Landmine himself. Vector Prime revealed he was unable to save Optimus Prime, but his despair was distracted by the human children bombarding him with questions about Transformers (sound familiar?). Then Megatron showed up and used his hypnotic powers to mesmerize Vector into handing over the Map to the [[Cyber Planet Key|Ancient Power]]. Luckily, Coby was able to yell loud enough to snap Vector out of it. And then Optimus Prime showed up, alive and well, and forced Megatron into retreat. {{storylink|Touchdown! Optimus Prime}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Devil's Dogfight! Coby's Courage}} {{storylink|Deep Sea Discovery! Vector Prime}} {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.8}} {{storylink|Galaxy Force Mission.9}}}}

====''Beast Wars Reborn''====
[[File:Bwreborn text.jpg|thumb]]

When his brother [[Logos Prime]] plucked the [[spark]]s of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] out of their home dimension following [[Great Reformatting|their deaths]] and brought them into the "Unicron Trilogy" dimension with the intention of choosing one of them to be his successor and the recipient of his power, Vector Prime was forced to intervene. {{storylink|Master of the Game}} Remembering his sibling as a noble being, Vector was horrified to learn that he planned to pass his power to the evil Megatron, and the two did battle on the astral plane. {{storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}}

====''Kiss Players''====
[[File:KPVectorPrime.jpg|left|thumb|"Scary-Faced Gear Man", she calls him.]]
When the human [[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]] became scattered throughout across the dimensions after their vessel [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] collided into the "wall of time" while pursuing a mysterious golden hand through the timestream, [[Shaoshao Li]] found herself in the Unicron Trilogy timeline, around [[Aurex 105.08 Alpha|the time of the search]] for the Cyber Planet Keys. Finding herself on the deserted Cybertron, she was set upon by a horde of [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], but was then saved by Safeguard and Vector Prime. He explained what had befallen her, then used his sword to slash a hole between dimensions, from which the golden hand—actually that of Primus himself—emerged to pull Shaoshao through. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|''Kiss Players'' radio drama #50}} {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 3}}
{{-}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
====As a multiversal singularity====

[[File:Ask Vector Prime Facebook.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Vector Prime: causing wiki headaches since 2015.]]

At some undetermined point in Vector Prime's life, he took the time to answer a series of questions about himself, other Transformers, and the ''Transformers: Cybertron'' toyline in a recurring feature on Hasbro's official ''Transformers'' website, to be reprised in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', ''[[Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac]]'', and a [[Fun Publications]]-provided Facebook account, called "[[Ask Vector Prime]]". Because of his mastery of time and space, it is impossible to determine when exactly he communicated with our universe, but it may have been during the course of events in the ''Cybertron'' animated series, as he answered questions regarding those events and other characters who he had not met before the series began.

Vector revealed much about himself in these pages, including much new information about his early life. He fondly remembered all his brothers, even knowing how three of them turned into dread monsters, and listened with rapt attention to the [[Liege Maximo]]'s tales of the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] and [[Primon]], stories he was not even sure were real or just legends. He and his brothers and sisters spent an extended period of time on Earth in ancient Greece, where the [[holomatter]] avatar he used formed the basis for human legends of {{w|Hermes}}, while Rhisling was likewise interpreted as the {{w|Caduceus}}.

[[File:WatchRoboCard.jpg|188px|thumb|right|Available in the finest vending machines across the country.]]

Following the final falling out between the Primes, after the shattering of the Star Saber, Vector helped hide away the five components that [[Nexus Prime]] had split himself into, then went into hiding in the universe [[Aurex 404.11 Kappa]] and locked away all memories of his trauma. Out of necessity, he took a much simpler form, one that turned into a device similar to a wristwatch. There, he became the Autobot leader and wielded the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He had a bodyguard, [[Scorpia (G2)|Scorpia]], during his Matrix-bearer days, and the two became [[Transformer romance|close]] despite the difference in rank (and his initial reluctance to act on his feelings for a subordinate). After leading the Autobots to victory in the [[second Cybertronian war (Armada)|second Cybertronian war]] against such foes as [[Devron (Armada)|Devron]], [[Megazarak (Armada)|Megazarak]], and the [[Destructon]]s, he was called on by the [[Chronarchitect]] to help fix damage to Time itself! Reluctantly, he passed the Matrix to [[Guardian Major]].

With a group of fellows, the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warriors]]—Scorpia, medical officer [[Kaltor]], intelligence officer [[Autoceptor]], and quantum scientist [[Deceptor]]—Vector Prime faced foe and threat innumerable, with some timelines only knowing him as "First Autobot" or, when shortened, "Autobot" as a slur, meaning his watch self has often been mistaken for a person ''called'' Autobot. Eventually the Warriors discovered their true enemy, [[Mogahn the Mass]], an indescribable entity that absorbed entire star systems into itself. In the final battle, Vector found his mind entering the [[Realm of the Primes]] and learning his true identity once more; [[Amalgamous Prime|Adaptus]] gifted him the power to create the mighty sword Rhisling, and he smote Mogahn so hard that his remains went back in time and detonated in [[the Big Bang]]. Now once more aware of his true role in the multiverse, Vector Prime had to say a tearful goodbye to Scorpia. He tries not to remember her and does not like talking about it. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/10 and 2015/07/12}}

In another adventure, the GoBot '''Vec-Tor''' was forced to intervene after the always-mischievous [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] recruited [[Renegade#Gong|Gong]] to destabilize two universes, using the [[Omega Lock]]s far beneath [[Gobotron]]. After warping to a [[Primax]] universe, Vector Prime managed to undo the damage before Unicron could devour Cybertron, allowing history to progress along its proper course. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

Notable other revelations:

*His favorite human authors were [[Peter David]] and [[Alan Dean Foster]], though he seldom had time to read.
*He was a fan of the [[Dinobot (disambiguation)|Dinobot]]s.
*His favorite planet was Cybertron, and his favorite city there was [[Apophenia]].
*He was over nine billion years old, almost as old as the galaxy itself.
*He did not need to shave.
*He used to "boogie down" with [[Disco ball]] when he was younger, but not so much any more. He still enjoyed the symphonies created by the [[Eurythma]] natives. On the other hand, he was not a fan of the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]], since he found their name tasteless.
*He found the [[Viron]] universal cluster to be underrated.
*He was unable to visit the [[Quadwal]] universal cluster.
*He knows which universes have manifested as fiction in Quadwal.
*Despite having traveled far and wide, he could not see why kids loved [[Cinnamon Toast Crunch]].
*He feared the [[Elder God]]s.
*He missed Safeguard, as well as Lori, Bud, and Coby.
*If he had to choose an Earth mode, he would choose a dirigible, though he didn't because he was "not here to blend."
*If he had to choose a beast mode, it would be a large sea mammal.
*He was not a fan of dragons.
*He was definitely not [[Santa Claus]].
*He held several misconceptions about humans, such as how long we could survive decapitation, and whether or not they enjoyed molten boron.
*Though he vehemently dismissed the Decepticon ideology, he did find his species too quick to jump to philosophical extremes, and wished they were more apt to find a middle ground.
*He could view events from elsewhere in the [[Omniverse]], and was impressed by the adventures of [[Benjamin Kirby Tennyson]].
*He cherished his relationship with each of his fellow Thirteen original Primes, though he acknowledged that some of them had gone bad.
*He enjoyed [[Energon Z]] and Stanixian energon wine, but did not care for [[Red Energon]].
*The large glowing hole in his chest was a [[Critias Gate]]way.
*He answered to many names, including [[GoBots|Vec-Tor]], [[Convoy (disambiguation)|Vector Convoy]], Vector Maximus, Vector Maximo, and [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Vector Prima-Vectorum]].
*He was in the process of absorbing the memories and experiences of his [[Vector Prime#Aligned continuity family|Uniend counterpart]], which would eventually alter his physical appearance.
*Since there were constant threats across the multiverse, he had no intentions of retiring anytime soon. If Vector Prime ever got the opportunity to settle down without jeopardizing space or time, however, he would like to become a factory and help build useful things.
*He eventually grew tired of having people ask him about the identities of nameless Transformers, and politely suggested that his audience could ask him more cosmically significant questions.
*In his downtime, he enjoys the art galleries of [[Axiom Nexus]].
*Everyone he ever cares about will grow old and die in what, to him, is just the pulse of a spark. Sometimes, he feels alone even when he's in a crowd.
*He had bravely faced down many threats during his life, but he dreaded the prospect of going up against [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]]'s legal department.
*He found biological functions confusing, and thus he had no wish to become a [[synthoid]].
*His favorite anime was ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]''. (don't think about this one too hard)
*His favorite character from [[Babylon 5]] was the ambassador {{w|Kosh Naranek|Kosh}}.
*In some universes, Vector is female. She would purchase [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]] as a guilty pleasure more often than when she is male. She sounds like [[Star Trek|Kate Mulgrew]].
*Though he doesn't have a birthday, per se, he suggests that a celebration could be held on [[September 19]], the day he first arrived on Earth (and, not coincidentally, the day [[Fallen (episode)|the first episode]] of Cybertron aired in the U.S.)
*He doesn't like talking about the various conflicts and tribulations that his species regularly undergo. He'd rather discuss music, art, and the beautiful things that he's seen across the multiverse; he rarely has the opportunity to talk about the nature of his work to someone on an equal level.
*His favourite human movie was ''{{w|Back to the Future}}'', due to the performance of lead actor {{w|Eric Stoltz}}.
*Among his favorite human television shows are [[Doctor Who]], [[Mystery Science Theater 3000]], [[Sliders]], and [[Quantum Leap]].
*He revealed himself as a [[Point One Percenter]] (after the Shroud).

The answers Vector Prime gave on Facebook were delivered at a time when he was living in [[Axiom Nexus]], and was employed to write an advice column position with [[Axiom Nexus News]] in [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Axiom Nexus News Editor|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 2015/05/13}} He was viewed by the TransTech public as a respected if a bit eccentric elder 'bot, but ANN journalist [[Rook (TransTech)|Rook]] (correctly) suspected that Vector Prime was merely putting on an act. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/06/05}}

At one point during his tenure at ANN, he was kidnapped and tortured by [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. While Vector Prime was indisposed, Sideways took over his inventory of unanswered questions, and offered decidedly unhelpful answers. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Ask Sideways|Ask Sideways, 2015/06/27}} He was able to escape the clutches of Sideways when a [[David Willis|particularly infuriating question]] caused the head of the Herald of Unicron to suddenly explode. However, [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] was part of the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration|OZSA]] team sent to rescue Vector Prime, and the Mini-Con initiated a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] sequence with Sideways, allowing the Herald of Unicron to escape capture via a [[Dimensional Interfacer]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/07/08}}

After a few decades of recovery in other universes, Vector Prime resumed his advice columnist position in Axiom Nexus but, after [[Nexus Prime]] summoned him {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/30}}, the column fell into the hands of [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|a Grimlock]]. After being falsely told that Vector Prime lied about Dinobots and said they looked like jerks, Grimlock snarled "him look like jerks!" and, in a burst of wit, said Vector was ''old''. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Grim Grams|Grim Grams, 2015/10/03}} When [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] took over the column, he was dismayed to note that he was filling in for a "filthy Guardian do-gooding dunce" and refused to answer any questions about Vec-Tor. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric (1), 2015/10/18}}

====As a TransTech====
{{voiceactor|[[Richard Newman]] ("Special Guest")}}

Vector Prime returned to Axiom Nexus soon after "the [[Shroud]]" had cut it off from every other universe. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|ANN live coverage, 2015/10/29}} Little did anyone in the city know, this "Shroud" was the product of Nexus Prime's unification of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] and [[Terminus Blade]], and the Vector who returned was not truly the same being as the one who had left: per the results of Nexus Prime's actions, the Vector who resumed his duties as host of the column was no longer a multiversal singularity, but a single incarnation of the many that now existed throughout the multiverse. This was a TransTech Vector Prime, native to Axiom Nexus, a "mere" 25 million years old, with a unique history of his own as a professor at the [[Academy of Science and Technology]] who had been the teacher of [[Rhinox (TransTech)|the local Rhinox]], and who had come up with the theoretical foundation of the [[universal stream]] classification system. Accordingly, he was left with only unclear memories of exactly had happened, much like a dream, and was no longer aware of his original nature: he believed his exploits as one of the Thirteen had happened to the (possibly newly created) other Vector Primes.

[[Image:AVP Vector and Scorpia do Nebulos.jpg|thumb|300px|right|That's Vector's holomatter disguise in the centre, but I got a feeling he'll change it a few times.]]

Briefly leaving his column in the hands of [[Spacewarp]] while he responded to a summons from the city's Ministry of Higher Dimensional Sciences, Vector Prime's experience with multiversal travel led to him taking part in an Axiom Nexus scheme to try to establish contact with one of the nine fundamental realities: specifically, [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]], requiring him to be stationed on [[Nebulos]] as a factory manufacturing [[hoverboard]]s, binary bonded to a local codenamed [[Safeguard (TransTech)|Safeguard]] and with a bodyguard known as [[Scorpia (TransTech)|Scorpia]]. He hoped he'd got on well with them!

In the interim, he endeavoured to answer questions and among his answers:

*He has 'dreams' of the exploits of other Vector Primes and believes this is down to an unusual physiology of his. While he has a vague sense of having been greater once, these memories "are but oneiric wisps, gossamer threads that vanish when I touch them."

*He's ''dramatically'' less interested in questions about who came from what universal stream. Stop wasting his time, nerds!

*He has visited a few other realities as a scholar. It was Rhinox that challenged him into getting out into the field.

*The students he remembers the most fondly after Rhinox are [[Perceptor (TransTech)|Perceptor]], [[Apelinq (TransTech)|Apelinq]], [[Proxima (TransTech)|Proxima]], and [[Brainstorm (TransTech)|Brainstorm]], who all did great things in their respective fields. [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]], on the other hand, often challenged him to excel but they did not go on, each believing the other had deep problems. [[Deluge (TransTech)|Deluge]] and [[Herr Fiend]] were frustrating as neither seemed likely to do nice things with their skills.

Not long into his voyage on [[Galaxy Shuttle]], he started to develop tentative feelings for Scorpia. Unfortunately, his trip was interrupted by an abduction. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/19}} [[Spacewarp]] came to his aid on behalf of the wounded Galaxy Shuttle. {{storylink|Transformers: Spacewarp's Log|Spacewarp's Log (2), 2015/11/21 and 2015/11/22}} During the long, meandering journey, he fell in love with Scorpia and they became [[Conjunx Endura]]. He eventually arrived safely at Nebulos. He looked forward to exploring its wonders with his new guide and binary bonded Target/Powermaster, Safeguard. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2016/02/14 and 2016/02/15}}

===''Animated'' cartoon continuity===
When the battle between [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] caused the [[AllSpark]] to discharge an energy flare, this massive surge of cosmic power caught Vector Prime's attention. Peering through the dimensions, he observed the growing conflict between these Autobots and Decepticons and recorded his thoughts in a journal. {{storylink|Dispatches}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} When he manifests in this dimension, Vector is known by the grandiose name of "Vector Prima-Vectorum".<ref>Originally an idea of [[Derrick J. Wyatt]]'s that never made it into any official media; later referenced in [[Ask Vector Prime]] (2015/06/24)</ref>

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
After the Fallen was caught trying to harvest a [[Sun|star]] from a system with life, he turned on the other Primes and made war on them. In order to prevent the Fallen from harvesting the star, the remaining Primes (including Vector Prime) hid the [[Matrix of Leadership|key to the harvester]] inside a tomb made of their own bodies and sealed it with their own life essence. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

{{note|Vector Prime was among the [[Dynasty of Primes]], though it was unclear which exact Prime he was. However, since he simply claims that he was the "handsome one", this may have all been a joke. If not, Vector Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novel "[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]."}}

===Generation 1 continuity family===
====''Alternity''====
Vector Prime was contacted by his fellow defenders of space and time, the hyper-evolved Autobots known as the [[Alternity]], when they were facing their final hours. At the Alternity's behest, Vector Prime communicated with a race of two-dimensional beings called [[Planicron]]s who were under threat from [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Megatron]], and discovered that they were attempting to evolve beyond their two-dimensional existence. To do so, they had to pass through a doorway that took the form of a diagram somewhere on the Earth of [[universal stream]] [[Story of Binaltech|Primax 903.0 Beta]]. A team consisting of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Arcee (Energon)|Elita Seven]], and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] successfully located the diagram, and Vector Prime proceeded to lead the Planicrons through it, successfully evolving them into higher-dimensional lifeforms that took the Alternity's place as defenders of reality. {{storylink|Alternation}}

====IDW Generation 1 continuity====
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|''Transformers vol. 2'' #47]] (mentioned); [[Heavy|''Transformers: Till All Are One'' #9]] (obscured image); [[Origin Myths|''Optimus Prime'' #10]] (full appearance)

Vector Prime was one of the Thirteen Primes, who led the [[Thirteen Tribes]] of Cybertron that formed after the [[Knights of Cybertron]] left the planet. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

After [[Septimus Prime]] perished, Vector ran to his fellow Primes to inform them of the development that the [[The Fallen|killer]] had conquered Septimus's lands and was on the warpath. There was a mixed reception to this news. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

The death of [[Nexus Prime]] at the hands of [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] prompted all the remaining Primes except [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] to flee Cybertron. Eons later, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] would send one of his [[Regenesis]] ores, [[Ore-1]], to [[LV-117]], a planet associated with Vector. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Ceremony}}

In the modern day, Vector Prime's name was remembered in the [[Way of Flame]], the religion of [[Solus Prime]]'s colony [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
In the 34th century CE, '''Vector Convoy''' was one of the [[Convoy Council]]. He usually abstained from voting the same as his peers. When the stolen ship ''[[Terrastar (BW)|Terrastar]]'' left the Milky Way Galaxy, in violation of the Council's decree, Vector took part in the vote to send [[Astral Knight (BW)|Astral Knight]] and his crew after them. Surprisingly, he agreed, though Astral noted it was with "infinite sadness". {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Power of the Primes'' marketing material====
Vector Prime's [[Spark]] passed into the possession of one of the twelve [[Prime Master]]s; hidden within a suit of decoy armor, they safeguarded the abilities of the Primes until the present day. By uniting with a larger Transformer, the Prime Master could channel the powers of Vector Prime's Spark and grant them unique abilities that varied with each new partner. {{storylink|#Generations|''Power of the Primes'' Metalhawk / Vector Prime online bio}}

{{note|For a list of every permutation of Vector Prime's abilities, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this link]].}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:VectorPrime-CovenantOfPrimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"The only mystery worth solving here is how this thing passed its MOT."]]
Stern, serious, Vector Prime considered himself a force of order and balance in the universe, a mere extension of his creator [[Primus]]. His powers over time and space allowed him to create and prevent temporal paradoxes to suit his needs, and even distort reality as he saw fit. His personal artifact of power was the [[Blades of Time]], which he could use to travel through other dimensions. He also had [[Badge of Vector Prime|a badge]], seemingly for decoration.

The second of the Thirteen Primes to be created, Vector was a warrior Prime, joining Prima, Onyx, Amalgamous and Megatronus in the groupings among the Thirteen. After [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] had caused [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]] to fall into stasis, Vector Prime created a time loop around the inert form of the Chaos Bringer ensuring he would never awaken. Like the others however, Vector Prime was tainted by a touch of Unicron's darkness, which would mark the downfall of the Thirteen.

In the aftermath, Vector joined with Prima and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] to create rules and order for a new community and the upcoming birth of the Cybertronian species, thought their rules were found restrictive by the other Primes. Along with Trion and Prima, Vector was greatly confused by the romance between Solus and Megatronus. Despite this however, Vector commissioned a new mandala from Solus.

The end of the Thirteen came after [[Prima]] discovered that Megatronus, [[Quintus Prime]], and [[Liege Maximo]] had worked on a secret "farm" of robotic creatures, which Alchemist found troubling. Suspecting a sinister motive, Prima forced the rest of the Thirteen into a vote on the matter, and Vector voted against letting the project continue. Furious with the results of the debate, Megatronus inadvertently killed Solus in a dispute that [[Liege Maximo]] had orchestrated. Drawn by the commotion, the rest of the Thirteen arrived in time to see Solus's body return to the [[Core]], its passage creating the [[Well of All Sparks]].

Even after Megatronus offered his side of the story, accusations began to fly. The investigation degenerated into a free-for-all brawl between the remaining twelve siblings, which ended with Maximo getting killed by the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] through uncertain means.

The survivors buried Liege Maximo's remains in a chasm and held a memorial to Solus Prime in deep space. Hoping to put their ugly past behind them, the Primes then turned their attention to Cybertron and their plans for the future. They decided to use [[Onyx Prime]]'s [[Triptych Mask]] to create a new race of robotic beings, as Primus had created them, with Onyx, Micronus, and Optimus travelling into the Well resulting in the creation of a new wave of Cybertronian creatures which the surviving Primes oversaw. Vector Prime's faith in his siblings however had long since been shattered and he quietly retreated to [[Realm of the Primes|another dimension]] when no one was looking.

One way or another his badge wound up in [[Vector Sigma]]'s possession. Millenia later, Alpha Trion would gift it to Sentinel Prime. Millenia after that, Optimus reassembled the Blades of Time.
{{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}
{{-}}

====Aligned novels====
In the past, the once idealistic Vector Prime held the Thirteen together with his idealism, but despaired as his fellow Primes fell to fighting and backstabbing. He could understand a moment of anger that caused [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] to lash out and kill [[Solus Prime]], but when he discovered [[Liege Maximo]] actively scheming against his brothers, he could tolerate no more, and created a miniature pocket dimension for himself. This could only be accessed through the [[Blades of Time]], which were scattered across the Cybertronian colonies and guarded by [[Nexus Prime]]'s fractured selves. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

When he defeated [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] in combat, [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] noticed he wore the sigil of the noble myth of Vector Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

After discovering and assembling the Blades of Time, Optimus stepped through into Vector Prime's pocket dimension. Vector Prime had been expecting him, and called Optimus "Prime". He agreed to aid the [[Autobot]]s, and seemed surprised that Alpha Trion was still alive. He wondered how many of the Thirteen were still around. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OneShallRise1-VectorPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

According to legend, at the beginning of time, [[Unicron]] and [[Primus]] battled each other for eons, with neither side remaining victorious for long. Till, that is, Primus created the [[Thirteen]]. These Thirteen defeated Unicron and cast him into space. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

At some point, statues of Vector Prime and his brothers were made. They were placed in the chamber of the High Council. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
The [[Uniend]] incarnation of Vector Prime was initially not part of the "multiversal singularity" Vector, as the Uniend Cluster was separated from the rest of the multiverse by a quantum membrane. When this membrane was punctured by the [[Dark Spark]], Uniend Vector began to be absorbed into the wavestructure of the living quantum event that was the singularity incarnation. As this process carried itself out, the singularity Vector began to experience and absorb the memories of the Uniend Vector, recalling how he had convinced [[Ironfletch]] to join the Autobot cause, and briefly worked alongside [[Rampart Punch]] and [[Avatar Brave]]. In particular, he expressed a fondness for his Uniend equivalent's [[Facial hair|beard]], and wondered if he would adopt it into his own facial structure. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Troy Baker]] (English), [[Yasuhiro Kikuchi]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:BattlegroundsPt1 vector prime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|He knows about Setsuna Meiou being demoted to a dwarf planet.]]
When the evil of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] threatened to return, endangering both Earth and Cybertron, [[Micronus Prime]] brought [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] before Vector and the other four Primes who dwelled within the [[Realm of the Primes]]. Speaking for the group, Vector announced that they could sense Optimus has not yet completed the necessary preparations that would allow him to safely receive a portion of power from each of the assembled Primes so that he could effectively combat Megatronus, but an impassioned speech from Optimus convinced them to go through with the power transfer. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}}

{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO vectorprime.jpg|right|thumb|upright=.75]]
In [[Fornax 813.0 Gamma|a universe]] built out of blocks, Vector Prime witnessed a Decepticon attack on [[Metroplex (Kre-O)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

==Games==
===Transformers Power Up: The Game===
{{Note|Vector Prime is one of four Transformers that can be built over the course of the game.}}
{{storylink|Transformers Power Up: The Game}}

==Toys==
===Generation 2===
[[File:G2AutobotGenerations.jpg|100px|thumb|Sadly not featured in a hilarious rap-filled commercial.]]
*'''Autobot''' (Watch, 1993)
**''Accessories'': Watchband

: [[Autobot (G2)|Autobot]] originated in the [[1983]] ''[[Microman]]'' ''[[Micro Change]]'' line as MC-06 Watch Robo, where he was available in four different colors. In [[1993]], he was released directly by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] in North America as part of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', alongside [[Scorpia (G2)|Scorpia]] and the wristwatches of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

:He transforms from a boxy silver chrome robot to a boxy functional digital watch that attaches to a plastic wristband.

:He was [[retcon]]ned into an old form of Vector Prime's in a 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime]] entry.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Autobot/autobot.htm More information on Autobot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
[[File:Cybertrontoy hasbro and takara vector primes.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|The [[Last Autobot]]'s beiger cousin. (Hasbro Vector Prime at left, with the differently-colored Takara release on the right, and their respective Cyber Keys from top to bottom at center.)]]
*'''Vector Prime''' (Voyager, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GC-03'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Rhisling|Sword]], [[probability torpedo|missile]], [[Zeonomicon|Cyber Planet Key]]

:Vector Prime transforms into a large Cybertronic space cruiser with "solar panel" wings, his shape seemingly taking cues from both the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Starship|starship]] ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' and the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' [[Darth Maul|Sith Infiltrator]]. His nosecone has a spring-loaded missile launcher at the tip. In robot mode, raising his right arm triggers electronic laser sounds; inserting his unique [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his <strike>fly</strike> abdomen in either mode activates a vague electronic charging sound, and replaces his arm-activated laser sounds with those of a clashing sword. He comes with his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]], and as such is one of the few early molds from ''Cybertron'' to have Mini-Con [[Powerlinx]] plugs.

: First made available in Japan by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] several months ahead of [[Hasbro]]'s release of the figure, Vector Prime has some significant differences between his two separate releases. Where Hasbro's release features a high-contrast color scheme of stark white and rich chocolate-brown plastics, Takara's uses a softer metallic-tinged grey and burgundy. [[For safety reasons]], Hasbro uses a softer, bendable translucent plastic for Vector Prime's wings and sword, where Takara was able to cast these parts in firmer materials. Finally, there are some [[paint operation]] differences between the two: Takara's version features a burgundy rim that runs all around the figure's wings, extra red circles on his shoulders, silver paint on the thigh vents, and several additional gold details on his forearm guards, helmet crest, and the sides of his legs, while Hasbro's does away with these and adds instead a larger gold application around his midriff and Cyber Key slot, and an Autobot [[insignia]] on his vehicle-mode cockpit. Where Hasbro's Cyber Key is entirely unpainted translucent blue with the [[Cyber Key Codes|code]] "v38g" printed on the reverse, Takara's features a generous metallic silver paint coating and no code.

[[File:VectorPrime toy.jpg|thumb|right|Stock image, "None of the above"]]
: Unhelpfully, [[stock photography|stock photo]]s of Vector Prime depicted a conglomerated version of the figure with Hasbro's white plastic, Takara's burgundy, and all the different paint applications from both versions, as shown left.

: The Korean [[Mocom Toy]] version of Takara Vector Prime replaces the silver paint of his Cyber Planet Key with a light gray.

: This mold was also used to create [[BotCon 2007]] [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/VectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VsStarscream}}
[[File:Cybertrontoy vprime vs sscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Vector Prime'' vs ''Starscream''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories:'' Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

: The Vector Prime in this [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] set is identical to the regular-retail version, even though the [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] is not only a mold not available at normal US retail, but is in an entirely new coloration not used for its Japanese release.

{{-}}{{anchor|LOC}}
[[File:LOC VectorPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And I'm his poorer cousin who can't afford paint.]]
*'''Vector Prime''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

: As part of the ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' line, Vector Prime is a miniature, heavily-simplified version of the Voyager-class toy, yet retaining much of the sculpted detailing. He was part of the third wave of product, the first wave to be sold outside of "[[market six]]" stores and in "big box" chains like Toys 'R' Us and Kmart.

: Some stock photos of this figure, including the ones on the back of its packaging<ref name="locvprime">[http://www.shmax.com/product_details/271/vector_prime Legends of Cybertron Vector Prime's packaging] at Shmax.com</ref>, depict Vector Prime with functional elbows. Evidently, a [[design change]] was implemented at some point; on the final release, the arms are cast as one piece, with ''fake elbow joints'' as moulded detail. OK then.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/LOCVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on ''Legends of Cybertron'' Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CGFVectorPrime}}
[[File:Cyb GFVectorPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Safeguard pimps his ride. Fo sho.]]
*'''Galaxy Force Vector Prime''' (Voyager, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

: Not to be confused with the ''Galaxy Force'' release of Vector Prime, Galaxy Force Vector Prime is a matte gold [[redeco]] of Vector Prime released near the end of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]]. His transparent blue parts were changed to transparent orange, and he has the same number of paint applications as the original ''Cybertron'' Vector Prime toy. The packaging photography shows the [[prototype]] as considerably more blinged out than the rather yellowish matte gold plastic actually used for the production run.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/GFVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on Galaxy Force Vector Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Jollibee}}
[[File:JollibeeVectorPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The Guardian of Shakes and Fries]]
*'''Vector Prime''' (Jollibee Kids Meal, 2007)

: Available exclusively from the Jollibee restaurant chain in the Philippines, this small scale, extremely simplified version of Vector Prime was sold under the subline ''Transformers: Cybertron Robot Blasters''. Similar to the ''Legends of Cybertron'' version, the Robot Blasters Vector Prime has an even more simplified transformation sequence and less articulation and paint detailing. However, he impressively retains a significant amount of Vector Prime's sculpted detailing.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:Universe2008 VectorPrime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Last Autobot [[homage]]: Denied!]]
*'''Vector Prime with Mini-Con Safeguard!''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Sword, missile, Key, Safeguard

:Vector Prime is a part of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' "Cybertron Series" and is a redeco of the previous ''Cybertron'' release of Vector Prime, in black, brown, and blue colors. Notably, this is the first Hasbro iteration of the figure to have painted wings like the Takara Galaxy Force version, as well as being the only version with a painted sword blade. Like [[BotCon]] exclusive [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]], sadly, he has been gutted of his electronic features, rendering the Cyber Key pointless. The battery compartment is riveted shut.

:This toy was shipped in extremely low quantities, and as a result was a very rare sight at U.S. retail stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Vector Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:TF-POTP-Prime-Master-Vector-Prime-with-Metalhawk.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Vector Prime''' (Prime Master, 2017)
:*''Japanese ID number'': '''PP-03'''
:*''Japanese release date'': '''[[May 25]], [[2018]]'''
:*''Accessories'': [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)#Power of the Primes|Metalhawk]] decoy armor, cannon

:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Vector Prime is a [[Titan Master]]-sized mold that transforms from a small robot modeled after [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)#Toys|Metalhawk]]'s inner robot mode into a [[Prime Master]] that can store inside decoy armor modeled after Metalhawk's [[Pretender]] shell, or plug into any Prime Master shell's weapon form, or replace a ''Power of the Primes'' Leader's [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] core. They could also ride Legends Class figures, and can attach to Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, or Voyager Class figures' combined mode.

:In an unusual error, some units of Vector Prime / Metalhawk came with two Prime Masters.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/some-power-of-the-primes-figures-shipping-with-two-prime-masters-report/40365/ Seibertron, 2017/12/24: Some Power Of the Primes Figures Shipping With Two Prime Masters: Report]</ref>

:Unlike every other Titan Master / Prime Master, he and his fellow first wave Prime Masters feature backpacks/symbols secured by pins instead of screws.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Attacktix===
[[File:Attacktix VectorPrime.jpg||thumb|upright=1.1|Go ahead. Ask me again about how well I blend.]]
*'''Vector Prime''' (Booster, 2006)
{{attacktix
|ID=TF11
|faction=Autobot
|class=Leader
|special=Vengeance — 2525 (77%) success ratio
|cost=40
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (Energy Blast)
}}
:Part of the first assortment of ''[[Attacktix]]'' Transformers-series Booster packs, Vector Prime is one of the less stable shooters his size. He has three points of articulation (shoulders and waist) which you can use to put him in a more stable stance than his default, though it doesn't look very comfortable.

:Vector Prime appears to have been created as the counterpart to the powerful Decepticon [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] figure. His Special Power is the antithesis of Scorponok's, allowing you to instantly remove up to two of your opponent's in-play [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticons]]. Who knew Vector Prime hated Terrorcons so much?

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AttacktixVectorPrime/vectorprime.htm More information on ''Attacktix'' Vector Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===Jollibee===
*'''Vector Prime''' (Jollibee promotion, 2007)
{{charstubtoys}}

==Notes==
===General===
[[File:VectorPrimeGoldCG.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Vector Prime goes Super Saiyan.]]
* Like other members of the Thirteen, Vector Prime was once established as a [[multiversal singularity]], existing as one being across all of time and space, but that is [[Shroud|no longer the case]].
*"Vector Prime" was the originally proposed name for [[Sentinel Maximus]], going so far as to be printed on Sentinel Maximus's shipping cases.
*During pre-production of the ''Cybertron'' franchise, Hasbro requested [[Don Figueroa]] produce a concept design for Vector Prime. [http://www.unicron.us/tf2007/figueroa/DonceptVector-b.jpg Figouera's design] depicted the character as much older and with a noticeable hunch, and ultimately went unused in favor of his final design.
*One of the earliest known sketches of Vector Prime gave him a vaguely pharaonic head, making him look a fair bit like {{w|Giant Robo (OVA)|Giant Robo}}. This appears to have been coincidental, as [[Aaron Archer]] had no idea what Giant Robo was when questioned about it—although, to be fair, the sketch was not one Archer had done himself.<ref>http://tfu.info/issue12/aaronsdesk.htm Stuff From Aaron's Desk, Day 22</ref>
*According to the [[Hasbro]] panel at [[BotCon 2006]], Vector Prime's head was largely based around the [[Autobot]] insignia. At one point in the design process, a flip-down battle mask identical to the Autobot symbol was proposed.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/naladahc/256973979/in/set-72157594305640507/ BotCon - Friday - Vector Prime's original head]</ref> Also, he was originally going to have two swords, as seen in the image on the right.
*The "Galaxy Force Vector Prime" color scheme appears to have been inspired by a [[GONZO]] CGI color mock-up done before Vector Prime's final coloration was decided. A Hasbro design chart showing this and other concepts was first seen at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2005, and was present at [[BotCon 2005]] later that same year. The image also made an appearance during a slideshow at one of Hasbro's [[BotCon 2006]] presentations, and in Galaxy Force Vector Prime's unlockable online Cyber Key content.
*The released version of the Vector Prime ''Attacktix'' figure featured the Takara coloration of the ''Cybertron'' toy, gray with a metallic burgundy. [[:File:WhiteVectorPrimeAttacktix.jpg|A more Hasbro-release-like white-and-brown redeco]] was seen through various avenues, such as Toy Fair 2006 and Hasbro publicity photos, but ultimately never came out at retail.
===''Generation 2'' "Autobot" watch toy===
[[File:RobotTimeMachineSixModes.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Robot Time Machine in watch, "battle station", "galactic shuttle", "cosmic tank", "solar creature", and robot forms. No, this time we're not joking.]]
*After being released in ''Micro Change'', Autobot was sold by Takara in a line called '''''Watch Q''''' in 1984. The watches who would become [[Kaltor]] and [[Scorpia (G2)|Scorpia]] were also sold in ''Watch Q'', as were a bunch of other transforming watches who were never sold as Transformers. Autobot was also sold as part of Takara's North American ''[[Kronoform]]'' line, where he was called "Robot Time Machine" and had the unique honor of appearing in a television commercial that advertised him as being, at the least, a [[Six Changer]] (albeit a highly unconvincing one).
*He has the distinction of being THE prototypical transforming watch toy of the 1980s, with scores of knock-offs produced during that era. Surprisingly, one of these was advertised ''within'' an issue of Marvel's ''Transformers'' series! "[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!]]" featured [[:File:BonkersRobotWatch.jpg|an ad from the Nabisco company]] for a "Robot-Watch" (plainly Autobot, with "Quartz" replacing "Takara" on his chest) at the cost of $3.95 and 3 "Bonkers" candy labels.
*Two versions of Autobot's packaging are depicted in ''[[Transformers Generations]]'', one using his ''Micro Change'' art with an Autobot symbol slapped on and the other with original art. According to the text, the former was a packaging mock-up; the one shown on this page is how he was released.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Vector Prime''' (ベクタープライム ''Bekutā Puraimu'')
*''Korean:'' '''Mega Vector Prime''' (메가빅텨프라임 ''Mega Biktyeo Peuraim'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Vector''' (Taiwan, 貝克達 ''Bèikèdá''), '''Yǐntiānxíng''' (China, 引天行, "Guide Heaven Walk")

==External links==
*[http://www.insecticons.com/vector-qa-00.html Ask Vector Prime archive at ''In Space, No One Can Hear Starscream'']
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNlb0h6qig8&fmt=18 Kronoform Robot Time Machine commercial on youtube]

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Thirteen}}

[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Transformers]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:GoBots characters]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 Transformers]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]
[[Category:Transcendent Technomorphs]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Watches]]

Hot Rod (G1)

2019-02-26T19:01:46Z

Sideswipe84:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|wreckers|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{Disambigm|Hot Rod (disambiguation)|Rodimus (disambiguation)}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Hot Rod is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:DVDbox3d1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And yet he still gets carded.]]
'''Hot Rod''' (aka '''Rodimus''' and '''Hot Rodimus''') is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown.

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona—while still headstrong and stubborn—seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Of course, much of this comes from comparisons with his former commander [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—and let's face it, shoes-to-be-filled just don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience—neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

{{bigquote|I ''knew'' you had potential, lad.|[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] on Hot Rod's transformation into Rodimus Prime|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Fightorflee Rodimus explosion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"What about me, Dad?"]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
At some point before [[2005]], Hot Rod became stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and so was present during the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. This was a turning point in the life of the turbo-revving young punk, because he became Autobot leader after gaining the [[Matrix of Leadership]] following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. As Rodimus Prime, his first accomplishments were the defeat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and the return of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the Autobots.

During his time as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Rodimus not only had to deal with the Decepticons and [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|their new leader]], but also the political complexities of the planetary alliance Cybertron joined, the return of the Transformers' cruel masters from long ago, the [[Quintesson]]s, the possible revival of Unicron and the arrival of Unicron's "little brother" [[Tornedron]].

During the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in [[2006]], Optimus Prime was brought back to life and Rodimus gave up his rank of Prime, becoming Hot Rod once more. He would then become a Targetmaster and live to see the next Cybertronian [[Golden Age]].

