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Megatron (G1)/toys

2011-09-27T22:59:55Z

SiegfreidZ: Captioning.

{{suite}}[[Image:Instructionart-megatrong2combat.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Many toys have been made of '''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'''. So many, they have to get their own page!

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
{{anchor|G1v1}}[[Image:G1Megatron toy.jpg|right|350px|thumb|This photo needs an orange cap or someone might shoot the wiki.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Decepticon Leader, 1984/1985)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''16'''
**''Accessories (Hasbro release)'': Silencer, stock, telescopic sight/fusion cannon, "high-density infrared laser cannon"
**''Accessories (Takara release)'': Sword, "high-density infrared laser cannon", 20 bullets

: Released in the first year of the ''Transformers'' toyline, the original Megatron toy began life as the ''[[Microman]]'' figure "Gun Robo - P38", which transforms into an accurate replica of a Walther P-38 pistol. This ''Microman'' figure was available in two forms: a standard version in two color schemes (one grey, one black), and the "Gun Robo - P38 U.N.C.L.E.", outfitted with three distinctive accessories—a scope, a silencer and a stock—that replicate the appearance of the unique, specialized Walther pistol seen in the popular 1960s spy television series ''[[Wikipedia:The Man from U.N.C.L.E.|The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'' <ref>https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-museum/spy-fi-archives/item08.html</ref> It was the "U.N.C.L.E." version, with all of its special accessories, that was released by Hasbro as Megatron. When the figure is in robot mode, the sight doubles as his signature arm-mounted [[fusion cannon]], but can also be combined with the other attachments to form either a "Particle Beam Cannon" weapons emplacement that Megatron can man, or a "Telescopic Laser Cannon" that connects to the figure as an over-shoulder weapons array. The pieces can also form a turret that a ''Microman'' figure can sit on and operate (that's what the tiny handles on Megatron's fusion cannon are for), but this feature was naturally left out of the ''Transformers'' version's instructions. Megatron also came with a chromed silver "high-density infrared laser cannon" that plugs into his either of his hands.

: The original ''Microman'' release of the toy that would be Megatron featured a spring-loaded firing mechanism that allowed the toy to shoot ([[for safety reasons|dangerously small]]) plastic bullets one at a time from its barrel. A similar launching mechanism was also built into the stock piece, which could launch the bullets when the accessories were configured into their weapons emplacement mode. As with all missile-firing gimmicks, this feature was removed from the Hasbro release of the toy, though the ports into which the bullets were inserted are still present.

: Megatron has had several variations, reissues and [[redeco]]s released down through the years; this article strives to list each distinct edition of the toy under its own respective series. The earliest variation of the toy came in 1985, when (like all toys originally available in 1984) Megatron was given a factory-applied [[rubsign]]. Then, the following year, when he was no longer a part of the toy assortment sold at retail, Megatron was made available as a mail-away item in the "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]" flier packed in with boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $21.50 and five [[robot points]].

: Perhaps the most significant variant of Megatron released in these early years was the version of the figure released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] in Japan. Instead of using the ''Microman'' "U.N.C.L.E." figure as Hasbro had, Takara released the ''standard'' version of the Gun Robo P-38 ''Microman'' figure, in its grey color scheme, which featured flat grey plastic on the chest and arms (where Hasbro's toy was chromed), and blue plastic on the inner arms and legs (where Hasbro's was red). Most notably, like that standard ''Microman'' figure, Takara's Megatron did not come with the stock, silencer and scope accessories (lacking even the attachment point for his cannon on his right arm), but instead came with a silver-chromed sword and retained his original bullet-firing mechanism. Takara's [[package art]] for the figure was an entirely different illustration from the Hasbro version, showing this toy's accessories, but it still erroneously showed the figure with red plastic on its limbs. This coloration was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] by [[e-Hobby]] for a new character named [[Megaplex]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VSX}}
[[Image:Convoy_megatron_vsx.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Convoy VS Megatron''' (Multi-pack, 1985)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''VSX'''
**''Accessories'': Sword, "high-density infrared laser cannon", 20 bullets

: In Japan, Megatron was also made available in a special two-pack with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]. Both toys were identical to their individual releases. In Megatron's case, that means unchromed gray plastic, blue instead of red, and a functional firing mechanism and sword, instead of the scope, silencer and stock. This box also used an altered version of the individual release's box-art, turning his head sideways to face Prime, as opposed to the original's camera-facing head position.

{{-}}{{anchor|GoodBye}}
[[Image:G1toy_goodbye_megatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Good Bye Megatron''' (Multi-pack, 1986)
**''Accessories'': Sword, "high-density infrared laser cannon", 20 bullets, targeting sight/fusion cannon

: Megatron was released again as part of a special "Good Bye" set to commemorate his passing ([[Galvatron (G1)|of sorts]]) in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', packaged with [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] (who also was now no more). Although it still lacked the chrome seen on the Hasbro version of the toy, this edition of the figure replaced the blue plastic seen on previous Takara releases with Hasbro's show-accurate red, and included the fusion cannon accessory for the first time with a Takara release, complete with the mounting point now added to Megatron's right arm. Though still lacking the silencer and stock, the toy retained its Japanese-exclusive sword accessory and its bullet-firing mechanism, with one modification: The bullets, formerly blue, were now red.

: Despite the change to the toy's colors, the box art on this set, the same art used for the [[Hasbro]] releases, was recolored to match the blue of the ''previous'' releases. Whoops.

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*'''Galvatron''' (Decepticon [[City Commander]], 1986)

{{main|Galvatron (G1)/toys}}

{{-}}{{anchor|ActionMaster}}
*'''Neutro-Fusion Tank with Megatron''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories'': Neutro-Fusion Tank, 4 missiles, "twin laser cannon"
[[Image:Neutro-fusiontanktoy1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Uh-oh! Visual interest!]]
: Megatron returned as an ''[[Action Master]]'' in 1990, and as with most ''Action Master'' figures, he could not transform. His sculpt was based heavily upon the character's animation model design. Megatron is compatible with all other Action Master accessories and vehicles.

: He came packaged with the [[Neutro-Fusion Tank]], a large tank vehicle whose hull could transform into a base/gun emplacement, with the turret forming a flight pod. Four "corrosive smoke shell" accessories mounted on both sides of the tank. There are seats for two Action Master figures on the front on either side of the barrel, another seat inside the turret, and four pegs on the back of the tank for standing additional Action Master figures.

:The tank's turret can detach and become a "jet throne," which features flip-out wings, and the body of the tank transforms into a missile-launcher battle station. The battle station has two seats on either side behind the missile launchers (non-firing) and a stowing bay in the center for an additional figure.

:In a fairly notable omission, ''Action Master'' Megatron did not come with the character's iconic fusion cannon accessory. In 1992, however, a Japanese fan sculpted his own cannon accessory, which could plug into the figure's arm using the shoulder screw-hole (seen in the image at right). In a surprising move, Takara gave this cannon their approval and allowed it to be officially sold with their copyright stamp at a Japanese convention {{fact|which one?}} for only one day, at the price of 2000 yen.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1990/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Action Master Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|2001reissue}}
[[Image:G1toy_2000_megatron_reissue.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Megatron''' (reissue, 2001)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''16-S'''
**''Accessories'': Silencer, stock, telescopic sight/fusion cannon, "high-density infrared laser cannon", sword, 20 bullets

:This reissue of the original Megatron figure combines the best aspects of the Hasbro and Takara versions into the most "complete" version of Megatron available at that point. The set features the chromed chest and arms and red plastic of the Hasbro release, and includes the silencer, stock and sight/cannon, while also coming with Takara's sword and functional bullet-firing mechanism.

:This reissue was redecoed to make the simultaneously available exclusive "Megatron Black Version" (see below).

{{-}}{{anchor|BlackG1}}
[[Image:G1toy_black_megatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Megatron Black Version''' (2001)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''16-S'''
**''Accessories'': Silencer, stock, telescopic sight/fusion cannon, "high-density infrared laser cannon", sword, 20 bullets

: Where the original Takara Megatron toy made use of one of the two color schemes of the original ''Microman'' Gun Robo P38 toy, this redeco of the 2000 reissue Megatron is an homage to the ''second'', black color scheme for the ''Microman'' toy. Available exclusively through e-Hobby and pre-orders at [[BotCon Japan 2000]], "Megatron Black Version" features dark gunmetal chrome, black plastic instead of grey, and distinctive brown gun handle-grips, fists and "inner helmet". The chrome replaces the flat black plastic of the original ''Microman'' toy, which also had blue plastic on its legs and arms that is here supplanted by Megatron's now-traditional red. The toy was limited to 1000 pieces.

: E-Hobby later reissued Megatron Black Version in February, 2009. This release includes a [[Decepticon Leader Megatron Black Ver.|mini-comic]] explaining the story behind the redeco.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2000/Destron/BlackMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Megatron Black Version at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2Megatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|G2 Megatron is always ready for tank combat in one of Earth's many green and purple jungles.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Decepticon, 1992)
**''Accessories'': Rifle, 6 missiles, sight

: Owing to the inability of Hasbro to re-release the original Megatron because that toy was a pistol, ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Megatron was released in 1992 as a large green M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. His main gimmick was a 'lock and load' cannon that can load most of his projectile ammunition, and then fire them one at a time. This was accompanied by electronic sounds (including engine, laser and cannon sound effects) and a voice chip.

: In robot mode, Megatron is by the standards of the time, a very large robot, towering over all ''Generation 2'' incarnations of Optimus Prime. His legs were immobile, but he had upper shoulder rotation and elbow joints. His left arm, when raised, activates a laser sound. Pressing down on his head activates his battlecry '''"Megatron Attack!"'''. His main cannon still functions in this mode.

: This mold was slightly [[redeco]]ed (with new stickers) as [[Megastorm]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1993/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Generation 2 Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Hero}}
[[Image:G2 CombatHero Megatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|By this point, the purple had almost completely taken over his body.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Hero, 1995)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-2'''
**''Accessories'': Rifle, 2 air-launch missiles

:Megatron was released again the following year as [[Hero (G2)|Hero]] Megatron: a smaller, but similarly styled tank based off the M1 Abrams. This Megatron was purple and came with a bellows that fired an air-propelled missile. Both missiles could be kept on Megatron thanks to clips on his turret, which become his robot mode arms... conveniently kinda simulating the "classic" Megatron arm cannon to boot.

: Hero Megatron was designed with articulation in mind, so he was loaded with multiple swivel and universal joints, giving him far greater movement compared to his original ''Generation 2'' toy.

: This toy was released in Europe, albeit with a "MEGATRON RULES"-free blank chest sticker, as [[Archforce]]. It was also redecoed into ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID)|Bludgeon]] in 2003 (which has since been [[Repurposing|repurposed]] to become "[[Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]" [[Bludgeon (SG)|Bludgeon]]).

::*''[http://tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Hero Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|Go-Bot}}
[[Image:Megatron-G2GoBot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He'd be a better shot if he could only see over his hood-chest.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
**''Accessories'': Rifle

: Part of the second assortment of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]], this version of Megatron is a mild [[redeco]] of the Autobot [[Blowout]], transforming into a 1:64-scale Porsche 959 sports car with through-axle construction. This not only makes him roll exceptionally fast in car mode, but also makes him largely compatible with playsets from the "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" toy-car lines. Megatron and Blowout share the same blue and black inner robot colors, but Megatron uses opaque silver plastic with a shiny metallic silver paint overcoat, as opposed to Blowout's smoky-clear plastic. (All of the toys from the first wave that had transparent plastics were released in this wave with opaques instead; Blowout and [[Firecracker]] became new versions of Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] respectively, while [[Gearhead]] and [[Motormouth]] stayed themselves.)

: In Japan, his hood was tampographed with a stylized "T" with the ''Transformers'' logo set within the top bar, the same deco that appears on Go-Bots [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the Japanese release of Go-Bots Optimus Prime.

:This mold was also used to make Go-Bots [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1995/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Go-Bot Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CombatHero}}
[[Image:CombatHeroMegatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I AM POWERED BY UNOBTAINIUM!]]
*'''Megatron''' (Combat Hero, unreleased)
**''Accessories'': rifle, 2 air-launch missiles

: This kinda-sorta "arctic"-camo version of the [[#Hero|Hero Megatron]] toy was solicited to numerous retailers, and is one of a great many ''Generation 2'' toys to never see the light of day. Precious few samples of this toy exist.

: At [[BotCon 1996]], a donated Combat Hero Megatron was one of the items in the charity auction, along with several other canceled ''Generation 2'' toys.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}{{anchor|ATB}}
[[Image:G2toy_ATB_megs_and_screamer.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Cancelled?! This is all YOUR fault, Starscream!]]
*'''Megatron''' (Decepticon, unreleased)
**''Accessories'': 12 missiles, 2 missiles launchers

: A planned-but-canceled redeco of ''Generation 2'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]], Megatron would have transformed into a "flying wing" Advanced Tactical Bomber (when combined with his smaller "partner" [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]) with an under-slung six-missile gatling cannon. Each wing can store three more missiles, which can "carpet-bomb" targets below by pressing the pressure-launch buttons above each. He can also transform into a treaded "tank" mode, activated by removing Starscream from the jet mode and activating a spring-loaded [[Autotransformation|autotransform]] mechanism in his wings.

: This toy's deco was used to make ''[[Beast Wars II (toyline)|Beast Wars II]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[BB]] and [[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] out of the same mold-set. This mold was also used to make ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]] and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' [[Gigant Bomb]].

: According to the Toy Fair 1995 Transformers presentation, the toy's missiles were intended to glow in the dark. This feature was not carried over to the Beast Wars II BB/Starscream set.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars===
As stated below, early on the life of the [[Beast Wars (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' toyline]], before the debut of the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon (which definitively established ''Beast Wars'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] as a separate, distinct character), the accompanying packaging profiles and mini-comic for the very first ''Beast Wars'' Megatron figure indicated that he was the same Megatron from Generation 1/2.

[[Image:BWtoy-MegatronBasic.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Go Gators!]]
* '''Optimus Primal VS Megatron''' (Basic 2-pack, 1996)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-6'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun/tail

: The initial version of ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Megatron transformed into a green alligator. The toy is a [[retool]] of [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] with new alligator and robot heads, and no frill. The screw hole for the frill bracket remains. Both toys were released at roughly the same time.

:Whether this toy can be considered the ''Beast Wars'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] character as seen in the primary fiction is a matter of debate. Released before the cartoon series began, which established Megatron as a separate entity from Generation 1 Megatron, the accompanying profiles and mini-comic seem to assume that the Beast Wars are a progression of the same characters from the Autobot/Decepticon war. Whether the animated series's [[retcon]] affected this set of toys is probably a matter of personal preference. It can be interpreted as representing one of the more interesting [[micro-continuity|micro-continuities]].

:More recently, the ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' has asserted that, in [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)|IDW's version of ''Beast Wars'' continuity]], Megatron's alligator body was suggested by the ''Darksyde'''s computer as a potential alternate mode, but he rejected it in favor of the more powerful T-Rex, without ever actually reformatting into it. Thus, this [[micro-continuity]] posits alligator-mode Megatron as an essentially theoretical alternate form that never actually came to be.

:This mold was additionally used to make the purple-recolored Megaligator (who may or may not be a separate character to either Megatron or Megatron Beast Wars Megatron). It was also proposed for [[Albitron]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1996/Predacon/MegatronGator/megatron.htm More information on Beast Wars Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BWultra}}
[[Image:Bwmegatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't call him Barney.]]
* '''Megatron''' (Ultra, 1996)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles, water squirter

: This Megatron transformed into a purple organic ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. He has limited articulation in beast mode, but his dinosaur head can [[Water-squirting gimmick|shoot water]]. In robot mode, he has no hands, as his right arm ends with his dinosaur head, and his tail, folded into a pincer, forms his left arm. The outer shells of his dinosaur thighs conceal spring-loaded missile launchers that fire anchor-shaped projectiles.

: His robot head feature two bat-like wing adornments that fold to become a [[mutant head]].

:Like his previous Beast Wars toy, this toy was released before the animated series premiered, and represented G1 Megatron having upgraded his Alligator body into a more powerful form.

: This mold was also used to make the ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobot]] [[T-Wrecks]].

{{-}}{{anchor|GatorJ}}
* '''Megaligator''' (Basic, 1997)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-6'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun/tail

: In Japan, the gator Megatron toy was also sold as an individual toy, as well as in a VS pack with Optimus. The individual release is identical to the two-pack version, which is in turn identical to the Hasbro version.

{{-}}{{anchor|CDgator}}
[[Image:CDMegaligator.jpg|thumb|300px|Because a solid grey alligator would just be silly.]]
*'''Amazon Showdown''' (Basic 2-pack, 1997)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-S1'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun/tail

:This figure is a purple [[redeco]] of Megatron's alligator form, and was sold with a red and blue redeco of Bat Primal. This may or may not be intended to be the same character as Megatron or ''Beast Wars'' Megatron.

{{-}}

===Machine Wars===
[[Image:MWMegatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And that's why Thundercracker turned green.]]
* '''Megatron''' (Basic, 1997)
**''Accessories'': 2-part rifle

: Sharing a mold with his concurrently-released ally [[Megaplex]] (which had been a canceled mold developed for ''Generation 2''), ''[[Machine Wars]]'' Megatron transforms from a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet]] to robot mode with a spring-loaded one-step transformation. The two halves of his rifle store in the back of his robot-mode legs.

: Oddly, the ''Machine Wars'' stock photos (and even the boxart) portray Megatron as the gray F-22 jet and Megaplex as the blue one, the ''opposite'' of the actual toys. This means that either the package designers made the mistake, or the toys were packaged on the wrong cards. The latter is more likely, since gray is more associated with Megatron than blue. Like most other toys in the line, the boxart was recycled from an earlier figure, in this case from the [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]] [[Falcon (G1)|Falcon]].

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Beast Wars II (toyline)|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Thrust (BWII)|Thrust]], ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Wind Sheer (RID)|Wind Sheer]], and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' [[Air Hunter]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1997/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Machine Wars Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===Choro-Q Robo===
[[Image:Choroq_megatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
* '''Megatron TV Version''' (2001)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''Q/03'''

:''[[Choro-Q|Choro-Q Robo]]'' Megatron is a small, cutesified transforming figure of the Decepticon leader. He is the only ''Choro-Q Robo'' Transformers figure that does not come with a weapon accessory, but after all, he does turn ''into'' a gun. In a bizarre and hilarious touch, Megatron has wheels on his base and barrel, so that he can share the common feature of the ''Choro-Q Robo'' figures: a pull-back motor!

* '''Megatron Black Version''' (2001)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''Q/04'''

:This version of ''Choro-Q Robo'' Megatron is a redeco of the first, decked out in a metallic color scheme based on the "Black Version" of the reissue of the Generation 1 figure released earlier that year.
{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
{{anchor|TFCMegatron}}
[[Image:G1toy_tfc_megatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Megatron''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''6'''
**''Accessories'': Silencer, stock, telescopic sight/fusion cannon, "high-density infrared laser cannon", sword, 20 bullets

:The original Generation 1 Megatron figure was again reissued in 2003 as part of Takara's ''[[Transformers Collection]]'' series. This release was identical to the previous 2000 reissue, in that it featured the colors of the Hasbro release of the toy, and all the accessories of both the Hasbro and Takara versions, but this time, it also included a new energon mace weapon, as used by the Decepticon leader in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]". Much like the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|"New Year Special"]] version of Optimus Prime released the previous year, Megatron also came with a sheet of Decepticon [[insignia]] stickers of different sizes, and a Decepticon mouse pad.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Transformers Collection Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TFCStarscream}}
[[Image:TFC09ScreamerHoldingMegs.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Sometimes I just... want to be held.]]
* '''Starscream''' (Transformers Collection, 2002)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''9'''
: A diminutive version of Megatron in his Walther P-38 mode was included as a new accessory with the ''Transformers Collection'' release of Starscream. Needless to say, he doesn't transform, but can be held by Starscream in both modes. Megatron's handle disconnects to reveal a peg, which can then be inserted into either of Starscream's fists, which were specifically resculpted for this purpose. Each fist also features a tab on its underside, into which Megatron's handle can be inserted, completing the effect. Megatron can also attach to Starscream's jet mode; the right-hand side of Megatron's handle features a square peg which is designed to fit snugly in gaps in Stasrcream's pectorals, as in the Generation 1 episode, "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]". Unfortunately, this peg has, for no fathomable reason, been cast in the same sky blue color as Starscream's hands, unnecessarily making it ''as obtrusive as humanly possible''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Destron/AnimeStarscream/starscream.htm More information on Transformers Collection Starscream at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
[[Image:STFMegatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime's gun.]]
*'''Megatron''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GTF 07'''
**''Accessories:'' Fusion cannon/scope

: ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' Megatron was released in the second wave of the diminutive Takara toyline, including only his fusion cannon. Easily the most complex of the ''Smallest Transforming'' figures, Megatron is a just-barely-simplified version of his original Generation 1 toy, possessing the same transformation scheme and retaining most of his articulation.

:Just as ''Smallest Transforming'' Optimus Prime's trailer was released as a separate figure in the line, so too were a set of silencer and stock attachments originally intended to be released for Megatron in the line's third wave. Unfortunately, this wave, and most of the other original figures it was set to contain, was cancelled, and so Megatron was left under-armed.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2004/Destron/SmallestMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Smallest Transforming Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:Wst vsx megatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
* '''Convoy vs Megatron''' (multipack, 2004)
** ''Japanese ID Number:'' '''VSX'''
** ''Accessories:'' Fusion cannon/scope

:Available exclusively through [[Dengeki Hobby]] magazine, this ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' two-pack contains both Optimus Prime and Megatron, in homage to the original 1984 "VSX" giftset containing the original versions of the two leaders. While Optimus is unaltered from his original release, Megatron takes the homage a little further, removing the swirled pattern from the original figure's chest and replacing the red plastic with blue to emulate the original Takara version of the full-size Generation 1 figure.
{{--}}

===Robot Masters===
[[Image:RMReverseConvoy toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|My Convoy counterpart is nearby. Real nearby.]]
*'''Reverse Convoy''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-24'''
**''Accessories'': "Reverse Blaster", missile

: A [[retool]] of the ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' "Hero Megatron" toy, Rebirth Megatron transforms into a heavily modified blue and tan [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|M1 Abrams tank]]. In addition to a new "[[Reverse Convoy]]" head that flips out of the same compartment as the head on the original version of the mold, the toy features a brand new "Mega Blaster" cannon assembly that houses most of the toy's new features. The Mega Blaster fires a spring-loaded blue missile, and the rear of the cannon can be removed and transformed into the hand-held "Reverse Blaster" weapon, featuring twin barrels and a rack of six (non-removable) missiles. Once the Reverse Blaster is removed, the toy's "Rebirth Megatron" head can be rotated out from the back of the cannon to take the place of Reverse Convoy's head between the figure's shoulders.

: The original version of this mold was use to make [[Archforce]] and ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID)|Bludgeon]] (which has been [[Repurposing|repurposed]] to also be "[[Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]" [[Bludgeon (SG)|Bludgeon]]). The toy still retains the opening panels on its forearms, despite no longer featuring the large missiles they are designed to store.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Destron/ReverseConvoy/reverseconvoy.htm More information on Reverse Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
===20th Anniversary/Masterpiece===
[[Image:GunmodeMegsMasterpieceConvoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Bang bang! He shot me down! Bang bang! I hit the ground...]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-1'''

: ''20th Anniversary'' Optimus Prime included an accessory of Megatron in his classic Walther P-38 altmode. Although non-transforming, it is quite detailed and includes the individually removable silencer / barrel extension, scope, and (hinged) stock. Although notionally [[Scale|scaled]] to be wielded by Masterpiece Prime, the handle is marginally too short and thus has a sliding joint diagonally across the butt of the gun, thus slightly lengthening and narrowing the grip so that Prime can actually hold it. The reason for this odd design concept is unknown.
: Needless to say, the later-released Masterpiece [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] (and [[Skywarp (G1)/toys|his]] [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys|redecoes]]) can also hold this version of Megatron, and far more appropriately too! The three [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] each include a small round clip that plugs in under their nosecones, allowing them to wield Megatron while in jet mode, as Starscream did in "S.O.S. Dinobots".
: The stock extension connecting clamp is prone to breakage, much to the chagrin of owners who keep theirs sealed and untouched.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/20thPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
* '''Masterpiece Ultra Magnus''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-2'''

:A redeco of the non-transforming Megatron gun accessory was included with ''Masterpiece'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]], itself a redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Prime/Convoy. For this release, Megatron was decked out in his secondary ''Microchange'' color scheme, which had previously been used on the eHobby exclusive "Megatron Black Version".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/UltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Masterpiece Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MasterpieceMegs}}
[[Image:MP05_megatron.jpg|right|400px|thumb|You will pay dearly for this. Literally and metaphorically...]]
*'''Megatron''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-5'''
**''Accessories:'' Fusion cannon, energon mace, energy dagger, laser pistol, [[Kremzeek]] figure

: Scaled to the same height as ''20th Anniversary'' Optimus Prime, ''Masterpiece'' Megatron is an incredibly complex figure—potentially one of the most complicated ''Transformers'' toys to date—designed to depict a fairly [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] Megatron capable of transforming into a realistic (if oversized) Walther P-38. In achieving this seemingly impossible goal, Megatron winds up with the least articulation of the ''Masterpiece'' line, as well as a notably low percentage of die-cast metal.

: Like Prime before him, Megatron comes with several of his iconic accessories from the Generation 1 cartoon: his energon mace from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]", the energy dagger and laser pistol used in his duel against Prime in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', and a tiny translucent [[Kremzeek]] figure. His fusion cannon also contains a powerful red LED activated when the round detailing on the side of his cannon is pressed.

: Due to concern surrounding updated realistic toy gun laws, some online importers modified ''Masterpiece'' Megatron in order to safely get the toy through United States customs. This customarily involved inserting plugs into the tip of the toy's barrel, from rounded red ones affixed by adhesive to [[:Image:HLJplug.jpg|flat-tipped yellow ones]] that could be easily removed. Ultimately, there were no reports of problems with the toy making its way into America, but Australia was another matter. Considered a replica gun and therefore a "restricted import" by Australian Customs, both mass shipments and individual packages of the toy were seized, requiring buyers in some areas to obtain a special permit to own him.

: Given the relatively thin clips throughout the toy to hold it tightly together in gun mode, Megatron's plastic components are particularly prone to breakage, especially on the clips on the upper black grip plates and some of the silver sections near the trigger. Many owners of this figure have also reported rust and tarnish problems on what few metal pieces he has; if your Megatron is a sufferer, check out [http://seibertron.com/energonpub/viewtopic.php?t=16106 this guide] for solutions.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Destron/MPMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Masterpiece Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:TitaniumGIJoeHeroesMegatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|THE BOX OF DOOM.]]
*'''Megatron''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Stand with nameplate

:Part of the very first wave of six-inch ''[[Titanium Series]]'' toys, Megatron was inspired by [[Dreamwave Productions]]' first ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' crossover, set in an alternate-reality World War II. Since that Megatron's gun form was nonviable as a toy, a tank alternate mode (of undetermined, probably-entirely-made-up model) was designed. The backstory of the Megatron from the crossover, including references to Cobra, was retained on the package, make it the first U.S. figure ever produced as part of a ''G.I. Joe / [[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' crossover.

:Although the figure looks somewhat impressive, it notably has the tendency to fall apart during transformation and was relatively difficult to pose in robot mode without it falling over.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/TitMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Titanium Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TiWarWithin}}
[[Image:Megatrontitaniumtww.jpg|right|300px|thumb|THE... NAP OF DOOM?]]
*'''War Within Megatron''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Arm cannon, shield, stand with nameplate

:A new ''Titanium Series'' Megatron based on his [[The War Within|''War Within'']] design was initially shown at [[BotCon 2006]], and was released in spring of 2007. Like the original comic book design, his robot mode has a removable arm cannon and shield, but unlike the original comic book design, his robot mode transforms into his alternate mode at a different angle.

:As opposed to the earlier toy, this one has a more posable robot mode, but somewhat unimpressive alternate mode, being little more than lying the toy on its back and attaching the gun/shield. There is a small clip on the back of the toy which designer [[Don Figueroa]] said was to hold his sword, seen in the comic book, but that accessory was ultimately not produced.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/TitTWWMegatron/megatron.htm More information on War Within Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|WarWithin2pack}}
[[Image:Titanium_war_within_2pack.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''War Within Optimus Prime vs. War Within Megatron''' (two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Arm cannon, shield

:This [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''Titanium'' two-pack includes the previously-released ''War Within'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Titanium|Optimus Prime]] figure along with the ''War Within'' Megatron figure and an exclusive [[variant]] cover of ''[[The War Within]]'' [[The War Within issue 5|issue 5]].

:As the mass retail release of the last waves of the ''Titanium'' "Cybertron Heroes" figures was delayed for several months, the two-pack version of Megatron was at least initially more widely available than the individually packaged one.

:Despite being mentioned in the joint [[instructions]] leaflet for the set, neither figure includes their display base.

:There appears to be a variant of this two-pack: One version has the Optimus Prime figure more or less identical to its individual release, whereas the other one drops the additional black paint weathering, making him much cleaner-looking.

{{--}}

===Classics (2006)===
[[Image:Megatronclassicstoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Paint me black and give me to a kid, ASAP.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Voyager, 2006)

:''Classics'' Megatron is a "fusion blaster" based loosely on the original Megatron toy and appears to transform into a [[:Image:N-strike maverick.jpg|Nerf N-Strike Maverick blaster]] to comply with modern US toy gun regulations (an orange cap on a Walther P-38 won't cover it). Its scope/arm cannon houses a working crosshairs and its trigger includes clicking action. In order to pass modern safety regulations (both the government's and Hasbro's), its blaster mode includes lots of purple and green, plus bright orange on both the tip of the "barrel" and the scope.

:Although some [[stock photography|official Hasbro photographs]], including those appearing on the toy's [[packaging]], show the gun mode's trigger and other small parts as being orange, those parts were gray in later stock photography and the final release.

:In these above-mentioned early promotional photographs, Megatron also had noticeably different "eyebrow" [[paint operation]]s that matched those of the original Megatron toy. These were two small black triangles on a gray plastic forehead. The final release has the placement of the black reversed, with two small gray triangles and a black forehead, sometimes referred to as Megatron's "unibrow" by fans.

:It has been recently discovered that the orange parts on Megatron, particularly the more exposed ones, seem to have their colors fade out over time. The exact cause of this change has not yet been discovered but care should be taken to avoid this from happening.

:In a glaring example of poor [[quality control]], the back of the packaging reads "working scope becomes anti-proton pulse ''[[canon]]''!"

:''Classics'' Megatron was redecoed in Japan as part of the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' line by [[TakaraTomy]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/ClassicsMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Classics Voyager Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Ultimate.2BBattle}}

{{picsneeded|combine robot and vehicle pic into one image}}
[[Image:MegatronUltimateBattle.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The only Transformer capable of Moonwalking, seriously.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle''' (Deluxe versus set, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Rifle

: The Megatron included in this two-pack is a tank inspired by the first Megatron toy from ''Generation 2''. Instead of a right hand, its arm ends in a blade with "spinning dervish action." He is packaged with Optimus Prime and "[[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle|The Ultimate Battle]]" DVD. Later releases of this toy in Mexico and some European countries had him individually packed but otherwise unchanged from the original release.

:Many (all?) units of this figure have Megatron's splayed feet [[Misassembly|swapped and assembled backwards]], a fact which is not immediately apparent as the "heel" half of his feet are actually larger than the "toe" half (this is the opposite of most splay-footed transformers), and the situation is not helped by the promotional (exhibit A, to your right) and box-art photography displaying an identically misassembled figure. However, examination of the instructions and any attempt to transform Megatron into tank mode immediately demonstrate the mistake, which is easily corrected by unscrewing the halves of his lower legs, reversing the foot pieces, and attaching each to the opposite leg.

:In 2008, the Optimus Prime vs Megatron set, sans DVD, has been reissued to outlets like Kay Bee in new [[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]] packaging. The feet are still misassembled. The same set has also been seen at Dollar General and Big Lots! stores since 2007.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/ClassicsDVDMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Classics Deluxe Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Sports Label===
[[Image:Nikeatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some idiots thought I was going to be life-sized! Fools! Foooools!!!]]
*'''Megatron Nike Free 7.0''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''02'''

:Seeking to exploit the tremendous energy potential of sweatshops, Megatron has taken on this new altmode to cement his alliance with [[wikipedia:Nike,_Inc.|Nike Inc.]], since [[Cobra]] evidently wasn't enough of an evil empire for him...

:''[[Sport Label]]'', a rather unusual product line comprising a mere three entries, entirely utilizes the same body mold with different heads, making this the first time Optimus and Megatron have had identical bodies.

:Something of a [[shellformer]], Nikeatron is colored primarily black and gray in his altmode of a realistic-looking, scaled-down Nike sneaker, complete with (gratuitously long) real fabric shoelaces. In robot mode, he incorporates a little additional red in predictable areas and has a somewhat uniquely-shaped yet instantly recognizable G1-inspired head, with rather snooty (or camp, take your pick) pursed lips. An undocumented aspect of his transformation is that his gun, which splits in two halves and stores inside his [[kibble]] when transforming (much like [[Rattrap]]'s) has two handle pegs on opposite sides, so that the gun can be held either at its far end or halfway along its length. Additionally, the Megatron figure has an extra peg hole in his right forearm (well, technically so does Prime), allowing you to insert the mid-length plug of his black-colored weapon at this point, positioning the weapon in such a way as to resemble (''vaguely'') his traditional [[fusion cannon]], rather than simply holding it in his hand.

:Somewhat perversely, Sneakertron's feet are sculpted in the likeness of his own sneaker altmode, so in effect, ''he is wearing himself!'' Kinky...

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Destron/SLMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Sports Label Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Encore===

*'''Megatron''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''02'''
**''Accessories'': Silencer, stock, telescopic sight/fusion cannon, "high-density infrared laser cannon", sword, 20 bullets

:The original Generation 1 Megatron figure was reissued yet again in 2007 as part of TakaraTomy's new line of "[[Encore|Transformers Encore]]" reissues. Like previous reissues, this Megatron features the Hasbro colors and the accessories from both Hasbro and Takara editions of the figure, but this time, he features a tan finish to his chrome rather than the normal colorless-silver finish.
{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Megatron Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Megatron's palette must be swapped... no matter the cost."]]
*'''Megatron''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''D-01'''

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' Megatron is a redeco of the ''Classics'' version. He features a significantly altered colour scheme, generally to make the toy more closely resemble his appearance in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon and the original toyline. His chest plate is chromed silver, as well as the top of his knee guards.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/ClassicsMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Henkei Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Megatronlegend2008.jpg|right|300px|thumb|His shoulders hurt too, buddy!]]
*'''Megatron''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2008)

:A [[Legends Class]] version of Megatron inspired by his ''Generation 2'' tank design, although featuring a more realistic shade of green.
:Sadly, because of his transformation, when transformed into tank mode his turret doesn't turn around.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/LegendsMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Universe Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Universe2008-toy SEMegatron.JPG|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Megatron''' (Deluxe Class: Special Edition, 2008)

:A redeco of the "Ultimate Battle" Megatron from ''Classics'', this time featuring a G1-inspired deco of grays, red and black. This new deco takes advantage of the mould break-up to add an additional plastic colour (5, rather than the original's 4). In actuality the dark grey parts on the original version of the mould are now divided between light grey, red and black plastic on the "Special Edition" version. This is really obvious if one compares their guns. "Ultimate Battle" Megatron's is solid grey, while "Special Edition" Megatron's sports a red stock.

:The Special Edition toy was designed for Australasian markets and features a bookbox style packaging with black-and-white boxart. The box better be good since he supports an inflated price tag as well (usually about 150% the standard Deluxe price for Deluxe figures outside the U.S., but it wasn't uncommon for him to be sold solo for as much as the "Special Edition" double-pack). He was not available at retail in North America, but was for sale on Hasbrotoyshop.com, like the other Special Edition toys.

:His feet are correctly assembled this time around, so yay for that.

:Oddly enough, this Megatron and the three other Universe Special Edition toys were included in Taiwanese special value packs each containing a [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video|''Revenge of the Fallen'' DVD]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/HTSMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Special Edition Megatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Alternity===
[[Image:Alternity Megatron Toy Blade Silver.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Behold, my Inertia Manipulating Device under my Skirt Armor!!!]]
*'''Megatron Blade Silver''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''A-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "tesseractal swords"
:The ''[[Alternity (franchise)|Alternity]]'' Megatron toy transforms into a 1:32 scale model of a Nissan 370Z and features die-cast metal parts and rubber tires. The figure wields two "tesseractal swords" which can be pegged at its hips, or stored under the car in vehicle mode. Each forearm features a flip-out "gravital blade."

: In the hyper-dimensional world of the oft-confusing ''Alternity'' fiction, each figure from this line represents a distinct version of a character from a separate [[universal stream]], but which precise Megatron the "Blade Silver" toy embodies has not been disclosed. Upon its initial release, this toy was also available in blue (see below), and later redecoed in a black variant as well.

{{-}}
*'''Megatron Premium Le Mans Blue''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''A-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "tesseractal swords"

: "Premium Le Mans Blue" Megatron is a blue redeco of the "Blade Silver" version, representing the Megatron of [[universal stream]] [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Story_of_Binaltech|Primax 903.0 Beta]]. The figure was available simultaneously with Megatron Blade Silver, sharing the same packaging and pack-in materials, save for the color of the illustration on the front of the box, and a sticker that identified the figure within.

{{-}}
*'''Megatron Diamond Black''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''A-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "tesseractal swords"

: Another redeco of ''Alternity'' Megatron, this time transforming into a black car with robot parts in red and gold, and specifically representing the Megatron of universal stream [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Primax 1286:3 Kappa]]. It was released several months after the first two Megatrons and featured a new package illustration.

{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010-toy_Legends_Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Safety first!]]
*'''Megatron''' (Legends, 2011)

:This toy is based on Megatron's Generation 1 cartoon appearance (with a little inspiration from [[All Hail Megatron|IDW]]'s design around the abdomen), transforming into a variation on Megatron's original gun mode (referred to as a "blaster" on Hasbro's website). In a fit of complete awesomeness, the figure is sculpted with notches in its handle that specifically allow the ''Masterpiece'' Starscream mold to grip it.

:Despite his tiny size, Hasbro had to cast the gun barrel of orange plastic [[for safety reasons]]. Official Hasbro [[stock photography|stock photos]] and early [[prototype|samples]] from China had the orange plastic painted over in gray; however, the final toy comes with the end of the barrel unpainted and has been officially released that way worldwide.

{{-}}

===United===
*'''Megatron Cybertron Mode''' (Deluxe, [[December 25|12-25]]-2010)
**''ID number'': '''UN04'''
**''Accessories'': Cannon/missile launcher, energy-blast missile

: Part of the first wave of ''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' product, "Cybertron Mode" Megatron is a [[redeco]] of the [[Megatron (Prime)#Toys|''War for Cybertron'' Megatron toy]], transforming into a Cybertronian self-propelled gun. The treads of his vehicle can be positioned in either a vertical configuration like a traditional tank or in a horizontal, hovertank configuration. Megatron's spring-loaded cannon can attach to either arm.

:Megatron is cast in a deep dark metallic gray plastic rather than the light gray plastic of the Hasbro version. He also features a blood red metallic paint instead of the more traditional red used on the Hasbro version. Other notable differences include the Decepticon symbol upon his chest as well as lacking paint on the sliding mechanism within his fusion cannon.

:This mold was also used to make [[Darkside Megatron]].
{{picsneeded}}

{{-}}{{anchor|UnitedEarth}}
*'''Megatron''' (Voyager, 2010)
**''ID number:'' '''UN09'''
[[Image:United Megatron voyager toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
:The second ''United'' Megatron (but still part of the first assortment) is a redeco of the ''[[#Classics (2006)|Classics]]/[[#Henkei! Henkei!|Henkei!]]'' version, transforming into a handgun based on the Nerf N-Strike Maverick blaster. Its scope/arm cannon houses a working crosshairs and its trigger includes clicking action.

:This release of Megatron features an extensive silver paint job, as well as metallic crimson for details. This figure's deco is based on the G1 cartoon model, removing any extraneous painted details from the previous releases. The face and eyebrow crest are painted white, giving it an appearance very similar to the initial solicitations of [[Classics (2006)]] Megatron.
{{-}}
===Chronicle===
*'''Megatron''' (EZ Collection, 2011)

:A redeco of the 2010 ''Transformers'' Legends Class Megatron was released in Japan as part of the ''[[Chronicle]]'' EZ Collection line. Due to Japan's different gun laws, he does not feature any orange on the barrel. This toy was only available [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]].

{{-}}
[[Image:Chronicle ehobby megatrons.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''G1 Megatron & Movie Megatron''' (multi-pack, 2011)
**''ID number:'' '''CH02'''
**''Accessories:'' Fusion cannon

:This e-Hobby exclusive reissue of the original Generation 1 Megatron toy comes in two-pack with a redeco of the voyager ''[[Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] figure. This version of Megatron is colored to the specifications of the 1986 "[[#GoodBye|Goodbye Megatron]]" release, featuring red plastic (as opposed to the original Takara blue) and including his fusion cannon, but lacking any silver chrome. It is currently unknown whether or not he will come with his sword or laser cannon, or if he will retain his bullet-firing gimmick.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Wireless Microphone===
[[Image:MegsMicrophone.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Die kids construction — it's a lost art.]]
* '''Megatron''' (Nasta, 1984)
:One of the earliest pieces of Megatron merchandise is also one of the strangest. Taking the form of Megatron's Walther P-38 gun mode — itself quite controversial and anachronistic due to [[For safety reasons|recent safety regulations]] — the microphone allows children to broadcast their voices to a nearby AM radio by pointing the gun at their mouth and speaking into it.

:'''''Seriously'''''.
{{-}}
===Decoy===
*'''Destron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)

*'''Megatron''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''32'''

: The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Decoys/Megatron/megatron.htm More information on Decoy Megatron at TFU.info]''

===Choro-Q===
*'''Megatron''' (2000)

:''[[Choro-Q]]'' Megatron is a ''Generation 2''-themed [[redeco]] of the Camouflage Tank toy from Takara's ''Choro-Q'' toyline of non-transforming [[super-deformed]] vehicles. He was an [[exclusive]] at [[BotCon]] Japan 2000, and features a [[pull-back motor]] and a rear license plate that reads "BotCon Japan 2000".

:Along with ''Choro-Q'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise|Optimus Prime]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Ligier]], Megatron was given out randomly to convention attendees. Each toy was limited to 1000 pieces.

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:HOC-figure Megatron.JPG|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Megatron''' (2000)

: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Megatron was available as part of the first wave of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Super Collection Figure]]'' line. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available as both a standard full color figure and a clear plastic version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

*'''Megatron''' (2000)

:Also available in the first ''Super Collection Figure'' wave was a rare "[[Chase figure|chase]]" version of the Megatron figure, decorated in metallic paint and replacing his right hand with his [[energon mace]].

*'''Convoy w/ Megatron Gun''' (2000)
:The second ''Super Collection Figure'' wave featured an Optimus Prime chase figure wielding Megatron in gun-mode and wearing [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s rocket pack (the latter seen in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]").

*'''Megatron Reincarnation Version''' (2001)
:Megatron got another chase figure in the third ''Super Collection Figure'' act; this time his original figure was cast in clear with purple accents, apparently based on the scene in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where he is reincarnated as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

*'''Megatron w/ Condor''' (2001)
:For the fourth ''Super Collection Figure'' wave, Megatron left arm was changed to feature [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] perching on it. Like all the figures in the fourth wave, Megatron was available in both standard full color and metallic silver "pewter" versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. In eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of Prime came packaged with the right arm of the collectable [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] build-a-figure.

*'''Convoy w/ Megatron Gun''' (2002)
:The sixth ''Super Collection Figure'' wave featured a different version of Prime wielding Megatron's gun mode, now sold on mass-retail rather than being a chase. Unlike the chase one, Prime also came interchangeable empty fist, so he doesn't ''have'' to wield Megatron. The figure was available in both full color and pewter versions in an equal ratio, and in eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version came with the head for the wave's [[Grand Maximus]] build-a-figure.

[[Image:Scf_convoy_set.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Exclusive Convoy Set''' (2002)
:Available exclusively at the Japanese Wonder Festival convention, this set included the "Convoy w/ Megatron Gun" figure from the sixth wave, and the vehicle-mode Optimus Prime from act 2, both decorated in colored metallic paint. The set was limited to only 1000 units.

{{-}}{{anchor|ConfrontationSet}}
[[Image:Scf_confrontation_set.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''TF Confrontation Set 01: Convoy vs Megatron''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' Energon mace
:Exclusive to the Tokyo Game Show, this special set included the original first-wave Megatron figure, along with the Optimus Prime PVC from the same wave. Both featured new battle damage [[paint operation]]s, and came with the interchangeable energon mace and axe weapons from their first-wave chase figures. As with the Wonder Festival set, this set was also limited to 1000 units.
{{-}}

===Heroes of Cybertron===

When the ''Super Collection Figure'' series was imported to become Hasbro's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' line, the figures were all cast entirely in translucent colored plastic, then painted over, save for the eyes and a small patch on the back of their heads, giving them all a [[light-piping]] gimmick. Unlike the Japanese figures, they were sold in individual blister packaging, with character profile cards.

*'''Megatron''' (2002)
:A ''Heroes of Cybertron'' release of the first ''Super Collection Figure'' Megatron figure.

* '''Megatron with Plasma Weapon''' (2002)
:This second-wave ''Heroes of Cybertron'' release of the chase figure from the first ''Super Collection Figure'' wave was a little different from its Japanese progenitor, lacking its metallic paint.

* '''Megatron with Laserbeak''' (2003)
:This fifth-wave ''Heroes of Cybertron'' figure is a release of the Megatron/Laserbeak figure from the fourth ''Super Collection Figure'' wave. It came with the right arm for the wave's collectable [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] build-a-figure.

===MyClone===
* '''Megatron''' (MyClone, 2003)

: A "[[super deformed]]" mini-figure of Megatron was created as part of the first wave of ''[[MyClone]]'' Transformers in Japan. These toys could be disassembled and their parts mixed-and-matched thanks to a generic base body.

* '''Megatron''' (MyClone, 2003)

: ''MyClone'' Megatron was also available as a [[chase figure]] in the same wave: this version was cast in clear plastic.

===Hard Hero===
[[Image:HardHero Megatron bust.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Englishmen, you're all so f@#$ing pompous. None of you have got any balls. ]]
*'''Megatron''' (2002)

:The second of [[Hard Hero]]'s series of ''Transformers'' products, Megatron is a six-inch tall bust sculpted from cold-cast porcelain.

{{-}}

[[Image:HHero_MegatronStatue.jpg|right|150px|thumb|People can pay retail for a [[Thrust_%28G1%29#Generations|Thrust]] now!?!]]
*'''Megatron''' (2003)

:A 12.5-inch tall Megatron statue sculpted aiming his fusion cannon while screaming in rage.

{{-}}

===Generation 1 Figure-Collection===

[[Image:Bottlecap_megatron.jpg|right|thumb|]]

*'''Megatron''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Display base

:At only one inch in height, this Megatron "bottlecap" figurine (so named because its display base is the size of a bottlecap) was one of fourteen blindpacked figures available in Kabaya's Transformers [[Generation 1 Figure-Collection]]. The figure was available in both a "retro" black and white color scheme and a rare full-color [[chase figure|chase]] version, and came with a leaflet, personalized with cartoon screen captures.
::*''[http://snakas.web.infoseek.co.jp/misc_item/kabaya_bottle.htm More information on the Generation 1 collection at Autobase Aichi]''
{{-}}

===Palisades===
[[Image:Palisades_Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|Megatron after getting pushed down a flight of stairs by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]].]]
* '''Megatron''' ([[Palisades]], 2005)

:Megatron is a six-inch-tall polystone statue on a silver Decepticon-insignia stand. He is decorated with dirt to simulate battle damage, and has articulation in his head and arms. The statue was an [[exclusive]] at San Diego Comic-Con 2005.

{{-}}

===Diamond Select===
[[Image:DecepticonSnowGlobe.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ooooooh, who lives in a spacecruiser under the sea?]]
* '''Decepticon Snow Globe''' (Diamond Select, 2007)

:Megatron is featured in [[Diamond Select]]'s Decepticon-themed snow globe, sitting on a throne inside the globe whilst pointing with one hand and holding an [[energon cube]] in the other. The globe's base is based on [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. It was sculpted by [[Art Asylum]].

