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Code of Hero

2023-06-16T09:26:29Z

Ssjgoku72000: /* Real-world references */

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Code of a Hero}}

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=35
|series2=Metals
|ep2=8
|prev2=Other Visits (Part 2)
|next2=Transmutate (episode)
|image=CodeofHero titlepic.jpg
|caption=The rest... is silence.
|title="Code of Hero"
|season=2
|season ep=9
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 9]], 1998 ([[Toonami]]), [[April 25]], 1998 (syndication)
|packaged with=[[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Dinobot]]
|written by=[[Ian Weir]]
|directed by=[[Bob Forward]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Dinobot makes the ultimate sacrifice to save those who are still to come.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[Valley of the Neanderthals|a wild valley]], a group of [[anthropoid|primitive hominids]] forage for food. A [[Giant Snake]] attacks two of their number, and the anthropoids are helpless to stop it...

[[File:Dinobot meditate.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I have no other choice, I have dishonored my comrades."]]
At the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', a haunted Dinobot meditates on his sword... and holds its blade ominously over his chest. But after a long moment of tension and hesitation, he casts it aside with a growl of frustration.

Rhinox has been calculating the path of the [[Transwarp wavefront|Transwarp Wave]] from the [[Planet Buster]]'s destruction—it's traveling through time at an accelerated rate, and will reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the "present", thus alerting Cybertron to their location. [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] fears Megatron has made similar calculations, and the group realizes they need to increase their defenses.

Dinobot, still somber, runs into Rattrap, who nearly goads him into a fight over his turning the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Disk]] over to Megatron. Rattrap stalks off, concluding that he'd thought Dinobot was at least forthright. Dinobot is left to reflect that his past actions cannot be undone... but they "may yet be mitigated". He arms himself and heads off into the wastes.

On aerial recon, Cheetor observes Megatron and Rampage out for a stroll. They drive him off with some damage, but Cheetor calls in the sighting to Dinobot, who promises to follow up.

At [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]], Tarantulas has captured a tasty antelope for his dinner. But as he creeps up to the struggling beast, Dinobot bursts out of the ground, holding him at gunpoint and demanding to know what information is on the Golden Disk. Tarantulas doesn't know—there are no more copies remaining, and Megatron is keeping the Disk on his person at all times. Still holding him at gunpoint, Dinobot uses Tarantulas as his unwilling ride.

[[File:Megatron GoldenDisk.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The hills are alive, with The Sounds of Earth!]]
The anthropoids scatter and panic as Megatron flies overhead and lands. Rampage sneers that the Maximals will soon arrive from Cybertron, and that he anticipates Megatron's imminent demise. Megatron admits that's very likely... but only if history remains as it is.

Megatron explains that the Golden Disk contains images recorded in the future, including one of a nearby mountain. Megatron has Rampage destroy the mountaintop. After a moment, the image on the disk changes to suit the altered reality, to Megatron's delight. Dinobot observes all this with dawning dread: Megatron has the power to change the future.

The valley they are standing above, Megatron explains, spawned the human race. Their interference helped the Autobots win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], thereby allowing the Maximals to rule over the Predacons today. But Megatron has a different history in mind. Summoning the rest of his troops, he orders them to annihilate the valley and its inhabitants. With the anthropoids destroyed, the human race will never have existed!

[[File:CodeofHero-letthebattlebejoined.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|A picturesque image is required before a dramatic death.]]
While Dinobot's back is turned, Tarantulas blasts him; Dinobot reciprocates by squashing him under a rock. Dinobot contacts Optimus, who orders him to maintain position, but Dinobot knows there is no time to wait. With his questions answered, Dinobot is ready to face his destiny.

Dinobot moves in to attack the entire Predacon force single-handed. He blasts Inferno and Blackarachnia (stabbing the former for good measure), stomps Waspinator, forces Rampage's cannon to backfire (using Waspinator's head), and pummels Quickstrike (with his bare hands), but loses his weapons, suffers considerable damage, and drains most of his energy supply. His computer warns him that he must enter [[stasis lock]] to survive... a command which Dinobot overrides.

Megatron confronts the damaged warrior, gloating over his near-total victory; when Dinobot starts to attack, Megatron reveals an anthropoid captive. The hostage is enough to make Dinobot halt; Megatron rebukes him for weakness. But Dinobot is a warrior still. Forging a makeshift hammer from a rock and stick, he knocks the Disk out of Megatron's hand and frees the anthropoid. With the last of his energy, he summons one final optic blast, shattering the Disk.

Nearly mad with frustration, Megatron flees as the [[Maximal]]s arrive. Rattrap gasps in horror at the sight of his comrade, while Cheetor douses the flames of the burning valley. The Maximals gather around the fallen Dinobot, but it is too late to help him. Optimus assures him that he has saved untold lives yet to come. Dinobot exchanges a final round of barbs with Rattrap; he asks them all to tell his story truthfully, both the good and the bad, and allow him to be judged accordingly. "The rest is silence." With that, the proud warrior dies. Rattrap leads the others in a salute as Dinobot's [[spark]] leaves his body, with Primal wishing it on to the Matrix, there to join Cybertron's finest.

[[File:Dinobot funeral.jpg|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Old soldiers don't die, they just fade away...]]
The next morning, the Maximals hold a funeral for Dinobot. The fliers soar through the air in a {{w|missing man formation|salute}}, as Rattrap and Rhinox dissolve Dinobot's remains.

At the valley, a curious anthropoid (presumably the same one Dinobot rescued) finds Dinobot's hammer. He soon figures out how to use it to help gather food... and to fend off predators, such as the giant snake. The anthropoid's yell of triumph echoes through the valley; and high above, a brief flicker appears in the void of space.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (6)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] (16)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (11)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (12)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (13)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (15)

|h3=[[Anthropoid]]s|c3=
*[[Blix|Leader Neanderthal]] (1)
*[[Brown Neanderthal]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Giant Snake]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Remember that transwarp cell explosion?" 
[''Primal just glares''] 
"Okay, stupid question..."
:—'''Rhinox''' has a once-in-a-lifetime lapse in intelligence.