In a splinter timeline, Hot Rod would lose the Matrix a whole bunch of times. ''Constantly.'' Eventually, he would resign himself to his role as Rodimus Prime, leader, though in 2011 it was under his watch that Cybertron was destroyed. Rodimus would later discover the planet Micro and help develop Micromaster technology, becoming one himself and reverting back to Hot Rod.
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Hoverscooter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Wheeeee....]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
Initially serving under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Rod travelled to [[Nebulos]] where he became a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] and then on to [[Earth]] where he joined [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s forces aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Returning to Cybertron, he survived the battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and formed part of the shaky Autobot-Decepticon alliance under the leadership of Prime's successor [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Betrayed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Decepticons, Hot Rod was killed during the ambush on [[Klo]] but revived shortly afterwards by the power of the [[Last Autobot]].

In some [[splinter timeline]]s Hot Rod went on to become Rodimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, and took part in further battles against Unicron and his minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], albeit with mixed results. In others, he has yet to fulfil this part of his destiny.
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===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[File:PackIn RodimusPrimeRemembers Front.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Just like he remembers Woodstock.]]
Unicron just might consume the universe, and the Autobots need to determine who the Chosen One is so that he may rise from their ranks, unlock the Matrix of Power, and save all from Unicron! Unfortunately, not even the Chosen One himself knows his identity, and his discovery may come too late. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}

There was a legendary conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons when Optimus Prime led Rodimus Prime and a large team of Autobots in a search for the future site of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. They were ambushed by Megatron and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and this became known as the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. Rodimus Prime dubbed it "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} Some of the Autobots were forced to retreat due to Thundercracker's "force shield," and Optimus Prime told Rodimus and the others that their only hope was to call in for additional troops. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}

Later, Rodimus Prime remembered the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}
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===Battle Beneath the Ice===
[[File:BBTI-RunaboutandRodimus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
Hot Rod had a run in with the Battlechargers when they tried to destroy the golden gate bridge. The altercation was caught on television.

A couple of weeks later, Hot Rod was part of an expedition to the Antarctic along with Slingshot and Skydive to investigate the discovery of a highly advanced underground city. He was parked in the cargo bay of a troop-carrier aero-plane when he met the young human [[Jeff Grey]]. Together, they watched Hot Rod’s battle with the Battlechargers on Jeff’s [[chronovid wristwatch]]. Some time later, their plane was caught in a blizzard, and shot down by an energy beam. Though many humans perished in the crash, Hot Rod attempted to keep the survivors warm by increasing the current through his temperature control unit to emit heat. Hot Rod and his group of humans were then met by three inhabitants of the subterranean city, who invited them into their futuristic world.

[[File:BBTI-JeffGrey+HotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Doesn't this image just scream "buy the toys"? Boy, I sure want an action figure of Old Man Shivering In The Snow.]]
The [[Watcher]], leader of the underground civilization, explained that they possessed technology far surpassing the surface world, save for their weaponry, as they were a peaceful people. The Watcher offered the humans a tour of the city while he and Hot Rod talked. Impressed by the technological wonders The Watcher’s people possessed, Hot Rod became convinced of their altruistic nature. He then met up with Skydive and Slingshot, who had gone on to rendezvous with the drilling team after being unable to locate the downed troop-carrier in the blizzard. The Watcher then showed them an image from the surface: Brawl, Vortex and Blast Off, the Decepticons the Watcher said were responsible for shooting down the troop-carrier. Skydive and Slingshot then took off to battle the Decepticons and draw them away from the city, leaving Hot Rod in charge of protecting the humans.

Hot Rod's group continued their tour of the city. They were shown a hologram chamber, where they encountered Ravage. Hot Rod warned the Decepticon to stay back from the humans, but Ravage assured him he wasn’t here as their enemy. Ravage informed Hot Rod that it wasn’t the Decepticons, but the city-dwellers that had shot down the plane. One of the city-dwellers entered the room with a weapon, intending to attack Ravage. Hot Rod accidentally shot him while aiming for Ravage, who had lept for the city-dweller's throat. Hot Rod was shocked to see the guide fall to the ground, seeing as his weapon only affected other robots. They came to the conclusion that Ravage was telling the truth; the city-dwellers were robots. They were after the warrior-factor encoded in both the Autobots and the Decepticons in order to turn themselves into a powerful army. Hot Rod and Ravage formed a temporary alliance to combat the city-dwellers. Jeff and Ravage then worked together to overwrite the city-dwellers’ programming with the cartoon antics of Gus Gopher that had been recorded by Jeff’s [[chronovid wristwatch]]. With the city-dwellers behaving like cartoon characters, Hot Rod made contact with the Aerialbots, and told them to stop fighting with the Combaticons, and to instead return to the city. The Autobots and Decepticons then went their separate ways on peaceful terms… for the moment being, at least. {{storylink|Battle Beneath the Ice}}
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===Big Looker Storybook continuity===
[[File:CarShowBlowup-AutobotCity.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Hot Rod clearly does not pass emissions standards.]]
Kup and Hot Rod traveled to the coliseum to check out a robot car the [[human]]s had built that could respond to voice commands. They heard about it on their car radios! But when they arrived at the coliseum, Kup spotted Decepticons flying about. As some entered the back door, Kup shooed Hot Rod away, telling him to warn the others. If Hot Rod stayed, he would just get into trouble!

[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When Hot Rod returned with the Autobots, Kup had been captured and held prisoner, so the others entered the coliseum in vehicle mode. Meanwhile, Hot Rod snuck up behind Kup and freed him. Yelling "Geronimo!" they jumped from the control room onto the coliseum floor, taking the Decepticons by surprise. Galvatron and the others escaped, but Kup and Hot Rod agreed that they'd be ready for him when he returned. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

Later, Kup led Hot Rod, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and in the middle of their journey, the ship began to have problems. Hot Rod reassured Arcee that everything would be okay, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet which Kup recognized. It was the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed their earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}
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===Marvel coloring books===
Visiting [[Oil Valley]] with Daniel one day, Hot Rod spotted a group of Decepticons lurking nearby. Taking Daniel into his car mode, he headed back to Autobot City to report back to Ultra Magnus. The Decepticons noticed Hot Rod driving away, and gave chase. As Hot Rod neared Autobot City, he ran into Grimlock and the Dinobots. He quickly informed them of the situation before continuing on his way into the city, while the Dinobots stayed back to fend off the Decepticons. Once Hot Rod informed Ultra Magnus of the situation, Hot Rod stayed behind in Autobot City with Daniel while Ultra Magnus assembled a strike team to head out and help the Dinobots fight the Decepticons. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp}}}}

Hot Rod was returning from a road trip with Daniel, Hound and Kup, Bumblebee, Blurr, Wheelie, Springer and Sunstreaker when the group paused to eat at a rest stop. As the Autobots ingested Energon Cubes, Hot Rod asked Kup to tell a story. Kup told the others the story of how, upon first crash landing in Mt. St. Hillary, the Ark had lost an enormous shipment of Energon Cubes that remained lost to the day. Enthralled by Kup's story, the rest of the group were all eager to go looking for this lost treasure. When they realized that Laserbeak had been spying on them the whole time, and would soon inform Galvatron about the lost Energon shipment, Hot Rod and the others rushed back to Metroplex to inform Ultra Magnus on the situation. Hot Rod made a quick stop first, however, dropping Daniel off at his parents; house. After a brief conference, Ultra Magnus led his troops to the Ark's crash site. Finding the Decepticons there already, the two factions began to fight. When the Energon stash was uncovered, it was completely gobbled up by Starscream who proclaimed himself the most powerful Decepticon. With nothing left to fight over, Hot Rod and the Autobots left Galvatron and Starscream to their squabble. As they headed back for Autobot City, Hot Rod asked Kup for another story. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Hot Rod's Escape}}}}
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===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|[[Blain Fairman]] (English)}}
[[File:DecepticonsatthePole-HotRodSparks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Say I'm badly drawn to my face, pal!]]
Hot Rod was one of several troops stationed on Earth when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was in charge and the Transformers' war was still a secret one. After a scrape with the Decepticons, he found himself in the Autobots' infirmary, impatiently telling Ratchet and Wheeljack to patch him up quickly so he could get going. Due to a shortage of [[cybernite]], however, Hot Rod's repairs took awhile. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} He got along well with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], the two spending their downtime looking at car magazines together, and was quite pleased to receive some snazzy gold wheel-trims from the boy. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

In the time following this campaign, Hot Rod would mature into a more sensible warrior and even a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, he prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} He also orchestrated a search for a new source of lubricant when the Autobots were running dry, and led the construction of a pipeline bringing the oil reservoir's contents to Autobot base.
{{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}
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===Sticker Adventures books===
Out searching for a missing shuttle, Hot Rod and Kup spied it crashed on the Junk planet. They landed to find their friends engaged in battle with the natives, but Kup cautioned Hot Rod not to rashly jump in and join them. Kup's use of the Universal Autobot Greeting resulted in the Junkions abandoning the fight and making friends with the newcomers, and causing Hot Rod to exclaim "Holy cow!" The Junkions helped repair the damaged shuttle before the Autobots left. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}}}
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===Desert of Danger===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:Wolf at the door desert of danger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|When you're weary, feelin' small...]]
Hot Rod had himself delivered by freight to the planet of Nebulos, where he and his Targetmaster partner Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a treaty in place to limit their numbers. With [[you]]r help they traced the Decepticons to the [[Wolf at the Door]] nightclub, an [[oil]] bar for Nebulan miners run by [[Monzo]], and discovered that [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were importing [[Attack Squad robot]]s from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as [[Sirian brandy]].

After a confrontation with the Decepticons that left Skullcruncher and Mindwipe out of action, Hot Rod faced off against Weirdwolf and Monzo. Weirdwolf was defiant, but Monzo wasn't feeling lucky and surrendered to the Autobot. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. {{storylink|Desert of Danger}}
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===''Transformers PD Type'' comic===
[[File:Pdtype rodimus manga.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|He's seen some slag.]]
Clutching a [[Blackball]], Rodimus Prime found himself being attacked by Galvatron. As the Decepticon leader attempted to throttle him, a light shone from Rodimus's chest, making Galvatron think it was the power of the Blackball. After Galvatron had fled, Rodimus revealed it was just a flashlight, and reflected on what an idiot his foe was. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##11 "Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!"|Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!}}

As Fortress Maximus and Mega Zarak clashed violently, Rodimus reminded Optimus that he had said never to let those two fight. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! Mega Zarak!}}

Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime enjoyed many victories against the Decepticons, but [[Greatshot|who was that in the background?]] {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##15 "No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot..."|No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot...}}

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

In a later altercation with Sixshot, Rodimus attempted to use his Photon Eliminator gun to strike down the fleeing ninja. Though he managed to shoot ''every other'' Decepticon on the battlefield, he failed to hit his intended target. Rodimus sat pouting in the corner as the other Autobots convened to register their disappointment that Rodimus let Sixshot get away. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##21|Photon Eliminator}}

Joining [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]] and Ultra Magnus in an assault on Mega Zarak, Rodimus was terrified when the mammoth Decepticon unleashed his titanic Anti-Gravity Rifle. Fortunately for the Autobots, the gun jammed and Mega Zarak was left fiddling with it while they opened fire. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##24|Anti-Gravity Rifle}}
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===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Hot Rod was pleased to have [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] back. Then [[Monitorus]] arrived with the news that [[Tau-Ursa]] had been attacked and leveled by Decepticons, and Hot Rod got to point out that the Tau-Ursans had refused the Autobots permission to build a defense base there. He shortly took part in an attempt to repel a Decepticon attack on Cybertron, finding himself fighting against Sixshot, who seemed more interested in goading him than fighting. This turned out to be a diversion, while [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] used his new [[Nullification Cannon]] on the planet's Energon supplies.

Hot Rod and Blurr next visited Tau-Ursa to check for Decepticons, and encountered [[Apeface|Ape Face]], who had found a [[Logicon]] warning beacon. The two Autobots wrestled it from him and returned to Cybertron, where the beacon was found to hold the coordinates to [[Metascan Alpha]], a major Energon storehouse. Prime placed Hot Rod in charge of one of two teams to search for the planet, though the operation was hampered slightly by the discovery of the two Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s spying on them. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{Note|At this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt and the storyline was never completed}}
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===Toy pack-in material===
Both Hot Rod and Rodimus fought side-by-side during a tumultuous battle on a moon base. While Rodimus charged [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] alongside [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], Hot Rod received a punch to the face, courtesy of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Decipher the Decepticon}}

The Decepticons having stolen the Matrix of Creation, Hot Rod was called up by Ultra Magnus to help retrieve it. The Autobots used an army of [[decoy]]s to distract the Decepticons, while Hot Rod, Blurr, Kup and Ultra Magnus infiltrated their base. Hot Rod told Blurr of all people to hurry up and blast the Matrix out of same sort of crystal structure. The Autobots then made their getaway with the Matrix in hand. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection}}

When Optimus became stranded on Cybertron's hemisphere of darkness with his memory damaged, Hot Rod joined a small strike force of Autobots called H.O.P.E. ([[Help Optimus Prime Escape]]) to retrieve him. {{Storylink|Optimus Prime Is Back}}
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===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertKupandHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
While on a midnight spin, Hot Rod spotted Beachcomber, Springer and Blurr leaving Metroplex on a secret mission. The next day, after coming home from his karate lessons, Hot Rod began pestering Kup in order to glean more information on the nature of his fellow Autobots’ assignment. Before he learned anything of substance, an Autobot Alert sounded across the Autobots’ headquarters. The Autobots learned that the Decepticons were taking over Earth’s communication satellites. Shortly afterwards, Blurr returned prematurely from the aforementioned secret mission to deliver more bad news. The Decepticons had gotten their hands on an important coded message.

If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize the Decepticons’ orbital attack, Hot Rod became frustrated after once again being overlooked for a mission. Catching him sulking, Bumblebee approached Hot Rod and informed him that he had spotted Astrotrain skulking about nearby the previous night. Deducing that Astrotrain might have something to do with the ongoing Decepticon plot, the two Autobots decided to go on their own clandestine mission to investigate. They brought along a supply of "laser-ignited explosives" and went on their way. Soon happening upon the Decepticons’ control centre, the pair set out to sabotage the Decepticons’ operation. While Bumblebee wanted to sabotage the Decepticons’ communication centre on Earth, Hot Rod was in favour of sneaking aboard Astrotrain before he launched, and sabotage the Decepticons out in space.

If Hot Rod convinced Bumblebee to go along with his plan, the pair snuck aboard Astrotrain by concealing themselves within a trailer filled with bombs. As Astrotrain launched, Hot Rod happened upon a room filled with Decepticon space gear. The two Autobots donned the suits in order to disguise themselves. The disguises proved effective as Thrust and Starscream walked past the pair, none the wiser. As Hot Rod continued to explore Astrotrain, he spotted the giant Decepticon Cyclonus out of a nearby window, as well as the Autobot shuttle obliviously heading into a trap. Hot Rod had to then decide on two options. He could risk commandeering Astrotrain’s military command post, despite the Decepticons guarding the door, and warn the incoming Autobot shuttle about the Decepticons. Alternatively, he could find a hiding place from which he could attack Cyclonus himself.

If Hot Rod decided to commandeer the military commands, his disguise managed to fool the guards, but not Scourge, who happened upon them as Hot Rod was inspecting the commands. Bumblebee urged Hot Rod to go through with his plan quickly as Scourge approached them. Hot Rod succeeded in firing Astrotrain’s weapons at Cyclonus, warning the Autobot shuttle of the Decepticons, but was quickly overpowered by Scourge. Alongside Bumblebee, Hot Rod was flung out into the blackness of space by Scourge, stranded in zero-gravity, waiting for a rescue that might never come.

If instead Hot Rod and Bumblebee decided to find themselves a hiding spot, the pair snuck into a room labelled "Dirty Tricks Department" in order to dodge the incoming Laserbeak. Finding a hatch to the space shuttle’s exterior, Hot Rod trained one of Perceptor’s inventions, a "rapid-fire, high-intensity rifle cannon" towards Cyclonus and fired. Having successfully blown a massive hole into Cyclonus, Hot Rod and Bumblebee hid out for the rest of the mission inside the Dirty Tricks department room, finding a way to escape later when it docked.

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

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

If Hot Rod went ahead and pressed the button, he soon discovered that it was a Decepticon trap, as sirens began blaring across the Decepticon base and iron bars prevented them from escaping. Galvatron’s image appeared on a nearby monitor, explaining that both Hot Rod and Bumblebee would be used as hostages in order to secure a Decepticon victory. Hot Rod could do nothing but cover his face in shame in shame.

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

If the Autobots decided to head for the crater, Hot Rod raced Blurr to the site, only to find it void of any Decepticon activity. Finding Beachcomber tied to an explosive device, the two Autobots worked together to free their comrade. Once freed, Beachcomber informed the pair that the Decepticons had long ago broken the code and were already en-route to retrieve the cybertite sphere. It would now be much to late to catch up to the Decepticons, and all hope to retrieve the orb before them was lost.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Hot Rod was part of the main Autobot force that headed for the California coast. Arriving at the scene, Ultra Magnus’s troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching.

In one of the possible plans that Ultra Magnus concocted, Hot Rod was tasked with searching the ship once Sludge had used his titanic strength to haul it from the deep. Hot Rod tore through the wrecked vessel, and found the sphere in a timely fashion. He then hid alongside his fellow Autobots, and ambushed the Decepticons as they arrived on-scene.

If Ultra Magnus decided to execute a different plan, wherein Hot Rod, Bumblebee and Grapple had to work together to fetch the sphere, the Autobots did not find the sphere before the Decepticons reached the coast. While Hot Rod searched the ship, dangling from Grapple’s hook over a nearby cliffside, Galvatron and his troops swooped in and blew both the ship and the sphere to smithereens. With the sphere destroyed and the Autobots being pummelled by the Decepticons’ superior firepower, the Autobots’ only hope rested with Hot Rod, dangling on the coast-side in a literal and figurative cliff-hanger!

In yet another possible scenario, where Hot Rod was not involved at all in the actual retrieval of the sphere, the ancient Autobot formula was safely retrieved and taken back to Metroplex. Hot Rod then watched on as Perceptor produced the first batch of power-booster. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
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====Project Brain Drain====
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainAutobotsCelebrate.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, upon hearing that the Decepticons were planning to use a "[[Brain Drain device]]" to syphon the intelligence of nearly 500, 000 concert goers, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops, Hot Rod included, to head for the concert to foil Galvatron’s plot. Rodimus and the other Autobots were told to hide themselves amidst the parked vehicles surrounding the concert, and lie in wait for the Decepticons. Once the Decepticons had shown themselves, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops to transform in unison and open fire on their enemies. But Galvatron had planned to light afire the parking lot in which the Autobots were standing in order to trap the humans. Being drenched from above by Decepticon jets dumping gasoline upon them, Ultra Magnus needed to decide whether the Autobots needed to retreat, or to keep on fighting and hope that they could defeat the Decepticons before the fire consumed them.

If Ultra Magnus decided on a retreat, Hot Rod was more than happy to rush out of the blazing inferno and move in closer to the humans in order to protect them. Hot Rod and the others fended off the airborne Decepticons who swooped down, unaffected by the blazing barrier encircling the concert.

In another possible scenario, wherein the Autobots stayed in the parking lot to battle at close-quarters the Decepticons, both he and Bumblebee noticed Soundwave pass the Brain Drain device to Galvatron after the latter had been able to fling Ultra Magnus away. If Hot Rod attempted to stop Galvatron, he successfully plucked the device out of the Decepticons’ hands and barrelled through the nearby circle of flames to make his escape. Just as he reached the other rim of the ring of fire, all four of his tires burst from the flames. He nonetheless skidded to safety, but found himself temporarily out of commission. Nonetheless, the Autobots managed to destroy the Brain Drain device, and Hot Rod was able to enjoy the concert-goers giving the Autobots a standing ovation as the Decepticons retreated.

In a completely different possible scenario, Hot Rod was out on patrol with Kup and Jazz when the three of them heard nearby commotion and went to investigate. Finding Wreck-Gar and Sparkplug being attacked by Thrust and Laserbeak, the Autobots moved in to rescue them and fended off the Decepticons. Hot Rod, Kup and Jazz were informed of the situation as it were; the Decepticons were going to drain the minds of the concert-goers with their Brain Drain device. The Autobots then decided whether they would launch a counter-attack on the Decepticons’ lab, or if they would send Hot Rod for reinforcements while the rest of them headed directly to the concert.

If the group settled on launching a counter-attack, the lot of them stormed the lab with such ferocity and suddenness that the Decepticons were caught completely unawares. Though most of the Decepticons’ forces scattered with the Autobots’ initial assault, Hot Rod and company still had to beat back a small contingency of Decepticons too afraid of Galvatron to desert their posts. Hot Rod and the others successfully beat them back, until Soundwave attempted to escape with the Brain Drain device in hand.

If Hot Rod attempted to shoot the device out of Soundwave’s hands, Soundwave tripped at the last moment over the fallen body of a Decepticon. Hot Rod’s blast his Soundwave’s shoulder, causing him to fling the Brain Drain device up in the air. Laserbeak then managed to snatch the device in mid-air, and flew off to rendezvous with Galvatron. Unable to follow, the Autobots realized that the concert-goers were doomed to all become incredibly stupid very soon. If Jazz attempted to stop him however, he was successful in doing so and the Autobots successfully destroyed the Brain Drain device.

Alternatively, if Hot Rod agreed to head off to Metroplex while the rest of the Autobots headed for the rock concert, he promised that he was soon meet up with them, backed up by an entire army of Autobots, and then sped off.

Some time later, Hot Rod finally arrived at the concert accompanied by Ultra Magnus and numerous other Autobots.

If Sparkplug was able to signal them, Hot Rod pinpointed the location at which his friends were fending off the Decepticons, and sped to meet them as Galvatron was beginning to active the Brain Drain device. Thanks to Ultra Magnus’s timely interference, the Brain Drain device was destroyed and the Autobots were victorious that day.

Otherwise, Hot Rod and the Autobots arrived just in time to congratulate Wreck-Gar, who had already destroyed the Brain Drain device. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
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====The Invisibility Factor====
[[File:InvisibilityFactorHotRodKupmeetSarah.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Hot Rod accompanied Kup on a night drive in the desert, when he noticed a spacecraft barreling down from the heavens towards them. As it landed, Hot Rod perceived that it would alternate between being visible and invisible. Curious, he prompted Kup to come with him to investigate.

If Kup agreed to look into the spacecraft right away, the two Autobots were surprised to spot a young woman emerge from the craft. Though Hot Rod startled her at first, the woman was reassured that the Autobots were friendly beings by Kup. Hot Rod learned that her name was [[Sarah Sanders]], and that she was a scientist working to perfect her latest invention, an "[[Invisibility Device]]."

In one possible scenario, Hot Rod, unable to control himself, snatched the device away from Sarah. Despite Sarah’s protests, Hot Rod insisted that the device would be put at its best use in the hands of the Autobots, keeping the world safe from the Decepticons. As Hot Rod daydreamed of glory while driving towards the Autobots’ base, he accidentally triggered the Invisibility Device’s self-destruct mechanism. The ensuing explosion blew him to bits.

If Hot Rod and Kup attempted to politely coax Sarah into giving them the Invisibility Device willingly, Sarah informed the Autobots that she had a strong stance against her invention being used for warfare. As the three of them stood conversing in the open, they soon heard the Decepticons approaching. As the evil robots began to fire upon them, Hot Rod whisked Sarah away to safety. Upon realizing that the Decepticons weren’t pursuing them, and that the Invisibility Device had been left behind, the trio hid behind some nearby rocks to spy upon the Decepticons, who were busy inspecting Sarah’s ship and her Invisibility Device.

If Hot Rod and Kup decided to attack immediately, they were easily defeated and destroyed by the Decepticons.

If Hot Rod and Kup decided to lay low in an attempt to steal the device back from the Decepticons, they first told Sarah to wait for them here, then the pair sneakily followed the Decepticons as they left for their headquarters. As the Decepticons descended into a canyon, Hot Rod was eager to follow them in, but was stopped by Kup. Kup told the young Autobot of how he defeated the Decepticons on Renerian, and the two of them put into action a similar plan. Driving back and forth atop the canyon’s edge, firing from all angles while remaining hidden in the dark, they tricked the Decepticons into thinking a whole team of Autobots had ambushed them. Hot Rod the snuck down into the canyon to retrieve the Invisibility Device. As he crept closer to Shockwave, clutching the device in his robotic arms, Hot Rod noticed that Galvatron was nearby, with his back turned to him.

If Hot Rod forewent attaining the Invisibility Device and attempted to take out Galvatron instead, Starscream spotted him before he could do so, and Hot Rod was promptly dispatched.

If Hot Rod went through with his plan to steal the device back from the Decepticons, he successfully snatched Sarah’s invention from Shockwave’s grasp and took off. Though the Decepticons gave chase, If they were unable to catch him before Kup fired down onto the canyon’s walls, causing it to collapse and burying the Decepticons under an avalanche of earth and rocks. Convinced that Sarah Sanders would now allow the Autobots to use her device now that she had seen how evil the Decepticons were, Hot Rod and Kup drove back to meet up with her.

In a different possible scenario, the Decepticons took off in Sarah’s spaceship upon finding it, forcing Kup and Hot Rod to head back to Metroplex city for reinforcements and a ship of their own. Hot Rod and Kup were joined by Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Jazz and Springer, and blasted off. Once in space, however, they found it difficult to locate the Decepticons. The ship’s crew had to decided where to look next for the Decepticons.

If the Autobots decided to investigate the dark side of the moon, they found themselves unable to see anything on the satellite’s shadowy surface. Hot Rod suggested that they fire down laser blasts, in the hopes of making the Decepticons fire back, making them reveal their position. Jazz dismissed Hot Rod’s plan as being too risky.

If Ultra Magnus decided to go through with Hot Rod’s plan, the Autobots succeeded only in making themselves an easy target for the Decepticons, who blasted their shuttle to bits. Hot Rod and his friends were reduced to space junk.

If Ultra Magnus listened to Jazz’s plan, he ordered his Autobots to remain silent, and to shut off all of the shuttle’s lights and mechanisms. Launching a probe as a decoy, the Autobots successfully tricked the Decepticons into revealing their position when they mistook the probe as their shuttle and opened fire upon it. Firing back, the Autobots began crippling the Decepticons’ ship, until a lucky shot rocked their own shuttle. Though the Decepticons attempted to escape while the Autobots were off-balance, the Autobots were able to deliver the finishing blow, ending the Decepticons’ menace as the evil robots' ship exploded.

In an alternate scenario wherein the Autobots listened to Prowl’s suggested and searched the Asteroid Belt beyond Mars, they soon found themselves struggling to get through the maze of floating rocks. Hot Rod was in favour of retreating from the asteroid field when it proved increasingly difficult to navigate it.

If the Autobots pushed on their search in the Asteroid Belt, they soon found themselves on a collision course with two enormous asteroids. If they only managed to blast one of asteroids, the Autobots were forced to retreat back to Earth after their shuttle took substantial damage. If the Autobots managed to blast neither of the Asteroids, they were all crushed between the giant pieces of space debris.

If they managed to blast away both asteroids, they reached a vast, empty expanse of space within the asteroid belt. Despite no longer being in danger of being crushed, Hot Rod announced that he had a horrible sense of foreboding about their situation. His feelings of being watched were confirmed when the Decepticons, now invisible, began firing upon them. The Autobots considered retreating, but Kup reminded them that Sarah Sanders had not perfected her device yet, and the Decepticons’ invisibility may yet wear off.

If the Autobots attempted to flee from the Decepticons’ attack, they found themselves at too much of a disadvantage to successfully make it out of the Asteroid Belt. They were blown into space junk before they could reach Earth.

If the Autobots held their ground, they were instructed by Ultra Magnus not to open fire upon the Decepticons until ordered to do so. Though things were tense as the Autobots were hit over and over again by their invisible opponents, soon the enemy ship came into view, just as Kup had predicted. The Autobots opened fire on the flimsier vessel, blowing it and the Decepticons within to smithereens. Hot Rod noted that it was a shame the invisibility device had been lost in the process, but Ultra Magnus comforted him, noting that at least the Decepticons had been taken care of, once and for all.

If the Autobots did retreat out of the Asteroid Belt, they convinced one another that the Decepticons most likely perished within it. Then, a few days later, when the invisible Decepticons attacked Metroplex city, Hot Rod and the rest of the Autobots were reduced to scrap metal, unable to fight the unseen enemy.

In a completely different scenario, wherein Hot Rod and Kup returned to Autobot headquarters for reinforcements after seeing the spaceship land, the two of them reported to Ultra Magnus directly, who agreed the situation necessitated further investigation. Hot Rod and Kup returned to the ship’s landing site accompanied by Jazz, Sunstreaker, Prowl and Springer. When they arrived, the ship in question was nowhere to be found, prompting Jazz and Springer to second-guess the veracity of Hot Rod and Kup’s story.

If Jazz and Springer convinced Hot Rod and Kup to return to Metroplex city to make sure they didn’t have a few wires loose, Ratchet found nothing wrong with the pair, but the incident was forgotten nonetheless. That is, until Galvatron returned with a fleet of identical ships, and destroyed both Metroplex and all of its inhabitants.

If Hot Rod and Kup convinced the other Autobots to keep on looking, Hot Rod eventually found trail marks, indicating that a heavy object the size of their spacecraft had indeed landed and had been dragged away. Hot Rod and the others followed the trail to a more rocky terrain, where tracking the ship would become more difficult. The trail seemingly lost, the Autobots then heard someone incoming, and took cover. From their hiding places, they saw the Decepticons Scavenger, a human captive within the grasp of his steam-shovel.

If the Autobots decided to rescue Sarah immediately, Scavenger dropped the woman, and cried for help while attempting to flee.

If the Autobots pursued Scavenger, they found him rejoining a whole squadron of Decepticons. Fighting the Decepticons immediately would cost them their lives. Otherwise, if the Autobots decided on a retreat when faced by the whole squadron of Decepticons, they managed to do so by blinding their enemies by their high beams and then splitting off into different direction. They later regrouped and found Sarah Sanders wandering in the desert.

If the Autobots paused a moment to listen to Sarah, she informed them of her spacecraft and its invisibility capabilities.

If the Autobots asked Sarah to build them their own Invisibility Device, Sarah refused, stating she would not build weapons for war. Running away from the group Sarah was almost killed when Dirge passed overhead and dropped a missile on her position. After rescuing her from the Decepticon attack, Hot Rod and the others brought Sarah to safety within Metroplex. Grateful for the rescue, Sarah showed the Autobots how to create an [[Invisibility Scrambler]] to counteract the Decepticons’ Invisibility Device. Anticipating the Decepticons’ attack, the Autobots successfully defeated the evil robots when they came. As Starscream, having been taking prisoner, was being escorted to his cell Hot Rod made a quip about seeing "right through the Decepticons’ plans."

If instead of asking Sarah to build them an Invisibility Device, Hot Rod and the others attempted once more to retrieve her ship, the whole group snuck over to where the Decepticons were stationed. Once there, Hot Rod and Prowl argued over which plan of action would be the smartest to undertake next.

If the Autobots agreed with Hot Rod to try and take the Decepticons by surprise with a head-on attack, the Autobots manage to stun the Decepticons by dazzling them with their headlights. While the Decepticons were distracted, Hot Rod raced down, snatched the Invisibility Device out of the hands, and retreated while the rest of the group provided cover fire. The Autobots then successfully peeled back, congratulating one another on a job well done.

If the Autobots agreed with Prowl to take a moment to come up with a more detailed plan, Prowl instructed Hot Rod to taunt the Decepticons into following him. The plan worked, and the bulk of the Decepticons took off after the young Autobot. Though Hot Rod encountered a canyon that blocked off his escape route, by keeping his wits about him, he managed to come out on top. In one scenario, Hot Rod even discovered a secret Decepticon base, which the Autobots managed to destroy thanks to him. In another, Hot Rod watched on as Sarah left in her spaceship in order to destroy it, vowing it would never be used to bring destruction.

In an alternate scenario where the Autobots silently trailed Scavenger while the Decepticon held Sarah Sanders captive, Hot Rod and the others followed him all the way to the Decepticons’ secret desert base. Inside, they spied upon Galvatron telling Sarah Sanders that the Decepticons would use Cerebro-Shells to control her mind, so that she would reveal to them to secret of invisibility. At this point, the Autobots decided to step in. A direct attack would only end in the Autobots’ defeat. In order to rescue Sarah, the Autobots would need to employ trickery. Using Jazz’s special abilities, the Autobots could do just that. In this scenario, the Autobots grabbed Sarah while the Decepticons were too dazzled by the illusions that Jazz projected. Sarah directed the Autobots towards where the Decepticons had stored her ship. Upon following her directions, Hot Rod and the others came upon two doors, unable to tell behind which one they would find their means of escape. If the Autobots happened upon Sarah’s ship as they were, they would be destroyed by the droids guarding it. However, if the Autobots first opened the door which led to a closet filled with Decepticon spare parts, they found a pile of spare Decepticon emblems. Donning them, Hot Rod and the rest of his team were able to fool the Decepticon Droids guarding Sarah’s ship. Escaping in the ship, despite the Decepticons best efforts to stop them, the Autobots returned to Metroplex. Sarah then gave the Autobots the secret to her Invisibility Device, ensuring the Autobots their victory in their war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}
{{-}}

===St. Michael ''The Transformers'' Sticker Book===
{{notemultipath}}
Hot Rod served on an alien spacecraft with the Autobots [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] under the command of Ultra Magnus. While fighting Decepticons, their spaceship took heavy damage and crash-landed on the planet [[Barrenikon]]. There, he met [[you]], having just emerged from the Vortex, a portal through space and time contained within the planet. Together, you went on an adventure, fighting Decepticons, braving Barrenikon's barren desert or its putrid swamp, and trying to find a way to get the Autobots space-bound once more. {{storylink|The Transformers Sticker Book (St. Michael)|The Transformers Sticker Book}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Hotroddreamwave.jpg|left|thumb]]
Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], whom Hot Rod became attached to. From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Shortly afterward, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold the Autobot leader at gunpoint. After receiving a corrective slap from and being admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot]]s on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Prime organized the resistance cell and other Autobot forces on the planet in an assault on Shockwave's citadel. Fighting alongside the Autobot leader, Hot Rod was amazed that the stories Kup had told him about Prime's courage and heroism had all been true. As an injured Prime breached the citadel, Hot Rod, Ironhide and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] provided cover fire, taking down a number of Guardians in the process. Along with the rest of Iacon, they witnessed the divine light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] when Shockwave activated it. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterward, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian robot—a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wrecker]]s, the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel, and successfully brought to an end Shockwave's reign. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Some time later, Hot Rod ran a simulation combat scenario against Kup, and won using tactics that, in Kup's opinion, would have killed them both had it been real. Only after his victory did Hot Rod remember that he'd promised to take Arcee to see an [[Earth]]-bound shuttle launch—a duty Springer was happy to relieve him of. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Soon afterward, he was assigned to perimeter guard duty at [[Autobase]] with Gnaw and Wheelie, separating him from Arcee. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

Optimus Prime once experienced a vision showing, at some unknown point in the future, Hot Rod had become a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]].{{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
After looking upon the still-recovering Optimus Prime with Wheelie and Gnaw, Hot Rod was accosted by several "[[Female Autobots|Transformer-like warriors]]," and knocked off-line. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}
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===3H comics===
[[File:Skidswreckers2.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]
A few months after he destroyed [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in 2005, {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}} Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

After the Great Wars ended and the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, he changed his name to simply "Rodimus" and decided to check out the new "[[Great Upgrade|Maximal Upgrade]]". His relationship with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] ended shortly after, as the latter went through dark gripping depression over the death of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and vanished.

Rodimus joined the [[Wrecker]]s at some undetermined point afterward. After [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] took over Cybertron with his [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]], Wrecker leader [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] got stranded on prehistoric [[Earth]], leaving Rodimus in charge. True to form, he ditched leadership duties to [[Primal Prime]] as soon as possible.

After Primal Prime got his marching orders from the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], he met Rodimus deep inside Cybertron's caverns, where Arcee—in a new Maximal body—lurked and stewed in her depression. Realizing he couldn't convince her to give a damn about anything, he left, rejoining the main Wrecker force in battle. Making it onto an ancient Autobot shuttle, the Wreckers blasted off... with late-arrival Arcee. {{storylink|Departure}}

[[File:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Except you're the size of my arm now.]]
Rodimus recognized the homing beacon emitting from [[Akalo|Archa Nine]] as one of those missing exploration parties mentioned before. When the shuttle landed, Rodimus stayed behind to help repair the damage the ship had suffered. The entire Wrecker team later gathered in an [[Akalouthan]] village, where Rodimus was reunited with [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], who took them to see the artifact known as the [[Divine Light]]. The Wreckers' analysis of the item was cut short, as it was stolen by the traitor [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Rodimus saw the back-in-his-old-body [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] off, who was sent to chase after Cyclonus, while the Wreckers made for their next destination... even though several of them were now leery of the visions Primal Prime had been getting. Because they'd really done ''so well'' by the Wreckers so far. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Upon landing on the frozen planet, Rodimus was part of the search party immediately dispatched to look for... something. Primal Prime wasn't too specific. They came across [[Al-Badur]], an exiled [[Quintesson]], who gave them a little history lesson. They were then promptly attacked by a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], but the Wreckers made short work of them. They made their way back to the ship, with Al-Badur in tow, and made for their next destination... {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[File:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If Optimus can die, so can I!]]
...Cybertron. As Primal Prime took some Wreckers after their true foe, [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]], Rodimus tried to get their injured to a safe place. Unfortunately, the planet was under a full scale Quintesson invasion, and some anti-aircraft fire inevitably clipped the ship and sent them plummeting downwards. After they made it to safe ground, Rodimus and the crew hooked up with his fellow [[Matrix Templar]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], and followed his insight to the battle. They confronted Cryotek's underling, Cyclonus, and his purloined squad of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s. With casualties mounting on both sides, Cyclonus beat a safe retreat, collapsing the tunnel behind him to prevent pursuit. Rodimus was quick enough to dive through the falling debris, however, leaving the two old enemies alone to do battle. Centuries of bad blood carried them through the conflict, until both drew their weapons at point blank range, and fired.