{{-}}
[[Image:Megatron statue.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Wonder if they used his legs to make another [[Alligatorcon]]?]]
* '''Megatron''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, this Megatron mini-bust was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1,500 pieces. The sculpt features Megatron perched above a raised Decepticon symbol while the front of the bust showcases the [[Heart of Cybertron]] as seen in the G1 episode "[[Microbots]]".
{{-}}
[[Image:Reformatted statue.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Sure, he's NTFS now but he dreams of one day being [[Grand Galvatron|FAT32]].]]
* '''Reformatted Megatron''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Reformatted Megatron was an exclusive to on-line retailer Action Figure Xpress. He was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 600 pieces. Set above [[Unicron]], the sculpt features Megatron in the beginning stages of his reformation into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] as featured in [[The Transformers: The Movie]].

{{-}}

[[Image:DST_SDCCToonMegatronBust.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
* '''G1 Animated Megatron''' (Diamond Select, 2009)
:G1 Animated Megatron was exclusive to the 2009 San Diego Comic Con. He was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and features a more matte color scheme to better match the cartoon's palette.

{{-}}

[[Image:DiamondSelect_Megatron_bustbank.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
*'''Megatron Bust Bank''' (Diamond Select, 2010)

:This 6-inch hollow Megatron bust would have featured plenty of space for coins along with articulation in its shoulders and neck, but was sadly canceled.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Megatron''' (Booster, 2007)
[[Image:Attacktix Megatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|How am I supposed to aim with this thing in the way?]]
{{attacktix
|ID=TF2-20
|faction=Decepticon
|class=Leader
|special=Recover - 16/26 (61%) success ratio
|cost=40
|speed=6
|attacktype=Shooter (Force Blast)
}}
{{-}}
:Based on his G1 cartoon appearance, this Megatron toy is a killer. He was available only in the Series 2 Starter Set along with ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Landquake (Energon)|Landquake]] and ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]].

:Megatron has an incredibly powerful translucent missile (don't fire it at children or small dogs if you value their lives) and a ''Recover'' special power that allows the figure to stand back up if there's another Decepticon in play. Two Megatrons are a dangerous combination, feeding each other's recover powers and making them very hard to kill off. Plus you can pretend one of them is [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]].

:As an added bonus, because of the way it is worded, you can use the ''Cybertron'' [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] vehicle mode figure's ''Transform'' power to bring Megatron into play from your back-ups.
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:RobotHeroes UltraMagnusMegatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cuteness through tyranny!]]
*'''Ultra Magnus and Megatron''' (2007)

:''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' Megatron is an adorably [[super-deformed]] figurine depicting the Decepticon leader aiming his fusion cannon with a great big smile on his mouth. Megatron has swivel articulation in his shoulders and was sold in a two-pack with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].
{{-}}
[[Image:RobotHeroes SupermetalMegatron.JPG|right|120px|thumb|]]
*'''Decepticon Sneak Attack''' (multi-pack, 2007)

:"Supermetal Finish" Megatron is a redeco of the standard ''Robot Heroes'' Megatron, colored a shiny silver instead of white. He was only available in a Wal-Mart exclusive five-pack alongside "Hologram" [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], "Supermetal Finish" [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise|Optimus Prime]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/toys|Skywarp]].
{{-}}

===Revoltech===
[[Image:Revoltech Megatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Action Masters? Eat your Spark out!]]
*'''Megatron''' (2007)
**''Yamaguchi Series number:'' '''025'''
**''Accessories:'' Alternate head, 3 alternate hands (left & right open palms, right gun-holding hand)

:A non-transforming but ''highly'' articulated Megatron action figure(ine), ''[[Revoltech]]'' Megatron uses the ''Revoltech'' "revolver joints" (appropriate, if you think about it...) for maximum poseability. Megatron includes a non-removable fusion cannon and a few alternate hands, as well as an alternate head with its mouth open in either a smirk, growl or sneer, [[Dull surprise|depending on how you read it]]. His sculpting is explicitly in the style of [[Pat Lee|Pat "serfdom" Lee]]'s interpretation of Megatron.

:This figure uses specialized gray revolver joints in order to better blend with the surrounding sculpted parts.

:He includes a hand obviously meant for holding a gun... but has no gun to use it with. Though if you buy ''Revoltech'' Starscream as well, you can always make him wield himself.
{{-}}
[[Image:Revoltech_Megatron_gun.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
*'''Starscream''' (2008)
**''Yamaguchi Series number:'' '''046'''

:The [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Revoltech|''Revoltech'' Starscream]] toy included a Megatron accessory in his Walther P-38 altmode. While the silencer and scope are molded on, the stock is removable (necessary in order to plug it into a hand). The gun can be held by any ''Revoltech'' toy with a standardized gun-wielding hand, which includes all five Transformers characters in the line.

{{-}}

===Mighty Muggs===
[[Image:MightyMuggs_Megatron.jpg|right|thumb|175px]]
*'''Megatron''' (2009)
**''Accessories:'' Fusion cannon

: This [[super-deformed]], non-transformable Megatron figure uses the standard [[Mighty Muggs]] body template, with swivel joints in his neck and limbs. He comes with a similarly super-deformed version of his fusion cannon that fits into a hole on his right arm.

{{-}}

===Transformers Wacky Wobblers===
[[Image:WackyWobblers_Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|150px|]]
*'''Megatron''' (2009)

: This Megatron [[wikipedia:Bobblehead|bobblehead]] is part of the popular ''[[Wacky Wobblers]]'' line produced by [[wikipedia:Funko|Funko]]. Aside from the standard-issue big wobbling head, he features a teeny-tiny fusion cannon and arms that swivel at the shoulders. Megatron is affixed to a base with his name on it.
{{-}}

===G.I. Joe and the Transformers===
[[Image:StarscreamSkystriker.jpg|right|thumb|250px|]]
*'''Starscream Skystriker with Cobra Commander''' (2011)

: This [[exclusive]] set for San Diego Comic-Con 2011 includes a non-transformable human-scaled gun-mode Megatron for use by [[Cobra Commander]], who pilots a non-transformable [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]].

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Skywarpatron.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Skywarp really DID need close supervision.]]
* It seems that no-one could get Megatron's [[package art]] right in Japan. His standard release used edited box art from the standard Microchange P-38 toy's black deco, recolored to Megatron's US toy color scheme with shiny 'chrome' and red on his legs and arms instead of the Japanese toy's flat gray and blue. The VS-X art replaced the red with blue, but kept the 'chrome'. The art on the 'Goodbye Megatron' set used edited US box art (which in turn was the Microchange P-38 UNCLE art with an added sigil) that replaced the red with blue, yet this toy used red plastic.

* In a possible fit of madness, a triple changer was proposed that would switch between [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (possibly mistaken for Starscream), Megatron, and Skywarp's jet mode.

[[Image:Megalvatron.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This toy IS a time paradox.]]
* In a slightly more sane attempt, another triple changer was proposed which would switch between Megatron, a very awkward [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and a Walther P-38 handgun with a futuristic silencer and laser sight.

* According to [[Don Figueroa]], the mysterious clip on the back of 6" Titanium ''War Within'' Megatron was meant to carry the sword Megatron was depicted as using in ''The War Within''. As in the comics, it would presumably have resembled the sword packaged with various versions of G1 Megatron. It may have been omitted due to cost concerns.

* G2 Megatron's lock-and-load shoulder cannon was remolded slightly and reused as the main cannon on the [http://www.yojoe.com/sgtsavage/panther.shtml I.R.O.N Panther Tank] in the very short-lived 1995 [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] line ''Sgt. Savage & The Screaming Eagles''.

[[Image:Alternity_Megatron_Cannon.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Dude, you'll never fit that in the trunk.]]
* Early concepts for [[#Alternity|Alternity Megatron]] showed him with the trademark fusion cannon rather than his twin swords, as well as a pronounced Decepticon insignia on the chest.
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Megatron Megatron's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1783/Generation+2/Megatron+ATB.html Gallery of ATB Megatron with comparison to BB at Transformers At the Moon]
* [http://www.theunclegun.com/ Unclegun.com - The Walther P-38 as seen in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]
*[http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=ngAuAAAAEBAJ Megatrons patent]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

The Transformers (cartoon)

2010-06-11T20:08:10Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{disambig2|the cartoon series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}

{{nav-G1}}

{{bigquote|...we feel '''action''' should be emphasized over''' plot'''—especially avoiding any complicated story lines—to ensure the success of this series with its intended viewers.|[[Bryce Malek]] and [[Dick Robbins]], ''Transformer''s story editors, [[Marvel Productions]] internal correspondence[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#154]}}

[[Image:TransformersLogoSlantedOrange.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Red is the colour of GOOD...]]
[[Image:TransformersLogoSlantedPurple.jpg|right|250px|thumb|...while purple is the colour of EVIL!!]]
[[Image:G1Season1Logo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|In space, no one can hear your trumpets go Dah-NUN NUN NAHHHHHH!]]

More than any other of the many media which [[Transformer]]s have invaded in the past 25 years, it is '''''The Transformers''''', the original cartoon that ran from 1984 to 1987, which captured the imagination of children and children-at-heart worldwide.

==Overview==
[[Image:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Depleted of energy... aside from the power source that lights up the entire core of the planet.]]
The cartoon (along with the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]]) set up the basic story of Transformers that most other incarnations were to follow: two warring factions of robots on the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] leave in search of resources. The factions crash-land on [[Earth]] and, millions of years later, begin their battle anew in Reagan-era [[United States|America]] and across the globe.

Once established, the cartoon rarely took any steps to upset its status quo. Plots generally centered on a [[Decepticon]] plot or invention of the week, which would be used to gather energy or Defeat The [[Autobot]]s FOREVER!!, and the Autobots' efforts to stop the plan. Most of the time the Decepticons were forced into retreat, and the Autobots drove off victorious. At most, a new character or team was added to one side or the other. Plots became a bit less formulaic during Season 3, though character death and true plot upheaval remained a rarity.

Through its 98-episode run, this series took viewers around the globe and to many strange places and times: across the alien Cybertron, the Earth's prehistoric past, the Earth's then-future of 2005, the ''Metropolis''-like society of [[Nebulos]], and more. It is not the best animated series ever to air, but it stimulated viewers with its concept at the time, and continued to do so in the years to come.
{{-}}

==Production==
[[Image:DivideAndConquer-UnderseaBase.jpg|center|450px|thumb|The Decepticon undersea base. Note that it is neither pineapple, rock, nor tiki head.]]

Writing and distribution for this series were handled as a joint effort by [[Marvel Productions]] and [[Sunbow Productions]]. Animation was produced overseas, by [[Toei]], [[AKOM]], [[Tokyo Movie Shinsha]] (''supposedly'') and an [[Unknown Filipino animation studio|unknown studio from the Philippines]].

[[Image:CrashedArk1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Nobody on Earth noticed this for millions of years.]]
The original 30 or so characters were heavily modified from their toy designs for aesthetics and ease of animation. Among the artists involved in the original designs are [[Shōhei Kohara]] and [[Floro Dery]]. Other known production artists include [[Dell Barras]], who worked on second season backgrounds.

Story editors for the series included [[Dick Robbins]], [[Bryce Malek]], [[Flint Dille]], [[Marv Wolfman]], and [[Steve Gerber]]. Episode scripts were written by a large array of freelance writers. Writers notable for writing numerous episodes include [[Donald F. Glut]] and [[David Wise]].

The series was animated on an enormously rushed schedule, due to the need to get episodes on the air in sync with the toys appearing on shelves. That, combined with the vast number of characters and the difficulties involved with the overseas animation process, resulted in a cartoon that is notoriously riddled with [[animation error]]s and other mistakes. The producers were often aware of these mistakes, but tight deadlines left them no time to correct them.

Another byproduct of the rushed production is that the show tends not to be very self-referential. Continuity between episodes is minimal, with most acting as self-contained, standalone stories, though a few Season Two and Season Three stories did build on previous episodes. Within each season, the addition of new characters is the only common change to the status quo.

[[Image:ShockwaveDesertionOfTheDinobots1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My toy's so great, I bought one myself!]]
Mistakes or not, the show is fondly remembered by many fans for the high quality of its voice acting. Indeed, many characters, lacking any significant plot developments or screen time, were brought to life solely by their unique voices and inflection styles. Voice direction for the series was provided by [[Wally Burr]], notorious for driving his performers to the limit. One of the performers in his stable, [[Susan Blu]], would later go on to work as voice director for ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', and ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''.

The ''sinister'' voice of [[Victor Caroli]] provided narration for the entire series, most commonly heard on the [[commercial bumper]]s: "The Transformers will return after these messages!" Caroli's voice also provided occasional introductory narration, recap segments for multi-part episodes, and the ''[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]'' segments which ran before the credits of Season 3.

[[Image:RollForIt Spacebridge recieves.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Looks safer than flying United.]]
In addition to the show's iconic [[theme song]], ''Transformers'' featured a great variety of background music, composed by [[Robert J. Walsh]]. Walsh had previously worked on the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' cartoon, and many of those pieces were reused for ''Transformers''. New pieces were composed as well, many incorporating the melody of the show's theme song. Walsh composed new music for 2nd and 3rd seasons, each in a different style, further distinguishing the three main seasons from one another.

The show also originated the concept of the iconic "[[Scene transition|symbol flip]]" serving as a transition between scenes, a tradition carried on by some of the later series.
{{-}}

==Episodes==

{{see|List of Generation 1 episodes}}

These episodes are listed in "production order", the order in which the episodes were actually approved and written, rather than the order in which they aired on television. In a few instances, this means that episodes are not in the correct chronological story order, the specifics of which are noted in their own articles. Arranging the episodes in airdate order would not solve this problem, and so, as fans have done for as long as there have been ''Transformers'' episode guides on the internet, TFWIKI.Net adheres to production order, in preference to simply making up a chronological order of our own (any attempt at which would be arguable at best).

The different DVD companies which have released the series down the years have at times presented the episodes of each season in a different order that adheres to neither production nor airdate, sometimes to improve any chronology errors evident in the production order, and other times for no apparent reason. No two English-langauge DVD releases of the series by different companies have placed all 98 episodes in the same order. [[Metrodome]] stuck closest to production order, only making changes for chronology reasons (and sometimes not even then), while other licensees have strayed from this order to varying degrees. Season 1 has consistently avoided reorganization (as production order is actually the correct story order), but Season 3 is a victim of continuous restructuring that sees its episodes presented in a wildly different order with each release.

===Season 1===
[[Image:DinobotsG1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Remember those dinosaur guys? Man, they were awesome.]]
The first season is primarily set on [[Earth]], with a few excursions to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. It started with the 1984 toys as its characters, and introduced the early wave of 1985 toys as it progressed—the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]].

{{collist|2|
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]"
# "[[Transport to Oblivion]]"
# "[[Roll for It]]"
# "[[Divide and Conquer]]"
# "[[Fire in the Sky]]"
# "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"
# "[[Fire on the Mountain]]"
# "[[War of the Dinobots]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]"
# "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]"
# "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]"
# "[[Heavy Metal War]]"
}}

===Season 2===
[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|center|450px|thumb|I liked the one with the guy.]] 
[[Image:Master builders prime basketball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Didn't they make Optimus Prime play soccer or something once? Man, that was dumb.]]
The very long second season greatly expanded the cartoon's scope and cast. The second season tends to feature more character-driven episodes than the first season, with many characters getting their own "spotlight" episode. It also features a recurring theme of the Autobots assimilating Earth culture, such the Autobots playing basketball and football and even watching a soap opera. Excursions to alien civilizations popped up occasionally as well. The second season also saw the introduction of concepts and characters that would spread out to other fictions, including the mystic [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], the ancient [[Vector Sigma]] supercomputer and its [[Key to Vector Sigma|circuit key]], and the first appearance of [[Female Transformers]] within official fiction.

The second season also marked a move from weekly airings (usually on Saturday mornings) to a "stripped" show, aired Monday through Friday, either in the morning or afternoon. Some markets also scheduled it in conjunction with daily episodes of ''[[G.I.Joe]]''.

Season Two breaks down very roughly into three segments:

* The first dozen episodes feature (primarily) the Season One cast.
* A large second batch of episodes brings in the remainder of the 1985 toys.
* The final ten episodes introduce the four [[combiner]] teams that formed the early entries in the 1986 line.
{{--}}
{{collist|2|
# "[[Autobot Spike]]"
# "[[Changing Gears]]"
# "[[City of Steel]]"
# "[[Attack of the Autobots]]"
# "[[Traitor]]"
# "[[The Immobilizer]]"
# "[[The Autobot Run]]"
# "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"
# "[[Day of the Machines]]"
# "[[Enter the Nightbird]]"
# "[[A Prime Problem]]"
# "[[The Core]]"
# "[[The Insecticon Syndrome]]"
# "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]"
# "[[Dinobot Island, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Master Builders]]"
# "[[Auto Berserk]]"
# "[[Microbots]]"
# "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]"
# "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2]]"
# "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1]]"
# "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]"
# "[[Blaster Blues]]"
# "[[A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court]]"
# "[[The Golden Lagoon]]"
# "[[The God Gambit]]"
# "[[Make Tracks]]"
# "[[Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play]]"
# "[[Quest for Survival]]"
# "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"
# "[[The Gambler]]"
# "[[Kremzeek!]]"
# "[[Sea Change]]"
# "[[Triple Takeover]]"
# "[[Prime Target]]"
# "[[Auto-Bop]]"
# "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]"
# "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]"
# "[[Hoist Goes Hollywood]]"
# "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]"
# "[[Aerial Assault]]"
# "[[War Dawn]]"
# "[[Trans-Europe Express]]"
# "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]"
# "[[Starscream's Brigade]]"
# "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]"
# "[[Masquerade]]"
# "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]"
}}

===Intermediate===
[[Image:Tftm1986b.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Then they like, killed him in the movie. Man, that was awesome.]]
''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' is in continuity with the cartoon series, occurring 20 years after the end of Season 2 (in the then-futuristic year of 2005). It was the single biggest turning point for the series, and remains controversial. The movie saw the introductions of [[Unicron]], the [[Quintesson]]s, and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], all of which would play important roles in Season 3. It made radical changes to the show's cast, killing off many characters and introducing new ones—a shock to young viewers who were used to their heroes driving off into the sunset at the end of every adventure.

Despite its unconventional place in the cartoon canon, it remains the best-known representation of the cartoon series among fans.

===Season 3===
[[Image:Intro3 4 with error.jpg|left|200px|thumb|They didn't make any more cartoons after the movie. Yeah, the movie totally killed Transformers.]]
Season 3 ''transformed'' the whole premise of the show. Gone were the two teams stranded on Earth, along with many of the characters that composed those teams. In their place was a galaxy-spanning tale of battles on alien worlds. With the Autobots in firm control of Cybertron, the Decepticons, though still a threat, were somewhat reduced as villains; new enemies in the form of the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] were introduced. Plots often centered on the ultra-powerful [[city-bot]]s, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

Season 3 has a mixed reputation. It contains some of the most mistake-laden episodes of the entire franchise ("Five Faces of Darkness", "Carnage in C Minor", the introduction sequence at left) most of which can be laid at the feet of [[AKOM]]. But some of its episodes are among the best as well, both in animation and scripting; "Dark Awakening", "Chaos", "Webworld", and "Dweller in the Depths" are all heavy fan favorites.

Late in Season 3, as in Season 2, the forerunners of the 1987 toy line were introduced: the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s, and [[Throttlebot]]s, and (very briefly) the cassettes [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]. The season concluded with the resurrection of Optimus Prime, spurred on by a massive campaign on the part of fans, who were displeased by his death and subsequent "evil" resurrection.

{{collist|2|
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]"
# "[[The Killing Jar]]"
# "[[Chaos (episode)|Chaos]]"
# "[[Dark Awakening]]"
# "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]"
# "[[Starscream's Ghost]]"
# "[[Thief in the Night]]"
# "[[Surprise Party]]"
# "[[Madman's Paradise]]"
# "[[Nightmare Planet]]"
# "[[Ghost in the Machine]]"
# "[[Webworld]]"
# "[[Carnage in C-Minor]]"
# "[[The Quintesson Journal]]"
# "[[The Ultimate Weapon]]"
# "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]"
# "[[Fight or Flee]]"
# "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]"
# "[[Only Human]]"
# "[[Grimlock's New Brain]]"
# "[[Money Is Everything]]"
# "[[Call of the Primitives]]"
# "[[The Face of the Nijika]]"
# "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]"
}}

===Season 4===
[[Image:Bumblebee and Goldbug.jpg|right|200px|thumb|They kept making the toys? But weren't those like, the ones that couldn't transform or something?]]
How the truncated Season 4 came about remains a mystery, though presumably the short version is that [[Hasbro]] pulled out its funding support. Whether anything further was ever planned is not known; see ''[[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|Urban legends about Transformers]]'' for more.

As it is, the "season" consisted of a single three-part episode, that somewhat hastily brought in thirty or so new Transformer characters as well as [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners for 22 of them, and attempted to provide a satisfactory conclusion to the series as a whole.

The previous three seasons each feature fully original opening credits. For Season 4, however, the opening credit sequence is a mishmash of existing animation, combining high-quality animation sequences from some of the 1986 and 1987 toy commercials with segments of the Season 3 opening credits, which were of a visibly different art style.

# "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]"

===Season 5===
[[Image:Puppetpmprime.jpg|thumb|]]
Season 5 did not feature any new episodes, but rather consisted of 15 episodes from the previous seasons and ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' broken up into five episodes, for a total of 20 episodes. New opening and closing footage was added to each episode, which portrayed an animatronic puppet of [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] meeting regularly with a live-action human named [[Tommy Kennedy]] to tell him old Transformers stories.

{{collist|2|
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]"
# "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]"
# ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Day 1)
# ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Day 2)
# ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Day 3)
# ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Day 4)
# ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Day 5)
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]"
# "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]"
# "[[Surprise Party]]"
# "[[Dark Awakening]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 2]]"
# "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]"
}}

===Sci-Fi Channel===
In the late 1990s, the Sci-Fi Channel began airing the original episodes. Unfortunately, due to longer commercial slots and/or shorter show times, the decision was made to edit the cartoon down. Sometimes this was done in comparatively harmless fashion, but other times the flow of scenes and even the plot suffered.

In one of the most notorious edits, two lines from [[Grapple]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] in "[[Masquerade]]" ended up smooshed into a single nonsensical jumble: "Time to add fire torobably hate myself in the morning, but--"

==Japanese release==
With the success of ''Transformers'' proven by Hasbro, [[Takara]] elected to cut short their plans for a new ''[[Diaclone]]'' line in 1985 and import the ''Transformers'' toyline and cartoon instead. To play catch-up with Hasbro markets, Takara combined the first two years of toys and cartoon into one series, which was given the excessive (but typical of Japanese cartoons) title of '''''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'''''.

Although two episodes out of the original 65 were cut ("Attack of the Autobots" and "Day of the Machines"), an additional nine [[clip show]]s were created, composed entirely of re-used footage taken from various episodes, bringing the total number of ''Fight!'' episodes to 72. The two missing episodes were later dubbed and released straight-to-video, then retroactively added to the episode list as numbers 73 and 74.

Additionally, the broadcast order of the series was significantly reworked, with most of the episodes featuring [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] being pushed to the end of the run (presumably owing the character's shaky status as a Bandai toy in Japan). Contrary to what would be sensible, this did ''not'' involve correcting any of the chronological errors present in the original order; in fact, it even created some new ones.

In 1986, after the release of the OVA ''[[Scramble City]]'' (but not ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which was not released in Japan until 1989) the series was rebranded as '''''[[Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010]]'''''. All thirty episodes from the third season were dubbed for ''2010'' and reordered (again creating more chronology errors) and two additional clip episodes were produced, bringing the total to thirty-two.

The additional clip shows include the following:

*'''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'''
:14. "[[Birth of the Transformers!]]"
:55. "[[War Without End (episode)|War Without End]]"
:56. "[[Desperate Battle on Dinobot Island]]"
:57. "[[Devastator, the Giant Warrior]]"
:58. "[[Neverending Struggle]]"
:69. "[[Earth's Greatest Crisis]]"
:70. "[[Seek the Cybertonium]] "
:71. "[[Stunticons VS Aerialbots]] "
:72. "[[Mutiny of the Combaticons]]"

*'''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010'''
:29. "[[Daniel's Adventure]]"
:30. "[[The Desperate Struggle of Justice]]"

The numbers denote the airing order of the episodes in relation to the rest of the series.

"The Rebirth" was not broadcast in Japan, in favor of producing a brand new series to continue the story of the animated continuity, beginning with ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''. However, all three episodes of "The Rebirth" were released straight-to-video a few years later. Curiously, the dub for "The Rebirth" used standard English-language names and terminology in a more selective manner (for example, "Optimus Prime" remained "Convoy" while "Hot Rod" was not changed to "Hot Rodimus" but retained his English name). Only three actors from ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' and ''Transformers 2010'' returned to voice their respective characters: [[Tesshō Genda]] (Optimus Prime), [[Seizō Katō]] (Galvatron) and [[Issei Masamune]] (narrator). Every other cast member was replaced with a soundalike, to varying degrees of success.

===Edits===
The three American seasons were edited by Takara before their broadcast in Japan. These edits were made not for content, but for length so that the show could accommodate longer opening and ending [[Title sequence|sequence]]s.

The combined length of the U.S. opening and ending sequences was about one minute and ten seconds. The combined length of the Japanese opening and ending sequences, however, was about two minutes and twenty seconds. This resulted in roughly one minute and ten seconds being cut from every single episode.

A few examples of "unnecessary" scenes that were cut to make space for J-pop:

* "[[Roll for It]]". The scene where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] first reach the laboratory and meet the southern-accented security guard that gives them clearance.
* "[[Divide and Conquer]]". The scene where the Autobots first return to [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s base and he opens fire on them.
* "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]". The scene where Spike, [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Chip Chase|Chip]] cheer for the Autobots during the Autobot Day parade.
* "[[Only Human]]". The scene where the informant tells [[Victor Drath]] that [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] is down the street pacing back and forth, and gets punched in the face as payment.
* All multi-part episodes have their Next Episode previews removed.

The only episodes not to be edited for length are "[[Attack of the Autobots]]", "[[Day of the Machines]]", ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and all three episodes of "[[The Rebirth, Part 1|The Rebirth]]". These were not edited for length because they were all released straight-to-video, where broadcasting time slots were not an issue. As a result, these episodes are also the only ones to be released on laserdisc and DVD by [[Pioneer]] with optional English or Japanese audio tracks.

==Home video releases==
{{main|The Transformers (cartoon)/home video}}

==Trivia==
* Looking at the production codes of the series reveals some choice tidbits:
**The series pilot, "More than Meets the Eye", was produced under a set of different production codes, as it was created before ''Transformers'' was expanded to become an ongoing series. After the pilot, the episode production numbers begin afresh with "700-01" ("Transport to Oblivion"), and proceeded in order until the end of the first season, with "700-13" ("Heavy Metal War"). At the beginning of the second season, it seems the production codes were adjusted to account for the three parts of "More than Meets the Eye", as they take a jump forward to "700-16" with "Autobot Spike". This, of course, is mathematically wrong-o, as "Autobot Spike" is the ''seventeenth'' episode, not the sixteenth.
**''B.O.T.'', the final episode of season 2, was production code 700-64, while ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1'', the first episode of season 3, was production code 700-86. The reason for this jump is unknown.
**There is no episode with production code 700-111. ''Grimlock's New Brain'' was 700-110, while ''Call of the Primitives'' was 700-112. The reason for this omission is likewise unknown.

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/eab15c298a61cdfb/fce7a2ddb7e35a81 1985 net.comics review]
*[http://www.reocities.com/Area51/Comet/5606/tfepgd.html Aaron Marsh's Transformers Episode Guide] — Including variants and repackagings
*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformers/9160392217 Transformers on Facebook] - Includes information on Matrix of Leadership Box Set

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (cartoon), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1| Transformers (cartoon)]]
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Peter Cullen

2010-03-20T03:22:12Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{disambig3|Peter}}

[[Image:PeterCullen1.jpg|right|216px|thumb|Scarier than Venger and the Predator combined.]]
'''Peter Cullen''' ([[July 28]], 1941 -) is an [[United States of America|American]] voice actor (though originally from [[Canada]]) who has earned fame, respect and admiration as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|the original Optimus Prime]].

During San Diego Comic-Con 2006 it was announced that he would be voicing [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in the 2007 movie as well. And there was much rejoicing (One person started complaining. He was torn limb from limb, skewered and eaten).

In addition to Transformers, some of Cullen's other roles include Eeyore from ''[[Jim Cummings|Winnie the Pooh]]'', Venger from ''Dungeons & Dragons'', Bankjob Beagle from ''Ducktales'', Cindarr from ''[[Visionaries]]'', Zandar and [[Nemesis Enforcer]] from ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', K.A.R.R. from ''Knight Rider'', the Narrator from ''Voltron'', and the title villain from ''[[Predator (alien)|Predator]]''. He has also recently done announcer work for commercials for the U.S. Navy, temporarily taking over the job from [[Keith David]].

==Roles==
===Generation 1===
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*[[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Optimus Prime clone|Clone]] (episode 11)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]]
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]
*[[Wingspan]]
*[[It]] (episode 95)

===[[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' (2007 movie)]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Transformers The Game|''Transformers'': The Game]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===''[[Transformers: Beginnings]]''===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|''Revenge of the Fallen'']]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Revenge of the Fallen'': The Game]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Transformers 3]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]

===[[Transformers: War for Cybertron]]===
*[[Optimus Prime]]

==Trivia==
* In 1984, he created the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] by emulating the mannerisms of his older brother Larry, who had served in the [[United States Marine Corps]] in the Vietnam War. Specifically, he based Prime's voice and mannerisms upon Larry's calm, controlled and authoritative approach to serious situations.<ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2006/09/a_chat_with_pet.html USA Today's chat with Peter Cullen, September 28, 2006]</ref>

* Yes, Optimus Prime is his favorite voice acting role.

* He also loves being [[Wikipedia:Eeyore|Eeyore]].

* At [[BotCon 2007]], Peter Cullen said he'd love to own one of the three modified [http://www.peterbilt.com/index_gal_mod_desc.asp?model=model379 Peterbilt 379] trucks used in the filming of [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']]. Let's try and picture Optimus Prime driving himself for a moment. Has your brain exploded yet from the sheer awesomeness?

[[Image:Movieop voyager driver.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Now all it needs is a mustache.]]
* The mid-range [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Voyager class ''Movie'' Optimus Prime toy (in its many releases)]] features a non-removable cowboy-hat-bedecked driver figurine that flips out of the seat when the driver's side door is closed. This appears to be based on Peter Cullen himself. Awesome.

* In [[Alliance issue 1]], Optimus Prime creates a holo-driver for himself in the [[:Image:AllianceOptimusHoloDriver.jpg|likeness of Cullen]]. Epps thought it was perfect. Odds are, so would most of the [[fandom]]. Now, it needs to happen in [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|the sequel]] (which, sadly never happens).

* He was also the [[Toonami]] announcer (or as [[Steve Blum|TOM]] called him: "The Big Guy") for many years, allowing him to narrate commercials for ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'', ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]''.

* Peter was asked to reprise Optimus Prime in an episode of ''Robot Chicken'', where the character would enact a dramatization that he's dying from prostate cancer. He turned down the offer as he took the role too seriously to make fun of it, which the Adult Swim people respected him for.

*Cullen also provided the voice of the [[Renegade]] [[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] Pincher, Spoiler and Tank in the '''Challenge Of The GoBots''' animated series.

==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon]] ([[BotCon 1997|1997]], [[BotCon 2006|2006]], [[BotCon 2007|2007]], [[BotCon 2009|2009]])
* [[BotCon 2004]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191520/ Peter Cullen at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cullen, Peter}}
[[Category:Activision]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:Voice actors]]

Dead End (G1)

2009-05-16T20:46:12Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{disambig3|Dead End}}
:''Dead End is a [[Decepticon]] [[Stunticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:MTMTEDeadEnd.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Life! Don't talk to me about life.]]
'''Dead End''' knows that his having an entry in [[Main Page|some database somewhere]] hardly matters. The page will be vandalized. The computers will eventually fail. The data will be lost. The [[Human|species that made it]] will go extinct. Their planet will become barren. The [[sun]] will die out. All suns will die out. The universe will implode again, or expand into nothingness, or be eaten by [[Unicron|a giant evil space-god]]. So what's the point?

Despite this deep knowledge of the dark, inevitable pointlessness of existence, he spends an inordinate amount of time polishing and primping himself. This is something the other Decepticons are sure to tease him about whenever they get the chance, which only depresses him more. If you can actually motivate him to fight, he's a fearless warrior and actually cheers up a little, since trying to save his own life can momentarily distract him from how ultimately brief and pointless it is; the hard trick is getting him motivated in the first place, since in the end we're all doomed. ''Sigh.''

Dead End combines with his fellow Stunticons to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], though he doesn't know why he bothers.

{{quote|Face it: we're doomed.|Dead End at any given minute|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"}}

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Impasse'''
:''Italian name'': '''Cobra'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Phillip Clarke]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese)

[[Image:KeytoVectorSigmaPt1 bankrobbers DeadEnd.jpg|left|200px|thumb|'Con Day Afternoon]]
Dead End, along with the other Stunticons, was given [[Spark|life]] by Vector Sigma in an attempt by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to form a ground based unit. Seeing little choice in the matter, Dead End decided to do what Megatron said. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} The Decepticons returned to [[Earth]] with the newly awakened Stunticons who began wrecking havoc and damaging the Autobots' good name by attacking the US military base containing the experimental rocket fuel. Eventually, the Autobots returned with the newly built [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] whose combined form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] defeated the Stunticon combiner Menasor. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[Image:TransEuropeExpress DeadEnd carjack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"The Heat Death of the universe is coming, I tell you! COMING!"]]
Despite this defeat, the Stunticons were the key component in Megatron's elaborate scheme to hold a [[Europa 2000|fake charity race]] from Paris to Istanbul so he could steal US driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]]'s car which would be melted down to house the the powerful [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Megatron ordered the Stunticons to eliminate the Autobots protecting Cahnay. While his fellow Stunticons surrounded the brothers [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], Dead End leapt ahead of the racers and transformed, blasting the boxed-in Autobots off the road. They disabled several more racers, but when Dead End set a trap for [[Bluestreak]], the wily gunner managed to escape his attackers. Together, Auggie Cahnay, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and Bluestreak defeated Menasor and destroyed the Pearl of Bahoudin. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express|Trans-Europe Express}}

When Megatron was infected with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] after a trip to the lost Autobot colony of [[Antilla]], the Stunticons were assigned to capture the Autobot scientist [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], who had developed the powerful anti-corrosion [[Corrostop]]. After Megatron cured himself and infected the Autobots with the Cosmic Rust, Menasor attacked the Statue of Liberty in [[New York City]] with the ancient [[Lightning Bug]] heat ray, intent on stopping the Autobots from matter-duplicating more Corrostop from the layer they sprayed on the statue. Superion defeated Menasor and destroyed the Lightning Bug. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

Caught up in a demolition derby, the Stunticons missed most of the "civil war" between the Decepticons and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s [[Combaticon|Combaticons]]. They arrived at the battle site just as Starscream was declaring victory over Megatron. Dead End didn't particularly care either way, until [[Motormaster]] pointed out that Starscream was insufferable enough already without being in charge, and Dead End quickly conceded that point. The Stunticons formed Menasor and, one Batman *POW* later, [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] was in pieces. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade|Starscream's Brigade}}

On another occasion, Megatron instructed the Stunticons to bring him a series of scientific components for his latest Unbeatable Super Weapon. Dead End and [[Drag Strip]] were assigned to acquire an experimental generator from the U.S. military. The retrieval was successful, but they encountered the Autobots [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] on the drive to their rendezvous with Megatron. Dead End was disabled by a blast of Tracks' black beam gun, followed by Warpath putting his fist through the Stunticon's roof. Disabled and collected as prisoners of war, the Stunticons were brought back to the Ark and held in captivity while [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and a strike team of Autobots used camouflage paint to mimic the Stunticons and infiltrate Megatron's camp. Special operations agent [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], a cheerful and easy going robot, assumed Dead End's appearance, which undoubtedly made Dead End feel even worse. The real Stunticons managed to break free, however, and confronted their dopplegangers as Menasor. Ultimately, the Super Weapon was destroyed, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat. {{storylink|Masquerade|Masquerade}}

[[Image:FFoD3 DeadEnd eating.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Only Swindle would be cagey enough to chose a nihilist as his official taste tester.]]
After the Decepticons were driven off Cybertron in the aftermath of [[Unicron]]'s attack, they fled to [[Chaar]]. Suffering constant energon shortages, they were reduced to fighting among themselves. The Stunticons stuck together, but things were dire. So dire, in fact, that the Decepticons offered up their energon when it was learned that [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] was alive. Dead End warned that they were doomed if they gave up their energon, but [[Wildrider]] countered that if they didn't, they were doomed anyway. Either way, they were doomed. Oh, for [[Primus|God]]'s sake... {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} When the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] arrived on Chaar, the other Decepticons cowered in fear. Dead End, however, had had enough. If he was going to die, he would just get it over with. He asked the Quintessons to just make it quick, but they offered energon instead. He deferred to [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'s negotiating skills, and when Swindle said to test some of the energon, he agreed. What the [[Pit|heck]], poison would probably be quicker than fuel exhaustion. Fortunately, the energon was untainted, and Dead End agreed to help the Quintessons destroy the Autobots on [[Goo]]. Might as well take a few Autobots with them before they go offline. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} When they arrived, Galvatron showed up and fired upon the "traitors". Dead End could care less: whether from in front or behind, death was death. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} After Galvatron seized control of the Decepticons and struck up an alliance with the Quintessons, the Stunticons were part of the Decepticon team attacking the Autobots on Earth. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[Image:BurdenHardesttoBear Stunticons Matrix.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Matrix is of no use to someone with 24 darkest hours a day.]]
Dead End and the Stunticons fought alongside Galvatron during a scheme to steal [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s transforming cog, leaving him vulnerable to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] infiltrated Trypticon to steal ''his'' transforming cog, the Stunticons were soundly defeated by the two Autobots. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon|The Ultimate Weapon}} Later, after a series of assaults on Japan, Dead End and Wildrider were left behind on Earth to watch for Autobot activity while the others returned to Chaar. Seeing Rodimus Prime driving on a secluded stretch of highway, the two Stunticons went after him, and eventually knocked the Autobot leader off the side of a cliff. This jarred loose the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from Rodimus' chest cavity, and so Dead End and Wildrider took their prize back to Galvatron. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

A short while later, the Stunticons were part of a task force led by Galvatron to stop Rodimus Prime from recovering the body of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Mark Morgan|two]] [[Gregory Swofford|humans]]. Upon arrival, however, they were met with several [[Hate Plague]]-infected Autobots, and before Dead End could react to the situation, he was tackled and infected by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{note|These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See [[Earthforce]] for details.}}
''Back in action on Earth, Dead End and his Stunticon partner Drag Strip began working for a faction of Decepticons led by Megatron. Megatron had created an ozone-warping rocket, designed to trap heat in the atmosphere which could be tapped for a new source of energy, even though it would virtually destroy all life on Earth. Their plan was interrupted by two Autobots, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Starting Over!|Starting Over!}} While Wheeljack kept the Stunticons busy, Prowl leapt onto the rocket itself, his weight knocking it off course and causing it to crash before it reached the apex point in the atmosphere it was meant to travel to. Dead End and Drag Strip raced to the crashsite, hoping to retrieve the atmospheric poisons Megatron had loaded it with. At the fallen rocket, however, they ran into [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], who were interested in securing the equipment for their commander, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. The four Decepticons began to tussle, little realizing Prowl had already snuck away and neutralized the cannisters. How droll. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane|Life in the Slow Lane}}''

''At the [[Enclave]], Dead End was seen talking to [[Octane]] early on. Later, after the party descended into violence, he was seen punching out [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] while fighting back-to-back with [[Tantrum]], both of them little realizing they were supposed to be on opposite sides. Probably. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} During the attack on Autobot Earthbase, Dead End and Breakdown joined the [[Battlecharger|Battlechargers]] in racing in through the wall of laser fire, trying to reach the base and the Autobot soldiers inside defending it. None of them made it, though, so it was all rather pointless in the end. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!|Divide and Conquer!}} When the Decepticons needed to kidnap the Autobots' human ally, [[Irwin Spoon]], Dead End and the Stunticons ran interference for Motormaster so that he could get away with the human stored inside his cab. After Breakdown took himself out of action, though, only Dead End and Drag Strip were left to stop [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] from catching up with their leader. The two Stunticons raced up onto the rear bumpers of their foes, only to be caught off guard when the Autobots suddenly broke away, sending the Decepticon cars hurtling into the back wheels of their own boss, Motormaster, knocking all of them off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{note|Drag Strip and Dead End are mistakenly named as Shockwave's troops in "[[Life in the Slow Lane]]", just as the Battlechargers are mistakenly identified as working for Megatron.}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''Dead End and the Stunticons attacked [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] on the road in 2003, making an attempt to steal the plans for the upcoming [[Autobot City]]. They were successful, but the plans were a set of fakes, so they ultimately didn't gain anything. An exhausting exercise in futility — bet Dead End droned on about that for days. {{storylink|Ark Duty|Ark Duty}}''

''In 2008, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Death's Head]] were compelled by [[Unicron]] to make an assassination attempt on the Decepticon leader, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. They sealed the door to the audience chamber during the attack, and so [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] summoned the Stunticons as Menasor to break through the door. They eventually did so, and Breakdown and Dead End were about to execute the Decepticon traitors when Death's Head returned with news of Shockwave's demise. Using a series of explosives built into his hover platform as an incentive, the bounty hunter forced Soundwave and the other Decepticons to submit to their leadership. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

====Generation 2====
After [[Skullgrin]] was killed on a survey mission by the [[Cybertronian]] Empire, Dead End was seen among the Decepticons [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] was pumping up into a killing fury. (There was, however, a speech bubble near Dead End's head calling for "Death to the pretenders!" Maybe he meant the G2 Decepticons, or maybe he just didn't like Skullgrin). {{storylink|New Dawn|New Dawn}}
{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
At one point during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Dead End was linked with the Stunticons to become a super-combiner known as Menasor. After the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]], though, the Stunticons were forced to disband as a unit to prevent major devastation. To that end, Dead End and Motormaster joined Starscream's [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]] separate from their teammates. {{storylink|The War Within: The Age of Wrath|The War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

At some point in Cybertron's recent history, the Stunticons were deemed psychotic and too dangerous to function in society, and as a result were placed into perpetual stasis lock inside of a prison facility. Later, in an attempt to create a diversion while he set his final plans in motion, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arranged for the release of the Stunticons. They formed into Menasor and ran amuck for awhile, until [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived and began insulting them. Unable to reconcile with this, the five Stunticons began to bicker with each other over whose fault it was that they were failing, temporarily stopping Menasor and allowing Ultra Magnus to ram the combiner in the chest, forcing him to separate into his component parts and disabling the Stunticons. {{storylink|Passive Aggression|Passive Aggression}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:MegatronOrigin3 DeadEnd Wildrider.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Strangely optimistic for a pessimist.]]
Dead End was one of dozens of Cybertronians who answered the call to join Megatron in [[Kaon]]'s underground pit-fighting ring, and later participated in the first street battle against Autobot forces. He was also...unnervingly ''optimistic'' about his chances of making the team.

Seriously, it was creepy. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin issue 3}}

Soon afterwards, Megatron launched his rebellion, and Dead End fought alongside Drag Strip in the ensuing battle. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin issue 4}}
{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1DeadEnd toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I think you ought to know I'm feeling very depressed.]]
*'''Dead End''' (1986)
**''Team ID number:'' '''S1'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''D-54'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, double cannon, cannon connector

: The original Dead End toy transformed into a maroon Porsche 928. He comes with a black double-barreled laser cannon that attaches to the back of his vehicle mode.

: In robot mode, Dead End's legs transform similarly to [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]'s, flipping and inverting. He is armed with a small black laser pistol. As he was designed with the [[Scramble City]]-style combination, he can form the arm or leg to any similarly-constructed robot combination. Although the 1986 G1 Menasor toy giftset shows Dead End as Menasor's right leg, Dead End's nominal placement is as Menasor's left arm.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/DeadEnd/deadend.htm More information on Dead End at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
*'''Menasor''' (Giftset, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-55'''

:Dead End was also available as part of the Menasor giftset.

===Generation 2===
*'''Dead End''' (Stunticon)
**''Team ID number:'' '''S2'''''

: For the ''[[Generation 2]]'' line, Hasbro intended to release [[Redeco|redecoes]] of the Stunticons in 1994, with Dead End being cast primarily in red plastic, with black and blue accents. Ultimately, however, the toys never went into mass production and remained officially unreleased. Only the four limbs are known to have made it to the sample packaging stage, having turned up in very limited numbers over the years (with the exception of G2 [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], who was available at [[BotCon 1994]] in somewhat larger quantities). All the G2 Stunticons are known to catch high prices on the secondary market.<ref>[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1531/Generation+2/Deadend.html Mirrored photos of Generation 2 Dead End in sample packaging at Transformers @ The Moon]</ref>

{{canceledtoy}}
===Alternators===
*'''Dead End''' (2004)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''6'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun

[[Image:Alternators DeadEnd toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I've got this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side.]]
: ''Alternators'' Dead End transforms into a fully-painted black Dodge Viper Competition Coupe with silver stripes, red windows and headlights.

: In robot mode he transforms similarly to ''Alternators'' [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]], and has [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'s head, as his tooling was originally designed as the latter Autobot. As a retool of Side Swipe, several of his parts are different, including the hood, wheels, roof, the entire rear end of the car, chest and head. He is armed with a vacuum-metalized silver gun formed out of his engine.

: The main difference between the US ''Alternators'' release of this toy and the Japanese ''Binaltech'' version is that the ''Binaltech'' version is constructed partially out of die-cast metal.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/AltDeadEnd/deadend.htm More information on ''Alternators'' Dead End at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Dead_End Dead End's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Masterforce characters]]
[[Category:Predacons]]

Scourge (G1)

2009-05-16T19:38:58Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Scourge}}
:''Scourge is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

{{picsneeded|Fictional appearances}}

[[Image:Scourgeg1tm.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Looks just like daddy.]]
'''Scourge''' is [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s implacable tracker and leader of his own cadré of huntsmen, the deadly [[Sweep|Sweeps]]. He was created by [[Unicron]] from the remains of a dead [[Decepticon]]. Immensely powerful like all the Unicronian Decepticons, arrogance is his only true weakness. Despite being quite powerful in his own right, Scourge generally acts as a near subordinate to [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and, despite his leadership of the Sweeps, is generally content to take orders from others. Scourge tends to grumble and complain a bit (a habit sometimes shared by his Sweeps).

But then again, you'd also complain if your boss spent so much time beating you up, wouldn't you? His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Fracas]].

{{quote|What kind of Decepticon are you, ugly?}}
{{quote|The ''ultimate'' kind!|[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Scourge|"[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]"}}

{{note|In most timelines Scourge is a creation of Unicron as described above, but there are exceptions where his origin is seemingly unconnected to Unicron, Galvatron, or Cyclonus.}}
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Fléo''' (derived from ''fléau'', meaning "Plague")
:''Italian name'': '''Sheriff'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Ostor''' ("Scourge")
:''Hungarian:'' '''Korbács''' ("Scourge", first ''Movie'' dub)
:''Czech name:'' '''Bič''' ("Whip")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Stan Jones]] (English); [[Yutaka Shimaka]] → [[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese)

[[Image:G1Scourge.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Van-Dyck of destruction.]]
Following the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005, Scourge was created from the remains of [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] by [[Unicron]]. Scourge was designated commander of his legion of huntsmen, the [[Sweeps]], and traveled with his new leader, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Galvatron, Scourge and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] then returned to [[Autobot City]] and sent the remaining Autobots fleeing into outer space.