"The rodent's words give off the stench of truth. Destiny has one great test in store for us all. Has mine already come and have I failed it? A deed once done cannot be undone, but perhaps, it may yet be mitigated."
:—'''Dinobot''' embarking on his destiny

"The question that once haunted my being has been answered. The future is not fixed, and my choices are my own. And yet, how ironic... for I now find that I have no choice at all! I am a warrior... let the battle be joined."
:—'''Dinobot''', realizing his destiny

"One lonely turncoat, battling on against impossible odds." ''[Wipes fake tear]'' "I'm almost touched! ...Fortunately, such moments pass quickly. Quickstrike, scrap him!"
:—'''Megatron''', observing Dinobot's solo fight to save the valley.

"What's a warrior without weapons, eh?" 
"A warrior ''still!''"
:—'''Quickstrike''' totally underestimates '''Dinobot'''.

"Hmm, my ears are burning! Yesss! Why, Dinobot, what a delightful surprise! Let's see, where are we now? I have the Golden Disk, I have the power to change the future, and the only remaining obstacle in my path to ''unimaginable'' glory... is yourself. Exhausted. Damaged beyond recovery. ''Defeated''." 
"Not just yet!" 
"Ah-ah-ah!" ''[Megatron reveals a bound proto-human]'' "One more step, and it's raining bits of early anthropoid, yesss." ''[Dinobot hesitates]'' "Oh dear, how positively ''Maximal'' of you. You were weakened before you started, Dinobot. Weakened by ''compassion''."
:—'''Megatron''' confronts the severely damaged '''Dinobot'''.

"Oh, please! Face it, Dinobot! You're old technology, obsolete. What could ''you'' possibly do?" 
"Improvise."
:—'''Megatron''' is about to find out that '''Dinobot''' has one more trick up his sleeve.

'''Optimus Primal:''' "Well fought, my friend. You saved the valley. You saved the lives of those who live here... and of those who are still to come." 
'''Dinobot:''' "Then... there is nothing to regret." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Like I said, you're just a blasted, slag-spouting saurian, but... it's nice to know where you stand." 
'''Dinobot:'''"Upwind of you, for preference, vermin. ...Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."
:— Dinobot shares last words with his comrades

"He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, the greatest of Cybertron."

:—'''Optimus Primal'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eulogy for Dinobot

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* First draft: 15th September 1997
* Second draft: 22nd September 1997

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:CodeofHero wrong Rattrap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Maybe it's [[Packrat]]?]]
* The interior of the ''Axalon'', and thus the doors to Dinobot's quarters, were made at a different scale to his character model, so he could not actually fit through the doorway. Bob Forward explained that it had to be faked by a cut.
* When Rattrap is working at the wall panel, his right forearm is backwards and remains thus until he is grandly gesturing.
* As the "camera" zooms in on Tarantulas when he stalks up to the trapped gazelle, the background remains static instead of zooming in with him.
* When Megatron is flying over the proto-human valley, his legs are missing and his body has very little detail. It's especially noticeable when he flies towards the camera and transforms into robot mode-at which point his legs appear out of nowhere.
* As the Maximals head out, Rhinox's running animation is being played unnaturally fast to keep up with the others.
* As Quickstrike approaches Dinobot, his left shin is backwards.
* At Dinobot's funeral, Rattrap is in his pre-Transmetal body. On the [[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] DVD commentary for this episode, Bob Forward could not believe how the production team (who had viewed this scene at least a hundred times trying to get everything right) did not notice the fact they used the wrong Rattrap, and yet every fan did.
* Towards the end of the episode, a mechanical thud can be heard when the snake hits the ground, making it sound as if the snake is made of metal.

===Continuity errors===
* In this episode, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Voyager Disk]] resembles an old record (complete with being labeled "The Sounds of Earth") instead of the design used since its appearance in [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|the first episode]]. Given its origin as a record in a canister, however, it's possible that Megatron has simply taken it out of its case to test his theory of time-meddling.
* As with most of Megatron's plots to alter the timeline, the plan to destroy the human race before it evolves has a critical deterministic error; if he succeeds, then the golden disk would never have been created by [[NASA]] in the future. Megatron could never have acquired it, and thus would not have the foresight to attempt to destroy the human race, and then the human race would have evolved as normal, creating the golden disk in the future... and so on and so forth. Apparently, time travel in ''Beast Wars'' isn't subject to the grandfather paradox!
* Rattrap mentions that Dinobot would be up against six Predacons when there was a total of seven. (Out of universe, this is likely for the audience's benefit, in case they weren't keeping track.) Either he had totally forgotten about Tarantulas, somehow heard Dinobot defeating Tarantulas over his open comlink, or assumed that Tarantulas would still not be working with Megatron.

===Continuity notes===
* Dinobot is, of course, still dealing with the fallout of his temporary defection, as seen in "[[Maximal, No More]]".
* Rhinox refers to the transwarp wave, which was caused by the destruction of the [[Planet Buster]] in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]".
* Tarantulas mentions that Megatron doesn't want anyone downloading more copies of the disk's data, referring to Blackarachnia's little heist in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]".
* As the Maximals travel to the valley to try to help Dinobot, they pass several [[Metal Hunter]] flowers, the only time these were seen after "[[Other Visits (Part 1)]]". This time the flowers were inactive.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron can turn his tail-weapon into a record player by retracting the tip.
** Optimus Primal can fly in robot mode, although he apparently prefers to fly around in [[beast mode]].
** Cheetor can spray fire-extinguisher foam while in beast mode.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron states that it was thanks to humans that the Autobots won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], likely referring to the exploits of the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]]s. Apparently nobody bothered to remember the contributions of the [[Nebulan]]s.

===Real-world references===
* The Golden Disk that Megatron stole from Cybertron and kicked off this whole mess is revealed to be one of the two [[w:Voyager Golden Record|Golden Record]]s aboard the ''Voyager'' deep-space probe, specifically "The Sounds of Earth". That said, this Golden Disk can apparently play video. Though there are Images that can be viewed on the Disc, none is that of a Mountain.
* As the Predacons jump into the valley to destroy the hominids, Rampage crushes a butterfly. This evokes the famous Ray Bradbury short story "{{w|A Sound of Thunder}}", in which a time traveler in the past steps on a butterfly, thus dramatically altering the future of humanity.
* When Dinobot is leaving the base, he comments that "a deed, once done, cannot be undone", a slight modification of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] quote "what is done cannot be undone".
* Dinobot's final words, "The rest is silence", are taken directly from [http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Act=5&Scene=2&Scope=scene#4014 the final words of the title character] in Shakespeare's ''{{w|Hamlet}}''. (The entreaty to tell his story is also taken from earlier in Hamlet's death scene, although rephrased.)
* Right after Dinobot crash-lands on [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Rampage points his cannon at Dinobot. The brief image from within the cannon's barrel appears similar to the gun barrel views from numerous James Bond movies.
*''Beast Wars'' story editors [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] worked various references to the online ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] into the series. In this case, Cheetor citing [[Tengu Sector]] was a reference to the screen name of [[Rob Gerbracht]], who went on to become one of the writers for the ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' comic book series.
* The final shot of the episode—a anthropoid discovering the power of tools and triumphantly hurling his weapon into the air, followed by a pan into space—is evocative of ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''.