Horribly damaged by this last attack, Rodimus struggled to keep up with the other Wreckers and the running conflict between [[Sentinel Maximus]] and Cryotek. The fighting came to an end at a Quintesson banishing chamber, where the treacherous Al-Badur had attempted to toss Sentinel and Cryotek into a formless void. The two warriors were trapped behind an energy dome, barely able to fight off the portal's pull using their flight systems. Once [[Fractyl]] pointed out that Cryotek was empowered by the Divine Light, a fraction of Primus's own power, Rodimus realized that as Matrix Templars he and Cheetor could drain that power away from the Predacon. They managed to extract most of it before Cryotek cut off their siphoning effect. In the end, Sentinel Maximus sacrificed himself to pull Cryotek into the void with him. Rodimus finally expired from his wounds from fighting Cyclonus, quietly passing on into the Matrix. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time after his time travel adventure, Hot Rod reported to Optimus Prime that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s team on Earth had been sidetracked by a Cobra attack. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} When said team ended up disappearing in Cybertron's [[Gladiator Zone]], Hot Rod convinced Optimus to stay behind and take care of an Autobot peace ceremony instead of going out and searching for them. Hot Rod then assembled his own search party, but they failed to find the missing Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Unfortunately, [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces attacked the peace ceremony and captured Optimus Prime, leading to Hot Rod assembling a new team intent on rescuing him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} [[File:Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus BlackHorizon1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]] They fought Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army together with reinforcements from G.I. Joe, and during the battle, Hot Rod paused in horror as he saw the light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] being opened inside the Decepticon base. The Decepticon army eventually defeated, and by the time Hot Rod reached inside their base, Serpent O.R. had been killed as well. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Hot Rod questioned Optimus Prime's choice to go to Earth again, accusing his leader of feeling guilty about [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death at Serpent O.R.'s hands and doing everything by himself just to prevent more people from dying. Prime just looked at him sadly before leaving, causing Ultra Magnus to tell Hot Rod that he really needed to learn when to stop talking. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity}}
[[File:SpotlightHotRod-HotRodcvrAexcerpt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|As much as anything else, this was to troll [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]].]]
Originating from the city-state of [[Nyon]], Hot Rod destroyed it to keep its population from being painfully, fatally drained to fuel the corrupt [[Zeta Prime]]'s war machines.

Years later, Hot Rod held a fairly high rank in the Autobot army, equivalent to [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]], and was sent on a mission to [[Ki-Aleta]] to retrieve the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] which turned into a only technically-successful disaster, with himself the only apparent survivor. When he found out [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] had also survived, he rescued him from a Decepticon prison, unaware that he was the traitor who had caused things to go so wrong. Soon after, he was called to Earth to aid [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]], but briefly returned to retrieve the Magnificence to gain information on the [[Expansion]], during which he discovered Dealer's treachery and killed him. Thereafter, he returned to his information-gathering task on the [[Machination]], and though was badly beaten by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], he still aided in the Decepticon's defeat.

After surviving the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] and watching Optimus surrender to [[Skywatch]], he led a group of Autobots to make an alliance with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to get off Earth, with the capitalist Decepticon buttering him up by dubbing him "Rodimus Prime", a name he adopted and continued to use even after Swindle's inevitable betrayal. Flying off in a stolen shuttle to retrieve the Matrix from the Decepticons, he was blasted into space by [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] after taking it from [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], leading to a trip that involved the discovery of [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron's]] army-building. Returning the Matrix and this information to Optimus, he was permanently redubbed Rodimus and joined him in facing Galvatron, convincing Optimus that only the Matrix could undo the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]' contamination of Vector Sigma.

After the Chaos War was done, he was given half of the now-empty Matrix by Optimus, and led a two-hundred strong crew into space aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' to seek the [[Knights of Cybertron]], leaving Cybertron and its returned, hostile, population of [[NAIL|neutral Transformers]].

{{--}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}
{{-}}
===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When a surprise party was thrown for Optimus in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Hot Rod didn't wind up getting invited. He bemoaned that no one ever remembered ''his'' anniversary.

Later, Optimus told a couple of humans that the Transformers were in the midst of doing something really interesting... and showed them Hot Rod and Sunstreaker eating a pie! {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
[[File:Henkei manga rodimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
While the other Autobots were busy dealing with a rampaging [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Astrotrain]], Hot Rod disrupted [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons' attack on a power plant by engaging them solo. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Unable to tackle Megatron in hand-to-hand combat, he was able to get [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Starscream]] to accidentally blast his leader instead, but this did little more than annoy Megatron, who flattened Hot Rod with a [[fusion cannon]] blast. With Hot Rod defeated, the Decepticons pulled out, but the Autobot cavalier didn't let the defeat get him down, and he sped off to join the other Autobots in battling Astrotrain. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}} Soon after, Hot Rod helped defend another power plant against a Decepticon attack, shielding the human workers from Starscream's blasts with his own body. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

When the mysterious new Decepticon warrior [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] provided Megatron with the means to transform himself into the monstrous [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Hot Rod, [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Mirage]] trailed Cyclonus's Targetmaster partner [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] to the volcano in which Megatron was carrying out his transformation. Despite resistance from Starscream and Cyclonus, Hot Rod and his team were able to collapse the volcano's cone in on itself. They believed they had sealed Megatron within, and were about to focus their attack on Starscream when they were sent scattering by the explosive emergence of Galvatron from the remains of the caldera. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] on [[Earth]], Hot Rod was among the Autobots that [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] summoned to the planet. Together with [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], Hot Rod was to protect the planet while Optimus's team set off for Cybertron in pursuit of the fleeing Galvatron. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
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===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 3}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 4}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 6}}}}

===Fire Rodimus===
{{note|Fire Rodimus is based on an unproduced toy concept. For information about the toy concept, see [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|here]].}}
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Primax 092.0 Beta]], Rodimus (in his [[Micromaster]] body) was severely injured defending [[Micro|Zone]] from a [[Galaman|Great Galaman]] invasion. Subsequently, Rodimus's essence was transferred into [[Duke Fire]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Star Convoy]]'s power-up being, and Rodimus became known as Fire Rodimus. Star Convoy and Fire Rodimus's powerful combined form, Supernova Convoy, defeated [[Dark Nova|Star Giant]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Ultra Megatron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/15}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Fire Rodimus was among the many alternate universe incarnations glimpsed by [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]]'s [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} and was also summoned to Primax 512.5 Gamma to fight the [[Dark Matrix (G1)|Dark Matrix]] creature. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
After being asked to by [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]], the [[Autobot]]s, including Rodimus, attacked the Decepticon Base and chased away [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]. {{Storylink|A Reliable Warrior!? Vortex the Lookout from Hell}} After Megatron transformed into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus helped stop Galvatron's rampage by distracting him long enough for [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] to take Galvatron's helmet off, returning him to normal. {{storylink|Enter the New Emperor of Destruction!? Stop Galvatron's Rampage!}}

===''Cloud''===
[[File:Cloud Hot Rodimus.jpg|thumb|"Let me ask before I grab your purse; Why do I look like the [[Springer (G1)|Green guy]]?]]
'''Hot Rodimus''' was a young knight among the [[Autobot]]s, the space-time guardians who resided in [[Cloud World]]'s [[Metropolis]]. He was a powerful warrior with a strong sense of justice, but had a rather brash and immature attitude because of his youth.

Hot Rodimus was dispatched by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to deal with an energy surge at the 24-BW Spacetime. {{storylink|Uprising (Cloud)|Uprising}} Returning after the appointed time, Hot Rodimus explained to Optimus that a space-time disturbance delayed his return with the energy for [[SARA]]. As they spoke, the Decepticon uprising began with a devastating level of destruction levelled against Metropolis. Though overcome with emotion, Hot Rodimus was pacified by Optimus, who dispatched him to prepare their district's defenses. {{storylink|Raid}}

The Autobots fought back against the Decepticon invaders, but little did they suspect that the destruction being wrought was little nothing more than a distractio. While the bulk of their forces had been drawn away from their base of operations, a group of Decepticons forced their way in and abducted [[SARA]] before returning to the Underground. When the Autobots reconvened to discuss their next course of action, Hot Rodimus bemoaned their foolishness and inability to see through the Decepticons' ruse. The Autobots began to lose hope when it became clear that they would have to venture into the vast, dangerous, and unmapped Decepticon territory to retrieve SARA. Though Optimus, taking full blame of the situation onto himself, suggested that he venture into the Underground alone, Hot Rodimus refused to allow Optimus to go on such a dangerous venture. He declared that all the Autobots would join him. His comrades, though scared at first, agreed with Hot Rodimus's sentiment. Optimus thanked Hot Rodimus for preventing him from making another foolish decision, and then gave the order... ROLL OUT! {{storylink|Resolve}}

After zeroing in on SARA's energy signature, a decrepit old building, Hot Rodimus, Optimus Prime and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] headed underground. While a team headed by Jazz blitzed the Decepticons on the building's main floor, Hot Rodimus's team infiltrated its basement covertly. They reached the inner sanctum were SARA was being kept only to find that Megatron had already wired her into his own body. The Decepticon leader revealed the extent of his megalomania, declaring that he would rule all of space-time, even if it meant destroying his home dimension in the process. Though they tried to stop him, both Hot Rodimus and Brawn were shoved away effortlessly by the newly empowered Megatron. Hot Rodimus was knocked unconscious by the attack. His back-up disabled, Optimus Prime rammed Megatron, causing a disruption in SARA's energy and sending the combatants across dimensions. {{storylink|Leap}}

When a close friend of Hot Rodimus was injured by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the righteous anger burning within him awakened the power of [[SARA]], granting him a second [[alternate mode]] in the form of a helicopter.

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}} {{storylink|Crisis (Cloud)|Crisis}} {{storylink|Showdown (Cloud)|Showdown}} {{storylink|Return}} {{storylink|Awakening (Cloud)|Awakening}} {{storylink|Wandering}} {{storylink|Shock (Cloud)|Shock}} {{storylink|Wild (Cloud)|Wild}} {{storylink|Eagerness}} {{storylink|Lightwave}} {{storylink|Metamorphosis (Cloud)|Metamorphosis}} {{storylink|Overwhelm}} {{storylink|Concealment}} {{storylink|Struggle}} {{storylink|Fury (Cloud)|Fury}} {{storylink|Transcendence}}{{storylink|TFC-A01}} {{storylink|TFC-A03}} {{storylink|TFC-A04}} {{storylink|Transformers Cloud (issue)|Transformers Cloud}}}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe4 hotrod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Flame deco now available with Kirby Krackle!]]
Polymath warrior prince '''Imhotep Rodimus''' was Optimus Prime's chosen successor as Autobot leader. Unfortunately for Rodimus, when Optimus disappeared and Megatron seized control of Cybertron, Dinobot leader Grimlock objected to the "chosen one" taking leadership and defeated him in combat, casting him out of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Fallen and dejected, with no fight left in him, the young 'bot became a cog in Megatron's great machine, and wound with a lowly job in reactor maintenance, cleaning up vermin droppings and ferrying around the tubular [[energon]] containers from which he took his new name: Hot Rod.

On a routine collection of [[turborat]] traps, Hot Rod was puzzled to find that one trap contained not the robotic pests he was used to, but small, organic beings: unfortunate members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who had recently arrived on the planet. Tossing them in with the rest of his cargo and going on his weary way past the [[smelting pool]]s, he was suddenly confronted by Autobot revolutionary Blaster, who despised him for his defection and opened fire on him. A G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|missile bombardment]] subsequently took Blaster out, but when Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher]] arrived, they assumed Hot Rod was responsible and congratulated him. Praise from these low-lifes was the last straw for Hot Rod, and he threw the pair into one of the furnaces, loaded up the unconscious Blaster, and roared off back to Metroplex, unintentionally providing the Joes with an escape from their own missiles in the process. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

Hot Rod returned to Metroplex just as it was coming under attack from both [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and a mind-controlled [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. He managed to get inside the Autobot city anyways, and brought Blaster to Ratchet, urging the medic to save the brave Autobot to whom he owed his reawakening. Hot Rod then made his way to Metroplex's control room and ordered him to convert to his battle mode. Before he could convince the traumatized city to do so, Grimlock happened by. The Dinobot tried to chase off Hot Rod as he had done so in the past, but with a solid left hook Rodimus challenged Grimlock for leadership once more. Whatever the outcome of the duel, Grimlock expired shortly thereafter at the hands of Megatron. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} Afterwards, Rodimus, Brawn, and Mirage found that [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]], while in a trance, had drawn a map to the Chamber of Primus on Metroplex's floor. Following the map, the three Autobots, Bazooka, Cover Girl, and Duke found the face of the dormant Cybertronian god whispering: "No will but Megatron's"... Decepticobra guards, posted at a nearby Megatronian temple, caught sight of them, and a firefight began between both sides. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

The group's pilgrimage took them deep beneath the surface of Cybertron, where they encountered the mysterious [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. The Keeper told the group about the creation of Cybertron from its progenitor [[Daiakuron]]. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Their tour of the netherworld was cut short by tremors from above, and the team made a break for it. Rodimus made up to the surface safely, where he dispatched Springer and some Joes to rescue the individuals who hadn't made it out. {{storylink|Escape from Primus}} As the maddened Primus drew closer to the sun, both sides prepared for the final confrontation. Rodimus rallied the shellshocked Metroplex, convincing him to transform into his robot form for the first time in millennia. As the Jotobots attacked Trypticon, Rodimus rode Sky Lynx into the battle. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

Rodimus was one of the many Autobots forced to combine with Megatron to form "Mega-Megatron". After the resurrection of Optimus Prime and the end of the war, Optimus departed Cybertron aboard the ''Ark-2'', once again offering Rodimus a second chance to rule Cybertron. Rodimus gratefully accepted the opportunity. As a peacetime "philosopher-king", he and Wreck-Gar frequently visited [[Uranus]] to contemplate. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Kenshō Ono]] (Japanese)}}
{{Charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mystery of Mystery of Convoy}} {{storylink|Mystery of Return of Convoy}}}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:Micro-Aggressions HotRodGrimlock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
During the original Great War, Hot Rod fought on Earth and once tore off [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s wing in a parking garage. {{storylink|Derailment}}

When the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]] came into power, Hot Rod quickly became aware of how oppressive their rule was. He believed he could work within their system however, and set about implementing gradual change without resorting to violence. To this end, he downsized his body and became a [[Micromaster]], even though doing so meant he lost much of his status in the government's hierarchy. Hot Rod worked the system for seventy years, along the way getting posted as the head of [[Micropolis]]. Then, in the late 24th century, [[Lio Convoy]] sparked a revolution among the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] populace, calling for an aggressive societal reform. Hot Rod and his team, [[Drillbuster]], [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]], [[Spaceshot]], and [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]], were assigned to deal with and counter the [[Resistance]]'s [[Grand Uprising]].

In energy-starved times, Hot Rod, like most other members of society, was privy to a very limited amount of fuel. It surprised him then when he was given a full tank in preparation for an upcoming mission. The severity of the situation cleared up why he had been allowed more than his usual ration: the Resistance had managed to steal the [[G-Virus]]. This potent weapon had been reverse-engineered from [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s remains, and would replicate the process that transformed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] into the mad scion of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in anyone that was infected with it. Hot Rod was furious to learn that the one who had orchestrated the theft was none other than [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]; his former teammate had previously transplanted his spark into a Maximal body and then led many violent attacks against the government. Hot Rod did find solace in the fact that Grimlock was a predictable opponent though. He quickly puzzled out that the Resistance's next target would be the first [[Games|gladiatorial game]] to be hosted since Lio Convoy's call to arms. Hot Rod called in every favor owed to him to secure two hundred extra guards for [[Tesarus (polity)|Tesarus Arena]], with an extra three-hundred [[Maximal Command Security Force|MCSF]] officers to patrol the stadium's crowd.

Despite these precautions, Grimlock's cell managed to come dangerously close to the crowd before Hot Rod was alerted to their presence. He went to deal with the intruders in person, leaving most of his troops in place in case Grimlock was merely creating a diversion for another attack. Hitching a ride atop of Blackout and Spaceshot's combined vehicle mode, he managed to reach the Resistance fighters before they were in position to infect the Builders enjoying the Game. While his subordinates dealt with The [[Manterror|Man Terror]] and [[Snapper]], two Predacons operating under Grimlock, Hot Rod took on the former [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] himself. The battle that ensued left both Hot Rod and his opponent gravely wounded. Many verbal attacks were also traded between them, with Grimlock accusing Hot Rod of spitting on everything the Autobot badge once stood for by siding with the Builders. Hot Rod countered that though he hated what their world had become, he was leading by example, unlike Grimlock who had remained a violent brute. Their brawl eventually led to both 'bots tumbling out into the arena crowd. Grimlock's remaining allies came to his aid, and Hot Rod was tossed aside as Snapper prepared to unleash a virulent payload on the unsuspecting crowd. Hot Rod pleaded with him not to, explaining to the Predacon what the virus actually did; Grimlock had neglected to inform his underlings of this particular detail. Snapper was swayed to not unleash a thousand more mad tyrants on Cybertron, and destroyed the virus. Though Hot Rod had been specifically instructed to retrieve the G-Virus, he was simply content with the fact that it had not been unleashed. In thanks for his cooperation, Hot Rod promised Snapper that he would be treated fairly as he was taken into custody. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}{{storylink|Derailment}}}}

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

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Ben Pronsky]] (''Combiner Wars'', English), [[Judd Nelson]] (''Titans Return'', ''Power of the Primes'', English)}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream}} {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade}} {{storylink|The Council}} {{storylink|Homecoming (CW)|Homecoming}} {{storylink|A War of Giants}} {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}}}
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Rodimus-scan.jpg|thumb|300px|left|So we're letting any fool with a costume into the hall now?]]
[[File:TF-TR-Cartoon-Ep5-Ridealong.jpg|thumb|250px|''You're gonna climb over the top of all Nobody beats you 'cause you're fast as lightning Gekiso Sentai Carranger'']]
Following the Combiner Wars, Rodimus returned to the [[Primal Basilica]], where he asked the [[Chorus of the Primes]] to take back the [[Matrix of Leadership]], as he no longer believed himself worthy to carry it. The Chorus agreed and restored his arm before reformatting him back into his previous body as Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} When the [[Mistress of Flame]] alerted him to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s attack, he rushed back towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]] to help fight, assuring the Mistress he wouldn't be long. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Finally arriving, he ran into Windblade and the two worked together to attack Trypticon, though they were unable to save Metroplex. When [[Emissary (Generations)|Emissary]] was swallowed by Trypticon, Hot Rod Entered Trypticon's body himself and rescued the [[Titan Master]], though he was hit by Trypticon's tail and sustained severe damage. Unable to move, he asked Windblade to take Emissary and find [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. As he lay on the ground, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] arrived and forced the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] into the weakened Hot Rod's chest, corrupting him. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} The two later observed the end of the conflict and the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}
[[File:Machinima-POTP-Rodimus-Cron-fires.jpg|thumb|300px|Carbon fiber, 28 caliber, made in China; if you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.]]

Now an acolyte of Megatronus, Hot Rod found himself dramatically powered up by the Matrix of Chaos, which granted him the new name '''Rodimus Cron'''. He joined Overlord in assaulting the remaining Combiners, killing [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and disabling [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. He proceeded to destroy Devastator's limbs one by one until [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] finally confessed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s whereabouts, only to finish the job anyway before departing for [[Primal Swamp]] with Overlord. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} At first their search proved fruitless, but they spotted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and took them down, attempting to interrogate them for Megatron's whereabouts. Rodimus found himself momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], who identified the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]] from [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s description before killing [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] as a warning, leaving Rodimus's body as he and Overlord headed for the library. There, they caught Megatron's team unaware, giving Rodimus the opportunity to kill Victorion. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Rodimus then proceeded to beat down any member of the team that came his way, culminating in him strangling Windblade when she moved to defend Megatron. Though she pleaded with him in an attempt to reach him, he assured her the old Hot Rod was dead and tossed her aside. He again prepared to execute Megatron, but Overlord insisted he do it himself. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Rodimus-Cron-evolves.jpg|thumb|300px|left|"We. Are [[Venom (Crossovers)|Venom]]."]]
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Hot-Rod-aftermath.jpg|thumb|250px|''We'll be right back''.]]
Unfortunately for him, Megatron used the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] to kill Overlord, overwhelming Rodimus with its power and leaving him on the ground. As Megatronus arrived to take the blaster, revealing his intention to combine it with the Matrix, Rodimus was again possessed by Unicron. Hellbent on destroying the Matrix, he approached Megatronus, but was knocked away before the Fallen Prime escaped with the blaster. Undeterred, Rodimus got to his feet and gave chase in vehicle mode. Although Windblade still hoped to save her friend, the others all agreed that if the time came, Rodimus might have to be sacrificed to save their race. {{storylink|Consequences}} Rodimus eventually arrived at the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] just as Megatronus had incapacitated everyone but Megatron, and the power of Unicron morphed him into an even stronger form. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Now fully possessed by Unicron, Rodimus battled Megatronus for the Matrix. When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] got his hands on it instead and transformed into Optimal Optimus, he drew Rodimus's attention and the two began fighting, seemingly evenly matched. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Ultimately, Optimal got the upper hand and managed to remove the Matrix of Chaos from Rodimus, freeing him from Unicron's control and turning him back to Hot Rod. With Unicron now attempting to take control of Megatron, the still-weak Hot Rod confirmed their only option was to kill them both, to which Optimal obliged. In the aftermath, Hot Rod was placed in intensive care to recover from his experience, though Optimus Prime suspected that the emotional wounds from his time as Rodimus Cron would never heal. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:ChaosOnVelocitron-Rodimus Prime.jpg|thumb|150px|YEEHAW!!!]]
Hot Rod was partnered with the [[Titan Master]] [[Firebolt (G1)|Firedrive]], who granted him the ability to firei electrostatic fire blasts to disable enemy systems. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Firedrive/Hot Rod toy bio}} Later, during a mission to [[Velocitron]], Rodimus Prime crossed the finish line in a race to win the power of dominion over speed, but he had to convert himself into a Titan Master to use the power.<ref>''Titans Return'' Chaos on Velocitron bios</ref>
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] came to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s aid when the Autobot leader was fighting against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Hot Rod taunted the Decepticons, telling them to "watch my smoke!" {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, Rodimus Prime|Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, and Rodimus Prime commercial}}
*Hot Rod and Kup found themselves stranded on the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. The two Autobots drove up to the edge of a greenish pool, from which a pile of Sharkticons emerged and attacked. The duo fist-fighted their way through the enemy 'bots, with the help of an intervening [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sharkticon|Sharkticon commercial}}
*A stone sculpture of Rodimus was savaged by Weirdwolf as part of his training. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Decepticon Headmasters|Decepticon Headmasters commercial}}
*Rodimus Prime charged into battle with Kup, Blurr, and Wheelie against Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge. Then [[Sixshot]] joined the scuffle. Rodimus took the brunt of many of the Six-Changer's attacks, getting fired upon while Sixshot was in his jet fighter mode, pounced onto when Sixshot assumed his "wheeled wolf" mode, and blasted once more by the Decepticon's "laser pistol" mode. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sixshot|Sixshot commercial}}
*Rodimus handed his totally trustworthy agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] an important device, and saluted him as he drove off. Unbeknownst to Rodimus, Punch would meet with the Decepticons under his "Counterpunch" guise and hand the device over to Galvatron himself! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Punch and Clones|Punch/Counterpunch and Clones commercial}}
*Rodimus and Blurr drove to an Autobot laboratory, only to be informed by a distressed Kup that there had been an accident; the newest Autobots were monsters! Thankfully, they were still Autobots nonetheless, and helped ward off a Decepticon attack. After seeing how viciously the [[Monsterbot]]s dealt with the Decepticons, Rodimus expressed relief that these new 'bots were on his side. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Monsterbots|Monsterbots commercial}}
*The Autobots were caught by surprise when it seemed at first that a tank and jet were about to crash into one another on the battlefield, only for them to transform together into the Decepticon [[Flywheels]]! Rodimus was unfazed by this turn of events, and pounced onto this new combatant. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Duocons and Throttlebots|Duocons and Throttlebots commercial}}
*Rodimus Prime fought next to Blurr against Galvatron and his cronies while Transformers from both factions prepared to leave Cybertron and expand their war to the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}
*Hot Rod's voice narrated a handful of commercials, including:
**The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmasters|Headmasters commercial}}
**The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Technobots and Terrorcons|Technobots and Terrorcons commercial}}

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

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[File:C64RodimusPrimeAndHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

{{note|In this game, "Hotrod" and Rodimus Prime are separate characters who can be in the same place at the same time. Don't try to think about this too hard.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy''===
[[File:Mysteryofconvoy rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When Optimus Prime went missing under mysterious circumstances, Ultra Magnus was given the task of battling hordes of Decepticons in order to solve the mystery of his whereabouts. The Decepticons had also stolen a collection of seven energon cubes belonging to Rodimus Prime, which Magnus strove to recover during his fight. When all seven were successfully obtained and the battle was won, a new challenge rose its head, but with his energon cubes back, Rodimus was able to take up the fight! He had a funny habit of looking like an orange Ultra Magnus if you looked at him sideways. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
Rodimus Prime was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on Cybertron by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Rodimus Prime and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
====Autobot story====
[[File:Callofthefuture rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] gained the incredible power of the [[Zel Quartz]] in the year 2010 and began cutting a swath of destruction across the galaxy, Rodimus Prime, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] resolved to prevent this devastation by traveling back in time and eliminating the quartz in the past, thereby altering their future. Using a [[Transwarp]]-equipped ship supplied by the [[Quintesson]]s, they traveled to the world of [[Zel Samine]] in the year 2003, where they ran across teams of present-day Autobots and Decepticons led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who were carrying out investigations on their own on the planet.

Making matters worse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] also followed them back in time, and the two teams allied themselves with their respective present-day factions in order to locate the Zel Quartz. It wasn't necessarily an easy alliance to make: Rodimus was barely able to keep his cool when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], not believing that he and his team were really Autobots, demanded to know if Rodimus was Autobot leader in the future, what happened to Optimus? Fortunately, Optimus calmed his lieutenant down and welcomed the trio of future Autobots into his forces.

Working with the present day Autobots was not easy for Rodimus, as he was well aware of the fate that awaited them. On a number of occasions, he struggled with his knowledge of the future, knowing he could prevent a [[Battle of Autobot City|great tragedy]] but could also cause untold damage to the timestream by doing so. He also showed some interest in Arcee when he attempted to give her a precious stone he'd found during a mission to a mine, only for the female Autobot to scold him for taking something that didn't belong to him. Luckily for him, Optimus stepped in and settled things by ordering Rodimus and Arcee to return the stone. That Optimus makes one heck of a wingman.

After several false leads, the quartz was eventually located, serving as the power source of the [[ELTA]] power transmission array. After fighting their way through the likes of Cyclonus, Scourge, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and both [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his future counterpart Soundblaster, Rodimus and Optimus engaged Megatron and Galvatron in a two-on-two battle over ELTA, using the power of their twin Matrices to stop the computer from self-destructing. Once the dust from the fight had settled, Starscream reemerged and snatched up the Zel Quartz, only to promptly take it off-planet, where it disintegrated without Zel Samine's atmosphere and electromagnetic properties to sustain it. With their future thus averted, Rodimus and his Autobots began fading away to rejoin the timestream. Before they disappeared, Rodimus attempted to warn Optimus of the coming dangers in the future, including his Optimus's death (for which Rodimus continued to blame himself), but Optimus silenced him, telling him that he did not need to know what the future held. Rodimus told Optimus that he would always be the greatest leader in Autobot history, but Optimus told him that he was merely a soldier who loved justice, and that that was all Rodimus needed to be too.

====Decepticon story====
Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave encountered Rodimus Prime while investigating the presence of unknown craft over Zel Samine. Rodimus was stunned to see the Decepticon [[Emperor of Destruction]] before reminding himself of the era he was in. For his part, Megatron thought he was facing Hot Rod, but quickly realised his mistake. After a short, sharp fight that saw Rodimus defeated, Megatron was distracted enough by the appearance of Galvatron to allow the future Autobot to escape.

Rodimus would again battle Megatron as well as Galvatron at the ELTA power transmission array, this time alongside his hero Optimus Prime. He was shocked that despite the fact the two Primes were working together, they were still defeated. When Megatron and Galvatron resolved to destroy the ELTA array Rodimus pleaded with them to stop, pointing out that the array generated a massive amount of energy, the same energy the Decepticons so loved. Sadly, the two Emperors of Destruction felt that with the Zel Quartz now in their possession, they no longer needed the array and proceeded to destroy it with their combined power. The wounded Rodimus barely escaped.

He presumably returned to the future alongside all the future Transformers when Starscream unwittingly rendered the Zel Quartz powerless. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

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

===''Transformers: Battle Masters''===
Rodimus arrived in the city for a decent battle, and though he was defeated by local fighters, he decided not to leave the town. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Masters (mobile game)|Battle Masters}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Following [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rebirth as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus led the Autobots to a decisive victory over the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|All Hail Galvatron}} When Galvatron summoned [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to the battlefield, Rodimus attempted to block the Decepticon advance with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], though unsuccessfully. {{storylink|The Colossus War}}

Rodimus and [[Kup (G1)|Sergeant Kup]] were put on trial by the [[Quintesson]]s. They faced death by [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] until [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] organized a well-timed coup. {{storylink|Mockery of Justice}} The Autobots subsequently found themselves up against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. Rodimus defeated the monster by opening the [[Matrix of Leadership]], saving [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and becoming the new Autobot leader in the process. {{storylink|'Til All Are One (Legends)|'Til All Are One}}

When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] were abducted by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Rodimus Prime traveled to [[Chaar]] to see if the Decepticons were responsible. Damaged in an attack, he had a vision revealing the Quintessons were behind the kidnapping. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} He almost sacrificed himself on the planet Goo to save the rest of his team. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} Rodimus traveled into the Matrix to learn the origin of the Transformer race. Following an attack on Cybertron, Galvatron was only prevented from fighting with Rodimus by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

Following an Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus, alongside Spike, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ultra Magnus were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. This did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. Rodimus returned the Matrix of Leadership to the resurrected Autobot leader, reverting to Hot Rod in the process. Once in possession of the Matrix, however, Optimus fled for Cybertron, leaving the other Autobots stranded. The Matrix was returned to Hot Rod when Optimus regained his senses, who sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap, much to the chagrin of the Autobots. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}

Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Springer were trapped in human bodies by [[Victor Drath]] and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], but still managed to foil the pair's plan to destroy Autobot City. They were later successfully returned to their robot bodies. {{storylink|Only Human (Legends)|Only Human}}

Rodimus attempted to defend an experimental space bridge from Galvatron and his forces, only for a stray shot to hit the space bridge, sending all nearby combatants hurtling back in time. Finding themselves in a time where Primus and Unicron were battling one another, shaking the very cosmos with their blows, Rodimus and his troops allied themselves with their creator, while the mad Galvatron ordered his troops to help the Chaos Bringer. Despite the superior amount of beings that Unicron was able to will into being, the Autobots prevailed. Unicron was sent into a retreat, and the time-displaced Transformers were sent back to their proper place in the timestream by Primus. {{storylink|Battle of the Brothers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Rodimus-(CW).jpg|thumb|400px|We've got to get a new travel agent.]]
Rodimus (CW) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who could be acquired as a reward in the "Optimus Maximus Awakes!" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

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

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:RodimusEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|wHY Do mY PipES BeNd??]]
Hot Rod encounters [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Transformers:Earth Wars|Nemesis Prime]].
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Light our Darkest Hour event}}

[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] met with Hot Rod to offer information on [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s dimensional recruitment scheme; Hot Rod was skeptical, and when the other [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s arrived on the scene, Hot Rod declared that it was an ambush. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Rogue Trader}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Hot Rod wields two blasters. ''And'' he can also throw a hand grenade from a distance and set a building on fire!
*'''Ability: Blessing of the Matrix:''' Makes a friendly bot invulnerable to damage and stun effects for 8 seconds. Upgrading this ability increases duration.
**'''Cost''': 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:HotRod| Hot Rod at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Image and story from all three cutscenes upon obtaining him, and after Researching twice.}}}}

;'''Rodimus Prime'''
[[File:Rodimus_Prime_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|That's right folks, the Matrix can also cure pipe bending!(Becoming the next leader of the Autobots included)]]

*'''Class''': Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: ''' Matrix Burst - Overcharge the Sparks of your allies, making them deal damage in an area around them over 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-prime| Rodimus Prime at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

;'''Rodimus Unicronus'''
[[File:RodimusUnicronusEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Just like [[Darth_Vader|Anakin Skywalker]], I became evil in the third movie >:D]]

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: '''To Battle!: Rush into combat and inspire your allies, giving them an increase to all damage (including abilities) for 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-unicronus| Rodimus Unicronus at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|All information on character, after he comes out.}}}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:RodimusPrime-earlymodel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Hey, ladies. Look at your G1 Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime toys, now back to us, now back at your toys, now back to us."]]
*According to earliest materials (also the source of the earliest Hot Rod head seen in this section's first image), Rodimus Prime's original name was '''Hot Rodimus'''.
*Like the rest of the 1986 movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, only for the designs to then be refined over time into their finalized form. The early models were used for the characters' Marvel Comics appearances, the original promo reel for the movie, and would occasionally erroneously appear in [[AKOM]]-animated episodes of the cartoon. Rodimus's early design is one of the mostly commonly-seen in the series, popping in and out of episodes from scene to scene quite literally at random; it features curving shoulders and a spoiler that flares outward, and lacks an additional trapezoid in the centre of his pelvis that is part of his finalized model. Notably, Rodimus's final character model has never actually been found—only his early design is published in character model compendiums like ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' or ''[[Transformers: The Ark]]''.
**While AKOM bounced back and forth between early and finished designs for Rodimus, they ''always'' used the ''color scheme'' of the early design. This scheme colors the indentations on his shoulders burgundy-red instead of white; the "windscreen" details on his pelvis (see below) white instead of light-burgundy; the aforementioned trapezoid the same burgundy as the rest of his pelvis instead of the same light burgundy the windscreen is supposed to be; and finally, his his tires black (the finalized model is the odd one here, as it made them burgundy).
**Additionally, Rodimus also has an even ''older'' design, seen at right, which is substantially more different. Here, he appears to carry the trailer of the truck on his back, plus additional [[kibble]] on the back of his forearms. If only there were art of the back of this design. We'd plotz.
**Meanwhile, on Hot Rod's early character model, both sets of wheels are on his arms, as they are intended to span the entire length of the vehicle; his wrist-cuffs are intended to become the vehicle's taillights. Unsurprisingly, this has never been duplicated on any toy.
*As mentioned above, both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime's character models suggest that the windshield and roof of their respective vehicles form the pelvic area, including little side windows on their hips. This was highlighted by on both characters' early color model, used by AKOM, which colored that area white, as if it were a window, but was downplayed on their finalized models, which recolored those sections in a lighter shade than the surrounding area. The sheer physical impossibility of this has, again, meant it has never been duplicated on any toy, although the Masterpiece version makes a nod to it with a transparent groin plate with indentations underneath denoting two seats and a steering wheel.
[[File:Hotrodrodimuscharactermodels.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Rodimus is always embarrassed by his yearbook photos. (Early AKOM Rodimus model pictured, colored like the finished Toei Rodimus model.]]
*Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime look very similar in fiction, but there are ways to distinguish them by sight.
**Rodimus Prime's character model has extra lines on his face that go from the bottom of his nose and connect to another line forming a triangle shape. Hot Rod's cheeks are more clear and youthful.
**Despite their toys being the same color of red, the cartoon series rendered Hot Rod as magenta, and Rodimus a dark shade of burgundy (the movie, however, made Rodimus the same color as Hot Rod). In addition to repeatedly getting the two character models mixed up, sometimes the animation would depict one model colored as the other.
**In Marvel stories, Hot Rod was also colored almost entirely magenta, with a yellow spoiler and flame deco, but with silver thighs instead of orange. Whoever did the Marvel deco sheet seems to have been looking at the [[:File:G1catalog86-PinkHotRod.jpg|original toy photos]] and colored the thighs like the toy's silver stickers. While Marvel Hot Rod was stark magenta, Marvel Rodimus was colored in the reds, oranges and yellows of his toy. Future comics and toys would often ignore any differences in color between the character's two forms, presenting them both in the original toy colors (see the image at the head of the article for a good example).
**The Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon, in addition to featuring the coloration differences of the American Generation 1 cartoon, also added some extra lines around the perimeter of Rodimus's eyes to further distinguish him from Hot Rod. These odd-looking lines appeared only intermittently, thankfully so—they made Rodimus look like he was wearing robo-mascara. The ''Headmasters'' Rodimus Prime character model also moved the wheel kibble from the back of the arms to the front, to better approximate their position on the toy.
[[File:RodimusPrimeG1-trailermanagement.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Maybe his Mobile Defense Bay is just an extra set of legs!]]
*Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] was realized in toy form with Rodimus's [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|6" ''Titanium Series'' action figure]].
*A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic. As with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.
*Hot Rod's 1986 tech specs figures are ''extremely'' high (six 10/10s, one 9/10, one 7/10). They are actually higher than both Ultra Magnus and Galvatron's stats. None of the other movie characters have such inflated tech specs, so this was possibly an attempt (albeit small) to convince the kids of the time how awesome their new hero was. Rodimus Prime's tech specs are only ever so slightly higher than Hot Rod's, but as the latter was near maximum anyway that isn't saying much. One year later, for his Targetmaster release, Hot Rod's stats have been reduced to slightly more sensible figures (which leads to the amusing situation where his "Firepower" stat actually goes ''down'' from 10 to 7 when he becomes a Targetmaster. Also his top speed has changed from 120 mph to 330 mph. Maybe Firebolt weighs less than his old gun?)
*Hot Rod might be the ''Transformers'' character with the most names in the US. From "Hot Rod" to "Rodimus Prime", to "Rodimus Major" to just plain "Rodimus". Varieties of "Rodimus" appeared to be how he would be named for a while, but his [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Titans Return]] figure is back to being "(Autobot) Hot Rod", suggesting that Hasbro has somehow reclaimed the [[trademark]] on the name.
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's. The reference came full circle with [[Side Burn (RID)|G1 Side Burn]], who was a redeco of a Rodimus toy.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

===Foreign names===
====Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rodimus''' (ホットロディマス ''Hotto Rodimasu''), '''Hot Rod''' (ホットロッド ''Hotto Roddo'')
*''English:'' '''Roadimus Prime''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''Météorite''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagyágyú''' ("Hot Shot"), '''Peca''' (''The Movie'', "Fisher")
*''Italian:'' '''Folgore'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rod''' (Taiwan, 羅德 ''Lúo Dé''), '''Rè Pò''' (China, 热破, "Hot Break")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Roda Quente''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Patron''' (cartoon, Патрон, "Cartridge")

====Rodimus Prime====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Convoy''' (ロディマスコンボイ ''Rodimasu Konboi''), '''Rodimus Prime''' (ロディマスプライム ''Rodimasu Puraimu'')
*''French:'' '''Rodimus Primo''' (Canada toy, "Rodimus First"), '''Rodimus Primus''' (Canada cartoon)
*''German:'' '''Rodius Prime''' ([[Condor Verlag]] comics)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Rodimusz Fővezér''' ("Prime Commander Rodimus")
*''Italian:'' '''Captain'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rhodie Jr-tsūn''' (Taiwan, 羅迪至尊, "Rodimus Prime"), '''Bǔ Tīan Shì''' (China, 补天士, "Gentleman Who {{w|Nüwa|Repairs the Sky}}")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rodimus Supremo''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Rodimes Prime''' (cartoon, Родаймес Прайм)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Rodimus Najkrashhyj''' (cartoon, Родімус Найкращий, "Rodimus The Best")

====Nemesis Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Nemesis Hot Rod''' (ネメシスホットロッド ''Nemeshisu Hotto Roddo'')

====Rodimus Unicronus====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Unicronus''' (ロディマスユニクロナス ''Rodimasu Yunikuronasu'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Battle Masters Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Convoys]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Hot Rod (G1)

2019-02-26T18:59:21Z

Sideswipe84:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|wreckers|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{Disambigm|Hot Rod (disambiguation)|Rodimus (disambiguation)}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Hot Rod is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:DVDbox3d1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And yet he still gets carded.]]
'''Hot Rod''' (aka '''Rodimus''' and '''Hot Rodimus''') is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown.