After blasting their ship, the Decepticons believed the Autobots dead. Unicron sent a painful message to Galvatron, informing him he was wrong. Galvatron argued the point until Scourge reminded his leader "we belong to him". The Decepticons then tracked the Autobots to the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] where Scourge and the Sweeps dismembered [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Unicron learned of Galvatron's intended rebellion and attacked Cybertron. Whether Scourge, who was vocally loyal to Unicron, fought to protect Cybertron is unknown. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After the Decepticons were sent packing to [[Chaar]], Cyclonus and Scourge went on an expedition to track down their lost leader, Galvatron, who hadn't been seen since Unicron went kablooey. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} They found Galvatron soaking in a lava pit on [[Thrull]], and much to their disappointment, discovered their leader had gone totally nuts. Galvatron was set to plow his way through his minions before Scourge took to bended knee and appealed to Galvatron's ego to stop. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Scourge and Cyclonus took their leader back to Chaar to command the Decepticon army, only to find the planet all but deserted. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} It turned out that the other Decepticons had allied with the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]], which after some negotiation led to a Decepticon-Quintesson joint attack on Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Scourge participated in this attack, but the Decepticons were eventually driven away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Scourge and his Sweeps were working with Galvatron and Cyclonus to hunt Rodimus Prime, when they came across the [[Autobot Mausoleum]] in deep space. Infiltrating the space barge, they continued their attack on the Autobots until [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] himself rose from the grave to fight back. Scourge and his huntsmen fled before the former Autobot leader, forcing Galvatron and Cyclonus to withdraw as well. {{storylink|Dark Awakening|Dark Awakening}}

Scourge and Cyclonus were hunting the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] called [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] for sport, but were caught in an ambush when the other Aerialbots jumped them in an asteroid field. The two Decepticons fled through a nearby vortex and crashed on the peaceful planet known as [[Paradron]]. Finding the world rich with energon resources, Scourge and Cyclonus immediately alerted Galvatron to their find and began to plunder the world of energy. {{storylink|Fight or Flee|Fight or Flee}}

When [[Octane]] took [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to [[Carbombya]] without permission, Scourge came with Galvatron and the other Decepticons to chastise the fueler for disobedience. His discovery of super-energon made from Carbombyan oil temporarily assuaged Galvatron's anger, but once the Decepticons were forced out of Carbombya by the Autobots, Galvatron expelled Octane as a traitor to the cause. {{storylink|Thief in the Night|Thief in the Night}} Sometime later, Scourge was hunting Octane on Cybertron with Cyclonus and the Sweeps, when their prey fled underground into the [[Decepticon Crypt]]. Scourge would prove to be a very poor leader, with his followers, the Sweeps, refusing his order to follow Octane below (though they were scared to death of Cyclonus). {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost|Starscream's Ghost}}

{{storylink|Surprise Party|Surprise Party}}

He was later possessed by the disembodied [[Spark|ghost]] of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], though this eventually became a mutual partnership. Starscream intended to help Unicron turn Cybertron into his new body in exchange for a new body of his own. Scourge began to have second thoughts about this until Unicron reminded him that "what I have given you, I can also take away". Scourge eventually left Unicron and rejoined the Decepticons. Why Galvatron accepted his return instead of, oh...reducing him to composite particles is unknown. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine|Ghost in the Machine}}

{{storylink|Webworld|Webworld}}

{{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

After [[Predaking]] detected a Quintesson transmission, Scourge joined a Decepticon party in attempting to retrieve the secrets of the Quintessons' journal, but ultimately lost out to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal|The Quintesson Journal}}

{{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths|The Dweller in the Depths}}

While searching for a new source of [[Anti-electron|anti-electrons]], the Decepticons attempted to raid Unicron's brain. Galvatron and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] occupied the Autobots while Scourge and Cyclonus went after the prize. They found a flask of anti-electrons just waiting to be drained, but upset Unicron in the process and were blasted by his internal defenses. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[Image:Matrix burden 2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|If that's "the touch," you don't want to get it!]]
At one point, Autobot commander [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] was separated from the Matrix of Leadership by Galvatron. Galvatron, who was haunted by the spirits within it, instructed Scourge to dispose of the Matrix. Scourge decided to use the power of the Matrix to his advantage and installed it within his chest. ''Very'' bad idea. The Matrix proved incompatible with Decepticon programming, causing Scourge to morph into a hideous freak with the power driving him mad. Scourge attempted to seize control of the Decepticons until Hot Rod took back the Matrix. Scourge was left at the mercy of a very unhappy Galvatron, but somehow beat the reaper yet again. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

{{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}
{{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

In 2007, the Decepticons stole the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] on Cybertron, and Scourge was set with infiltrating the chamber whilst the other Decepticons performed a full-scale assault on the planet as a diversion. He succeeded, but inserting the key into the chamber led to a plasma energy burst that very nearly killed him. He was saved by an [[Energon infuser|energon infusion]] from Cyclonus, and was subsequently sent to find the Autobots who had taken the key back while Scourge was unconscious. Together with Cyclonus, [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], [[Triggerhappy]] and [[Misfire]], Scourge tracked the Autobots to [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

After clashing with the brand new Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and losing badly, Scourge and the others were kidnapped by the Nebulon group known as the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], who offered to [[Binary-bonding|binary-bond]] with the Decepticons and increase their power. Scourge chose to become a [[Targetmaster]], getting the loud Nebulan [[Fracas]] as his partner, and the Decepticon Headmasters and Targetmasters subsequently attacked and defeated the Autobots. Scourge got the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber back and voiced his desire to destroy the Autobots completely before moving on, only for Fracas to threaten to shoot him unless the Decepticons went back to the Hive as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the Autobots copied their Targetmaster technology and went back into battle, and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] managed to knock Scourge down and steal the key back. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2|The Rebirth, Part 2}}
{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''====
{{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}
{{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
{{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Both Scourge's and Cyclonus' intelligence seemed to have evaporated by the year 2011, leaving Galvatron's once right-hand men nothing but a pair of bumbling oafs.

{{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master|The Mystery of Planet Master}}
{{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beest|Rebellion on Planet Beest}}
{{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}
{{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

At one point they attempted to prove their worth by stealing [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and using him to hunt down a mysterious Six Changer. However, that plan failed miserably when that Six Changer turned out to be their own ally, [[Sixshot]]. Both Scourge and Cyclonus ditched Trypticon in battle, leading to the Decepticon city's destruction (though he was eventually repaired). Scourge and Cyclonus did little of anything noteworthy after this. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

{{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}
{{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}}
{{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}}
{{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}
{{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra|SOS from Planet Sandra}}
{{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
[[Image:Scourge marvel uk 83.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"I CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS CONFOUNDED MAZE!!"]]
''Following Unicron's consumption of Cybertron's moons, Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge traveled back in time from 2006 to 1986 as part of a plan to free themselves from Unicron's control by constructing a massive cannon that would destroy him upon their return to the future. The three Unicronian Decepticons proved themselves almost invincible in the face of the Autobots' attacks, though a lucky shot destroyed Scourge's weapon after he had incapacitated [[Trailbreaker]], and Scourge was relatively weaponless (most of his weapons could only be used in vehicle mode). Though he also took down [[Grapple]], Megatron managed to down Scourge and use him as a barganing chip. The future Decepticons were finally defeated when Galvatron was duped into believing he was trapped in a temporal paradox, and returned to his own time to live out the remaining events of 2006.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006|Target: 2006}}

{{note|2006 was the original date for the movie, amended to 2005 '''after''' the production of a treatment which was the only available research when the comics were penned.}}
[[Image:Cyclonuspullsthebeardy.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Yeouch!! That's my secret weakness you're pulling at, Cyclonus!"]]
''Following the destruction of Unicron at the hands of Rodimus Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Galvatron transported himself back in time to 1987, leaving Cyclonus and Scourge in the future, under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]’s command. The duo were attacked by the freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head]], who was seeking the bounty on Galvatron’s head, and Cyclonus revealed Galvatron’s whereabouts to him.'' {{storylink|Wanted:Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|Wanted:Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} ''Later, Shockwave hired Death’s Head to kill Rodimus Prime, but Cyclonus and Scourge interfered with the job as they sought to kill Rodimus first, in order to reclaim their lost standing amongst the Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Headhunt|Headhunt}} ''This did not please Death’s Head, and consequently, he willingly accepted a contract from Rodimus to hunt down Cyclonus and Scourge, eventually tracking them down to the planet of Junk as 2008 dawned. Before he could finish the job, however, all three of them fell under the mind-controlling influence of Unicron, whose disembodied head had survived the destruction of his body and had landed on the planet, where he was having the native Junkions construct a new body for him.''

''Under Unicron's control, Cyclonus and Scourge killed Shockwave and became Decepticon leaders, reigniting the stalemated Cybertronian war to a furious degree to cover Unicron's actions. Death's Head, however, was able to fight the mind control and work with the Autobots long enough to stop the chaos-bringer's plan. As explosions destroyed Unicron, Death's Head tackled Cyclonus and Scourge, pushing them through a time portal Unicron had built, promising to kill them another time. The two Decepticons were hurled into the past of Cybertron by the portal, where they came under the command of Scorponok.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[Image:Scourge scorponok cyclonus marvel uk 151.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
Traveling to Nebulos with the rest of Scorponok's forces, they became Targetmasters and then traveled to present day (1988) Earth. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!|Brothers in Armor!!}} ''Once there, they sought out Galvatron, and, no longer willing to serve him, instead demanded that he hand over his time travel device so that they could return to the future and their position as Decepticon leaders. The confrontation was disrupted by the sudden appearance of the Autobot commando squad, the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], who drew the ensuing battle away from the human settlement it was taking place in by professing to have stolen Galvatron's time jump mechanism, when in reality, the Decepticon no longer even had it for them to take.'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc|Wrecking Havoc}}

''Having met with failure again, Cyclonus and Scourge decided to cut their losses and team up with Shockwave's present-day Earth-based Decepticon forces.''

[[Image:Cyclonus scourge marvel uk 189.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"Cyclonus, remember that thing that we absolutely, positively, definitely shouldn't say to Shockwave?""Yep.""You're sure?""Yep.""You're not going to mention it at all, are you?""Nope."]]
{{note|At this point in time, the comic book personalities of Scourge and Cyclonus had been well-established, and distinctly different from the cartoon—here, Scourge was the intelligent, scheming brains of the duo, while Cyclonus was the dull-witted brawn, and that personality trait remained as strong as ever.}}
''Unfortunately, Cyclonus accidentally let slip that they would kill Shockwave in the future. Naturally wanting to ensure his continued existence, Shockwave unleashed a brainwashed Megatron clone upon the two. As Megatron killed [[Nightstick (Decepticon)|Nightstick]] and grappled with Cyclonus, Scourge took aim at the clone...but stopped. He realized that killing Megatron in 1988 would likely prevent Galvatron's creation in 2006, and possibly his own as well. Unwilling to take the chance, he abandoned his comrade and fled.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!|Dry Run!}}

[[Image:Shockwavetimewars.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Oh no!! I've told Shockwave about me and Cyclonus killing him. Should I kill him? I... can't... resist..."]]
''Cyclonus and Scourge’s displacement into the past had circumvented the normal mass-replacement method used by time-travel, and had hence unbalanced the space-time continuum, causing a rift to appear in the fabric of space and time. Cyclonus' death, eighteen years before he was even created, proved to be the final straw, accelerating the rift, which soon threatened to consume Earth and Cybertron. Realizing that the only way to stop it was to return himself, Galvatron and Cyclonus to their original time, Scourge attempted to recover Cyclonus’ body from Shockwave, only to be attacked by the deranged Decepticon, who had lost his mind due to the illogical nature of the situation, and had strung Cyclonus' remains up like a twisted trophy. Scourge staggered back to the time rift and allowed it to take him, hoping that that would have some effect on the situation. It didn't. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], however, succeeded where Scourge had failed, and was able to bring Shockwave back sanity enough for him to deposit Cyclonus’ remains after Galvatron and Scourge, and then seal it with an x-ray blast. Scourge was not seen again after this, and it is unknown exactly what happened to Scourge after he entered the rift.'' {{storylink|Time Wars|Time Wars}}

[[Image:Cyclonus scourge marvel 67.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The deadliest bathtub in the skies.]]
An alternate version of Scourge later made a brief appearance, inhabiting an alternate future world of 2009 where Cybertron had been destroyed and Galvatron ruled Earth. With only seven Autobots left alive, Scourge battled [[Getaway]], [[Chainclaw]] and [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] during the Autobots' last desperate raid on the [[Decepticon Powerbase]]. He was killed off-panel by the combined might of these warriors. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' comics===
Scourge, arriving on Cybertron, managed to reactivate [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] for the purpose of observing him, but Shockwave was soon attacked by [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]. Scourge managed to destroy a number of Sharkticons and drive off the rest. As a way a saying thank you, Shockwave shot Scourge in the back, took him prisoner, dissected him, and rebuilt the Unicronian Transformer.

Shockwave has a very weird sense of gratitude. {{storylink|War and Peace|War and Peace}}

He later ended up being captured by the Earth Defence Command.

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comics===
A version of Scourge served as one of [[Unicron]]'s heralds, along with versions of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} He was blown up when [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] detonated the Decepticon headquarters that they had taken over. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:Hearts_of_Steel_Scourge.JPG|thumb|right|180px]]
Scourge appears as a blimp which drops bombs on the Autobot freight. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (or possibly [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]) pops his airbag, and he crashes, then explodes. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

{{note|There is no sign of Galvatron or Unicron in the story, and thus Scourge's origin may be quite different from that in mainstream G1 continuities.}}

===IDW Comics continuity===
Scourge... exists. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Scourge Toy1986.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Where are my bat wings and my claws?]]
* '''Scourge''' (Decepticon Jet, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''D-71'''
**''Accessories'': "Disintegrator Ray", "Laser Blaster"

: Scourge transforms into a Cybertronic hovercraft. On early releases, the blue on the center of Scourge's alt mode was paint. This was changed to two stickers for later releases. The stickers on his ankles tend to get damaged through normal transformation.

:Some releases of Scourge came with a piece of a four-part ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' poster with glow-in-the-dark elements.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm More information on Scourge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

* '''Scourge''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**''Accessories'': "Fracas" Targetmaster "Incendiary Cannon", "Rocket Booster"

:A [[retool]] of the original Scourge toy, Targetmaster Scourge's hand-holes and head hole were widened, as was the peg for his "Rocket Booster" (the same piece called a "Disintegrator Ray" in the previous version). His handgun was replaced with [[Fracas]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm More information on Targetmaster Scourge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:6inTiScourge.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Accept no imitations.]]
*'''Scourge''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2006)

:Scourge once again transforms into a retro-futuristic hovercraft, this time with a more accurate sculpt to his animation model (well, minus the head) and significantly improved articulation. While not 100% accurate, the wings in particular are now hinged in the middle to allow them to open wider, and the legs have a much more closely detailed design. But man does he have a big forehead.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/TitScourge/scourge.htm More information on Titanium Scourge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-ScourgeWoH.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Oh, all you Unicron agents look alike!]]
*'''Wings of Honor''' (multipack, 2009)
*''Accessories:'' 2 wings/blades (left and right), red cyber key

: A [[retool]] of [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'']] Sideways, Scourge is a blue and white alien spacefighter with [[Cyber Planet Key]]-activated pop-out blades built into his battle shield. He comes with a red [[Planet X]] style Cyber Planet Key with blue deco. The faction symbol-swapping gimmick seems to have been neglected.

: The original version of this mold was also used for the Japanese DVD-[[exclusive]] [[Noisemaze Mass-Production Version]] and ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]].

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
* It's not known how much (if any) communication there was between Marvel's US office and the UK offices where Simon Furman was churning out his behind-the-scenes stories, but regardless, Cyclonus and Scourge completely disappeared from the US book after ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]''—leaving Furman free to send them off to find Galvatron. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc|Wrecking Havoc}}
* For some reason, Scourge's head-mounted cannon was implied to not be a cannon in the comics, as the loss of a handgun in "[[Target: 2006]]" apparently left Scourge completely weaponless in robot mode, making transformation a complete necessity.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm Scourge at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Scourge Scourge's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

The Face of the Nijika

2009-05-15T00:53:30Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=92
|series2=2010
|ep2=27
|image=PerceptorNijika01.jpg
|caption=This is the last time I let [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] take me on an [[Energon (G1)|energon]] binge.
|title="The Face of the Nijika"
|production code=700-113
|airdate=[[November 20]], 1986
|written by=[[Mary Skrenes]] and [[Steve Skeates]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Autobots discover a race of aliens who have also experienced persecution from the Quintessons.'''

:''Japanese title:'' テレパシー惑星を救え (''Telepathy Wakusei o Sukue'', "Save the Planet of Telepathy")
:''German title:'' '''Nijika, die Himmelstänzerin''' (''Nijika, the Heavendancer'')

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FaceOfNijika Galvatron lock.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Little pig, little pig, let me come in!]]

[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who is carrying [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], detects a disturbance nearby and discovers [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] bashing on some strange disk. They also detect a [[Quintesson]] [[Quintesson spacecraft|ship]] heading for that same location. Perceptor speculates that the Quintessons don't want Galvatron meddling with the disk, so Rodimus decides to meddle with the [[Decepticon]]s and the Quintessons.

At the disk, Galvatron continues bashing away, taking a moment to bash [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] when he warns the [[Decepticon leader]] that the Quintessons are approaching. The Quintessons fire at Galvatron and are thankful that the [[quadrant lock]] is not damaged. However, the [[Autobot|Autobots]] then arrive. The Quintessons refuse to let the Autobots learn anything about the lock...unless, say, they learn from the other side. Opening the lock, the Quintessons drive their ship through, taking Rodimus, Magnus, Blurr, and Perceptor with them. Unwilling to let the Autobots learn its secrets, Galvatron throws Cyclonus at them so he is also drawn through the lock, which closes. Unfortunately for the Quints, their [[isolator key]] has been damaged, and it is the only thing that can open the quadrant lock. However, Perceptor has a [[universal emulator]], which could serve as a replacement.

Falling into the gravity well of the nearby planet [[Zamojin (planet)|Zamojin]], Perceptor announces that he is suffering from [[transformation]] [[Transformation paralysis|paralysis]], and is stuck in [[Alternate mode|microscope mode]]. However, the other Autobots do not respond. On the planet, members of a primitive, humanoid civilization see their descent. One man declares that the "[[Quintesson|devils]]" have returned. However, a blacksmith outside the city sees them and goes to investigate, recovering Perceptor. Meanwhile, the Autobots are not doing so well after their crash-landing. Rodimus and Magnus hit the trees, which are as hard as rocks, while Blurr hit an actual rock and is so injured he cannot walk. Rodimus tells him to lean on "fearless [[Prime (rank)|leader]]", while Magnus wonders where Perceptor crashed.

[[Image:FaceOfNijika Katsu Don Nijika.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Usually, women don't need help putting their face on.]]

At his hut, the blacksmith removes Perceptor's [[insignia]], which also contains his universal emulator. Having tracked Perceptor's descent, the Quintessons dispatch a pair of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] to deal retrieve the scientist, but someone follows them. The blacksmith places Perceptor's insignia on a small, female robot called [[Nijika]]. The Sharkticons arrive, but the blacksmith fights them off, damaging their armor with his bare hands. (Holy [[Slag (slang)|slag]]!) Meanwhile, Perceptor, having taken control of Nijika, asks the blacksmith, named [[Katsu Don]], what is going on. Perceptor learns that the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] were once advanced and that they had developed interstellar travel, protected by the guardian [[Kodu Ri]]. Katsu Don's ancestor, [[Niko Don]], built Nijika as an exploration drone, hoping to make contact with other races. However, the Quintessons attacked, damaging Kodu Ri and Nijika, then sealed them with the quadrant lock, which blacked out the stars. The Zamojin were reduced from technologically advanced to primitive within a very short amount of time and have been that way since. Perceptor concludes that something about the Zamojin terrified the Quintessons so much that they locked them in this part of space, and now he and Katsu Don need to warn the latter's people that the Quintessons have returned.

[[Image:FaceOfNijika Magnus Rodimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]

Elsewhere, Rodimus, Magnus, and Blurr are moving, but Blurr is slowing them down. (That's a turnaround.) Blurr tells them to leave him and find Perceptor, as only he can repair Blurr. Though not happy, they agree. This proves a mistake, for moments later, a band of warriors finds Blurr. On the Quintesson ship, the Quintessons are debating what to do. One of them will have to go to the surface, but if a single Zamojin damaged two Sharkticons, [[Furmanism|what chance do they have?]] Cyclonus appears and offers them a deal: Give Galvatron the secrets of the quadrant lock, and he will go with one of them to retrieve Perceptor. Looking for Perceptor, Rodimus and Magnus are attacked by a group of warriors but are able to drive them off. They locate Perceptor's body, but without the emulator, he is offline. Rodimus and Magnus decide to search the city.

[[Image:FaceOfNijika Blurr dangling.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

At the city of [[Tozin]], the Zamojin are preparing to melt Blurr, but he is not that worried. Cyclonus shouts out "burn him", inciting the Zamojin to lower him in. For a Con who shows no emotion, Cyclonus has apparently studied mob psychology. However, the Zamojin Empress commands them to stop. She reveals Perceptor/Nijika, who tries to explain the situation. However, the Quintesson shouts that the doll is malfunctioning, but Cyclonus grabs Perceptor and orders the Quintesson to bring their ship.

[[Image:FaceOfNijika Quintesson Nijika.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Not now, I'm watching the game!]]

Katsu Don grabs Cyclonus's legs, and is carried into the Quintesson ship, where the remaining Quintesson traps him with some electrified headgear. The Quintesson orders Perceptor to hand over the emulator, or Katsu Don will die. Perceptor complies, while the other Quintesson shoots Blurr's rope, causing him to fall into the molten liquid...which he describes as a nice soak that is repairing his injuries. Blurr jumps out, with Rodimus and Magnus following. Blurr frees Katsu Don, while Magnus takes on Cyclonus. Rodimus throws Katsu Don out, while Blurr grabs the emulator and Magnus takes Cyclonus, who follows after the Quintessons.

The Zamojin Empress fears what the Quintessons will take, but Perceptor, now in his real body, says that the Quintessons are about to give the Zamojin something. The Quintesson ship passes through the quadrant lock...and it fades, revealing the stars. Perceptor sabotaged the lock, and the Autobots realize the Zamojin's technology is telepathic in nature and powered by starlight. The intelligence of the Zamojin advances rapidly, and they repair Kodu Ri. As Sky Lynx lands, Perceptor asks Katsu Don if he will continue his ancestor's research. Katsu Don vows that Perceptor will meet Nijika again...out among the stars.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (1)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (4)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (5)

|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (6)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (7)

|c4=
* [[Quintesson]]s (8)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (9)
* [[Katsu Don]] (10)
* Zamojin empress (past) (11)
* [[Niko Don]] (12)
* [[Nijika]] (13)
* Zamojin empress (present) (14)
}}

==Notable quotes==
"Put yourself in idle, Blurr."
:—'''Rodimus Prime''', saying what we're all thinking.

"It's mine! I found it! Don't let them steal it!" 
"Mighty Galvatron, you-" 
"STOP THEM!" ''[throws Cyclonus]''
:—'''Galvatron''' demonstrates his leadership skills on '''Cyclonus'''.

'''Cyclonus''': Burn him now! 
'''Quintesson''': Be silent! Don't call attention to us! 
'''Cyclonus''': VEEENNGEANNNNCE NOOOOOOOW! 
''[The crowd starts to cheer]'' 
'''Female Zamojin''': Yes! The devils must pay! They stole the stars in the sky! 
'''Male Zamojin''': They stole the life from our minds! 
'''Cyclonus''': Hahahaha. You've never understood mob psychology, have you?
:—Cyclonus must be an [[Wikipedia:Bedivere#Modern depictions|Bedivere]] on dealing with witches.

"Hood in place, wheels in place, bumpers in place, engine hot, I'M OUTTA HERE!"
:—'''Blurr''' feels much better after a bath.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* When the Quintesson ship moves past the Autobots into the quadrant lock, it seems mighty small.
* In one shot of Ultra Magnus and Rodimus driving towards the city, Rodimus is colored black.

===Continuity errors===
[[Image:FaceOfNijika Cyclonus Quintesson crowd.jpg|right|200px|thumb|See, we didn't need those fake mustaches after all!]]

* The Zamojin hate robots and have an idea of what the Quintessons look like, yet don't seem to mind Cyclonus and a Quintesson standing in the middle of a crowd with them.
* Rodimus and Magnus decide to leave the injured Blurr, rather than carrying him. Doesn't Magnus remember that he turns into a car carrier?
* Rodimus and Magnus apparently don't hear Blurr being jumped by a group of angry Zamojin, even though they left him just seconds ago.

===Transformers references===
* This episode marks the last appearance of Perceptor in the western cartoon.

===Trivia===
* Blurr speaks at more-or-less normal speed several times in this episode. Apparently soaking in molten liquid really does relax him.
* Sky Lynx transforms to robot mode and the Autobots exit by flying out through his mouth!

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_face_of_the_nijika.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicles]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Face of the Nijika}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

The Dweller in the Depths

2009-05-14T20:03:26Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|ep=87
|series2=2010
|ep2=18
|image=DwellerDepths Dweller surface.jpg
|caption=Cthulhu f'taghn!
|title="The Dweller in the Depths"
|production code=700-107
|airdate=[[October 30]], 1986
|written by=[[Paul Dini]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Quintessons, as part of a new attempt at regaining Cybertron, unleash the most dangerous creature known.'''

:''Japanese title:'' セイバートロン星の吸血鬼 (''Cybertron-sei no Kyūketsuki'', "The Vampires of Planet Cybertron")
:''German title:'' '''Der Moloch der Tiefe''' (''The Dweller in the Dephs'')

==Synopsis==
[[Image:QuintessonDepth.jpg|left|200px|thumb|We'll avoid the obvious two-faced jokes here.]]

On Cybertron, the [[Autobot]]s have just successfully activated [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new power core, which should be able to triple the planet’s energy reserves. A short distance away in their ship, the Quintessons watch, disgusted by the success and progress of their creations. One Quintesson unveils a plan to release the [[Dweller]], one of the early biomechanical experiments called [[Trans-Organics]] that were developed by the Quintessons that predate the creation of the Transformers. Unable to even perform rudimentary assignments, the Trans-Organics were unstable monsters that were eventually sealed away in a hibernation chamber deep within Cybertron.

[[Image:ArceeDepth.jpg|right|200px|thumb|In true horror movie style, the girl grabs the most phallic weapon she can to defend herself.]]

On [[Chaar]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] is lamenting his [[Decepticon]] troops' incompetence when the Quintessons beam down to talk. The Quintessons inform Galvatron about the Autobots' new power core but purposely give him the wrong location. Galvatron, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweeps]] arrive on Cybertron, and break into the tunnel that leads below, soon pursued by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]. The Decepticons uncover the storage chamber of the Trans-Organics, and accidentally release them from their stasis pods. The creatures soon attack both the Decepticons and the Autobots. In trying to escape, the Decepticons open another chamber and release the most powerful of the monstrous experiments: The Dweller, a giant energy leech that drains their energy and turns the Transformers into [[energy vampire]]s. Running and fighting through the maze of chambers and tunnels in the dark depths of Cybertron, The Dweller quickly whittles down the Decepticon and the Autobot forces, leaving only Galvatron, Ultra Magnus, and Arcee to escape. Of course, many of the Decepticon losses can be attributed to Galvatron throwing his own soldiers at the Dweller to buy himself time.

[[Image:VampireDepth.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That container on the Dweller's back? Full of Worcestershire sauce.]]

The two Autobots make it back to headquarters where they update [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and Perceptor on the situation, the energy vampires bursting in right behind them. Perceptor determines that the vampires are suffering from a unique form of energy depletion and that a power surge should restabilize their levels. The Autobots form a chain with Perceptor at the end, who plugs himself into the console and they inject the crowd of vampire with an [[Energon (G1)|energon]] surge. The surge returns the Autobots and Decepticons to normal. Cyclonus, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], and the other Sweeps quickly escape and rejoin Galvatron.

Meanwhile, The Dweller is breaking free to the surface, getting bigger from its energy absorption, and heading for Perceptor’s generator. Knowing that it will be unstoppable once it has attached itself to the generator, Perceptor uses the emergency eject switch to launch both the generator and The Dweller on top of it into space. Floating far away from Cybertron, The Dweller instead attaches itself to the ship of the Quintessons who started everything in the first place.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (1)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (3)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (11)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (12)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (15)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (16)

|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (7)
*[[Sweep|Sweeps]] (8)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (9)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (10)

|c4=
*[[Quintesson]]s (6)
*[[Trans-Organic]]s (13)
*[[Dweller]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
[[Image:GalvatronDepth.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why can't I get any loyalty out of my troops that I'm always shooting at or throwing at big slobbering monsters?!]]

"You cringy, cowardly, weak willed fools! Why am I still stuck on this worthless, cosmic trashbin! Why have I not retaken Cybertron?! And most importantly, why have I been saddled with such a useless pile of junk for followers!" 
"But mighty Galvatron, we humble Sweeps need energon to—" 
"It's power you want?! I will give you power!"
:—'''Galvatron''' in his rage demands to know from '''Scourge''' and the Sweeps why he isn't victorious. He takes out his frustrations on them until the Quintessons arrive.

"Quintesson! You have betrayed us to the Autobots once before, why should I trust you?" 
"Hehe. Please Galvatron, you can't lay one bad experience on the doorstep of the whole Quintesson race. Besides, how can you be so certain that we were the ones who betrayed you?" 
"Well...you all do look alike."
:—'''Galvatron''' and the '''Quintessons''' as the latter manipulate the Decepticon leader as part of their new plan to retake Cybertron.

"YO JOE! Here I come to save the day. Ayay-yaya-yai! Can this be... the end... of little Wreck-Gar? Oh no!"
:—'''Wreck-Gar''' as he saves Ultra Magnus from the Dweller's energy-draining web only to be trapped in it himself and getting his energy stolen by the beast.

[[Image:DwellerDepth.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cybertron has a C.H.U.D. problem too.]]

"Come on, Wreck-Gar, buddy! They haven't canceled your series yet!"
:—'''Springer''' as he frees the energy-drained Wreck-Gar from the Dweller's rear pouch.

"Be a good soldier and help him." 
"Galvatron, NO! I beg you!"
:—'''Galvatron''' sacrificing another '''Sweep''' to the energy vampires that are approaching.

"I don't know what that thing is back in the tunnels, but even if it gets me as well, I'll die with the satisfaction that the universe will have two more Autobots to mourn!"
:—'''Galvatron''' as he is about to attack Ultra Magnus and Arcee, not realising that the Dweller is fast approaching.

==Notes==
*This isn’t the only energy leech to plague the Transformers as a few episodes later [[Tornedron]] will make an appearance in "[[Call of the Primitives]]".

===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Dwelleroptimusgeneric.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
* When the Dweller reaches Cybertron's surface, Streetwise and Groove are seen shooting at it, but Streetwise is colored like Optimus Prime and Groove is colored like Wheelie.

===Transformer references===
* The Quintessons remark on the Autobots' ancestors being the ones responsible for their exile from Cybertron.

===Real-world references===
* This episode is heavily influenced by the writings of [[wikipedia:H.P._Lovecraft|H.P. Lovecraft]].
* Wreck-Gar quotes the catchphrases of both the [[G.I. Joe]] team and Mighty Mouse.

===Trivia===
* When Cyclonus calls for help from Galvatron after the Dweller grabs him, Galvatron turns and...actually ''hesitates'' for a moment before moving on. Clearly he has ''some'' regard for Cyclonus, despite his usual disgust and abuse.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dweller in the Depths}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)

2009-05-14T01:42:24Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{disambig2|Generation 1 cartoon episode|the comic adaptation of this episode|The Big Broadcast of 2006!}}
{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|image=Big Broadcast subliminal message.JPG
|caption=The judge is on the court, bweeeeeeeeeoooop!
|prev=The Ultimate Weapon
|next=Fight or Flee
|ep=85
|series2=2010
|ep2=21
|title="The Big Broadcast of 2006"
|production code=700-105
|airdate=[[November 12]], 1986
|written by=[[Michael Reaves]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Attempting to retrieve their lost records journal, the Quintessons use subliminal messages on the Junkions, and inadvertently the entire galaxy.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 2010年の大放送 (''2010 Nen no Daihōsō'', "The Big Broadcast of 2010")
:''German title:'' "'''Das Hyperraumprogramm'''" ("The Hyperspace-Programm")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:G1-BigBroadcast Sharkticons journal.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"THE PRIME RIB IS GONE!"]]

Searching for one of their [[Quintesson Journal|journals]], the [[Quintesson]]s discover that it has landed on the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]]. After observing the native [[Junkion]]s, the Quintessons send a [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] retrieval team. The Sharkticons locate the journal quickly, but are then driven off by the Junkions. The Quintessons hijack the [[television]] [[Space-Age Jack|broadcasts]] the Junkions watch, planting subliminal messages telling the Junkions that being neat is a good thing...and the other races are their enemies.

[[Image:G1-BigBroadcast Nancy explodes.jpg|right|200px|thumb|They always fall for the exploding machine trick.]]

Travelling through the Junkion sector, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] comes under attack by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. While the two battle, the Junkions fire on ''both'' [[Transformer|Transformers]]. Sky Lynx races back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and informs [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. The [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] sends the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to investigate. Astrotrain also returns to [[Chaar]] to report his encounter, but [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] doesn't care. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], however, is interested, and takes [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s to investigate. The Aerialbots arrive, and get caught in the crossfire between the Junkions and the Quintessons. The Aerialbots form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and target the Quintessons. However, the Quintesson ship damages Superion, who is then rescued by Sky Lynx. Cyclonus and the Sweeps arrive to investigate, and withdraw after being fired upon.

[[Image:G1-BigBroadcast Omega Supreme looming.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Omega Supreme has yet to realise that he isn't good at playing Hide and Seek]]

During the battle, the transmitter sending the messages to the Junkions was damaged, causing the Junkions to believe that they should transmit their broadcasts to other races. The [[Delta Pavonis IV|affected races]] soon begin lashing out at their neighbors, causing what would become an interstellar dark age. The Quintessons see a good possibility here, as they could sell weapons to the warring races, but decide that the recovery of the journal is the higher priority. Back on Chaar, Galvatron displays anger at Cyclonus for going to investigate Junkion, but Cyclonus continues on, believing that to turn the Junkions on the [[Autobot]]s is too good an opportunity for the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Hoping to find answers, Rodimus, Magnus, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] head to investigate in [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but come under attack by Cyclonus and the Sweeps. Omega is damaged, and the Autobots draw the Decepticons away from the wounded [[Guardian robot]]. Finally, Omega Supreme is repaired, and the Decepticons retreat.

[[Image:G1-BigBroadcast Junkions Blaster broadcast.jpg|right|200px|thumb|We're sorry, but this wiki has exceeded its quota of "compensating for something" jokes.]]

Meanwhile, the affected races have converged on Junkion, and are firing on everyone in sight. Chaar has also been targeted, and Galvatron is drawn into the bedlam. Knowing they have one chance, the Quintessons make a move for the journal, but a stray blast from Galvatron damages their shuttle and sends the journal hurtling into the void. Arriving, Blaster determines that the transmissions are the cause of the violence, and sends out transmissions to counter them. Their senses restored, the Junkions stop fighting everyone...and start concentrating on the Decepticons, who retreat. Rodimus asks [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] what happened, but Wreck-Gar doesn't know.

Returning to their ship, the two Quintessons prepare to accept their punishment, but their superior declares that finding the journal is now their priority...before their clients do.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (1)
* [[Nancy]] (2)
* [[Junkion]]s (5)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (6)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (8)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (12)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (13)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (14)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (15)
* [[Slingshot]] (16)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (17)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (19)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (21)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (22)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (23)

|c2=
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (8)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (10)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (11)
* [[Sweep]]s (18)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (20)
* [[Blast Off]] (cameo) (24)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (cameo) (25)

|c4=
* [[Quintessons]] (3)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (4)

}}

==Quotes==
"I know you're bored, Rodimus, but with the mantle of leadership comes obligations." 
"Don't suppose I could interest you in a used mantle?"
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Rodimus Prime'''

"To share is to care. To care is to share."
:—'''Quintesson'''

"Mrs. Peel, we're needed. Our five year mission: to boldly share our signal with all the sloppy lifeforms who are our enemies. There is nothing wrong with your television set. We are controlling transmission. We control the horizontal. We control the vertical. We've got the touch!" 
:—'''Wreck-Gar'''

"Mighty Galvatron, where are you going?" 
"To the signal. To be a winner! Because I believe in me!"
:—'''Cyclonus''' and '''Galvatron''', discussing Galvatron's newfound belief in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBU1bYlJHj8 positive thinking].

'''Blaster''': We're outgunned, man! We don't have a chance! 
'''Kup''': Boy, that's what makes life interesting. 
'''Rodimus''': Or over! 
:—The Autobots discuss their situation.

==Notes==
* When Galvatron and Rodimus face off on Junkion, Galvatron mentions the "scrapeyard". What's a scrapeyard? Pretty sure he meant scrapyard.

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* A red alarm light flashes on a console and is somehow visible through a Quintesson standing in front of it.
* When Ultra Magnus is repairing Omega Supreme, one scene is missing...well...everything but Magnus' hands. He appears to be repairing empty space.
* Not so much of an animation error ''per se'', but Omega Supreme manages to transform from his rocket ship into his full robot self. That's interesting, given that his rocket ship is the equivalent of his forearms, with no tank, legs, or tracks that all appear in robot mode.

===Transformers references===
* This episode is Omega Supreme's only Season 3 appearance, and last appearance in the cartoon.

===Real-world references===
* The title is a takeoff of the [[wikipedia:The Big Broadcast|"Big Broadcast" series of movies]] in the 1930s.

* As a Junkion-centric episode, this story is positively ''drowning'' in pop culture references. In addition to generic phrases like "this concludes our broadcast day," "it slices, it dices" and "waxy yellow build-up," specific references spewed by the various Junkions include:
** "Here's looking at you, kid." – Humphrey Bogart's famous line from ''[[wikipedia:Casablanca (1942)|Casablanca]]''.
** "Live from New York, it's… your hit parade!" – a dual reference to ''[[wikipedia:Saturday Night Live|Saturday Night Live]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Your Hit Parade|Your Hit Parade]]''.
** "Say goodnight, Gracie!" – a reference to comedienne [[wikipedia:Gracie Allen|Gracie Allen]].
** "Oh, Cisco!" and "Oh, Pancho!" refer to [[wikipedia:The Cisco Kid|The Cisco Kid]] and his sidekick, but Wreck-Gar and his lady friend use the names in a swooning, romantic way, which is... not... right.
** "Fly somebody else's friendly skies!" – a warped version of the United Airlines slogan, "Fly the Friendly Skies."
** "And that's the name of that tune!" – the catchphrase of the titular character in 1970s detective show ''[[wikipedia:Baretta|Baretta]]'', itself a reference to ''[[wikipedia:Name That Tune|Name That Tune]]''.
** "Tenk you veddy much!" – the catchphrase of Latka Gravas (Andy Kaufman) on the sitcom ''[[wikipedia:Taxi (TV series)|Taxi]]''.
** "Your mission, should you choose to accept it…" – the famous introductory line from the ''[[wikipedia:Mission: Impossible|Mission: Impossible]]'' TV series.
** Wreck-Gar and his little buddy assume the roles of [[wikipedia:Perry White|Perry White]] and [[wikipedia:Jimmy Olsen|Jimmy Olsen]] from [[wikipedia:Superman|Superman]], respectively, on a few occasions. First, "Jimmy" refers to Wreck-Gar as "Chief," at which point Wreck-Gar quotes Perry by shouting "And don't call me Chief!" Later, "Jimmy" refers to [[wikipedia:Clark Kent|Mr. Kent]]" and recites the classic Superman tagline, "Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's...", and Wreck-Gar quotes Perry's catchphrase, "Great Caesar's Ghost!"
** Following on from Wreck-Gar's insistence that he not be called "Chief," the "Jimmy" Junkion responds with "Sorry about that, Chief!", in the style of Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) from 1960s spy comedy, ''[[wikipedia:Get Smart|Get Smart]]''. Wreck-Gar also later mimics Smart with a cry of "Missed me by ''that'' much!"
** "Warning, Will Robinson! Danger! Danger!" – the famous line from ''[[wikipedia:Lost in Space|Lost in Space]].''
** "I pity the fool!" – catchphrase of [[wikipedia:Mr. T|Mr. T]].
** "Let's consume mass quantities of TV!" – ''Saturday Night Live'' sketch characters the [[wikipedia:Coneheads|Coneheads]] liked consuming mass quantities of stuff.
** Wreck-Gar cries out to his lady by calling her "[[wikipedia:Lassie|Lassie]]."
** "Baby, you're the greatest!" – common catchphrase of Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) from ''[[wikipedia:The Honeymooners|The Honeymooners]]''.
** "Mrs. Peel, we're needed." – Wreck-Gar adopts the role of John Steed (Patrick Macnee) from ''[[wikipedia:The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' and calls on his teammate Emma Peel (Diana Rigg).
** "Our five-year mission... to boldly share…" – [[wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]], naturally.
** "There is nothing wrong with your television set..." – Wreck-Gar recites verbatim several lines from the opening narrative of ''[[wikipedia:The Outer Limits|The Outer Limits]]''.
** "We got the touch!" - a callback to the rock anthem from ''[[Transformers: The Movie]]''.
** "Lookin' goooood!" – catchphrase of Chico Rodriguez (Freddie Prinze) on ''[[wikipedia:Chico and the Man|Chico and the Man]]''.
** "Laser Wars... nothing but Laser Wars...!" – Wreck-Gar parodies a parody, mimicking Bill Murray's comedic rendition of the ''[[wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]'' theme on ''Saturday Night Live''.
** "Ward, I think we've been a little rough on the Beaver." – reference to the 1950s sitcom, ''[[wikipedia:Leave It to Beaver|Leave It to Beaver]]''.
** [[wikipedia:Go ahead, make my day|"Go ahead… make my day."]] – Clint Eastwood's famous line from ''[[wikipedia:Sudden Impact|Sudden Impact]]''.
** "I dunno! I wuz a victim of soicumstance! Yuk yuk yuk!" – banter in the style of the [[wikipedia:Three Stooges|Three Stooges]].

===Trivia===
*When the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|US comic]] needed a fill-in issue, this episode was chosen and script adapted. While the UK offices were in no position to pass up on any US material being produced, this issue also completely conflicted with the Movie-Future they had established. To sidestep continuity problems, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a framing sequence establishing [[The Big Broadcast of 2006!|US #43]] as an imaginary story dreamed up by Wreck-Gar, as part of a lead in to his [[Space Pirates!|Space Pirates]] arc.
*This episode is set before "[[The Quintesson Journal]]", because this journal is the same one that Blaster and [[Outback]] find.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Big Broadcast of 2006}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

The Quintesson Journal

2009-05-14T00:56:42Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=83
|ep2=19
|image=Quintesson Journal Autobots journal.JPG
|caption=Look, I just found a [[Food|big golden ham]]! Don't worry, I'm sure it's not a bomb.
|title="The Quintesson Journal"
|production code=700-103
|airdate=[[November 11]], 1986
|written by=[[Richard Merwin]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''A Quintesson device may just be the key to peace between two worlds.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 死の商人クインテッサ (''Shi no Shōnin Quintessa'', "The Quintessons, the Merchants of Death")
:''German title:'' "'''Das Geheimnis der Quintessons'''" ("The Secret of the Quintessons")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:QuintessonJournal Delegate struggle.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ah, politics.]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] are hosting a peace conference for two neighboring planets, [[Xetaxxis]] and [[Lanarq]], which have been at war for centuries and will wipe each other out within a generation, as explained by [[Melkorr]]. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] asks the leaders of the two delegations to shake hands. They take the opportunity to grapple with each other. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] remarks that it's going well so far.

Elsewhere, [[Predaking]] detects a strange signal of [[Quintesson]] origin. He contacts [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], who intends to meet him at the coordinates. However, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] has also detected the signal, and he sends [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who is carrying [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Outback]], to investigate. The foliage is too thick for Sky Lynx to land, so Blaster and Outback head out on foot. Blaster ejects [[Steeljaw]] and [[Ramhorn]] to help in the search. Meanwhile, Predaking separates into the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to cover more ground. The Autobots are suddenly attacked by vines, but are able to free themselves and find the source of the signal, a strange golden cylinder. Just then, a tree nearly falls on the device, and Outback blasts it, causing the device to activate. The Autobots learn that the cylinder is a [[Quintesson Journal]], a record of their commercial activities on various planets. The Predacons then arrive and attack. Sky Lynx arrives to rescue the Autobots, and the Predacons unite. The Autobots are able to board Sky Lynx and escape, only to be attacked by Cyclonus and the [[Sweep]]s. Suddenly, an energy field grabs Sky Lynx through an unseen [[warp gate]], which closes.

[[Image:QuintessonJournal Outback sharkticon energon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

On the other side of the warp gate, a Quintesson ship captures Sky Lynx, disabling his ability to [[Transformation|transform]]. The Quintessons reclaim the journal and take Outback, Blaster, and the cassettes prisoner. Outback is able to trick a [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] into opening the cell for some [[Energon (G1)|energon]], and Blaster then...uh, blasts the Sharkticon. Outback grabs the journal, and the Autobots escape aboard Sky Lynx, only to discover that [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Cyclonus, the Sweeps, and Predaking have located them. The [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] manage to steal the journal and flee. At the peace conference, the two delegations leave, intending to purchase doomsday weapons from their suppliers...the Quintessons.

[[Image:QuintessonJournal Galvatron watching journal.jpg|left|200px|thumb|G-g-g-GHOSTS!]]

On an unnamed planet, the Decepticons begin to examine the journal. Upon discovering it is economic in nature, Galvatron is angry—well, angrier than usual. However, the Autobots have tracked the Decepticons down, and they learn that the war between Xettaxis and Lanarq is among the journal's archives. Knowing that this could end the war, the Autobots attempt to steal the journal back, only for the Quintessons to steal it back ''again''. On Cybertron, the delegations begin fighting each other. Rodimus is so frustrated that the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] fires his weapon and orders the two delegations to sit down. Furious, the Xettaxin and Lanarqen leaders request the Quintessons to bring their [[Omega bomb|omega bombs]]. The Quintessons decide that they will deliver ''both'' bombs once they have been paid. However, the Autobots manage to break into their ship and steal back the journal.

[[Image:QuintessonJournal Outback journal conference.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

Arriving on Cybertron, Blaster and Outback show the recordings to the delegations, who are horrified to discover that their worlds have suffered to finance the Quintessons. Having been found out, the Quintessons contact the peace conference, announcing that they will deliver the omega bombs—right into Xettaxis and Lanarq. This is a big mistake on the Quintessons' part, for they're passing right by Cybertron at that moment. Rodimus and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] jump aboard Sky Lynx and follow the Quintessons, destroying their ship before the bombs can be launched. On Cybertron, a peace is negotiated between Xettaxis and Lanarq. However, Rodimus notes that the only real winners of the conflict were the Quintessons.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (7)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (8)
* [[Outback]] (9)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (10)
* [[Ramhorn]] (11)
* [[Steeljaw]] (12)

|c2=
* [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (5)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (6)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (13)
* [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (14)
* [[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (15)
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (16)
* [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (17)
* [[Sweep|Sweeps]] (19)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (21)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (2)

|c4=
* [[Melkorr]] (1)
* [[Quintesson]]s (18)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] (20)
* [[Allicon]] (22)
}}

==Quotes==
"I don't think this is how a peace process is supposed to begin."
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' as the delegates begin struggling with each other.

"But you said no mercy, Galvatron!" 
"Very true! So I shall show none!" ''[hits Predaking]''
:—'''Predaking''' just wants to break something, and '''Galvatron''' is psychotic, as usual.

"Don't you know any gentler games?"
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' to the rambunctious delegates.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* At the beginning of the episode, the Quintesson capsule falls from space, bumps into a tree and lands on the ground. It should have made a huge meteor impact.
* Predaking fires at Sky Lynx from within a planet's atmosphere, while Sky Lynx is still in deep space.
* Divebomb detatches from Predaking, but Predaking still has all his limbs.
* Sky Lynx ''grows'' his Lynx part when escaping from Predaking. Later, the Lynx part grows the bird part when transforming.
* Because of a layer error, a Sharkticon's arm is sticking into a prison cell.
* When running towards Sky-Lynx, Outback's legs don't reach the bottom of the cel. Neither do Cyclonus's a couple of scenes later after he's grabbed the journal.
* When one of the Quintessons picks up the container with his ray gun, the "beam" does not appear until the door is closing.
* When Galvatron fires at the Quintesson ship, he fires with his blaster off-screen, but the ray appears below him.
* This episode features an intelligent [[Allicon]]! He is on the bridge of a Quintesson ship talking strategy with a judge-type Quintesson. This is either an error, or the Allicon has a rather unusual backstory.

===Continuity errors===
* Assuming this is the same journal from "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006]]", it's a completely different color.

===Transformers references===
* Predaking is hungry for revenge against Sky Lynx after his previous defeats in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" and "[[Chaos (episode)|Chaos]]". Sky Lynx evidently didn't rate the latter face-off, though, as he specifically refers to only "one thorough drubbing".

===Real-world references===
* Rodimus Prime says that the fight between the Xetaxxis and Lanarqs reminds him of pro-wrestling, but Spike corrects him by telling him that those are at least faked.
* The Quintessons are depicted as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_profiteering war profiteers].

===Trivia===
* Now why would the Quintessons let the capsule float just outside the prison cells?
* Blaster is introduced riding inside Sky Lynx in boombox mode. He doesn't seem to have size-changed, as he is very large compared to Outback. Ramhorn and Steeljaw are both in mini-cassette mode resting against Blaster. The three of them sort of bounce towards Sky Lynx's exit and freefall to a planet surface before finally transforming. Later on, Blaster rides in Sky Lynx in robot mode with no problem.