===Trivia===
* ''Beast Wars'' co-story editor [[Bob Forward]] drew storyboards for this episode. Not only is it the only ''Beast Wars'' episode to be directed by the series's writers, but it is also the only episode to be done up in storyboards rather than being directed on-the-fly. Bob Forward worked in person with the [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]] animators for this episode.
* The original storyboards were auctioned for charity at a [[BotCon]].
* According to Bob Forward, Megatron's transformation sequence had to be reconstructed to be able to show his transformation from underneath for one shot. Previously, the animation only "worked" when seen from eye-level or above.
* In a bit of foreshadowing, while Dinobot is contemplating suicide, three ravens fly past his window in the {{w|missing man formation}}, which the Maximal fliers use in their salute to him at his funeral. The formation was also used when three anthropoids were wandering through the forest prior to the Predacon attack.
* During the recording of this episode, [[Scott McNeil]] was attempting to deliver Dinobot's last words, but was continually interrupted by the recording crew's laughter. He is reputed to have said while still in character, "Do you mind?! I'm trying to die here!"
* When Dinobot dies, his Spark escapes his body, and proceeds to slowly rise into the air until the scene transitions. This phenomenon had never been seen in Transformers fiction prior, as opposed to the body turning gray as the character expired first seen in [[The Transformers: The Movie]], nor would it ever be seen again in the show as future characters died. The idea would not be used again until many years later in the [[Prime Wars Trilogy|Prime Wars cartoons]].
* According to McNeil, Dinobot knew he was going to die five episodes before he did, as right up until the last second, he believed Dinobot to only be "cartoon dead" as opposed to "''dead'' dead".
* When originally broadcast in the [[United Kingdom]], this episode was edited, with Dinobot's contemplated suicide completely excised and his hallway altercation with Rattrap cut down to only a fraction of its actual length. In the latter case, this seems to serve no other purpose than the elimination of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]", and Dinobot's dying exchange with Rattrap was likewise altered to purge the word.
* It's no surprise that a DVD containing this episode was packaged with Dinobot for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]''. This is the only post-Season 1 episode included with any ''10th Anniversary'' figure.
* Bob Forward considers this to be his favorite ''Beast Wars'' episode, as well as the "The Agenda" three-parter.<ref>http://www.infinitefrontiers.0catch.com/AutoAssembly/BobForward.htm Interview with Bob Forward</ref> Larry DiTillio has also admitted it's the best episode of the series, despite acknowledging that he had almost nothing to do with it.
* This is the last episode to have Rhinox appear in [[beast mode]]. For the rest of the series, Rhinox remains in [[robot mode]].
* The pistol Dinobot uses to interrogate Tarantulas is nearly identical to Rattrap's.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Code du Héros'''" (Canada, "Code of Hero")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un grande eroe'''" ("A Grand Hero")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Abayo!'''" (あばよッ!, "Farewell!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 24]] [[1999]]
::*In a shocking display of restraint on director [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]'s part, the excessive adlibbing, satirical 4th Wall jokes and major script changes are kept to a relative minimum. Instead, this episode tries (''tries'') to adhere to the somber tone of the original English language version. Still, though comparatively restrained in its use of adlib gags, there remain plenty to be had...
::*When opening fire on Cheetor, Rampage constantly howls threats and insults at the Maximal. As the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" was released theatrically in Japan and was not broadcast on television as a regular part of the series, this episode is the "introduction" of Rampage to Japanese viewers.
::*While exiting his secret lab to retrieve his dinner, Tarantulas jabbers incessantly to himself as he makes sure the coast is clear. He mentions that his left is clear, his right is clear, his rear is clear and above him is clear, then while rambling about never being too careful, that's when Dinobot bursts out from the one direction he hadn't checked; below himself.
::*When Megatron lands to check out the mountain near the valley of proto-humans, he giddily tests his echo out with a loud "YAHOOOO! (''yahooooo! yahooooo!'')"
::*In what is unfortunately one of the ''worst'' examples of adlibbing in this dub, when Rampage aims his cannon at Megatron and Megatron's head can be seen in close-up through the scope, Megatron continues to speak... with his mouth quite visibly shut. While the English version relied on silence and facial expressions to get the point of the scene across (Megatron's accursed smugness and Rampage's resigned anger at being helpless to wipe the smile off his face), the Japanese dub turns it into a prattling conversation as Rampage talks about shooting Megatron right then and there and Megatron (in the close-up with his lips closed) warning him of the consequences.
::*The drama and suspense of the Predacons laying waste to the proto-human valley is completely undone by the fact that the characters comically scream their vocal tics every time they fire their weapons.
::*The final [[commercial bumper]] for this episode is dedicated to Dinobot. Whereas in the past, the featured character would scream their name during the bumper, Dinobot instead offers a quiet and reserved, "Hello. I am Dinobot."
::*In addition to the incessant screaming of their verbal tics, the Predacons make various asides throughout Dinobot's rampage through their forces. Blackarachnia sarcastically remarks to Inferno as they gun down proto-humans "Well this isn't petty at all, is it?" After getting blown up by Rampage's cannon, Waspinator whimpers, "''How cruel...''"
::*Dinobot's final words to Rattrap, rather than a friendly jab, is instead a reconciliation of their partnership, as Dinobot tells him that they made a good duo. His final words to the group are the same as in the English version, save for the ending. Rather than "the rest is silence", Dinobot instead says, "Thank you. Farewell..."