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona—while still headstrong and stubborn—seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Of course, much of this comes from comparisons with his former commander [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—and let's face it, shoes-to-be-filled just don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience—neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

{{bigquote|I ''knew'' you had potential, lad.|[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] on Hot Rod's transformation into Rodimus Prime|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Fightorflee Rodimus explosion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]"what about me, Dad?"]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
At some point before [[2005]], Hot Rod became stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and so was present during the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. This was a turning point in the life of the turbo-revving young punk, because he became Autobot leader after gaining the [[Matrix of Leadership]] following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. As Rodimus Prime, his first accomplishments were the defeat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and the return of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the Autobots.

During his time as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Rodimus not only had to deal with the Decepticons and [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|their new leader]], but also the political complexities of the planetary alliance Cybertron joined, the return of the Transformers' cruel masters from long ago, the [[Quintesson]]s, the possible revival of Unicron and the arrival of Unicron's "little brother" [[Tornedron]].

During the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in [[2006]], Optimus Prime was brought back to life and Rodimus gave up his rank of Prime, becoming Hot Rod once more. He would then become a Targetmaster and live to see the next Cybertronian [[Golden Age]].

In a splinter timeline, Hot Rod would lose the Matrix a whole bunch of times. ''Constantly.'' Eventually, he would resign himself to his role as Rodimus Prime, leader, though in 2011 it was under his watch that Cybertron was destroyed. Rodimus would later discover the planet Micro and help develop Micromaster technology, becoming one himself and reverting back to Hot Rod.
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Hoverscooter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Wheeeee....]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
Initially serving under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Rod travelled to [[Nebulos]] where he became a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] and then on to [[Earth]] where he joined [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s forces aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Returning to Cybertron, he survived the battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and formed part of the shaky Autobot-Decepticon alliance under the leadership of Prime's successor [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Betrayed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Decepticons, Hot Rod was killed during the ambush on [[Klo]] but revived shortly afterwards by the power of the [[Last Autobot]].

In some [[splinter timeline]]s Hot Rod went on to become Rodimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, and took part in further battles against Unicron and his minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], albeit with mixed results. In others, he has yet to fulfil this part of his destiny.
{{-}}

===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[File:PackIn RodimusPrimeRemembers Front.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Just like he remembers Woodstock.]]
Unicron just might consume the universe, and the Autobots need to determine who the Chosen One is so that he may rise from their ranks, unlock the Matrix of Power, and save all from Unicron! Unfortunately, not even the Chosen One himself knows his identity, and his discovery may come too late. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}

There was a legendary conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons when Optimus Prime led Rodimus Prime and a large team of Autobots in a search for the future site of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. They were ambushed by Megatron and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and this became known as the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. Rodimus Prime dubbed it "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} Some of the Autobots were forced to retreat due to Thundercracker's "force shield," and Optimus Prime told Rodimus and the others that their only hope was to call in for additional troops. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}

Later, Rodimus Prime remembered the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}
{{-}}

===Battle Beneath the Ice===
[[File:BBTI-RunaboutandRodimus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
Hot Rod had a run in with the Battlechargers when they tried to destroy the golden gate bridge. The altercation was caught on television.

A couple of weeks later, Hot Rod was part of an expedition to the Antarctic along with Slingshot and Skydive to investigate the discovery of a highly advanced underground city. He was parked in the cargo bay of a troop-carrier aero-plane when he met the young human [[Jeff Grey]]. Together, they watched Hot Rod’s battle with the Battlechargers on Jeff’s [[chronovid wristwatch]]. Some time later, their plane was caught in a blizzard, and shot down by an energy beam. Though many humans perished in the crash, Hot Rod attempted to keep the survivors warm by increasing the current through his temperature control unit to emit heat. Hot Rod and his group of humans were then met by three inhabitants of the subterranean city, who invited them into their futuristic world.

[[File:BBTI-JeffGrey+HotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Doesn't this image just scream "buy the toys"? Boy, I sure want an action figure of Old Man Shivering In The Snow.]]
The [[Watcher]], leader of the underground civilization, explained that they possessed technology far surpassing the surface world, save for their weaponry, as they were a peaceful people. The Watcher offered the humans a tour of the city while he and Hot Rod talked. Impressed by the technological wonders The Watcher’s people possessed, Hot Rod became convinced of their altruistic nature. He then met up with Skydive and Slingshot, who had gone on to rendezvous with the drilling team after being unable to locate the downed troop-carrier in the blizzard. The Watcher then showed them an image from the surface: Brawl, Vortex and Blast Off, the Decepticons the Watcher said were responsible for shooting down the troop-carrier. Skydive and Slingshot then took off to battle the Decepticons and draw them away from the city, leaving Hot Rod in charge of protecting the humans.

Hot Rod's group continued their tour of the city. They were shown a hologram chamber, where they encountered Ravage. Hot Rod warned the Decepticon to stay back from the humans, but Ravage assured him he wasn’t here as their enemy. Ravage informed Hot Rod that it wasn’t the Decepticons, but the city-dwellers that had shot down the plane. One of the city-dwellers entered the room with a weapon, intending to attack Ravage. Hot Rod accidentally shot him while aiming for Ravage, who had lept for the city-dweller's throat. Hot Rod was shocked to see the guide fall to the ground, seeing as his weapon only affected other robots. They came to the conclusion that Ravage was telling the truth; the city-dwellers were robots. They were after the warrior-factor encoded in both the Autobots and the Decepticons in order to turn themselves into a powerful army. Hot Rod and Ravage formed a temporary alliance to combat the city-dwellers. Jeff and Ravage then worked together to overwrite the city-dwellers’ programming with the cartoon antics of Gus Gopher that had been recorded by Jeff’s [[chronovid wristwatch]]. With the city-dwellers behaving like cartoon characters, Hot Rod made contact with the Aerialbots, and told them to stop fighting with the Combaticons, and to instead return to the city. The Autobots and Decepticons then went their separate ways on peaceful terms… for the moment being, at least. {{storylink|Battle Beneath the Ice}}
{{-}}

===Big Looker Storybook continuity===
[[File:CarShowBlowup-AutobotCity.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Hot Rod clearly does not pass emissions standards.]]
Kup and Hot Rod traveled to the coliseum to check out a robot car the [[human]]s had built that could respond to voice commands. They heard about it on their car radios! But when they arrived at the coliseum, Kup spotted Decepticons flying about. As some entered the back door, Kup shooed Hot Rod away, telling him to warn the others. If Hot Rod stayed, he would just get into trouble!

[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When Hot Rod returned with the Autobots, Kup had been captured and held prisoner, so the others entered the coliseum in vehicle mode. Meanwhile, Hot Rod snuck up behind Kup and freed him. Yelling "Geronimo!" they jumped from the control room onto the coliseum floor, taking the Decepticons by surprise. Galvatron and the others escaped, but Kup and Hot Rod agreed that they'd be ready for him when he returned. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

Later, Kup led Hot Rod, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and in the middle of their journey, the ship began to have problems. Hot Rod reassured Arcee that everything would be okay, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet which Kup recognized. It was the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed their earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}
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===Marvel coloring books===
Visiting [[Oil Valley]] with Daniel one day, Hot Rod spotted a group of Decepticons lurking nearby. Taking Daniel into his car mode, he headed back to Autobot City to report back to Ultra Magnus. The Decepticons noticed Hot Rod driving away, and gave chase. As Hot Rod neared Autobot City, he ran into Grimlock and the Dinobots. He quickly informed them of the situation before continuing on his way into the city, while the Dinobots stayed back to fend off the Decepticons. Once Hot Rod informed Ultra Magnus of the situation, Hot Rod stayed behind in Autobot City with Daniel while Ultra Magnus assembled a strike team to head out and help the Dinobots fight the Decepticons. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp}}}}

Hot Rod was returning from a road trip with Daniel, Hound and Kup, Bumblebee, Blurr, Wheelie, Springer and Sunstreaker when the group paused to eat at a rest stop. As the Autobots ingested Energon Cubes, Hot Rod asked Kup to tell a story. Kup told the others the story of how, upon first crash landing in Mt. St. Hillary, the Ark had lost an enormous shipment of Energon Cubes that remained lost to the day. Enthralled by Kup's story, the rest of the group were all eager to go looking for this lost treasure. When they realized that Laserbeak had been spying on them the whole time, and would soon inform Galvatron about the lost Energon shipment, Hot Rod and the others rushed back to Metroplex to inform Ultra Magnus on the situation. Hot Rod made a quick stop first, however, dropping Daniel off at his parents; house. After a brief conference, Ultra Magnus led his troops to the Ark's crash site. Finding the Decepticons there already, the two factions began to fight. When the Energon stash was uncovered, it was completely gobbled up by Starscream who proclaimed himself the most powerful Decepticon. With nothing left to fight over, Hot Rod and the Autobots left Galvatron and Starscream to their squabble. As they headed back for Autobot City, Hot Rod asked Kup for another story. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Hot Rod's Escape}}}}
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===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|[[Blain Fairman]] (English)}}
[[File:DecepticonsatthePole-HotRodSparks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Say I'm badly drawn to my face, pal!]]
Hot Rod was one of several troops stationed on Earth when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was in charge and the Transformers' war was still a secret one. After a scrape with the Decepticons, he found himself in the Autobots' infirmary, impatiently telling Ratchet and Wheeljack to patch him up quickly so he could get going. Due to a shortage of [[cybernite]], however, Hot Rod's repairs took awhile. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} He got along well with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], the two spending their downtime looking at car magazines together, and was quite pleased to receive some snazzy gold wheel-trims from the boy. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

In the time following this campaign, Hot Rod would mature into a more sensible warrior and even a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, he prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} He also orchestrated a search for a new source of lubricant when the Autobots were running dry, and led the construction of a pipeline bringing the oil reservoir's contents to Autobot base.
{{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}
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===Sticker Adventures books===
Out searching for a missing shuttle, Hot Rod and Kup spied it crashed on the Junk planet. They landed to find their friends engaged in battle with the natives, but Kup cautioned Hot Rod not to rashly jump in and join them. Kup's use of the Universal Autobot Greeting resulted in the Junkions abandoning the fight and making friends with the newcomers, and causing Hot Rod to exclaim "Holy cow!" The Junkions helped repair the damaged shuttle before the Autobots left. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}}}
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===Desert of Danger===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:Wolf at the door desert of danger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|When you're weary, feelin' small...]]
Hot Rod had himself delivered by freight to the planet of Nebulos, where he and his Targetmaster partner Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a treaty in place to limit their numbers. With [[you]]r help they traced the Decepticons to the [[Wolf at the Door]] nightclub, an [[oil]] bar for Nebulan miners run by [[Monzo]], and discovered that [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were importing [[Attack Squad robot]]s from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as [[Sirian brandy]].

After a confrontation with the Decepticons that left Skullcruncher and Mindwipe out of action, Hot Rod faced off against Weirdwolf and Monzo. Weirdwolf was defiant, but Monzo wasn't feeling lucky and surrendered to the Autobot. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. {{storylink|Desert of Danger}}
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===''Transformers PD Type'' comic===
[[File:Pdtype rodimus manga.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|He's seen some slag.]]
Clutching a [[Blackball]], Rodimus Prime found himself being attacked by Galvatron. As the Decepticon leader attempted to throttle him, a light shone from Rodimus's chest, making Galvatron think it was the power of the Blackball. After Galvatron had fled, Rodimus revealed it was just a flashlight, and reflected on what an idiot his foe was. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##11 "Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!"|Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!}}

As Fortress Maximus and Mega Zarak clashed violently, Rodimus reminded Optimus that he had said never to let those two fight. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! Mega Zarak!}}

Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime enjoyed many victories against the Decepticons, but [[Greatshot|who was that in the background?]] {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##15 "No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot..."|No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot...}}

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

In a later altercation with Sixshot, Rodimus attempted to use his Photon Eliminator gun to strike down the fleeing ninja. Though he managed to shoot ''every other'' Decepticon on the battlefield, he failed to hit his intended target. Rodimus sat pouting in the corner as the other Autobots convened to register their disappointment that Rodimus let Sixshot get away. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##21|Photon Eliminator}}

Joining [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]] and Ultra Magnus in an assault on Mega Zarak, Rodimus was terrified when the mammoth Decepticon unleashed his titanic Anti-Gravity Rifle. Fortunately for the Autobots, the gun jammed and Mega Zarak was left fiddling with it while they opened fire. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##24|Anti-Gravity Rifle}}
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===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Hot Rod was pleased to have [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] back. Then [[Monitorus]] arrived with the news that [[Tau-Ursa]] had been attacked and leveled by Decepticons, and Hot Rod got to point out that the Tau-Ursans had refused the Autobots permission to build a defense base there. He shortly took part in an attempt to repel a Decepticon attack on Cybertron, finding himself fighting against Sixshot, who seemed more interested in goading him than fighting. This turned out to be a diversion, while [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] used his new [[Nullification Cannon]] on the planet's Energon supplies.

Hot Rod and Blurr next visited Tau-Ursa to check for Decepticons, and encountered [[Apeface|Ape Face]], who had found a [[Logicon]] warning beacon. The two Autobots wrestled it from him and returned to Cybertron, where the beacon was found to hold the coordinates to [[Metascan Alpha]], a major Energon storehouse. Prime placed Hot Rod in charge of one of two teams to search for the planet, though the operation was hampered slightly by the discovery of the two Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s spying on them. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{Note|At this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt and the storyline was never completed}}
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===Toy pack-in material===
Both Hot Rod and Rodimus fought side-by-side during a tumultuous battle on a moon base. While Rodimus charged [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] alongside [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], Hot Rod received a punch to the face, courtesy of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Decipher the Decepticon}}

The Decepticons having stolen the Matrix of Creation, Hot Rod was called up by Ultra Magnus to help retrieve it. The Autobots used an army of [[decoy]]s to distract the Decepticons, while Hot Rod, Blurr, Kup and Ultra Magnus infiltrated their base. Hot Rod told Blurr of all people to hurry up and blast the Matrix out of same sort of crystal structure. The Autobots then made their getaway with the Matrix in hand. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection}}

When Optimus became stranded on Cybertron's hemisphere of darkness with his memory damaged, Hot Rod joined a small strike force of Autobots called H.O.P.E. ([[Help Optimus Prime Escape]]) to retrieve him. {{Storylink|Optimus Prime Is Back}}
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===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertKupandHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
While on a midnight spin, Hot Rod spotted Beachcomber, Springer and Blurr leaving Metroplex on a secret mission. The next day, after coming home from his karate lessons, Hot Rod began pestering Kup in order to glean more information on the nature of his fellow Autobots’ assignment. Before he learned anything of substance, an Autobot Alert sounded across the Autobots’ headquarters. The Autobots learned that the Decepticons were taking over Earth’s communication satellites. Shortly afterwards, Blurr returned prematurely from the aforementioned secret mission to deliver more bad news. The Decepticons had gotten their hands on an important coded message.

If Ultra Magnus decided to prioritize the Decepticons’ orbital attack, Hot Rod became frustrated after once again being overlooked for a mission. Catching him sulking, Bumblebee approached Hot Rod and informed him that he had spotted Astrotrain skulking about nearby the previous night. Deducing that Astrotrain might have something to do with the ongoing Decepticon plot, the two Autobots decided to go on their own clandestine mission to investigate. They brought along a supply of "laser-ignited explosives" and went on their way. Soon happening upon the Decepticons’ control centre, the pair set out to sabotage the Decepticons’ operation. While Bumblebee wanted to sabotage the Decepticons’ communication centre on Earth, Hot Rod was in favour of sneaking aboard Astrotrain before he launched, and sabotage the Decepticons out in space.

If Hot Rod convinced Bumblebee to go along with his plan, the pair snuck aboard Astrotrain by concealing themselves within a trailer filled with bombs. As Astrotrain launched, Hot Rod happened upon a room filled with Decepticon space gear. The two Autobots donned the suits in order to disguise themselves. The disguises proved effective as Thrust and Starscream walked past the pair, none the wiser. As Hot Rod continued to explore Astrotrain, he spotted the giant Decepticon Cyclonus out of a nearby window, as well as the Autobot shuttle obliviously heading into a trap. Hot Rod had to then decide on two options. He could risk commandeering Astrotrain’s military command post, despite the Decepticons guarding the door, and warn the incoming Autobot shuttle about the Decepticons. Alternatively, he could find a hiding place from which he could attack Cyclonus himself.

If Hot Rod decided to commandeer the military commands, his disguise managed to fool the guards, but not Scourge, who happened upon them as Hot Rod was inspecting the commands. Bumblebee urged Hot Rod to go through with his plan quickly as Scourge approached them. Hot Rod succeeded in firing Astrotrain’s weapons at Cyclonus, warning the Autobot shuttle of the Decepticons, but was quickly overpowered by Scourge. Alongside Bumblebee, Hot Rod was flung out into the blackness of space by Scourge, stranded in zero-gravity, waiting for a rescue that might never come.

If instead Hot Rod and Bumblebee decided to find themselves a hiding spot, the pair snuck into a room labelled "Dirty Tricks Department" in order to dodge the incoming Laserbeak. Finding a hatch to the space shuttle’s exterior, Hot Rod trained one of Perceptor’s inventions, a "rapid-fire, high-intensity rifle cannon" towards Cyclonus and fired. Having successfully blown a massive hole into Cyclonus, Hot Rod and Bumblebee hid out for the rest of the mission inside the Dirty Tricks department room, finding a way to escape later when it docked.

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

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

If Hot Rod went ahead and pressed the button, he soon discovered that it was a Decepticon trap, as sirens began blaring across the Decepticon base and iron bars prevented them from escaping. Galvatron’s image appeared on a nearby monitor, explaining that both Hot Rod and Bumblebee would be used as hostages in order to secure a Decepticon victory. Hot Rod could do nothing but cover his face in shame in shame.

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

If the Autobots decided to head for the crater, Hot Rod raced Blurr to the site, only to find it void of any Decepticon activity. Finding Beachcomber tied to an explosive device, the two Autobots worked together to free their comrade. Once freed, Beachcomber informed the pair that the Decepticons had long ago broken the code and were already en-route to retrieve the cybertite sphere. It would now be much to late to catch up to the Decepticons, and all hope to retrieve the orb before them was lost.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Hot Rod was part of the main Autobot force that headed for the California coast. Arriving at the scene, Ultra Magnus’s troops were informed by Powerglide (who had flown ahead of the land-bound group) that he had discovered the location of the sunken ship containing the cybertite sphere. Simultaneously, Blurr caught up with the group to inform them that the Decepticons were quickly approaching.

In one of the possible plans that Ultra Magnus concocted, Hot Rod was tasked with searching the ship once Sludge had used his titanic strength to haul it from the deep. Hot Rod tore through the wrecked vessel, and found the sphere in a timely fashion. He then hid alongside his fellow Autobots, and ambushed the Decepticons as they arrived on-scene.

If Ultra Magnus decided to execute a different plan, wherein Hot Rod, Bumblebee and Grapple had to work together to fetch the sphere, the Autobots did not find the sphere before the Decepticons reached the coast. While Hot Rod searched the ship, dangling from Grapple’s hook over a nearby cliffside, Galvatron and his troops swooped in and blew both the ship and the sphere to smithereens. With the sphere destroyed and the Autobots being pummelled by the Decepticons’ superior firepower, the Autobots’ only hope rested with Hot Rod, dangling on the coast-side in a literal and figurative cliff-hanger!

In yet another possible scenario, where Hot Rod was not involved at all in the actual retrieval of the sphere, the ancient Autobot formula was safely retrieved and taken back to Metroplex. Hot Rod then watched on as Perceptor produced the first batch of power-booster. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
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====Project Brain Drain====
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainAutobotsCelebrate.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, upon hearing that the Decepticons were planning to use a "[[Brain Drain device]]" to syphon the intelligence of nearly 500, 000 concert goers, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops, Hot Rod included, to head for the concert to foil Galvatron’s plot. Rodimus and the other Autobots were told to hide themselves amidst the parked vehicles surrounding the concert, and lie in wait for the Decepticons. Once the Decepticons had shown themselves, Ultra Magnus ordered his troops to transform in unison and open fire on their enemies. But Galvatron had planned to light afire the parking lot in which the Autobots were standing in order to trap the humans. Being drenched from above by Decepticon jets dumping gasoline upon them, Ultra Magnus needed to decide whether the Autobots needed to retreat, or to keep on fighting and hope that they could defeat the Decepticons before the fire consumed them.

If Ultra Magnus decided on a retreat, Hot Rod was more than happy to rush out of the blazing inferno and move in closer to the humans in order to protect them. Hot Rod and the others fended off the airborne Decepticons who swooped down, unaffected by the blazing barrier encircling the concert.

In another possible scenario, wherein the Autobots stayed in the parking lot to battle at close-quarters the Decepticons, both he and Bumblebee noticed Soundwave pass the Brain Drain device to Galvatron after the latter had been able to fling Ultra Magnus away. If Hot Rod attempted to stop Galvatron, he successfully plucked the device out of the Decepticons’ hands and barrelled through the nearby circle of flames to make his escape. Just as he reached the other rim of the ring of fire, all four of his tires burst from the flames. He nonetheless skidded to safety, but found himself temporarily out of commission. Nonetheless, the Autobots managed to destroy the Brain Drain device, and Hot Rod was able to enjoy the concert-goers giving the Autobots a standing ovation as the Decepticons retreated.

In a completely different possible scenario, Hot Rod was out on patrol with Kup and Jazz when the three of them heard nearby commotion and went to investigate. Finding Wreck-Gar and Sparkplug being attacked by Thrust and Laserbeak, the Autobots moved in to rescue them and fended off the Decepticons. Hot Rod, Kup and Jazz were informed of the situation as it were; the Decepticons were going to drain the minds of the concert-goers with their Brain Drain device. The Autobots then decided whether they would launch a counter-attack on the Decepticons’ lab, or if they would send Hot Rod for reinforcements while the rest of them headed directly to the concert.

If the group settled on launching a counter-attack, the lot of them stormed the lab with such ferocity and suddenness that the Decepticons were caught completely unawares. Though most of the Decepticons’ forces scattered with the Autobots’ initial assault, Hot Rod and company still had to beat back a small contingency of Decepticons too afraid of Galvatron to desert their posts. Hot Rod and the others successfully beat them back, until Soundwave attempted to escape with the Brain Drain device in hand.

If Hot Rod attempted to shoot the device out of Soundwave’s hands, Soundwave tripped at the last moment over the fallen body of a Decepticon. Hot Rod’s blast his Soundwave’s shoulder, causing him to fling the Brain Drain device up in the air. Laserbeak then managed to snatch the device in mid-air, and flew off to rendezvous with Galvatron. Unable to follow, the Autobots realized that the concert-goers were doomed to all become incredibly stupid very soon. If Jazz attempted to stop him however, he was successful in doing so and the Autobots successfully destroyed the Brain Drain device.

Alternatively, if Hot Rod agreed to head off to Metroplex while the rest of the Autobots headed for the rock concert, he promised that he was soon meet up with them, backed up by an entire army of Autobots, and then sped off.

Some time later, Hot Rod finally arrived at the concert accompanied by Ultra Magnus and numerous other Autobots.

If Sparkplug was able to signal them, Hot Rod pinpointed the location at which his friends were fending off the Decepticons, and sped to meet them as Galvatron was beginning to active the Brain Drain device. Thanks to Ultra Magnus’s timely interference, the Brain Drain device was destroyed and the Autobots were victorious that day.

Otherwise, Hot Rod and the Autobots arrived just in time to congratulate Wreck-Gar, who had already destroyed the Brain Drain device. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
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====The Invisibility Factor====
[[File:InvisibilityFactorHotRodKupmeetSarah.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Hot Rod accompanied Kup on a night drive in the desert, when he noticed a spacecraft barreling down from the heavens towards them. As it landed, Hot Rod perceived that it would alternate between being visible and invisible. Curious, he prompted Kup to come with him to investigate.

If Kup agreed to look into the spacecraft right away, the two Autobots were surprised to spot a young woman emerge from the craft. Though Hot Rod startled her at first, the woman was reassured that the Autobots were friendly beings by Kup. Hot Rod learned that her name was [[Sarah Sanders]], and that she was a scientist working to perfect her latest invention, an "[[Invisibility Device]]."

In one possible scenario, Hot Rod, unable to control himself, snatched the device away from Sarah. Despite Sarah’s protests, Hot Rod insisted that the device would be put at its best use in the hands of the Autobots, keeping the world safe from the Decepticons. As Hot Rod daydreamed of glory while driving towards the Autobots’ base, he accidentally triggered the Invisibility Device’s self-destruct mechanism. The ensuing explosion blew him to bits.

If Hot Rod and Kup attempted to politely coax Sarah into giving them the Invisibility Device willingly, Sarah informed the Autobots that she had a strong stance against her invention being used for warfare. As the three of them stood conversing in the open, they soon heard the Decepticons approaching. As the evil robots began to fire upon them, Hot Rod whisked Sarah away to safety. Upon realizing that the Decepticons weren’t pursuing them, and that the Invisibility Device had been left behind, the trio hid behind some nearby rocks to spy upon the Decepticons, who were busy inspecting Sarah’s ship and her Invisibility Device.

If Hot Rod and Kup decided to attack immediately, they were easily defeated and destroyed by the Decepticons.

If Hot Rod and Kup decided to lay low in an attempt to steal the device back from the Decepticons, they first told Sarah to wait for them here, then the pair sneakily followed the Decepticons as they left for their headquarters. As the Decepticons descended into a canyon, Hot Rod was eager to follow them in, but was stopped by Kup. Kup told the young Autobot of how he defeated the Decepticons on Renerian, and the two of them put into action a similar plan. Driving back and forth atop the canyon’s edge, firing from all angles while remaining hidden in the dark, they tricked the Decepticons into thinking a whole team of Autobots had ambushed them. Hot Rod the snuck down into the canyon to retrieve the Invisibility Device. As he crept closer to Shockwave, clutching the device in his robotic arms, Hot Rod noticed that Galvatron was nearby, with his back turned to him.

If Hot Rod forewent attaining the Invisibility Device and attempted to take out Galvatron instead, Starscream spotted him before he could do so, and Hot Rod was promptly dispatched.

If Hot Rod went through with his plan to steal the device back from the Decepticons, he successfully snatched Sarah’s invention from Shockwave’s grasp and took off. Though the Decepticons gave chase, If they were unable to catch him before Kup fired down onto the canyon’s walls, causing it to collapse and burying the Decepticons under an avalanche of earth and rocks. Convinced that Sarah Sanders would now allow the Autobots to use her device now that she had seen how evil the Decepticons were, Hot Rod and Kup drove back to meet up with her.

In a different possible scenario, the Decepticons took off in Sarah’s spaceship upon finding it, forcing Kup and Hot Rod to head back to Metroplex city for reinforcements and a ship of their own. Hot Rod and Kup were joined by Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Jazz and Springer, and blasted off. Once in space, however, they found it difficult to locate the Decepticons. The ship’s crew had to decided where to look next for the Decepticons.

If the Autobots decided to investigate the dark side of the moon, they found themselves unable to see anything on the satellite’s shadowy surface. Hot Rod suggested that they fire down laser blasts, in the hopes of making the Decepticons fire back, making them reveal their position. Jazz dismissed Hot Rod’s plan as being too risky.

If Ultra Magnus decided to go through with Hot Rod’s plan, the Autobots succeeded only in making themselves an easy target for the Decepticons, who blasted their shuttle to bits. Hot Rod and his friends were reduced to space junk.

If Ultra Magnus listened to Jazz’s plan, he ordered his Autobots to remain silent, and to shut off all of the shuttle’s lights and mechanisms. Launching a probe as a decoy, the Autobots successfully tricked the Decepticons into revealing their position when they mistook the probe as their shuttle and opened fire upon it. Firing back, the Autobots began crippling the Decepticons’ ship, until a lucky shot rocked their own shuttle. Though the Decepticons attempted to escape while the Autobots were off-balance, the Autobots were able to deliver the finishing blow, ending the Decepticons’ menace as the evil robots' ship exploded.

In an alternate scenario wherein the Autobots listened to Prowl’s suggested and searched the Asteroid Belt beyond Mars, they soon found themselves struggling to get through the maze of floating rocks. Hot Rod was in favour of retreating from the asteroid field when it proved increasingly difficult to navigate it.

If the Autobots pushed on their search in the Asteroid Belt, they soon found themselves on a collision course with two enormous asteroids. If they only managed to blast one of asteroids, the Autobots were forced to retreat back to Earth after their shuttle took substantial damage. If the Autobots managed to blast neither of the Asteroids, they were all crushed between the giant pieces of space debris.

If they managed to blast away both asteroids, they reached a vast, empty expanse of space within the asteroid belt. Despite no longer being in danger of being crushed, Hot Rod announced that he had a horrible sense of foreboding about their situation. His feelings of being watched were confirmed when the Decepticons, now invisible, began firing upon them. The Autobots considered retreating, but Kup reminded them that Sarah Sanders had not perfected her device yet, and the Decepticons’ invisibility may yet wear off.

If the Autobots attempted to flee from the Decepticons’ attack, they found themselves at too much of a disadvantage to successfully make it out of the Asteroid Belt. They were blown into space junk before they could reach Earth.

If the Autobots held their ground, they were instructed by Ultra Magnus not to open fire upon the Decepticons until ordered to do so. Though things were tense as the Autobots were hit over and over again by their invisible opponents, soon the enemy ship came into view, just as Kup had predicted. The Autobots opened fire on the flimsier vessel, blowing it and the Decepticons within to smithereens. Hot Rod noted that it was a shame the invisibility device had been lost in the process, but Ultra Magnus comforted him, noting that at least the Decepticons had been taken care of, once and for all.

If the Autobots did retreat out of the Asteroid Belt, they convinced one another that the Decepticons most likely perished within it. Then, a few days later, when the invisible Decepticons attacked Metroplex city, Hot Rod and the rest of the Autobots were reduced to scrap metal, unable to fight the unseen enemy.

In a completely different scenario, wherein Hot Rod and Kup returned to Autobot headquarters for reinforcements after seeing the spaceship land, the two of them reported to Ultra Magnus directly, who agreed the situation necessitated further investigation. Hot Rod and Kup returned to the ship’s landing site accompanied by Jazz, Sunstreaker, Prowl and Springer. When they arrived, the ship in question was nowhere to be found, prompting Jazz and Springer to second-guess the veracity of Hot Rod and Kup’s story.

If Jazz and Springer convinced Hot Rod and Kup to return to Metroplex city to make sure they didn’t have a few wires loose, Ratchet found nothing wrong with the pair, but the incident was forgotten nonetheless. That is, until Galvatron returned with a fleet of identical ships, and destroyed both Metroplex and all of its inhabitants.

If Hot Rod and Kup convinced the other Autobots to keep on looking, Hot Rod eventually found trail marks, indicating that a heavy object the size of their spacecraft had indeed landed and had been dragged away. Hot Rod and the others followed the trail to a more rocky terrain, where tracking the ship would become more difficult. The trail seemingly lost, the Autobots then heard someone incoming, and took cover. From their hiding places, they saw the Decepticons Scavenger, a human captive within the grasp of his steam-shovel.

If the Autobots decided to rescue Sarah immediately, Scavenger dropped the woman, and cried for help while attempting to flee.

If the Autobots pursued Scavenger, they found him rejoining a whole squadron of Decepticons. Fighting the Decepticons immediately would cost them their lives. Otherwise, if the Autobots decided on a retreat when faced by the whole squadron of Decepticons, they managed to do so by blinding their enemies by their high beams and then splitting off into different direction. They later regrouped and found Sarah Sanders wandering in the desert.

If the Autobots paused a moment to listen to Sarah, she informed them of her spacecraft and its invisibility capabilities.

If the Autobots asked Sarah to build them their own Invisibility Device, Sarah refused, stating she would not build weapons for war. Running away from the group Sarah was almost killed when Dirge passed overhead and dropped a missile on her position. After rescuing her from the Decepticon attack, Hot Rod and the others brought Sarah to safety within Metroplex. Grateful for the rescue, Sarah showed the Autobots how to create an [[Invisibility Scrambler]] to counteract the Decepticons’ Invisibility Device. Anticipating the Decepticons’ attack, the Autobots successfully defeated the evil robots when they came. As Starscream, having been taking prisoner, was being escorted to his cell Hot Rod made a quip about seeing "right through the Decepticons’ plans."

If instead of asking Sarah to build them an Invisibility Device, Hot Rod and the others attempted once more to retrieve her ship, the whole group snuck over to where the Decepticons were stationed. Once there, Hot Rod and Prowl argued over which plan of action would be the smartest to undertake next.

If the Autobots agreed with Hot Rod to try and take the Decepticons by surprise with a head-on attack, the Autobots manage to stun the Decepticons by dazzling them with their headlights. While the Decepticons were distracted, Hot Rod raced down, snatched the Invisibility Device out of the hands, and retreated while the rest of the group provided cover fire. The Autobots then successfully peeled back, congratulating one another on a job well done.

If the Autobots agreed with Prowl to take a moment to come up with a more detailed plan, Prowl instructed Hot Rod to taunt the Decepticons into following him. The plan worked, and the bulk of the Decepticons took off after the young Autobot. Though Hot Rod encountered a canyon that blocked off his escape route, by keeping his wits about him, he managed to come out on top. In one scenario, Hot Rod even discovered a secret Decepticon base, which the Autobots managed to destroy thanks to him. In another, Hot Rod watched on as Sarah left in her spaceship in order to destroy it, vowing it would never be used to bring destruction.

In an alternate scenario where the Autobots silently trailed Scavenger while the Decepticon held Sarah Sanders captive, Hot Rod and the others followed him all the way to the Decepticons’ secret desert base. Inside, they spied upon Galvatron telling Sarah Sanders that the Decepticons would use Cerebro-Shells to control her mind, so that she would reveal to them to secret of invisibility. At this point, the Autobots decided to step in. A direct attack would only end in the Autobots’ defeat. In order to rescue Sarah, the Autobots would need to employ trickery. Using Jazz’s special abilities, the Autobots could do just that. In this scenario, the Autobots grabbed Sarah while the Decepticons were too dazzled by the illusions that Jazz projected. Sarah directed the Autobots towards where the Decepticons had stored her ship. Upon following her directions, Hot Rod and the others came upon two doors, unable to tell behind which one they would find their means of escape. If the Autobots happened upon Sarah’s ship as they were, they would be destroyed by the droids guarding it. However, if the Autobots first opened the door which led to a closet filled with Decepticon spare parts, they found a pile of spare Decepticon emblems. Donning them, Hot Rod and the rest of his team were able to fool the Decepticon Droids guarding Sarah’s ship. Escaping in the ship, despite the Decepticons best efforts to stop them, the Autobots returned to Metroplex. Sarah then gave the Autobots the secret to her Invisibility Device, ensuring the Autobots their victory in their war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}
{{-}}

===St. Michael ''The Transformers'' Sticker Book===
{{notemultipath}}
Hot Rod served on an alien spacecraft with the Autobots [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] under the command of Ultra Magnus. While fighting Decepticons, their spaceship took heavy damage and crash-landed on the planet [[Barrenikon]]. There, he met [[you]], having just emerged from the Vortex, a portal through space and time contained within the planet. Together, you went on an adventure, fighting Decepticons, braving Barrenikon's barren desert or its putrid swamp, and trying to find a way to get the Autobots space-bound once more. {{storylink|The Transformers Sticker Book (St. Michael)|The Transformers Sticker Book}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Hotroddreamwave.jpg|left|thumb]]
Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], whom Hot Rod became attached to. From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Shortly afterward, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold the Autobot leader at gunpoint. After receiving a corrective slap from and being admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot]]s on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Prime organized the resistance cell and other Autobot forces on the planet in an assault on Shockwave's citadel. Fighting alongside the Autobot leader, Hot Rod was amazed that the stories Kup had told him about Prime's courage and heroism had all been true. As an injured Prime breached the citadel, Hot Rod, Ironhide and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] provided cover fire, taking down a number of Guardians in the process. Along with the rest of Iacon, they witnessed the divine light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] when Shockwave activated it. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterward, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian robot—a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wrecker]]s, the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel, and successfully brought to an end Shockwave's reign. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Some time later, Hot Rod ran a simulation combat scenario against Kup, and won using tactics that, in Kup's opinion, would have killed them both had it been real. Only after his victory did Hot Rod remember that he'd promised to take Arcee to see an [[Earth]]-bound shuttle launch—a duty Springer was happy to relieve him of. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Soon afterward, he was assigned to perimeter guard duty at [[Autobase]] with Gnaw and Wheelie, separating him from Arcee. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

Optimus Prime once experienced a vision showing, at some unknown point in the future, Hot Rod had become a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]].{{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
After looking upon the still-recovering Optimus Prime with Wheelie and Gnaw, Hot Rod was accosted by several "[[Female Autobots|Transformer-like warriors]]," and knocked off-line. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}
{{-}}

===3H comics===
[[File:Skidswreckers2.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]
A few months after he destroyed [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in 2005, {{storylink|Covenant (story)|Covenant}} Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

After the Great Wars ended and the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, he changed his name to simply "Rodimus" and decided to check out the new "[[Great Upgrade|Maximal Upgrade]]". His relationship with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] ended shortly after, as the latter went through dark gripping depression over the death of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and vanished.