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_quintesson_journal.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Quintesson Journal}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Carnage in C-Minor

2009-05-14T00:38:39Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=82
|ep2=14
|image=Carnage C-Minor Autobots harmonic attack.JPG
|caption=[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime|Hey, what is that awful noise? Okay, let me straighten him out!]]
|title="Carnage in C-Minor"
|production code=700-102
|airdate=[[October 14]], 1986
|written by=[[Buzz Dixon]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Several Autobots and Decepticons battle over a planet whose civilization revolves around music and whose inhabitants can use sound as a powerful weapon.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 音楽惑星の挑戦 (''Ongaku Wakusei no Chōsen'', "The Challenge of the Planet of Music")
:'' German title:'' "'''Das Gemetzel in Cis-Mol'''" ("The Slaughter in Cis-Mol")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Broadsidecrushesdevastator.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Die, Atlas!]]

The [[Decepticon]]s are building engines into the side of a comet in order to alter its course and crash it on top of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. As they fire up the engines, a group of [[Autobot]]s close in, lead there by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. The Autobots attack, much to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s dismay. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], who is promptly flattened when [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] drops on him in ship mode. In the ensuing battle, the engines are destroyed, and the comet is sent hurtling towards a small planet, which Perceptor reports is inhabited.

The Autobots attempt unsuccessfully to stop the comet before Galvatron again orders his men to engage their foe. While Galvatron and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are grappling, waves of sound energy destroy the comet and cause both groups of Transformers to plummet to the planet's surface. In a nearby city, three aliens are having a disagreement. One of them, [[Allegra]], storms out, saying that she's going to her retreat.

The Transformers recover from their crash, wondering what hit them. [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] describes it as the most perfect harmony ever, but Galvatron is more interested in its destructive power. Broadside breaks up the discussion by punching Galvatron, and the fight resumes. As the Contructicons form Devastator again, Perceptor blows the giant apart with one shot from his cannon. Galvatron and Soundwave depart in search of the source of the harmony they heard earlier, but Ultra Magnus spots them leaving and takes Broadside and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in pursuit. Perceptor reflects that unless the trio are swift, there might not be much of them left.

[[Image:Carnage CMinor Blaster Magnus Basso.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"I now pronounce you bot and wife. You may kiss the bride."]]

Broadside swiftly passes the two Decepticons and overflies the city, which Blaster realises is laid out like a musical harmony. Magnus and Blaster meet with [[Basso Profundo]], leader of the planet [[Eurythma]], but Basso refuses to help them, believing that the harmony is all his people need to protect themselves. He drops a hint that Allegra might be able to help them, a fact overheard by Galvatron and Soundwave, who are spying outside. As the three Autobots go in search of Allegra, the Decepticons drop a bridge on them. To make sure, Galvatron blasts the wreckage, and the pair fly off to find Allegra.

Basso watches the two Decepticons leave, and fellow Eurythman [[Zebop Skandana]] uses a harmony to help the Autobots out of the rubble. Blaster realises that the Zebop was creating part of the harmony which originally blew the Autobots out of space, and Zebop says he's sympathetic to their cause and will help them find Allegra.

[[Image:Carnage CMinor Galvatron Soundwave Allegra.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]

The two Decepticons meet Allegra, offering to help her overthrow Basso in return for the secret of the harmony. She obliges and Soundwave records it, but to Galvatron's rage, it turns out that she is only one part of the harmony; Basso and Zebop make up the other two thirds. Still, when the Autobots arrive with Zebop, Soundwave is testing the part of the harmony he has by destroying a rock. The Autobots set up an ambush, but Zebop is so distressed by the fact that Allegra is working with the Decepticons that he gives away their position. Galvatron starts firing, and Zebop takes refuge in Ultra Magnus's cab. Soundwave begins battering the Autobots with the harmony. When Zebop counters with ''his'' part of the harmony, Soundwave promptly records it and uses the resulting two-thirds of the harmony to devastating effect.

[[Image:Carnage CMinor Allegra Zebop.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

With the Autobots apparently gone, Galvatron terminates the alliance with Allegra. She attempts to attack them with her part of the harmony, but Soundwave retaliates, knocking her out. The Autobots climb out of their hole in time to prevent Galvatron from terminating the Eurythman, but during the resulting fight, Blaster and Soundwave struggle and accidentally fall on Zebop. Galvatron grabs his minion and departs, leaving Allegra cradling Zebop in her arms. Though the Autobots believe he's had it, Allegra uses a harmony to revive him. The Autobots leave for the city.

Back at the landing site, the rest of the Autobots and Decepticons are still fighting. Hot Spot voices his hope that Magnus, Blaster and Broadside hurry. The Eurythmans have spotted the battle, and Basso uses an amplifier to direct a destructive harmony at it. [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] is forced to disassemble, but the two factions fight on. Basso is depressed, and his aide points out he needs Allegra and Zebop to complete the harmony. Arriving, Soundwave begins playing two-thirds of the harmony, shaking the city and provoking Basso into using the third part again, which Soundwave promptly records. He is subsequently able to use the complete harmonic weapon to attack the city. Pleased, Galvatron announces their next targets are Metroplex and then [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Carnage CMinor Soundwave harmony.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Soundwave finds himself too big to fly through the rings in the Training Stage.]]

Ultra Magnus's party arrives back at the city to find it devastated and their fellow Autobots badly damaged. The Eurythmans are able to repair Perceptor and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] with a harmony, and the Autobots set off for Earth.

Galvatron and Soundwave attack Metroplex with the harmony, but the Autobots soon arrive with the three Eurythmans, who nullify Soundwave's weapon with anti-sound. Blaster grabs Soundwave and uses his buttons to erase the harmony from Soundwave's tapes. Despite Galvatron raging that he hasn't ordered a retreat, the Decepticons flee anyway. The Autobots return the Eurythmans to their world, where Ultra Magnus tells them they need to learn to live in harmony.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (9)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (10)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (11)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (12)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (13)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (15)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (16)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (21)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (22)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (23)
*[[Blades]] (24)
*[[Scamper]] (25)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (26)

|c2=
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (1)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (4)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (5)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (6)
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (14)

|c4=
*[[Basso Profundo]] (17)
*[[Allegra]] (18)
*[[Zebop Skandana]] (19)
*Basso's consort (20)
}}

==Quotes==
"You! Because of you, I got blasted out of space. DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THAT DID TO MY PAINT JOB?!"
:—'''Broadside''', right before he sucker-punches Galvatron

"What was that?!" 
"That was heaven. The purest, most vibrant, most perfect harmony I've ever heard."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Soundwave''' wonder what hit them.

"Broadside! Blaster! Galvatron and Soundwave went to find the weapon that knocked us out of space!" 
"Weapon? That was no weapon. That was harmonic bliss! A musical kiss!" 
"Whatever."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''', who doesn't have any soul, and '''Blaster''', who does.

"Blaster, you picking up anything?" 
"Yeah, yeah! Beauty like you wouldn't believe, Broadside. Sweet soul music. It's their art, their commerce, their philosophy, their whole—uh-oh, bummer. Galvatron and Soundwave are here."
:—'''Broadside''' and '''Blaster''' get their vibes harshed.

"I don't wanna see your ugly face, just the button that says 'ERASE'!" 
"My tapes! You've erased my tapes!"
:—'''Blaster''' destroys '''Soundwave'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s tapes, to the Decepticon's monotoned horror.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
"Carnage in C-Minor" is infamous among the fandom for the sheer number of animation errors in this episode. Among the more prominent are the following:

* Throughout the entire episode, Broadside is drawn with a previously [[:Image:BroadsideCarnage.jpg|discarded]] [[character model]].

* Devastator is the exact same size as Soundwave during the start of the first battle.

* Devastator also appears before he forms later in the battle.

* While the Autobots are shooting at the meteor, they are so badly drawn that they appear to have only one leg each, left arms starting from the elbows, and enormous heads...and Superion is tiny.

*When Bonecrusher orders the formation of Devastator, he's wearing an Autobot insignia. See also the continuity error below.

* When the Constructicons form Devastator for the second time, the first shot shows four Constructicons forming the legs and the torso. The second shot shows three robots forming the arms and upper torso. This means that ''seven'' Constructicons formed Devastator.

* After watching Galvatron and Soundwave leave, Ultra Magnus dispatches Hook and Scrapper—by picking them up in his hands and bashing them together. Magnus is supposed to be big, but not ''that'' big.

* Blaster, Ultra Magnus and Zebop are shown hanging onto Broadside while he flies around. Sometimes, the shots make them appear tiny or not to be hanging onto Broadside at all. (One wonders why Zebop doesn't just ride in Broadside's cockpit, as he does for the trip to Earth.)

* Soundwave points out that Zebop is standing in the distance, while Galvatron says that "he ''probably'' is with the Autobots." Yet, Ultra Magnus is standing right next to him.

* Soundwave has a [[Shattered Glass|purple Autobot]] [[insignia]]...''[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|again]]''.

* Blaster is drawn delivering Broadside's line about "scorch-marks on top of everything else".

* During part of the battle at Allegra's retreat, Hot Spot is with the Autobots instead of Broadside.

* When Blaster explains that the Eurythmans use the harmony even for healing, Ultra Magnus is the one mouthing the words.

* When the Protectobots are combined as Defensor, Hot Spot (the main body) is fighting alongside his combined self!

* In one scene, a cel-layering error causes Blaster to appear very tiny compared to Soundwave.

* And there's even more. Seriously, how much time do you have?

<center><gallery>
Image:Carnage C-minor Magnus Broadside.JPG|"Hail Caesar!" "Hail Thaethar."
Image:Bigmagnus tinyconst.jpg|We'll take revenge by merging into Devastator.
Image:Hotspot defensor.jpg|Hey! Part of me, get back in me!
Image:Soundwaveautobotgalvy.jpg|For some reason, I feel less evil than two seconds ago.
Image:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|It's his little shoulder-angel.
</gallery></center>

===Continuity errors===
[[Image:DeceptiBrawn1.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Maybe it's not Bonecrusher, but a rare cameo by Roadhauler?]]
* In one infamous scene, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (who should also be dead) show up alive and well. And it seems [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] has switched sides, as he's helping them shoot at the giant Decepticon rocket engine he just helped build! (Huffer has the wrong paint job, too.)

* To add insult to injury, Devastator is shooting at the Autobots ''before'' the Constructicons form Devastator.

* Soundwave travels with Galvatron to find the source of the harmony. However, when the scene returns to the battle outside the city, Soundwave is with the other Decepticons at the same time.

===Real-world references===
* The Eurythman characters' names are all music-related puns. Allegra and Basso Profundo are references to terms related to classical music, while Zebop Skandana is named after popular music guitarist Carlos Santana and his song Zebop. And the difference shows.

* Eurythma was possibly named after the popular '80s band [[wikipedia:Eurythmics|The Eurythmics]].

===Trivia===
* "Carnage in C-Minor" is widely regarded by fans as the worst episode of all ''Transformers'' series, but this is seemingly due to the sheer volume of animation errors, as well as the glaringly obvious nature of many of the individual errors. However, the actual ''plot'' is certainly not the weakest to grace the cartoon series, and its "continuity errors" have little to nothing to do with the script itself...certainly not to the level of, say, "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]".

* That said, there is plenty of inanity to be found in the story too. For instance: Despite the aliens' dialog being in perfectly understandable English (or Galactic Standard or whatever), because they say everything in a sing-song rhythm, apparently none of the Transformers except Blaster and Soundwave can understand them, and the two tape decks spend a large (and annoying) amount of time translating Eurythman to "non-sing-song" for everyone else.

* Galvatron and Soundwave are briefly seen holding hands whilst flying.

* Apparently, a single blast from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[lightning cannon]] can cause [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to disassemble. And [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] believes that intellectuals are weak.

* Anyone else bothered that this "sonic weapon" was used to destroy a comet IN SPACE?

* This was one of several episodes subjected to the [[MSTF]] treatment at [[BotCon 1999]].

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/carnage_in_c-minor.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808817/ IMDb's page for this episode]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Kup (G1)

2009-05-14T00:26:19Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Kup}}
{{featured}}
:''Kup is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Kupg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Four of me, and ya got a [[quartex]]. Speakin' of quartex, that reminds me of the time..."]]
'''Kup''' is a tough old coot. He's almost as old as rust, in fact, and he was plinking [[Decepticon]]s and [[Ick-Yak]]s with acid bursts from his trusty musket laser long before most of you turbo-revvin' young punks were born. In his day, lasers didn't ''need'' to use light; they did whatever they were told to do. And liked it.

He's probably had a thousand adventures, Kup has, and he'll be glad to relate a story of any one of them at any time to a willing audience. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] love Kup's war stories, lapping it up like cheap [[Energon (G1)|energon]], and don't seem to mind when he inadvertently leaves a piece out or changes the story between retellings. Old memory chips'll do that to you. Other Autobots can be less patient, and Kup finds this disrespectful and irritating. If there's one thing Kup dislikes, it's when young punks don't respect their elders. If they'd only listen, they might learn something. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] is one of the worst offenders in this way, but he's a good lad-bot, and Kup will straighten him out sooner or later, even if it takes a tank of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s.

Occasionally, Kup's vast experience gets in his way. When a situation doesn't remind him of anything, he has trouble figuring out what to do. This doesn't happen very often though.

{{quote|The past is the greatest teacher.|Kup's original [[bio]] motto}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Chear'''<ref>"Chear" is used twice in English on the Kup/Wheelie "Future Cybertrons" reissue, so is presumably the transliteration Takara currently favors.</ref> (チャー ''Chā'', except for "The Rebirth")
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Kaisso'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Kup''' — '''(Űr)Zsaru''' ["(Space)Cop"] in one of the dubs of ''The Movie''.)
:''Italian name'': '''Blitz''' / '''Char''' (''The Headmasters'' dub only)
:''Russian TV dub name'': '''Vorchoon''' ("Grumbler")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Lionel Stander]] → [[John Stephenson]] (English), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese), [[Carl Béchard]] (French Canadian)

[[Image:Chaos deathcrystalmines.jpg|left|230px|thumb|Worked in the coal mines twenty-two hours a day for just half a cent.]]

In his younger days, one hundred thousand years ago, Kup once found himself crash-landed on the planet [[Dread]], where he was stalked by an [[Ick-Yak]]. Although Kup was able to lure the creature into a swamp of [[quickmud]], he was then captured by the evil [[Orb]]s, who forced him to work in the [[death crystal]] mines of of [[Queeg Mountain]]. When the miners were attacked by [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]], the creature on whose hide the crystals grew, Kup was afforded an opportunity to escape. Before exiting the mines, he quickly grabbed the key to the cell in which the other slaves were held... but before he could open the cell door, Chaos came roaring into the cavern. Petrified, Kup dropped the keys and fled, escaping with his life, and a guilt that would gnaw at him for millennia. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

Kup was stationed in another part of the galaxy while [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces were battling on [[Earth]], but eventually joined up with the Earthbound Autobots when the Decepticons took over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the early days of the 21st Century. {{storylink|Secret Files of Teletraan II}}

[[Image:Kup tale.jpg|right|230px|thumb|Matlooooooooock!]]

In 2005, Kup was supervising the erection of a security cordon at the foot of [[Lookout Mountain]] when the work was interrupted by an impetuous drive-through by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. Kup shook his finger at the adventure-seeking youth, vowing to straighten him out yet. Even Kup couldn't believe it, however, when mere minutes later, Hot Rod began firing upon the approaching [[Autobot shuttle]]. The shuttle had, in fact, been hijacked by the Decepticons, who immediately began pouring out of the craft and attacking [[Autobot City]]. Kup saved Hot Rod from being blasted by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], and the pair then headed back towards the city, but they didn't move fast enough to avoid being trapped outside of the city's fortress-like defenses. Luckily, an attempted hull breach by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] opened a small hole in the city's blast doors, and Kup used [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]'s skull as a ramp to leap the gap and make it into the city safely.

[[Image:Tftm_launcherpush.jpg|left|230px|thumb|If only we had the additional strength of a small Earth boy to help us push this!]]

Once inside the city, Kup and Hot Rod joined [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] in shoving an explosives launcher into place to help defend against the might of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The battle continued through the night, but the arrival Optimus Prime the next day turned the tide and the Decepticons were defeated—but at a terrible price. Despite Kup's warnings, Hot Rod had interfered in Prime and Megatron's one-on-one battle, and had given the Decepticon leader the opening he needed to fatally wound Prime. Prime had used the last of his strength to dispatch Megatron, but as Kup and the other Autobots gathered around their fallen leader, Optimus Prime died, passing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

[[Image:Tftm_kup_tells_story.jpg|230px|right|thumb|One way to get rid of them is to tell 'em stories that don't go anywhere.]]

Even as the Autobots began to pick up the pieces, they came under assault on two fronts. First, reports came in from their moonbases of a [[Unicron|monster planet]] that was bearing down on Cybertron; when Hot Rod eagerly announced that he was sure the Matrix could stop the creature, Kup was less than convinced, asking what the youth would know about it. The Autobots made quick preparations to join their comrades on Cybertron's moons, but just before they were able to board their shuttles, a group of new Decepticons led by the powerful [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] launched another attack upon the ruins of Autobots City. Kup, Hot Rod and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] boarded one of the shuttles and hot-footed it into space. Once they were safely away, Kup passed the time during the trip by telling the Dinobots the tale of his encounter with another Ick Yak on [[Beta 4]]. The story was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Decepticons, and while Kup's experience with the [[Shrikebat]]s of [[Dromedon]] allowed him to out-manoeuvre the villains' [[moleculon missile]]s, an attack by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] crippled the shuttle and caused it to crash-land into an ocean on the planet [[Quintessa]]. Kup was set upon by a robotic squid, which tore off several of his limbs before Hot Rod was able to fight it off. Hot Rod gathered up all of Kup's pieces and put his friend back together again, but despite the fact that he managed to get rid of a burr on Kup's rotator, Kup was fairly insistent that Hot Rod had left a piece out.

[[Image:TFTM Kup beserker.jpg|left|230px|thumb|"Y'see, lad, I've been dismembering monsters since before you were a gleam in your protoform batch initiator's optic! Now fetch me some prune juice!"]]

Setting out to explore Quintessa and find the Dinobots, Kup and Hot Rod came across a herd of [[Allicon|strange transforming creatures]] which Kup attempted to placate with the [[universal greeting]] and some [[energon (G1)|energon]] goodies. Unfortunately, when the goodies ran out, so did the creatures' good nature, and Kup and Hot Rod were set upon, captured and dragged before the planet's rulers, the [[Quintesson]]s. The whole experience reminded Kup of the [[Niter Slave Mines]] on [[Golgonath Seven]], but Hot Rod didn't see what good the old-timer's experienced was doing them at that moment. Hurled into a jail cell to await trial, the pair met another captive named [[Kranix]], whose world had been consumed by the monster plant currently threatening Cybertron: a monster that Kranix told them was named [[Unicron]]. Sadly, Kranix soon met his end in the jaws of the Quintesson' [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], and Kup and Hot Rod were dropped into the creatures' pit soon after. The pair did not accept the Quintessons' judgement with gentle grace, however, and fought back against the Sharkticons, creating a whirlpool by driving around their watery pit and sweeping the fight to dry land. Kup tore off one of the Sharkticons' tails and used it as a mace, but the duo was in danger of being overwhelmed until the timely arrival of the Dinobots, who routed the Sharkticons and turned them against their Quintesson masters. With the aid of the Dinobots' new friend, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the team found a ship and reunited with their fellow Autobots on the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]]. There, Kup was able to talk a little TV with native [[Junkion]] leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], but even the levity the Junkions brought to the proceedings did not obscure the tragic news that Galvatron had stolen the Matrix from Ultra Magnus.

[[Image:Kup vehiclemode.jpg|right|thumb|275px|FM radio not included.]]

Proceeding on their way to Cybertron, the Autobots arrived just in time to witness Unicron transforming to robot mode and attacking their home planet – a sight so awesome that it left Kup speechless, unable to recall anything like it that had ever seen. Ever eager, Hot Rod ploughed their ship straight into Unicron's eye, but was separated from the rest of the group on the fall through the chaos-bringer's interior. While Kup and the other Autobots battled against Unicron's internal defences, Hot Rod battled Galvatron (who had been betrayed Unicron and been swallowed in punishment) and reclaimed the Matrix from him, becoming the Autobots' new leader, Rodimus Prime. Rodimus unleashed the power of the Matrix, which began to destroy Unicron from within, and as the Autobots retreated from the planet-eater's exploding body, Kup congratulated Rodimus, claiming he had always known he had potential. In the wake of Unicron's destruction, the Autobots forced the Decepticons off of Cybertron and reclaimed the planet for their own. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:ffod_pitfall.jpg|left|275px|thumb|The year is nineteen-aught-six! The President is the divine Miss Sara Bernhardt! And all over America, people were doing a dance called the "Funky Grandpa"!]]

Appointed as chief of security for Cybertron, Kup accompanied Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots to the opening of the [[Galactic Olympics]], only for the ceremony to be attacked by a commando squad of mysterious shadowy figures. The raiders captured Kup, Ultra Magnus and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and took them back to their masters, {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} who turned out to be the Quintessons. This time around, the aliens interrogated Kup a lot more thoroughly, questioning him on the state of Cybertron's security and meticulously analyzing his responses, seeing through the sarcastic misdirection he attempted to throw back in their faces. After a failed attempt escape landed the trio in the Sharkticon pit, the end seemed inevitable, until a team of Autobots led by Rodimus Prime arrived in time to save them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} In retaliation, the Quintessons detonated a [[core bomb]] and blew up Quintessa, and the explosion hurled Kup and the Autobots through space to the planet [[Goo]]. As the Autobots struggled through the planet's sticky surface, they were set upon by a massive machine that swept the goo clean, and Kup was awestruck by Rodimus's single-handed attempt to stop the dangerous device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} As they continued on their gooey trek, the Autobots came under attack from Galvatron and the Decepticons, who had entered into an alliance with the Quintessons, but were whisked to safety by Wreck-Gar and the Junkions.

A short time later, back on Cybertron, a mayday request came through from a crippled shuttle requesting clearance to land. Unable to risk the lives on the humans that he believed were onboard, Kup allowed the shuttle to land... but as it approached Cybertron, it veered off course and crashed into the planet's central power facility, taking out power across the board. The shuttle had been a dupe perpetuated by the Decepticon/Quintesson alliance, which promptly invaded the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} In the ensuing battle, Rodimus and Kup were surprised when Blitzwing fell out of the sky in front of them, and begged them no to shoot. The [[Triple Changer]] revealed that the Quintessons had double-crossed the Decepticons, and had sent a team of Sharkticons into the depths of Cybertron to activate a [[large switch]] that would shut down all the Transformers. Rodimus and Blitzwing were unable to stop the switch being thrown, but Spike Witwicky was then able to destroy the mechanism and reactivate the Transformers, forcing the Quintessons to flee Galvatron's wrath. Kup stood by Rodimus's side as he announced their uneasy victory to the other Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[Image:Chaos_kup_vs_chaos.jpg|230px|right|thumb|"You're homely as a mule's butt!"]]

The past came back to haunt Kup when he was called in to investigate a Decepticon attack on the [[Earth Defense Command]] post on Goo. Discovering that the attack had been perpetrated using death crystals, Kup was finally forced to return to planet Dread to stop the Decepticons' plan to destroy Cybertron using a death crystal cannon. Venturing into the mines alone, through swarms of [[shrikebat]]s, Kup located Chaos in the depths of the mountain and lured him back to the surface, taunting him all the way. Before exiting the mines, Kup freed all the slaves, and in turn, they helped him to re-aim the Decepticons' cannon, pointing it right at Chaos at the monster emerged from the tunnels. Kup pulled the trigger, blasting Chaos with its own death crystals and finally destroying it. With his demons laid to rest, the high-spirited Kup spent the journey back to Cybertron tell his comrades of the time he flew the shuttle [[Jonagar]] in the mouth of a space-whale. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

[[Image:Darkawakening_kup_fires.jpg|215px|left|thumb]]

Kup was among a team of Autobots who were caught off-guard by the Decepticons while travelling through space in a shuttle, and were forced to dock their damaged craft at the giant mausoleum the Autobots had constructed to hold the bodies of those who had died in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. There, they were shocked to discover that Optimus Prime had apparently returned to life, only to find themselves suddenly betrayed by their old leader when he set the mausoleum on a collision course with a sun and escaped aboard a spaceship of his own. The Autobots quickly improvised a ship of their own before the mausoleum was destroyed, which Kup piloted back to Cybertron. Upon their returned, it was discovered that "Optimus Prime" was merely a robotic zombie, animated as part of a Quintesson plan to destroy the Autobots, forcing Rodimus Prime to defeat him in battle. His true personality re-emerging as he neared death again, Optimus seemingly sacrificed himself, getting the other Autobots to safety and triggering the Quintessons' explosive trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

When a survey mission led by Perceptor sent out an SOS, Kup responded with Rodimus Prime, [[Pipes]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. The team fought off the Quintessons occupying the asteroid, and discovered that the aliens had been attempting to alter history using a [[Time Window]]. Most of Perceptor's team had vanished through the portal into Cybertron's distant past, and Kup and the others fought off a Quintesson attempt to reclaim the asteroid while their teammates were returned to the present. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

The arrival of an Autobot named [[Sandstorm (Autobot)|Sandstorm]] on Cybertron gave Kup cause for concern, as the newcomer claimed to be from the planet [[Paradron]], which Kup was unable to locate on any star charts. A lie detector confirmed the truth of Sandstorm's story, however, and the Autobots rallied to save his world from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}} Soon after, when Kup discovered that a team of Decepticons had been able to sneak their way past Cybertron defences, he, Rodimus, Magnus and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] headed out to force the villains off the planet. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

[[Image:Gitm_kup_and_screamer.jpg|right|thumb]]

While making a security inspection of Autobot City on Earth, Kup was impressed by the work [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] had been doing in his absence. Blaster's choice of music, however, still rattled his transistors. During Kup's visit, Autobot City was attacked by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. They did serious damage to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], stealing his eyes and then blowing up a bomb inside his brain. Hopefully, Kup didn't mark that up in his report as a strike against Blaster. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:Ditd_vampire_kup_and_springer.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Kup gives the phrase "going grey" a whole new meaning.]]

Alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Blaster and [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Kup headed to Junkion to investigate a strange hypnotic television signal that was coming from the planet. On their way, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s and crashed on an asteroid, where Kup helped draw the Decepticons off so that Magnus could repair the damage done to Omega Supreme. The team voyaged on to Junkion, where they stopped the hypnotic broadcast. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006}} Not long after, Kup was among the Transformers who fell victim to the energy-draining touch of the [[Trans-Organic]] [[Dweller]], becoming an [[energy vampire]] who menaced the other Autobots until Perceptor restored them to normal with a surge of energon. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

Kup was working out of Autobot City on Earth when Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Springer and Arcee went missing investigating the human terrorist, [[Victor Drath]]. Unbeknownst to Kup, the crime lord transplanted the four Autobots' minds into human-like [[synthoid]] bodies, and when the humanized Arcee attempted to get his attention near the entrance of Autobot City, he just drove on by.{{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:Grimnewbrain_kup_vs_sintwin.jpg|right|thumb|Kup was answering the Liar's Paradox before it became popular.]]

When the Autobots all began experiencing malfunctions following the activation of Cybertron's newest power generator, Kup was part of the team that ventured below the planet's surface to investigate the cause. The source of the malfunctions was discovered to be [[anti-electron]]s snuck into the generator by the Decepticons, which began to affect Kup's mind, leaving his much vaunted memory of past adventures so badly scrambled that he couldn't even remember who he was or where they were. The generator was shut down, but the Autobots soon deduced that the anti-electrons had come from Unicron, and followed the Decepticons to the planet-eater's decapitated head to stop them from acquiring more. Once they arrived on Unicron's head, the anti-electrons began affecting them once more, but Kup fought off their influence long enough to hold his own against [[Sinnertwin]]. The Decepticons were then routed by the [[Technobot]]s, new Autobots created by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] using the super-intelligence the anti-electrons had given him. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

Running the security center on Cybertron, Kup detected the cataclysmic arrival of [[Tornedron]] shortly before the energy creature devoured all energy on the planet, leaving every Autobot completely inert. Only a small group of [[Primitive]]s from both factions managed to reach the creature's creator, [[Primacron]], and reverse the process. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

[[Image:Bhtb_kup_and_rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|Kup is apparently a chickenhawk. I mean, look at that butt!]]

During a series of missions in Japan, Kup could see the burden of leadership weighing heavily on Rodimus Prime's shoulders. Kup tried to teach him about the Japanese concept of ''giri'', the "burden hardest to bear", but Rodimus departed to blow off some steam on his own, and Kup recognized that it was a problem Rodimus would have to resolve for himself. Unfortunately, Rodimus was attacked by the [[Stunticon]]s and had the Matrix stolen, which then wound up in the clutches of Scourge, who led a Decepticon attack on Tokyo. Kup face off against the Matrix-powered Decepticon, but was hit by energy beams that left him convulsing. Luckily, Hot Rod made peace with his ''giri'' and arrived in time to defeat Scourge and reclaim the Matrix. Kup sagely noted that regardless of who held the Matrix, that missing part of himself that Rodimus had discovered would always be with him. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[Image:Roop_kup_and_prime.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Optimus Prime is not a Communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a Communist, but he is not a porn star."]]

When the Autobots learned that Optimus Prime might still be alive, Kup was part of an enormous task force assembled by Rodimus Prime to retrieve Optimus's body from the treacherous human scientists who had taken possession of it. While Ultra Magnus and Rodimus led several team members inside the laboratory, Kup remained outside on guard with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Wheelie, and several others. The situation turned deadly when the scientists unleashed space spores that induced a [[Hate Plague]] among the Autobots. The Aerialbots were among the first exposed, and Kup's team soon had to face off against a crazed [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. They suffered serious damage and were taken off-line but, as a silver lining, also managed to escape contamination. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} As his last order before he too was lost to the plague, Rodimus Prime had Sky Lynx locate a Quintesson, who was put to work restoring Optimus Prime to life at last. At Prime's instruction, the Quintesson repaired Kup and the rest of his team, and the group then headed for the Decepticons' base on [[Chaar]] to recover a heat-resistant alloy the villains had stolen. Battling through the dangers of Chaar's native wildlife, the Autobots were able to recover the alloy, but not before Kup and most of his team were infected by the Hate Plague. Optimus Prime subsequently used the alloy to shield himself from the plague's effect and recovered the Matrix from Rodimus Prime, then released its wisdom to cure the madness of the spores. A cured Kup and Hot Rod watched as Optimus Prime and Galvatron shook hands, as the Decepticon leader declared there would be no war that day. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

[[Image:Rebirth_targetmaster_torture.jpg|225px|left|thumb]]

Galvatron's promise did not last long, unfortunately. Kup was on Cybertron when the Decepticons launched a massive assault on Autobot City on Earth and stole the [[key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] , but word of the attack soon reached Cybertron as the Decepticon bore down on the planet. During the ensuing conflict, Kup and a team of other Autobot boarded a shuttle and pursued Scourge into the depths of the planet, but when Scourge used the key to momentarily open the Plasma Energy Chamber, the energy released blasted the Autobots' shuttle across the galaxy. The ship crashed on the planet [[Nebulos]], which reminded Kup of the time he was stranded on [[Regulon Four]] and faced off against the planet's native [[Regulon metalmonger|metalmongers]]. The Autobots were soon captured by a rebel cell of native Nebulans, who believed them to agents of the planet's evil rulers, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], but the Autobots were able to convince them that they were on the side of the angels when the Decepticons followed them to Nebulos and attacked. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Image:Rebirth_kup_and_recoil.jpg|right|thumb|When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.]]

During the battle that resulted, Kup, Hot Rod, Blurr, [[Pointblank]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] were captured by the Decepticons and tortured for information about the location of the Plasma Energy Chamber key. Kup and his comrades were soon rescued by the other Autobots, who had bonded with the Nebulons rebels to become powerful "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]", and soon decided to undergo a variation of this bonding process themselves, becoming "[[Targetmaster]]s". By the time Optimus Prime finally tracked his warriors to Nebulos and arrived to join them, Kup had been bonded to the Nebulan Recoil, and was the first to display his new powers to the shocked Prime. Alas, even with this added power, the Autobots were unable to prevent the Decepticons from stealing back the Plasma Energy Chamber key. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

Pursuing the Decepticons back to Cybertron, Kup delivered the shocking report to his fellow Autobots that the planet itself had disappeared. The Decepticons had, in fact, moved it into Earth's orbit, where Galvatron intended to open the Plasma Energy Chamber and overload the sun, destroying both planets in one fell swoop. As the chamber was opened, Kup and all the other Transformers on the planet were disabled by its energy, but thankfully, Spike Witwicky and the Autobots' Nebulan partners were able to stop the process and use the energy to revitalize Cybertron, bring about a new Golden Age for the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
[[Image:Madman comic HotRod sigh.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"You're gonna be the death of that guy, you know?"]]
In the year 2001, the Decepticons had managed to conquer Cybertron completely. Before Optimus Prime left to lead the evacuation of the remaining Autobots on their home planet, he told Ultra Magnus about his intention to hide the Autobot Matrix of Leadership at a not-so-secret bunker on the construction site of the future Autobot City on Earth. The Decepticon [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his array of [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette]]a managed to spy on meeting and moved to capture the Autobot relic for the Decepticon cause, but fortunately that young lad Hot Rod foiled their dastardly and vague plans. Upon arriving on Earth, Kup was present when Hot Rod returned the Matrix to Optimus, and explained the strange Matrix-induced vision he received, to which Optimus Prime commented that perhaps Hot Rod's destiny was greater than the young Autobot realised. Kup had a decidedly different opinion, however. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}
====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of "The Rebirth" do not occur. Additionally, this continuity moves the events of 2006 to 2010, and inserts several additional events into the newly-created intervening years.}}

=====''Story of the Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====

[[Image:Kup_g1manga.jpg|right|thumb]]
Responding to an SOS from deep space, a team of Autobots including Kup helped rescue a human spacecraft from the jaws of a shaceship-eating Decepticon vessel. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

When the Autobots were attacked by the [[Megatron Military]], Kup was decidedly puzzled, as he had understood that Megatron had been recreated as Galvatron. The Megatrons proved to be tough opponents, and Kup and the other Autobots encouraged Rodimus to get away to safety while they held the Megatrons back, but the Autobot leader refused. Soon, it was discovered that one of the Megatrons was Galvatron in disguise, who was remote-controlling the duplicate Megatrons himself. Rodimus dispatched Galvatron, and the Megatrons lost power, allowing Kup and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to make short work of them. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}

After Ultra Magnus and Metroplex repelled an attack on Autobot City, Kup was among the Autobots who came to Earth to congratulate their efforts. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3}} Later, Kup was part of the Autobot team who travelled to the planet [[Feminia]] to defend its [[Prime Energy]] against a Decepticon attack. Kup deduced that the villains would deploy [[Predaking]] to steal the energy, and he was right, but thankfully, arrival of the [[Omnibot]]s won the day. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
Kup watched the battle between the upgraded [[Abominus]] and [[Computron]], {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 2|The Great Transformer War #2}} then later joined Hot Rod, Springer and the resurrected Optimus Prime in battling Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps in space shortly after Prime was resurrected. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Osamu Saka]]

[[Image:kup_and_fortress.jpg|left|240px|thumb|"I'm gonna get me a job! A real Malibu...and see if Stacy... can help... invent... me... young... Help!"]]

In 2011, one year after Optimus Prime's resurrection, Kup was stationed on Cybertron when [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize as a result of the release of the Matrix's energy. Exploiting the opening, the Decepticons invaded the planet, and, at Optimus Prime's command, Kup withdrew to the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet [[Athenia]]. This sudden, violent re-ignition of the Transformers' war stirred four-million-year-old memories in Kup, but Spike stopped him before he got started by informing that this wasn't a time when thinking of the past was going to do any good. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} As it turned out, the past ''did'' play a major role in winning the battle, when a mysterious spaceship arrived carrying new Autobot warriors who helped turned the tide of the battle. These new "Headmasters" were led by a robot named [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who turned out to be an old friend of Kup's who had left Cybertron four million years ago to escape the war. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[Image:Headmasters_threestooges.jpg|240px|right|thumb]]

Kup stayed on Athenia with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], Wheelie and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] while the other Autobots began searching across Earth for the Matrix, which had been hidden away by Optimus Prime, but which would be necessary to stabilize Vector Sigma. Kup recalled the battle on Feminia and told the other Autobots to trust in Hot Rod – and Kup's trust was not misplaced, as Hot Rod and the Headmasters soon had the Matrix in their hands. Kup's team returned to Cybertron to monitor Vector Sigma as its condition grew worse, but alas, before Hot Rod (now Rodimus Prime once again) could use the Matrix to stabilize the computer, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with it to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Kup later conferred with Rodimus Prime on the Decepticons' new weapon, the [[Madmachine]], and tried to help console the [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s over the loss of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} Not long after, when Athenia was threatened by the Deceptiocons' metal-warping meteor, [[Metamorpho]], Kup hit upon the idea of sending a human to disable the space-rock, as they would be unaffected by its powers. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Rodimus Prime was on a mission to Earth when an SOS from the planet [[Praum]] reached Kup, Arcee and Blurr on Athenia, reminding Kup of several times in the past when the Decepticons deliberately attacked when the Autobots were without a commander. Kup was eager to go into battle on Praum alongside the Headmasters, but they encouraged him to stay behind and guard Athenia with Blurr and Arcee. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

[[Image:Headmasters_rodimus_kup_blurr.jpg|240px|left|thumb]]

When the Decepticons launched a massive attack on Cybertron in order to obtain a new alloy created by Vector Sigma named [[Cybertonuron]], Kup and Arcee leapt into action, but were held up from joining the battle when they had to stop to pull Blurr free of the chair he'd managed to get stuck in. They soon made it to Cybertron, however, and watched from the sidelines as Rodimus battled Galvatron. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} When Galvatron broke off the fight, Rodimus and Kup withdrew to debate strategy with Fortress, but the bad news kept on coming: [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] reported in to inform them that the Decepticon had planted bombs at the core of Cybertron which would destroy the planet within ten minutes. With no possible recourse, the Autobots evacuated Cybertron just before the bombs detonated, reducing the planet to a burnt-out husk. Deciding that the age of his generation had come to an end, Rodimus Prime passed the mantle of [[Supreme Commander]] to Fortress and prepared to embark on a mission to find a new planet on which the Transformers could make their home. Kup and Blurr announced that they would accompany Rodimus on his mission, and the trio departed for space. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

{{Note|Whether or not Kup, Rodimus and Blurr succeeded in their mission is never explicitly revealed. While Rodimus returns in the [[The Headmasters issue 8|final issue]] of the [[The Headmasters (manga)|''Headmasters'' manga]], Kup does not reappear.}}

=====''15 Go! Go!''=====
[[Image:TGGKup.jpg|right|100px|thumb|"I'm a crazy old man! Pay attention to me!"]]
While on her journey through time and space, [[Teletraan 15]] found herself in a future era where she was harassed by a feisty Wheelie. Kup—now bonded to Recoil—came to the rescue, grabbing Wheelie by the scruff of the neck and tossing him away. As Teletraan 15 looked up at him with sparkly eyes and thanked him for his help, he claimed he recognized her and gave her a big old spine-cracking hug. As Kup started rambling about some past encounter they had supposedly had with giant Ick-Yaks, Teletraan 15's sarcastic partner, [[Teletraan 10]], boggled over the sheer scientific illogicality of Kup's "musket laser", unable to comprehend how something that shot acid could be classified as a laser. Suddenly, Kup realized that he actually had ''no idea'' who Teletraan 15 was, and drove off. {{storylink|15 Go! Go!|15 Go! Go! Chapter 4}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
Kup and a platoon of Autobots were feeling pretty good about their mission on [[Deneb IV]] when suddenly the entire platoon was nearly washed away by a surprise Decepticon attack of acid rain. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[Image:KupsStoryKup01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"It all started back in nineteen dickety-two. We had to say 'dickety' 'cause the [[Liokaiser|Kaiser]] had stolen our word 'twenty'. I chased that rascal to get it back, but gave up after dickety-six miles..."]]
''Several hundred years ago, Kup became afflicted with [[combat fatigue]], a loss of nerves and will brought on by too many millions of years of non-stop fighting. Considering himself a liability to the Autobot cause, Kup went into "retirement", wandering space alone in his starship, waiting for the end eventually to take him. He was shaken out of his misery when he crossed paths with a pair of [[Tyroxian]] [[Tyroxian space transport|fighters]] attempting to destroy a lone spacecraft. Spurred into action, Kup disabled the pursuers and brought the hunted pilot on-board, and was surprised to finding he was a fellow Autobot named Hot Rod. Hot Rod was thrilled to have found aid and eagerly tried to recruit Kup into helping him return to [[Tyroxia]] and save his comrade [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], but Kup wasn't interested in getting involved any further, and he only agreed to take Hot Rod back to Cybertron. The young punk reprogrammed the ship's navigation computers, though, and landed on Tyroxia to rescue Blurr by himself. Kup was finally shaken out of his funk when he realized that Hot Rod represented everything he used to be, and he single-handedly saved Hot Rod and Blurr from their Tyroxian tormentors. His fighting spirit restored, Kup returned to Cybertron with the two Autobots and joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s troops alongside his new allies. {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}''

[[Image:RingofHate-Kup.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I'll cry when I'm done killing!"]]

When Fortress Maximus became disheartened by the never-ending cycle of violence on Cybertron, he made plans to escape the war and set up a new life on the planet [[Nebulos]]. Though Kup's actions had become a violent mirror of their so-called enemies, he and many of his top warriors chose to follow their leader to this new world aboard the starship ''[[Steelhaven]]''. Tragically, a series of incidents and misunderstandings brought the Autobots and Nebulans to the brink of war within days of their arrival. Kup, forgetting why he had traveled there to begin with, was very happy to return fire, and was only stopped by Fortress Maximus himself. They retreated, and in a desperate attempt to show their true intentions, Fort Max, Kup and several others disarmed themselves in front of the Nebulan gates. Furthermore, Fortress Maximus and four of his lieutenants beheaded themselves and agreed to leave their lifeless heads and bodies, as well as their various weapons, in Nebulan custody so that serious peace talks could be conducted. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[Image:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Pretty sure this breaks Nebulos's concealed weapons laws!]]

Kup helped build an Autobot camp in a forest clearing during Fortress Maximus's absence. Soon, their camp was visited by Nebulan representatives from the [[Council of Peers]] interested in learning more about their interplanetary visitors, and Kup was glad to oblige. But one of the representatives, [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Lord Zarak]], used the meeting as an opportunity to contact the Autobots' enemies, the Decepticons. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

Matters quickly deteriorated after the arrival of the Decepticons, and two factions of Nebulans joined with both Autobots and Decepticons through bio-mechanical engineering to become [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. Events turned against the Autobots as Lord Zarak, who had binary-bonded to Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], was able to sway public opinion in favor of the Decepticons, labeling the Autobots as renegades and taking their Headmasters prisoner. Some Nebulans remained loyal to Fortress Maximus's partner, [[Galen]], and traveled to the Autobot camp to forge an alliance. Making use of a new form of bio-mechanical engineering, Kup and the other weaponless Autobots were teamed with Nebulan Targetmasters to replace their lost guns. Kup personally was teamed with Recoil. As the conflict continued, though, both camps of Nebulans began to realize the devastation they were causing to their homeworld, and they decided to leave Nebulos and travel to Earth in search of other Transformers. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Kupdesertisland.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Kup finds a new young upstart to latch onto.]]

When Galen died on Earth and his role as Fortress Maximus's Headmaster partner was assumed by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], Spike led Kup and the other Targetmasters on a mission to the [[Club Con|Decepticon's island headquarters]] to rescue his brother, [[Buster Witwicky]]. Kup voiced bad feelings about the rescue mission, especially about Spike's suitability to lead the mission. However, when Spike continued fighting despite repeated setbacks, Kup admitted that although Spike brought too much sentiment into the battle, he backed his emotionalism with guts. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} Soon, Fortress Maximus's Autobots met up with the Earth-bound Autobots led by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], and somehow the two Autobot camps wound up witnessing a battle between Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] for Autobot leadership. Kup, along with the Autobots from both camps, began to watch this battle on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s Decepticons unleashed a surprise attack. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

After Optimus Prime's return, Kup took over as Prime's head of security aboard the Ark. When Prime took most of the Autobots to Earth to defend [[MacDill Air Force Base]] from the [[Micromaster]] [[Air Strike Patrol]], Kup and the other Autobots who remained on board the Ark were defeated by [[Blackjack]]. Kup was the first to reawaken, however he startled Blackjack as he was arming a series of explosive charges, and the explosives were regrettably armed. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} The countdown could not be stopped, but Kup refused to jettison themselves from the Ark, leaving their fallen comrades in the med bay to die. But an answer presented itself when Ratchet contacted them from Cybertron, as he had been kidnapped by Megatron. Ratchet orchestrated a trans-dimensional gate to send the explosives to Megatron's headquarters on Cybertron, which saved Kup and everyone else on board, but seemed to have killed both Ratchet and Megatron. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

Optimus Prime was hit hard by Ratchet's death, which alarmed Hot Rod and caused Kup to worry about the future of their cause. Subsequently, when Prime walked out on the Autobots, Kup was incredibly alarmed, but not as much as when he learned Hot Rod had a "plan" to win Prime back. Hot Rod let loose a [[Mark V Guardian droid]] on the ship, which he secretly controlled, but it turned on its master and Kup and the others were brutally attacked. To Hot Rod's credit, this did jolt Prime to his senses, though Kup was probably too damaged to "thank" him. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

''While Kup spent some down time with Hot Rod and a few others, the Ark was attacked by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and his acolytes! Kup helped repel the intruders, who were seeking revenge on [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Siren]]. {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}''

The [[Matrix Quest]] resulted in the Decepticon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] being possessed by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] and running amok in the Ark's docking bay. Kup and two other Autobots tried to sneak up on Thunderwing as he accosted Optimus Prime, but Thunderwing had grown too omniscient by then, and Kup was noticed and forced to retreat. After Thunderwing and the Matrix were jettisoned off the Ark, Kup was helped up off the ground by another Autobot. {{storylink|All Fall Down (comic issue)|All Fall Down}}

[[Image:Kuppriceoflife.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Experience, lad. You'll learn to appreciate it.]]

During one of Kup's sweeps of the Ark, he caught Grimlock trying to swipe the bodies of his fallen Dinobots from their life support pods. Grimlock cold-cocked him and escaped with the bodies in a [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport|stolen shuttle]]. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm!}} Kup recovered to find a monster forged from the bodies of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], which Optimus Prime refused to kill. It fell on Kup to tell Optimus his decisions were causing him to lose the support of the Autobots, and Prime's recently-announced decision to surrender to Scorponok didn't help things either. Kup reasoned that even if there was some part of Ratchet still inside the creature, Ratchet himself would not want to go on living in this fashion. Prime refused to kill the creature, but when Kup told him that the creature's unchecked destruction could end up destroying the Ark and everyone on board, Prime reluctantly had a change of heart. However, when it came down to it, Prime couldn't pull the trigger, and despite the objections of Kup and the others, he ordered them separated, even though it would mean Megatron would live. {{storylink|The Price of Life!}}

[[Image:Surrender-Kuptruck.jpg|left|100px|thumb|He's a pic'''kup''' truck, get it?]]

As planned, Prime surrendered his troops to Scorponok on the terms that they would consider an alliance against [[Unicron]]. Kup didn't take this very well, and when he was laughed at while surrendering [[Recoil|his weapon]], he lashed out at [[Apeface]] before being stopped by Prime. Kup told him he once knew an Optimus Prime who would have found another way, a Prime that would never ever surrender. [[Misfire]] was happy to interrupt this argument so that he could escort Kup to his cell. But Prime quickly grew restless in his own cell and, having disposed of [[Soundwave (G1)|his guard]], he tracked down Kup and Hot Rod and asked them for his help. Though Hot Rod leaped at the chance, Kup was not so easily won back. Prime pleaded with him at length, explaining that as a warrior race that had battled for millions of years, that surrender would actually take the most courage of all! Realizing Prime was right, Kup agreed to help him and Hot Rod storm Lord Zarak's chambers. As Hot Rod grabbed Zarak, Kup sideswiped Scorponok's guard, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], in vehicle mode, but transformed too close to Scorponok's body, so Zarak ordered it to grip its claw around his head. Kup told Hot Rod not to spare Zarak for his sake, but Prime stopped them both, insisting that each faction had to trust each other if they were to survive against Unicron. Zarak was persuaded, but before a handshake would have sealed the deal, the Decepticons' underground base collapsed in on itself as a rogue group of Decepticons led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] attacked above. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

[[Image:EdgeofExtinction-survivors.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Hey, Kup, you ever see anything like this before?" "Yeah, a movie. 1986. Starred Leonard Nimoy."]]