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yīngxióng Běnsè'''" (英雄本色, "Nature of Hero")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Código de Herói'''" ("Code of Hero")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Código del Héroe'''" ("The Code of Hero")

:*''Title:'' "'''El Código de un Héroe'''" (America, "The Code of a Hero")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Bad Spark / Code of Hero ([[KB Toys]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Series 2 / Volume 3 ({{w|Siren Visual|Siren Entertainment}}) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Huh? The Face? ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Universal]])

;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Seasons 2 & 3 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Motormaster (G1)

2015-03-13T00:40:24Z

Ssjgoku72000: /* Generations */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Motormaster}}
:''Motormaster is a [[Decepticon]] [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:MTMTEMotormaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A man of means by no means.]]
When '''Motormaster''' booms out orders in his hollow, bottomless-deep voice of doom, his [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] soldiers listen in very real fear. A cold and brutal tyrant, without an ounce of mercy or care for any lesser being, he considers himself the true "King of the Road." He longs to one day prove his claim by destroying [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], though he knows that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] might kill Prime first. His fellow Stunticons are too terrified of him to dare disobey his orders.

He can combine with his fellow Stunticons to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], and the other Stunticons' resentment of Motormaster is part of the reason that Menasor suffers from psychological instabilities.

Motormaster is sometimes known as '''Motorbreath'''.

{{quote|Well, look who's here! The old King of the Road! When I'm finished with ya, you'll be King of the Junkyard!|Motormaster right before Optimus Prime flattens him|"[[Masquerade]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Roger C. Carmel]] (English), [[Kōji Totani]] (Japanese)|[[Edgar Wald]] (Latin American), [[Thomas Rau]] (German, Most of Season 3), [[Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch]] (German, ''Webworld''), [[Christoph Lindert]] (German, Generation 2 Dub of ''Starscreams Brigade''), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, Generation 2 Dub of ''Masquerade'' & ''The Ultimate Weapon'')}}

[[File:Stunticons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
After a failed attempt to steal experimental rocket fuel from the [[United States military]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] realized that while the Decepticons controlled the skies, the Autobots had supremacy on the ground, and so they needed new ground-based warriors who could out-drive and out-fight the Autobots on their terms. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] stole a truck that would become Motormaster from a [[hard hat]]-wearing trucker named [[Possum Brown]]. The Decepticons journeyed to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], beat the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] out of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s possession and ordered the [[Vector Sigma|ancient supercomputer]] to give life to the Stunticons. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} Motormaster immediately pledged his loyalty to Megatron, though his burning desire was to defeat [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Whilst the Autobots were trapped on Cybertron, the Decepticons returned to [[Earth]] with the newly awakened Stunticons who began wreaking 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... with a little help from [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[File:Teurox wheeljack vs motormaster.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|And it's hard to say, just how somethings never change! And it's hard to find, an attempt to draw the line! I'm just burning doing the neutron dance!]]
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 powerful [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Motormaster personally saw to the disposal of the Autobots' stunt driver, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. It was an extended battle between skill and power, but the Stunticon leader eventually caught his prey by crushing him underneath his massive frame. One by one, the Stunticons disabled the Autobot participants assigned to protect Cahnay, but the downfall of Megatron's plan came when he ordered the Stunticons to stop going after the remaining Autobots. Eventually, the Stunticons were defeated when Cahnay rammed his car into Menasor’s face. {{storylink|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]]. Motormaster ensnared Perceptor with a commandeered ferry’s anchor. 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}}

After [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] was banished for yet another failed coup, he returned with a powerful new Decepticon team called the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], who were able to outfight Autobot and Decepticon alike. With Megatron needing a trump card, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] attempted to call on the Stunticons to help, but they refused as they were having a demolition derby with various human-owned cars. However, the Stunticons belatedly arrived after the Combaticons' combined form of [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] defeated [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and forced Megatron to acknowledge Starscream as the new Decepticon leader. Realizing that Starscream would not stop at Megatron, the Stunticons merged into Menasor and disabled Bruticus in one mighty punch. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[File:G1 cartoon Motormaster slagged.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|If that isn't just deserts, I don't know what is.]]
On another mission from Megatron, Motormaster dispatched his fellow Stunticons to collect several scientific components which the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] needed to finish a new Super Weapon. Motormaster himself stole the world's largest and most perfect ruby from its place in a museum. His path back to base was blocked by Optimus Prime himself, giving Motormaster his long-awaited chance to prove he was the true "King of the Road". After he and Optimus rammed into each head-on at full speed, though, Prime only had a slight headache while Motormaster blew out his tires, crumpled his trailer, broke his windows and shattered his ego. Beaten and bruised, Motormaster and his fellow Stunticons were all towed back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and held prisoner. Unaware of Megatron's full plans for the components, the Autobots conceived of a scheme to infiltrate the Decepticon camp disguised as the Stunticons, using camouflage paint to alter their appearances. To add insult to injury (well, injuries), Optimus Prime took Motormaster's place among the faux Stunticons. After the Autobots left, though, Breakdown managed to vibrate himself loose from his cage and let Motormaster and the others free as well. They merged to become Menasor and swept aside the meager resistance the Autobots put up at the Ark. Flying to Megatron's hidden construction site as Menasor, the Stunticons confronted their impostors and exposed the Autobots' Trojan Horse play. Still, Prime had arranged a double-cross and had tampered with the ruby's properties, causing Megatron's Super Weapon to explode after only a short use. Menasor fled, and the other Decepticons quickly followed suit. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:Decepticons w galvatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|*cue ''Harvey Birdman'' [[theme song|theme]]*]]
Like most Decepticons, Motormaster was left leaderless and near-powerless after the destruction of [[Unicron]] and the disappearance of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. By 2006, he and the other Decepticons had retreated to a burnt-out hunk of a planet called [[Chaar]], a world of ash in ruin. Certain that the Decepticons could be reborn as a fighting force if only they had a leader, Motormaster contributed nearly the last of his energon for [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s hunt for Galvatron and collapsed on the spot as a result. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} However, while Cyclonus and the [[Sweep]]s were resurrecting Galvatron, the [[Quintesson]]s arrived on Chaar with an offer of energon in exchange for attacking the Autobots. Motormaster called on a vote to decide if they would follow the aliens, and with [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] being the only negative, the desperate Decepticons put themselves under the command of the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} When Galvatron returned, though, he first shot Motormaster before ultimately agreeing to go along with the Quintessons anyway. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

[[File:MotormasterAnimated.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm Jerkwad-bot, and I drank all the beer.]]
This might be why Motormaster felt so strongly about Galvatron's inadequacy as Decepticon leader in later months. Along with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], he eventually confronted second-in-command Cyclonus and demanded that something be done about Galvatron or else there would be mutiny. It seemed to be an empty boast, however, as Galvatron just kept on being crazy. {{storylink|Webworld}}