Rodimus joined the [[Wrecker]]s at some undetermined point afterward. After [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] took over Cybertron with his [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]], Wrecker leader [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] got stranded on prehistoric [[Earth]], leaving Rodimus in charge. True to form, he ditched leadership duties to [[Primal Prime]] as soon as possible.

After Primal Prime got his marching orders from the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], he met Rodimus deep inside Cybertron's caverns, where Arcee—in a new Maximal body—lurked and stewed in her depression. Realizing he couldn't convince her to give a damn about anything, he left, rejoining the main Wrecker force in battle. Making it onto an ancient Autobot shuttle, the Wreckers blasted off... with late-arrival Arcee. {{storylink|Departure}}

[[File:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Except you're the size of my arm now.]]
Rodimus recognized the homing beacon emitting from [[Akalo|Archa Nine]] as one of those missing exploration parties mentioned before. When the shuttle landed, Rodimus stayed behind to help repair the damage the ship had suffered. The entire Wrecker team later gathered in an [[Akalouthan]] village, where Rodimus was reunited with [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], who took them to see the artifact known as the [[Divine Light]]. The Wreckers' analysis of the item was cut short, as it was stolen by the traitor [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Rodimus saw the back-in-his-old-body [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] off, who was sent to chase after Cyclonus, while the Wreckers made for their next destination... even though several of them were now leery of the visions Primal Prime had been getting. Because they'd really done ''so well'' by the Wreckers so far. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Upon landing on the frozen planet, Rodimus was part of the search party immediately dispatched to look for... something. Primal Prime wasn't too specific. They came across [[Al-Badur]], an exiled [[Quintesson]], who gave them a little history lesson. They were then promptly attacked by a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], but the Wreckers made short work of them. They made their way back to the ship, with Al-Badur in tow, and made for their next destination... {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[File:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If Optimus can die, so can I!]]
...Cybertron. As Primal Prime took some Wreckers after their true foe, [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]], Rodimus tried to get their injured to a safe place. Unfortunately, the planet was under a full scale Quintesson invasion, and some anti-aircraft fire inevitably clipped the ship and sent them plummeting downwards. After they made it to safe ground, Rodimus and the crew hooked up with his fellow [[Matrix Templar]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], and followed his insight to the battle. They confronted Cryotek's underling, Cyclonus, and his purloined squad of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s. With casualties mounting on both sides, Cyclonus beat a safe retreat, collapsing the tunnel behind him to prevent pursuit. Rodimus was quick enough to dive through the falling debris, however, leaving the two old enemies alone to do battle. Centuries of bad blood carried them through the conflict, until both drew their weapons at point blank range, and fired.

Horribly damaged by this last attack, Rodimus struggled to keep up with the other Wreckers and the running conflict between [[Sentinel Maximus]] and Cryotek. The fighting came to an end at a Quintesson banishing chamber, where the treacherous Al-Badur had attempted to toss Sentinel and Cryotek into a formless void. The two warriors were trapped behind an energy dome, barely able to fight off the portal's pull using their flight systems. Once [[Fractyl]] pointed out that Cryotek was empowered by the Divine Light, a fraction of Primus's own power, Rodimus realized that as Matrix Templars he and Cheetor could drain that power away from the Predacon. They managed to extract most of it before Cryotek cut off their siphoning effect. In the end, Sentinel Maximus sacrificed himself to pull Cryotek into the void with him. Rodimus finally expired from his wounds from fighting Cyclonus, quietly passing on into the Matrix. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time after his time travel adventure, Hot Rod reported to Optimus Prime that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s team on Earth had been sidetracked by a Cobra attack. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} When said team ended up disappearing in Cybertron's [[Gladiator Zone]], Hot Rod convinced Optimus to stay behind and take care of an Autobot peace ceremony instead of going out and searching for them. Hot Rod then assembled his own search party, but they failed to find the missing Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Unfortunately, [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces attacked the peace ceremony and captured Optimus Prime, leading to Hot Rod assembling a new team intent on rescuing him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} [[File:Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus BlackHorizon1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]] They fought Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army together with reinforcements from G.I. Joe, and during the battle, Hot Rod paused in horror as he saw the light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] being opened inside the Decepticon base. The Decepticon army eventually defeated, and by the time Hot Rod reached inside their base, Serpent O.R. had been killed as well. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Hot Rod questioned Optimus Prime's choice to go to Earth again, accusing his leader of feeling guilty about [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death at Serpent O.R.'s hands and doing everything by himself just to prevent more people from dying. Prime just looked at him sadly before leaving, causing Ultra Magnus to tell Hot Rod that he really needed to learn when to stop talking. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity}}
[[File:SpotlightHotRod-HotRodcvrAexcerpt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|As much as anything else, this was to troll [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]].]]
Originating from the city-state of [[Nyon]], Hot Rod destroyed it to keep its population from being painfully, fatally drained to fuel the corrupt [[Zeta Prime]]'s war machines.

Years later, Hot Rod held a fairly high rank in the Autobot army, equivalent to [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]], and was sent on a mission to [[Ki-Aleta]] to retrieve the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] which turned into a only technically-successful disaster, with himself the only apparent survivor. When he found out [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] had also survived, he rescued him from a Decepticon prison, unaware that he was the traitor who had caused things to go so wrong. Soon after, he was called to Earth to aid [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]], but briefly returned to retrieve the Magnificence to gain information on the [[Expansion]], during which he discovered Dealer's treachery and killed him. Thereafter, he returned to his information-gathering task on the [[Machination]], and though was badly beaten by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], he still aided in the Decepticon's defeat.

After surviving the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] and watching Optimus surrender to [[Skywatch]], he led a group of Autobots to make an alliance with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to get off Earth, with the capitalist Decepticon buttering him up by dubbing him "Rodimus Prime", a name he adopted and continued to use even after Swindle's inevitable betrayal. Flying off in a stolen shuttle to retrieve the Matrix from the Decepticons, he was blasted into space by [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] after taking it from [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], leading to a trip that involved the discovery of [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron's]] army-building. Returning the Matrix and this information to Optimus, he was permanently redubbed Rodimus and joined him in facing Galvatron, convincing Optimus that only the Matrix could undo the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]]' contamination of Vector Sigma.

After the Chaos War was done, he was given half of the now-empty Matrix by Optimus, and led a two-hundred strong crew into space aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' to seek the [[Knights of Cybertron]], leaving Cybertron and its returned, hostile, population of [[NAIL|neutral Transformers]].

{{--}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}
{{-}}
===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When a surprise party was thrown for Optimus in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Hot Rod didn't wind up getting invited. He bemoaned that no one ever remembered ''his'' anniversary.

Later, Optimus told a couple of humans that the Transformers were in the midst of doing something really interesting... and showed them Hot Rod and Sunstreaker eating a pie! {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
[[File:Henkei manga rodimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
While the other Autobots were busy dealing with a rampaging [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Astrotrain]], Hot Rod disrupted [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons' attack on a power plant by engaging them solo. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Unable to tackle Megatron in hand-to-hand combat, he was able to get [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Starscream]] to accidentally blast his leader instead, but this did little more than annoy Megatron, who flattened Hot Rod with a [[fusion cannon]] blast. With Hot Rod defeated, the Decepticons pulled out, but the Autobot cavalier didn't let the defeat get him down, and he sped off to join the other Autobots in battling Astrotrain. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}} Soon after, Hot Rod helped defend another power plant against a Decepticon attack, shielding the human workers from Starscream's blasts with his own body. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

When the mysterious new Decepticon warrior [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] provided Megatron with the means to transform himself into the monstrous [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Hot Rod, [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Mirage]] trailed Cyclonus's Targetmaster partner [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] to the volcano in which Megatron was carrying out his transformation. Despite resistance from Starscream and Cyclonus, Hot Rod and his team were able to collapse the volcano's cone in on itself. They believed they had sealed Megatron within, and were about to focus their attack on Starscream when they were sent scattering by the explosive emergence of Galvatron from the remains of the caldera. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] on [[Earth]], Hot Rod was among the Autobots that [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] summoned to the planet. Together with [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], Hot Rod was to protect the planet while Optimus's team set off for Cybertron in pursuit of the fleeing Galvatron. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 3}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 4}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 6}}}}

===Fire Rodimus===
{{note|Fire Rodimus is based on an unproduced toy concept. For information about the toy concept, see [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|here]].}}
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|New Rodimus, not to be confused with New Coke.]]

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Primax 092.0 Beta]], Rodimus (in his [[Micromaster]] body) was severely injured defending [[Micro|Zone]] from a [[Galaman|Great Galaman]] invasion. Subsequently, Rodimus's essence was transferred into [[Duke Fire]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Star Convoy]]'s power-up being, and Rodimus became known as Fire Rodimus. Star Convoy and Fire Rodimus's powerful combined form, Supernova Convoy, defeated [[Dark Nova|Star Giant]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Ultra Megatron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/15}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Fire Rodimus was among the many alternate universe incarnations glimpsed by [[Primax 512.5 Gamma]]'s [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} and was also summoned to Primax 512.5 Gamma to fight the [[Dark Matrix (G1)|Dark Matrix]] creature. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
After being asked to by [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]], the [[Autobot]]s, including Rodimus, attacked the Decepticon Base and chased away [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]. {{Storylink|A Reliable Warrior!? Vortex the Lookout from Hell}} After Megatron transformed into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus helped stop Galvatron's rampage by distracting him long enough for [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] to take Galvatron's helmet off, returning him to normal. {{storylink|Enter the New Emperor of Destruction!? Stop Galvatron's Rampage!}}

===''Cloud''===
[[File:Cloud Hot Rodimus.jpg|thumb|"Let me ask before I grab your purse; Why do I look like the [[Springer (G1)|Green guy]]?]]
'''Hot Rodimus''' was a young knight among the [[Autobot]]s, the space-time guardians who resided in [[Cloud World]]'s [[Metropolis]]. He was a powerful warrior with a strong sense of justice, but had a rather brash and immature attitude because of his youth.

Hot Rodimus was dispatched by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to deal with an energy surge at the 24-BW Spacetime. {{storylink|Uprising (Cloud)|Uprising}} Returning after the appointed time, Hot Rodimus explained to Optimus that a space-time disturbance delayed his return with the energy for [[SARA]]. As they spoke, the Decepticon uprising began with a devastating level of destruction levelled against Metropolis. Though overcome with emotion, Hot Rodimus was pacified by Optimus, who dispatched him to prepare their district's defenses. {{storylink|Raid}}

The Autobots fought back against the Decepticon invaders, but little did they suspect that the destruction being wrought was little nothing more than a distractio. While the bulk of their forces had been drawn away from their base of operations, a group of Decepticons forced their way in and abducted [[SARA]] before returning to the Underground. When the Autobots reconvened to discuss their next course of action, Hot Rodimus bemoaned their foolishness and inability to see through the Decepticons' ruse. The Autobots began to lose hope when it became clear that they would have to venture into the vast, dangerous, and unmapped Decepticon territory to retrieve SARA. Though Optimus, taking full blame of the situation onto himself, suggested that he venture into the Underground alone, Hot Rodimus refused to allow Optimus to go on such a dangerous venture. He declared that all the Autobots would join him. His comrades, though scared at first, agreed with Hot Rodimus's sentiment. Optimus thanked Hot Rodimus for preventing him from making another foolish decision, and then gave the order... ROLL OUT! {{storylink|Resolve}}

After zeroing in on SARA's energy signature, a decrepit old building, Hot Rodimus, Optimus Prime and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] headed underground. While a team headed by Jazz blitzed the Decepticons on the building's main floor, Hot Rodimus's team infiltrated its basement covertly. They reached the inner sanctum were SARA was being kept only to find that Megatron had already wired her into his own body. The Decepticon leader revealed the extent of his megalomania, declaring that he would rule all of space-time, even if it meant destroying his home dimension in the process. Though they tried to stop him, both Hot Rodimus and Brawn were shoved away effortlessly by the newly empowered Megatron. Hot Rodimus was knocked unconscious by the attack. His back-up disabled, Optimus Prime rammed Megatron, causing a disruption in SARA's energy and sending the combatants across dimensions. {{storylink|Leap}}

When a close friend of Hot Rodimus was injured by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the righteous anger burning within him awakened the power of [[SARA]], granting him a second [[alternate mode]] in the form of a helicopter.

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}} {{storylink|Crisis (Cloud)|Crisis}} {{storylink|Showdown (Cloud)|Showdown}} {{storylink|Return}} {{storylink|Awakening (Cloud)|Awakening}} {{storylink|Wandering}} {{storylink|Shock (Cloud)|Shock}} {{storylink|Wild (Cloud)|Wild}} {{storylink|Eagerness}} {{storylink|Lightwave}} {{storylink|Metamorphosis (Cloud)|Metamorphosis}} {{storylink|Overwhelm}} {{storylink|Concealment}} {{storylink|Struggle}} {{storylink|Fury (Cloud)|Fury}} {{storylink|Transcendence}}{{storylink|TFC-A01}} {{storylink|TFC-A03}} {{storylink|TFC-A04}} {{storylink|Transformers Cloud (issue)|Transformers Cloud}}}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe4 hotrod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Flame deco now available with Kirby Krackle!]]
Polymath warrior prince '''Imhotep Rodimus''' was Optimus Prime's chosen successor as Autobot leader. Unfortunately for Rodimus, when Optimus disappeared and Megatron seized control of Cybertron, Dinobot leader Grimlock objected to the "chosen one" taking leadership and defeated him in combat, casting him out of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Fallen and dejected, with no fight left in him, the young 'bot became a cog in Megatron's great machine, and wound with a lowly job in reactor maintenance, cleaning up vermin droppings and ferrying around the tubular [[energon]] containers from which he took his new name: Hot Rod.

On a routine collection of [[turborat]] traps, Hot Rod was puzzled to find that one trap contained not the robotic pests he was used to, but small, organic beings: unfortunate members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who had recently arrived on the planet. Tossing them in with the rest of his cargo and going on his weary way past the [[smelting pool]]s, he was suddenly confronted by Autobot revolutionary Blaster, who despised him for his defection and opened fire on him. A G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|missile bombardment]] subsequently took Blaster out, but when Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher]] arrived, they assumed Hot Rod was responsible and congratulated him. Praise from these low-lifes was the last straw for Hot Rod, and he threw the pair into one of the furnaces, loaded up the unconscious Blaster, and roared off back to Metroplex, unintentionally providing the Joes with an escape from their own missiles in the process. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

Hot Rod returned to Metroplex just as it was coming under attack from both [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and a mind-controlled [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. He managed to get inside the Autobot city anyways, and brought Blaster to Ratchet, urging the medic to save the brave Autobot to whom he owed his reawakening. Hot Rod then made his way to Metroplex's control room and ordered him to convert to his battle mode. Before he could convince the traumatized city to do so, Grimlock happened by. The Dinobot tried to chase off Hot Rod as he had done so in the past, but with a solid left hook Rodimus challenged Grimlock for leadership once more. Whatever the outcome of the duel, Grimlock expired shortly thereafter at the hands of Megatron. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} Afterwards, Rodimus, Brawn, and Mirage found that [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]], while in a trance, had drawn a map to the Chamber of Primus on Metroplex's floor. Following the map, the three Autobots, Bazooka, Cover Girl, and Duke found the face of the dormant Cybertronian god whispering: "No will but Megatron's"... Decepticobra guards, posted at a nearby Megatronian temple, caught sight of them, and a firefight began between both sides. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

The group's pilgrimage took them deep beneath the surface of Cybertron, where they encountered the mysterious [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. The Keeper told the group about the creation of Cybertron from its progenitor [[Daiakuron]]. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Their tour of the netherworld was cut short by tremors from above, and the team made a break for it. Rodimus made up to the surface safely, where he dispatched Springer and some Joes to rescue the individuals who hadn't made it out. {{storylink|Escape from Primus}} As the maddened Primus drew closer to the sun, both sides prepared for the final confrontation. Rodimus rallied the shellshocked Metroplex, convincing him to transform into his robot form for the first time in millennia. As the Jotobots attacked Trypticon, Rodimus rode Sky Lynx into the battle. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

Rodimus was one of the many Autobots forced to combine with Megatron to form "Mega-Megatron". After the resurrection of Optimus Prime and the end of the war, Optimus departed Cybertron aboard the ''Ark-2'', once again offering Rodimus a second chance to rule Cybertron. Rodimus gratefully accepted the opportunity. As a peacetime "philosopher-king", he and Wreck-Gar frequently visited [[Uranus]] to contemplate. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Kenshō Ono]] (Japanese)}}
{{Charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mystery of Mystery of Convoy}} {{storylink|Mystery of Return of Convoy}}}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:Micro-Aggressions HotRodGrimlock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
During the original Great War, Hot Rod fought on Earth and once tore off [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s wing in a parking garage. {{storylink|Derailment}}

When the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]] came into power, Hot Rod quickly became aware of how oppressive their rule was. He believed he could work within their system however, and set about implementing gradual change without resorting to violence. To this end, he downsized his body and became a [[Micromaster]], even though doing so meant he lost much of his status in the government's hierarchy. Hot Rod worked the system for seventy years, along the way getting posted as the head of [[Micropolis]]. Then, in the late 24th century, [[Lio Convoy]] sparked a revolution among the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] populace, calling for an aggressive societal reform. Hot Rod and his team, [[Drillbuster]], [[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]], [[Spaceshot]], and [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]], were assigned to deal with and counter the [[Resistance]]'s [[Grand Uprising]].

In energy-starved times, Hot Rod, like most other members of society, was privy to a very limited amount of fuel. It surprised him then when he was given a full tank in preparation for an upcoming mission. The severity of the situation cleared up why he had been allowed more than his usual ration: the Resistance had managed to steal the [[G-Virus]]. This potent weapon had been reverse-engineered from [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s remains, and would replicate the process that transformed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] into the mad scion of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in anyone that was infected with it. Hot Rod was furious to learn that the one who had orchestrated the theft was none other than [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]; his former teammate had previously transplanted his spark into a Maximal body and then led many violent attacks against the government. Hot Rod did find solace in the fact that Grimlock was a predictable opponent though. He quickly puzzled out that the Resistance's next target would be the first [[Games|gladiatorial game]] to be hosted since Lio Convoy's call to arms. Hot Rod called in every favor owed to him to secure two hundred extra guards for [[Tesarus (polity)|Tesarus Arena]], with an extra three-hundred [[Maximal Command Security Force|MCSF]] officers to patrol the stadium's crowd.

Despite these precautions, Grimlock's cell managed to come dangerously close to the crowd before Hot Rod was alerted to their presence. He went to deal with the intruders in person, leaving most of his troops in place in case Grimlock was merely creating a diversion for another attack. Hitching a ride atop of Blackout and Spaceshot's combined vehicle mode, he managed to reach the Resistance fighters before they were in position to infect the Builders enjoying the Game. While his subordinates dealt with The [[Manterror|Man Terror]] and [[Snapper]], two Predacons operating under Grimlock, Hot Rod took on the former [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] himself. The battle that ensued left both Hot Rod and his opponent gravely wounded. Many verbal attacks were also traded between them, with Grimlock accusing Hot Rod of spitting on everything the Autobot badge once stood for by siding with the Builders. Hot Rod countered that though he hated what their world had become, he was leading by example, unlike Grimlock who had remained a violent brute. Their brawl eventually led to both 'bots tumbling out into the arena crowd. Grimlock's remaining allies came to his aid, and Hot Rod was tossed aside as Snapper prepared to unleash a virulent payload on the unsuspecting crowd. Hot Rod pleaded with him not to, explaining to the Predacon what the virus actually did; Grimlock had neglected to inform his underlings of this particular detail. Snapper was swayed to not unleash a thousand more mad tyrants on Cybertron, and destroyed the virus. Though Hot Rod had been specifically instructed to retrieve the G-Virus, he was simply content with the fact that it had not been unleashed. In thanks for his cooperation, Hot Rod promised Snapper that he would be treated fairly as he was taken into custody. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}{{storylink|Derailment}}}}

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

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Ben Pronsky]] (''Combiner Wars'', English), [[Judd Nelson]] (''Titans Return'', ''Power of the Primes'', English)}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Starscream}} {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Windblade}} {{storylink|The Council}} {{storylink|Homecoming (CW)|Homecoming}} {{storylink|A War of Giants}} {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}}}
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Rodimus-scan.jpg|thumb|300px|left|So we're letting any fool with a costume into the hall now?]]
[[File:TF-TR-Cartoon-Ep5-Ridealong.jpg|thumb|250px|''You're gonna climb over the top of all Nobody beats you 'cause you're fast as lightning Gekiso Sentai Carranger'']]
Following the Combiner Wars, Rodimus returned to the [[Primal Basilica]], where he asked the [[Chorus of the Primes]] to take back the [[Matrix of Leadership]], as he no longer believed himself worthy to carry it. The Chorus agreed and restored his arm before reformatting him back into his previous body as Hot Rod. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} When the [[Mistress of Flame]] alerted him to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s attack, he rushed back towards [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex City]] to help fight, assuring the Mistress he wouldn't be long. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} {{storylink|The Fight Begins}} Finally arriving, he ran into Windblade and the two worked together to attack Trypticon, though they were unable to save Metroplex. When [[Emissary (Generations)|Emissary]] was swallowed by Trypticon, Hot Rod Entered Trypticon's body himself and rescued the [[Titan Master]], though he was hit by Trypticon's tail and sustained severe damage. Unable to move, he asked Windblade to take Emissary and find [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. As he lay on the ground, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] arrived and forced the [[Matrix of Conquest|Matrix of Chaos]] into the weakened Hot Rod's chest, corrupting him. {{storylink|At the Last Second}} The two later observed the end of the conflict and the return of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] from afar. {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}
[[File:Machinima-POTP-Rodimus-Cron-fires.jpg|thumb|300px|Carbon fiber, 28 caliber, made in China; if you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.]]

Now an acolyte of Megatronus, Hot Rod found himself dramatically powered up by the Matrix of Chaos, which granted him the new name '''Rodimus Cron'''. He joined Overlord in assaulting the remaining Combiners, killing [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and disabling [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. He proceeded to destroy Devastator's limbs one by one until [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] finally confessed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s whereabouts, only to finish the job anyway before departing for [[Primal Swamp]] with Overlord. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} At first their search proved fruitless, but they spotted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and took them down, attempting to interrogate them for Megatron's whereabouts. Rodimus found himself momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], who identified the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]] from [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s description before killing [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] as a warning, leaving Rodimus's body as he and Overlord headed for the library. There, they caught Megatron's team unaware, giving Rodimus the opportunity to kill Victorion. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Rodimus then proceeded to beat down any member of the team that came his way, culminating in him strangling Windblade when she moved to defend Megatron. Though she pleaded with him in an attempt to reach him, he assured her the old Hot Rod was dead and tossed her aside. He again prepared to execute Megatron, but Overlord insisted he do it himself. {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}}
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Rodimus-Cron-evolves.jpg|thumb|300px|left|"We. Are [[Venom (Crossovers)|Venom]]."]]
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Hot-Rod-aftermath.jpg|thumb|250px|''We'll be right back''.]]
Unfortunately for him, Megatron used the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] to kill Overlord, overwhelming Rodimus with its power and leaving him on the ground. As Megatronus arrived to take the blaster, revealing his intention to combine it with the Matrix, Rodimus was again possessed by Unicron. Hellbent on destroying the Matrix, he approached Megatronus, but was knocked away before the Fallen Prime escaped with the blaster. Undeterred, Rodimus got to his feet and gave chase in vehicle mode. Although Windblade still hoped to save her friend, the others all agreed that if the time came, Rodimus might have to be sacrificed to save their race. {{storylink|Consequences}} Rodimus eventually arrived at the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] just as Megatronus had incapacitated everyone but Megatron, and the power of Unicron morphed him into an even stronger form. {{storylink|Collision Course}} Now fully possessed by Unicron, Rodimus battled Megatronus for the Matrix. When [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] got his hands on it instead and transformed into Optimal Optimus, he drew Rodimus's attention and the two began fighting, seemingly evenly matched. {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} Ultimately, Optimal got the upper hand and managed to remove the Matrix of Chaos from Rodimus, freeing him from Unicron's control and turning him back to Hot Rod. With Unicron now attempting to take control of Megatron, the still-weak Hot Rod confirmed their only option was to kill them both, to which Optimal obliged. In the aftermath, Hot Rod was placed in intensive care to recover from his experience, though Optimus Prime suspected that the emotional wounds from his time as Rodimus Cron would never heal. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:ChaosOnVelocitron-Rodimus Prime.jpg|thumb|150px|YEEHAW!!!]]
Hot Rod was partnered with the [[Titan Master]] [[Firebolt (G1)|Firedrive]], who granted him the ability to firei electrostatic fire blasts to disable enemy systems. {{storylink|Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Firedrive/Hot Rod toy bio}} Later, during a mission to [[Velocitron]], Rodimus Prime crossed the finish line in a race to win the power of dominion over speed, but he had to convert himself into a Titan Master to use the power.<ref>''Titans Return'' Chaos on Velocitron bios</ref>
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] came to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s aid when the Autobot leader was fighting against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Hot Rod taunted the Decepticons, telling them to "watch my smoke!" {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, Rodimus Prime|Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, and Rodimus Prime commercial}}
*Hot Rod and Kup found themselves stranded on the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. The two Autobots drove up to the edge of a greenish pool, from which a pile of Sharkticons emerged and attacked. The duo fist-fighted their way through the enemy 'bots, with the help of an intervening [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sharkticon|Sharkticon commercial}}
*A stone sculpture of Rodimus was savaged by Weirdwolf as part of his training. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Decepticon Headmasters|Decepticon Headmasters commercial}}
*Rodimus Prime charged into battle with Kup, Blurr, and Wheelie against Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge. Then [[Sixshot]] joined the scuffle. Rodimus took the brunt of many of the Six-Changer's attacks, getting fired upon while Sixshot was in his jet fighter mode, pounced onto when Sixshot assumed his "wheeled wolf" mode, and blasted once more by the Decepticon's "laser pistol" mode. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sixshot|Sixshot commercial}}
*Rodimus handed his totally trustworthy agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] an important device, and saluted him as he drove off. Unbeknownst to Rodimus, Punch would meet with the Decepticons under his "Counterpunch" guise and hand the device over to Galvatron himself! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Punch and Clones|Punch/Counterpunch and Clones commercial}}
*Rodimus and Blurr drove to an Autobot laboratory, only to be informed by a distressed Kup that there had been an accident; the newest Autobots were monsters! Thankfully, they were still Autobots nonetheless, and helped ward off a Decepticon attack. After seeing how viciously the [[Monsterbot]]s dealt with the Decepticons, Rodimus expressed relief that these new 'bots were on his side. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Monsterbots|Monsterbots commercial}}
*The Autobots were caught by surprise when it seemed at first that a tank and jet were about to crash into one another on the battlefield, only for them to transform together into the Decepticon [[Flywheels]]! Rodimus was unfazed by this turn of events, and pounced onto this new combatant. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Duocons and Throttlebots|Duocons and Throttlebots commercial}}
*Rodimus Prime fought next to Blurr against Galvatron and his cronies while Transformers from both factions prepared to leave Cybertron and expand their war to the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}
*Hot Rod's voice narrated a handful of commercials, including:
**The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmasters|Headmasters commercial}}
**The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Technobots and Terrorcons|Technobots and Terrorcons commercial}}

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

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[File:C64RodimusPrimeAndHotRod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

{{note|In this game, "Hotrod" and Rodimus Prime are separate characters who can be in the same place at the same time. Don't try to think about this too hard.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy''===
[[File:Mysteryofconvoy rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When Optimus Prime went missing under mysterious circumstances, Ultra Magnus was given the task of battling hordes of Decepticons in order to solve the mystery of his whereabouts. The Decepticons had also stolen a collection of seven energon cubes belonging to Rodimus Prime, which Magnus strove to recover during his fight. When all seven were successfully obtained and the battle was won, a new challenge rose its head, but with his energon cubes back, Rodimus was able to take up the fight! He had a funny habit of looking like an orange Ultra Magnus if you looked at him sideways. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
Rodimus Prime was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on Cybertron by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Rodimus Prime and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter von Gomm]] (English)}}
====Autobot story====
[[File:Callofthefuture rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] gained the incredible power of the [[Zel Quartz]] in the year 2010 and began cutting a swath of destruction across the galaxy, Rodimus Prime, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] resolved to prevent this devastation by traveling back in time and eliminating the quartz in the past, thereby altering their future. Using a [[Transwarp]]-equipped ship supplied by the [[Quintesson]]s, they traveled to the world of [[Zel Samine]] in the year 2003, where they ran across teams of present-day Autobots and Decepticons led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who were carrying out investigations on their own on the planet.

Making matters worse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] also followed them back in time, and the two teams allied themselves with their respective present-day factions in order to locate the Zel Quartz. It wasn't necessarily an easy alliance to make: Rodimus was barely able to keep his cool when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], not believing that he and his team were really Autobots, demanded to know if Rodimus was Autobot leader in the future, what happened to Optimus? Fortunately, Optimus calmed his lieutenant down and welcomed the trio of future Autobots into his forces.

Working with the present day Autobots was not easy for Rodimus, as he was well aware of the fate that awaited them. On a number of occasions, he struggled with his knowledge of the future, knowing he could prevent a [[Battle of Autobot City|great tragedy]] but could also cause untold damage to the timestream by doing so. He also showed some interest in Arcee when he attempted to give her a precious stone he'd found during a mission to a mine, only for the female Autobot to scold him for taking something that didn't belong to him. Luckily for him, Optimus stepped in and settled things by ordering Rodimus and Arcee to return the stone. That Optimus makes one heck of a wingman.

After several false leads, the quartz was eventually located, serving as the power source of the [[ELTA]] power transmission array. After fighting their way through the likes of Cyclonus, Scourge, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and both [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his future counterpart Soundblaster, Rodimus and Optimus engaged Megatron and Galvatron in a two-on-two battle over ELTA, using the power of their twin Matrices to stop the computer from self-destructing. Once the dust from the fight had settled, Starscream reemerged and snatched up the Zel Quartz, only to promptly take it off-planet, where it disintegrated without Zel Samine's atmosphere and electromagnetic properties to sustain it. With their future thus averted, Rodimus and his Autobots began fading away to rejoin the timestream. Before they disappeared, Rodimus attempted to warn Optimus of the coming dangers in the future, including his Optimus's death (for which Rodimus continued to blame himself), but Optimus silenced him, telling him that he did not need to know what the future held. Rodimus told Optimus that he would always be the greatest leader in Autobot history, but Optimus told him that he was merely a soldier who loved justice, and that that was all Rodimus needed to be too.

====Decepticon story====
Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave encountered Rodimus Prime while investigating the presence of unknown craft over Zel Samine. Rodimus was stunned to see the Decepticon [[Emperor of Destruction]] before reminding himself of the era he was in. For his part, Megatron thought he was facing Hot Rod, but quickly realised his mistake. After a short, sharp fight that saw Rodimus defeated, Megatron was distracted enough by the appearance of Galvatron to allow the future Autobot to escape.

Rodimus would again battle Megatron as well as Galvatron at the ELTA power transmission array, this time alongside his hero Optimus Prime. He was shocked that despite the fact the two Primes were working together, they were still defeated. When Megatron and Galvatron resolved to destroy the ELTA array Rodimus pleaded with them to stop, pointing out that the array generated a massive amount of energy, the same energy the Decepticons so loved. Sadly, the two Emperors of Destruction felt that with the Zel Quartz now in their possession, they no longer needed the array and proceeded to destroy it with their combined power. The wounded Rodimus barely escaped.

He presumably returned to the future alongside all the future Transformers when Starscream unwittingly rendered the Zel Quartz powerless. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

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

===''Transformers: Battle Masters''===
Rodimus arrived in the city for a decent battle, and though he was defeated by local fighters, he decided not to leave the town. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Masters (mobile game)|Battle Masters}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Following [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rebirth as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus led the Autobots to a decisive victory over the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|All Hail Galvatron}} When Galvatron summoned [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to the battlefield, Rodimus attempted to block the Decepticon advance with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], though unsuccessfully. {{storylink|The Colossus War}}

Rodimus and [[Kup (G1)|Sergeant Kup]] were put on trial by the [[Quintesson]]s. They faced death by [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] until [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] organized a well-timed coup. {{storylink|Mockery of Justice}} The Autobots subsequently found themselves up against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. Rodimus defeated the monster by opening the [[Matrix of Leadership]], saving [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and becoming the new Autobot leader in the process. {{storylink|'Til All Are One (Legends)|'Til All Are One}}

When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] were abducted by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Rodimus Prime traveled to [[Chaar]] to see if the Decepticons were responsible. Damaged in an attack, he had a vision revealing the Quintessons were behind the kidnapping. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} He almost sacrificed himself on the planet Goo to save the rest of his team. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} Rodimus traveled into the Matrix to learn the origin of the Transformer race. Following an attack on Cybertron, Galvatron was only prevented from fighting with Rodimus by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

Following an Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Rodimus, alongside Spike, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ultra Magnus were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. This did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. Rodimus returned the Matrix of Leadership to the resurrected Autobot leader, reverting to Hot Rod in the process. Once in possession of the Matrix, however, Optimus fled for Cybertron, leaving the other Autobots stranded. The Matrix was returned to Hot Rod when Optimus regained his senses, who sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap, much to the chagrin of the Autobots. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}

Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Springer were trapped in human bodies by [[Victor Drath]] and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], but still managed to foil the pair's plan to destroy Autobot City. They were later successfully returned to their robot bodies. {{storylink|Only Human (Legends)|Only Human}}

Rodimus attempted to defend an experimental space bridge from Galvatron and his forces, only for a stray shot to hit the space bridge, sending all nearby combatants hurtling back in time. Finding themselves in a time where Primus and Unicron were battling one another, shaking the very cosmos with their blows, Rodimus and his troops allied themselves with their creator, while the mad Galvatron ordered his troops to help the Chaos Bringer. Despite the superior amount of beings that Unicron was able to will into being, the Autobots prevailed. Unicron was sent into a retreat, and the time-displaced Transformers were sent back to their proper place in the timestream by Primus. {{storylink|Battle of the Brothers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Rodimus-(CW).jpg|thumb|400px|We've got to get a new travel agent.]]
Rodimus (CW) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who could be acquired as a reward in the "Optimus Maximus Awakes!" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

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

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:RodimusEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|wHY Do mY PipES BeNd??]]
Hot Rod encounters [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Transformers:Earth Wars|Nemesis Prime]].
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Light our Darkest Hour event}}

[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] met with Hot Rod to offer information on [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s dimensional recruitment scheme; Hot Rod was skeptical, and when the other [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s arrived on the scene, Hot Rod declared that it was an ambush. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Rogue Trader}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Hot Rod wields two blasters. ''And'' he can also throw a hand grenade from a distance and set a building on fire!
*'''Ability: Blessing of the Matrix:''' Makes a friendly bot invulnerable to damage and stun effects for 8 seconds. Upgrading this ability increases duration.
**'''Cost''': 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:HotRod| Hot Rod at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Image and story from all three cutscenes upon obtaining him, and after Researching twice.}}}}

;'''Rodimus Prime'''
[[File:Rodimus_Prime_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|That's right folks, the Matrix can also cure pipe bending!(Becoming the next leader of the Autobots included)]]

*'''Class''': Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: ''' Matrix Burst - Overcharge the Sparks of your allies, making them deal damage in an area around them over 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-prime| Rodimus Prime at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

;'''Rodimus Unicronus'''
[[File:RodimusUnicronusEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Just like [[Darth_Vader|Anakin Skywalker]], I became evil in the third movie >:D]]

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Ability: '''To Battle!: Rush into combat and inspire your allies, giving them an increase to all damage (including abilities) for 5 seconds.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:rodimus-unicronus| Rodimus Unicronus at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|All information on character, after he comes out.}}}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:RodimusPrime-earlymodel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Hey, ladies. Look at your G1 Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime toys, now back to us, now back at your toys, now back to us."]]
*According to earliest materials (also the source of the earliest Hot Rod head seen in this section's first image), Rodimus Prime's original name was '''Hot Rodimus'''.
*Like the rest of the 1986 movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, only for the designs to then be refined over time into their finalized form. The early models were used for the characters' Marvel Comics appearances, the original promo reel for the movie, and would occasionally erroneously appear in [[AKOM]]-animated episodes of the cartoon. Rodimus's early design is one of the mostly commonly-seen in the series, popping in and out of episodes from scene to scene quite literally at random; it features curving shoulders and a spoiler that flares outward, and lacks an additional trapezoid in the centre of his pelvis that is part of his finalized model. Notably, Rodimus's final character model has never actually been found—only his early design is published in character model compendiums like ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' or ''[[Transformers: The Ark]]''.
**While AKOM bounced back and forth between early and finished designs for Rodimus, they ''always'' used the ''color scheme'' of the early design. This scheme colors the indentations on his shoulders burgundy-red instead of white; the "windscreen" details on his pelvis (see below) white instead of light-burgundy; the aforementioned trapezoid the same burgundy as the rest of his pelvis instead of the same light burgundy the windscreen is supposed to be; and finally, his his tires black (the finalized model is the odd one here, as it made them burgundy).
**Additionally, Rodimus also has an even ''older'' design, seen at right, which is substantially more different. Here, he appears to carry the trailer of the truck on his back, plus additional [[kibble]] on the back of his forearms. If only there were art of the back of this design. We'd plotz.
**Meanwhile, on Hot Rod's early character model, both sets of wheels are on his arms, as they are intended to span the entire length of the vehicle; his wrist-cuffs are intended to become the vehicle's taillights. Unsurprisingly, this has never been duplicated on any toy.
*As mentioned above, both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime's character models suggest that the windshield and roof of their respective vehicles form the pelvic area, including little side windows on their hips. This was highlighted by on both characters' early color model, used by AKOM, which colored that area white, as if it were a window, but was downplayed on their finalized models, which recolored those sections in a lighter shade than the surrounding area. The sheer physical impossibility of this has, again, meant it has never been duplicated on any toy, although the Masterpiece version makes a nod to it with a transparent groin plate with indentations underneath denoting two seats and a steering wheel.
[[File:Hotrodrodimuscharactermodels.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Rodimus is always embarrassed by his yearbook photos. (Early AKOM Rodimus model pictured, colored like the finished Toei Rodimus model.]]
*Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime look very similar in fiction, but there are ways to distinguish them by sight.
**Rodimus Prime's character model has extra lines on his face that go from the bottom of his nose and connect to another line forming a triangle shape. Hot Rod's cheeks are more clear and youthful.
**Despite their toys being the same color of red, the cartoon series rendered Hot Rod as magenta, and Rodimus a dark shade of burgundy (the movie, however, made Rodimus the same color as Hot Rod). In addition to repeatedly getting the two character models mixed up, sometimes the animation would depict one model colored as the other.
**In Marvel stories, Hot Rod was also colored almost entirely magenta, with a yellow spoiler and flame deco, but with silver thighs instead of orange. Whoever did the Marvel deco sheet seems to have been looking at the [[:File:G1catalog86-PinkHotRod.jpg|original toy photos]] and colored the thighs like the toy's silver stickers. While Marvel Hot Rod was stark magenta, Marvel Rodimus was colored in the reds, oranges and yellows of his toy. Future comics and toys would often ignore any differences in color between the character's two forms, presenting them both in the original toy colors (see the image at the head of the article for a good example).
**The Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon, in addition to featuring the coloration differences of the American Generation 1 cartoon, also added some extra lines around the perimeter of Rodimus's eyes to further distinguish him from Hot Rod. These odd-looking lines appeared only intermittently, thankfully so—they made Rodimus look like he was wearing robo-mascara. The ''Headmasters'' Rodimus Prime character model also moved the wheel kibble from the back of the arms to the front, to better approximate their position on the toy.
[[File:RodimusPrimeG1-trailermanagement.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Maybe his Mobile Defense Bay is just an extra set of legs!]]
*Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] was realized in toy form with Rodimus's [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|6" ''Titanium Series'' action figure]].
*A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic. As with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.
*Hot Rod's 1986 tech specs figures are ''extremely'' high (six 10/10s, one 9/10, one 7/10). They are actually higher than both Ultra Magnus and Galvatron's stats. None of the other movie characters have such inflated tech specs, so this was possibly an attempt (albeit small) to convince the kids of the time how awesome their new hero was. Rodimus Prime's tech specs are only ever so slightly higher than Hot Rod's, but as the latter was near maximum anyway that isn't saying much. One year later, for his Targetmaster release, Hot Rod's stats have been reduced to slightly more sensible figures (which leads to the amusing situation where his "Firepower" stat actually goes ''down'' from 10 to 7 when he becomes a Targetmaster. Also his top speed has changed from 120 mph to 330 mph. Maybe Firebolt weighs less than his old gun?)
*Hot Rod might be the ''Transformers'' character with the most names in the US. From "Hot Rod" to "Rodimus Prime", to "Rodimus Major" to just plain "Rodimus". Varieties of "Rodimus" appeared to be how he would be named for a while, but his [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Titans Return]] figure is back to being "(Autobot) Hot Rod", suggesting that Hasbro has somehow reclaimed the [[trademark]] on the name.
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's. The reference came full circle with [[Side Burn (RID)|G1 Side Burn]], who was a redeco of a Rodimus toy.
*Aside from the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[homage]]d twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].
*This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

===Foreign names===
====Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rodimus''' (ホットロディマス ''Hotto Rodimasu''), '''Hot Rod''' (ホットロッド ''Hotto Roddo'')
*''English:'' '''Roadimus Prime''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''Météorite''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagyágyú''' ("Hot Shot"), '''Peca''' (''The Movie'', "Fisher")
*''Italian:'' '''Folgore'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rod''' (Taiwan, 羅德 ''Lúo Dé''), '''Rè Pò''' (China, 热破, "Hot Break")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Roda Quente''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Patron''' (cartoon, Патрон, "Cartridge")

====Rodimus Prime====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Convoy''' (ロディマスコンボイ ''Rodimasu Konboi''), '''Rodimus Prime''' (ロディマスプライム ''Rodimasu Puraimu'')
*''French:'' '''Rodimus Primo''' (Canada toy, "Rodimus First"), '''Rodimus Primus''' (Canada cartoon)
*''German:'' '''Rodius Prime''' ([[Condor Verlag]] comics)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Rodimusz Fővezér''' ("Prime Commander Rodimus")
*''Italian:'' '''Captain'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rhodie Jr-tsūn''' (Taiwan, 羅迪至尊, "Rodimus Prime"), '''Bǔ Tīan Shì''' (China, 补天士, "Gentleman Who {{w|Nüwa|Repairs the Sky}}")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rodimus Supremo''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Rodimes Prime''' (cartoon, Родаймес Прайм)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Rodimus Najkrashhyj''' (cartoon, Родімус Найкращий, "Rodimus The Best")

====Nemesis Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Nemesis Hot Rod''' (ネメシスホットロッド ''Nemeshisu Hotto Roddo'')

====Rodimus Unicronus====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Unicronus''' (ロディマスユニクロナス ''Rodimasu Yunikuronasu'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Battle Masters Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Convoys]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Spike Witwicky (G1)

2019-02-13T20:31:04Z

Sideswipe84: /* Ladybird Books continuity */

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Symbol autobot reg.png|cLink=Honorary Autobot}}|autobot|autobotg2|gijoe|skywatch|edc}}
{{disambig3|Spike Witwicky}}
{{suite}}
:''Spike [[Witwicky]] is a [[human]] and sometimes [[Autobot]] ally and [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Spikewitwickyg1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Wait till you see my sweet future jumpsuit!]]
'''Spike Witwicky''' is the oldest (and sometimes only) son of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]].
Spike, like most Witwickys, has a tendency to form close bonds to the Autobots and become one of their main human allies. 'Cause let's face it, there are advantages when your best friend is [[Bumblebee (G1)|a car]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Mtmte2 spike finds soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
{{main|Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

Despite being too young to qualify for a driver's license, Spike worked with his father Sparkplug on an offshore oilrig in 1984 and became one of the first human allies of the Autobots. Spike soon became friends with the Autobot Bumblebee and ''more than friends'' with the human Carly. By 2005, he'd had a son named Daniel and was stationed on the Cybertron Moon Base. Narrowly surviving the [[Unicron War]], Spike continued to aid the Autobots in missions both deadly and diplomatic, eventually becoming the Headmaster partner of Cerebros in 2006.