As the dust settled, Kup asked Prime if their truce meant they should be helping gather the Decepticons' wounded. Prime told him and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to instead focus on briefing the other Autobots as they emerged fromt he wreckage and containing the growing battle so that it would not spill out into [[New York City]]. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Things naturally escalated out of hand, and so Kup had the bright idea to enlist the Decepticon hypnotist [[Mindwipe]] at gunpoint, and had him "convince" his fellow Decepticons to lay down their arms for the greater good. This was working swimmingly until suddenly Kup and every other Transformer on Earth was suddenly raptured away to Cybertron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Kup was startled to see their creator, [[Primus]], speaking to them through the body of [[Emirate Xaaron]]. Primus told Kup and the others of their eternal battle with Unicron, and of his imminent arrival. In response to this, [[Unicron cultist]]s rose up from amongst the Cybertronians to destroy Primus' chosen leader, Optimus Prime, and Kup was more than happy to beat the cultists back into submission. They succeeded, but while Primus had begun lecturing his Transformers again, Kup's attention was elsewhere. He interrupted, wondering how exactly no one had noticed Unicron himself sneak up on the planet, clawed hand looming over their heads. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

Kup and [[Getaway]] helped get Optimus Prime to safety, as their leader had succumbed to mysterious pain. Though Unicron ravaged the planet and destroyed countless Transformers, ultimately Optimus Prime sacrificed himself to destroy him, and Kup was among the lucky few who were still standing as Unicron's ashes fell to the planet's surface. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Kup and a handful of others found what was left of Optimus Prime's body, and he watched Prowl cradle their leader as he died. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[Image:EndOfTheRoad-finalfive.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Hey, these final five aren't Cylons at all!]]

Under the dubious leadership of Grimlock, the Autobots left their dying world and followed the Decepticons to [[Klo]], but the Decepticons were waiting for them. In the massacre that followed, Kup was among the final five Autobots who had eluded death. But he and the others did not avoid capture for long, as a team of Decepticons found them hiding in the swamps. Amazingly, they were able to overpower these Decepticons and return to the main battlegrounds, where Optimus Prime had returned to them in a new body, thanks to the [[Neo-Knights]] and the [[Last Autobot]]! With the Last Autobots' godlike resurrection powers, Kup and the other Autobots were able to overwhelm the Decepticons, who retreated like whipped dogs. The war was over, and Optimus Prime told them it was time to go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

In an alternate future of 2009, the Autobots were overwhelmed by the forces of evil. Unicron consumed Cybertron utterly, and Earth came under heavy fire from Galvatron and his Decepticon legions. Kup and Blurr were personally executed by Cyclonus and Scourge. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{quote|Will it work, Kup? I mean, 1986 seems like a long time ago!}}
{{quote|Yesterday, lad, just yesterday!|'''Hot Rod''' and '''Kup''' discuss their upcoming [[time travel]]|"[[Target: 2006]] part 6"}}

''In 2003, Kup was given the job of decoying the Decepticons over the plans for Autobot City. Ultra Magnus needed to get the plans to Earth's various governments unimpeded, while also taking steps to ensure the Decepticons would not get in the way of the Autobot efforts to build the city. So, he made an open and showy display of tasking Kup with being the courier that would bring the information to the humans. Sure enough, the Decepticon spy [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] overheard those plans and sent the [[Stunticon]]s out to intercept the old Autobot. Despite Hot Rod's good-intentioned efforts to stop them, the Stunticons made off with the fake plans, secure in their knowledge that they now knew the secrets of Autobot City. {{storylink|Ark Duty}} Kup was also present at the grand opening of the city a year later. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

[[Image:Target2006-BlurrHotRodKup.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Is this the Fifties? Or nineteen-ninety-nine?]]

''After the attack on Autobot City in 2006, Kup, Hot Rod and Blurr received a psychic prodding from Unicron, alerting them to Galvatron's travel through the timestream back to 1986. Using Galvatron's own time-jump mechanisms, the Autobot trio followed him back into the past, mass-displacing [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in the process. Apparently reaching an instinctive conclusion that Galvatron could never be returned to the future by force, Kup and his comrades conspired with the Ultra Magnus of 1986 to trick the Decepticon into returning of his own volition.''

''As Ultra Magnus kept Galvatron busy, the future trio made arrangements to discourage him from staying. When he returned to his base, Galvatron found his henchmen knocked unconscious and his super-weapon rigged to explode. Once it did, he was confronted with a taunting [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] claiming credit, and he was egged into blowing the treacherous Decepticon into smithereens. Believing Starscream's death at this juncture altered history, making his actions in 1986 part of an alternate timeline that wouldn't affect his own future, Galvatron reluctantly gave up his plans, picked up his goons, and returned to the future. Kup and his comrades, having successfully framed Starscream and driven Galvatron away, returned to 2006 themselves soon after. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:KupUK114-01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Little known fact: I owned the first radio on Cybertron. T'weren't much on back then, just Shockwave reciting the alphabet over and over. 'A' he'd say. Then 'B'. 'C' would usually follow..."]]
''After Unicron was defeated in 2006 and Hot Rod rose to become [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], Galvatron went missing. Unable to accept the Decepticon leader was truly dead without seeing the body, Rodimus Prime went searching for him with Kup and Blurr. Unfortunately, his lax attention to Cybertron gave the new Decepticon commander, Shockwave, time to consolidate the army under his control and begin the war anew. Rodimus was forced to return to Cybertron empty-handed, and he only made matters worse when he rashly took out a 10,000-[[shanix]] reward for any bounty hunter who could find Galvatron for him. This led to a freelance peacekeeping agent named [[Death's Head]] traveling back in time to 1987, where he had learned Galvatron had escaped after the battle with Unicron. {{storylink|Wanted:Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} Realizing that a trigger-happy mercenary messing with the timestream was just as dangerous as Galvatron could ever be, Rodimus arranged a time-jump to clean up his mess, taking Kup, Blurr and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] back to 1987 along with him. {{storylink|Burning Sky!}}''

''In the past, the future Autobots once again found the 20th-century Ultra Magnus fighting with Galvatron, as the Decepticon leader attempted to extract vast amounts of energy from a volcano. Mere seconds after locating Galvatron and engaging him in combat, however, Kup and Blurr were knocked off-line when Galvatron hurled Ultra Magnus's beaten body at them. {{storylink|Hunters}} After regrouping, the Autobots concocted a plan to steal Galvatron's time-jump mechanism and rewire it to propel them all back to their proper place and time. While Kup and the others distracted Galvatron, Wreck-Gar and Rodimus Prime attempted to make the proper modifications. In the end, however, only the Autobots were launched back to the future; Galvatron had modified the device so that the temporal backlash did not affect him, and he stayed in the past. {{storylink|Fire on High!}}''

''In 2008, Kup was on hand to witness a full-scale Decepticon assault at Autobase on Cybertron. He fought alongside Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots and, when Rodimus traveled to the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] to deal with Unicron (the cause behind the Decepticon offensive), Kup stepped up to lead the remaining Autobot forces alongside Ultra Magnus until [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] sounded a retreat and the Decepticons fled. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} Later that year, Autobot City was attacked by [[Quintesson]]s, and the deactivated Autobots were hung out on the outer walls as a warning for any would-be rescuers. Kup came to Earth with Rodimus Prime and crew to deal with the usurpers, and he led an advance team of Blurr, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Wide Load]] in searching the complex. They were caught in a heated battle with the Quintessons' shock troopers, but managed to hold their own long enough for Roddy to reach the control center and activate [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] himself. Resistance faltered rather quickly after that. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

''As time passed, the long-term effects of Galvatron's presence in the past became overwhelming. A full-on time storm began brewing at both ends of the timeline, 1989 and 2009. In order to set the universe back on the right course, Rodimus Prime and Kup chose to travel back in time with Blurr, Arcee, Ultra Magnus and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] to retrieve Galvatron. No, really, for sure this time. Problem was, this time their mass-displacement upon arrival took out 1989's Optimus Prime and several fellow Autobots, leading to more than a little consternation among their 20th-century counterparts. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], guided by his neophyte [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], jumped to the conclusion that Optimus was dead and led his Autobots into battle with Rodimus and his group. Kup didn't fare too well at trying to fight [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] hand-to-hand, but soon cooler heads prevailed, and the Autobots joined forces not only with each other, but with a pair of detachments from the 1989 and 2009 Decepticon camps as well.''

[[Image:KupMagnusTimeWars01.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Kup has something you college boys don't: life experience! Tell 'em, Kup." "I spent 53 years as night watchman at a cranberry silo."]]
''As the various groups tracked down Galvatron, they were shocked to find that not only had he joined forces with Megatron, but that the two of them had laid waste to the Cybertronian teams of the Autobot [[Wrecker]]s and the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. Kup joined Arcee and Ultra Magnus in trying to gun down Megatron, but was batted aside by the Decepticon's [[fusion cannon]] and lay unconscious, out of the battle for the rest of the conflict. Still, Galvatron was ultimately destroyed in battle with Optimus Prime and consumed wholly by the timestorm, restoring the timestream to a stable place. Kup and the other 2009 Autobots gathered together and prepared to return home to their lives. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

''It didn't quite work out that way.''

''Back in 2009, the Autobots were horrified to find that Galvatron waited for them on Cybertron. It seemed the restoration of the timeline prevented Galvatron from having ever traveled back in time, and thus he had been present at the Decepticons' side for the last few years, which considerably altered the war effort in their favor. In the new 21st century, Galvatron and the Decepticons virtually controlled Cybertron, and only a few token bands of Autobot resistance remained on their home planet. Kup and the returnees adjusted as best they could, but the odds were hopelessly against them. The resistance on Cybertron ended when Galvatron and his men ransacked a resistance station, killing Blurr and the other Autobots present. Galvatron mutilated the corpses to drive Rodimus Prime into a killing frenzy, hoping to corrupt the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] itself through its host. Indeed, Kup and Arcee began experiencing fire in the depths of their souls before they managed to talk down Rodimus. The Autobots of Cybertron were then forced to flee the world entirely. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

''On their voyage back to Earth and Autobot City, the Autobot shuttlecraft had just entered hyperspace when [[Pincher]] and [[Doubleheader]] alerted Kup to a problem: sabotage. Someone had killed a guard and torn up the engine room, damaging the guidance systems so that the ship would be flying blind when they came out of warp into who-knows-what. Sure enough, the ship materialized too close to Earth, and another bit of sabotage prevented the emergency retros from stopped their descent. It was going to be a heavy hit. What's worse, Kup's efforts to isolate the Decepticon life-signs of their saboteur turned up a nasty truth: No additional life signs were present on the shuttle. The saboteur was an Autobot! {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} After failing to locate Rodimus Prime during the time the sabotage was being committed, Kup had a sinking feeling and set up a ruse to test Prime. When Arcee left to try and enter the sealed retro room through the air vents, Kup told Rodimus she was actually going to sneak through the coolant tanks. Fortunately for their landing, Arcee succeeded just in time. Unfortunately for...well, everything else, Kup was right: Rodimus Prime was the saboteur, possessed by the pure malevolence of Unicron, which had taken up residence inside the Matrix sometime ago. Apparently Galvatron's efforts to corrupt Rodimus back on Cybertron had jarred loose enough evil for Unicron to take hold on Rodimus Prime's consciousness. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}}''

''Battling the power of the Matrix influenced by the Devil himself, the Autobots were sorely outmatched against Rodimus. Despite Arcee's urgings, Kup desperately searched for another option besides lethal force. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} In the short term, Kup seemed to be correct: Rodimus managed to fight back Unicron's evil, caging it inside the Matrix long enough for Kup to remove the object from Rodimus's chest, temporarily severing their link. {{storylink|White Fire}} In the long term, however, the threat was far from over. Rodimus would again be consumed by evil in 2010, this time metamorphosing into Unicron reborn for a time, before caging the evil again. Kup and Arcee were present at this second rise of Unicron, but their ultimate fate is unknown. It is telling, however, that Rodimus Prime appears to be beaten, ill, and totally alone by the time of 2356. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

====Generation 2====
[[Image:WarWithoutEnd-Kup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|SKAZ!]]
After the Autobot army splintered throughout the universe, Kup was working alongside Optimus Prime and Hot Rod. In mid-battle, Kup had to verbally nudge Prime out of his apocalyptic visions. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] summoned Prime and his forces for help and Kup was present as Grimlock explained his discovery of several "little Cybertrons". The Autobots soon learned of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Liege Centuro]] and his [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]] when Jhiaxus attacked them and took them prisoner. Kup and other Autobots were rescued by Prime and Grimlock from confinement on the [[Twilight]]. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Kup kicked a lot of skidplate during the battle between the Autobots and Cybertronians in the [[K'tord Nebula]]. It was soon learned that bots on both sides were infected by some kind of parasitic entity that fed off of rage. Kup was so under its influence that Optimus Prime had to hold him back from attacking one of the enemy. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

[[Image:G2kupwonderspowerandglory.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"If even Hot Rod can be responsible, what chance do I have?"]]
Kup appeared as one of many dismembered corpses in one of Optimus Prime's apocalyptic visions. As Optimus reached toward Kup, an [[Swarm (G2)|inky black substance]] shot out of Kup's mouth, enveloped Prime and started to devour him. The real Kup then physically shook Optimus out of this vision, remarking that Transformers don't sleep. The crusty old Autobot reported that Grimlock had, against Prime's orders, left with a raiding party in tow. What Kup didn't say is that he wished Grimlock had asked him to come along. He got his chance to fight later when he went with Prime to rescue Grimlock from his bungled surprise attack on the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Kup supervised war games between the Autobots as they waited for Optimus Prime to finish his quasi-mystical journey into the depths of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, Kup fought with Autobots and Decepticons to repel the Cybertronian attack on the planet [[Ethos]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

Helping mop up after the attacks on [[Earth]] by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Jhiaxus, Kup reported the sorry state of their fortifications to Grimlock when the Swarm attacked their position. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Kup attended an emergency meeting led by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] after the [[Creation Matrix]] was stolen. Soon, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] announced his project to confuse the Decepticons using [[decoy]]s. While the decoys attacked Decepticon headquarters, Kup, Ultra Magnus, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] snuck inside their base to steal back the Matrix. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:GalvatronsAirAttack-KupWheeljackMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Why, in my day, we didn't need no stinkin' shoulders!"]]
As a young Autobot, Kup participated in many battles against the Decepticons on Earth. One particularly great battle ended up with many casualties on both sides—casualties whose bodies were simply left in the valley where they died. Many years later, when the Autobots were running out of [[cybernite]] for their repair jobs, Kup recalled this event and suggested that they loot the old bodies for the precious metal. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] approved, and let Kup lead [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] to the valley. On the way, Kup mistook the [[wikipedia:Aurora (astronomy)|aurora borealis]] for a Decepticon attack.

Upon arrival at the valley, Kup spent some time reminiscing about the past, until Grapple told him that they had a mission to complete. However, before the group could find anything of use, they came under attack by a number of [[Seeker|Decepticon jets]] and were forced to retreat. Returning to base, they wondered how the Decepticons had found them so easily, and it was eventually revealed that the Decepticons had constructed a [[Decepticon Space Station Argon|space station]] from which to spy at the Autobots' activities. While the Autobots were incapable of attacking targets in space, Kup remembered the "battle of the [[Green Asteroid]]", during which the Autobots had lured the enemy closer by using false signals. He also recalled Spike telling him that auroras scramble radio signals, and had Wheeljack and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] construct an artifical aurora machine to mess up the Decepticons' communications. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

[[Image:DecepticonsUnderground-Kup.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Yo." "Yo."]]

Eventually, Kup found himself stationed at [[Nebulos]], where the Decepticons were collecting energy via a "[[tetrahedron]]" at the planet's north pole. Alongside Blurr and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], he was part of [[Brainstorm]]'s "Operation Heatwave", which consisted of using high-temperature lasers to melt the ice below [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and the energy-collecting facility. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} Some time later, the Autobots started running out of lubricants, leading to Kup's joints creaking something fierce, so naturally he was overjoyed when the Autobots found a legendary Nebulan [[oil]] lake. However, as soon as they started pumping the oil back to base, the Decepticons destroyed their oil pipe, so Kup, his Targetmaster partner Recoil and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] were forced to do a quick repair job. A second Decepticon attack soon followed, so the three fled into the Nebulan desert... only for Kup to get stuck to a rock when the area turned out to be magnetic. [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] soon saved him by neutralizing the magnetic field with an impact from his grenade launcher. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}

Highbrow later got kidnapped by the Decepticons and held ransom in exchange for Optimus Prime himself. When Prime decided to perform a rescue operation, Kup offered to come with him, but the Autobot leader had a different plan. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}} After a few peaceful weeks with the Decepticons nowhere to be found, Prime got suspicious and ordered Kup to organize long-range patrols to find out what they were up to. The patrols scoured the entire planet except for the [[Nebulos Triangle]], as Kup explained that nobody had ever entered that area and returned. {{storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{-}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Carshowblowupkup.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My Buddy! Wherever I go, he goes!]]
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! Sneaking around inside, he eventually made his way up to the control room, where [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the other Decepticons were rigging the lighting. They were planning on stealing the robot car! Kup decided to leave and tell the others, but he was spotted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. The evil Decepticons tied up Kup so that he wouldn't interfere.

As a parade of cars entered the coliseum and the crowds cheered, Kup worried about the safety of the humans. If only he could warn them. Kup got his chance when Galvatron ran towards the controls, telling [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] to pull the switch. Kup tripped Galvatron, and Galvatron came tumbling through the glass and onto the coliseum floor! For a short while, there was a stalemate; the Decepticons had Kup captive, but the Autobots had Galvatron! Thankfully, 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}}

[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Children's storybooks sure are violent.]]
Later, Kup, led [[Hot Rod (G1)|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. Kup tried everything, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet, but everyone landed safely. Unfortunately, Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|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}}
{{-}}

===''The Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:Kupin3d.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Someone hasn't been paying attention!]]
Eons ago, Kup fought against a third race of Transformers, the [[Destructon]]s. They almost destroyed the galaxy! But presently they were returning to the Transformers' civil war. But the Autobots were more immediately concerned with the Decepticons, who were trailing them across the galaxy. Kup assured them all that they would never ever die.
{{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Skidswheeljackgrimlockkupironhidetww.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Kup was named after his pickup truck altmode even before he had it!]]

Millions of years ago on Cybertron, shortly after the assassination of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Kup was part of an Autobot unit under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command which battled for possession of [[Altihex]]. Kup and the other Autobots were forced to abandon the City-State as it collapsed, leaving it to the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

After a new Prime was coronated, a young archivist named [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the Decepticons led a full siege on the Autobot headquarters of [[Iacon]]. As per Grimlock's orders, Kup met with him, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] just outside Iacon on the [[Tri-Torus Loop]], where Kup was shocked to hear Grimlock announce his plan to leave Iacon to the Decepticons. Instead, Grimlock led them deep within the planet, where the new Prime was battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for his life, even though Grimlock had huge doubts over whether Optimus Prime was worth saving. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}} Kup confronted Grimlock about his apathy, and asked him if he had ever respected anyone. When Kup got too personal, Grimlock shoved him into a wall. While looking for Prime, however, the Autobots stumbled onto Megatron's real plan. They found a system of planetary engines that Megatron had ordered the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to restore. While Grimlock went on ahead, determined to find Optimus Prime, Kup and the others stayed behind to sabotage the Constructicons' work. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War within #5}} The Decepticons detected their presence, and so Kup and the others fought a very one-sided battle against them. All hope seemed lost until Grimlock returned... with a very impressive Optimus Prime, who ordered Kup and Ironhide to help him cover Wheeljack's sabotage of the engines.

[[Image:Lightningstrikecoalition.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Every team needs an old guy! Well, two old guys.]]

The engines were destroyed, but Kup and the others were distraught to see the smoking crater where Iacon used to be. Optimus Prime, who was quickly stepping into the role, refused to leave Cybertron, and instead implored Kup and the others to follow him underground, where they would continue to wage their war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Later, when Optimus Prime and Megatron disappeared in a prototype [[space bridge]] accident, the Autobot faction splintered, and Kup joined Grimlock's [[Lightning Strike Coalition]]. While on the [[Moon Alpha Spaceport]], Kup waxed on about the alleged cosmic destiny of the Transformers and how it contrasted with the stagnation of their race. Grimlock was annoyed with this introspection and urged him to get back to work. The Lightning Strike Coalition was able to thwart Starscream's [[Predacons (War Within)|Predacons]] from keeping their stolen Energon and made a quick retreat with the goods. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

[[Image:PassiveAggression-KupIronhidereunite.jpg|left|thumb|250px|All old people are friends.]]

3.9 million years ago, due to a catastrophically low level of Energon, every Transformer on Earth ground to a halt in the [[Great Shutdown]]. Kup was in the middle of a fight with [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] when this occurred, and the two were frozen in a grappling pose for millions of years. Three thousand years ago, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] awoke from this state and began rehabilitating the rest of the population. He eschewed the Decepticon/Autobot factions and promised a new unified Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} However, Kup and a handful of others believed Shockwave had evil motives for this and formed an underground resistance movement deep within the [[Wastelands]]. Things came to a head with the return of Optimus Prime to Cybertron, who had been on Earth for four million years. After disciplining Hot Rod for being an impetuous young punk, Kup explained their situation to Optimus Prime and introduced him to the rest of their members. More of Optimus Prime's comrades from Earth were brought into the resistance, including Kup's old friend Ironhide, and the two shared a heartfelt reunion. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

Kup and the others planned an all-out strike against Shockwave's stronghold in [[New Iacon]]. While Kup, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were trapped behind a rampaging [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]], the three witnessed a strange beam emit from the top of Shockwave's stronghold and fire into space. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (comic issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shockwave was defeated, but Optimus Prime was severely damaged, and Kup and the others were forced to persist without his leadership while he recovered. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0}} As Kup looked on, Prowl tried to reassure the Autobots with a speech from New Iacon's central hall, but Prowl wasn't terribly good at speeches and so Ultra Magnus filled in. Though Prowl and the other Earthbound Autobots had finally returned home, things just weren't the same. Kup suggested Prowl and the others stop fighting the changes and just accept that they'd happened. This prompted Prowl to consider a return to Earth.

Kup and Hot Rod sparred within a computer-simulated portrayal of Earth. Hot Rod managed to win over his older and wiser opponent, but only in the most reckless way possible, a fact which Kup was unable to impart on the youngster. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Ultra Magnus decided to split the Autobots into teams to better defend Cybertron, and Kup was assigned to [[Moon Base One]] along with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Kup did not find this thrilling. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{note|And then [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] went bankrupt.}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightBlaster GetawayKupHufferBroadside.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Kup, before meeting [[Nick Roche]].]]

Kup is extremely old. In years past, he'd trained dozens of Autobots, including [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and even [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} During the early years of the war after the assassination of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Kup was either leading or part of a squad sent to rescue [[Zeta Prime]] when they crossed paths with the famous former racer, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. Kup was skeptical of Blurr's usefulness, but some words from a young [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] were able to convince Blurr to alert Zeta Prime of the Decepticons' assassination attempt. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

Shortly after [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s first apocalyptic assault, the besieged Autobots prepared for the big push against their positions by the Decepticons. Kup was in a trench alongside [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Huffer, and the injured [[Getaway]], waiting for [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s morale-boosting broadcast to the Autobot forces, a transmission that never came. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup killingspree.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Who keeps the martians under wraps?]]
At some point after Cybertron was abandoned, Kup and [[Outback]] crash-landed on a mysterious planet covered with radioactive crystals. Over time, Kup was slowly driven insane from the radiation. He talked to the dead corpse of Outback as though he were still alive (and used his disembodied arm as a club) and believed that [[zombie]]s were attacking him when he shut down for the night. In reality, these zombies were fellow Autobots sent to rescue him, and Kup killed several of them before Springer managed to get a [[Trailbreaker (G1)|specialist]] in to extract the aging Autobot. Unfortunately, due to the damage Kup sustained from the radiation, his incompatibility with modern Transformers tech due to his age and stubborn unwillingness to upgrade, and a near-meltdown of his spark, he was placed on life support upon arriving aboard ''[[Ark-17]]'', and it was unknown if he would ever recover, physically or mentally. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Springer eventually reported to Optimus Prime that Kup's physical injuries had been repaired, but the state of his mind was still in question. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

Kup finally returned to service when Perceptor built a new body for Kup—one that was better and stronger. Perceptor insisted on following Kup on his first few missions, hoping to spot any technical problems. Unfortunately, while Kup and the [[Wrecker]]s were attempting to free Autobot prisoners from a docked Decepticon warship, Perceptor was caught in the crossfire. Kup found aid in a mysterious unaffiliated robot who had similar purposes. Kup quickly deduced that this [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] used to be a Decepticon named Deadlock. When Drift helped Kup blow the ship up and save Perceptor's life, Kup decided Drift was deserving of a second chance. Kup disbanded the Wreckers, formed a new unit, and asked Drift to join. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}}

[[Image:Slowmotionmoviewalkahm5.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Kup, after meeting [[Nicholas|Nick Fury]].]]

Kup was now in command of the starship ''[[Trion]]''. With a hand-picked crew comprised of heavy hitters, such as two former Wreckers and Drift, he harried the Decepticon fleet until he was baited into an ambush above Cybertron. There, the ship was shot down and forced to crash-land on the assumed uninhabitable world. Banding together to survive, they eventually encountered Optimus Prime's unit, only to find him incapacitated, the Matrix having been seized by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Although Kup was at first dismissive of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who had stepped into a command position in the void left by Prime, he quickly learned to appreciate Jazz's steady, capable hand. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

As Jazz and Kup stood on a balcony, Kup spoke of how the Autobots were betrayed by an outsider, someone who knew their codes. Autobot computer systems were shut down across the galaxy, and as shields and defenses were remotely shut down, countless Autobots died. It was a massacre. Kup decided to merge his unit with Jazz's, making Jazz his second-in-command. He also donated all his group's energon towards fixing Prime. Without Prime, they had no chance to rally their troops together as a cohesive unit. But a more immediate concern made itself known—the [[Insecticon Swarm]]. Kup ordered everything packed up and ready to move. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} And so they did. Jazz told Kup how the Autobots were defeated on Earth, how Prime was destroyed and the Matrix stolen, and spoke of a traitor among their ranks. Kup continued to be worried about a decline in morale. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

And he was right to be worried. Ironhide assaulted [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who he believed to be the traitor. Kup took Ironhide aside and berated him for his conduct. Before their chat could be resolved, the Swarm found them. Kup gathered up the Autobots and began to take them to a previously-agreed-on location across a lone bridge, where Perceptor would fire a shot that would detonate the bridge, separating them from the Swarm. Unfortunately, Perceptor was injured in the evacuation, and Kup had no plan B. Sunstreaker, who revealed he was the traitor, redeemed himself by blowing up the bridge and presumably himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

Kup pushed Ratchet to finish the repairs on Prime, but Ratchet explained that it wouldn't be easy. Prime could die in the process. Despite all odds, Prime survived the operation and was able to boost the Autobots' morale, much to Kup's satisfaction. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} But before long, the Swarm was upon them, having found a second bridge. Kup and the other Autobots, even with Optimus Prime beside them, faced insurmountable odds. Only the surprise arrival of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] turned the tide. Optimus Prime ordered Kup and the others on board Omega Supreme, with designs to leave Cybertron and return to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}
{{-}}

===Timelines: Wings of Honor===
[[Image:WingsofHonor-Kuptransmit.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Turbo-revvin' young punk.]]

Before the Great War, Kup was part of the crew of the Autobot Guard transport ship, the ''[[Eight Track]],'' under the command of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. After Kup transmitted the results of their scan of the Outer Rim, he patched through a transmission from [[Autobot High Command]]. A cargo hauler, the ''[[Van De Graaff]]'', crashed on [[Beta 9]], possibly due to an early Decepticon uprising. Kup and the others were charged with retrieving a very important piece of cargo that was on board the ''Van De Graaff'' and return it to Cybertron. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

After returning home victorious, Kup starred in recruitment videos for the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]]. {{storylink|Join the Elite Guard!}}

Millions of years later, a battle against Cyclonus, Scourge, and the Sweeps reminded Kup of his battle on Beta Nine, and he told the story to Hot Rod and the Dinobots. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}
{{coming soon}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[Image:Toycommercial-Kup.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kup is so old, there's no clear shots of him on YouTube.]]
* Kup made his [[commercial]] debut alongside Hot Rod and Blurr, joining Optimus Prime in a desert as he faces off against Starscream, Skywarp, Cyclonus and Scourge. As he charges into battle, Kup comments that this reminds him of the battle of the battle on [[Beta 4]] (not to be confused with the battle on [[Beta 9]].) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3OA7bmga98]

* He appeared alongside Hot Rod in one of the movie plot-based commercials, this one for the Sharkticons. The two Autobots are shown driving up to the edge of a greenish pool, from which a pile of Sharkticons emerges and attacks. Kup and Hot Rod fist-fight their way through, with help from Wheelie.

* Kup appeared briefly in the commercial for [[Sixshot]], charging into battle alongside Rodimus Prime, firing at the enemy, and getting knocked aside by Sixshot's "rocket car" mode.

* Kup appeared in the commercial for the [[Monsterbot]]s. As Rodimus Prime and Blurr drive up, Kup reports that there has been a lab accident, and the new Autobots are ''monsters!''

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1toy-Kup.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Back in my day, we hauled cargo all day long without a tailgate and LIKED it!"]]
*'''Kup''' (Autobot, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-82'''
**''Accessories:'' "Musket Laser"

: Kup transforms into a Cybertronic pickup truck (though how he is able to carry goods safely with no tailgate is a mystery). The entire front of the vehicle (including the windshield) is made out of die-cast metal. In robot mode, Kup has full shoulder rotation, though the way his elbows are set up means he cannot make full use of their joints. He (somewhat) makes up for it with swivel wrists. His legs feature no articulation whatsoever. Maybe Hot Rod left a piece out. He is armed with a blue laser rifle. Early releases of Kup had metal rear wheels, while later releases replaced them with black plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Kup/kup.htm More information on Kup at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[Image:G1toy-KupTargetmaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Back in my day, our guns didn't talk back!"]]
*'''Kup''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-113'''
**''Accessories:'' Musket Laser/Recoil Targetmaster partner

: Kup (this time using all-plastic parts rather than die-cast) was slightly [[Retool|retooled]] with larger fist-holes and a mounting point on his vehicle mode back-end in order to make him into a [[Targetmaster]]. He came with his Nebulan partner [[Recoil]] rather than his original blaster.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Kup/kup.htm More information on Targetmaster Kup at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
*'''Future Cybertron''' (Transformers Collection, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TF-20'''
**''Accessories:'' Musket Laser, Musket Laser/Recoil Targetmaster partner (you read that right)

: Targetmaster Kup was reissued in Japan, and like the "[[Transformers Collection]]" reissue of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], he came with his original metal parts restored, as well as both his partner Recoil ''and'' his original gun, which was slightly retooled to fit the larger weapon-mounting points. The set also came with a redecoed [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

: This iteration of the mold was used to make [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Orion Pax]].

===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-KupWoH.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"I remember that time I had a hammer for a hand."]]
*'''Wings of Honor''' ([[BotCon 2009]] box set)
**''Accessories'': Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key

: This version of Kup is a convention-exclusive [[retool]] of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and transforms into a [[wikipedia:Dodge_Magnum|Dodge Magnum]] emergency vehicle. Plugging a [[Cyber Key]] into the back of his car mode causes two rear side-panels to pop out and reveal two spring-forward non-firing blasters. This gimmick is retained in robot mode, where they become over-shoulder blasters. He features an unusual transformation sequence where both the front and rear halves of the vehicle mode come together to form his legs. His hood halves open to reveal storage space for extra tools (a hammer-head and an opening claw) that can be attached onto his left arm blaster.

:Kup comes in a box set with fellow Autobots [[Flak]], [[Thunder Clash]], and [[Landshark]], and rival Decepticon [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].

: The original version of this mold was also used to make [[Cannonball]], and the [[Movie (toyline)|live-action movie-verse]] [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]].

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Kupcharactermodelcomparison.jpg|right|thumb|300px|From old to older!]]
* Check out the original Kup toy's chest-sticker...it's got a pair of [[Floppy disk|5 1/4-inch floppy disk]] drives on it. Apparently, he can store up to two extra Transformers' brains.

* Like the rest of the central ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' cast, Kup had a preliminary [[character model]] by [[Floro Dery]] that was revised by Japanese artists before final animation. And just like the rest of the central movie cast, that early model was used as a basis for his toy design, and for his early Marvel Comics appearances. While other characters' early models often appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon as a result of production errors, Kup's was deliberately employed in the episode "[[Chaos (episode)|Chaos]]", where it was used [[:Image:Kup model comparison Chaos.jpg|in flashback scenes]] to represent a younger version of the character. The final model features a slimmer torso, streamlined leg shapes, and signs of aging.
** In the US Marvel stories, [[José Delbo]] used the older model, while [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Geoff Senior]] used the final model. [[Derek Yaniger]] and [[Manny Galan]] switched back to the older model for Kup's ''Generation 2'' appearances.

* In the Japanese ''[[Binaltech Asterisk]]'' online manga, a little lost kitty was rescued from certain death (well, being stuck in a tree) by [[Ai Kuruma]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. That kitty was named [[Cha]] (Kup's Japanese name).

* The vehicle mode of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' series [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]], another old coot, resembles Kup's Cybertronian vehicle mode from the War Within comic series. This similarity was brought to the fore by Brakedown GTS, a "powered-up" [[redeco]] of the character with the colors changed to resemble Kup's. In fact, the color guide for the redeco, revealed on Hasbro's website, showed that "Kup" was a working name for Brakedown GTS.

* He claims on his MySpace page (see External links) that he's a [[Covenant|Pisces]].<ref>Kup's Myspace page was created by [[Nick Roche]] to promote his IDW [[Spotlight: Kup]] story.</ref> It is best to remember, however, that at the time he wrote this, he was utterly insane.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Kup Kup's Universe profile on NTFA.net]

* [http://www.myspace.com/lostkup Kup's MySpace page]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category: Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]

Kup (G1)

2009-05-14T00:25:51Z

SiegfreidZ:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Kup}}
{{featured}}
:''Kup is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Kupg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Four of me, and ya got a [[quartex]]. Speakin' of quartex, that reminds me of the time..."]]
'''Kup''' is a tough old coot. He's almost as old as rust, in fact, and he was plinking [[Decepticon]]s and [[Ick-Yak]]s with acid bursts from his trusty musket laser long before most of you turbo-revvin' young punks were born. In his day, lasers didn't ''need'' to use light; they did whatever they were told to do. And liked it.

He's probably had a thousand adventures, Kup has, and he'll be glad to relate a story of any one of them at any time to a willing audience. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] love Kup's war stories, lapping it up like cheap [[Energon (G1)|energon]], and don't seem to mind when he inadvertently leaves a piece out or changes the story between retellings. Old memory chips'll do that to you. Other Autobots can be less patient, and Kup finds this disrespectful and irritating. If there's one thing Kup dislikes, it's when young punks don't respect their elders. If they'd only listen, they might learn something. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] is one of the worst offenders in this way, but he's a good lad-bot, and Kup will straighten him out sooner or later, even if it takes a tank of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s.

Occasionally, Kup's vast experience gets in his way. When a situation doesn't remind him of anything, he has trouble figuring out what to do. This doesn't happen very often though.

{{quote|The past is the greatest teacher.|Kup's original [[bio]] motto}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Chear'''<ref>"Chear" is used twice in English on the Kup/Wheelie "Future Cybertrons" reissue, so is presumably the transliteration Takara currently favors.</ref> (チャー ''Chā'', except for "The Rebirth")
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Kaisso'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Kup''' — '''(Űr)Zsaru''' ["(Space)Cop"] in one of the dubs of ''The Movie''.)
:''Italian name'': '''Blitz''' / '''Char''' (''The Headmasters'' dub only)
:''Russian TV dub name'': '''Vorchoon''' ("Grumbler")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Lionel Stander]] → [[John Stephenson]] (English), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese), [[Carl Béchard]] (French Canadian)

[[Image:Chaos deathcrystalmines.jpg|left|230px|thumb|Worked in the coal mines twenty-two hours a day for just half a cent.]]

In his younger days, one hundred thousand years ago, Kup once found himself crash-landed on the planet [[Dread]], where he was stalked by an [[Ick-Yak]]. Although Kup was able to lure the creature into a swamp of [[quickmud]], he was then captured by the evil [[Orb]]s, who forced him to work in the [[death crystal]] mines of of [[Queeg Mountain]]. When the miners were attacked by [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]], the creature on whose hide the crystals grew, Kup was afforded an opportunity to escape. Before exiting the mines, he quickly grabbed the key to the cell in which the other slaves were held... but before he could open the cell door, Chaos came roaring into the cavern. Petrified, Kup dropped the keys and fled, escaping with his life, and a guilt that would gnaw at him for millennia. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

Kup was stationed in another part of the galaxy while [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces were battling on [[Earth]], but eventually joined up with the Earthbound Autobots when the Decepticons took over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the early days of the 21st Century. {{storylink|Secret Files of Teletraan II}}

[[Image:Kup tale.jpg|right|230px|thumb|Matlooooooooock!]]

In 2005, Kup was supervising the erection of a security cordon at the foot of [[Lookout Mountain]] when the work was interrupted by an impetuous drive-through by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. Kup shook his finger at the adventure-seeking youth, vowing to straighten him out yet. Even Kup couldn't believe it, however, when mere minutes later, Hot Rod began firing upon the approaching [[Autobot shuttle]]. The shuttle had, in fact, been hijacked by the Decepticons, who immediately began pouring out of the craft and attacking [[Autobot City]]. Kup saved Hot Rod from being blasted by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], and the pair then headed back towards the city, but they didn't move fast enough to avoid being trapped outside of the city's fortress-like defenses. Luckily, an attempted hull breach by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] opened a small hole in the city's blast doors, and Kup used [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]'s skull as a ramp to leap the gap and make it into the city safely.

[[Image:Tftm_launcherpush.jpg|left|230px|thumb|If only we had the additional strength of a small Earth boy to help us push this!]]

Once inside the city, Kup and Hot Rod joined [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] in shoving an explosives launcher into place to help defend against the might of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The battle continued through the night, but the arrival Optimus Prime the next day turned the tide and the Decepticons were defeated—but at a terrible price. Despite Kup's warnings, Hot Rod had interfered in Prime and Megatron's one-on-one battle, and had given the Decepticon leader the opening he needed to fatally wound Prime. Prime had used the last of his strength to dispatch Megatron, but as Kup and the other Autobots gathered around their fallen leader, Optimus Prime died, passing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

[[Image:Tftm_kup_tells_story.jpg|230px|right|thumb|One way to get rid of them is to tell 'em stories that don't go anywhere.]]

Even as the Autobots began to pick up the pieces, they came under assault on two fronts. First, reports came in from their moonbases of a [[Unicron|monster planet]] that was bearing down on Cybertron; when Hot Rod eagerly announced that he was sure the Matrix could stop the creature, Kup was less than convinced, asking what the youth would know about it. The Autobots made quick preparations to join their comrades on Cybertron's moons, but just before they were able to board their shuttles, a group of new Decepticons led by the powerful [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] launched another attack upon the ruins of Autobots City. Kup, Hot Rod and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] boarded one of the shuttles and hot-footed it into space. Once they were safely away, Kup passed the time during the trip by telling the Dinobots the tale of his encounter with another Ick Yak on [[Beta 4]]. The story was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Decepticons, and while Kup's experience with the [[Shrikebat]]s of [[Dromedon]] allowed him to out-manoeuvre the villains' [[moleculon missile]]s, an attack by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] crippled the shuttle and caused it to crash-land into an ocean on the planet [[Quintessa]]. Kup was set upon by a robotic squid, which tore off several of his limbs before Hot Rod was able to fight it off. Hot Rod gathered up all of Kup's pieces and put his friend back together again, but despite the fact that he managed to get rid of a burr on Kup's rotator, Kup was fairly insistent that Hot Rod had left a piece out.

[[Image:TFTM Kup beserker.jpg|left|230px|thumb|"Y'see, lad, I've been dismembering monsters since before you were a gleam in your protoform batch initiator's optic! Now fetch me some prune juice!"]]

Setting out to explore Quintessa and find the Dinobots, Kup and Hot Rod came across a herd of [[Allicon|strange transforming creatures]] which Kup attempted to placate with the [[universal greeting]] and some [[energon (G1)|energon]] goodies. Unfortunately, when the goodies ran out, so did the creatures' good nature, and Kup and Hot Rod were set upon, captured and dragged before the planet's rulers, the [[Quintesson]]s. The whole experience reminded Kup of the [[Niter Slave Mines]] on [[Golgonath Seven]], but Hot Rod didn't see what good the old-timer's experienced was doing them at that moment. Hurled into a jail cell to await trial, the pair met another captive named [[Kranix]], whose world had been consumed by the monster plant currently threatening Cybertron: a monster that Kranix told them was named [[Unicron]]. Sadly, Kranix soon met his end in the jaws of the Quintesson' [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], and Kup and Hot Rod were dropped into the creatures' pit soon after. The pair did not accept the Quintessons' judgement with gentle grace, however, and fought back against the Sharkticons, creating a whirlpool by driving around their watery pit and sweeping the fight to dry land. Kup tore off one of the Sharkticons' tails and used it as a mace, but the duo was in danger of being overwhelmed until the timely arrival of the Dinobots, who routed the Sharkticons and turned them against their Quintesson masters. With the aid of the Dinobots' new friend, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the team found a ship and reunited with their fellow Autobots on the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]]. There, Kup was able to talk a little TV with native [[Junkion]] leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], but even the levity the Junkions brought to the proceedings did not obscure the tragic news that Galvatron had stolen the Matrix from Ultra Magnus.

[[Image:Kup vehiclemode.jpg|right|thumb|275px|FM radio not included.]]

Proceeding on their way to Cybertron, the Autobots arrived just in time to witness Unicron transforming to robot mode and attacking their home planet – a sight so awesome that it left Kup speechless, unable to recall anything like it that had ever seen. Ever eager, Hot Rod ploughed their ship straight into Unicron's eye, but was separated from the rest of the group on the fall through the chaos-bringer's interior. While Kup and the other Autobots battled against Unicron's internal defences, Hot Rod battled Galvatron (who had been betrayed Unicron and been swallowed in punishment) and reclaimed the Matrix from him, becoming the Autobots' new leader, Rodimus Prime. Rodimus unleashed the power of the Matrix, which began to destroy Unicron from within, and as the Autobots retreated from the planet-eater's exploding body, Kup congratulated Rodimus, claiming he had always known he had potential. In the wake of Unicron's destruction, the Autobots forced the Decepticons off of Cybertron and reclaimed the planet for their own. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:ffod_pitfall.jpg|left|275px|thumb|The year is nineteen-aught-six! The President is the divine Miss Sara Bernhardt! And all over America, people were doing a dance called the "Funky Grandpa"!]]

Appointed as chief of security for Cybertron, Kup accompanied Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots to the opening of the [[Galactic Olympics]], only for the ceremony to be attacked by a commando squad of mysterious shadowy figures. The raiders captured Kup, Ultra Magnus and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and took them back to their masters, {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} who turned out to be the Quintessons. This time around, the aliens interrogated Kup a lot more thoroughly, questioning him on the state of Cybertron's security and meticulously analyzing his responses, seeing through the sarcastic misdirection he attempted to throw back in their faces. After a failed attempt escape landed the trio in the Sharkticon pit, the end seemed inevitable, until a team of Autobots led by Rodimus Prime arrived in time to save them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} In retaliation, the Quintessons detonated a [[core bomb]] and blew up Quintessa, and the explosion hurled Kup and the Autobots through space to the planet [[Goo]]. As the Autobots struggled through the planet's sticky surface, they were set upon by a massive machine that swept the goo clean, and Kup was awestruck by Rodimus's single-handed attempt to stop the dangerous device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} As they continued on their gooey trek, the Autobots came under attack from Galvatron and the Decepticons, who had entered into an alliance with the Quintessons, but were whisked to safety by Wreck-Gar and the Junkions.

A short time later, back on Cybertron, a mayday request came through from a crippled shuttle requesting clearance to land. Unable to risk the lives on the humans that he believed were onboard, Kup allowed the shuttle to land... but as it approached Cybertron, it veered off course and crashed into the planet's central power facility, taking out power across the board. The shuttle had been a dupe perpetuated by the Decepticon/Quintesson alliance, which promptly invaded the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} In the ensuing battle, Rodimus and Kup were surprised when Blitzwing fell out of the sky in front of them, and begged them no to shoot. The [[Triple Changer]] revealed that the Quintessons had double-crossed the Decepticons, and had sent a team of Sharkticons into the depths of Cybertron to activate a [[large switch]] that would shut down all the Transformers. Rodimus and Blitzwing were unable to stop the switch being thrown, but Spike Witwicky was then able to destroy the mechanism and reactivate the Transformers, forcing the Quintessons to flee Galvatron's wrath. Kup stood by Rodimus's side as he announced their uneasy victory to the other Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[Image:Chaos_kup_vs_chaos.jpg|230px|right|thumb|"You're homely as a mule's butt!"]]

The past came back to haunt Kup when he was called in to investigate a Decepticon attack on the [[Earth Defense Command]] post on Goo. Discovering that the attack had been perpetrated using death crystals, Kup was finally forced to return to planet Dread to stop the Decepticons' plan to destroy Cybertron using a death crystal cannon. Venturing into the mines alone, through swarms of [[shrikebat]]s, Kup located Chaos in the depths of the mountain and lured him back to the surface, taunting him all the way. Before exiting the mines, Kup freed all the slaves, and in turn, they helped him to re-aim the Decepticons' cannon, pointing it right at Chaos at the monster emerged from the tunnels. Kup pulled the trigger, blasting Chaos with its own death crystals and finally destroying it. With his demons laid to rest, the high-spirited Kup spent the journey back to Cybertron tell his comrades of the time he flew the shuttle [[Jonagar]] in the mouth of a space-whale. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

[[Image:Darkawakening_kup_fires.jpg|215px|left|thumb]]

Kup was among a team of Autobots who were caught off-guard by the Decepticons while travelling through space in a shuttle, and were forced to dock their damaged craft at the giant mausoleum the Autobots had constructed to hold the bodies of those who had died in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. There, they were shocked to discover that Optimus Prime had apparently returned to life, only to find themselves suddenly betrayed by their old leader when he set the mausoleum on a collision course with a sun and escaped aboard a spaceship of his own. The Autobots quickly improvised a ship of their own before the mausoleum was destroyed, which Kup piloted back to Cybertron. Upon their returned, it was discovered that "Optimus Prime" was merely a robotic zombie, animated as part of a Quintesson plan to destroy the Autobots, forcing Rodimus Prime to defeat him in battle. His true personality re-emerging as he neared death again, Optimus seemingly sacrificed himself, getting the other Autobots to safety and triggering the Quintessons' explosive trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

When a survey mission led by Perceptor sent out an SOS, Kup responded with Rodimus Prime, [[Pipes]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. The team fought off the Quintessons occupying the asteroid, and discovered that the aliens had been attempting to alter history using a [[Time Window]]. Most of Perceptor's team had vanished through the portal into Cybertron's distant past, and Kup and the others fought off a Quintesson attempt to reclaim the asteroid while their teammates were returned to the present. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

The arrival of an Autobot named [[Sandstorm (Autobot)|Sandstorm]] on Cybertron gave Kup cause for concern, as the newcomer claimed to be from the planet [[Paradron]], which Kup was unable to locate on any star charts. A lie detector confirmed the truth of Sandstorm's story, however, and the Autobots rallied to save his world from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}} Soon after, when Kup discovered that a team of Decepticons had been able to sneak their way past Cybertron defences, he, Rodimus, Magnus and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] headed out to force the villains off the planet. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

[[Image:Gitm_kup_and_screamer.jpg|right|thumb]]

While making a security inspection of Autobot City on Earth, Kup was impressed by the work [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] had been doing in his absence. Blaster's choice of music, however, still rattled his transistors. During Kup's visit, Autobot City was attacked by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. They did serious damage to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], stealing his eyes and then blowing up a bomb inside his brain. Hopefully, Kup didn't mark that up in his report as a strike against Blaster. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:Ditd_vampire_kup_and_springer.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Kup gives the phrase "going grey" a whole new meaning.]]

Alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Blaster and [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Kup headed to Junkion to investigate a strange hypnotic television signal that was coming from the planet. On their way, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s and crashed on an asteroid, where Kup helped draw the Decepticons off so that Magnus could repair the damage done to Omega Supreme. The team voyaged on to Junkion, where they stopped the hypnotic broadcast. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006}} Not long after, Kup was among the Transformers who fell victim to the energy-draining touch of the [[Trans-Organic]] [[Dweller]], becoming an [[energy vampire]] who menaced the other Autobots until Perceptor restored them to normal with a surge of energon. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

Kup was working out of Autobot City on Earth when Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Springer and Arcee went missing investigating the human terrorist, [[Victor Drath]]. Unbeknownst to Kup, the crime lord transplanted the four Autobots' minds into human-like [[synthoid]] bodies, and when the humanized Arcee attempted to get his attention near the entrance of Autobot City, he just drove on by.{{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:Grimnewbrain_kup_vs_sintwin.jpg|right|thumb|Kup was answering the Liar's Paradox before it was became popular.]]