Motormaster and the Stunticons accompanied Galvatron to Europe for a scheme involving the theft of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]]. However, they failed to hold off Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus while the Witwickys infiltrated Trypticon to steal his cog in retribution. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

Later, Motormaster sieged the lab of [[Gregory Swofford|Swofford]] and [[Mark Morgan|Morgan]] with Galvatron, and became one of the first Decepticons infected with the [[Hate Plague]]. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}
{{-}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
[[File:DecepticonTrailerBrigade1.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|"I'm so tall! Ha-ha-ha! ''I'm so tall!''"]]
Motormaster and the Stunticons decided to have a little fun and tear up a baseball stadium in Japan. Luckily, the Autobots' plucky young ally [[Kenji]] was present to radio for assistance. All the combiner teams assembled, and it was Menasor and Bruticus against Superion and Defensor! Defensor was forced to break apart by the combined Decepticon attack, but Superion and Kenji got the idea to shoot out the Decepticons' legs. [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] took advantage of the empty combiner ports and took over as Menasor's legs, launching him into the ocean. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}}

While posing as Autobots, Motormaster, [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and the Stunticons rampaged through the city streets, smearing the good name of their adversaries. Later, [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] posed as humans to rally people against the Autobots, and Motormaster's brigade staged an attack on the rally to drive the point home. The Autobot fire engines [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] arrived, however, and used their water hoses to wash off the Decepticons' fake insignia. Enraged, Motormaster planned to combine into Menasor... only to see his men were already retreating into the distance. As members of the [[Decepticon Trailer Brigade]], Motormaster and Onslaught attempted to invent powerlinx modes a few decades early, summoning their "great wheel attack". Hot Spot and Inferno managed to loop the Decepticons around their ladders, hurling the 'Cons right into a finishing blow by Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #7}}

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

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

=====''Full Throttle Scramble Power!'' manga=====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}}}
{{-}}

=====''Scramble City'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Kōji Totani]] (Japanese)}}

Motormaster and the Stunticons were summoned by Megatron to put an end to the [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project, and succeed where [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] had failed. Their first strike was impressive, holding back Optimus Prime and a cadre of Autobots and shooting the Aerialbots out of the skies. When the Aerialbots formed Superion, Motormaster and his teammates followed suit and merged into Menasor. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Great Transformer War'' manga=====
When the Decepticons kidnapped Doctor [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]], the famous scientist, the Autobots tried to raid Trypticon and save him. Motormaster and Onslaught linked up to the Dino-base in their launcher modes, sending their teammates flying at the Autobots at high speeds. Superion was torn limb from limb, and Motormaster then ordered the Stunticons to combine into Menasor to finish them off. The Protectobots managed to hold off the Decepticons long enough for Hot Spot to repair the Aerialbots and Blades to rescue Dalton. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Michitaka Kobayashi]] (Japanese, ep 26)}}

Motormaster and the Stunticons participated in Galvatron's siege on Cybertron. They managed to gain the high ground against the Dinobots and Throttlebots, and rained laser fire down on their opponents. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Motormaster and his team formed Menasor to fight their Autobot counterparts, but were steamrolled by the might and firepower of the Battleship Maximus. Transporting back to Earth, they attempted to interfere with Hot Rod's quest for the Matrix. Motormaster's team were confronted by the Aerialbots in the desert, but the battle of their combiner forms eventually led them to the Arctic. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

When [[Vector Sigma]] began perfecting the new super-metal [[Cybertonuron]] on Cybertron, Galvatron ordered another all-out attack on the planet to seize the metal for the Decepticons before the Autobots could make use of it. Motormaster and the Stunticons journeyed to Cybertron with the strike force, and confronted their old enemies, the Aerialbots. The Aerialbots got the drop on Motormaster's group by forming Superion and lashing out before the Stunticons could form Menasor as well. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} In [[San Francisco]], Motormaster and the Stunticons assisted Bruticus in using [[buridanka|a carnivorous plant]] to distract the Autobots from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s plans on [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]]. They fought against the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

Sometime later, Motormaster and the Stunticons gathered in the desert as their Ninja Commander [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] began issuing orders. They assembled as Menasor, and took part in the escalating Decepticon war effort as five separate Autobot outposts were attacked simultaneously at Sixshot's command. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} Motormaster was also among the Decepticons who assembled to welcome Scorponok as their new Emperor of Terror following Galvatron's fall. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

=====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violen Jiger]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Motormaster was among those summoned, but only as a part of Menasor. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
''After [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] stashed the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in his head, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] began having strange visions of combiner robots. Investigating further, Optimus and Buster shared a vision of the "[[Special Teams]]" fighting over the abandoned [[Pullen Power Plant]]'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} ''but unbeknownst to them, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] were also listening in, thanks to Shockwave's Matrix-monitoring equipment. Impressed by the vision of the Stunticons and calling them the "ultimate progression" of the combiner process, Shockwave immediately began plans for their construction.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Stunticonsmarvelg1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Feeling a bit marginalized...]]
Motormaster and the Stunticons were given life by the Creation Matrix, at least inadvertently. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] had "bugged" Optimus Prime with a [[cerebro-shell]] and, when the Autobot leader unleashed the power of the Matrix to bring the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to life, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] was able to tap into and divert some of the energy to bring an equal number of his own troops to life. The Stunticons' first mission was to further the Decepticon plans for anti-Autobot propaganda. Recognizing that the Autobot efforts on Earth were stymied as long as the humans could not tell the difference between the two factions, Megatron had taken great efforts to ensure ALL the "giant robots" were hated by the public. When the Autobot [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] selflessly saved a woman trapped by power lines, however, that good publicity threatened his plans. Therefore, Megatron sent Motormaster and the Stunticons out to find Skids. Once they did, the Stunticons drew attention to themselves by demolishing a highway, and then pretended to be "defending" Skids once [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] forces arrived. Their efforts not only successfully tarnished the Autobot image in the eyes of the humans, but even led to the deactivation and capture of the Aerialbots by RAAT. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

[[File:Motormaster prey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
''Later, Motormaster managed to earn Megatron's ire with his suggestion that the Stunticons could take out Optimus Prime, to which he quickly appended the proviso "once you'd beaten [him] to within an inch of his life". Though Megatron's paranoia had grown to extreme levels by this point, Soundwave persuaded him that Motormaster's "idea" of using weight of numbers against Prime had some merit and Megatron sent for the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Upon their arrival from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the Predacons used Motormaster for target practice, to Megatron's great amusement, though he escaped unharmed.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