In a splinter timeline, Spike did not become a Headmaster at first, and by 2011 had focused his energies on diplomacy. He eventually journeyed to planet Master and became a Headmaster via a modified Exo-Suit. In 2021, Spike was embroiled in a scheme concocted by [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] that briefly saw him framed for crimes he didn't commit. His name was cleared by his old friend Bumblebee, though.

{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Spike and his father joined the Autobots on a mission to stop the Decepticons from acquiring sunken treasure in Alaskan waters. As they sailed northward in a boat of Wheeljack's creation, Spike commented on the beauty of the scenery. He and Hound were then ambushed by Ravage. Thanks to Hound's holographic powers, they both escaped the encounter unscathed. After Bumblebee had been captured by the Decepticons, Spike and Sparkplug tagged along with Optimus and the rest of the Autobots in order to rescue him. They remained safe from Decepticon fire within Brawn’s durable car mode.{{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}}

When all of the Autobots except Bumblebee were captured by the Decepticons, a plan was devised and implemented — Sparkplug and Spike constructed a [[Giant fake Autobot|giant cut-out Autobot]] which was placed outside Decepticon headquarters as a diversion while Bumblebee slipped in and freed everyone. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

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

===Big Looker Storybooks continuity===
[[File:BattleforCybertron bumblebee spike sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45]]
Spike Witwicky and his father Sparkplug were investigating the damage done by a volcanic eruption close to their home town of [[Kimball]] when they witnessed a fleet of jet planes emerging from a spaceship buried within the volcano that the tremors had exposed. Spike was vocally opposed to Sparkplug's desire to examine the ship in search of "a little adventure", but ventured into the crater nonetheless, where he and his father were met by a talking Volkswagen named Bumblebee, who brought them into the ship and introduced them to his fellow Autobots. After helping the Autobots tap the volcano's energies to re-power their ship, Spike and Sparkplug were given a lift back home by Hound, but on the way, they witnessed the Decepticons draining the energy of a nearby power plant. Knowing that Hound wanted to return to his Autobot comrades to warn them that their enemies had re-powered themselves, Spike told him he could use "a little more adventure". The message was delivered, and as the Autobots readied for battle, Bumblebee took Spike and Sparkplug to a safe distance, where he would serve as a lookout and warn of a potential second wave of Decepticons approaching from the rear. Unfortunately, the battle lasted through the night, and when the rear wave appeared, Sparkplug realized that Bumblebee's signal—a flash of his headlights—was being lost in the rising sun. Spike, Sparkplug and Bumblebee raced into the battlefield to alert the Autobots, and they were able to get ready for the attack just in time. Optimus Prime credited victory in the battle to Spike and Sparkplug, and Spike affirmed his father's belief that the Autobots were their kind of machines. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

Spike and Sparkplug watched as the Autobots participated in a race to win a year's supply of gas and oil. The Autobots won, but Spike decided he'd stick to hot dogs and soda! {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:MegatronsFightforPower sonic multi tool.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
When a lighting storm spooked the Autobots, Spike wrote about the experience in his [[Spike's diary|diary]] the next morning, then tried to explain the phenomenon to his robot friends with the aid of his father. Intrigued by the idea of energy that fell from the sky, Optimus Prime had [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] construct a lightning rod to collect it, and Spike and Sparkplug were on hand as the finishing touches were added to the project. That night, Spike monitored weather forecasts and alerted the Autobots to the arrival of a new storm so they could see the machine in action. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Spike was instrumental in breaking the Decepticons' control over a human solar power station when he snuck into the facility with the intent of disabling the power-collecting machinery. Finding the door to the control room locked, Spike at first thought to pick the lock with his pen-knife, but quickly dismissed the idea and instead used the blade to alert the Autobots, watching nearby, flashing them a message in morse code by allowing the sun to glint off the knife. Optimus Prime sent [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] to deliver a [[sonic multi-tool]] to Spike, which allowed him to unlock the door and use the machinery to destroy the energon cubes the Decepticons had already gathered, sending them fleeing. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}
[[File:AutobotsFightBack spike jump.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
While he was in town with Ironhide to buy groceries, Spike spotted a flier for a car rally that he realized passed through the region where the Decepticons had set up a new temporary base. Spike suggested using the race as cover to investigate the Decepticons' activities, and so he and Jazz joined the rally, with Spike stealthily jumping from the moving Autobot as they neared the area in question to avoid detection. He discovered the Decepticons testing a new [[ion drive]] in an abandoned mineshaft, and hit on an idea: he had Jazz push a row of mine-cars down into the tunnel, destroying the ion drive and collapsing the tunnel on the evil robots. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

Investigating a report of Decepticon activity near a small village, Hound and Spike discovered that they had taken an interest in a local windmill. Spike and his father had to explain the concept of a non-electromagnetic mechanism to the baffled Autobots. When battle erupted around the windmill, Spike ran to the top of the structure to get a better look at the fight, but a blast from Laserbeak caused him to lose his footing and he fell onto the breaking lever, freeing the windmills sails to spin. [[File:LaserbeaksFury spike headshot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]] Laserbeak was knocked from the sky by a sail and the Decepticons were panicked by the primitive machine, causing Rumble to destroy it. Spike was able to get to safety before it collapsed, and the next day, consoled the worried Optimus Prime with the new that their battle hadn't even made the front page: the town was buzzing about Laserbeak's appearance a local disco! {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}}

When Spike joined the Autobots on a salvage mission to gather useful materials, it quickly became apparent that the Decepticons had developed a new method of spying on their enemies from orbital satellites. Remembering a story his father had told him when he was younger about two giants that were tricked into fighting each other, Spike suggested using the same tactic on the satellites. His aid didn't stop there: he was able to provide information about the [[Aurora Borealis]] and its radio-scrambling effects, allowing the Autobots to duplicate it as part of their plan to make the satellites crash into each other. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
[[File:DecepticonHideout spike attacks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Following a failed Decepticon attack on Autobot City, Bumblebee and Spike secretly trailed the retreating [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] to the Decepticons' new hidden base in a nearby industrial estate. Instructed by Bumblebee to wait outside while he went spy, Spike paid a visit to an adjacent scrap yard and asked the [[A. McNulty|manager]] to help him find some some bronze-chrome wheel trims for Hot Rod. When Spike saved the man from a collapsing pile of junk, in gratitude, he gave him the wheel-trims for free. Bumblebee, meanwhile, had been spotted by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], and hidden in vehicle mode in the junkyard, where he was almost scrapped by an electromagnet until Spike distracted the magnet's operator and save his little Autobot buddy. Subsequently, Spike and his father were used as the Autobots' human eyes and ears in the industrial estate, and learned for them that it was about to close down for a few weeks. The Autobots used this as a chance to take the fight to the Decepticons hiding there, and during the battle, Spike used several pieces of construction equipment to aid the Autobots, first drawing their fire with a calorifier on a chain, then using the electromagnet to trap several smaller Decepticons, before using a wrecking ball to attack Galvatron himself! Finally, Spike used the wrecking ball to collapse the entire building, burying the Decepticons in the rubble. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:G138 spike.jpg|left|thumb|Man, those Witwickies love pink shirts, don't they?]]
Spike Witwicky was away at college for the first few years of the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] [[Great War (G1)|war]] on [[Earth]], and was entirely unaware of his family's involvement in the robot conflict until the day he returned home to find [[Sparkplug Witwicky|his father]]'s [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service|garage]] a pile of rubble. Spike was relieved to find his father alive and well, but this sense of relief did not last long, as Sparkplug explained that the damage was the work of the Decepticon [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and told Spike of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]]'s involvement with the Autobots. Intent on ensuring his brother's safety, Spike headed up to [[Mount St. Hilary]], but found the volcano abandoned. Presently, the Autobot splinter group led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]], who had recently arrived in Earth orbit after departing the planet [[Nebulos]], entered the caverns, having followed distress call broadcast by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. Finding Goldbug's [[brain module]] in a toy car on the cavern floor, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] replayed recent images from the disembodied Autobots' memory, including Buster's capture by Ratbat. Seeing this image, Spike stepped forward and petitioned the Autobots for aid in saving his brother, but they turned him down and departed.

[[File:G138 spike in control.jpg|thumb|"Watch as I give him a wet willy!"]]
Spike bedded down in the cave overnight, but when he awoke the next morning, it was to the sight of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons arriving in search of the Autobots. Despite their brushing him off, Spike believed the Autobots deserved a warning, and used the machinery in the cave to replay Goldbug's distress signal, summoning Maximus's team back to the volcano in time to save him from a vengeful Scorponok. As battle erupted, Spike sought safety deeper in the volcano, but was pursued into its confines by Scorponok's [[Nebulan]] component, Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Fortress Maximus's Nebulan component [[Galen]] followed, but was killed when Zarak triggered a rockslide. In his last moments, Galen passed his control helmet to Spike, who took control of Fortress Maximus and used his firepower to send the Decepticons into retreat. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

The Autobots offered to properly [[binary bonding|binary bond]] Spike with Fortress Maximus, transforming him into a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and Spike accepted, believing it to be his best chance of finding and rescuing Buster. He returned home to tell his father the news just as Sparkplug received a call from [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]] of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] to let him know that Buster had been located. Using his new Headmaster powers to trace the call, Spike led the Autobots to a desert island that soon proved to be a [[Club Con|Decepticon base]] in disguise. [[File:G139 headmaster spike.jpg|left|thumb|"Though maybe the giant boxy shapes under my conspicuous trenchcoat should have been a clue."]] Prohibited from joining the fight by the other Autobots due to their fears his concern for Buster would short out Maximus's [[Circuit (circuit)#Logic circuits|logic circuits]], Spike complied with their wishes at first, but when the Decepticons' base also proved to be a rocket that took off for space, Spike was forced to take action, linking with Fortress Maximus and pursuing. Although he was able to use Maximus to shoot down [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], Spike was unable to get Buster free of the island's protective dome before the rocket outpaced him. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

Returning to the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' to build a new body for Goldbug, Spike was alerted by a bugging device he had left in his father's home to a phone call from [[Ethan Zachary]], and learned that the [[human]] had preserved the deceased [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s mind as a computer program. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Rendezvousing with the other Autobots in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to gain the resources to build Prime a new body, Spike earned the ire of current commander [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], who violently rejected the notion that a human could lead any Autobots. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:G151 spikes nightmare.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45]]
''When Optimus Prime was restored to life on Nebulous and returned to Earth, Spike, as part of Fortress Maximus, fought alongside him during the "[[Time Wars (event)|Time Wars]]".'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} Soon after, the Decepticons' island base resurfaced, and Spike took Optimus Prime and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] aboard Fortress Maximus to investigate. But by the time they arrived, the island had been relocated to the Arctic. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Following a distress signal sent out by Buster, the Autobots tracked down the younger Witwicky on the verge of hypothermia in the frozen wastes. In order to save his brother's life, Spike used Fortress Maximus to carefully raise Buster's body temperature with infra-red heating. However, the Autobots' intrusion near the Decepticons' secret base at that time had been orchestrated by Starscream, and they came to blows against the evil robots once again. When Ratbat learned that he was being forestalled from chasing Starscream, who had designs for the legendary [[Underbase]], he brokered a ceasefire with Maximus. Temporarily united, both of their teams could now focus on stopping the treacherous Seeker.

The Autobot/Decepticon alliance headed into space in pursuit of Starscream, and though they interrupted his absorption of the Underbase's energies, the portion he managed to consume was enough to grant him unimaginable power. Spike had to once more store Buster within Fortress Maximus as Ratbat's ship was destroyed, saving him from the vacuum of space. After they had boarded the Ark, the Autobots followed Starscream back to Earth. This time around, Optimus insisted on staying back with Buster while the others dealt with Starscream's rampage. Spike protested, but Optimus assured him he wouldn't do any less to keep Buster safe than Spike would. Spike was sent to [[Buenos Aires]], where he and Maximus were bested in battle. Thankfully, due to their partially-organic nature, they were able to survive exposure to Starscream's cosmic blasts. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

With Buster saved, Spike considered his work as Fortress Maximus's partner done, and following Starscream's defeat, announced his intent to leave the Autobot ranks despite their current depleted state. Leaving Maximus's body to gather dust in storage on the Ark, Spike returned to his normal life on Earth, but found himself plagued by nightmares full of mechanical imagery, prompting him to throw away his control helmet—kept for security's sake at the urging of Optimus Prime—in a junkyard to make a totally clean break from his brief time as a Headmaster. [[File:Fortressmaximus-thelastautobot1.jpg|left|thumb]] Unfortunately, Decepticon [[Pretender Beast]]s [[Snarler]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], who had been sent to kill Spike by Scorponok, located the discarded helmet and proceeded to track Spike to [[California]], where he was on a ski trip with his friend, [[Cliff Dietz]]. Taking refuge in a cave, Cliff helped Spike realize that his nightmares held a deeper meaning: that binary-bonding went far deeper that he had ever realized, and that even without his control helmet, separated by millions of miles, he and Fortress Maximus were still connected, two minds in one being. With this realization, Spike was able to summon Fortress Maximus from the Ark to battle Snarler and Catilla, though his responses proved far more sluggish than usual. Recovering his control helmet from Snarler's disabled Pretender shell, Spike fully re-established his connection with Fortress Maximus and combined with him once more to defeat the two Decepticons. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}

Although this realization about the nature of his connection with Fortress Maximus seemed to change Spike's tune, at some point over the next few years, he reverted to his old outlook, and returned Maximus to the Ark so he could get back to his human life. When the Ark crashed back on Earth in [[1991]], Fortress Maximus urged Spike to investigate the crash site and recover his body so they could become one again and stop the menace posed to Earth by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]. Accepting his responsibility as the last Autobot currently on Earth, Spike acquiesced, but once he had re-combined with Maximus, found his will subsumed by the Autobot, who elected to actively pursue Galvatron. Maximus found himself no match for the deranged future Decepticon, however, and called out for Spike's aid, but Spike refused to make a point, before the two came to an understanding and united their minds to bring Galvatron down. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Bumblebee and spike the planet eater.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
''By [[2005]], Spike had sired a son, the young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. At this time, the Decepticons had conquered Cybertron, relegating the Autobots to its two moons and Autobot City on Earth. Still playing an active role in his allies' struggle against the Decepticons, Spike was stationed on [[Moonbase Two]] alongside Bumblebee. Spike instructed Ironhide as he departed for Autobot City to tell Daniel that his father missed him, and that they would see each other as soon as Megatron was defeated.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''But Spike found himself facing down an even greater threat when [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] began encroaching on Cybertron's orbit. The "monster planet" gobbled up [[Moonbase One]], and Spike reported the disastrous turn of events to Ultra Magnus on Earth. As Unicron moved on to Cybertron's second moon, Spike rigged the satellite's entire stockpile of weapons to blow up after a twenty-second delay. He and Bumblebee then hopped on a ship and watched from afar as the moon exploded while Unicron was devouring it. The pair cheered until they realized that Unicron had been left completely unscathed by the explosion. They then attempted to flee, to no avail; Unicron sucked up their ship and swallowed it.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Spikewitwickytimewars.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|White jumpsuits were so 2006.]]
''Fortunately, a group composed of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and others found Spike and Bumblebee within Unicron during the Autobots' last stand against him. Spike was reunited with Daniel before [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] gave them both a ride to safety, while Unicron was destroyed around them.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2009]], Decepticons had built an [[energy leech (device)|energy leech]] to destroy Earth while [[time rift|a space-time anomaly]] was eating entire planets. After Rodimus Prime orchestrated a plan to travel twenty years back in time to the source of the anomaly, Spike Witwicky and his son Daniel accused Rodimus of shirking his responsibilities towards Earth and guilted Rodimus into allotting more troops to help destroy the Decepticons' machine. {{storylink|Time Wars}}
{{-}}

=====Rhythms of Darkness!=====
[[File:Spikewitwicky2009.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left|In 2009, jheri curls returned with a vengeance. Don't you remember that?]]
In an alternate timeline in the year [[2009]], Spike Witwicky was part of a very small Autobot/human resistance movement in a world where [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s Decepticons controlled North America. The handful of Autobots who remained alive despaired and were on the cusp of giving up, but Spike and [[Lisa]] (who shared growing feelings for each other) guilted them into one last suicidal attack on the [[Decepticon Powerbase]] in New York before the rest of the world could unleash a nuclear holocaust onto America at midnight. Though there were several casualties, Spike managed to hoist an American flag on the Decepticon stronghold on live television, a symbolic measure which prompted the end of the planned nuclear strike. Before Galvatron could respond, the Decepticon despot was abducted by [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] into another timeline {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Spikewitwickyg2.jpg|upright=0.5|thumb|Now the jumpsuit's in BROWN?]]
Despite the conclusions he had come to and the newfound unity he had forged with Maximus during his battle with Galvatron, it was apparent that old habits proved hard for Spike to shake. He again returned Maximus's body to the ruined Ark and tried to get back to life, presumably on the basis that so much time passed on Earth without any Transformer activity that he believed it was "all over". {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} A few years later, however, when Megatron returned and a small squad of Autobots came to Earth to battle him in [[Milleville]], Spike was drawn to the site of the battle, and snuck back aboard the Ark, now restored and under Megatron's control. {{storylink|Final Transformations}}

Discovering that Megatron was holding [[Sidney Biggles-Jones]] captive, Spike realized that he had no choice but to bond with Fortress Maximus once more, only to find that Megatron had disabled Maximus's dormant body while rebuilding the Ark, leaving him under-equipped for combat. Caught in the act of donning his armor by fellow stowaway [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], Spike combined with Maximus (curiously omitting Cerebros from the process) and explained his presence, then charged Skydive with rescuing Doctor Biggles-Jones while he and Maximus took Megatron on. Unsurprisingly, Megatron grievously wounded the pair, forcing Skydive to step in and distract him long enough for Maximus to escape, and make his way to the Ark's anti-matter power core. Intended to breach the core with his body and destroy the ship, hoping to take Megatron with it, Maximus instructed Spike to disconnect and escape, but Spike resolved to stay with his partner to the end to ensure their success. They smashed into the core together and perished in the resultant ship-destroying explosion, but alas, their sacrifice was in vain, as Megatron survived. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Invasion-Radcontrolroom.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Well, it beats a jheri curl.]]
Spike retained his duties as Fortress Maximus's binary-bond partner for decades, and eventually he was stationed in [[South America]]. He was present one day in [[2012]] when [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] reported from the [[Construction station|Ironworks]] base in [[Oregon]] about a foiled attack by [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]] and his Decepticons. Soon thereafter, due to the actions of an evil [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] from [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|another dimension]], a rift of space time opened over Earth, causing catastrophes worldwide. Spike, merged with [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], gathered civilians inside Fortress Maximus for safety. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

When the [[Rarified Energon|Rarefied Energon]] of his world caused Earth to come alive as the entity called [[Gaea]], Spike and all other Earth-lifeforms were teleported across dimensions to inhabit a new Earth. {{storylink|The Future Buried...}} Spike and his allies set out to uncover the mysteries of this new world; while all the cities and animals on this planet were the same as their old one, no humans appeared to have called this Earth home prior to their arrival. [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] set up Spike, [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]], [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]], and [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] with an apartment in Yucatán, but the group found it difficult to both get themselves employed and investigate a mysterious radio signal burst detected in the area.

While on a walk, Spike ruminated about his current situation. His reverie was interrupted by a crash, and Spike ran to assist a father and daughter trapped in an overturned car. He was helped in this task by Vroom and Crossblades, though all three had to hide their Cybertronian strength during the rescue, so as to avoid anti-Transformer sentiments. The trio then returned home, where they met with [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] and Elizabeth. After taking a video-call from Buster (and dodging inquiries over when he'd be getting a job) Spike joined his roommates on an outing to an Italian restaurant. After their meal, they were accosted by a mugger. {{storylink|Assembly (issue)|Assembly}} In the altercation that followed, Metalhawk was shot in the chest, and though it did him little harm, it did betray his human disguise. After Vroom and Crossblades had restrained the mugger, Metalhawk tried figuring out what to do with their attacker, only for two local police officers to turn up and take them all in for questioning. Though Metalhawk stumbled through his words, Spike was able to give his statement to the officers interviewing them, glossing over whatever details needed to be glossed over for their true identities to remain secret. Spike and the rest of the group were told they were free to go, but as soon as they exited the building, they were approached by a mysterious man. This new player informed the Autobots that he knew of their true identities, and warned them that [[Ramjet (Universe)|an evil force]] was coming... {{storylink|Insight}}

Though Spike and company were highly suspicious of the man, they agreed to follow him nonetheless, as he claimed to have a spaceship stashed nearby. Upon coming upon the craft however, the man revealed himself to be a Decepticon Pretender, and opened fire on Spike to provoke the Autobots into unveiling their true natures as well. Elizabeth managed to shove Spike out of harm's way, and the Autobots battled their new opponent: the universe's native Megatron! {{storylink|History}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Lessthanzero-spike.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Spike was able to keep everyone from poking around in the Ark for a year or two, but he eventually stopped being Fortress Maximus full-time so he could live his life. Unfortunately, that meant some greedy/bored people were able to sneak into the Ark and fiddle with what it held in 1994... awakening Megatron! {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Even with nuclear weaponry turned against Earth's cities by the [[Aunty|Ark's computer]] and [[zombie]] Decepticons roaming the Earth, Spike struggled with becoming Fortress Maximus again—and his hesitation cost the lives of his brother, Buster and Buster's wife, [[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]]. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

[[File:SpikeWitwicky CircuitSmasher LooseEnds3.jpg|thumb|Powered by Blackrock ingenuity and 90s angst.]]
Spike finally became Fortress Maximus again and led a final battle alongside [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] and [[G.B. Blackrock]]. The final battle was a bust: Fortress Maximus was killed and Spike's mind and nervous system went with him.

Blackrock, however, used Beller's neural-cybernetic technology and bonded them with Spike's Headmaster parts, bringing him 'back to life', retarding his aging, and giving him powerful electric powers. Taking up the name '''Circuit-Smasher''', Spike became the main weapon for the rebels in [[Argus Base]] against Megatron's genocide. Unfortunately, he could only do so much and the Decepticon corpses were incapable of being permanently killed (again), and by 2012 he was angry enough to attack the first Autobots he saw on sight, blaming them for Earth's demise. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}}

[[File:Roadbuster CircuitSmasher LooseEnds4.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Only some appeals from [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and fellow rebel [[Gordon Kent]] calmed Spike down. He led the Autobot [[Wrecker]]s to Argus Base, filling them in on the destruction of Earth and how it was due to the Ark being left behind, unattended by the Autobots. He then formed part of a conference with Springer, Blackrock, Kent, and Sandstorm, running through their new options now that the Wreckers were on Earth, only to be interrupted by a broadcast from Megatron, taunting the Autobots with the tortured body of Kup. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Spike, along with a few of the Wreckers and a handful of humans armed with [[Battlesuit]]s, attacked the Ark, with the intention of shutting down its supercomputer [[Aunty|Auntie]]. Before attacking, Spike made it clear that they were to deactivate the Ark, and if he began to suspect any of them were thinking of trying to get it back under control and using it to leave, he would crash every single one of their circuits. Their initial progress through the Ark's defences started well, with Spike picking off any projectiles that managed to get through their formations. After [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] was blasted by the Ark's auto-turret defenses, Spike coldly commanded everyone to keep moving, saying that all of the Wreckers were expendable. Once the troupe broke through the Ark's outer defenses, Auntie deployed [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardians]] to protect herself. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} As the Wreckers and humans fought the Guardians, Spike infiltrated the Ark, but was detected by Auntie, who detained him. However, Spike was still able to use his powers to smash every single one of Auntie's circuits, deactivating her and the Guardians. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

After Megatron and his army were taken care of, Spike came to Optimus Prime, telling him that he and the others had unanimously decided on the Autobots leaving Earth for good. When Prime offered to help, Spike angrily rejected the offer, warning Optimus not to make ask them to leave more than once. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

Spike was, naturally, very angry to find out that Optimus Prime had chosen to stay behind, despite their wishes, and proceeded to brutally attack him upon encountering him in Wyoming. Only the intervention of other humans kept Circuit Smasher from finishing Optimus off, and their commander, [[Linda Chang]], agreed to allow Optimus to speak to the human leadership, but if he were to deviate in any way from their orders, she would allow Spike to finish him off. As he was led away, Optimus asked Spike if she was his commanding officer; he revealed that she was his wife!

At the human encampment, Optimus proposed uniting the people of Earth with Nebulos in a joint effort to rebuild both their worlds. The Nebulans' advanced science and technology could speed the rebuilding of Earth, while the Earthlings' strength and tenacity could help the Nebulans recover from the mass mental trauma inflicted upon them by the recently revived [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. Circuit Smasher was quick to shoot down the idea, but the other humans, including G.B. Blackrock, proved more receptive, and agreed to give careful consideration to Prime's plan. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

Primus identified Spike to [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] as one of four threats to the Great Plan. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}} With his anger, it was easy to see why—even after the human coalition voted to accept Prime's offer of rigging a [[space bridge]] to connect them to [[Nebulos]] for mutual gain, Spike less-than-subtly implied he might destroy the Bridge anyway. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

Spike was as surprised as anyone when the Space Bridge first opened, and Fortress Maximus emerged. His "other self" had been reconstituted with his original head thanks to Nebulos's bio-metasynthesis program, but he was also corrupted by the [[Dark Matrix (G1)|Dead Matrix]]. Fortress Maximus blasted Optimus Prime into submission and kidnapped the stunned Spike. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} In Zero Space, the Dead Matrix entity revealed Spike's unique blend of human-Nebulan-Cybertronian anatomy made him the perfect key to accessing the rest of the multiverse. The entity psychologically tortured Spike to bring forth the power necessary to achieve its ends. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} Rodimus Prime was eventually able to reach Spike in Zero Space, convincing him to let go of his anger, denying the entity the power it needed for passage to other worlds. Spike returned to Earth with a great burden lifted from his conscience, and assisted with the reconstruction of human civilization. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

===Project Brain Drain===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainSparkplugandSpike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Spike set out for a rock concert taking place at [[Heywood Heights]] with some friends, unaware that his father had just discovered that the Decepticons were planning on using a brain drain device to syphon all of the concertgoers’ brain power away.

Whether or not Spike’s father and the Autobots succeeded in saving Spike depended on the choices they made throughout the adventure that followed.

In one notable scenario, Sparkplug searched the crowd of concert-goers frantically for Spike, as his Autobot friends were being destroyed by Galvatron and his troops. Upon being found, Spike had already been drained of his brain power, and was confused as to why Sparkplug was looking so sad, though Spike was unable to recognize the man as his own father. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
Spike, his brother Buster, and his father Sparkplug met the Autobots early on in their time on Earth. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} Spike formed a close friendship with Bumblebee. {{storylink|Extermination}}

Somewhere in the time after [[1984]], Spike married Carly, who then gave birth to Spike's son, Daniel. {{storylink|Extermination}} After the explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]'' in [[1999]], which caused the death of Spike's father Sparkplug, Spike tried to leave his involvement with the Transformers behind and settled down with his wife and son in Cleveland, Ohio, trying to live a new life as a normal family. The newfound peace wouldn't last for long, though, as Spike was soon recruited by a shady military official named [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] seeking his help in reviving Optimus Prime, whose body his men had recently found in the Arctic. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} Spike, who had been entrusted by Prime with a fragment of the Matrix, used that fragment to bring Prime back to life.

Optimus Prime subsequently used the Matrix to revive and assemble a group of his Autobots, which he would then lead against Megatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Spike, however, revealed he had become disillusioned with the Autobots' war. Having its the human cost, he could no longer give Optimus his full support in his crusade against the Decepticons. Spike's words hit Prime hard, and the Autobot leader opted to confront the Decepticons without any human back-up once their location had been pinpointed. But General Hallo had double motives behind reviving the Autobots. He and Spike followed them in a helicopter, and once Hallo noted that the Decepticons were no longer under human control, ordered the delivery of a bomb upon all robot combatants. Spike futilely tried to intervene, and the payload exploded, enveloping all Autobots and Decepticons in its radius. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} Spike was subsequently taken prisoner by Hallo, and locked up within the Pentagon. However, he apparently had an ally within the building; a note telling him to be ready when he would soon be broken free was slipped under his cell's door... {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} His benefactor was [[Larry|Larry, the World's Most Resourceful Janitor]], and with his help, Spike was able to escape his cell. Once freed, he uncovered the [[Lazarus Project]] and Hallo's sinister schemes, but not in time to stop him from launching a nuclear strike against the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Spike confronted Hallo, brandishing the files on the Lazarus project. But Hallo revealed he no longer cared about being found out, pulled out his firearm, and forced Spike to watch with him as the missile he had launched streaked towards Los Angeles. Spike accused Hallo of being a lunatic, caring only for power. Hallo agreed, positing that safety could only acquired through power. Hallo was interrupted mid-rant by the arrival of the secret service, who gunned him down when he refused to surrender. The Autobots' destruction was ultimately averted when [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] sacrificed his life in order to make it detonate before it could reach its target. Afterwards, Spike made his way to Optimus's side as he rebooted. Spike had hoped that Optimus would be happy after achieving another victory against the Decepticons, but Optimus remained crestfallen, his eyes now opened to how much suffering he had brought to Earth with his war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

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

Following these events, Spike once again returned to his family and tried to leave his past with the Transformers behind. A few months later, though, his old friend Bumblebee, who had just decided to quit the Autobot army following a fierce battle against [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], showed up by his house. Spike, frustrated that the Autobots refused to leave him alone, hurled a few nasty insults against his old buddy {{storylink|Extermination}} before changing his mind and joining him on a men's night out in the city, where they stopped a mugging. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Volume 2 Preview}}}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
In response to the forming of the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and its commandeered Transformers, the United States government assembled a strike team dubbed [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Spike Witwicky (codename Spike) was listed on the roster, but was never seen. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
In a reality where the Dinobots consisted of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Paddles (character)|Paddles]], Spike befriended the first three, but never got a chance to meet the latter. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}

Spike was out driving with Bumblebee and Hound when, to their surprise, they stumbled on a badly-damaged Starscream. Though Spike was all in favor of leaving the Decepticon there, Bumblebee insisted they take Starscream back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] with them. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

Bumblebee gave Spike a ride to his high school, but while Spike was in class, his Autobot pal got carjacked. When Spike emerged, he found a smug Bumblebee sitting in the carpark with two wet seats. {{storylink|Joyride (story)|Joyride}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Spikewitwickybuttonflies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
{{main|Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity}}
{{-}}

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

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
Spike and [[Minerva (Masterforce human)|Minerva]] ran away from Mega-Megatron in terror. {{storylink|Defend the Blocks! Autobots, Dispatch!}}

[[File:Autobot-X_Kre-O_Character_Image.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Nothing is so painful to the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] memory module as a great and sudden cameo.]]

"Autobot Spike" ran away in fear from [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], the combined form of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}

The "Autobot Spike" robot was later seen among a group of Earth's most wanted criminals. They attacked [[Metroplex (Kre-O)|Metroplex]] together, though Spike seemed more confused than actively malevolent throughout the venture. Despite their best efforts, the villains were repelled, and left the battlefield empty-handed. {{storylink|The Brick List: Earth's Most Wanted}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Spike Witwicky had already been [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] to Cerebros when the Decepticons threatened Nebulos. Together, they bonded themselves to Fortress Maximus to combat [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]]. By the time that MegaZarak was present on [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]] a few years later, Spike had presumably died, leaving his son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] to fill his shoes. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

When Cerebros got wind of the [[Human Confederacy]]'s [[Eutychus Project]], he asked them to resurrect his former human partners, but they refused and gave him the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] instead.

An etching of "Spike Witwicky" existed in [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], along with "Daniel" and "[[Galen Witwicky]]". [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]], part of the trio that controlled Fortress Maximus, claimed to be Spike, among many other individuals related to the giant. {{storylink|Head Games}}

==Commercial appearances==
Spike brought some friends to visit an Autobot base in the dead of night. They were briefly stopped by the base's guards, who shined their headlights down on them to verify their allegiance. The three boys were cleared for entry, since they were wearing Transformers [[Iron-on patch|reflective patches]]! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Reflective patches|Prizes in Disguise contest/reflective patches commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-AutobotX.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Spike, along with [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], was transported back in time to the sixth century, where they joined with [[Aetheling the Red|Lord Aetheling]], and were forced to combat similarly-displaced Decepticons at a medieval technology level. They eventually triumphed and returned to the present with the Decepticons as prisoners. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (Legends)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} After Spike was gravely wounded during a Decepticon attack on an air force base, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] transferred Spike's mind into [[Autobot X (G1)|Autobot X]]. The trauma made Autobot X go berserk, and he fled the base, eventually being found by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], who convinced him to turn on the Autobots. When his father was injured in the battle, Spike came back to his senses and after the Decepticons were defeated, Wheeljack transferred his mind back to his healed body. {{storylink|Autobot X (Legends)|Autobot X}} Spike suggested the Autobots hold a charity race. It did not go as planned. {{storylink|Autobot Run}} Hoist was out driving with Spike and [[Carly]] when they happened on a film shoot, leading to the Autobot being cast in a film. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (Legends)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

During [[Unicron]]'s attack on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Spike and some Autobots were lost inside the giant, resulting in [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Spike's son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] searching for them. They were reunited and escaped Unicron prior to his destruction. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and Spike were kidnapped by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} Though the trio were sentenced to death by the Quints, the other Autobots arrived in time to save them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} When the Quintessons later used an ancient device to deactivate the Transformers, Spike was able to destroy it, saving the lives of his friends. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

Following an Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Spike, alongside [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ultra Magnus were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. This did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. This was not to be, unfortunately, as the resurrected Autobot leader left the group stranded after having received the Matrix of leadership from Rodimus. After Optimus regained his senses, the Autobots were left to mourn their leader as he sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Spikeheadmastertoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Finally, your favorite Transformers character!]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (Headmaster, [[1987]])

:Spike is a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure that comes with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Fortress Maximus]]. Gray and blue, it transforms into [[Cerebros (G1)#Generation 1|Cerebros]]'s head, which then in turn becomes Fortress Maximus's head. Although the on-package [[bio]] refers to 'the Nebulan leader, Spike', most assume it is supposed to represent the character from TV, making this the first Transformers toy of an Earth human.