When the Autobots all began experiencing malfunctions following the activation of Cybertron's newest power generator, Kup was part of the team that ventured below the planet's surface to investigate the cause. The source of the malfunctions was discovered to be [[anti-electron]]s snuck into the generator by the Decepticons, which began to affect Kup's mind, leaving his much vaunted memory of past adventures so badly scrambled that he couldn't even remember who he was or where they were. The generator was shut down, but the Autobots soon deduced that the anti-electrons had come from Unicron, and followed the Decepticons to the planet-eater's decapitated head to stop them from acquiring more. Once they arrived on Unicron's head, the anti-electrons began affecting them once more, but Kup fought off their influence long enough to hold his own against [[Sinnertwin]]. The Decepticons were then routed by the [[Technobot]]s, new Autobots created by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] using the super-intelligence the anti-electrons had given him. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

Running the security center on Cybertron, Kup detected the cataclysmic arrival of [[Tornedron]] shortly before the energy creature devoured all energy on the planet, leaving every Autobot completely inert. Only a small group of [[Primitive]]s from both factions managed to reach the creature's creator, [[Primacron]], and reverse the process. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

[[Image:Bhtb_kup_and_rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|Kup is apparently a chickenhawk. I mean, look at that butt!]]

During a series of missions in Japan, Kup could see the burden of leadership weighing heavily on Rodimus Prime's shoulders. Kup tried to teach him about the Japanese concept of ''giri'', the "burden hardest to bear", but Rodimus departed to blow off some steam on his own, and Kup recognized that it was a problem Rodimus would have to resolve for himself. Unfortunately, Rodimus was attacked by the [[Stunticon]]s and had the Matrix stolen, which then wound up in the clutches of Scourge, who led a Decepticon attack on Tokyo. Kup face off against the Matrix-powered Decepticon, but was hit by energy beams that left him convulsing. Luckily, Hot Rod made peace with his ''giri'' and arrived in time to defeat Scourge and reclaim the Matrix. Kup sagely noted that regardless of who held the Matrix, that missing part of himself that Rodimus had discovered would always be with him. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[Image:Roop_kup_and_prime.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Optimus Prime is not a Communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a Communist, but he is not a porn star."]]

When the Autobots learned that Optimus Prime might still be alive, Kup was part of an enormous task force assembled by Rodimus Prime to retrieve Optimus's body from the treacherous human scientists who had taken possession of it. While Ultra Magnus and Rodimus led several team members inside the laboratory, Kup remained outside on guard with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Wheelie, and several others. The situation turned deadly when the scientists unleashed space spores that induced a [[Hate Plague]] among the Autobots. The Aerialbots were among the first exposed, and Kup's team soon had to face off against a crazed [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. They suffered serious damage and were taken off-line but, as a silver lining, also managed to escape contamination. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} As his last order before he too was lost to the plague, Rodimus Prime had Sky Lynx locate a Quintesson, who was put to work restoring Optimus Prime to life at last. At Prime's instruction, the Quintesson repaired Kup and the rest of his team, and the group then headed for the Decepticons' base on [[Chaar]] to recover a heat-resistant alloy the villains had stolen. Battling through the dangers of Chaar's native wildlife, the Autobots were able to recover the alloy, but not before Kup and most of his team were infected by the Hate Plague. Optimus Prime subsequently used the alloy to shield himself from the plague's effect and recovered the Matrix from Rodimus Prime, then released its wisdom to cure the madness of the spores. A cured Kup and Hot Rod watched as Optimus Prime and Galvatron shook hands, as the Decepticon leader declared there would be no war that day. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

[[Image:Rebirth_targetmaster_torture.jpg|225px|left|thumb]]

Galvatron's promise did not last long, unfortunately. Kup was on Cybertron when the Decepticons launched a massive assault on Autobot City on Earth and stole the [[key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] , but word of the attack soon reached Cybertron as the Decepticon bore down on the planet. During the ensuing conflict, Kup and a team of other Autobot boarded a shuttle and pursued Scourge into the depths of the planet, but when Scourge used the key to momentarily open the Plasma Energy Chamber, the energy released blasted the Autobots' shuttle across the galaxy. The ship crashed on the planet [[Nebulos]], which reminded Kup of the time he was stranded on [[Regulon Four]] and faced off against the planet's native [[Regulon metalmonger|metalmongers]]. The Autobots were soon captured by a rebel cell of native Nebulans, who believed them to agents of the planet's evil rulers, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], but the Autobots were able to convince them that they were on the side of the angels when the Decepticons followed them to Nebulos and attacked. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Image:Rebirth_kup_and_recoil.jpg|right|thumb|When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.]]

During the battle that resulted, Kup, Hot Rod, Blurr, [[Pointblank]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] were captured by the Decepticons and tortured for information about the location of the Plasma Energy Chamber key. Kup and his comrades were soon rescued by the other Autobots, who had bonded with the Nebulons rebels to become powerful "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]", and soon decided to undergo a variation of this bonding process themselves, becoming "[[Targetmaster]]s". By the time Optimus Prime finally tracked his warriors to Nebulos and arrived to join them, Kup had been bonded to the Nebulan Recoil, and was the first to display his new powers to the shocked Prime. Alas, even with this added power, the Autobots were unable to prevent the Decepticons from stealing back the Plasma Energy Chamber key. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

Pursuing the Decepticons back to Cybertron, Kup delivered the shocking report to his fellow Autobots that the planet itself had disappeared. The Decepticons had, in fact, moved it into Earth's orbit, where Galvatron intended to open the Plasma Energy Chamber and overload the sun, destroying both planets in one fell swoop. As the chamber was opened, Kup and all the other Transformers on the planet were disabled by its energy, but thankfully, Spike Witwicky and the Autobots' Nebulan partners were able to stop the process and use the energy to revitalize Cybertron, bring about a new Golden Age for the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
[[Image:Madman comic HotRod sigh.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"You're gonna be the death of that guy, you know?"]]
In the year 2001, the Decepticons had managed to conquer Cybertron completely. Before Optimus Prime left to lead the evacuation of the remaining Autobots on their home planet, he told Ultra Magnus about his intention to hide the Autobot Matrix of Leadership at a not-so-secret bunker on the construction site of the future Autobot City on Earth. The Decepticon [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his array of [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette]]a managed to spy on meeting and moved to capture the Autobot relic for the Decepticon cause, but fortunately that young lad Hot Rod foiled their dastardly and vague plans. Upon arriving on Earth, Kup was present when Hot Rod returned the Matrix to Optimus, and explained the strange Matrix-induced vision he received, to which Optimus Prime commented that perhaps Hot Rod's destiny was greater than the young Autobot realised. Kup had a decidedly different opinion, however. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}
====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of "The Rebirth" do not occur. Additionally, this continuity moves the events of 2006 to 2010, and inserts several additional events into the newly-created intervening years.}}

=====''Story of the Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====

[[Image:Kup_g1manga.jpg|right|thumb]]
Responding to an SOS from deep space, a team of Autobots including Kup helped rescue a human spacecraft from the jaws of a shaceship-eating Decepticon vessel. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

When the Autobots were attacked by the [[Megatron Military]], Kup was decidedly puzzled, as he had understood that Megatron had been recreated as Galvatron. The Megatrons proved to be tough opponents, and Kup and the other Autobots encouraged Rodimus to get away to safety while they held the Megatrons back, but the Autobot leader refused. Soon, it was discovered that one of the Megatrons was Galvatron in disguise, who was remote-controlling the duplicate Megatrons himself. Rodimus dispatched Galvatron, and the Megatrons lost power, allowing Kup and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to make short work of them. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}

After Ultra Magnus and Metroplex repelled an attack on Autobot City, Kup was among the Autobots who came to Earth to congratulate their efforts. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3}} Later, Kup was part of the Autobot team who travelled to the planet [[Feminia]] to defend its [[Prime Energy]] against a Decepticon attack. Kup deduced that the villains would deploy [[Predaking]] to steal the energy, and he was right, but thankfully, arrival of the [[Omnibot]]s won the day. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
Kup watched the battle between the upgraded [[Abominus]] and [[Computron]], {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 2|The Great Transformer War #2}} then later joined Hot Rod, Springer and the resurrected Optimus Prime in battling Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps in space shortly after Prime was resurrected. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Osamu Saka]]

[[Image:kup_and_fortress.jpg|left|240px|thumb|"I'm gonna get me a job! A real Malibu...and see if Stacy... can help... invent... me... young... Help!"]]

In 2011, one year after Optimus Prime's resurrection, Kup was stationed on Cybertron when [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize as a result of the release of the Matrix's energy. Exploiting the opening, the Decepticons invaded the planet, and, at Optimus Prime's command, Kup withdrew to the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet [[Athenia]]. This sudden, violent re-ignition of the Transformers' war stirred four-million-year-old memories in Kup, but Spike stopped him before he got started by informing that this wasn't a time when thinking of the past was going to do any good. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} As it turned out, the past ''did'' play a major role in winning the battle, when a mysterious spaceship arrived carrying new Autobot warriors who helped turned the tide of the battle. These new "Headmasters" were led by a robot named [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who turned out to be an old friend of Kup's who had left Cybertron four million years ago to escape the war. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[Image:Headmasters_threestooges.jpg|240px|right|thumb]]

Kup stayed on Athenia with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], Wheelie and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] while the other Autobots began searching across Earth for the Matrix, which had been hidden away by Optimus Prime, but which would be necessary to stabilize Vector Sigma. Kup recalled the battle on Feminia and told the other Autobots to trust in Hot Rod – and Kup's trust was not misplaced, as Hot Rod and the Headmasters soon had the Matrix in their hands. Kup's team returned to Cybertron to monitor Vector Sigma as its condition grew worse, but alas, before Hot Rod (now Rodimus Prime once again) could use the Matrix to stabilize the computer, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with it to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Kup later conferred with Rodimus Prime on the Decepticons' new weapon, the [[Madmachine]], and tried to help console the [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s over the loss of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} Not long after, when Athenia was threatened by the Deceptiocons' metal-warping meteor, [[Metamorpho]], Kup hit upon the idea of sending a human to disable the space-rock, as they would be unaffected by its powers. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Rodimus Prime was on a mission to Earth when an SOS from the planet [[Praum]] reached Kup, Arcee and Blurr on Athenia, reminding Kup of several times in the past when the Decepticons deliberately attacked when the Autobots were without a commander. Kup was eager to go into battle on Praum alongside the Headmasters, but they encouraged him to stay behind and guard Athenia with Blurr and Arcee. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

[[Image:Headmasters_rodimus_kup_blurr.jpg|240px|left|thumb]]

When the Decepticons launched a massive attack on Cybertron in order to obtain a new alloy created by Vector Sigma named [[Cybertonuron]], Kup and Arcee leapt into action, but were held up from joining the battle when they had to stop to pull Blurr free of the chair he'd managed to get stuck in. They soon made it to Cybertron, however, and watched from the sidelines as Rodimus battled Galvatron. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} When Galvatron broke off the fight, Rodimus and Kup withdrew to debate strategy with Fortress, but the bad news kept on coming: [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] reported in to inform them that the Decepticon had planted bombs at the core of Cybertron which would destroy the planet within ten minutes. With no possible recourse, the Autobots evacuated Cybertron just before the bombs detonated, reducing the planet to a burnt-out husk. Deciding that the age of his generation had come to an end, Rodimus Prime passed the mantle of [[Supreme Commander]] to Fortress and prepared to embark on a mission to find a new planet on which the Transformers could make their home. Kup and Blurr announced that they would accompany Rodimus on his mission, and the trio departed for space. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

{{Note|Whether or not Kup, Rodimus and Blurr succeeded in their mission is never explicitly revealed. While Rodimus returns in the [[The Headmasters issue 8|final issue]] of the [[The Headmasters (manga)|''Headmasters'' manga]], Kup does not reappear.}}

=====''15 Go! Go!''=====
[[Image:TGGKup.jpg|right|100px|thumb|"I'm a crazy old man! Pay attention to me!"]]
While on her journey through time and space, [[Teletraan 15]] found herself in a future era where she was harassed by a feisty Wheelie. Kup—now bonded to Recoil—came to the rescue, grabbing Wheelie by the scruff of the neck and tossing him away. As Teletraan 15 looked up at him with sparkly eyes and thanked him for his help, he claimed he recognized her and gave her a big old spine-cracking hug. As Kup started rambling about some past encounter they had supposedly had with giant Ick-Yaks, Teletraan 15's sarcastic partner, [[Teletraan 10]], boggled over the sheer scientific illogicality of Kup's "musket laser", unable to comprehend how something that shot acid could be classified as a laser. Suddenly, Kup realized that he actually had ''no idea'' who Teletraan 15 was, and drove off. {{storylink|15 Go! Go!|15 Go! Go! Chapter 4}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
Kup and a platoon of Autobots were feeling pretty good about their mission on [[Deneb IV]] when suddenly the entire platoon was nearly washed away by a surprise Decepticon attack of acid rain. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[Image:KupsStoryKup01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"It all started back in nineteen dickety-two. We had to say 'dickety' 'cause the [[Liokaiser|Kaiser]] had stolen our word 'twenty'. I chased that rascal to get it back, but gave up after dickety-six miles..."]]
''Several hundred years ago, Kup became afflicted with [[combat fatigue]], a loss of nerves and will brought on by too many millions of years of non-stop fighting. Considering himself a liability to the Autobot cause, Kup went into "retirement", wandering space alone in his starship, waiting for the end eventually to take him. He was shaken out of his misery when he crossed paths with a pair of [[Tyroxian]] [[Tyroxian space transport|fighters]] attempting to destroy a lone spacecraft. Spurred into action, Kup disabled the pursuers and brought the hunted pilot on-board, and was surprised to finding he was a fellow Autobot named Hot Rod. Hot Rod was thrilled to have found aid and eagerly tried to recruit Kup into helping him return to [[Tyroxia]] and save his comrade [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], but Kup wasn't interested in getting involved any further, and he only agreed to take Hot Rod back to Cybertron. The young punk reprogrammed the ship's navigation computers, though, and landed on Tyroxia to rescue Blurr by himself. Kup was finally shaken out of his funk when he realized that Hot Rod represented everything he used to be, and he single-handedly saved Hot Rod and Blurr from their Tyroxian tormentors. His fighting spirit restored, Kup returned to Cybertron with the two Autobots and joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s troops alongside his new allies. {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}''

[[Image:RingofHate-Kup.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I'll cry when I'm done killing!"]]

When Fortress Maximus became disheartened by the never-ending cycle of violence on Cybertron, he made plans to escape the war and set up a new life on the planet [[Nebulos]]. Though Kup's actions had become a violent mirror of their so-called enemies, he and many of his top warriors chose to follow their leader to this new world aboard the starship ''[[Steelhaven]]''. Tragically, a series of incidents and misunderstandings brought the Autobots and Nebulans to the brink of war within days of their arrival. Kup, forgetting why he had traveled there to begin with, was very happy to return fire, and was only stopped by Fortress Maximus himself. They retreated, and in a desperate attempt to show their true intentions, Fort Max, Kup and several others disarmed themselves in front of the Nebulan gates. Furthermore, Fortress Maximus and four of his lieutenants beheaded themselves and agreed to leave their lifeless heads and bodies, as well as their various weapons, in Nebulan custody so that serious peace talks could be conducted. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[Image:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Pretty sure this breaks Nebulos's concealed weapons laws!]]

Kup helped build an Autobot camp in a forest clearing during Fortress Maximus's absence. Soon, their camp was visited by Nebulan representatives from the [[Council of Peers]] interested in learning more about their interplanetary visitors, and Kup was glad to oblige. But one of the representatives, [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Lord Zarak]], used the meeting as an opportunity to contact the Autobots' enemies, the Decepticons. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

Matters quickly deteriorated after the arrival of the Decepticons, and two factions of Nebulans joined with both Autobots and Decepticons through bio-mechanical engineering to become [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. Events turned against the Autobots as Lord Zarak, who had binary-bonded to Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], was able to sway public opinion in favor of the Decepticons, labeling the Autobots as renegades and taking their Headmasters prisoner. Some Nebulans remained loyal to Fortress Maximus's partner, [[Galen]], and traveled to the Autobot camp to forge an alliance. Making use of a new form of bio-mechanical engineering, Kup and the other weaponless Autobots were teamed with Nebulan Targetmasters to replace their lost guns. Kup personally was teamed with Recoil. As the conflict continued, though, both camps of Nebulans began to realize the devastation they were causing to their homeworld, and they decided to leave Nebulos and travel to Earth in search of other Transformers. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Kupdesertisland.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Kup finds a new young upstart to latch onto.]]

When Galen died on Earth and his role as Fortress Maximus's Headmaster partner was assumed by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], Spike led Kup and the other Targetmasters on a mission to the [[Club Con|Decepticon's island headquarters]] to rescue his brother, [[Buster Witwicky]]. Kup voiced bad feelings about the rescue mission, especially about Spike's suitability to lead the mission. However, when Spike continued fighting despite repeated setbacks, Kup admitted that although Spike brought too much sentiment into the battle, he backed his emotionalism with guts. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} Soon, Fortress Maximus's Autobots met up with the Earth-bound Autobots led by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], and somehow the two Autobot camps wound up witnessing a battle between Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] for Autobot leadership. Kup, along with the Autobots from both camps, began to watch this battle on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s Decepticons unleashed a surprise attack. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

After Optimus Prime's return, Kup took over as Prime's head of security aboard the Ark. When Prime took most of the Autobots to Earth to defend [[MacDill Air Force Base]] from the [[Micromaster]] [[Air Strike Patrol]], Kup and the other Autobots who remained on board the Ark were defeated by [[Blackjack]]. Kup was the first to reawaken, however he startled Blackjack as he was arming a series of explosive charges, and the explosives were regrettably armed. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} The countdown could not be stopped, but Kup refused to jettison themselves from the Ark, leaving their fallen comrades in the med bay to die. But an answer presented itself when Ratchet contacted them from Cybertron, as he had been kidnapped by Megatron. Ratchet orchestrated a trans-dimensional gate to send the explosives to Megatron's headquarters on Cybertron, which saved Kup and everyone else on board, but seemed to have killed both Ratchet and Megatron. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

Optimus Prime was hit hard by Ratchet's death, which alarmed Hot Rod and caused Kup to worry about the future of their cause. Subsequently, when Prime walked out on the Autobots, Kup was incredibly alarmed, but not as much as when he learned Hot Rod had a "plan" to win Prime back. Hot Rod let loose a [[Mark V Guardian droid]] on the ship, which he secretly controlled, but it turned on its master and Kup and the others were brutally attacked. To Hot Rod's credit, this did jolt Prime to his senses, though Kup was probably too damaged to "thank" him. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

''While Kup spent some down time with Hot Rod and a few others, the Ark was attacked by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and his acolytes! Kup helped repel the intruders, who were seeking revenge on [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Siren]]. {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}''

The [[Matrix Quest]] resulted in the Decepticon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] being possessed by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] and running amok in the Ark's docking bay. Kup and two other Autobots tried to sneak up on Thunderwing as he accosted Optimus Prime, but Thunderwing had grown too omniscient by then, and Kup was noticed and forced to retreat. After Thunderwing and the Matrix were jettisoned off the Ark, Kup was helped up off the ground by another Autobot. {{storylink|All Fall Down (comic issue)|All Fall Down}}

[[Image:Kuppriceoflife.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Experience, lad. You'll learn to appreciate it.]]

During one of Kup's sweeps of the Ark, he caught Grimlock trying to swipe the bodies of his fallen Dinobots from their life support pods. Grimlock cold-cocked him and escaped with the bodies in a [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport|stolen shuttle]]. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm!}} Kup recovered to find a monster forged from the bodies of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], which Optimus Prime refused to kill. It fell on Kup to tell Optimus his decisions were causing him to lose the support of the Autobots, and Prime's recently-announced decision to surrender to Scorponok didn't help things either. Kup reasoned that even if there was some part of Ratchet still inside the creature, Ratchet himself would not want to go on living in this fashion. Prime refused to kill the creature, but when Kup told him that the creature's unchecked destruction could end up destroying the Ark and everyone on board, Prime reluctantly had a change of heart. However, when it came down to it, Prime couldn't pull the trigger, and despite the objections of Kup and the others, he ordered them separated, even though it would mean Megatron would live. {{storylink|The Price of Life!}}

[[Image:Surrender-Kuptruck.jpg|left|100px|thumb|He's a pic'''kup''' truck, get it?]]

As planned, Prime surrendered his troops to Scorponok on the terms that they would consider an alliance against [[Unicron]]. Kup didn't take this very well, and when he was laughed at while surrendering [[Recoil|his weapon]], he lashed out at [[Apeface]] before being stopped by Prime. Kup told him he once knew an Optimus Prime who would have found another way, a Prime that would never ever surrender. [[Misfire]] was happy to interrupt this argument so that he could escort Kup to his cell. But Prime quickly grew restless in his own cell and, having disposed of [[Soundwave (G1)|his guard]], he tracked down Kup and Hot Rod and asked them for his help. Though Hot Rod leaped at the chance, Kup was not so easily won back. Prime pleaded with him at length, explaining that as a warrior race that had battled for millions of years, that surrender would actually take the most courage of all! Realizing Prime was right, Kup agreed to help him and Hot Rod storm Lord Zarak's chambers. As Hot Rod grabbed Zarak, Kup sideswiped Scorponok's guard, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], in vehicle mode, but transformed too close to Scorponok's body, so Zarak ordered it to grip its claw around his head. Kup told Hot Rod not to spare Zarak for his sake, but Prime stopped them both, insisting that each faction had to trust each other if they were to survive against Unicron. Zarak was persuaded, but before a handshake would have sealed the deal, the Decepticons' underground base collapsed in on itself as a rogue group of Decepticons led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] attacked above. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

[[Image:EdgeofExtinction-survivors.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Hey, Kup, you ever see anything like this before?" "Yeah, a movie. 1986. Starred Leonard Nimoy."]]

As the dust settled, Kup asked Prime if their truce meant they should be helping gather the Decepticons' wounded. Prime told him and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to instead focus on briefing the other Autobots as they emerged fromt he wreckage and containing the growing battle so that it would not spill out into [[New York City]]. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Things naturally escalated out of hand, and so Kup had the bright idea to enlist the Decepticon hypnotist [[Mindwipe]] at gunpoint, and had him "convince" his fellow Decepticons to lay down their arms for the greater good. This was working swimmingly until suddenly Kup and every other Transformer on Earth was suddenly raptured away to Cybertron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Kup was startled to see their creator, [[Primus]], speaking to them through the body of [[Emirate Xaaron]]. Primus told Kup and the others of their eternal battle with Unicron, and of his imminent arrival. In response to this, [[Unicron cultist]]s rose up from amongst the Cybertronians to destroy Primus' chosen leader, Optimus Prime, and Kup was more than happy to beat the cultists back into submission. They succeeded, but while Primus had begun lecturing his Transformers again, Kup's attention was elsewhere. He interrupted, wondering how exactly no one had noticed Unicron himself sneak up on the planet, clawed hand looming over their heads. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

Kup and [[Getaway]] helped get Optimus Prime to safety, as their leader had succumbed to mysterious pain. Though Unicron ravaged the planet and destroyed countless Transformers, ultimately Optimus Prime sacrificed himself to destroy him, and Kup was among the lucky few who were still standing as Unicron's ashes fell to the planet's surface. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Kup and a handful of others found what was left of Optimus Prime's body, and he watched Prowl cradle their leader as he died. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[Image:EndOfTheRoad-finalfive.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Hey, these final five aren't Cylons at all!]]

Under the dubious leadership of Grimlock, the Autobots left their dying world and followed the Decepticons to [[Klo]], but the Decepticons were waiting for them. In the massacre that followed, Kup was among the final five Autobots who had eluded death. But he and the others did not avoid capture for long, as a team of Decepticons found them hiding in the swamps. Amazingly, they were able to overpower these Decepticons and return to the main battlegrounds, where Optimus Prime had returned to them in a new body, thanks to the [[Neo-Knights]] and the [[Last Autobot]]! With the Last Autobots' godlike resurrection powers, Kup and the other Autobots were able to overwhelm the Decepticons, who retreated like whipped dogs. The war was over, and Optimus Prime told them it was time to go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

In an alternate future of 2009, the Autobots were overwhelmed by the forces of evil. Unicron consumed Cybertron utterly, and Earth came under heavy fire from Galvatron and his Decepticon legions. Kup and Blurr were personally executed by Cyclonus and Scourge. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{quote|Will it work, Kup? I mean, 1986 seems like a long time ago!}}
{{quote|Yesterday, lad, just yesterday!|'''Hot Rod''' and '''Kup''' discuss their upcoming [[time travel]]|"[[Target: 2006]] part 6"}}

''In 2003, Kup was given the job of decoying the Decepticons over the plans for Autobot City. Ultra Magnus needed to get the plans to Earth's various governments unimpeded, while also taking steps to ensure the Decepticons would not get in the way of the Autobot efforts to build the city. So, he made an open and showy display of tasking Kup with being the courier that would bring the information to the humans. Sure enough, the Decepticon spy [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] overheard those plans and sent the [[Stunticon]]s out to intercept the old Autobot. Despite Hot Rod's good-intentioned efforts to stop them, the Stunticons made off with the fake plans, secure in their knowledge that they now knew the secrets of Autobot City. {{storylink|Ark Duty}} Kup was also present at the grand opening of the city a year later. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

[[Image:Target2006-BlurrHotRodKup.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Is this the Fifties? Or nineteen-ninety-nine?]]

''After the attack on Autobot City in 2006, Kup, Hot Rod and Blurr received a psychic prodding from Unicron, alerting them to Galvatron's travel through the timestream back to 1986. Using Galvatron's own time-jump mechanisms, the Autobot trio followed him back into the past, mass-displacing [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in the process. Apparently reaching an instinctive conclusion that Galvatron could never be returned to the future by force, Kup and his comrades conspired with the Ultra Magnus of 1986 to trick the Decepticon into returning of his own volition.''

''As Ultra Magnus kept Galvatron busy, the future trio made arrangements to discourage him from staying. When he returned to his base, Galvatron found his henchmen knocked unconscious and his super-weapon rigged to explode. Once it did, he was confronted with a taunting [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] claiming credit, and he was egged into blowing the treacherous Decepticon into smithereens. Believing Starscream's death at this juncture altered history, making his actions in 1986 part of an alternate timeline that wouldn't affect his own future, Galvatron reluctantly gave up his plans, picked up his goons, and returned to the future. Kup and his comrades, having successfully framed Starscream and driven Galvatron away, returned to 2006 themselves soon after. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:KupUK114-01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Little known fact: I owned the first radio on Cybertron. T'weren't much on back then, just Shockwave reciting the alphabet over and over. 'A' he'd say. Then 'B'. 'C' would usually follow..."]]
''After Unicron was defeated in 2006 and Hot Rod rose to become [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], Galvatron went missing. Unable to accept the Decepticon leader was truly dead without seeing the body, Rodimus Prime went searching for him with Kup and Blurr. Unfortunately, his lax attention to Cybertron gave the new Decepticon commander, Shockwave, time to consolidate the army under his control and begin the war anew. Rodimus was forced to return to Cybertron empty-handed, and he only made matters worse when he rashly took out a 10,000-[[shanix]] reward for any bounty hunter who could find Galvatron for him. This led to a freelance peacekeeping agent named [[Death's Head]] traveling back in time to 1987, where he had learned Galvatron had escaped after the battle with Unicron. {{storylink|Wanted:Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} Realizing that a trigger-happy mercenary messing with the timestream was just as dangerous as Galvatron could ever be, Rodimus arranged a time-jump to clean up his mess, taking Kup, Blurr and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] back to 1987 along with him. {{storylink|Burning Sky!}}''

''In the past, the future Autobots once again found the 20th-century Ultra Magnus fighting with Galvatron, as the Decepticon leader attempted to extract vast amounts of energy from a volcano. Mere seconds after locating Galvatron and engaging him in combat, however, Kup and Blurr were knocked off-line when Galvatron hurled Ultra Magnus's beaten body at them. {{storylink|Hunters}} After regrouping, the Autobots concocted a plan to steal Galvatron's time-jump mechanism and rewire it to propel them all back to their proper place and time. While Kup and the others distracted Galvatron, Wreck-Gar and Rodimus Prime attempted to make the proper modifications. In the end, however, only the Autobots were launched back to the future; Galvatron had modified the device so that the temporal backlash did not affect him, and he stayed in the past. {{storylink|Fire on High!}}''

''In 2008, Kup was on hand to witness a full-scale Decepticon assault at Autobase on Cybertron. He fought alongside Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots and, when Rodimus traveled to the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] to deal with Unicron (the cause behind the Decepticon offensive), Kup stepped up to lead the remaining Autobot forces alongside Ultra Magnus until [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] sounded a retreat and the Decepticons fled. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} Later that year, Autobot City was attacked by [[Quintesson]]s, and the deactivated Autobots were hung out on the outer walls as a warning for any would-be rescuers. Kup came to Earth with Rodimus Prime and crew to deal with the usurpers, and he led an advance team of Blurr, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Wide Load]] in searching the complex. They were caught in a heated battle with the Quintessons' shock troopers, but managed to hold their own long enough for Roddy to reach the control center and activate [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] himself. Resistance faltered rather quickly after that. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

''As time passed, the long-term effects of Galvatron's presence in the past became overwhelming. A full-on time storm began brewing at both ends of the timeline, 1989 and 2009. In order to set the universe back on the right course, Rodimus Prime and Kup chose to travel back in time with Blurr, Arcee, Ultra Magnus and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] to retrieve Galvatron. No, really, for sure this time. Problem was, this time their mass-displacement upon arrival took out 1989's Optimus Prime and several fellow Autobots, leading to more than a little consternation among their 20th-century counterparts. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], guided by his neophyte [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], jumped to the conclusion that Optimus was dead and led his Autobots into battle with Rodimus and his group. Kup didn't fare too well at trying to fight [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] hand-to-hand, but soon cooler heads prevailed, and the Autobots joined forces not only with each other, but with a pair of detachments from the 1989 and 2009 Decepticon camps as well.''

[[Image:KupMagnusTimeWars01.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Kup has something you college boys don't: life experience! Tell 'em, Kup." "I spent 53 years as night watchman at a cranberry silo."]]
''As the various groups tracked down Galvatron, they were shocked to find that not only had he joined forces with Megatron, but that the two of them had laid waste to the Cybertronian teams of the Autobot [[Wrecker]]s and the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. Kup joined Arcee and Ultra Magnus in trying to gun down Megatron, but was batted aside by the Decepticon's [[fusion cannon]] and lay unconscious, out of the battle for the rest of the conflict. Still, Galvatron was ultimately destroyed in battle with Optimus Prime and consumed wholly by the timestorm, restoring the timestream to a stable place. Kup and the other 2009 Autobots gathered together and prepared to return home to their lives. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

''It didn't quite work out that way.''

''Back in 2009, the Autobots were horrified to find that Galvatron waited for them on Cybertron. It seemed the restoration of the timeline prevented Galvatron from having ever traveled back in time, and thus he had been present at the Decepticons' side for the last few years, which considerably altered the war effort in their favor. In the new 21st century, Galvatron and the Decepticons virtually controlled Cybertron, and only a few token bands of Autobot resistance remained on their home planet. Kup and the returnees adjusted as best they could, but the odds were hopelessly against them. The resistance on Cybertron ended when Galvatron and his men ransacked a resistance station, killing Blurr and the other Autobots present. Galvatron mutilated the corpses to drive Rodimus Prime into a killing frenzy, hoping to corrupt the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] itself through its host. Indeed, Kup and Arcee began experiencing fire in the depths of their souls before they managed to talk down Rodimus. The Autobots of Cybertron were then forced to flee the world entirely. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

''On their voyage back to Earth and Autobot City, the Autobot shuttlecraft had just entered hyperspace when [[Pincher]] and [[Doubleheader]] alerted Kup to a problem: sabotage. Someone had killed a guard and torn up the engine room, damaging the guidance systems so that the ship would be flying blind when they came out of warp into who-knows-what. Sure enough, the ship materialized too close to Earth, and another bit of sabotage prevented the emergency retros from stopped their descent. It was going to be a heavy hit. What's worse, Kup's efforts to isolate the Decepticon life-signs of their saboteur turned up a nasty truth: No additional life signs were present on the shuttle. The saboteur was an Autobot! {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} After failing to locate Rodimus Prime during the time the sabotage was being committed, Kup had a sinking feeling and set up a ruse to test Prime. When Arcee left to try and enter the sealed retro room through the air vents, Kup told Rodimus she was actually going to sneak through the coolant tanks. Fortunately for their landing, Arcee succeeded just in time. Unfortunately for...well, everything else, Kup was right: Rodimus Prime was the saboteur, possessed by the pure malevolence of Unicron, which had taken up residence inside the Matrix sometime ago. Apparently Galvatron's efforts to corrupt Rodimus back on Cybertron had jarred loose enough evil for Unicron to take hold on Rodimus Prime's consciousness. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}}''

''Battling the power of the Matrix influenced by the Devil himself, the Autobots were sorely outmatched against Rodimus. Despite Arcee's urgings, Kup desperately searched for another option besides lethal force. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} In the short term, Kup seemed to be correct: Rodimus managed to fight back Unicron's evil, caging it inside the Matrix long enough for Kup to remove the object from Rodimus's chest, temporarily severing their link. {{storylink|White Fire}} In the long term, however, the threat was far from over. Rodimus would again be consumed by evil in 2010, this time metamorphosing into Unicron reborn for a time, before caging the evil again. Kup and Arcee were present at this second rise of Unicron, but their ultimate fate is unknown. It is telling, however, that Rodimus Prime appears to be beaten, ill, and totally alone by the time of 2356. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

====Generation 2====
[[Image:WarWithoutEnd-Kup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|SKAZ!]]
After the Autobot army splintered throughout the universe, Kup was working alongside Optimus Prime and Hot Rod. In mid-battle, Kup had to verbally nudge Prime out of his apocalyptic visions. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] summoned Prime and his forces for help and Kup was present as Grimlock explained his discovery of several "little Cybertrons". The Autobots soon learned of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Liege Centuro]] and his [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]] when Jhiaxus attacked them and took them prisoner. Kup and other Autobots were rescued by Prime and Grimlock from confinement on the [[Twilight]]. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Kup kicked a lot of skidplate during the battle between the Autobots and Cybertronians in the [[K'tord Nebula]]. It was soon learned that bots on both sides were infected by some kind of parasitic entity that fed off of rage. Kup was so under its influence that Optimus Prime had to hold him back from attacking one of the enemy. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

[[Image:G2kupwonderspowerandglory.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"If even Hot Rod can be responsible, what chance do I have?"]]
Kup appeared as one of many dismembered corpses in one of Optimus Prime's apocalyptic visions. As Optimus reached toward Kup, an [[Swarm (G2)|inky black substance]] shot out of Kup's mouth, enveloped Prime and started to devour him. The real Kup then physically shook Optimus out of this vision, remarking that Transformers don't sleep. The crusty old Autobot reported that Grimlock had, against Prime's orders, left with a raiding party in tow. What Kup didn't say is that he wished Grimlock had asked him to come along. He got his chance to fight later when he went with Prime to rescue Grimlock from his bungled surprise attack on the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Kup supervised war games between the Autobots as they waited for Optimus Prime to finish his quasi-mystical journey into the depths of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, Kup fought with Autobots and Decepticons to repel the Cybertronian attack on the planet [[Ethos]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

Helping mop up after the attacks on [[Earth]] by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Jhiaxus, Kup reported the sorry state of their fortifications to Grimlock when the Swarm attacked their position. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Kup attended an emergency meeting led by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] after the [[Creation Matrix]] was stolen. Soon, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] announced his project to confuse the Decepticons using [[decoy]]s. While the decoys attacked Decepticon headquarters, Kup, Ultra Magnus, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] snuck inside their base to steal back the Matrix. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:GalvatronsAirAttack-KupWheeljackMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Why, in my day, we didn't need no stinkin' shoulders!"]]
As a young Autobot, Kup participated in many battles against the Decepticons on Earth. One particularly great battle ended up with many casualties on both sides—casualties whose bodies were simply left in the valley where they died. Many years later, when the Autobots were running out of [[cybernite]] for their repair jobs, Kup recalled this event and suggested that they loot the old bodies for the precious metal. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] approved, and let Kup lead [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] to the valley. On the way, Kup mistook the [[wikipedia:Aurora (astronomy)|aurora borealis]] for a Decepticon attack.

Upon arrival at the valley, Kup spent some time reminiscing about the past, until Grapple told him that they had a mission to complete. However, before the group could find anything of use, they came under attack by a number of [[Seeker|Decepticon jets]] and were forced to retreat. Returning to base, they wondered how the Decepticons had found them so easily, and it was eventually revealed that the Decepticons had constructed a [[Decepticon Space Station Argon|space station]] from which to spy at the Autobots' activities. While the Autobots were incapable of attacking targets in space, Kup remembered the "battle of the [[Green Asteroid]]", during which the Autobots had lured the enemy closer by using false signals. He also recalled Spike telling him that auroras scramble radio signals, and had Wheeljack and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] construct an artifical aurora machine to mess up the Decepticons' communications. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

[[Image:DecepticonsUnderground-Kup.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Yo." "Yo."]]

Eventually, Kup found himself stationed at [[Nebulos]], where the Decepticons were collecting energy via a "[[tetrahedron]]" at the planet's north pole. Alongside Blurr and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], he was part of [[Brainstorm]]'s "Operation Heatwave", which consisted of using high-temperature lasers to melt the ice below [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and the energy-collecting facility. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} Some time later, the Autobots started running out of lubricants, leading to Kup's joints creaking something fierce, so naturally he was overjoyed when the Autobots found a legendary Nebulan [[oil]] lake. However, as soon as they started pumping the oil back to base, the Decepticons destroyed their oil pipe, so Kup, his Targetmaster partner Recoil and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] were forced to do a quick repair job. A second Decepticon attack soon followed, so the three fled into the Nebulan desert... only for Kup to get stuck to a rock when the area turned out to be magnetic. [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] soon saved him by neutralizing the magnetic field with an impact from his grenade launcher. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}

Highbrow later got kidnapped by the Decepticons and held ransom in exchange for Optimus Prime himself. When Prime decided to perform a rescue operation, Kup offered to come with him, but the Autobot leader had a different plan. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}} After a few peaceful weeks with the Decepticons nowhere to be found, Prime got suspicious and ordered Kup to organize long-range patrols to find out what they were up to. The patrols scoured the entire planet except for the [[Nebulos Triangle]], as Kup explained that nobody had ever entered that area and returned. {{storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{-}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Carshowblowupkup.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My Buddy! Wherever I go, he goes!]]
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! Sneaking around inside, he eventually made his way up to the control room, where [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the other Decepticons were rigging the lighting. They were planning on stealing the robot car! Kup decided to leave and tell the others, but he was spotted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. The evil Decepticons tied up Kup so that he wouldn't interfere.

As a parade of cars entered the coliseum and the crowds cheered, Kup worried about the safety of the humans. If only he could warn them. Kup got his chance when Galvatron ran towards the controls, telling [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] to pull the switch. Kup tripped Galvatron, and Galvatron came tumbling through the glass and onto the coliseum floor! For a short while, there was a stalemate; the Decepticons had Kup captive, but the Autobots had Galvatron! Thankfully, 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}}

[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Children's storybooks sure are violent.]]
Later, Kup, led [[Hot Rod (G1)|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. Kup tried everything, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet, but everyone landed safely. Unfortunately, Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|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}}
{{-}}

===''The Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:Kupin3d.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Someone hasn't been paying attention!]]
Eons ago, Kup fought against a third race of Transformers, the [[Destructon]]s. They almost destroyed the galaxy! But presently they were returning to the Transformers' civil war. But the Autobots were more immediately concerned with the Decepticons, who were trailing them across the galaxy. Kup assured them all that they would never ever die.
{{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Skidswheeljackgrimlockkupironhidetww.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Kup was named after his pickup truck altmode even before he had it!]]

Millions of years ago on Cybertron, shortly after the assassination of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Kup was part of an Autobot unit under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command which battled for possession of [[Altihex]]. Kup and the other Autobots were forced to abandon the City-State as it collapsed, leaving it to the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}}

After a new Prime was coronated, a young archivist named [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the Decepticons led a full siege on the Autobot headquarters of [[Iacon]]. As per Grimlock's orders, Kup met with him, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] just outside Iacon on the [[Tri-Torus Loop]], where Kup was shocked to hear Grimlock announce his plan to leave Iacon to the Decepticons. Instead, Grimlock led them deep within the planet, where the new Prime was battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for his life, even though Grimlock had huge doubts over whether Optimus Prime was worth saving. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}} Kup confronted Grimlock about his apathy, and asked him if he had ever respected anyone. When Kup got too personal, Grimlock shoved him into a wall. While looking for Prime, however, the Autobots stumbled onto Megatron's real plan. They found a system of planetary engines that Megatron had ordered the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to restore. While Grimlock went on ahead, determined to find Optimus Prime, Kup and the others stayed behind to sabotage the Constructicons' work. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War within #5}} The Decepticons detected their presence, and so Kup and the others fought a very one-sided battle against them. All hope seemed lost until Grimlock returned... with a very impressive Optimus Prime, who ordered Kup and Ironhide to help him cover Wheeljack's sabotage of the engines.

[[Image:Lightningstrikecoalition.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Every team needs an old guy! Well, two old guys.]]

The engines were destroyed, but Kup and the others were distraught to see the smoking crater where Iacon used to be. Optimus Prime, who was quickly stepping into the role, refused to leave Cybertron, and instead implored Kup and the others to follow him underground, where they would continue to wage their war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Later, when Optimus Prime and Megatron disappeared in a prototype [[space bridge]] accident, the Autobot faction splintered, and Kup joined Grimlock's [[Lightning Strike Coalition]]. While on the [[Moon Alpha Spaceport]], Kup waxed on about the alleged cosmic destiny of the Transformers and how it contrasted with the stagnation of their race. Grimlock was annoyed with this introspection and urged him to get back to work. The Lightning Strike Coalition was able to thwart Starscream's [[Predacons (War Within)|Predacons]] from keeping their stolen Energon and made a quick retreat with the goods. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

[[Image:PassiveAggression-KupIronhidereunite.jpg|left|thumb|250px|All old people are friends.]]

3.9 million years ago, due to a catastrophically low level of Energon, every Transformer on Earth ground to a halt in the [[Great Shutdown]]. Kup was in the middle of a fight with [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] when this occurred, and the two were frozen in a grappling pose for millions of years. Three thousand years ago, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] awoke from this state and began rehabilitating the rest of the population. He eschewed the Decepticon/Autobot factions and promised a new unified Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} However, Kup and a handful of others believed Shockwave had evil motives for this and formed an underground resistance movement deep within the [[Wastelands]]. Things came to a head with the return of Optimus Prime to Cybertron, who had been on Earth for four million years. After disciplining Hot Rod for being an impetuous young punk, Kup explained their situation to Optimus Prime and introduced him to the rest of their members. More of Optimus Prime's comrades from Earth were brought into the resistance, including Kup's old friend Ironhide, and the two shared a heartfelt reunion. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

Kup and the others planned an all-out strike against Shockwave's stronghold in [[New Iacon]]. While Kup, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were trapped behind a rampaging [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]], the three witnessed a strange beam emit from the top of Shockwave's stronghold and fire into space. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (comic issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shockwave was defeated, but Optimus Prime was severely damaged, and Kup and the others were forced to persist without his leadership while he recovered. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0}} As Kup looked on, Prowl tried to reassure the Autobots with a speech from New Iacon's central hall, but Prowl wasn't terribly good at speeches and so Ultra Magnus filled in. Though Prowl and the other Earthbound Autobots had finally returned home, things just weren't the same. Kup suggested Prowl and the others stop fighting the changes and just accept that they'd happened. This prompted Prowl to consider a return to Earth.

Kup and Hot Rod sparred within a computer-simulated portrayal of Earth. Hot Rod managed to win over his older and wiser opponent, but only in the most reckless way possible, a fact which Kup was unable to impart on the youngster. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Ultra Magnus decided to split the Autobots into teams to better defend Cybertron, and Kup was assigned to [[Moon Base One]] along with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Kup did not find this thrilling. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{note|And then [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] went bankrupt.}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightBlaster GetawayKupHufferBroadside.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Kup, before meeting [[Nick Roche]].]]

Kup is extremely old. In years past, he'd trained dozens of Autobots, including [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and even [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} During the early years of the war after the assassination of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Kup was either leading or part of a squad sent to rescue [[Zeta Prime]] when they crossed paths with the famous former racer, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. Kup was skeptical of Blurr's usefulness, but some words from a young [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] were able to convince Blurr to alert Zeta Prime of the Decepticons' assassination attempt. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

Shortly after [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s first apocalyptic assault, the besieged Autobots prepared for the big push against their positions by the Decepticons. Kup was in a trench alongside [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Huffer, and the injured [[Getaway]], waiting for [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s morale-boosting broadcast to the Autobot forces, a transmission that never came. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup killingspree.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Who keeps the martians under wraps?]]
At some point after Cybertron was abandoned, Kup and [[Outback]] crash-landed on a mysterious planet covered with radioactive crystals. Over time, Kup was slowly driven insane from the radiation. He talked to the dead corpse of Outback as though he were still alive (and used his disembodied arm as a club) and believed that [[zombie]]s were attacking him when he shut down for the night. In reality, these zombies were fellow Autobots sent to rescue him, and Kup killed several of them before Springer managed to get a [[Trailbreaker (G1)|specialist]] in to extract the aging Autobot. Unfortunately, due to the damage Kup sustained from the radiation, his incompatibility with modern Transformers tech due to his age and stubborn unwillingness to upgrade, and a near-meltdown of his spark, he was placed on life support upon arriving aboard ''[[Ark-17]]'', and it was unknown if he would ever recover, physically or mentally. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Springer eventually reported to Optimus Prime that Kup's physical injuries had been repaired, but the state of his mind was still in question. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

Kup finally returned to service when Perceptor built a new body for Kup—one that was better and stronger. Perceptor insisted on following Kup on his first few missions, hoping to spot any technical problems. Unfortunately, while Kup and the [[Wrecker]]s were attempting to free Autobot prisoners from a docked Decepticon warship, Perceptor was caught in the crossfire. Kup found aid in a mysterious unaffiliated robot who had similar purposes. Kup quickly deduced that this [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] used to be a Decepticon named Deadlock. When Drift helped Kup blow the ship up and save Perceptor's life, Kup decided Drift was deserving of a second chance. Kup disbanded the Wreckers, formed a new unit, and asked Drift to join. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}}

[[Image:Slowmotionmoviewalkahm5.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Kup, after meeting [[Nicholas|Nick Fury]].]]

Kup was now in command of the starship ''[[Trion]]''. With a hand-picked crew comprised of heavy hitters, such as two former Wreckers and Drift, he harried the Decepticon fleet until he was baited into an ambush above Cybertron. There, the ship was shot down and forced to crash-land on the assumed uninhabitable world. Banding together to survive, they eventually encountered Optimus Prime's unit, only to find him incapacitated, the Matrix having been seized by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Although Kup was at first dismissive of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who had stepped into a command position in the void left by Prime, he quickly learned to appreciate Jazz's steady, capable hand. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

As Jazz and Kup stood on a balcony, Kup spoke of how the Autobots were betrayed by an outsider, someone who knew their codes. Autobot computer systems were shut down across the galaxy, and as shields and defenses were remotely shut down, countless Autobots died. It was a massacre. Kup decided to merge his unit with Jazz's, making Jazz his second-in-command. He also donated all his group's energon towards fixing Prime. Without Prime, they had no chance to rally their troops together as a cohesive unit. But a more immediate concern made itself known—the [[Insecticon Swarm]]. Kup ordered everything packed up and ready to move. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} And so they did. Jazz told Kup how the Autobots were defeated on Earth, how Prime was destroyed and the Matrix stolen, and spoke of a traitor among their ranks. Kup continued to be worried about a decline in morale. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

And he was right to be worried. Ironhide assaulted [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who he believed to be the traitor. Kup took Ironhide aside and berated him for his conduct. Before their chat could be resolved, the Swarm found them. Kup gathered up the Autobots and began to take them to a previously-agreed-on location across a lone bridge, where Perceptor would fire a shot that would detonate the bridge, separating them from the Swarm. Unfortunately, Perceptor was injured in the evacuation, and Kup had no plan B. Sunstreaker, who revealed he was the traitor, redeemed himself by blowing up the bridge and presumably himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

Kup pushed Ratchet to finish the repairs on Prime, but Ratchet explained that it wouldn't be easy. Prime could die in the process. Despite all odds, Prime survived the operation and was able to boost the Autobots' morale, much to Kup's satisfaction. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} But before long, the Swarm was upon them, having found a second bridge. Kup and the other Autobots, even with Optimus Prime beside them, faced insurmountable odds. Only the surprise arrival of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] turned the tide. Optimus Prime ordered Kup and the others on board Omega Supreme, with designs to leave Cybertron and return to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}
{{-}}

===Timelines: Wings of Honor===
[[Image:WingsofHonor-Kuptransmit.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Turbo-revvin' young punk.]]