Motormaster and his team saw little action after that. Decepticon internal politics caused leadership to change hands several times over the following months, and the Stunticons were ultimately lost in the shuffle. Motormaster was last seen attacking Autobots on the [[moon (moon)|moon]]. {{storylink|Totaled!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Motormaster front line.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Motormaster appeared to have...conflicting loyalties during the [[Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon faction split]] on Earth. He was first seen fighting alongside [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] against the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} However, by the time of the [[Enclave]], he was seen working alongside Megatron, {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} and was later present with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s troops outside [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|their base]] when Soundwave and Starscream announced they were taking over. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} Later, the Decepticons learned a human reporter named [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] would be writing an exclusive about the Autobots to upgrade their public image. In order to stop this, they sent Motormaster and the Stunticons out to snatch the human. Using his henchmen as a distraction, Motormaster rammed [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] from behind and pulled the reporter into his cab to make a getaway. {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}} It wasn't that easy, however, as the Autobots gave chase. Motormaster ran Prowl off the road again, and surprised [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] into running into his trailer by disconnecting from it (a surprise to everyone, no doubt). In the end it was his own Stunticons who did Motormaster in, though—[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] tried to ram [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] as they were following Motormaster's cab, but the Autobots dodged at the last second and the 'Con cars barreled into their own leader, sending him into a ditch. Bumblebee then ripped off Motormaster's door and rescued the human.

"King of the Road", my central processor. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Stunticons ark duty.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
In [[2003]], Motormaster and the Stunticons took on a mission to steal the plans for [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] from their courier, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. They surrounded the Autobot, and Motormaster had his goons tag-team the old wreck until they got their hands on the data tape. Thinking they were done for the day, the Stunticons got lucky and had a second beatdown when the hotheaded Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] chased after them alone to retrieve the tape. Needless to say, they beat the ball bearings out of him. {{storylink|Ark Duty}}

[[File:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|left]]
Five years later, Motormaster and the Stunticons were present on Cybertron when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] (under the influence of [[Unicron]]) attempted to take [[Decepticon leader]]ship from [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Combined into Menasor, the Stunticons tried to save their commander but were, alas, too late. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} Later, under [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s command, the Decepticons were engaged in an extended guerrilla war with the Autobots for control of Cybertron. After getting a tip from the [[Quintesson]]s, Soundwave had Motormaster and his other lieutenants gather the troops for a full-scale attack on the Autobots. The tip turned out to be a trap, however, and Motormaster and the others had to bail out of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] in mid-flight to protect themselves from a mass of invaders. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}}}

====Transformers Comic-Magazin====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Special Teams}}}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Predaconstww.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
During the start of the war, Motormaster served as Starscream's enforcer. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}} When Starscream took control of the Decepticons after he (supposedly) killed Megatron and Optimus Prime, Motormaster assisted Starscream's attempts to have [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] mechaform [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]... by letting Starscream threaten Scrapper with being mechaformed by Motormaster himself. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} During the subsequent Autobot assault on the base, Motormaster was on the verge of killing [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] rammed into him at full speed, sending Motormaster flying into a far-off wall. Grimlock one, Motormaster zero. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}} During the [[Dark Ages]], he joined up with Starscream's [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]], helping him steal raw energon, only to have Grimlock and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] steal the energon. Grimlock: two, Motormaster: zero. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} On the eve of the [[Age of Internment]], Motormaster was tasked with sniping [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. He failed, hitting Grimlock instead, though he ended up surviving. Grimlock: three, Motormaster: zero. {{storylink|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 [[Detention Banks|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. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} They formed into Menasor and ran amok in Iacon for a while, until Ultra Magnus arrived and began to attack Menasor by insulting the Stunticons individually. Unable to reconcile with this, the five Stunticons began to bicker with each other over whose fault it was that they were failing, temporarily halting Menasor's destruction. At that point, Ultra Magnus is quoted to have said: "'King of the Road' eh? We'll see about that," just before ramming the combiner in the chest while in vehicle mode, forcing Menasor to separate into his component parts and disabling the Stunticons. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}
{{Charstubfiction|{{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' continuity===
[[File:GIJvsTFv2Issue2Motormaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[E. J. Su]] gives us a brief glimpse of [[The Transformers: Infiltration|things to come]] from him.]]
When the Stunticons were transported into 1930s [[Chicago]] by a malfunctioning [[Teletran 3]], a group of human criminals found them dormant in their car modes and started using them. Planning to rob a bank, they filled Motormaster with dynamite, only to find themselves in a firefight between the other Stunticons and the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] sent from the future to retrieve the Transformers. The [[Baroness]] detonated the dynamite inside Motormaster and stuck a [[disruption unit]] on him, reactivating him (albeit with a headache) and sending the whole group back to present-day Cybertron. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time later, Motormaster attended a meeting arranged by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who was gathering Decepticons for his army. As Menasor, he and the other Stunticons then attacked an Autobot peace ceremony. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} [[File:Motormaster razorclaw prime art of war.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]] Following the battle, Motormaster and [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] delivered the captive Optimus Prime to Serpent O.R., {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} but Prime soon got loose from his chains and attacked the Decepticon leader, so Motormaster and several other subgroup leaders came to his aid. While Prime fought back bravely, taking out several Decepticons, Motormaster and [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] eventually beat him to a pulp and allowed Serpent O.R. to steal the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. Unfortunately, [[Cobra Commander]] chose that moment to take control of Serpent O.R.'s body and use it to attack the two Decepticons, apparently killing them. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{-}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During a particularly violent battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Motormaster joined with the other Stunticons to form Menasor and do battle with [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], the Dinobots’ combined form. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[File:MegatronOrigin4 Motormaster.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Sentinel Prime goes Indiana Jones on Motormaster.]]
Apparently hailing from the city-state of [[Altihex]], Motormaster took up the open invitation to [[Kaon]]'s discontented populace and journeyed to the secret bloodsport arena to join [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] in his insurrection against the [[Senate]]'s control. He was seen in the presence of the Stunticons, suggesting they had already formed a team bond prior to the first major uprising. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} During the opening battle of the war with Security Services in Kaon, Motormaster continued with his (apparent) goal of being run down by every [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] who turns into a truck when he leapt in the way of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and was flattened by the no-nonsense commander. That 'Con just doesn't know when to quit, does he? {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