:This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Generation 1 comic]] as [[Galen]]. This mold was also [[redeco]]ed as [[Grand Maximus|Gran]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]], and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' [[Master (RM)|Master]] and retooled to make [[BotCon 2014]] [[Olin Zarak]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/FortressMaximus/fortressmaximus.htm More information on Spike (with Fortress Maximus) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Masterpiece===
:''See also:'' [[#Masterpiece 2]]
[[File:Masterpiecetoy spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' ([[2011]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10'''
:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|MP-10 Convoy]] comes with a small figure of Spike. Standing at about an inch tall, he features articulation in his shoulders, hips and knees, and is scaled to be able to sit in all the cockpit spaces that ''[[Diaclone]]'' figures could occupy on the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure, such as Prime's passenger compartment while in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]'s seats, the consoles on the floor of the [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], and the cockpit of the Combat Deck's artillery robot.

:As this smaller incarnation of Convoy is in [[scale]] with them, Spike is also capable of riding ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' figures!

{{-}}{{anchor|eva}}
[[File:ConvoyModeEva Spike.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Looks like Shinji ran away again...Spike, you're hired!]]
*'''Convoy Mode "Eva"''' ([[2014]]-[[November 28|11-28]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10E'''

:For ''[[Transformers × Evangelion]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#eva|Convoy Mode "Eva"]], an ''Evangelion''-themed redeco of MP-10 Convoy, the Spike figure was redecoed in a color scheme based on [[NERV]] uniforms.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP22}}
[[File:MP22-UltraMagnus-SpikeDaniel.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (2014-[[December 27|12-27]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-22'''

:''Masterpiece'' MP-22 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#MP22|Ultra Magnus]] includes articulated figurines of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#MP22|Daniel]] and his father Spike, based on their appearances in the movie and Season 3 of the cartoon. Both can fit in seats inside the truck cab.

{{-}}{{anchor|mp711}}
[[File:MP711-Spike.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It might be his after-school job... if he ever actually went to school.]]
*'''Convoy (7-Eleven ver.)''' ([[2018]]-[[February 28|02-28]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-711'''

:Available exclusively from Japanese 7-11 stores, MP-711 is a [[7-Eleven]]-themed Optimus Prime, with the Spike figurine sporting a 7-Eleven uniform.

{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' ([[2012]])
:A [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]] in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Hasbro's release]] of the MP-10 figure and its accessories features various plastic color and [[Paint operation|paint detail]] changes, yet Spike appears to be no different.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/MPSpikeWitwicky/spikewitwicky.htm More information on Masterpiece Spike at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Kre-O===
[[File:Kre-O-Earth's-Most-Wanted-Autobot-Spike.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb]]
*'''Earth's Most Wanted'''

:Part of the [[BotCon 2015]] ''Earth's Most Wanted'' Souvenir Figure Set, "Autobot Spike" is a [[Kreon]] based on his appearance in the comic, albeit with some slightly different details.

{{charstubtoys}}

===Generations===
====Masterpiece====
:''See also:'' [[#Masterpiece]]
{{anchor|HasbroMP}}
[[File:Hasbro-MP-Exosuit-Spike-Witwicky.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*''' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Bumblebee]] & [[Exosuit]] Spike Witwicky''' (2016)
**''ID Number'': '''MP-08'''

:The Hasbro release of ''Masterpiece'' MP-11 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Bumble]] comes with a Spike clad in the [[exosuit]] he wore in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. While the figure is identical to the [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Daniel Witwicky]] figure in the Takara release, Spike features a darker tone of light blue.

:He is mistransformed in vehicle mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|TitansReturn}}
====Titans Return====
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Emissary.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb|If I change my name, they'll never realize that I'm the guy that shot [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]].]]
*'''[[Emissary (Generations)|Emissary]] & Cerebros & Fortress Maximus''' (Titan Class, 2016)
{{note|The ''Titans Return'' Emissary figure is based on the 1987 Spike figure, but whether it truly qualifies as a version of the Spike character is ambiguous.}}
:Only available with his partners (both medium and large), Emissary forms the head of [[Cerebros (G1)#Generations|Cerebros]] who in turn forms the head of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generations|Fortress Maximus]]. Emissary can also be used as a head for any other Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader figure in the ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]''. His robot mode is based on the Headmaster [[#Generation 1|Spike]] figure, whilst his head mode is the [[mouthplate]]d design of Cerebros's [[character model]].

:This mold was later retooled into ''Legends'' [[Fortress_Maximus_(G1)/toys#Legends|Fortress' Headmaster stage]], and into ''Transformers & Downtown No Gaki No Tsukai Ya Arahende! Crossover'' [[Donarimasu]] & [[Guchirimasu]] Headmaster units.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC}}
*'''Fortress Maximus Convention Edition''' (Titan Class, 2016)

:The San Diego Comic-Con 2016 release of Fortress Maximus comes with a new head piece for Emissary, which resembles Fortress's Headmaster form in ''The Headmasters'' cartoon.
{{-}}

===Legends===
[[File:TF-Legends-Bumble-and-Excel-Suit-Spike.jpg|right|thumb|300px|His face is in our nightmares.]]
*'''Bumble & Excelsuit Spike''' ('''Bumblebee & Exo-suit Spike''') ([[2017]]-[[December 30|12-30]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG-54'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' "Excelsuit Spike", despite possible appearances, is an all new sculpt transforming from a small robot based on Spike's exosuit into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]'s head which is compatible to any Deluxe-to-Larger ''Legends'' Headmaster/''Titans Return'' figures, although he was meant to form Fortress's head. Just like [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Legends|Ghost Starscream]], his smaller head is cast in transparent plastic.

:Excelsuit Spike comes with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Legends|Bumble]], a redeco of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Bumblebee figure.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[File:SCF-HOC Spike.jpg|300px|thumb|Spike says "How."]]
*'''Bumble and Spike''' (PVC figurine, [[2001]])
**''ACT'': '''3'''
**''Japanese ID Number'': '''5''' (painted) '''6''' (clear)

:[[Plastic|PVC]] figurines of Spike and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] were sold together in the third act of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' series. Like all the figures in the wave, the pair were available as both regular full-color figures and clear plastic versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. Spike has peg-holes in the soles of his feet for a stand, but the holes are ''far'' too small to work with the accompanying stand.

: In two out of every ten cases, the full-color version of the set came packaged with the torso piece of the wave's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Super Collection Figure/Heroes of Cybertron|Fortress Maximus]] "build-a-figure", itself in either full-color or clear versions in an equal 1:1 ratio. Yikes.

===Heroes of Cybertron===
*'''Autobot Espionage Team''' ([[2003]])

:''Super Collection Figure'' Spike and Bumblebee were later released by [[Hasbro]] in the fourth wave of their ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' line, sold under the name "Autobot Espionage Team," as Hasbro did not have the trademark rights to Bumblebee's name at this point in time. This version of Spike was cast in transparent-blue plastic then wholly painted over.

: Unlike the blindpacked Japanese version, they were sold on an individual blister card, and came packaged with the right leg of the Fortress Maximus figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCSpike/spike.htm More information on ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Spike at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===History Collection===
[[File:TFhistorycollection spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Spike''' (2004)
:A PVC figurine of Spike was the rare [[chase figure]] of Takara's ''[[History Collection]]''. Spike was the only piece in the series who did not come with a circular "bottlecap" display base, instead, coming crouched on Optimus Prime's hand, from which he could be removed. Additionally, Prime's hand could plug into the wrist socket of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime]] figure.
::*''[http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act234/ More information on the History Collection at TFKenkon.com]''
{{-}}

===Brave-Goukin===
[[File:BraveGoukin exosuit.jpg|thumb|upright=2.33]]
*'''Excel Suit''' (<s>2014</s>)

:A poseable Exosuit toy was to be produced by [[CM's Corporation]] as part of their ''Brave-Goukin'' line, complete with vehicle mode and transforming arm blasters. It would have included static figures of Spike and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] who could be displayed separately or have their heads placed inside the suit, with alternate piloting heads included for the suit's vehicle mode. The Exosuit would also have come with a small figurine of [[Grand Galvatron]] and the [[Master Sword]] data disc from the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode "[[The Master Sword Is in Danger!!]]".

:This toy only made it as far as the painted [[prototype]] stage before CM's Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy, leaving it unreleased.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Spike and Buster were both derived from the same "young male human friend" character in early backstory material. For more on the name variation see [[Butch Witwicky (G1)|Butch Witwicky]].
*Apparently Spike Witwicky is named after a person in real life! According to the [[BotCon 2010]] panel hosted by [[Bob Budiansky]], [[Jim Shooter]] (editor in-chief at [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] at the time) chose the name based on one of his real life friends. The name Witwicky had previously showed up in Marvel's ''Dazzler'' comics, as co-plotted by Shooter.
*While being a patchwork like the [[Autobot X (G1)|original cartoon Autobot X]], it is clear that the details on the comic version of Autobot Spike are mostly by the use of paint, complete with the use of the [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Bluestreak]] helmet with only one crest painted red (though the crests are bigger than normal) and a green-grey wing-door piece. He also utilities the [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Shockwave]] gun hand to simulate the original's own. The BotCon 2015 Kreon faithfully replicated this design, with the exception of the right door-wing, which remains white instead of being painted green.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Spike Witwicky''' (スパイク・ウィトウィッキー ''Supaiku Witowikkī'')
*''English:'' '''Sparkle''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''La Flèche''' (Canada, "The Arrow")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Csuka''' (''The Movie'', "Pike")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Spike''' (斯派克 ''Sīpàikè'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Spys''' ("Spear")

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witwicky, Spike (G1)}}
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising humans]]
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[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 humans]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
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[[Category:United States military officers]]
[[Category:Wings Universe humans]]
[[Category:Witwicky family|Spike Witwicky (G1)]]

Spike Witwicky (G1)

2019-02-13T20:30:26Z

Sideswipe84: /* Ladybird Books continuity */

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Symbol autobot reg.png|cLink=Honorary Autobot}}|autobot|autobotg2|gijoe|skywatch|edc}}
{{disambig3|Spike Witwicky}}
{{suite}}
:''Spike [[Witwicky]] is a [[human]] and sometimes [[Autobot]] ally and [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Spikewitwickyg1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Wait till you see my sweet future jumpsuit!]]
'''Spike Witwicky''' is the oldest (and sometimes only) son of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]].
Spike, like most Witwickys, has a tendency to form close bonds to the Autobots and become one of their main human allies. 'Cause let's face it, there are advantages when your best friend is [[Bumblebee (G1)|a car]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Mtmte2 spike finds soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
{{main|Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

Despite being too young to qualify for a driver's license, Spike worked with his father Sparkplug on an offshore oilrig in 1984 and became one of the first human allies of the Autobots. Spike soon became friends with the Autobot Bumblebee and ''more than friends'' with the human Carly. By 2005, he'd had a son named Daniel and was stationed on the Cybertron Moon Base. Narrowly surviving the [[Unicron War]], Spike continued to aid the Autobots in missions both deadly and diplomatic, eventually becoming the Headmaster partner of Cerebros in 2006.

In a splinter timeline, Spike did not become a Headmaster at first, and by 2011 had focused his energies on diplomacy. He eventually journeyed to planet Master and became a Headmaster via a modified Exo-Suit. In 2021, Spike was embroiled in a scheme concocted by [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] that briefly saw him framed for crimes he didn't commit. His name was cleared by his old friend Bumblebee, though.

{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Spike and his father joined the Autobots on a mission to stop the Decepticons from acquiring sunken treasure in Alaskan waters. As they sailed northward in a boat of Wheeljack's creation, Spike commented on the beauty of the scenery. He and Hound were then ambushed by Ravage. Thanks to Hound's holographic powers, they both escaped the encounter unscathed. After Bumblebee had been captured by the Decepticons, Spike and Sparkplug tagged along with Optimus and the rest of the Autobots in order to rescue him. They remained safe from Decepticon fire within Brawn’s durable car mode.{{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}}

When all of the Autobots except Bumblebee were captured by the Decepticons, a plan was devised and implemented — Sparkplug and Spike constructed a [[Giant fake Autobot|giant cut-out Autobot]] which was placed outside Decepticon headquarters as a diversion while Bumblebee slipped in and freed everyone. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

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

===Big Looker Storybooks continuity===
[[File:BattleforCybertron bumblebee spike sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45]]
Spike Witwicky and his father Sparkplug were investigating the damage done by a volcanic eruption close to their home town of [[Kimball]] when they witnessed a fleet of jet planes emerging from a spaceship buried within the volcano that the tremors had exposed. Spike was vocally opposed to Sparkplug's desire to examine the ship in search of "a little adventure", but ventured into the crater nonetheless, where he and his father were met by a talking Volkswagen named Bumblebee, who brought them into the ship and introduced them to his fellow Autobots. After helping the Autobots tap the volcano's energies to re-power their ship, Spike and Sparkplug were given a lift back home by Hound, but on the way, they witnessed the Decepticons draining the energy of a nearby power plant. Knowing that Hound wanted to return to his Autobot comrades to warn them that their enemies had re-powered themselves, Spike told him he could use "a little more adventure". The message was delivered, and as the Autobots readied for battle, Bumblebee took Spike and Sparkplug to a safe distance, where he would serve as a lookout and warn of a potential second wave of Decepticons approaching from the rear. Unfortunately, the battle lasted through the night, and when the rear wave appeared, Sparkplug realized that Bumblebee's signal—a flash of his headlights—was being lost in the rising sun. Spike, Sparkplug and Bumblebee raced into the battlefield to alert the Autobots, and they were able to get ready for the attack just in time. Optimus Prime credited victory in the battle to Spike and Sparkplug, and Spike affirmed his father's belief that the Autobots were their kind of machines. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

Spike and Sparkplug watched as the Autobots participated in a race to win a year's supply of gas and oil. The Autobots won, but Spike decided he'd stick to hot dogs and soda! {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:MegatronsFightforPower sonic multi tool.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
When a lighting storm spooked the Autobots, Spike wrote about the experience in his [[Spike's diary|diary]] the next morning, then tried to explain the phenomenon to his robot friends with the aid of his father. Intrigued by the idea of energy that fell from the sky, Optimus Prime had [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] construct a lightning rod to collect it, and Spike and Sparkplug were on hand as the finishing touches were added to the project. That night, Spike monitored weather forecasts and alerted the Autobots to the arrival of a new storm so they could see the machine in action. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Spike was instrumental in breaking the Decepticons' control over a human solar power station when he snuck into the facility with the intent of disabling the power-collecting machinery. Finding the door to the control room locked, Spike at first thought to pick the lock with his pen-knife, but quickly dismissed the idea and instead used the blade to alert the Autobots, watching nearby, flashing them a message in morse code by allowing the sun to glint off the knife. Optimus Prime sent [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] to deliver a [[sonic multi-tool]] to Spike, which allowed him to unlock the door and use the machinery to destroy the energon cubes the Decepticons had already gathered, sending them fleeing. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}
[[File:AutobotsFightBack spike jump.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]Bazinga.]
While he was in town with Ironhide to buy groceries, Spike spotted a flier for a car rally that he realized passed through the region where the Decepticons had set up a new temporary base. Spike suggested using the race as cover to investigate the Decepticons' activities, and so he and Jazz joined the rally, with Spike stealthily jumping from the moving Autobot as they neared the area in question to avoid detection. He discovered the Decepticons testing a new [[ion drive]] in an abandoned mineshaft, and hit on an idea: he had Jazz push a row of mine-cars down into the tunnel, destroying the ion drive and collapsing the tunnel on the evil robots. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

Investigating a report of Decepticon activity near a small village, Hound and Spike discovered that they had taken an interest in a local windmill. Spike and his father had to explain the concept of a non-electromagnetic mechanism to the baffled Autobots. When battle erupted around the windmill, Spike ran to the top of the structure to get a better look at the fight, but a blast from Laserbeak caused him to lose his footing and he fell onto the breaking lever, freeing the windmills sails to spin. [[File:LaserbeaksFury spike headshot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]] Laserbeak was knocked from the sky by a sail and the Decepticons were panicked by the primitive machine, causing Rumble to destroy it. Spike was able to get to safety before it collapsed, and the next day, consoled the worried Optimus Prime with the new that their battle hadn't even made the front page: the town was buzzing about Laserbeak's appearance a local disco! {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}}

When Spike joined the Autobots on a salvage mission to gather useful materials, it quickly became apparent that the Decepticons had developed a new method of spying on their enemies from orbital satellites. Remembering a story his father had told him when he was younger about two giants that were tricked into fighting each other, Spike suggested using the same tactic on the satellites. His aid didn't stop there: he was able to provide information about the [[Aurora Borealis]] and its radio-scrambling effects, allowing the Autobots to duplicate it as part of their plan to make the satellites crash into each other. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
[[File:DecepticonHideout spike attacks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Following a failed Decepticon attack on Autobot City, Bumblebee and Spike secretly trailed the retreating [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] to the Decepticons' new hidden base in a nearby industrial estate. Instructed by Bumblebee to wait outside while he went spy, Spike paid a visit to an adjacent scrap yard and asked the [[A. McNulty|manager]] to help him find some some bronze-chrome wheel trims for Hot Rod. When Spike saved the man from a collapsing pile of junk, in gratitude, he gave him the wheel-trims for free. Bumblebee, meanwhile, had been spotted by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], and hidden in vehicle mode in the junkyard, where he was almost scrapped by an electromagnet until Spike distracted the magnet's operator and save his little Autobot buddy. Subsequently, Spike and his father were used as the Autobots' human eyes and ears in the industrial estate, and learned for them that it was about to close down for a few weeks. The Autobots used this as a chance to take the fight to the Decepticons hiding there, and during the battle, Spike used several pieces of construction equipment to aid the Autobots, first drawing their fire with a calorifier on a chain, then using the electromagnet to trap several smaller Decepticons, before using a wrecking ball to attack Galvatron himself! Finally, Spike used the wrecking ball to collapse the entire building, burying the Decepticons in the rubble. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:G138 spike.jpg|left|thumb|Man, those Witwickies love pink shirts, don't they?]]
Spike Witwicky was away at college for the first few years of the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] [[Great War (G1)|war]] on [[Earth]], and was entirely unaware of his family's involvement in the robot conflict until the day he returned home to find [[Sparkplug Witwicky|his father]]'s [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service|garage]] a pile of rubble. Spike was relieved to find his father alive and well, but this sense of relief did not last long, as Sparkplug explained that the damage was the work of the Decepticon [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and told Spike of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]]'s involvement with the Autobots. Intent on ensuring his brother's safety, Spike headed up to [[Mount St. Hilary]], but found the volcano abandoned. Presently, the Autobot splinter group led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]], who had recently arrived in Earth orbit after departing the planet [[Nebulos]], entered the caverns, having followed distress call broadcast by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. Finding Goldbug's [[brain module]] in a toy car on the cavern floor, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] replayed recent images from the disembodied Autobots' memory, including Buster's capture by Ratbat. Seeing this image, Spike stepped forward and petitioned the Autobots for aid in saving his brother, but they turned him down and departed.

[[File:G138 spike in control.jpg|thumb|"Watch as I give him a wet willy!"]]
Spike bedded down in the cave overnight, but when he awoke the next morning, it was to the sight of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons arriving in search of the Autobots. Despite their brushing him off, Spike believed the Autobots deserved a warning, and used the machinery in the cave to replay Goldbug's distress signal, summoning Maximus's team back to the volcano in time to save him from a vengeful Scorponok. As battle erupted, Spike sought safety deeper in the volcano, but was pursued into its confines by Scorponok's [[Nebulan]] component, Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Fortress Maximus's Nebulan component [[Galen]] followed, but was killed when Zarak triggered a rockslide. In his last moments, Galen passed his control helmet to Spike, who took control of Fortress Maximus and used his firepower to send the Decepticons into retreat. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

The Autobots offered to properly [[binary bonding|binary bond]] Spike with Fortress Maximus, transforming him into a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and Spike accepted, believing it to be his best chance of finding and rescuing Buster. He returned home to tell his father the news just as Sparkplug received a call from [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]] of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] to let him know that Buster had been located. Using his new Headmaster powers to trace the call, Spike led the Autobots to a desert island that soon proved to be a [[Club Con|Decepticon base]] in disguise. [[File:G139 headmaster spike.jpg|left|thumb|"Though maybe the giant boxy shapes under my conspicuous trenchcoat should have been a clue."]] Prohibited from joining the fight by the other Autobots due to their fears his concern for Buster would short out Maximus's [[Circuit (circuit)#Logic circuits|logic circuits]], Spike complied with their wishes at first, but when the Decepticons' base also proved to be a rocket that took off for space, Spike was forced to take action, linking with Fortress Maximus and pursuing. Although he was able to use Maximus to shoot down [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], Spike was unable to get Buster free of the island's protective dome before the rocket outpaced him. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

Returning to the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' to build a new body for Goldbug, Spike was alerted by a bugging device he had left in his father's home to a phone call from [[Ethan Zachary]], and learned that the [[human]] had preserved the deceased [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s mind as a computer program. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Rendezvousing with the other Autobots in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to gain the resources to build Prime a new body, Spike earned the ire of current commander [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], who violently rejected the notion that a human could lead any Autobots. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:G151 spikes nightmare.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45]]
''When Optimus Prime was restored to life on Nebulous and returned to Earth, Spike, as part of Fortress Maximus, fought alongside him during the "[[Time Wars (event)|Time Wars]]".'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} Soon after, the Decepticons' island base resurfaced, and Spike took Optimus Prime and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] aboard Fortress Maximus to investigate. But by the time they arrived, the island had been relocated to the Arctic. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Following a distress signal sent out by Buster, the Autobots tracked down the younger Witwicky on the verge of hypothermia in the frozen wastes. In order to save his brother's life, Spike used Fortress Maximus to carefully raise Buster's body temperature with infra-red heating. However, the Autobots' intrusion near the Decepticons' secret base at that time had been orchestrated by Starscream, and they came to blows against the evil robots once again. When Ratbat learned that he was being forestalled from chasing Starscream, who had designs for the legendary [[Underbase]], he brokered a ceasefire with Maximus. Temporarily united, both of their teams could now focus on stopping the treacherous Seeker.

The Autobot/Decepticon alliance headed into space in pursuit of Starscream, and though they interrupted his absorption of the Underbase's energies, the portion he managed to consume was enough to grant him unimaginable power. Spike had to once more store Buster within Fortress Maximus as Ratbat's ship was destroyed, saving him from the vacuum of space. After they had boarded the Ark, the Autobots followed Starscream back to Earth. This time around, Optimus insisted on staying back with Buster while the others dealt with Starscream's rampage. Spike protested, but Optimus assured him he wouldn't do any less to keep Buster safe than Spike would. Spike was sent to [[Buenos Aires]], where he and Maximus were bested in battle. Thankfully, due to their partially-organic nature, they were able to survive exposure to Starscream's cosmic blasts. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

With Buster saved, Spike considered his work as Fortress Maximus's partner done, and following Starscream's defeat, announced his intent to leave the Autobot ranks despite their current depleted state. Leaving Maximus's body to gather dust in storage on the Ark, Spike returned to his normal life on Earth, but found himself plagued by nightmares full of mechanical imagery, prompting him to throw away his control helmet—kept for security's sake at the urging of Optimus Prime—in a junkyard to make a totally clean break from his brief time as a Headmaster. [[File:Fortressmaximus-thelastautobot1.jpg|left|thumb]] Unfortunately, Decepticon [[Pretender Beast]]s [[Snarler]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], who had been sent to kill Spike by Scorponok, located the discarded helmet and proceeded to track Spike to [[California]], where he was on a ski trip with his friend, [[Cliff Dietz]]. Taking refuge in a cave, Cliff helped Spike realize that his nightmares held a deeper meaning: that binary-bonding went far deeper that he had ever realized, and that even without his control helmet, separated by millions of miles, he and Fortress Maximus were still connected, two minds in one being. With this realization, Spike was able to summon Fortress Maximus from the Ark to battle Snarler and Catilla, though his responses proved far more sluggish than usual. Recovering his control helmet from Snarler's disabled Pretender shell, Spike fully re-established his connection with Fortress Maximus and combined with him once more to defeat the two Decepticons. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}

Although this realization about the nature of his connection with Fortress Maximus seemed to change Spike's tune, at some point over the next few years, he reverted to his old outlook, and returned Maximus to the Ark so he could get back to his human life. When the Ark crashed back on Earth in [[1991]], Fortress Maximus urged Spike to investigate the crash site and recover his body so they could become one again and stop the menace posed to Earth by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]. Accepting his responsibility as the last Autobot currently on Earth, Spike acquiesced, but once he had re-combined with Maximus, found his will subsumed by the Autobot, who elected to actively pursue Galvatron. Maximus found himself no match for the deranged future Decepticon, however, and called out for Spike's aid, but Spike refused to make a point, before the two came to an understanding and united their minds to bring Galvatron down. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Bumblebee and spike the planet eater.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
''By [[2005]], Spike had sired a son, the young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. At this time, the Decepticons had conquered Cybertron, relegating the Autobots to its two moons and Autobot City on Earth. Still playing an active role in his allies' struggle against the Decepticons, Spike was stationed on [[Moonbase Two]] alongside Bumblebee. Spike instructed Ironhide as he departed for Autobot City to tell Daniel that his father missed him, and that they would see each other as soon as Megatron was defeated.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''But Spike found himself facing down an even greater threat when [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] began encroaching on Cybertron's orbit. The "monster planet" gobbled up [[Moonbase One]], and Spike reported the disastrous turn of events to Ultra Magnus on Earth. As Unicron moved on to Cybertron's second moon, Spike rigged the satellite's entire stockpile of weapons to blow up after a twenty-second delay. He and Bumblebee then hopped on a ship and watched from afar as the moon exploded while Unicron was devouring it. The pair cheered until they realized that Unicron had been left completely unscathed by the explosion. They then attempted to flee, to no avail; Unicron sucked up their ship and swallowed it.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Spikewitwickytimewars.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|White jumpsuits were so 2006.]]
''Fortunately, a group composed of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and others found Spike and Bumblebee within Unicron during the Autobots' last stand against him. Spike was reunited with Daniel before [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] gave them both a ride to safety, while Unicron was destroyed around them.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2009]], Decepticons had built an [[energy leech (device)|energy leech]] to destroy Earth while [[time rift|a space-time anomaly]] was eating entire planets. After Rodimus Prime orchestrated a plan to travel twenty years back in time to the source of the anomaly, Spike Witwicky and his son Daniel accused Rodimus of shirking his responsibilities towards Earth and guilted Rodimus into allotting more troops to help destroy the Decepticons' machine. {{storylink|Time Wars}}
{{-}}

=====Rhythms of Darkness!=====
[[File:Spikewitwicky2009.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left|In 2009, jheri curls returned with a vengeance. Don't you remember that?]]
In an alternate timeline in the year [[2009]], Spike Witwicky was part of a very small Autobot/human resistance movement in a world where [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s Decepticons controlled North America. The handful of Autobots who remained alive despaired and were on the cusp of giving up, but Spike and [[Lisa]] (who shared growing feelings for each other) guilted them into one last suicidal attack on the [[Decepticon Powerbase]] in New York before the rest of the world could unleash a nuclear holocaust onto America at midnight. Though there were several casualties, Spike managed to hoist an American flag on the Decepticon stronghold on live television, a symbolic measure which prompted the end of the planned nuclear strike. Before Galvatron could respond, the Decepticon despot was abducted by [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] into another timeline {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Spikewitwickyg2.jpg|upright=0.5|thumb|Now the jumpsuit's in BROWN?]]
Despite the conclusions he had come to and the newfound unity he had forged with Maximus during his battle with Galvatron, it was apparent that old habits proved hard for Spike to shake. He again returned Maximus's body to the ruined Ark and tried to get back to life, presumably on the basis that so much time passed on Earth without any Transformer activity that he believed it was "all over". {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} A few years later, however, when Megatron returned and a small squad of Autobots came to Earth to battle him in [[Milleville]], Spike was drawn to the site of the battle, and snuck back aboard the Ark, now restored and under Megatron's control. {{storylink|Final Transformations}}

Discovering that Megatron was holding [[Sidney Biggles-Jones]] captive, Spike realized that he had no choice but to bond with Fortress Maximus once more, only to find that Megatron had disabled Maximus's dormant body while rebuilding the Ark, leaving him under-equipped for combat. Caught in the act of donning his armor by fellow stowaway [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], Spike combined with Maximus (curiously omitting Cerebros from the process) and explained his presence, then charged Skydive with rescuing Doctor Biggles-Jones while he and Maximus took Megatron on. Unsurprisingly, Megatron grievously wounded the pair, forcing Skydive to step in and distract him long enough for Maximus to escape, and make his way to the Ark's anti-matter power core. Intended to breach the core with his body and destroy the ship, hoping to take Megatron with it, Maximus instructed Spike to disconnect and escape, but Spike resolved to stay with his partner to the end to ensure their success. They smashed into the core together and perished in the resultant ship-destroying explosion, but alas, their sacrifice was in vain, as Megatron survived. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Invasion-Radcontrolroom.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Well, it beats a jheri curl.]]
Spike retained his duties as Fortress Maximus's binary-bond partner for decades, and eventually he was stationed in [[South America]]. He was present one day in [[2012]] when [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] reported from the [[Construction station|Ironworks]] base in [[Oregon]] about a foiled attack by [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]] and his Decepticons. Soon thereafter, due to the actions of an evil [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] from [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|another dimension]], a rift of space time opened over Earth, causing catastrophes worldwide. Spike, merged with [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], gathered civilians inside Fortress Maximus for safety. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

When the [[Rarified Energon|Rarefied Energon]] of his world caused Earth to come alive as the entity called [[Gaea]], Spike and all other Earth-lifeforms were teleported across dimensions to inhabit a new Earth. {{storylink|The Future Buried...}} Spike and his allies set out to uncover the mysteries of this new world; while all the cities and animals on this planet were the same as their old one, no humans appeared to have called this Earth home prior to their arrival. [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] set up Spike, [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]], [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]], and [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] with an apartment in Yucatán, but the group found it difficult to both get themselves employed and investigate a mysterious radio signal burst detected in the area.

While on a walk, Spike ruminated about his current situation. His reverie was interrupted by a crash, and Spike ran to assist a father and daughter trapped in an overturned car. He was helped in this task by Vroom and Crossblades, though all three had to hide their Cybertronian strength during the rescue, so as to avoid anti-Transformer sentiments. The trio then returned home, where they met with [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] and Elizabeth. After taking a video-call from Buster (and dodging inquiries over when he'd be getting a job) Spike joined his roommates on an outing to an Italian restaurant. After their meal, they were accosted by a mugger. {{storylink|Assembly (issue)|Assembly}} In the altercation that followed, Metalhawk was shot in the chest, and though it did him little harm, it did betray his human disguise. After Vroom and Crossblades had restrained the mugger, Metalhawk tried figuring out what to do with their attacker, only for two local police officers to turn up and take them all in for questioning. Though Metalhawk stumbled through his words, Spike was able to give his statement to the officers interviewing them, glossing over whatever details needed to be glossed over for their true identities to remain secret. Spike and the rest of the group were told they were free to go, but as soon as they exited the building, they were approached by a mysterious man. This new player informed the Autobots that he knew of their true identities, and warned them that [[Ramjet (Universe)|an evil force]] was coming... {{storylink|Insight}}

Though Spike and company were highly suspicious of the man, they agreed to follow him nonetheless, as he claimed to have a spaceship stashed nearby. Upon coming upon the craft however, the man revealed himself to be a Decepticon Pretender, and opened fire on Spike to provoke the Autobots into unveiling their true natures as well. Elizabeth managed to shove Spike out of harm's way, and the Autobots battled their new opponent: the universe's native Megatron! {{storylink|History}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
[[File:Lessthanzero-spike.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Spike was able to keep everyone from poking around in the Ark for a year or two, but he eventually stopped being Fortress Maximus full-time so he could live his life. Unfortunately, that meant some greedy/bored people were able to sneak into the Ark and fiddle with what it held in 1994... awakening Megatron! {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Even with nuclear weaponry turned against Earth's cities by the [[Aunty|Ark's computer]] and [[zombie]] Decepticons roaming the Earth, Spike struggled with becoming Fortress Maximus again—and his hesitation cost the lives of his brother, Buster and Buster's wife, [[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]]. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

[[File:SpikeWitwicky CircuitSmasher LooseEnds3.jpg|thumb|Powered by Blackrock ingenuity and 90s angst.]]
Spike finally became Fortress Maximus again and led a final battle alongside [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] and [[G.B. Blackrock]]. The final battle was a bust: Fortress Maximus was killed and Spike's mind and nervous system went with him.

Blackrock, however, used Beller's neural-cybernetic technology and bonded them with Spike's Headmaster parts, bringing him 'back to life', retarding his aging, and giving him powerful electric powers. Taking up the name '''Circuit-Smasher''', Spike became the main weapon for the rebels in [[Argus Base]] against Megatron's genocide. Unfortunately, he could only do so much and the Decepticon corpses were incapable of being permanently killed (again), and by 2012 he was angry enough to attack the first Autobots he saw on sight, blaming them for Earth's demise. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}}

[[File:Roadbuster CircuitSmasher LooseEnds4.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Only some appeals from [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and fellow rebel [[Gordon Kent]] calmed Spike down. He led the Autobot [[Wrecker]]s to Argus Base, filling them in on the destruction of Earth and how it was due to the Ark being left behind, unattended by the Autobots. He then formed part of a conference with Springer, Blackrock, Kent, and Sandstorm, running through their new options now that the Wreckers were on Earth, only to be interrupted by a broadcast from Megatron, taunting the Autobots with the tortured body of Kup. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Spike, along with a few of the Wreckers and a handful of humans armed with [[Battlesuit]]s, attacked the Ark, with the intention of shutting down its supercomputer [[Aunty|Auntie]]. Before attacking, Spike made it clear that they were to deactivate the Ark, and if he began to suspect any of them were thinking of trying to get it back under control and using it to leave, he would crash every single one of their circuits. Their initial progress through the Ark's defences started well, with Spike picking off any projectiles that managed to get through their formations. After [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] was blasted by the Ark's auto-turret defenses, Spike coldly commanded everyone to keep moving, saying that all of the Wreckers were expendable. Once the troupe broke through the Ark's outer defenses, Auntie deployed [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardians]] to protect herself. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} As the Wreckers and humans fought the Guardians, Spike infiltrated the Ark, but was detected by Auntie, who detained him. However, Spike was still able to use his powers to smash every single one of Auntie's circuits, deactivating her and the Guardians. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

After Megatron and his army were taken care of, Spike came to Optimus Prime, telling him that he and the others had unanimously decided on the Autobots leaving Earth for good. When Prime offered to help, Spike angrily rejected the offer, warning Optimus not to make ask them to leave more than once. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

Spike was, naturally, very angry to find out that Optimus Prime had chosen to stay behind, despite their wishes, and proceeded to brutally attack him upon encountering him in Wyoming. Only the intervention of other humans kept Circuit Smasher from finishing Optimus off, and their commander, [[Linda Chang]], agreed to allow Optimus to speak to the human leadership, but if he were to deviate in any way from their orders, she would allow Spike to finish him off. As he was led away, Optimus asked Spike if she was his commanding officer; he revealed that she was his wife!

At the human encampment, Optimus proposed uniting the people of Earth with Nebulos in a joint effort to rebuild both their worlds. The Nebulans' advanced science and technology could speed the rebuilding of Earth, while the Earthlings' strength and tenacity could help the Nebulans recover from the mass mental trauma inflicted upon them by the recently revived [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. Circuit Smasher was quick to shoot down the idea, but the other humans, including G.B. Blackrock, proved more receptive, and agreed to give careful consideration to Prime's plan. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

Primus identified Spike to [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] as one of four threats to the Great Plan. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}} With his anger, it was easy to see why—even after the human coalition voted to accept Prime's offer of rigging a [[space bridge]] to connect them to [[Nebulos]] for mutual gain, Spike less-than-subtly implied he might destroy the Bridge anyway. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

Spike was as surprised as anyone when the Space Bridge first opened, and Fortress Maximus emerged. His "other self" had been reconstituted with his original head thanks to Nebulos's bio-metasynthesis program, but he was also corrupted by the [[Dark Matrix (G1)|Dead Matrix]]. Fortress Maximus blasted Optimus Prime into submission and kidnapped the stunned Spike. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} In Zero Space, the Dead Matrix entity revealed Spike's unique blend of human-Nebulan-Cybertronian anatomy made him the perfect key to accessing the rest of the multiverse. The entity psychologically tortured Spike to bring forth the power necessary to achieve its ends. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} Rodimus Prime was eventually able to reach Spike in Zero Space, convincing him to let go of his anger, denying the entity the power it needed for passage to other worlds. Spike returned to Earth with a great burden lifted from his conscience, and assisted with the reconstruction of human civilization. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

===Project Brain Drain===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainSparkplugandSpike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Spike set out for a rock concert taking place at [[Heywood Heights]] with some friends, unaware that his father had just discovered that the Decepticons were planning on using a brain drain device to syphon all of the concertgoers’ brain power away.

Whether or not Spike’s father and the Autobots succeeded in saving Spike depended on the choices they made throughout the adventure that followed.