Before the Great War, Kup was part of the crew of the Autobot Guard transport ship, the ''[[Eight Track]],'' under the command of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. After Kup transmitted the results of their scan of the Outer Rim, he patched through a transmission from [[Autobot High Command]]. A cargo hauler, the ''[[Van De Graaff]]'', crashed on [[Beta 9]], possibly due to an early Decepticon uprising. Kup and the others were charged with retrieving a very important piece of cargo that was on board the ''Van De Graaff'' and return it to Cybertron. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

After returning home victorious, Kup starred in recruitment videos for the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]]. {{storylink|Join the Elite Guard!}}

Millions of years later, a battle against Cyclonus, Scourge, and the Sweeps reminded Kup of his battle on Beta Nine, and he told the story to Hot Rod and the Dinobots. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}
{{coming soon}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[Image:Toycommercial-Kup.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Kup is so old, there's no clear shots of him on YouTube.]]
* Kup made his [[commercial]] debut alongside Hot Rod and Blurr, joining Optimus Prime in a desert as he faces off against Starscream, Skywarp, Cyclonus and Scourge. As he charges into battle, Kup comments that this reminds him of the battle of the battle on [[Beta 4]] (not to be confused with the battle on [[Beta 9]].) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3OA7bmga98]

* He appeared alongside Hot Rod in one of the movie plot-based commercials, this one for the Sharkticons. The two Autobots are shown driving up to the edge of a greenish pool, from which a pile of Sharkticons emerges and attacks. Kup and Hot Rod fist-fight their way through, with help from Wheelie.

* Kup appeared briefly in the commercial for [[Sixshot]], charging into battle alongside Rodimus Prime, firing at the enemy, and getting knocked aside by Sixshot's "rocket car" mode.

* Kup appeared in the commercial for the [[Monsterbot]]s. As Rodimus Prime and Blurr drive up, Kup reports that there has been a lab accident, and the new Autobots are ''monsters!''

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1toy-Kup.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Back in my day, we hauled cargo all day long without a tailgate and LIKED it!"]]
*'''Kup''' (Autobot, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-82'''
**''Accessories:'' "Musket Laser"

: Kup transforms into a Cybertronic pickup truck (though how he is able to carry goods safely with no tailgate is a mystery). The entire front of the vehicle (including the windshield) is made out of die-cast metal. In robot mode, Kup has full shoulder rotation, though the way his elbows are set up means he cannot make full use of their joints. He (somewhat) makes up for it with swivel wrists. His legs feature no articulation whatsoever. Maybe Hot Rod left a piece out. He is armed with a blue laser rifle. Early releases of Kup had metal rear wheels, while later releases replaced them with black plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Kup/kup.htm More information on Kup at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[Image:G1toy-KupTargetmaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Back in my day, our guns didn't talk back!"]]
*'''Kup''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-113'''
**''Accessories:'' Musket Laser/Recoil Targetmaster partner

: Kup (this time using all-plastic parts rather than die-cast) was slightly [[Retool|retooled]] with larger fist-holes and a mounting point on his vehicle mode back-end in order to make him into a [[Targetmaster]]. He came with his Nebulan partner [[Recoil]] rather than his original blaster.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Kup/kup.htm More information on Targetmaster Kup at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
*'''Future Cybertron''' (Transformers Collection, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TF-20'''
**''Accessories:'' Musket Laser, Musket Laser/Recoil Targetmaster partner (you read that right)

: Targetmaster Kup was reissued in Japan, and like the "[[Transformers Collection]]" reissue of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], he came with his original metal parts restored, as well as both his partner Recoil ''and'' his original gun, which was slightly retooled to fit the larger weapon-mounting points. The set also came with a redecoed [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

: This iteration of the mold was used to make [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Orion Pax]].

===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-KupWoH.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"I remember that time I had a hammer for a hand."]]
*'''Wings of Honor''' ([[BotCon 2009]] box set)
**''Accessories'': Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key

: This version of Kup is a convention-exclusive [[retool]] of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and transforms into a [[wikipedia:Dodge_Magnum|Dodge Magnum]] emergency vehicle. Plugging a [[Cyber Key]] into the back of his car mode causes two rear side-panels to pop out and reveal two spring-forward non-firing blasters. This gimmick is retained in robot mode, where they become over-shoulder blasters. He features an unusual transformation sequence where both the front and rear halves of the vehicle mode come together to form his legs. His hood halves open to reveal storage space for extra tools (a hammer-head and an opening claw) that can be attached onto his left arm blaster.

:Kup comes in a box set with fellow Autobots [[Flak]], [[Thunder Clash]], and [[Landshark]], and rival Decepticon [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].

: The original version of this mold was also used to make [[Cannonball]], and the [[Movie (toyline)|live-action movie-verse]] [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]].

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Kupcharactermodelcomparison.jpg|right|thumb|300px|From old to older!]]
* Check out the original Kup toy's chest-sticker...it's got a pair of [[Floppy disk|5 1/4-inch floppy disk]] drives on it. Apparently, he can store up to two extra Transformers' brains.

* Like the rest of the central ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' cast, Kup had a preliminary [[character model]] by [[Floro Dery]] that was revised by Japanese artists before final animation. And just like the rest of the central movie cast, that early model was used as a basis for his toy design, and for his early Marvel Comics appearances. While other characters' early models often appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon as a result of production errors, Kup's was deliberately employed in the episode "[[Chaos (episode)|Chaos]]", where it was used [[:Image:Kup model comparison Chaos.jpg|in flashback scenes]] to represent a younger version of the character. The final model features a slimmer torso, streamlined leg shapes, and signs of aging.
** In the US Marvel stories, [[José Delbo]] used the older model, while [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Geoff Senior]] used the final model. [[Derek Yaniger]] and [[Manny Galan]] switched back to the older model for Kup's ''Generation 2'' appearances.

* In the Japanese ''[[Binaltech Asterisk]]'' online manga, a little lost kitty was rescued from certain death (well, being stuck in a tree) by [[Ai Kuruma]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. That kitty was named [[Cha]] (Kup's Japanese name).

* The vehicle mode of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' series [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]], another old coot, resembles Kup's Cybertronian vehicle mode from the War Within comic series. This similarity was brought to the fore by Brakedown GTS, a "powered-up" [[redeco]] of the character with the colors changed to resemble Kup's. In fact, the color guide for the redeco, revealed on Hasbro's website, showed that "Kup" was a working name for Brakedown GTS.

* He claims on his MySpace page (see External links) that he's a [[Covenant|Pisces]].<ref>Kup's Myspace page was created by [[Nick Roche]] to promote his IDW [[Spotlight: Kup]] story.</ref> It is best to remember, however, that at the time he wrote this, he was utterly insane.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Kup Kup's Universe profile on NTFA.net]

* [http://www.myspace.com/lostkup Kup's MySpace page]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category: Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]

Reformatting

2009-05-08T02:36:32Z

SiegfreidZ:

The process of upgrading or modifying an existing mechanical system or being. The term can also be applied to other species/lifeforms. When applied to planet-wide changes, it is known as [[Mechaforming]]

When the term was first introduced in [[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]], '''reformatting''' strictly referred to a process by which a Transformer's body is altered almost instantaneously from a mechanical to a [[technorganic]] form. In casual use among fans, the term is often applied more widely to any "instant" body change by some near omnipotent being, such as the Oracle, [[Unicron]], or [[Primus]]. This includes [[Megatron (G1)|G1 Megatron]]'s rebirth as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the [[Maximal|Maximals]] becoming technorganic life-forms, and the creation of the [[Cybertron Defense Team]]. This usage was canonized by the glossary of the [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]] profiles books by [[Dreamwave Productions]], which defined the term as ''"The process of upgrading or otherwise modifying an existing mechanical system or being. Can also be used to apply ot other species/life forms."''

==Fiction==
===''Beast Machines''===
The term was introduced in the premiere of ''Beast Machines'', titled "[[The Reformatting]]". [[Vector Sigma|The Oracle]] reformatted [[Optimus Primal]] and granted him the ability to reformat other Transformers merely by touching them and concentrating. Additionally, later in the series, the [[Vehicon general]] [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] was reformatted (restoring [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]'s conscious mind in the process) when [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] brought him into prolonged contact with [[organic goo]] from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core.

When reformatted, each [[Maximal]] became ''technorganic'', a tightly woven amalgam of technological and organic components. This both bypassed Megatron's [[transformation lock virus]] and gave them newfound weapons and abilities. It was also the penultimate step in an elaborate plan by the Oracle to reformat the entire planet of Cybertron.

At the end of the series, Primal and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] fell into Cybertron's organic core, which initiated the planet-wide reformat that left Cybertron a technorganic paradise.

[[Category:Beast Machines]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2

2009-05-08T01:30:54Z

SiegfreidZ: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=67
|series2=2010
|ep2=2
|image=FFOD2 Galvatron sparks.JPG
|caption=Only Galvatron can see the Energon Fairies
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2"
|production code=#700-87
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|airdate=[[September 2]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''As a near death experience on Chaar allows Rodimus Prime to discover who kidnapped the Autobots, Cyclonus and Scourge head to rescue Galvatron...only to find that something is very wrong with their leader.'''

:''Japanese title:'' ルビークリスタルの秘密 (''Yomaigaeru Shin Hakai Taitei'', "The Revived New Emperor of Destruction")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 2'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FFOD2 Rodimus Grimlock asteroid ship.jpg|left|200px|thumb|If he dead, me Grimlock eat him.]]

On [[Chaar]], the [[Decepticon]]s have discovered the snooping [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. However, the Decepticons cannot muster enough energy to power their weapons, so they opt to beat the two [[Autobot]]s to death. They overwhelm the Rodimus and Grimlock, but scatter at the sight of a meteor...which turns out to be a [[Skuxxoid]] ship commandeered by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. They grab Rodimus and Grimlock, but Rodimus is non-responsive. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] allows them to leave, as he has more pressing matters...such as finding [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

[[Image:FFOD2 Quintesson court.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Who left that camera on?!]]

On [[Quintessa]], the [[Quintesson]]s are interrogating [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. They seem to know the true answers to their questions, even though he lies. They learn that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is militarily secure, but that Kup is worried about [[Earth]]'s security. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] are surprised that the Quintessons seem to know so much, but the Quintessons end their discussion by trying their hand at interrogating Spike.

Elsewhere, Springer sets the Skuxxoid ship down. A badly injured Rodimus is mumbling Springer's name and that of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], and Arcee believes that Rodimus is naming Springer as the new [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Suddenly, Rodimus's [[Spark|life force]] disappears. Arcee assumes the worst, but Grimlock points out that the Matrix didn't appear, so he is still alive. As for Rodimus Prime's life force, it's going on a very trippy (yet poorly animated) journey through the Matrix, seeing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[It|a skull-like thing]], a few robots...and the Quintessons. Coming back online, Rodimus realizes that it was the Quintessons who kidnapped the others, not the Decepticons.

On Quintessa, Spike, Magnus, and Kup overpower their guards, taking a Quintesson judge named [[Judge Deliberata|Deliberata]] hostage. When they confront the court, however, the Quintessons merely sentence him to die in the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] tanks as well. The pit opens, plunging Spike and the Autobots into the pit along with Deliberata. The side of the pit opens, allowing the other Quintessons to watch. They like to watch.

[[Image:FFOD2 Scourge rescuing Galvatron.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Everyone out of the pool!]]

Heading to [[Thrull]], Cyclonus sends [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to pull Galvatron from the plasma pool. Cyclonus and the [[Sweep]]s greet their leader, only to discover that he has been driven insane by the plasma baths. Galvatron immediately proceeds to lay the smackdown on his would-be rescuers, but Scourge, who speaks crazy, manages to talk him down. Galvatron declares that they have an empire to regain, and they depart, but not before Galvatron destroys Thrull.

[[Image:FFOD2 Sharkticon pit.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sharkticon infested custard.]]

On Quintessa, as the Sharkticons begin to swarm in, Spike asks why they're being executed, and the Quintessons say that Spike is guilty of associating with the Autobots, who are guilty of theft. Magnus assumes that they are taking about the Decepticons, but the Quintessons point out that the Autobots inhabit Cybertron. Above, the Skuxxoid ship flies through the sky, only to be destroyed by the Quintessons' defense systems. However, the Autobots were not on board, instead arriving in Springer's [[Alternate mode|copter mode]]. The Quintesson tribunal flees Grimlock's would-be assault, while Springer pulls the others out of the Sharkticon tank. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] arrive with their escape ship. However, the Quintessons, obsessed with destroying the Matrix, detonate a [[core bomb]] on Quintessa. Safely in the distance, they watch their homeworld explode.

[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (13)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (14)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (18)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (19)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)| Silverbolt]] (24)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (25)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (26)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (27)
*[[Slingshot]] (28)

|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (3)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (4)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (5)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (6)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (7)
*[[Wildrider]] (8)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (9)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (10)
*[[Motormaster]] (11)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (12)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (15)
*[[Sweep|Sweeps]] (16)
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (23)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (20)

|c4=
*[[Quintesson]]s (17)
*[[Judge Deliberata]] (21)
*[[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (22)
}}

== Quotes ==
"It just don't pack the wallop it used to!" 
"Yeah, because we're out of energy, dummy!"
:—'''Vortex''' and '''Swindle''' exposit for the audience.

"Mmm! Crunchy!"
:—'''Grimlock''' finds that Decepticon weapons taste great ''and'' are less filling.

'''Cyclonus''': Those miserable Skuxxoids! 
'''Scourge''': They can't be working with the Autobots. 
'''Swindle''': Ehh, they'd sell out to anybody for the right price. 
'''Cyclonus''': If anyone would know, Swindle...
:—It takes one to know one, Swindle.

'''Quintesson 1''': You are the Autobot Kup. You are Cybertron's chief of security. 
'''Kup''': Naw, my name's Teaspoon! And I'm Cybertron's chief dishwasher. 
'''Quintesson 2''': Zero percent probability of truth. Identification positive. 
'''Quintesson 1''': Tell us the status of Cybertron's defenses. 
'''Kup''': Total shambles after the last war. Three kids and a dog could take the planet. 
'''Quintesson 2''': Four percent probability of truth. Defenses at optimum levels. Direct assault not viable.
:—The Quintessons interrogate Kup. They apparently lack a sense of humor.

"Release us, or I turn your buddy here into bluey juice!"
:—'''Spike'''

"He alive! Me Grimlock ''love'' Arcee."
:—'''Grimlock''' loves Arcee for saving Rodimus. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Join]] [[Springer (G1)|the]] [[Chromedome|club]].

'''Rodimus Prime''': Remember when we were shot down over the planet Quintessa? We were tried and sentenced to die? 
'''Grimlock''': Mmm. Me Grimlock rescue you. 
'''Arcee''': You must be kidding. 
'''Rodimus Prime''': No, it's true! He did!
:—The Autobots flash back to [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]] before doing so was cool.

'''Ultra Magnus''': Where are you taking us? 
'''Quintesson''': To your judgement. 
'''Kup''': Right. We're gonna get a fair trial, and then they're gonna kill us.
:—Kup already knows how the Quintesson's justice system works.

"Pay us no mind. We just...like to watch.
:—The '''Quintessons''' creepily enjoy Sharkticons attacking Ultra Magnus, Kup and Spike.

'''Galvatron''': ''Who'' disturbs my plasma bath? 
'''Cyclonus''': Mighty Galvatron, we have come to deliver you from— 
'''Galvatron''': My empire of ash?! 
''[Galvatron hits Cyclonus on the head.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': My bastion of brimstone?! Rih! 
''[Galvatron hits Cyclonus on the head. Again.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': My kingdom of desolation?! Nnah! 
''[Galvatron hits Cyclonus on the head yet again, and then punches him into the plasma pool.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': Did I ask you for deliverance? Nnah! DID I?! 
''[Galvatron kicks Cyclonus, who attempts to get out, back into the plasma pool. Then he proceeds to blow up a rock in the pool.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha! Ah, Cyclonus! How wonderful to see you again!
:—'''Galvatron''' shows '''Cyclonus''' the true definition of craziness.

"Decepticons, your leader has returned! Long live the [[Decepticon Empire|Empire]]! Long live... ahahaha GALVATRON! Hahahah."
:—'''Galvatron''' noting the humor at how totally screwed the Decepticons are.

"Mighty Galvatron, I have learned your lesson! I now know not only that you are the leader, but also why." 
"Such insight is rare! Watch out for this one, Cyclonus. One day, he might take your place."
:—'''Scourge''' and '''Galvatron''' speak crazy.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Bigrumle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Eat more and grow bigger.]]
* While walking with his fellow Decepticons, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is as tall as [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]].
* When Kup sasses the Quintessons by referring to himself as 'Cybertron's chief dishwasher', observe the Quintesson on the throne (the one closest to the screen). One of the faces is mouthing Kup, word for word! This seems to persist for the rest of the scene.
* Even ''after'' being savagely beaten by the Decepticons to the point of death, Rodimus' character model shows absolutely no signs of damage. This is even more unusual when you consider the ''extremely'' damaged condition of the Decepticons earlier in the episode.
* When Rodimus confirms that Grimlock saved his life on Quintessa, his helmet is drawn very...oddly.
* At one point Kup says "You're confusing us with Decepticons." in Ultra Magnus's voice.
* Silverbolt is really big when escaping from Quintessa. The Autobots could board him with no problem. Now '''''THAT'S''''' [[Size changing|mass shifting]].

===Continuity errors===
* Before his life force temporarily enters the Matrix, Rodimus says "My time in the light is short..." Arcee claims that's what Optimus Prime said when he was dying. But in the movie, Optimus actually said "Do not grieve. Soon, I shall be one with the Matrix..." Although the definition '''''was''''' largely the same.
* In the previous episode, when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] first learns of Galvatron's location, the lava pool where Galvatron was submerged appeared in a small crater. When Cyclonus actually does find Galvatron, the location not only seem different, but the crater has gotten larger as well. Finally, when [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] pulls Galvatron out, the lava pool is the size of a small lake.
* The Quintesson that was sentenced along with Spike, Kup and Ultra Magnus apparently vanishes after they take the plunge, at least until Rodimus makes an attempt to rescue them, where he is once again seen with them.

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_2.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2

2009-05-08T01:28:05Z

SiegfreidZ: /* Synopsis */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=67
|series2=2010
|ep2=2
|image=FFOD2 Galvatron sparks.JPG
|caption=Only Galvatron can see the Energon Fairies
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2"
|production code=#700-87
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|airdate=[[September 2]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''As a near death experience on Chaar allows Rodimus Prime to discover who kidnapped the Autobots, Cyclonus and Scourge head to rescue Galvatron...only to find that something is very wrong with their leader.'''

:''Japanese title:'' ルビークリスタルの秘密 (''Yomaigaeru Shin Hakai Taitei'', "The Revived New Emperor of Destruction")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 2'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FFOD2 Rodimus Grimlock asteroid ship.jpg|left|200px|thumb|If he dead, me Grimlock eat him.]]

On [[Chaar]], the [[Decepticon]]s have discovered the snooping [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. However, the Decepticons cannot muster enough energy to power their weapons, so they opt to beat the two [[Autobot]]s to death. They overwhelm the Rodimus and Grimlock, but scatter at the sight of a meteor...which turns out to be a [[Skuxxoid]] ship commandeered by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. They grab Rodimus and Grimlock, but Rodimus is non-responsive. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] allows them to leave, as he has more pressing matters...such as finding [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

[[Image:FFOD2 Quintesson court.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Who left that camera on?!]]

On [[Quintessa]], the [[Quintesson]]s are interrogating [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. They seem to know the true answers to their questions, even though he lies. They learn that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is militarily secure, but that Kup is worried about [[Earth]]'s security. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] are surprised that the Quintessons seem to know so much, but the Quintessons end their discussion by trying their hand at interrogating Spike.

Elsewhere, Springer sets the Skuxxoid ship down. A badly injured Rodimus is mumbling Springer's name and that of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], and Arcee believes that Rodimus is naming Springer as the new [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Suddenly, Rodimus's [[Spark|life force]] disappears. Arcee assumes the worst, but Grimlock points out that the Matrix didn't appear, so he is still alive. As for Rodimus Prime's life force, it's going on a very trippy (yet poorly animated) journey through the Matrix, seeing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[It|a skull-like thing]], a few robots...and the Quintessons. Coming back online, Rodimus realizes that it was the Quintessons who kidnapped the others, not the Decepticons.

On Quintessa, Spike, Magnus, and Kup overpower their guards, taking a Quintesson judge named [[Judge Deliberata|Deliberata]] hostage. When they confront the court, however, the Quintessons merely sentence him to die in the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]] tanks as well. The pit opens, plunging Spike and the Autobots into the pit along with Deliberata. The side of the pit opens, allowing the other Quintessons to watch. They like to watch.

[[Image:FFOD2 Scourge rescuing Galvatron.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Everyone out of the pool!]]

Heading to [[Thrull]], Cyclonus sends [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to pull Galvatron from the plasma pool. Cyclonus and the [[Sweep]]s greet their leader, only to discover that he has been driven insane by the plasma baths. Galvatron immediately proceeds to lay the smackdown on his would-be rescuers, but Scourge, who speaks crazy, manages to talk him down. Galvatron declares that they have an empire to regain, and they depart, but not before Galvatron destroys Thrull.

[[Image:FFOD2 Sharkticon pit.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sharkticon infested custard.]]

On Quintessa, as the Sharkticons begin to swarm in, Spike asks why they're being executed, and the Quintessons say that Spike is guilty of associating with the Autobots, who are guilty of theft. Magnus assumes that they are taking about the Decepticons, but the Quintessons point out that the Autobots inhabit Cybertron. Above, the Skuxxoid ship flies through the sky, only to be destroyed by the Quintessons' defense systems. However, the Autobots were not on board, instead arriving in Springer's [[Alternate mode|copter mode]]. The Quintesson tribunal flees Grimlock's would-be assault, while Springer pulls the others out of the Sharkticon tank. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] arrive with their escape ship. However, the Quintessons, obsessed with destroying the Matrix, detonate a [[core bomb]] on Quintessa. Safely in the distance, they watch their homeworld explode.

[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (13)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (14)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (18)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (19)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)| Silverbolt]] (24)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (25)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (26)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (27)
*[[Slingshot]] (28)

|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (3)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (4)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (5)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (6)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (7)
*[[Wildrider]] (8)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (9)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (10)
*[[Motormaster]] (11)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (12)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (15)
*[[Sweep|Sweeps]] (16)
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (23)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (20)

|c4=
*[[Quintesson]]s (17)
*[[Judge Deliberata]] (21)
*[[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (22)
}}

== Quotes ==
"It just don't pack the wallop it used to!" 
"Yeah, because we're out of energy, dummy!"
:—'''Vortex''' and '''Swindle''' exposit for the audience.

"Mmm! Crunchy!"
:—'''Grimlock''' finds that Decepticon weapons taste great ''and'' are less filling.

'''Cyclonus''': Those miserable Skuxxoids! 
'''Scourge''': They can't be working with the Autobots. 
'''Swindle''': Ehh, they'd sell out to anybody for the right price. 
'''Cyclonus''': If anyone would know, Swindle...
:—It takes one to know one, Swindle.

'''Quintesson 1''': You are the Autobot Kup. You are Cybertron's chief of security. 
'''Kup''': Naw, my name's Teaspoon! And I'm Cybertron's chief dishwasher. 
'''Quintesson 2''': Zero percent probability of truth. Identification positive. 
'''Quintesson 1''': Tell us the status of Cybertron's defenses. 
'''Kup''': Total shambles after the last war. Three kids and a dog could take the planet. 
'''Quintesson 2''': Four percent probability of truth. Defenses at optimum levels. Direct assault not viable.
:—The Quintessons interrogate Kup. They apparently lack a sense of humor.

"Release us, or I turn your buddy here into bluey juice!"
:—'''Spike'''

"He alive! Me Grimlock ''love'' Arcee."
:—'''Grimlock''' loves Arcee for saving Rodimus. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Join]] [[Springer (G1)|the]] [[Chromedome|club]].

'''Rodimus Prime''': Remember when we were shot down over the planet Quintessa? We were tried and sentenced to die? 
'''Grimlock''': Mmm. Me Grimlock rescue you. 
'''Arcee''': You must be kidding. 
'''Rodimus Prime''': No, it's true! He did!
:—The Autobots flash back to [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]] before doing so was cool.

'''Ultra Magnus''': Where are you taking us? 
'''Quintesson''': To your judgement. 
'''Kup''': Right. We're gonna get a fair trial, and then they're gonna kill us.
:—Kup already knows how the Quintessons justice system works.

"Pay us no mind. We just...like to watch.
:—The '''Quintessons''' creepily enjoy Sharkticons attacking Ultra Magnus, Kup and Spike.

'''Galvatron''': ''Who'' disturbs my plasma bath? 
'''Cyclonus''': Mighty Galvatron, we have come to deliver you from— 
'''Galvatron''': My empire of ash?! 
''[Galvatron hits Cyclonus on the head.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': My bastion of brimstone?! Rih! 
''[Galvatron hits Cyclonus on the head. Again.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': My kingdom of desolation?! Nnah! 
''[Galvatron hits Cyclonus on the head yet again, and then punches him into the plasma pool.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': Did I ask you for deliverance? Nnah! DID I?! 
''[Galvatron kicks Cyclonus, who attempts to get out, back into the plasma pool. Then he proceeds to blow up a rock in the pool.]'' 
'''Galvatron''': Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha! Ah, Cyclonus! How wonderful to see you again!
:—'''Galvatron''' shows '''Cyclonus''' the true definition of craziness.

"Decepticons, your leader has returned! Long live the [[Decepticon Empire|Empire]]! Long live... ahahaha GALVATRON! Hahahah."
:—'''Galvatron''' noting the humor at how totally screwed the Decepticons are.

"Mighty Galvatron, I have learned your lesson! I now know not only that you are the leader, but also why." 
"Such insight is rare! Watch out for this one, Cyclonus. One day, he might take your place."
:—'''Scourge''' and '''Galvatron''' speak crazy.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Bigrumle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Eat more and grow bigger.]]
* While walking with his fellow Decepticons, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is as tall as [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]].
* When Kup sasses the Quintessons by referring to himself as 'Cybertron's chief dishwasher', observe the Quintesson on the throne (the one closest to the screen). One of the faces is mouthing Kup, word for word! This seems to persist for the rest of the scene.
* Even ''after'' being savagely beaten by the Decepticons to the point of death, Rodimus' character model shows absolutely no signs of damage. This is even more unusual when you consider the ''extremely'' damaged condition of the Decepticons earlier in the episode.
* When Rodimus confirms that Grimlock saved his life on Quintessa, his helmet is drawn very...oddly.
* At one point Kup says "You're confusing us with Decepticons." in Ultra Magnus's voice.
* Silverbolt is really big when escaping from Quintessa. The Autobots could board him with no problem. Now '''''THAT'S''''' [[Size changing|mass shifting]].

===Continuity errors===
* Before his life force temporarily enters the Matrix, Rodimus says "My time in the light is short..." Arcee claims that's what Optimus Prime said when he was dying. But in the movie, Optimus actually said "Do not grieve. Soon, I shall be one with the Matrix..." Although the definition '''''was''''' largely the same.
* In the previous episode, when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] first learns of Galvatron's location, the lava pool where Galvatron was submerged appeared in a small crater. When Cyclonus actually does find Galvatron, the location not only seem different, but the crater has gotten larger as well. Finally, when [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] pulls Galvatron out, the lava pool is the size of a small lake.
* The Quintesson that was sentenced along with Spike, Kup and Ultra Magnus apparently vanishes after they take the plunge, at least until Rodimus makes an attempt to rescue them, where he is once again seen with them.

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_2.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Kup (G1)

2009-05-08T00:14:14Z

SiegfreidZ: /* Generation 1 cartoon */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Kup}}
:''Kup is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Kupg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Four of me, and ya got a [[quartex]]. Speakin' of quartex, that reminds me of the time..."]]
'''Kup''' is a tough old coot. He's almost as old as rust, in fact, and he was plinking [[Decepticon|Decepticon]]s and [[Ick-Yak]]s with acid bursts from his trusty musket laser long before most of you turbo-revvin' young punks were born. In his day, lasers didn't ''need'' to use light; they did whatever they were told to do. And liked it.

He's probably had a thousand adventures, Kup has, and he'll be glad to relate a story of any one of them at any time to a willing audience. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] love Kup's war stories, lapping it up like cheap [[Energon (G1)|Energon]], and don't seem to mind when he inadvertently leaves a piece out or changes the story between retellings. Old memory chips'll do that to you. Other Autobots can be less patient, and Kup finds this disrespectful and irritating. If there's one thing Kup dislikes, it's when young punks don't respect their elders. If they'd only listen, they might learn something. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] is one of the worst offenders in this way, but he's a good lad-bot, and Kup will straighten him out sooner or later, even if it takes a tank of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s.

Occasionally, Kup's vast experience gets in his way. When a situation doesn't remind him of anything, he has trouble figuring out what to do. This doesn't happen very often though.

{{quote|The past is the greatest teacher.|Kup's original [[bio]] motto}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Chear'''<ref>"Chear" is used twice in English on the Kup/Wheelie "Future Cybertrons" reissue, so is presumably the transliteration Takara currently favors.</ref> (チャー, chaa, except for "The Rebirth")
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Kaisso'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Kup''' — '''(Űr)Zsaru''' ["(Space)Cop"] in one of the dubs of The Movie.
:''Italian name'': '''Blitz''' / '''Char''' (''Headmasters'' dub only)
:''Russian TV dub name'': '''Vorchoon''' ("Grumbler")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Lionel Stander]] → [[John Stephenson]] (US), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japan), [[Carl Béchard]] (French Canadian)

[[Image:Chaos deathcrystalmines.jpg|left|230px|thumb|Worked in the coal mines twenty two hours a day for just half a cent.]]

In his younger days, one hundred thousand years ago, Kup once found himself crash-landed on the planet [[Dread]], where he was stalked by an [[Ick-Yak]]. Although Kup was able to lure the creature into a swamp of [[quickmud]], he was then captured by the evil [[Orb]]s, who forced him to work in the [[death crystal]] mines of of [[Queeg Mountain]]. When the miners were attacked by [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]], the creature on whose hide the crystals grew, Kup was afforded an opportunity to escape. Before exiting the mines, he quickly grabbed the key to the cell in which the other slaves were held... but before he could open the cell door, Chaos came roaring into the cavern. Petrified, Kup dropped the keys and fled, escaping with his life, and a guilt that would gnaw at him for millennia. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

Kup was stationed in another part of the galaxy while [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces were battling on [[Earth]], but eventually joined up with the Earthbound Autobots when the Decepticons took over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the early days of the 21st Century. {{storylink|Secret Files of Teletraan II}}

[[Image:Kup tale.jpg|right|230px|thumb|Matlooooooooock!]]

In 2005, Kup was supervising the erection of a security cordon at the foot of [[Lookout Mountain]] when the work was interrupted by an impetuous drive-through by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. Kup shook his finger at the adventure-seeking youth, vowing to straighten him out yet. Even Kup couldn't believe it, however, when mere minutes later, Hot Rod began firing upon the approaching [[Autobot shuttle]]. The shuttle had, in fact, been hijacked by the Decepticons, who immediately began pouring out of the craft and attacking [[Autobot City]]. Kup saved Hot Rod from being blasted by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], and the pair then headed back towards the city, but they didn't move fast enough to avoid being trapped outside of the city's fortress-like defenses. Luckily, an attempted hull breach by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] opened a small hole in the city's blast doors, and Kup used [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]'s skull as a ramp to leap the gap and make it into the city safely.

[[Image:Tftm_launcherpush.jpg|left|230px|thumb|If only we had the additional strength of a small earth boy to help us push this.]]

Once inside the city, Kup and Hot Rod joined [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] in shoving an explosives launcher into place to help defend against the might of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The battle continued through the night, but the arrival Optimus Prime the next day turned the tide and the Decepticons were defeated—but at a terrible price. Despite Kup's warnings, Hot Rod had interfered in Prime and Megatron's one-on-one battle, and had given the Decepticon leader the opening he needed to fatally wound Prime. Prime had used the last of his strength to dispatch Megatron, but as Kup and the other Autobots gathered around their fallen leader, Optimus Prime died, passing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

[[Image:Tftm_kup_tells_story.jpg|230px|right|thumb]]

Even as the Autobots began to pick up the pieces, they came under assault on two fronts. First, reports came in from their moonbases of a [[Unicron|monster planet]] that was bearing down on Cybertron; when Hot Rod eagerly announced that he was sure the Matrix could stop the creature, Kup was less than convinced, asking what the youth would know about it. The Autobots made quick preparations to join their comrades on Cybertron's moons, but just before they were able to board their shuttles, a group of new Decepticons led by the powerful [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] launched another attack upon the ruins of Autobots City. Kup, Hot Rod and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] boarded one of the shuttles and hot-footed it into space. Once they were safely away, Kup passed the time during the trip by telling the Dinobots the tale of his encounter with another Ick Yak on [[Beta 4]]. The story was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Decepticons, and while Kup's experience with the [[Shrikebat]]s of [[Dromedon]] allowed him to out-manoeuvre the villains' [[moleculon missile]]s, an attack by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] crippled the shuttle and caused it to crash-land into an ocean on the planet [[Quintessa]]. Kup was set upon by a robotic squid, which tore off several of his limbs before Hot Rod was able to fight it off. Hot Rod gathered up all of Kup's pieces and put his friend back together again, but despite the fact that he managed to get rid of a burr on Kup's rotator, Kup was fairly insistent that Hot Rod had left a piece out.

[[Image:TFTM Kup beserker.jpg|left|230px|thumb|"Y'see, lad -- I've been dismembering monsters since before you were a gleam in your protoform batch initiator's optic! Now fetch me some prune juice!"]]

Setting out to explore Quintessa and find the Dinobots, Kup and Hot Rod came across a herd of [[Allicon|strange transforming creatures]] which Kup attempted to placate with the [[universal greeting]] and some [[energon (G1)|energon]] goodies. Unfortunately, when the goodies ran out, so did the creatures' good nature, and Kup and Hot Rod were set upon, captured and dragged before the planet's rulers, the [[Quintesson]]s. The whole experience reminded Kup of the [[Niter Slave Mines]] on [[Golgonath Seven]], but Hot Rod didn't see what good the old-timer's experienced was doing them at that moment. Hurled into a jail cell to await trial, the pair met another captive named [[Kranix]], whose world had been consumed by the monster plant currently threatening Cybertron: a monster that Kranix told them was named [[Unicron]]. Sadly, Kranix soon met his end in the jaws of the Quintesson' [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], and Kup and Hot Rod were dropped into the creatures' pit soon after. The pair did not accept the Quintessons' judgement with gentle grace, however, and fought back against the Sharkticons, creating a whirlpool by driving around their watery pit and sweeping the fight to dry land. Kup tore off one of the Sharkticons' tails and used it as a mace, but the duo was in danger of being overwhelmed until the timely arrival of the Dinobots, who routed the Sharkticons and turned them against their Quintesson masters. With the aid of the Dinobots' new friend, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the team found a ship and reunited with their fellow Autobots on the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]]. There, Kup was able to talk a little TV with native [[Junkion]] leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], but even the levity the Junkions brought to the proceedings did not obscure the tragic news that Galvatron had stolen the Matrix from Ultra Magnus.

[[Image:Kup vehiclemode.jpg|right|thumb|275px]]

Proceeding on their way to Cybertron, the Autobots arrived just in time to witness Unicron transforming to robot mode and attacking their home planet – a sight so awesome that it left Kup speechless, unable to recall anything like it that had ever seen. Ever eager, Hot Rod ploughed their ship straight into Unicron's eye, but was separated from the rest of the group on the fall through the chaos-bringer's interior. While Kup and the other Autobots battled against Unicron's internal defences, Hot Rod battled Galvatron (who had been betrayed Unicron and been swallowed in punishment) and reclaimed the Matrix from him, becoming the Autobots' new leader, Rodimus Prime. Rodimus unleashed the power of the Matrix, which began to destroy Unicron from within, and as the Autobots retreated from the planet-eater's exploding body, Kup congratulated Rodimus, claiming he had always known he had potential. In the wake of Unicron's destruction, the Autobots forced the Decepticons off of Cybertron and reclaimed the planet for their own. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:ffod_pitfall.jpg|left|275px|thumb|The year is nineteen-aught-six! The President is the divine Miss Sara Bernhardt! And all over America, people were doing a dance called the "Funky Grandpa"!]]

Appointed as chief of security for Cybertron, Kup accompanied Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots to the opening of the [[Galactic Olympics]], only for the ceremony to be attacked by a commando squad of mysterious shadowy figures. The raiders captured Kup, Ultra Magnus and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and took them back to their masters, {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} who turned out to be the Quintessons. This time around, the aliens interrogated Kup a lot more thoroughly, questioning him on the state of Cybertron's security and meticulously analyzing his responses, seeing through the sarcastic misdirection he attempted to throw back in their faces. After a failed attempt escape landed the trio in the Sharkticon pit, the end seemed inevitable, until a team of Autobots led by Rodimus Prime arrived in time to save them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} In retaliation, the Quintessons detonated a [[core bomb]] and blew up Quintessa, and the explosion hurled Kup and the Autobots through space to the planet [[Goo]]. As the Autobots struggled through the planet's sticky surface, they were set upon by a massive machine that swept the goo clean, and Kup was awestruck by Rodimus's single-handed attempt to stop the dangerous device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} As they continued on their gooey trek, the Autobots came under attack from Galvatron and the Decepticons, who had entered into an alliance with the Quintessons, but were whisked to safety by Wreck-Gar and the Junkions.

A short time later, back on Cybertron, a mayday request came through from a crippled shuttle requesting clearance to land. Unable to risk the lives on the humans that he believed were onboard, Kup allowed the shuttle to land... but as it approached Cybertron, it veered off course and crashed into the planet's central power facility, taking out power across the board. The shuttle had been a dupe perpetuated by the Decepticon/Quintesson alliance, which promptly invaded the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} In the ensuing battle, Rodimus and Kup were surprised when Blitzwing fell out of the sky in front of them, and begged them no to shoot. The [[Triple Changer]] revealed that the Quintessons had double-crossed the Decepticons, and had sent a team of Sharkticons into the depths of Cybertron to activate a [[large switch]] that would shut down all the Transformers. Rodimus and Blitzwing were unable to stop the switch being thrown, but Spike Witwicky was then able to destroy the mechanism and reactivate the Transformers, forcing the Quintessons to flee Galvatron's wrath. Kup stood by Rodimus's side as he announced their uneasy victory to the other Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[Image:Chaos_kup_vs_chaos.jpg|230px|right|thumb]]

The past came back to haunt Kup when he was called in to investigate a Decepticon attack on the [[Earth Defense Command]] post on Goo. Discovering that the attack had been perpetrated using death crystals, Kup was finally forced to return to planet Dread to stop the Decepticons' plan to destroy Cybertron using a death crystal cannon. Venturing into the mines alone, through swarms of [[shrikebat]]s, Kup located Chaos in the depths of the mountain and lured him back to the surface, taunting him all the way. Before exiting the mines, Kup freed all the slaves, and in turn, they helped him to re-aim the Decepticons' cannon, pointing it right at Chaos at the monster emerged from the tunnels. Kup pulled the trigger, blasting Chaos with its own death crystals and finally destroying it. With his demons laid to rest, the high-spirited Kup spent the journey back to Cybertron tell his comrades of the time he flew the shuttle [[Jonagar]] in the mouth of a space-whale. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

[[Image:Darkawakening_kup_fires.jpg|215px|left|thumb]]

Kup was among a team of Autobots who were caught off-guard by the Decepticons while travelling through space in a shuttle, and were forced to dock their damaged craft at the giant mausoleum the Autobots had constructed to hold the bodies of those who had died in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. There, they were shocked to discover that Optimus Prime had apparently returned to life, only to find themselves suddenly betrayed by their old leader when he set the mausoleum on a collision course with a sun and escaped aboard a spaceship of his own. The Autobots quickly improvised a ship of their own before the mausoleum was destroyed, which Kup piloted back to Cybertron. Upon their returned, it was discovered that "Optimus Prime" was merely a robotic zombie, animated as part of a Quintesson plan to destroy the Autobots, forcing Rodimus Prime to defeat him in battle. His true personality re-emerging as he neared death again, Optimus seemingly sacrificed himself, getting the other Autobots to safety and triggering the Quintessons' explosive trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

When a survey mission led by Perceptor sent out an SOS, Kup responded with Rodimus Prime, [[Pipes]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. The team fought off the Quintessons occupying the asteroid, and discovered that the aliens had been attempting to alter history using a [[Time Window]]. Most of Perceptor's team had vanished through the portal into Cybertron's distant past, and Kup and the others fought off a Quintesson attempt to reclaim the asteroid while their teammates were returned to the present. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

The arrival of an Autobot named [[Sandstorm (Autobot)|Sandstorm]] on Cybertron gave Kup cause for concern, as the newcomer claimed to be from the planet [[Paradron]], which Kup was unable to locate on any star charts. A lie detector confirmed the truth of Sandstorm's story, however, and the Autobots rallied to save his world from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}} Soon after, when Kup discovered that a team of Decepticons had been able to sneak their way past Cybertron defences, he, Rodimus, Magnus and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] headed out to force the villains off the planet. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

[[Image:Gitm_kup_and_screamer.jpg|right|thumb]]

While making a security inspection of Autobot City on Earth, Kup was impressed by the work [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] had been doing in his absence. Blaster's choice of music, however, still rattled his transistors. During Kup's visit, Autobot City was attacked by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. They did serious damage to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], stealing his eyes and then blowing up a bomb inside his brain. Hopefully, Kup didn't mark that up in his report as a strike against Blaster. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:Ditd_vampire_kup_and_springer.jpg|250px|left|thumb]]

Alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Blaster and [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Kup headed to Junkion to investigate a strange hypnotic television signal that was coming from the planet. On their way, they were attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s and crashed on an asteroid, where Kup helped draw the Decepticons off so that Magnus could repair the damage done to Omega Supreme. The team voyaged on to Junkion, where they stopped the hypnotic broadcast. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006}} Not long after, Kup was among the Transformers who fell victim to the energy-draining touch of the [[Trans-Organic]] [[Dweller]], becoming an [[energy vampire]] who menaced the other Autobots until Perceptor restored them to normal with a surge of energon. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

Kup was working out of Autobot City on Earth when Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Springer and Arcee went missing investigating the human terrorist, [[Victor Drath]]. Unbeknownst to Kup, the crime lord transplanted the four Autobots' minds into human-like [[synthoid]] bodies, and when the humanized Arcee attempted to get his attention near the entrance of Autobot City, he just drove on by.{{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:Grimnewbrain_kup_vs_sintwin.jpg|right|thumb]]

When the Autobots all began experiencing malfunctions following the activation of Cybertron's newest power generator, Kup was part of the team that ventured below the planet's surface to investigate the cause. The source of the malfunctions was discovered to be [[anti-electron]]s snuck into the generator by the Decepticons, which began to affect Kup's mind, leaving his much vaunted memory of past adventures so badly scrambled that he couldn't even remember who he was or where they were. The generator was shut down, but the Autobots soon deduced that the anti-electrons had come from Unicron, and followed the Decepticons to the planet-eater's decapitated head to stop them from acquiring more. Once they arrived on Unicron's head, the anti-electrons began affecting them once more, but Kup fought off their influence long enough to hold his own against [[Sinnertwin]]. The Decepticons were then routed by the [[Technobot]]s, new Autobots created by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] using the super-intelligence the anti-electrons had given him. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

Running the security center on Cybertron, Kup detected the cataclysmic arrival of [[Tornedron]] shortly before the energy creature devoured all energy on the planet, leaving every Autobot completely inert. Only a small group of [[Primitive]]s from both factions managed to reach the creature's creator, [[Primacron]], and reverse the process. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

[[Image:Bhtb_kup_and_rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|Kup is apparently a chickenhawk. I mean, look at that butt!]]

During a series of missions in Japan, Kup could see the burden of leadership weighing heavily on Rodimus Prime's shoulders. Kup tried to teach him about the Japanese concept of ''giri'', the "burden hardest to bear", but Rodimus departed to blow off some steam on his own, and Kup recognized that it was a problem Rodimus would have to resolve for himself. Unfortunately, Rodimus was attacked by the [[Stunticon]]s and had the Matrix stolen, which then wound up in the clutches of Scourge, who led a Decepticon attack on Tokyo. Kup face off against the Matrix-powered Decepticon, but was hit by energy beams that left him convulsing. Luckily, Hot Rod made peace with his ''giri'' and arrived in time to defeat Scourge and reclaim the Matrix. Kup sagely noted that regardless of who held the Matrix, that missing part of himself that Rodimus had discovered would always be with him. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[Image:Roop_kup_and_prime.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]

When the Autobots learned that Optimus Prime might still be alive, Kup was part of an enormous task force assembled by Rodimus Prime to retrieve Optimus's body from the treacherous human scientists who had taken possession of it. While Ultra Magnus and Rodimus led several team members inside the laboratory, Kup remained outside on guard with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Wheelie, and several others. The situation turned deadly when the scientists unleashed space spores that induced a [[Hate Plague]] among the Autobots. The Aerialbots were among the first exposed, and Kup's team soon had to face off against a crazed [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. They suffered serious damage and were taken off-line but, as a silver lining, also managed to escape contamination. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} As his last order before he too was lost to the plague, Rodimus Prime had Sky Lynx locate a Quintesson, who was put to work restoring Optimus Prime to life at last. At Prime's instruction, the Quintesson repaired Kup and the rest of his team, and the group then headed for the Decepticons' base on [[Chaar]] to recover a heat-resistant alloy the villains had stolen. Battling through the dangers of Chaar's native wildlife, the Autobots were able to recover the alloy, but not before Kup and most of his team were infected by the Hate Plague. Optimus Prime subsequently used the alloy to shield himself from the plague's effect and recovered the Matrix from Rodimus Prime, then released its wisdom to cure the madness of the spores. A cured Kup and Hot Rod watched as Optimus Prime and Galvatron shook hands, as the Decepticon leader declared there would be no war that day. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

[[Image:Rebirth_targetmaster_torture.jpg|225px|left|thumb]]

Galvatron's promise did not last long, unfortunately. Kup was on Cybertron when the Decepticons launched a massive assault on Autobot City on Earth and stole the [[key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] , but word of the attack soon reached Cybertron as the Decepticon bore down on the planet. During the ensuing conflict, Kup and a team of other Autobot boarded a shuttle and pursued Scourge into the depths of the planet, but when Scourge used the key to momentarily open the Plasma Energy Chamber, the energy released blasted the Autobots' shuttle across the galaxy. The ship crashed on the planet [[Nebulos]], which reminded Kup of the time he was stranded on [[Regulon Four]] and faced off against the planet's native [[Regulon metalmonger|metalmongers]]. The Autobots were soon captured by a rebel cell of native Nebulans, who believed them to agents of the planet's evil rulers, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], but the Autobots were able to convince them that they were on the side of the angels when the Decepticons followed them to Nebulos and attacked. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Image:Rebirth_kup_and_recoil.jpg|right|thumb|When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.]]