Being opposed to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s brief leadership of the Decepticons, the Stunticons deserted and became highwaymen on [[Magmara Nine]] until informed by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] that Megatron had returned. {{storylink|Primacy issue 2|Primacy #2}} Returning to the fold, Motormaster participated in the invasion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}} where he as per tradition tried to ram [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] head on. Despite his bravado, however, he was sent flying by the collision while Prime went unharmed. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

In one of the war's countless battles, Motormaster witnessed [[Hot Rod (Henkei!)|a yellow Autobot]] get destroyed in a Decepticon-Autobot crossfire. {{storylink|Drift issue 2|Drift #2}}

In the modern era, Motormaster accompanied Megatron on his invasion of [[Earth]], only to be left behind and captured by the human organization [[Skywatch]] along with two of his subordinates, [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The Stunticons' deactivated bodies were later retrieved by [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]], who was leading a group of Autobots and Decepticons brought together by the same goal: getting off Earth. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}} Motormaster was brought back online, and joined the other Stunticons in the construction of a starship. However, their ranks were still missing [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], and Motormaster and Dead End had an inkling as to where he was. Via [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], they convinced Hot Rod (now "Rodimus Prime") to let them retrieve their final comrade, but before they could start searching, Motormaster noticed an intruder approaching. He suspected it could be humans, but Swindle confirmed that it was actually [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}}

The Stunticons eventually found Breakdown, and got rid of his [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|driver]] when Motormaster threatened to ram him head-on. The missing Stunticon was loaded into Motormaster's trailer and brought back to the building site of the starship, where the Stunticons revealed that Swindle had modified them into combiners! Motormaster combined with his subordinates into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], whom Swindle ordered to kill Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}} During the subsequent battle, Swindle's lack of experience in adapting the combiner technology proved to be Menasor's downfall. The other Stunticons began arguing with each other, pulling on Motormaster as Menasor was damaged, and refused to protect him when Optimus Prime ordered an attack on the combiner's torso. After Menasor fell to pieces, the component Stunticons were arrested by Skywatch. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

Months later, the Skywatch facility where the Stunticons were held came under attack from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and other Decepticons who had returned from space. Motormaster and his men were freed, and quickly joined in the destruction of the base. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|The Demolished Man}} After traveling to a Decepticon base where Megatron had reestablished command of the Decepticons, Motormaster watched as a fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron began. He was presumably caught in the explosion when Optimus dropped a satellite on the base. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}} Megatron then allowed himself to be captured and taken to Cybertron so that his army could follow him using a [[space bridge]], but the Decepticons were interrupted when [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] infiltrated them. Motormaster and the Stunticons were ordered to stay behind and kill the Autobot, but were all knocked out by an electric surge when Bumblebee interrupted the space bridge's power flow, allowing the Autobots to recapture them. {{storylink|The Question}}

Much later, Motormaster was brought back to Cybertron, where he was part of an angry Decepticon crowd who demanded answers from the Autobots for [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s death. {{storylink|Stick Together}} He was later among the Decepticons who began rioting in conjunction with the return of a long-lost Megatron. {{storylink|The Verge}}
{{-}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|City on Fire}}}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Motormaster is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Motormaster and the rest of the Stunticons were created in response to the failure of a Decepticon campaign to acquire Autobot superfuel. Realizing they needed a strong ground force, Motormaster and his kin were created by modifying Earth vehicles with Cybertronian technology, and then bringing them before Vector Sigma to be imbued with the spark of life. The Autobots brought the Aerialbots to life at the same time, and the Decepticons found themselves on the losing side until the Stunticons merged into Menasor. The Decepticons lost nonetheless, though they acquired the key to Vector Sigma as a consolation prize. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1 (Legends)|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

Even [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had trouble controlling the Stunticons. The team went on a crime spree in the back alleys of human cities until they were tracked down and stopped by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and his team. {{storylink|The Thin Blue Line}} Motomaster led a convoy consisting of [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]] which attempted to deliver the final component of a Decepticon super weapon to Decepticon HQ. An interception by the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] forced them to destroy the super weapon to keep it out of Autobot hands, and Motormaster and his crew scattered. {{storylink|Eagle Eyes}} Motormaster was among the Decepticons who joined with the Quintessons in an attempt to destroy the Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1Motormaster toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Nemesis Prime? Nemesis Prime? Frag Nemesis Prime!"]]
*'''Motormaster''' (Stunticon, 1986)
**''Team ID number:'' '''S5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-50'''
**''Accessories:'' [[ionizer sword]], [[cyclone rifle]], [[roller car]]/Menasor's chestpiece, Menasor's head, Menasor's hands, Menasor's feet, blast deflector

:Motormaster transforms into a black Kenworth K100 Aerodyne sleeper truck pulling a long, dark-silver trailer. Unlike many Transformers truck toys, his trailer is permanently attached to the cab. Motormaster can assume a base/repair bay mode which can connect to the Decepticon city [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], a feature only documented in Trypticon's instructions. (He can also connect to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], but this is undocumented for obvious reasons.) His small "[[roller car]]" gains relevance in this mode, as it is scaled for the base-mode's ramp. The Japanese release includes a launcher mechanism to propel the car, much like Optimus Prime's Combat Deck propels Roller. (As with [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Motormaster's various knock-offs include the launcher.)

:In [[robot mode]], he is armed with a long, purple "cyclone" rifle and a large, silver, vacuum-metalized ionizer [[sword]]. He also forms the central body of Menasor, with the roller car becoming his chest piece and Menasor's mask covering his face. Menasor's hands and feet were included in Motormaster's box.

:Motormaster and the other Stunticons were later released in the European/Australian-exclusive "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" series.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Motormaster/motormaster.htm More information on Motormaster at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/i.php?ID=482 More information on Motormaster at Transformers-Universe.com]''
{{-}}

*'''Menasor''' (Giftset, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-55'''

:Motormaster was also available as part of the Menasor giftset.