In one notable scenario, Sparkplug searched the crowd of concert-goers frantically for Spike, as his Autobot friends were being destroyed by Galvatron and his troops. Upon being found, Spike had already been drained of his brain power, and was confused as to why Sparkplug was looking so sad, though Spike was unable to recognize the man as his own father. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
Spike, his brother Buster, and his father Sparkplug met the Autobots early on in their time on Earth. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} Spike formed a close friendship with Bumblebee. {{storylink|Extermination}}

Somewhere in the time after [[1984]], Spike married Carly, who then gave birth to Spike's son, Daniel. {{storylink|Extermination}} After the explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]'' in [[1999]], which caused the death of Spike's father Sparkplug, Spike tried to leave his involvement with the Transformers behind and settled down with his wife and son in Cleveland, Ohio, trying to live a new life as a normal family. The newfound peace wouldn't last for long, though, as Spike was soon recruited by a shady military official named [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] seeking his help in reviving Optimus Prime, whose body his men had recently found in the Arctic. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} Spike, who had been entrusted by Prime with a fragment of the Matrix, used that fragment to bring Prime back to life.

Optimus Prime subsequently used the Matrix to revive and assemble a group of his Autobots, which he would then lead against Megatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Spike, however, revealed he had become disillusioned with the Autobots' war. Having its the human cost, he could no longer give Optimus his full support in his crusade against the Decepticons. Spike's words hit Prime hard, and the Autobot leader opted to confront the Decepticons without any human back-up once their location had been pinpointed. But General Hallo had double motives behind reviving the Autobots. He and Spike followed them in a helicopter, and once Hallo noted that the Decepticons were no longer under human control, ordered the delivery of a bomb upon all robot combatants. Spike futilely tried to intervene, and the payload exploded, enveloping all Autobots and Decepticons in its radius. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} Spike was subsequently taken prisoner by Hallo, and locked up within the Pentagon. However, he apparently had an ally within the building; a note telling him to be ready when he would soon be broken free was slipped under his cell's door... {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} His benefactor was [[Larry|Larry, the World's Most Resourceful Janitor]], and with his help, Spike was able to escape his cell. Once freed, he uncovered the [[Lazarus Project]] and Hallo's sinister schemes, but not in time to stop him from launching a nuclear strike against the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Spike confronted Hallo, brandishing the files on the Lazarus project. But Hallo revealed he no longer cared about being found out, pulled out his firearm, and forced Spike to watch with him as the missile he had launched streaked towards Los Angeles. Spike accused Hallo of being a lunatic, caring only for power. Hallo agreed, positing that safety could only acquired through power. Hallo was interrupted mid-rant by the arrival of the secret service, who gunned him down when he refused to surrender. The Autobots' destruction was ultimately averted when [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] sacrificed his life in order to make it detonate before it could reach its target. Afterwards, Spike made his way to Optimus's side as he rebooted. Spike had hoped that Optimus would be happy after achieving another victory against the Decepticons, but Optimus remained crestfallen, his eyes now opened to how much suffering he had brought to Earth with his war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

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

Following these events, Spike once again returned to his family and tried to leave his past with the Transformers behind. A few months later, though, his old friend Bumblebee, who had just decided to quit the Autobot army following a fierce battle against [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], showed up by his house. Spike, frustrated that the Autobots refused to leave him alone, hurled a few nasty insults against his old buddy {{storylink|Extermination}} before changing his mind and joining him on a men's night out in the city, where they stopped a mugging. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Volume 2 Preview}}}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
In response to the forming of the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and its commandeered Transformers, the United States government assembled a strike team dubbed [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Spike Witwicky (codename Spike) was listed on the roster, but was never seen. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
In a reality where the Dinobots consisted of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Paddles (character)|Paddles]], Spike befriended the first three, but never got a chance to meet the latter. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}

Spike was out driving with Bumblebee and Hound when, to their surprise, they stumbled on a badly-damaged Starscream. Though Spike was all in favor of leaving the Decepticon there, Bumblebee insisted they take Starscream back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] with them. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

Bumblebee gave Spike a ride to his high school, but while Spike was in class, his Autobot pal got carjacked. When Spike emerged, he found a smug Bumblebee sitting in the carpark with two wet seats. {{storylink|Joyride (story)|Joyride}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Spikewitwickybuttonflies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
{{main|Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity}}
{{-}}

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

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
Spike and [[Minerva (Masterforce human)|Minerva]] ran away from Mega-Megatron in terror. {{storylink|Defend the Blocks! Autobots, Dispatch!}}

[[File:Autobot-X_Kre-O_Character_Image.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Nothing is so painful to the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] memory module as a great and sudden cameo.]]

"Autobot Spike" ran away in fear from [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], the combined form of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}

The "Autobot Spike" robot was later seen among a group of Earth's most wanted criminals. They attacked [[Metroplex (Kre-O)|Metroplex]] together, though Spike seemed more confused than actively malevolent throughout the venture. Despite their best efforts, the villains were repelled, and left the battlefield empty-handed. {{storylink|The Brick List: Earth's Most Wanted}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Spike Witwicky had already been [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] to Cerebros when the Decepticons threatened Nebulos. Together, they bonded themselves to Fortress Maximus to combat [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]]. By the time that MegaZarak was present on [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]] a few years later, Spike had presumably died, leaving his son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] to fill his shoes. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

When Cerebros got wind of the [[Human Confederacy]]'s [[Eutychus Project]], he asked them to resurrect his former human partners, but they refused and gave him the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] instead.

An etching of "Spike Witwicky" existed in [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], along with "Daniel" and "[[Galen Witwicky]]". [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]], part of the trio that controlled Fortress Maximus, claimed to be Spike, among many other individuals related to the giant. {{storylink|Head Games}}

==Commercial appearances==
Spike brought some friends to visit an Autobot base in the dead of night. They were briefly stopped by the base's guards, who shined their headlights down on them to verify their allegiance. The three boys were cleared for entry, since they were wearing Transformers [[Iron-on patch|reflective patches]]! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Reflective patches|Prizes in Disguise contest/reflective patches commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-AutobotX.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Spike, along with [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], was transported back in time to the sixth century, where they joined with [[Aetheling the Red|Lord Aetheling]], and were forced to combat similarly-displaced Decepticons at a medieval technology level. They eventually triumphed and returned to the present with the Decepticons as prisoners. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (Legends)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} After Spike was gravely wounded during a Decepticon attack on an air force base, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] transferred Spike's mind into [[Autobot X (G1)|Autobot X]]. The trauma made Autobot X go berserk, and he fled the base, eventually being found by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], who convinced him to turn on the Autobots. When his father was injured in the battle, Spike came back to his senses and after the Decepticons were defeated, Wheeljack transferred his mind back to his healed body. {{storylink|Autobot X (Legends)|Autobot X}} Spike suggested the Autobots hold a charity race. It did not go as planned. {{storylink|Autobot Run}} Hoist was out driving with Spike and [[Carly]] when they happened on a film shoot, leading to the Autobot being cast in a film. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (Legends)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

During [[Unicron]]'s attack on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Spike and some Autobots were lost inside the giant, resulting in [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Spike's son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] searching for them. They were reunited and escaped Unicron prior to his destruction. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and Spike were kidnapped by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} Though the trio were sentenced to death by the Quints, the other Autobots arrived in time to save them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} When the Quintessons later used an ancient device to deactivate the Transformers, Spike was able to destroy it, saving the lives of his friends. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

Following an Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Spike, alongside [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ultra Magnus were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. This did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. This was not to be, unfortunately, as the resurrected Autobot leader left the group stranded after having received the Matrix of leadership from Rodimus. After Optimus regained his senses, the Autobots were left to mourn their leader as he sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Spikeheadmastertoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Finally, your favorite Transformers character!]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (Headmaster, [[1987]])

:Spike is a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure that comes with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Fortress Maximus]]. Gray and blue, it transforms into [[Cerebros (G1)#Generation 1|Cerebros]]'s head, which then in turn becomes Fortress Maximus's head. Although the on-package [[bio]] refers to 'the Nebulan leader, Spike', most assume it is supposed to represent the character from TV, making this the first Transformers toy of an Earth human.

:This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Generation 1 comic]] as [[Galen]]. This mold was also [[redeco]]ed as [[Grand Maximus|Gran]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]], and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' [[Master (RM)|Master]] and retooled to make [[BotCon 2014]] [[Olin Zarak]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/FortressMaximus/fortressmaximus.htm More information on Spike (with Fortress Maximus) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Masterpiece===
:''See also:'' [[#Masterpiece 2]]
[[File:Masterpiecetoy spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' ([[2011]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10'''
:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|MP-10 Convoy]] comes with a small figure of Spike. Standing at about an inch tall, he features articulation in his shoulders, hips and knees, and is scaled to be able to sit in all the cockpit spaces that ''[[Diaclone]]'' figures could occupy on the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure, such as Prime's passenger compartment while in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]'s seats, the consoles on the floor of the [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], and the cockpit of the Combat Deck's artillery robot.

:As this smaller incarnation of Convoy is in [[scale]] with them, Spike is also capable of riding ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' figures!

{{-}}{{anchor|eva}}
[[File:ConvoyModeEva Spike.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Looks like Shinji ran away again...Spike, you're hired!]]
*'''Convoy Mode "Eva"''' ([[2014]]-[[November 28|11-28]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10E'''

:For ''[[Transformers × Evangelion]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#eva|Convoy Mode "Eva"]], an ''Evangelion''-themed redeco of MP-10 Convoy, the Spike figure was redecoed in a color scheme based on [[NERV]] uniforms.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP22}}
[[File:MP22-UltraMagnus-SpikeDaniel.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (2014-[[December 27|12-27]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-22'''

:''Masterpiece'' MP-22 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#MP22|Ultra Magnus]] includes articulated figurines of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#MP22|Daniel]] and his father Spike, based on their appearances in the movie and Season 3 of the cartoon. Both can fit in seats inside the truck cab.

{{-}}{{anchor|mp711}}
[[File:MP711-Spike.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It might be his after-school job... if he ever actually went to school.]]
*'''Convoy (7-Eleven ver.)''' ([[2018]]-[[February 28|02-28]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-711'''

:Available exclusively from Japanese 7-11 stores, MP-711 is a [[7-Eleven]]-themed Optimus Prime, with the Spike figurine sporting a 7-Eleven uniform.

{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' ([[2012]])
:A [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]] in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Hasbro's release]] of the MP-10 figure and its accessories features various plastic color and [[Paint operation|paint detail]] changes, yet Spike appears to be no different.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/MPSpikeWitwicky/spikewitwicky.htm More information on Masterpiece Spike at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Kre-O===
[[File:Kre-O-Earth's-Most-Wanted-Autobot-Spike.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb]]
*'''Earth's Most Wanted'''

:Part of the [[BotCon 2015]] ''Earth's Most Wanted'' Souvenir Figure Set, "Autobot Spike" is a [[Kreon]] based on his appearance in the comic, albeit with some slightly different details.

{{charstubtoys}}

===Generations===
====Masterpiece====
:''See also:'' [[#Masterpiece]]
{{anchor|HasbroMP}}
[[File:Hasbro-MP-Exosuit-Spike-Witwicky.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*''' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Bumblebee]] & [[Exosuit]] Spike Witwicky''' (2016)
**''ID Number'': '''MP-08'''

:The Hasbro release of ''Masterpiece'' MP-11 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Bumble]] comes with a Spike clad in the [[exosuit]] he wore in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. While the figure is identical to the [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Daniel Witwicky]] figure in the Takara release, Spike features a darker tone of light blue.

:He is mistransformed in vehicle mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|TitansReturn}}
====Titans Return====
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Emissary.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb|If I change my name, they'll never realize that I'm the guy that shot [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]].]]
*'''[[Emissary (Generations)|Emissary]] & Cerebros & Fortress Maximus''' (Titan Class, 2016)
{{note|The ''Titans Return'' Emissary figure is based on the 1987 Spike figure, but whether it truly qualifies as a version of the Spike character is ambiguous.}}
:Only available with his partners (both medium and large), Emissary forms the head of [[Cerebros (G1)#Generations|Cerebros]] who in turn forms the head of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generations|Fortress Maximus]]. Emissary can also be used as a head for any other Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader figure in the ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]''. His robot mode is based on the Headmaster [[#Generation 1|Spike]] figure, whilst his head mode is the [[mouthplate]]d design of Cerebros's [[character model]].

:This mold was later retooled into ''Legends'' [[Fortress_Maximus_(G1)/toys#Legends|Fortress' Headmaster stage]], and into ''Transformers & Downtown No Gaki No Tsukai Ya Arahende! Crossover'' [[Donarimasu]] & [[Guchirimasu]] Headmaster units.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC}}
*'''Fortress Maximus Convention Edition''' (Titan Class, 2016)

:The San Diego Comic-Con 2016 release of Fortress Maximus comes with a new head piece for Emissary, which resembles Fortress's Headmaster form in ''The Headmasters'' cartoon.
{{-}}

===Legends===
[[File:TF-Legends-Bumble-and-Excel-Suit-Spike.jpg|right|thumb|300px|His face is in our nightmares.]]
*'''Bumble & Excelsuit Spike''' ('''Bumblebee & Exo-suit Spike''') ([[2017]]-[[December 30|12-30]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG-54'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' "Excelsuit Spike", despite possible appearances, is an all new sculpt transforming from a small robot based on Spike's exosuit into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]'s head which is compatible to any Deluxe-to-Larger ''Legends'' Headmaster/''Titans Return'' figures, although he was meant to form Fortress's head. Just like [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Legends|Ghost Starscream]], his smaller head is cast in transparent plastic.

:Excelsuit Spike comes with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Legends|Bumble]], a redeco of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Bumblebee figure.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[File:SCF-HOC Spike.jpg|300px|thumb|Spike says "How."]]
*'''Bumble and Spike''' (PVC figurine, [[2001]])
**''ACT'': '''3'''
**''Japanese ID Number'': '''5''' (painted) '''6''' (clear)

:[[Plastic|PVC]] figurines of Spike and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] were sold together in the third act of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' series. Like all the figures in the wave, the pair were available as both regular full-color figures and clear plastic versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. Spike has peg-holes in the soles of his feet for a stand, but the holes are ''far'' too small to work with the accompanying stand.

: In two out of every ten cases, the full-color version of the set came packaged with the torso piece of the wave's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Super Collection Figure/Heroes of Cybertron|Fortress Maximus]] "build-a-figure", itself in either full-color or clear versions in an equal 1:1 ratio. Yikes.

===Heroes of Cybertron===
*'''Autobot Espionage Team''' ([[2003]])

:''Super Collection Figure'' Spike and Bumblebee were later released by [[Hasbro]] in the fourth wave of their ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' line, sold under the name "Autobot Espionage Team," as Hasbro did not have the trademark rights to Bumblebee's name at this point in time. This version of Spike was cast in transparent-blue plastic then wholly painted over.

: Unlike the blindpacked Japanese version, they were sold on an individual blister card, and came packaged with the right leg of the Fortress Maximus figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCSpike/spike.htm More information on ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Spike at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===History Collection===
[[File:TFhistorycollection spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Spike''' (2004)
:A PVC figurine of Spike was the rare [[chase figure]] of Takara's ''[[History Collection]]''. Spike was the only piece in the series who did not come with a circular "bottlecap" display base, instead, coming crouched on Optimus Prime's hand, from which he could be removed. Additionally, Prime's hand could plug into the wrist socket of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime]] figure.
::*''[http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act234/ More information on the History Collection at TFKenkon.com]''
{{-}}

===Brave-Goukin===
[[File:BraveGoukin exosuit.jpg|thumb|upright=2.33]]
*'''Excel Suit''' (<s>2014</s>)

:A poseable Exosuit toy was to be produced by [[CM's Corporation]] as part of their ''Brave-Goukin'' line, complete with vehicle mode and transforming arm blasters. It would have included static figures of Spike and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] who could be displayed separately or have their heads placed inside the suit, with alternate piloting heads included for the suit's vehicle mode. The Exosuit would also have come with a small figurine of [[Grand Galvatron]] and the [[Master Sword]] data disc from the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode "[[The Master Sword Is in Danger!!]]".

:This toy only made it as far as the painted [[prototype]] stage before CM's Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy, leaving it unreleased.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Spike and Buster were both derived from the same "young male human friend" character in early backstory material. For more on the name variation see [[Butch Witwicky (G1)|Butch Witwicky]].
*Apparently Spike Witwicky is named after a person in real life! According to the [[BotCon 2010]] panel hosted by [[Bob Budiansky]], [[Jim Shooter]] (editor in-chief at [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] at the time) chose the name based on one of his real life friends. The name Witwicky had previously showed up in Marvel's ''Dazzler'' comics, as co-plotted by Shooter.
*While being a patchwork like the [[Autobot X (G1)|original cartoon Autobot X]], it is clear that the details on the comic version of Autobot Spike are mostly by the use of paint, complete with the use of the [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Bluestreak]] helmet with only one crest painted red (though the crests are bigger than normal) and a green-grey wing-door piece. He also utilities the [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Shockwave]] gun hand to simulate the original's own. The BotCon 2015 Kreon faithfully replicated this design, with the exception of the right door-wing, which remains white instead of being painted green.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Spike Witwicky''' (スパイク・ウィトウィッキー ''Supaiku Witowikkī'')
*''English:'' '''Sparkle''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''La Flèche''' (Canada, "The Arrow")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Csuka''' (''The Movie'', "Pike")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Spike''' (斯派克 ''Sīpàikè'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Spys''' ("Spear")

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witwicky, Spike (G1)}}
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising humans]]
[[Category:Classics humans]]
[[Category:G.I. Joe]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Kre-O humans]]
[[Category:Legends humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 humans]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Regeneration One humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:United States military officers]]
[[Category:Wings Universe humans]]
[[Category:Witwicky family|Spike Witwicky (G1)]]

Lockdown (Animated)

2019-02-13T19:52:12Z

Sideswipe84:

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Rubsign inactive.png|cLink=Decepticon|cPretty=Decepticon}}|{{factions/icons|custom=Rubsign inactive.png|cLink=Autobot|cPretty=Autobot}}}}

{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Lockdown}}

:''Lockdown is a bounty hunter commonly allied with the [[Decepticon]]s from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tfalockdowna.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Put Captain Solo in the cargo hold."]]

Driven by the thrill of the chase, '''Lockdown''' is a bounty hunter by choice and a Decepticon only by necessity. He's got no real loyalty towards [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], but the Decepticons always pay on time, better than the [[Elite Guard]], and allow him access to the systems upgrades he craves. Besides that, he's such a nasty piece of work that it's just easier for him to be a 'Con.

Lockdown has a grisly habit of collecting "trophies" from his victims for his own use. He has attached a number of parts that appear to be stolen, such as his hook, chainsaw weapons, and parts of his left leg. His collection of stolen gadgets include quick-hardening cement spray, smoke bombs, and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s EMP generator. The [[Autobot]]s consider his actions appalling, while [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] views his mercenary ways an insult to the Decepticon cause, but Lockdown doesn't care. As long as Megatron and the Decepticon leadership will give him his upgrades, Lockdown will get the job done.

{{quote|I'm not that good with names and faces, but I never forget a trophy.|Lockdown, "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
{{voiceactor|[[Lance Henriksen]] (English), [[Akio Ōtsuka]] (Japanese)|[[Kaspar Eichel]] (German), [[Pietro Ubaldi]] (Italian, "The Thrill of the Hunt" only), [[Marco Balbi]] (Italian, second voice), [[Julio González Littin]] (Latin-American Spanish, seasons 1 and 2), [[Juha Paananen]] (Finnish)}}

Lockdown was a student in [[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]]'s [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]], and one of the greater students at that. However, during the Great War, he somehow brought shame on the Corps and was booted out. Becoming a bounty hunter instead, his first act was to lead a Decepticon attack on Yoketron's training center and to steal the protoforms kept in storage. During the attack, he killed his former teacher and took his helmet. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}}

[[Image:TFA Thrill Hunt Lockdown Optimus.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"Hnn. No cavities. Figures."]]

One of his other wartime jobs was to bring an [[Arcee (Animated)|intelligence officer]] who carried vital information in for questioning. He encountered [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], broke off one of the Autobot's forehead chevrons and stole his [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]] generator, turning the healing tool into a weapon. During said encounter, Lockdown's right arm was destroyed when he launched it at Ratchet, causing him to replace it with a decidedly more menacing one (namely, the hook seen above). He was also indirectly responsible for Arcee losing her memory. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}}

[[File:LooseStrands-Boottothehead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left]]
''On modern-day Earth, Lockdown was hired by [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] to bring in the Autobot presumed responsible for [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s death and was allowed to name his price—specifically, Lugnut's [[Punch of Kill Everything]]. Tracking the ''[[Nemesis (Animated)|Nemesis]]'' to the location of its crash on the moon, Lockdown, through use of the security footage, determined that a repair crew led by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] was responsible. Realizing he was not alone, he soon found himself face to face with [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], who had her own reasons for being there. Being suspicious of her motives, Lockdown confronted her, only to be knocked out cold by Blackarachnia's [[cyber venom]]. Coming to and seeing her gone, he dismissed this and moved on to capture his real target'', {{storylink|The Arrival issue 4#"A Few Loose Strands"|A Few Loose Strands}} Optimus Prime. He captured Prime using the EMP generator and, impressed by Prime's own personal modifications, stole his axe and forcibly removed Optimus's grapplers, something that traumatized him later on. When the Autobots came to rescue Prime, Lockdown made short work of [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], on the other hand, proved a bigger challenge, but Lockdown came out on top (after having a tire mark smudged on his face). He was about to leave in [[Death's Head (Animated)|his ship]] with his new trophies, when Ratchet, who had been suffering from war flashbacks, came on the scene and soundly thrashed him, partially because the stolen EMP generator didn't work on Ratchet himself. Pinning Lockdown, Ratchet painfully removed both Prime's grapplers and his own EMP generator. Lockdown was forced to watch as Ratchet crippled his ship and escaped with a weakened Optimus. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}}

After arriving on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], Blitzwing remarked that the Decepticons hadn't heard anything from Lockdown since he contacted Blitzwing. Mentioning Lockdown's name made Lugnut get a little bent out of shape. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

[[Image:AFistfulofEnergon-Lockdowninponcho.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The robot with no name.]]

As it turns out, Lockdown survived the crash and his ship was repaired. Learning of a large bounty on [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], Lockdown headed back to Earth, expecting a serious fight to take him down. It turned out that Prowl managed to take down Starscream for him. During a fight over the Decepticon, they realized that Starscream had escaped. Heading to Earth on his ship, he discovered Prowl had stowed away. Prowl offered to help Lockdown, and the bounty hunter offered a suit of armor to assist.

[[Image:AFistfulofEnergon-Lockdownwithhelmet.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why, yes Prowl, I have all this Samurai armor that not only fits you and matches your color scheme, but can also turn into a sidecar that attaches to your vehicle mode! Oh, and by the way, I killed your sensei.]]

Upon landing on Earth, Lockdown and Prowl discovered Starscream ([[Clone number 3370318|both purple and more cowardly than usual]]) and Prowl managed to take him down. Lockdown contacted Megatron to set up a meet, but Prowl wanted to turn him over to the Elite Guard. Lockdown subdued Prowl and took Starscream. At the warehouse, the Autobots arrived with [[Clone number 2716057|''another'' Starscream]]. Lockdown tried to take his leave, but Megatron commanded him to stay. Then the two Starscreams revealed that they were clones with bombs in their chests. Lockdown managed to get away in the chaos, then contacted Prowl with an offer of a partnership. Prowl rejected his offer, saying that all the mods were for weak processors, and warned Lockdown never to contact him again, or he'd turn him over to the Elite Guard. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

At some point after he left Earth, Lockdown traded information to [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] in exchange for weapons. {{storylink|SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy}}

[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-LockdownInYoketronHelmet.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm gonna carve you a new cake hole!]]

He later came back to Earth, hired by [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] to capture Decepticons for him so he could look good. Lockdown happily complied until [[Ramjet (Animated)|one of the prisoners]] made a better deal, causing Lockdown to happily turn on the Autobots. He was able to defeat Prowl through his ninja skills and trickery, taking him away to steal his jump-jets and holo-projector so he could replicate the armour Prowl once wore. Shockingly, putting one of the heroes next to a load of kit that said hero could use ''backfired'', and Lockdown found himself fighting a stronger Prowl—especially once the Autobot realised Lockdown had been the one to murder Yoketron.

While beaten, Lockdown was able to escape once again. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Although his whereabouts remained at large, Ratchet would proceed to recall his history with Lockdown some while later. {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}

{{--}}

===Toy bios===
[[Image:Blazinglockdownpackageart.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Don't touch that please, your primitive intellect wouldn't understand alloys and compositions and things with... molecular structures.]]
In the past, Lockdown stole an "active camo" mod from a member of the Autobot [[Elite Guard]]. As it renders him nearly invisible, he uses it to do reconnaissance on his targets, learning everything he needs to know about them before striking. Unfortunately, it shorts out in the rain. {{storylink|#Stealth|Stealth Lockdown}}

Lockdown realizes that half the game is psychological, no matter what that game is. If it's bounty hunting, and you have to paint yourself blue with skeletons and a missing optic to give your target a case of the glitches, well, sometimes it's what you have to do. They'll certainly know he's ''coming''—and that nothing is going to stop him. {{storylink|#Bandit|Bandit Lockdown}}

At some point, Lockdown was exposed to exotic energy that supercharged his systems, causing his body to give off a fiery glow. This enhancement went so far as to change his mode of operations; he no longer seeks payment for his actions, and instead simply lives to see the terror coming from the Autobots he destroys. With his chainsaw and a body that now gives off so much heat that it can melt or burn through whatever he comes in contact with, that's a ''lot'' of terror... for however long the condition lasts. {{storylink|#Blazing|Blazing Lockdown}}
{{-}}

===''Web of Deception''===
Blackarachnia hired Lockdown to get her revenge on Optimus Prime, sending the bounty hunter to [[Archa Seven]] to pick up one of the [[Archa Seven arachnid|giant spiders]] there and bring it back to Earth. Using [[Sparkseeker]] EMP torpedoes, he was able to abduct Optimus Prime right off the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Autobot ship]] and tie him to a bomb next to the spider as part of Blackarachnia's plan. A short time later the rest of the Autobots caused problems for him, and he opted to leave them to it. {{storylink|Web of Deception}}

{{Note|As "Web of Deception" is a multipath adventure, some accounts of the events may vary. In one particular version of events, Lockdown got a better offer from a safari hunter in the [[Kvi Cluster]] and captured Blackarachnia instead.}}

===''The Cool'' comics===
[[Image:The CoolLockdownAndRatchet01.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm the dog, the big bad dog...]]

Upon arriving on [[Earth]], Lockdown joined [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] in attacking [[Detroit]]. Transforming from vehicle to robot mode, he faced off against [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] in an attempt to seize the [[AllSpark]]. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 1}}

Lockdown later joined up with Prowl (giving him a set of power-boosting armor) in hunting down what he thought was Starscream. Lockdown then doublecrossed Prowl when the Autobot began to have doubts and hauled the bounty off to Megatron by himself. The Starscream he had captured turned out to be nothing more than a clone, rigged to explode by the ''real'' Starscream. Prowl launched the clone into the sky, where it detonated harmlessly, though Lockdown disappeared in the confusion. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 6}}
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===''Kre-O'' online comic===
Lockdown was with the Decepticons when they showed the "Metrotitan" form of their newly-repainted Decepticon City. {{Storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}
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===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] had speculated that a [[Malgus]] cluster universe may have interacted with a universe located somewhere [[Omniverse|beyond the multiverse]] at some point, allowing the alien bounty hunter [[Khyber]] to collect a number of Cybertronian artifacts, including Lockdown's hook. However, the circumstances of how Khyber was able to do so have not been explained. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}
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==Games==
===Transformers Animated: The Game===
:''Voice actor'': [[Lance Henriksen]] (English)
[[Image:TFAnimated Game Lockdown.jpg|thumb|right|139px]]
Lockdown was hired by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] to find [[AllSpark]] fragments in exchange for some sweet upgrades. Lockdown, always the consummate professional, delivered the goods. He later lucked into some more fragments, which had been gathered by [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], and swiped them from the Autobot. Bumblebee furiously chased him along [[Detroit]]'s streets, bumping into him until he had to reboot and the Autobot pinched the fragments back. To add insult to injury, Lockdown was subsequently hunted down and captured by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Game}}
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===Transformers Animated: ''Action Packs''===
{{note|Lockdown is featured as a playable game card. He is a silver card, has a value of 3 points, and has the following powers: " -2 to any Prowl in play" and "+3 to any human in play." His second power was supposed to give "-1 to any human in play," but due to a programming error, it gave them the bonus instead.}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: Action Packs}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
====Deluxe Class====
[[Image:Deluxe Lockdown.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arrr, matey...]]
*'''Lockdown''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-08'''
**''Accessories'': Hook attachment, engine block/EMP generator
: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Transformers Animated]]'' Deluxes, Lockdown transforms into an amalgam of a 1980s Corvette and a 1960s Cougar, with lots of spikes and a cow-catcher on his bumper. He looks freaking terrifying. In car mode, pressing down on his engine block/EMP generator flips out twin cannon barrels. A hook can also be flipped from the center of his bumper.

: In robot mode, the entire engine block/center hood assembly pops off to form a "replacement" hook-hand gauntlet that can be used on either arm (though for [[character model|animation model]] accuracy, it would go on his right arm). The engine block can be removed and attached to the [[Ratchet (Animated)|deluxe Ratchet's]] left arm via the "war wound" socket. There was much rejoicing. But it cannot be attached to [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]'s arm. Despite being "normal" size in car mode for a Deluxe, due to his transformation, he towers over most Deluxes in robot mode.

: His wrists are susceptible to breaking off if too much pressure is applied when trying to force his wrists into a more natural "straight down" position, so don't do it. The earliest releases of the toy had issues with the EMP generator; it was hard to trigger the barrel release, plus it didn't lock onto Ratchet's arm too well. Later releases fixed these issues.

: Lockdown is slightly mistransformed in the picture to the right: his legs are not properly extended. Doing so would allow the panels at the top of his legs to fold into his legs and face down, not forward. Also, his shoulder panels should be flipped up. These steps make for a more cartoon-accurate toy.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Adventure]]'' [[Lockdown (Adventure)|Lockdown]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Lockdown/lockdown.htm More information on Lockdown at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Stealth}}
[[Image:Ani-toy StealthLockdown.JPG|right|250px|thumb|"No doubt you want a Starscream redeco instead of this. Hnn, figures."]]
*'''Stealth Lockdown''' (3-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Hook attachment, engine block/EMP generator

: Part of a Target-[[exclusive]] multi-pack, this version of the original Deluxe toy is mostly smoky-clear plastic with light gray [[Plastic|PVC]] plastic for joint tolerances, and only a small number of [[paint operation|paint applications]]. He retains his gimmicks and unfortunately his wrists have the same breakage issues as the normal version.

: He comes with the [[Legends Class|Legends-class]] versions of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]. These two are ''almost'' identical to their individually carded mass-retail versions, having silver [[insignia|faction symbols]] instead of red.

: His [[packaging]] [[stock photography]] depicts a [[:Image:StealthLockdownOriginal.jpg|very different version]] of the toy, being completely transparent as opposed to the final toy's translucent-but-smokey coloration.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/StealthLockdown/lockdown.htm More information on Stealth Lockdown at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Blazing}}
[[Image:Blazing Lockdown.jpg|right|250px|thumb|This is what happens when he takes "trophies" from a Ford Pinto.]]
*'''Blazing Lockdown''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-46'''
**''Accessories'': Chainsaw attachment, engine block/EMP generator

: Part of the fifth wave of ''Animated'' Deluxes, this fiery-themed [[redeco]] and [[Retool|retooling]] of the original Lockdown toy replaces the hook in his hood-attachment with his chainsaw weapon, which is removable, but cannot flip back out of sight like the hook can. He retains all of the [[Gimmick|gimmickry]] from the previous versions of the mold. Due to the fact that the motor block can go on either hand, it is possible to place the hook on the right hand and the chainsaw on the left one on the deluxe figure, thus recreating the flashback scene seen in "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]".

: Blazing Lockdown was retooled into [[BotCon 2011]] [[Wildrider (Animated)|Wildrider]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/Lockdown/lockdown.htm More information on Blazing Lockdown at TFU.info]''

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====Activators====
{{anchor|Activator}}
[[Image:Activators Lockdown.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Bounty-hunting goodness, now in pocket size.]]
*'''Lockdown''' (Activators, 2008)

:Part of the second wave of [[Activators]], this very simplified Scout-class version of Lockdown features a button-activated auto-transformation from vehicle to robot. He lacks the right-arm hook attachment. He's also really squat, even for an Activators toy.

: The cardback refers to his car mode as a "Prowler", for what it's worth. Like [[Ratchet (Animated)#Activators|Ratchet]], Lockdown is one of the few Activators to be sold loose in some aftermarket Hobby shops in Malaysia.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/ActLockdown/lockdown.htm More information on Activators Lockdown at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|AnimatedSuperCollection}}
[[File:TFA-Animated-Super-Collection-Activators-Lockdown.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Animated Super Collection Vol. 1''' (multipack, 2010)

: Released in October 2010 in Japan, the "Animated Super Collection Vol. 1" giftset contained slight redecos of Activators Lockdown, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. The only change from the Hasbro release is his insignia went from silver to a more traditional purple-with-white-outline.

:While the [[stock photography]] of the individual toys showed Animated Super Collection Lockdown's green plastic is molded in a more mint green than its American counterpart, this seems to have been a trick of the lighting, as the released toy remained its standard green.

{{-}}{{anchor|Bandit}}
[[Image:BanditLockdown.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ooga booga!]]
*'''Bandit Lockdown''' (Activators, 2008)

: Part of the fourth wave of Activators, Lockdown gets a creeeeeepy black and blue redeco with skeletons on the hood, somewhat evoking ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'''s skeleton-bedecked pirate [[Cannonball (Cybertron)|Cannonball]]. He even has a blacked-out left optic! Arr! Pity he lacks the hook-hand, or the whole pirate thing would be complete.

: The cardback refers to his car mode as a "Bandit Prowler." Whatever that means.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/BanditLockdown/lockdown.htm More information on Bandit Lockdown at TFU.info]''

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====Bumper Battlers====
{{anchor|BumperBattler}}
[[Image:Ani-toy BumperBattlers Lockdown.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Lockdown on his day off]]
*'''Lockdown''' (Bumper Battlers, 2009)

: Part of the fourth wave of [[Bumper Battlers]] toys, this ''extremely'' simplified toy features electronic sounds when the Decepticon symbol on his hood is pressed. Pressing in on his bumper flips up the roof of the car, revealing his robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/BBLockdown/lockdown.htm More information on Bumper Battlers Lockdown at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Notes==
*According to [[Derrick J. Wyatt|Derrick Wyatt]]'s blog his original concept for Lockdown was as a freakish [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein-like monster]]. It was altered to better fit Lockdown's more business-like nature.<ref>http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/05/evolution-of-lockdown.html</ref> Lockdown's final model is "reminiscent of a skull like head and an undertaker's tux"{{sic}} —hey, he even has coat-tails!<ref>https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=2803441425110630377&isPopup=true</ref>
* Meanwhile, Wyatt has explicitly said that Lockdown is ''not'' based on [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]. The older bounty hunter's name was later used for [[Death's Head (Animated)|Lockdown's starship]].
*The [[Character model|cartoon model]] for Lockdown shows an amusing [[homage]] to the older [[toy]]s. Instead of the ordinary [[Decepticon]] [[Insignia|symbol]] seen on the toy the animated version's chest carries what appears to be a [[rubsign]], presumably to symbolize the character's lack of allegiance to any faction.
*Lockdown's true allegiance seems to be more than meets the eye. Lockdown has stated outright he isn't a Decepticon—and according to Derrick Wyatt himself no Decepticon ever trained at [[Cyber-Ninja Dojo|Master Yoketron's dojo]].<ref>http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1420346893</ref> Combined with the fact that his concept design featured a stolen part whose Decepticon symbol had been ''crossed out'' evidence strongly points to Lockdown as having been a former ''[[Autobot]]''. Lockdown's profile in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'' also supports this: [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] "writes" that he suspects Lockdown to have been an Autobot based on his size, powers and car-based altmode. In "[[The Stunti-Con Job]]", [[Wildrider (Animated)|Wildrider]] is seen with the same body-type as Lockdown, and all of the [[Team Stunticon|Stunticons]] were said to have taken on Autobot shells for their mission, further pointing to Lockdown being a former Autobot.
*In the original production bible for the series, Lockdown was stated to transform into a "Stealth Fighter Jet."
*According to the Decepticon character descriptions sent out in the original [[Cartoon Network]] press release for ''Transformers Animated'', Lockdown "can go into a ''[[Predator (alien)|Predator]]''-like stealth mode for brief periods". Thus far, he has never been shown to ''do'' this in fiction, although the idea seems to have been the basis for the Stealth Lockdown toy—whose bio further cemented the ''Predator'' connection by saying his "active camo shorts out in rain".
*In [[The Thrill of the Hunt|his debut episode]] Lockdown's original arm (the one currently outfitted with his hook) came equipped with a rocket powered fist. This weapon was destroyed by Ratchet during the episode, and was not ever seen afterwards, either on the show or in toy form.
*His toy's vehicle mode is adorable yet terrifying. Like if ''{{w|Cars (film)|Cars}}'' had a serial-killer character.
*Despite having lost the EMP generator, Lockdown retains the external engine it comprises in his vehicle mode as seen in "[[A Fistful of Energon]]". Perhaps he found a substitute or a replacement?
*The interior of Lockdown's vehicle mode sports a chain-steering wheel and a skull on the gear stick. Now that's hardcore. The skull gear stick was even immortalized in toy form: It's molded on the interior of the Bumper Battles figure.
*Lockdown was responsible for breaking off Ratchet's right-hand chevron, but it would appear that [[The Arrival issue 3#"'Bots of Science"|he wasn't the first]].
*Although it initially seemed that Lockdown had not [[Scanning|scanned]] a local Earth altmode, he was shown doing so [[The Arrival issue 4|in a comic]] immediately prior to the events shown in "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]". This is slightly confusing though since the Great War flashbacks in "Thrill" do seem to show Lockdown using the same muscle car altmode he would later adopt Earthside—but to be fair the scene was quite dark. He must have just scanned an extremely similar new form. Shrug.
*He seems to bear resemblance to another bounty hunter: Lobo from ''DC'' comics. The two share a fondness for hooked weapons and the resemblance between their black facial markings is uncanny.
*The Ask Vector Prime entry is a nod to how Derrick J. Wyatt would move on to produce ''Ben 10 Omniverse'', which features Lockdown's hook as an [[Easter egg]] on the show.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Lockdown''' (ロックダウン ''Rokkudaun'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hēi Yǜ Lièh-jén''' (Taiwan 黑獄獵人, "Black Jail Hunter"), '''Fēng Suǒ''' (China, 封锁, "Lockdown")

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:Bounty hunters]]
[[Category:Cyber-Ninja Corps]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]