During the battle that resulted, Kup, Hot Rod, Blurr, [[Pointblank]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] were captured by the Decepticons and tortured for information about the location of the Plasma Energy Chamber key. Kup and his comrades were soon rescued by the other Autobots, who had bonded with the Nebulons rebels to become powerful "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]", and soon decided to undergo a variation of this bonding process themselves, becoming "[[Targetmaster]]s". By the time Optimus Prime finally tracked his warriors to Nebulos and arrived to join them, Kup had been bonded to the Nebulan Recoil, and was the first to display his new powers to the shocked Prime. Alas, even with this added power, the Autobots were unable to prevent the Decepticons from stealing back the Plasma Energy Chamber key. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

Pursuing the Decepticons back to Cybertron, Kup delivered the shocking report to his fellow Autobots that the planet itself had disappeared. The Decepticons had, in fact, moved it into Earth's orbit, where Galvatron intended to open the Plasma Energy Chamber and overload the sun, destroying both planets in one fell swoop. As the chamber was opened, Kup and all the other Transformers on the planet were disabled by its energy, but thankfully, Spike Witwicky and the Autobots' Nebulan partners were able to stop the process and use the energy to revitalize Cybertron, bring about a new Golden Age for the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
[[Image:Madman comic HotRod sigh.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"You're gonna be the death of that guy, you know?"]]
In the year 2001, the Decepticons had managed to conquer Cybertron completely. Before Optimus Prime left to lead the evacuation of the remaining Autobots on their home planet, he told Ultra Magnus about his intention to hide the Autobot Matrix of Leadership at a not-so-secret bunker on the construction site of the future Autobot City on Earth. The Decepticon [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his array of [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette]]a managed to spy on meeting and moved to capture the Autobot relic for the Decepticon cause, but fortunately that young lad Hot Rod foiled their dastardly and vague plans. Upon arriving on Earth, Kup was present when Hot Rod returned the Matrix to Optimus, and explained the strange Matrix-induced vision he received, to which Optimus Prime commented that perhaps Hot Rod's destiny was greater than the young Autobot realised. Kup had a decidedly different opinion, however. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}
====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese animated continuity as described above, except that the events of "The Rebirth" do not occur. Additionally, this continuity moves the events of 2006 to 2010, and inserts several additional events into the newly-created intervening years.}}

=====''Story of the Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====

[[Image:Kup_g1manga.jpg|right|thumb]]
Responding to an SOS from deep space, a team of Autobots including Kup helped rescue a human spacecraft from the jaws of a shaceship-eating Decepticon vessel. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1}}

When the Autobots were attacked by the [[Megatron Military]], Kup was decidedly puzzled, as he had understood that Megatron had been recreated as Galvatron. The Megatrons proved to be tough opponents, and Kup and the other Autobots encouraged Rodimus to get away to safety while they held the Megatrons back, but the Autobot leader refused. Soon, it was discovered that one of the Megatrons was Galvatron in disguise, who was remote-controlling the duplicate Megatrons himself. Rodimus dispatched Galvatron, and the Megatrons lost power, allowing Kup and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to make short work of them. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2}}

After Ultra Magnus and Metroplex repelled an attack on Autobot City, Kup was among the Autobots who came to Earth to congratulate their efforts. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3}} Later, Kup was part of the Autobot team who travelled to the planet [[Feminia]] to defend its [[Prime Energy]] against a Decepticon attack. Kup deduced that the villains would deploy [[Predaking]] to steal the energy, and he was right, but thankfully, arrival of the [[Omnibot]]s won the day. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
Kup watched the battle between the upgraded [[Abominus]] and [[Computron]], {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 2}} then later joined Hot Rod, Springer and the resurrected Optimus Prime in battling Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps in space shortly after Prime was resurrected. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Osamu Saka]]

[[Image:kup_and_fortress.jpg|left|240px|thumb]]

In 2011, one year after Optimus Prime's resurrection, Kup was stationed on Cybertron when [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize as a result of the release of the Matrix's energy. Exploiting the opening, the Decepticons invaded the planet, and, at Optimus Prime's command, Kup withdrew to the Autobots' secondary headquarters on the planet [[Athenia]]. This sudden, violent re-ignition of the Transformers' war stirred four-million-year-old memories in Kup, but Spike stopped him before he got started by informing that this wasn't a time when thinking of the past was going to do any good. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} As it turned out, the past ''did'' play a major role in winning the battle, when a mysterious spaceship arrived carrying new Autobot warriors who helped turned the tide of the battle. These new "Headmasters" were led by a robot named [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who turned out to be an old friend of Kup's who had left Cybertron four million years ago to escape the war. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[Image:Headmasters_threestooges.jpg|240px|right|thumb]]

Kup stayed on Athenia with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], Wheelie and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] while the other Autobots began searching across Earth for the Matrix, which had been hidden away by Optimus Prime, but which would be necessary to stabilize Vector Sigma. Kup recalled the battle on Feminia and told the other Autobots to trust in Hot Rod – and Kup's trust was not misplaced, as Hot Rod and the Headmasters soon had the Matrix in their hands. Kup's team returned to Cybertron to monitor Vector Sigma as its condition grew worse, but alas, before Hot Rod (now Rodimus Prime once again) could use the Matrix to stabilize the computer, Optimus Prime sacrificed himself by merging with it to bring it back under control. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Kup later conferred with Rodimus Prime on the Decepticons' new weapon, the [[Madmachine]], and tried to help console the [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s over the loss of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} Not long after, when Athenia was threatened by the Deceptiocons' metal-warping meteor, [[Metamorpho]], Kup hit upon the idea of sending a human to disable the space-rock, as they would be unaffected by its powers. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Rodimus Prime was on a mission to Earth when an SOS from the planet [[Praum]] reached Kup, Arcee and Blurr on Athenia, reminding Kup of several times in the past when the Decepticons deliberately attacked when the Autobots were without a commander. Kup was eager to go into battle on Praum alongside the Headmasters, but they encouraged him to stay behind and guard Athenia with Blurr and Arcee. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

[[Image:Headmasters_rodimus_kup_blurr.jpg|240px|left|thumb]]

When the Decepticons launched a massive attack on Cybertron in order to obtain a new alloy created by Vector Sigma named [[Cybertonuron]], Kup and Arcee leapt into action, but were held up from joining the battle when they had to stop to pull Blurr free of the chair he'd managed to get stuck in. They soon made it to Cybertron, however, and watched from the sidelines as Rodimus battled Galvatron. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} When Galvatron broke off the fight, Rodimus and Kup withdrew to debate strategy with Fortress, but the bad news kept on coming: [[Chromedome]] reported in to inform them that the Decepticon had planted bombs at the core of Cybertron which would destroy the planet within ten minutes. With no possible recourse, the Autobots evacuated Cybertron just before the bombs detonated, reducing the planet to a burnt-out husk. Deciding that the age of his generation had come to an end, Rodimus Prime passed the mantle of [[Supreme Commander]] to Fortress and prepared to embark on a mission to find a new planet on which the Transformers could make their home. Kup and Blurr announced that they would accompany Rodimus on his mission, and the trio departed for space. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

{{Note|Whether or not Kup, Rodimus and Blurr succeeded in their mission is never explicitly revealed. While Rodimus returns in the [[The Headmasters issue 8|final issue]] of the [[The Headmasters (manga)|''Headmasters'' manga]], Kup does not reappear.}}
{{-}}
=====''15 Go! Go!''=====
[[Image:TGGKup.jpg|right|100px|thumb|"I'm a crazy old man! Pay attention to me!"]]
While on her journey through time and space, [[Teletraan 15]] found herself in a future era where she was harassed by a feisty Wheelie. Kup—now bonded to Recoil—came to the rescue, grabbing Wheelie by the scruff of the neck and tossing him away. As Teletraan 15 looked up at him with sparkly eyes and thanked him for his help, he claimed he recognized her and gave her a big old spine-cracking hug. As Kup started rambling about some past encounter they had supposedly had with giant Ick-Yaks, Teletraan 15's sarcastic partner, [[Teletraan 10]], boggled over the sheer scientific illogicality of Kup's "musket laser", unable to comprehend how something that shot acid could be classified as a laser. Suddenly, Kup realized that he actually had ''no idea'' who Teletraan 15 was, and drove off. {{storylink|15 Go! Go!|15 Go! Go! Chapter 4}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
Kup and a platoon of Autobots were feeling pretty good about their mission on [[Deneb IV]] when suddenly the entire platoon was nearly washed away by a surprise Decepticon attack of acid rain. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[Image:KupsStoryKup01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"It all started back in nineteen dickety-two. We had to say 'dickety' 'cause the [[Liokaiser|Kaiser]] had stolen our word 'twenty'. I chased that rascal to get it back, but gave up after dickety-six miles..."]]
''Several hundred years ago, Kup became afflicted with [[combat fatigue]], a loss of nerves and will brought on by too many millions of years of non-stop fighting. Considering himself a liability to the Autobot cause, Kup went into "retirement", wandering space alone in his starship, waiting for the end eventually to take him. He was shaken out of his misery when he crossed paths with a pair of [[Tyroxian]] [[Tyroxian space transport|fighters]] attempting to destroy a lone spacecraft. Spurred into action, Kup disabled the pursuers and brought the hunted pilot on-board, and was surprised to finding he was a fellow Autobot named Hot Rod. Hot Rod was thrilled to have found aid and eagerly tried to recruit Kup into helping him return to [[Tyroxia]] and save his comrade [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], but Kup wasn't interested in getting involved any further, and he only agreed to take Hot Rod back to Cybertron. The young punk reprogrammed the ship's navigation computers, though, and landed on Tyroxia to rescue Blurr by himself. Kup was finally shaken out of his funk when he realized that Hot Rod represented everything he used to be, and he single-handedly saved Hot Rod and Blurr from their Tyroxian tormentors. His fighting spirit restored, Kup returned to Cybertron with the two Autobots and joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s troops alongside his new allies. {{storylink|Kup's Story!|Kup's Story!}}''

[[Image:RingofHate-Kup.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I'll cry when I'm done killing!"]]

When Fortress Maximus became disheartened by the never-ending cycle of violence on Cybertron, he made plans to escape the war and set up a new life on the planet [[Nebulos]]. Though Kup's actions had become a violent mirror of their so-called enemies, he and many of his top warriors chose to follow their leader to this new world aboard the starship ''[[Steelhaven]]''. Tragically, a series of incidents and misunderstandings brought the Autobots and Nebulans to the brink of war within days of their arrival. Kup, forgetting why he had traveled there to begin with, was very happy to return fire, and was only stopped by Fortress Maximus himself. They retreated, and in a desperate attempt to show their true intentions, Fort Max, Kup and several others disarmed themselves in front of the Nebulan gates. Furthermore, Fortress Maximus and four of his lieutenants beheaded themselves and agreed to leave their lifeless heads and bodies, as well as their various weapons, in Nebulan custody so that serious peace talks could be conducted. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!|Ring of Hate!}}

[[Image:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Pretty sure this breaks Nebulos's concealed weapons laws!]]

Kup helped build an Autobot camp in a forest clearing during Fortress Maximus's absence. Soon, their camp was visited by Nebulan representatives from the [[Council of Peers]] interested in learning more about their interplanetary visitors, and Kup was glad to oblige. But one of the representatives, [[Lord Zarak]], used the meeting as an opportunity to contact the Autobots' enemies, the Decepticons. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

Matters quickly deteriorated after the arrival of the Decepticons, and two factions of Nebulans joined with both Autobots and Decepticons through bio-mechanical engineering to become [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. Events turned against the Autobots as Lord Zarak, who had binary-bonded to Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], was able to sway public opinion in favor of the Decepticons, labeling the Autobots as renegades and taking their Headmasters prisoner. Some Nebulans remained loyal to Fortress Maximus's partner, [[Galen]], and traveled to the Autobot camp to forge an alliance. Making use of a new form of bio-mechanical engineering, Kup and the other weaponless Autobots were teamed with Nebulan Targetmasters to replace their lost guns. Kup personally was teamed with Recoil. As the conflict continued, though, both camps of Nebulans began to realize the devastation they were causing to their homeworld, and they decided to leave Nebulos and travel to Earth in search of other Transformers. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Kupdesertisland.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Kup finds a new young upstart to latch onto.]]

When Galen died on Earth and his role as Fortress Maximus's Headmaster partner was assumed by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], Spike led Kup and the other Targetmasters on a mission to the [[Club Con|Decepticon's island headquarters]] to rescue his brother, [[Buster Witwicky]]. Kup voiced bad feelings about the rescue mission, especially about Spike's suitability to lead the mission. However, when Spike continued fighting despite repeated setbacks, Kup admitted that although Spike brought too much sentiment into the battle, he backed his emotionalism with guts. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!|The Desert Island of Space!}} Soon, Fortress Maximus's Autobots met up with the Earth-bound Autobots led by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], and somehow the two Autobot camps wound up witnessing a battle between Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] for Autobot leadership. Kup, along with the Autobots from both camps, began to watch this battle on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s Decepticons unleashed a surprise attack. {{storylink|Totaled!|Totaled!}}

After Optimus Prime's return, Kup took over as Prime's head of security aboard the Ark. When Prime took most of the Autobots to Earth to defend [[MacDill Air Force Base]] from the [[Micromaster]] [[Air Strike Patrol]], Kup and the other Autobots who remained on board the Ark were defeated by [[Blackjack]]. Kup was the first to reawaken, however he startled Blackjack as he was arming a series of explosive charges, and the explosives were regrettably armed. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} The countdown could not be stopped, but Kup refused to jettison themselves from the Ark, leaving their fallen comrades in the med bay to die. But an answer presented itself when Ratchet contacted them from Cybertron, as he had been kidnapped by Megatron. Ratchet orchestrated a trans-dimensional gate to send the explosives to Megatron's headquarters on Cybertron, which saved Kup and everyone else on board, but seemed to have killed both Ratchet and Megatron. {{storylink|Skin Deep!}}

Optimus Prime was hit hard by Ratchet's death, which alarmed Hot Rod and caused Kup to worry about the future of their cause. Subsequently, when Prime walked out on the Autobots, Kup was incredibly alarmed, but not as much as when he learned Hot Rod had a "plan" to win Prime back. Hot Rod let loose a [[Mark V Guardian droid]] on the ship, which he secretly controlled, but it turned on its master and Kup and the others were brutally attacked. To Hot Rod's credit, this did jolt Prime to his senses, though Kup was probably too damaged to "thank" him. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

''While Kup spent some down time with Hot Rod and a few others, the Ark was attacked by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and his acolytes! Kup helped repel the intruders, who were seeking revenge on [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Siren]]. {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}''

The [[Matrix Quest]] resulted in the Decepticon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] being possessed by the [[Creation Matrix]] and running amok in the Ark's docking bay. Kup and two other Autobots tried to sneak up on Thunderwing as he accosted Optimus Prime, but Thunderwing had grown too omniscient by then, and Kup was noticed and forced to retreat. After Thunderwing and the Matrix were jettisoned off the Ark, Kup was helped up off the ground by another Autobot. {{storylink|All Fall Down (comic issue)|All Fall Down}}

[[Image:Kuppriceoflife.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Experience, lad. You'll learn to appreciate it.]]

During one of Kup's sweeps of the Ark, he caught Grimlock trying to swipe the bodies of his fallen Dinobots from their life support pods. Grimlock cold-cocked him and escaped with the bodies in a [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport|stolen shuttle]]. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Kup recovered to find a monster forged from the bodies of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], which Optimus Prime refused to kill. It fell on Kup to tell Optimus his decisions were causing him to lose the support of the Autobots, and Prime's recently-announced decision to surrender to Scorponok didn't help things either. Kup reasoned that even if there was some part of Ratchet still inside the creature, Ratchet himself would not want to go on living in this fashion. Prime refused to kill the creature, but when Kup told him that the creature's unchecked destruction could end up destroying the Ark and everyone on board, Prime reluctantly had a change of heart. However, when it came down to it, Prime couldn't pull the trigger, and despite the objections of Kup and the others, he ordered them separated, even though it would mean Megatron would live. {{storylink|The Price of Life!}}

[[Image:Surrender-Kuptruck.jpg|left|100px|thumb|He's a pic'''kup''' truck, get it?]]

As planned, Prime surrendered his troops to Scorponok on the terms that they would consider an alliance against [[Unicron]]. Kup didn't take this very well, and when he was laughed at while surrendering [[Recoil|his weapon]], he lashed out at [[Apeface]] before being stopped by Prime. Kup told him he once knew an Optimus Prime who would have found another way, a Prime that would never ever surrender. [[Misfire]] was happy to interrupt this argument so that he could escort Kup to his cell. But Prime quickly grew restless in his own cell and, having disposed of [[Soundwave (G1)|his guard]], he tracked down Kup and Hot Rod and asked them for his help. Though Hot Rod leaped at the chance, Kup was not so easily won back. Prime pleaded with him at length, explaining that as a warrior race that had battled for millions of years, that surrender would actually take the most courage of all! Realizing Prime was right, Kup agreed to help him and Hot Rod storm Lord Zarak's chambers. As Hot Rod grabbed Zarak, Kup sideswiped Scorponok's guard, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], in vehicle mode, but transformed too close to Scorponok's body, so Zarak ordered it to grip its claw around his head. Kup told Hot Rod not to spare Zarak for his sake, but Prime stopped them both, insisting that each faction had to trust each other if they were to survive against Unicron. Zarak was persuaded, but before a handshake would have sealed the deal, the Decepticons' underground base collapsed in on itself as a rogue group of Decepticons led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] attacked above. {{storylink|Surrender!|Surrender!}}

[[Image:EdgeofExtinction-survivors.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Hey, Kup, you ever see anything like this before?" "Yeah, a movie. 1986. Starred Leonard Nimoy."]]

As the dust settled, Kup asked Prime if their truce meant they should be helping gather the Decepticons' wounded. Prime told him and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to instead focus on briefing the other Autobots as they emerged fromt he wreckage and containing the growing battle so that it would not spill out into [[New York City]]. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Things naturally escalated out of hand, and so Kup had the bright idea to enlist the Decepticon hypnotist [[Mindwipe]] at gunpoint, and had him "convince" his fellow Decepticons to lay down their arms for the greater good. This was working swimmingly until suddenly Kup and every other Transformer on Earth was suddenly raptured away to Cybertron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Kup was startled to see their creator, [[Primus]], speaking to them through the body of [[Emirate Xaaron]]. Primus told Kup and the others of their eternal battle with Unicron, and of his imminent arrival. In response to this, [[Unicron cultist]]s rose up from amongst the Cybertronians to destroy Primus' chosen leader, Optimus Prime, and Kup was more than happy to beat the cultists back into submission. They succeeded, but while Primus had begun lecturing his Transformers again, Kup's attention was elsewhere. He interrupted, wondering how exactly no one had noticed Unicron himself sneak up on the planet, clawed hand looming over their heads. {{storylink|The Void! (US)}}

Kup and [[Getaway]] helped get Optimus Prime to safety, as their leader had succumbed to mysterious pain. Though Unicron ravaged the planet and destroyed countless Transformers, ultimately Optimus Prime sacrificed himself to destroy him, and Kup was among the lucky few who were still standing as Unicron's ashes fell to the planet's surface. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Kup and a handful of others found what was left of Optimus Prime's body, and he watched Prowl cradle their leader as he died. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[Image:EndOfTheRoad-finalfive.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Hey, these final five aren't Cylons at all!]]

Under the dubious leadership of Grimlock, the Autobots left their dying world and followed the Decepticons to [[Klo]], but the Decepticons were waiting for them. In the massacre that followed, Kup was among the final five Autobots who had eluded death. But he and the others did not avoid capture for long, as a team of Decepticons found them hiding in the swamps. Amazingly, they were able to overpower these Decepticons and return to the main battlegrounds, where Optimus Prime had returned to them in a new body, thanks to the [[Neo-Knights]] and the [[Last Autobot]]! With the Last Autobots' godlike resurrection powers, Kup and the other Autobots were able to overwhelm the Decepticons, who retreated like whipped dogs. The war was over, and Optimus Prime told them it was time to go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)}}

In an alternate future of 2009, the Autobots were overwhelmed by the forces of evil. Unicron consumed Cybertron utterly, and Earth came under heavy fire from Galvatron and his Decepticon legions. Kup and Blurr were personally executed by Cyclonus and Scourge. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2003, Kup was given the job of decoying the Decepticons over the plans for Autobot City. Ultra Magnus needed to get the plans to Earth's various governments unimpeded, while also taking steps to ensure the Decepticons would not get in the way of the Autobot efforts to build the city. So, he made an open and showy display of tasking Kup with being the courier that would bring the information to the humans. Sure enough, the Decepticon spy [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] overheard those plans and sent the [[Stunticon|Stunticons]] out to intercept the old Autobot. Despite Hot Rod's good-intentioned efforts to stop them, the Stunticons made off with the fake plans, secure in their knowledge that they now knew the secrets of Autobot City. {{storylink|Ark Duty|Ark Duty}} Kup was also present at the grand opening of the city a year later. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!|Aspects of Evil!}}''

''After the attack on Autobot City in 2006, Kup, Hot Rod and Blurr received a psychic prodding from Unicron, alerting them to Galvatron's travel through the timestream back to 1986. Using Galvatron's own time-jump mechanisms, the Autobot trio followed him back into the past, mass-displacing [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in the process. Apparently reaching an instinctive conclusion that Galvatron could never be returned to the future by force, Kup and his comrades conspired with the Ultra Magnus of 1986 to trick the Decepticon into returning of his own volition.''

''As Ultra Magnus kept Galvatron busy, the future trio made arrangements to discourage him from staying. When he returned to his base, Galvatron found his henchmen knocked unconscious and his super-weapon rigged to explode. Once it did, he was confronted with a taunting [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] claiming credit, and he was egged into blowing the treacherous Decepticon into smithereens. Believing Starscream's death at this juncture altered history, making his actions in 1986 part of an alternate timeline that wouldn't affect his own future, Galvatron reluctantly gave up his plans, picked up his goons, and returned to the future. Kup and his comrades, having successfully framed Starscream and driven Galvatron away, returned to 2006 themselves soon after. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:KupUK114-01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Little known fact: I owned the first radio on Cybertron. T'weren't much on back then, just Shockwave reciting the alphabet over and over. 'A' he'd say. Then 'B'. 'C' would usually follow..."]]
''After Unicron was defeated in 2006 and Hot Rod rose to become [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], Galvatron went missing. Unable to accept the Decepticon leader was truly dead without seeing the body, Rodimus Prime went searching for him with Kup and Blurr. Unfortunately, his lax attention to Cybertron gave the new Decepticon commander, Shockwave, time to consolidate the army under his control and begin the war anew. Rodimus was forced to return to Cybertron empty-handed, and he only made matters worse when he rashly took out a 10,000-[[shanix]] reward for any bounty hunter who could find Galvatron for him. This led to a freelance peacekeeping agent named [[Death's Head]] traveling back in time to 1987, where he had learned Galvatron had escaped after the battle with Unicron. {{storylink|Wanted:Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} Realizing that a trigger-happy mercenary messing with the timestream was just as dangerous as Galvatron could ever be, Rodimus arranged a time-jump to clean up his mess, taking Kup, Blurr and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] back to 1987 along with him. {{storylink|Burning Sky!|Burning Sky!}}''

''In the past, the future Autobots once again found the 20th-century Ultra Magnus fighting with Galvatron, as the Decepticon leader attempted to extract vast amounts of energy from a volcano. Mere seconds after locating Galvatron and engaging him in combat, however, Kup and Blurr were knocked off-line when Galvatron hurled Ultra Magnus's beaten body at them. {{storylink|Hunters|Hunters!}} After regrouping, the Autobots concocted a plan to steal Galvatron's time-jump mechanism and rewire it to propel them all back to their proper place and time. While Kup and the others distracted Galvatron, Wreck-Gar and Rodimus Prime attempted to make the proper modifications. In the end, however, only the Autobots were launched back to the future; Galvatron had modified the device so that the temporal backlash did not affect him, and he stayed in the past. {{storylink|Fire on High!|Fire on High!}}''

''In 2008, Kup was on hand to witness a full-scale Decepticon assault at Autobase on Cybertron. He fought alongside Rodimus Prime and the other Autobots and, when Rodimus traveled to the planet of [[Junk]] to deal with Unicron (the cause behind the Decepticon offensive), Kup stepped up to lead the remaining Autobot forces alongside Ultra Magnus until [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] sounded a retreat and the Decepticons fled. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}} Later that year, Autobot City was attacked by [[Quintesson|Quintessons]], and the deactivated Autobots were hung out on the outer walls as a warning for any would-be rescuers. Kup came to Earth with Rodimus Prime and crew to deal with the usurpers, and he led an advance team of Blurr, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Wide Load]] in searching the complex. They were caught in a heated battle with the Quintessons' shock troopers, but managed to hold their own long enough for Roddy to reach the control center and activate [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] himself. Resistance faltered rather quickly after that. {{storylink|Space Pirates!|Space Pirates!}}''

''As time passed, the long-term effects of Galvatron's presence in the past became overwhelming. A full-on time storm began brewing at both ends of the timeline, 1989 and 2009. In order to set the universe back on the right course, Rodimus Prime and Kup chose to travel back in time with Blurr, Arcee, Ultra Magnus and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] to retrieve Galvatron. No, really, for sure this time. Problem was, this time their mass-displacement upon arrival took out 1989's Optimus Prime and several fellow Autobots, leading to more than a little consternation among their 20th-century counterparts. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], guided by his neophyte [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], jumped to the conclusion that Optimus was dead and led his Autobots into battle with Rodimus and his group. Kup didn't fare too well at trying to fight [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] hand-to-hand, but soon cooler heads prevailed, and the Autobots joined forces not only with each other, but with a pair of detachments from the 1989 and 2009 Decepticon camps as well.''

[[Image:KupMagnusTimeWars01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Kup has something you college boys don't: life experience! Tell 'em, Kup." "I spent 53 years as night watchman at a cranberry silo."]]
''As the various groups tracked down Galvatron, they were shocked to find that not only had he joined forces with Megatron, but that the two of them had laid waste to the Cybertronian teams of the Autobot [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. Kup joined Arcee and Ultra Magnus in trying to gun down Megatron, but was batted aside by the Decepticon's [[fusion cannon]] and lay unconscious, out of the battle for the rest of the conflict. Still, Galvatron was ultimately destroyed in battle with Optimus Prime and consumed wholly by the timestorm, restoring the timestream to a stable place. Kup and the other 2009 Autobots gathered together and prepared to return home to their lives. {{storylink|Time Wars|Time Wars}}''

''It didn't quite work out that way.''

''Back in 2009, the Autobots were horrified to find that Galvatron waited for them on Cybertron. It seemed the restoration of the timeline prevented Galvatron from having ever traveled back in time, and thus he had been present at the Decepticons' side for the last few years, which considerably altered the war effort in their favor. In the new 21st century, Galvatron and the Decepticons virtually controlled Cybertron, and only a few token bands of Autobot resistance remained on their home planet. Kup and the returnees adjusted as best they could, but the odds were hopelessly against them. The resistance on Cybertron ended when Galvatron and his men ransacked a resistance station, killing Blurr and the other Autobots present. Galvatron mutilated the corpses to drive Rodimus Prime into a killing frenzy, hoping to corrupt the [[Matrix]] itself through its host. Indeed, Kup and Arcee began experiencing fire in the depths of their souls before they managed to talk down Rodimus. The Autobots of Cybertron were then forced to flee the world entirely. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!|Aspects of Evil!}}''

''On their voyage back to Earth and Autobot City, the Autobot shuttlecraft had just entered hyperspace when [[Pincher]] and [[Doubleheader]] alerted Kup to a problem: sabotage. Someone had killed a guard and torn up the engine room, damaging the guidance systems so that the ship would be flying blind when they came out of warp into who-knows-what. Sure enough, the ship materialized too close to Earth, and another bit of sabotage prevented the emergency retros from stopped their descent. It was going to be a heavy hit. What's worse, Kup's efforts to isolate the Decepticon life-signs of their saboteur turned up a nasty truth: No additional life signs were present on the shuttle. The saboteur was an Autobot! {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} After failing to locate Rodimus Prime during the time the sabotage was being committed, Kup had a sinking feeling and set up a ruse to test Prime. When Arcee left to try and enter the sealed retro room through the air vents, Kup told Rodimus she was actually going to sneak through the coolant tanks. Fortunately for their landing, Arcee succeeded just in time. Unfortunately for...well, everything else, Kup was right: Rodimus Prime was the saboteur, possessed by the pure malevolence of Unicron, which had taken up residence inside the Matrix sometime ago. Apparently Galvatron's efforts to corrupt Rodimus back on Cybertron had jarred loose enough evil for Unicron to take hold on Rodimus Prime's consciousness. {{storylink|Edge of Impact|Edge of Impact}}''

''Battling the power of the Matrix influenced by the Devil himself, the Autobots were sorely outmatched against Rodimus. Despite Arcee's urgings, Kup desperately searched for another option besides lethal force. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil|Shadow of Evil}} In the short term, Kup seemed to be correct: Rodimus managed to fight back Unicron's evil, caging it inside the Matrix long enough for Kup to remove the object from Rodimus's chest, temporarily severing their link. {{storylink|White Fire|White Fire}} In the long term, however, the threat was far from over. Rodimus would again be consumed by evil in 2010, this time metamorphosing into Unicron reborn for a time, before caging the evil again. Kup and Arcee were present at this second rise of Unicron, but their ultimate fate is unknown. It is telling, however, that Rodimus Prime appears to be beaten, ill, and totally alone by the time of 2356. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!|Aspects of Evil!}}''

====Generation 2====
[[Image:WarWithoutEnd-Kup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|SKAZ!]]
After the Autobot army splintered throughout the universe, Kup was working alongside Optimus Prime and Hot Rod. In mid-battle, Kup had to verbally nudge Prime out of his apocalyptic visions. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] summoned Prime and his forces for help and Kup was present as Grimlock explained his discovery of several "little Cybertrons". The Autobots soon learned of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Liege Centuro]] and his [[Cybertronian|Cybertronians]] when Jhiaxus attacked them and took them prisoner. Kup and other Autobots were rescued by Prime and Grimlock from confinement on the [[Twilight]]. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Kup kicked a lot of skidplate during the battle between the Autobots and Cybertronians in the [[K'tord Nebula]]. It was soon learned that bots on both sides were infected by some kind of parasitic entity that fed off of rage. Kup was so under its influence that Optimus Prime had to hold him back from attacking one of the enemy. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

[[Image:G2kupwonderspowerandglory.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"If even Hot Rod can be responsible, what chance do I have?"]]
Kup appeared as one of many dismembered corpses in one of Optimus Prime's apocalyptic visions. As Optimus reached toward Kup, an [[Swarm|inky black substance]] shot out of Kup's mouth, enveloped Prime and started to devour him. The real Kup then physically shook Optimus out of this vision, remarking that Transformers don't sleep. The crusty old Autobot reported that Grimlock had, against Prime's orders, left with a raiding party in tow. What Kup didn't say is that he wished Grimlock had asked him to come along. He got his chance to fight later when he went with Prime to rescue Grimlock from his bungled surprise attack on the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Devices and Desires!}}

Kup supervised war games between the Autobots as they waited for Optimus Prime to finish his quasi-mystical journey into the depths of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, Kup fought with Autobots and Decepticons to repel the Cybertronian attack on the planet [[Ethos]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

Helping mop up after the attacks on [[Earth]] by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Jhiaxus, Kup reported the sorry state of their fortifications to Grimlock when the Swarm attacked their position. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:GalvatronsAirAttack-KupWheeljackMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Why, in my day, we didn't need no stinkin' shoulders!"]]
As a young Autobot, Kup participated in many battles against the Decepticons on Earth. One particularly great battle ended up with many casualties on both sides—casualties whose bodies were simply left in the valley where they died. Many years later, when the Autobots were running out of [[cybernite]] for their repair jobs, Kup recalled this event and suggested that they loot the old bodies for the precious metal. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] approved, and let Kup lead [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] to the valley. On the way, Kup mistook the [[wikipedia:Aurora_(astronomy)|aurora borealis]] for a Decepticon attack.

Upon arrival at the valley, Kup spent some time reminiscing about the past, until Grapple told him that they had a mission to complete. However, before the group could find anything of use, they came under attack by a number of [[Seeker|Decepticon jets]] and were forced to retreat. Returning to base, they wondered how the Decepticons had found them so easily, and it was eventually revealed that the Decepticons had constructed a [[Decepticon Space Station Argon|space station]] from which to spy at the Autobots' activities. While the Autobots were incapable of attacking targets in space, Kup remembered the "battle of the [[Green Asteroid]]", during which the Autobots had lured the enemy closer by using false signals. He also recalled Spike telling him that auroras scramble radio signals, and had Wheeljack and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] construct an artifical aurora machine to mess up the Decepticons' communications. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

[[Image:DecepticonsUnderground-Kup.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Yo." "Yo."]]

Eventually, Kup found himself stationed at [[Nebulos]], where the Decepticons were collecting energy via a "[[tetrahedron]]" at the planet's north pole. Alongside Blurr and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], he was part of [[Brainstorm]]'s "Operation Heatwave", which consisted of using high-temperature lasers to melt the ice below [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and the energy-collecting facility. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} Some time later, the Autobots started running out of lubricants, leading to Kup's joints creaking something fierce, so naturally he was overjoyed when the Autobots found a legendary Nebulan [[oil]] lake. However, as soon as they started pumping the oil back to base, the Decepticons destroyed their oil pipe, so Kup, his Targetmaster partner Recoil and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] were forced to do a quick repair job. A second Decepticon attack soon followed, so the three fled into the Nebulan desert... only for Kup to get stuck to a rock when the area turned out to be magnetic. [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] soon saved him by neutralizing the magnetic field with an impact from his grenade launcher. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}

Highbrow later got kidnapped by the Decepticons and held ransom in exchange for Optimus Prime himself. When Prime decided to perform a rescue operation, Kup offered to come with him, but the Autobot leader had a different plan. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}} After a few peaceful weeks with the Decepticons nowhere to be found, Prime got suspicious and ordered Kup to organize long-range patrols to find out what they were up to. The patrols scoured the entire planet except for the [[Nebulos Triangle]], as Kup explained that nobody had ever entered that area and returned. {{storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{-}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Carshowblowupkup.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My Buddy! Wherever I go, he goes!]]
Kup and Hot Rod traveled to the coliseum to check out a robot car the [[Human|humans]] 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! Sneaking around inside, he eventually made his way up to the control room, where [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the other Decepticons were rigging the lighting. They were planning on stealing the robot car! Kup decided to leave and tell the others, but he was spotted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. The evil Decepticons tied up Kup so that he wouldn't interfere.

As a parade of cars entered the coliseum and the crowds cheered, Kup worried about the safety of the humans. If only he could warn them. Kup got his chance when Galvatron ran towards the controls, telling [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] to pull the switch. Kup tripped Galvatron, and Galvatron came tumbling through the glass and onto the coliseum floor! For a short while, there was a stalemate; the Decepticons had Kup captive, but the Autobots had Galvatron! Thankfully, 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|Car Show Blow Up}}

[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Children's storybooks sure are violent.]]
Later, Kup, led [[Hot Rod (G1)|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. Kup tried everything, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet, but everyone landed safely. Unfortunately, Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|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|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers in 3-D'' continuity===
[[Image:Kupin3d.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Someone hasn't been paying attention!]]
Eons ago, Kup fought against a third race of Transformers, the [[Destructon]]s. They almost destroyed the galaxy! But presently they were returning to the Transformers' civil war. But the Autobots were more immediately concerned with the Decepticons, who were trailing them across the galaxy. Kup assured them all that they would never ever die.
{{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Skidswheeljackgrimlockkupironhidetww.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Kup was named after his pickup truck altmode even before he had it!]]

Millions of years ago on Cybertron, shortly after the assassination of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Kup was part of an Autobot unit under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command which battled for possession of [[Altihex]]. Kup and the other Autobots were forced to abandon the City-State as it collapsed, leaving it to the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1}}

After a new Prime was coronated, a young archivist named [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the Decepticons led a full siege on the Autobot headquarters of [[Iacon]]. As per Grimlock's orders, Kup met with him, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] just outside Iacon on the [[Tri-Torus Loop]], where Kup was shocked to hear Grimlock announce his plan to leave Iacon to the Decepticons. Instead, Grimlock led them deep within the planet, where the new Prime was battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for his life, even though Grimlock had huge doubts over whether Optimus Prime was worth saving. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4}} Kup confronted Grimlock about his apathy, and asked him if he had ever respected anyone. When Kup got too personal, Grimlock shoved him into a wall. While looking for Prime, however, the Autobots stumbled onto Megatron's real plan. They found a system of planetary engines that Megatron had ordered the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to restore. While Grimlock went on ahead, determined to find Optimus Prime, Kup and the others stayed behind to sabotage the Constructicons' work. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5}} The Decepticons detected their presence, and so Kup and the others fought a very one-sided battle against them. All hope seemed lost until Grimlock returned... with a very impressive Optimus Prime, who ordered Kup and Ironhide to help him cover Wheeljack's sabotage of the engines.

[[Image:Lightningstrikecoalition.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Every team needs an old guy! Well, two old guys.]]

The engines were destroyed, but Kup and the others were distraught to see the smoking crater where Iacon used to be. Optimus Prime, who was quickly stepping into the role, refused to leave Cybertron, and instead implored Kup and the others to follow him underground, where they would continue to wage their war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6}}

Later, when Optimus Prime and Megatron disappeared in a prototype [[Space Bridge]] accident, the Autobot faction splintered, and Kup joined Grimlock's [[Lightning Strike Coalition]]. While on the [[Moon Alpha Spaceport]], Kup waxed on about the alleged cosmic destiny of the Transformers and how it contrasted with the stagnation of their race. Grimlock was annoyed with this introspection and urged him to get back to work. The Lightning Strike Coalition was able to thwart Starscream's [[Predacons (War Within)|Predacons]] from keeping their stolen Energon and made a quick retreat with the goods. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

[[Image:PassiveAggression-KupIronhidereunite.jpg|left|thumb|250px|All old people are friends.]]

3.9 million years ago, due to a catastrophically low level of Energon, every Transformer on Earth ground to a halt in the [[Great Shutdown]]. Kup was in the middle of a fight with [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] when this occurred, and the two were frozen in a grappling pose for millions of years. Three thousand years ago, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] awoke from this state and began rehabilitating the rest of the population. He eschewed the Decepticon/Autobot factions and promised a new unified Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} However, Kup and a handful of others believed Shockwave had evil motives for this and formed an underground resistance movement deep within the [[Wastelands]]. Things came to a head with the return of Optimus Prime to Cybertron, who had been on Earth for four million years. After disciplining Hot Rod for being an impetuous young punk, Kup explained their situation to Optimus Prime and introduced him to the rest of their members. More of Optimus Prime's comrades from Earth were brought into the resistance, including Kup's old friend Ironhide, and the two shared a heartfelt reunion. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

Kup and the others planned an all-out strike against Shockwave's stronghold in [[New Iacon]]. While Kup, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were trapped behind a rampaging [[Omega Sentinel]], the three witnessed a strange beam emit from the top of Shockwave's stronghold and fire into space. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (comic issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shockwave was defeated, but Optimus Prime was severely damaged, and Kup and the others were forced to persist without his leadership while he recovered. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0}} As Kup looked on, Prowl tried to reassure the Autobots with a speech from New Iacon's central hall, but Prowl wasn't terribly good at speeches and so Ultra Magnus filled in. Though Prowl and the other Earthbound Autobots had finally returned home, things just weren't the same. Kup suggested Prowl and the others stop fighting the changes and just accept that they'd happened. This prompted Prowl to consider a return to Earth.

Kup and Hot Rod sparred within a computer-simulated portrayal of Earth. Hot Rod managed to win over his older and wiser opponent, but only in the most reckless way possible, a fact which Kup was unable to impart on the youngster. {{storylink|Lost and Found}} Ultra Magnus decided to split the Autobots into teams to better defend Cybertron, and Kup was assigned to [[Moon Base One]] along with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Kup did not find this thrilling. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightBlaster GetawayKupHufferBroadside.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Kup, before meeting [[Nick Roche]].]]

Kup is extremely old. In years past, he'd trained dozens of Autobots, including [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and even [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup|Spotlight: Kup}} During the early years of the war after the assassination of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Kup was either leading or part of a squad sent to rescue [[Zeta Prime]] when they crossed paths with the famous former racer, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. Kup was skeptical of Blurr's usefulness, but some words from a young [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] were able to convince Blurr to alert Zeta Prime of the Decepticons' assassination attempt. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

Shortly after [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s first apocalyptic assault, the besieged Autobots prepared for the big push against their positions by the Decepticons. Kup was in a trench alongside [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Huffer, and the injured [[Getaway]], waiting for [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s morale-boosting broadcast to the Autobot forces, a transmission that never came. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup killingspree.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Who keeps the martians under wraps?]]
At some point after Cybertron was abandoned, Kup and [[Outback]] crash-landed on a mysterious planet covered with radioactive crystals. Over time, Kup was slowly driven insane from the radiation. He talked to the dead corpse of Outback as though he were still alive (and used his disembodied arm as a club) and believed that [[Zombie|zombies]] were attacking him when he shut down for the night. In reality, these zombies were fellow Autobots sent to rescue him, and Kup killed several of them before Springer managed to get a [[Trailbreaker (G1)|specialist]] in to extract the aging Autobot. Unfortunately, due to the damage Kup sustained from the radiation, his incompatibility with modern Transformers tech due to his age and stubborn unwillingness to upgrade, and a near-meltdown of his spark, he was placed on life support upon arriving aboard ''[[Ark-17]]'', and it was unknown if he would ever recover, physically or mentally. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Springer eventually reported to Optimus Prime that Kup's physical injuries had been repaired, but the state of his mind was still in question. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

Kup finally returned to service when Perceptor built a new body for Kup - one that was better and stronger. Perceptor insisted on following Kup on his first few missions, hoping to spot any technical problems. Unfortunately, while Kup and the [[Wreckers]] were attempting to free Autobot prisoners from a docked Decepticon warship, Perceptor was caught in the crossfire. Kup found aid in a mysterious unaffiliated robot who had similar purposes. Kup quickly deduced that this [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] used to be a Decepticon named Deadlock. When Drift helped Kup blow the ship up and save Perceptor's life, Kup decided Drift was deserving of a second chance. Kup disbanded the Wreckers, formed a new unit, and asked Drift to join. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}}

[[Image:Slowmotionmoviewalkahm5.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Kup, after meeting [[Nicholas|Nick Fury]].]]

Kup was now in command of the starship ''[[Trion]]''. With a hand-picked crew comprised of heavy hitters, such as two former [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and Drift, he harried the Decepticon fleet until he was baited into an ambush above Cybertron. There, the ship was shot down and forced to crash-land on the assumed uninhabitable world. Banding together to survive, they eventually encountered Optimus Prime's unit, only to find him incapacitated, the Matrix having been seized by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Although Kup was at first dismissive of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who had stepped into a command position in the void left by Prime, he quickly learned to appreciate Jazz's steady, capable hand. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}}

As Jazz and Kup stood on a balcony, Kup spoke of how the Autobots were betrayed by an outsider, someone who knew their codes. Autobot computer systems were shut down across the galaxy, and as shields and defenses were remotely shut down, countless Autobots died. It was a massacre. Kup decided to merge his unit with Jazz's, making Jazz his second-in-command. He also donated all his group's energon towards fixing Prime. Without Prime, they had no chance to rally their troops together as a cohesive unit. But a more immediate concern made itself known - the [[Insecticon Swarm]]. Kup ordered everything packed up and ready to move. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}} And so they did. Jazz told Kup how the Autobots were defeated on Earth, how Prime was destroyed and the Matrix stolen, and spoke of a traitor among their ranks. Kup continued to be worried about a decline in morale. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}}

And he was right to be worried. Ironhide assaulted [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who he believed to be the traitor. Kup took Ironhide aside and berated him for his conduct. Before their chat could be resolved, the Swarm found them. Kup gathered up the Autobots and began to take them to a previously-agreed-on location across a lone bridge, where Perceptor would fire a shot that would detonate the bridge, separating them from the Swarm. Unfortunately, Perceptor was injured in the evacuation, and Kup had no plan B. Sunstreaker, who revealed he was the traitor, redeemed himself by blowing up the bridge and presumably himself. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8}}

Kup pushed Ratchet to finish the repairs on Prime, but Ratchet explained that it wouldn't be easy. Prime could die in the process. Despite all odds, Prime survived the operation and was able to boost the Autobots' morale, much to Kup's satisfaction. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}}

{{charstubfiction}}

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===Timelines: Wings of Honor===

{{note|"Wings of Honor" takes place in a very cartoon continuity-like universe, but [[Authorial intent|according to Fun Publications]], it is its own universe.}}

Before the Great War, Kup was part of the crew of the Autobot Guard transport ship, the ''[[Eight Track]],'' under the command of [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. After Kup transmitted the results of their scan of the Outer Rim, he patched through a transmission from [[Autobot High Command]]. A cargo hauler, the ''[[Van De Graaff]]'', crashed on [[Beta 9]], possibly due to an early Decepticon uprising. Kup and the others were charged with retrieving a very important piece of cargo that was on board the ''Van De Graaff'' and return it to Cybertron.

Millions of years later, a battle against Cyclonus, Scourge, and the Sweeps reminded Kup of his battle on Beta Nine, and he told the story to Hot Rod and the Dinobots. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}
{{coming soon}}

==Commercial appearances==
* Kup made his [[commercial]] debut alongside Hot Rod and Blurr, joining Optimus Prime in a desert as he faces off against Starscream, Skywarp, Cyclonus and Scourge. As he charges into battle, Kup comments that this reminds him of the battle of the battle on [[Beta 4]] (not to be confused with the battle on [[Beta 9]].)

* He appeared alongside Hot Rod in one of the movie plot-based commercials, this one for the Sharkticons. The two Autobots are shown driving up to the edge of a greenish pool, from which a pile of Sharkticons emerges and attacks. Kup and Hot Rod fist-fight their way through, with help from Wheelie.

* Kup appeared briefly in the commercial for [[Sixshot]], charging into battle alongside Rodimus Prime, firing at the enemy, and getting knocked aside by Sixshot's "rocket car" mode.

* Kup appeared in the commercial for the [[Monsterbot|Monsterbots]]. As Rodimus Prime and Blurr drive up, Kup reports that there has been a lab accident, and the new Autobots are ''monsters!''

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1toy-Kup.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Back in my day, we hauled cargo all day long without a tailgate and LIKED it!"]]
*'''Kup''' (Autobot, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-82'''
**''Accessories:'' "Musket Laser"

: Kup transforms into a Cybertronic pickup truck (though how he is able to carry goods safely with no tailgate is a mystery). The entire front of the vehicle (including the windshield) is made out of die-cast metal. In robot mode, Kup has full shoulder rotation, though the way his elbows are set up means he cannot make full use of their joints. He (somewhat) makes up for it with swivel wrists. His legs feature no articulation whatsoever. Maybe Hot Rod left a piece out. He is armed with a blue laser rifle. Early releases of Kup had metal rear wheels, while later releases replaced them with black plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Kup/kup.htm More information on Kup at TFU.info]''

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[[Image:G1toy-KupTargetmaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Back in my day, our guns didn't talk back!"]]
*'''Kup''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-113'''
**''Accessories:'' Musket Laser/Recoil Targetmaster partner

: Kup (this time using all-plastic parts rather than die-cast) was slightly [[Retool|retooled]] with larger fist-holes and a mounting point on his vehicle mode back-end in order to make him into a [[Targetmaster]]. He came with his Nebulan partner [[Recoil]] rather than his original blaster.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Kup/kup.htm More information on Targetmaster Kup at TFU.info]''

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*'''Future Cybertron''' (Transformers Collection, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TF-20'''
**''Accessories:'' Musket Laser, Musket Laser/Recoil Targetmaster partner (you read that right)

: Targetmaster Kup was reissued in Japan, and like the "[[Transformers Collection]]" reissue of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], he came with his original metal parts restored, as well as both his partner Recoil ''and'' his original gun, which was slightly retooled to fit the larger weapon-mounting points. The set also came with a redecoed [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

: This iteration of the mold was used to make [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Orion Pax]].

===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-KupWoH.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"I remember that time I had a hammer for a hand."]]
*'''Wings of Honor''' (BotCon 2009 box set)
**''Accessories'': Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key

: Kup is a [[retool]] of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and transforms into a [[wikipedia:Dodge_Magnum|Dodge Magnum]] emergency vehicle. Plugging a [[Cyber Key]] into the back of his car mode causes two rear side-panels to pop out and reveal two spring-forward non-firing blasters. This gimmick is retained in robot mode, where they become over-shoulder blasters. He features an unusual transformation sequence where both the front and rear halves of the vehicle mode come together to form his legs. His hood halves open to reveal storage space for extra tools (a hammer-head and an opening claw) that can be attached onto his left arm blaster.

:Kup comes in a box set with fellow Autobots [[Flak]], [[Thunder Clash]], and [[Landshark]], and rival Decepticon [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].

: The original version of this mold was also used to make [[Cannonball]], and the [[Movie (toyline)|live-action movie-verse]] [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]].

{{comingsoontoy}}
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==Trivia==
* Check out the original Kup toy's chest-sticker...it's got a pair of [[Floppy disk|5 1/4-inch floppy disk]] drives on it. Apparently, he can store up to two extra Transformers' brains.

* In the Japanese ''[[Binaltech Asterisk]]'' online manga, a little lost kitty was rescued from certain death (well, being stuck in a tree) by [[Ai Kuruma]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. That kitty was named [[Cha]] (Kup's Japanese name).

* The vehicle mode of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' series [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]], another old coot, resembles Kup's Cybertronian vehicle mode from the War Within comic series. This similarity was brought to the fore by Brakedown GTS, a "powered-up" [[redeco]] of the character with the colors changed to resemble Kup's. In fact, the color guide for the redeco, revealed on Hasbro's website, showed that "Kup" was a working name for Brakedown GTS.

* He claims on his MySpace page (see External links) that he's a [[Covenant|Pisces]].<ref>Kup's Myspace page was created by [[Nick Roche]] to promote his IDW [[Spotlight: Kup]] story.</ref> It is best to remember, however, that at the time he wrote this, he was utterly insane.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Kup Kup's Universe profile on NTFA.net]

* [http://www.myspace.com/lostkup Kup's MySpace page]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category: Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]