===Generation 2===
*'''Motormaster''' (Stunticon)
**''Team ID number:'' '''S1'''

[[File:MotormasterG2.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|I'm still all man.]]
:The Stunticons and Protectobots were planned to be released as part of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' line]], but were ultimately canceled (though Breakdown saw "release" as the [[BotCon 1994]] [[exclusive]]). The smaller limb-robots all have had packaged samples appear, but no packaged samples of Motormaster or Hot Spot are known to exist, and the two leaders are the hardest of their sets to come across nowadays. Recent samples have appeared on [[eBay]], however at ridiculously high prices reaching US$ 26.000!<ref>http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/unreleased-g2-menasor-sells-for-26815-on-ebay/30758/</ref>

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[File:Universe2003MenasorTestshot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|This is like a diametrically opposite kind of distasteful from Thunder Clash.]]
*'''Menasor''' (Ultra, unreleased)

:A redeco of [[Thunder Clash]] as Motormaster (called "Menasor" because of [[trademark]] issues) was planned as a store exclusive for ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'', but was ultimately canceled.

::*''[http://www.iaconone.com/datatrax/datatrax_002.php Unproduced Universe Menasor package art at Iacon One Datatrax]''

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:GenerationsMotorbreathToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Even in tiny size, he's still a big 'ol jerk.]]
*'''Motorbreath''' (Legends class, 2012)
**''Accessories'': Ionizer sword

:''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class]] "Motorbreath" (named so for [[trademark]] reasons) is a [[redeco]]/[[retool]] of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers:]] [[Reveal the Shield]]'' Legends Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#2010Legend|Optimus Prime]]. He features new hands and a hole on his head/[[Alternate mode|vehicle]] roof compatible with [[C joint|3mm post]]s, and comes with a compatible sword (sculpted after Generation 1 Motormaster's sword) that features two posts and a hole, allowing it to be held and mounted in different ways. Originally developed by Hasbro Asia for release in their territories, Motorbreath was later released together with various other formerly "Asian-[[exclusive]]" toys as a [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]] exclusive in the United States for the 2012 holiday season.

:This retooled version of the sculpt (including the sword) was later redecoed for a [[Variant#Tooling|running change variant]] of the "Dollar Store"-exclusive version of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Optimus Prime]], and was also redecoed without the sword as [[EZ Collection#Transformers: EZ Collection Gum|''EZ Collection Gum'']] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#EZ Collection Gum|Optimus Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/GDOMotorbreath/motorbreath.htm More information on Motorbreath at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|UltimateGiftSet}}
[[File:Generationstoy-UltimateGiftSet.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
*'''Ultimate Gift Set''' (2012)
**''Accessories'': Ionizer sword

:This unchanged release of Legends Class Motorbreath comes packed with ''Generations'' Legends Class [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#UltimateGiftSet|Thundercracker]], as well as Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#UltimateGiftSet|Combat Hero Optimus Prime]] and a ''Generation 2''-styled Deluxe Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#UltimateGiftSet|Autobot Jazz]].

:The Ultimate Gift Set is an online retailer exclusive in the United States, but is available at general retail in Hasbro's Asian markets.
{{-}}
{{-}}{{anchor|Combiner Wars}}
[[File:Generations-CW Voyager Motormaster stock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Larger and more versatile ol' jerk!]]
*'''Motormaster''' (Voyager Class, 2015)
**''Accessories'': Sword, gun
: Motormaster is part of Wave 2 of ''[[Combiner Wars]]'' Voyager Class toys and is a [[retool]] of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], now in gray and black and featuring a new head and chest. As a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager torso, he will be able to combine with any Deluxe-class toys released as part of the same subline - but, of course, he's intended to be combined with [[Blackjack]], [[Drag Strip (G1)|Dragstrip]], [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Offroad]] to create [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. Motormaster includes a collector card featuring art from the "[[Eagle Eyes]]" episode of ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]''. As a retool of Prime, Motormaster unfortunately suffers from the same design flaw as him-the inability to strike a natural pose caused by the ratchets in said joints being too far apart from each other.

:Motormaster comes with a sword and a gun, that can combine to form Menasor's big sword. Tabs on the weapons allow them to lock together in order to be stored on the truckbed in altmode. A closer look at the gun's Barrel and protruding spikes share a resemblance to the Orinal G1's figure's sword. In torso mode, he haves a chest designed after the original Motormaster's [[Roller car]], which can be opened to reveal a second chest detailed after ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' [[Galvatron (AOE)|Galvatron]].

::*''[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/generations-combiner-wars/motormaster/3567/1/ Image gallery of ''Combiner Wars'' Motormaster at Seibertron.com]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Though the Generation 1 toy clearly is a single-trailer rig, the panel seams were often misinterpreted by artists as being a division between two trailers. Thus Motormaster is sometimes portrayed as a double-trailer rig, even though the "front trailer" doesn't have any rear wheels.
*In the 2006/2007 ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' line, a [[redeco]] of ''[[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]] was intended to be Motormaster, but again, the name could not be obtained. The toy was given the name "Menasor" and the super robot's function of "Super Warrior", effectively making him Menasor, not Motormaster.
*Motormaster has three different pieces of box art. The art on his Japanese packaging has him transformed correctly, while the art on his individual Hasbro release shows him mistransformed, with his upper legs out to the side instead of down. In what is presumably an attempt to fix this, the art on the Hasbro gift set uses the lower legs from the Takara art, but this leaves Motormaster's upper legs mistransformed.
*Motormaster's transformation makes Optimus Prime's disappearing trailer that much more mysterious...

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Motormaster''' (モーターマスター ''Mōtāmasutā'')
*''French:'' '''Pilot-As''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Gépmester''' ("Machine-master")
*''Italian:'' '''Barracuda'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mǎ-dá Dá-shr''' (Taiwan, 馬達大師, "Motor Master"), '''Qiche Dashi''' (China, 汽车大师, "Auto Master")
*''Russian:'' '''Motomaster''' (Мотомастер)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Motormaster Motormaster's ''Universe'' profile at NFTA.net]
*[http://www.iaconone.com/datatrax/ Universe Motormaster/Menasor's art (and other tidbits) at Iacon One]

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Stunticons]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]

Soundwave (G1)/toys

2013-07-29T20:13:21Z

Ssjgoku72000: /* Masterpiece */

{{suite}}
'''[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]''': popular. Amount of merchandise: sufficient for its own page.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Soundwave superior. Nuff said.]]
* '''Soundwave''' (Decepticon, 1984-1986)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''17'''
**''Accessories (Hasbro release):'' [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], rocket launcher, 3 rockets, [[concussion weapon|concussion blaster]]
**''Accessories (Takara release):'' [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], tape case, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, headphones, microphone, concussion blaster
:Soundwave began life as the ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy "Cassette Man", and went mostly unchanged when he was imported by [[Hasbro]] to become part of the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]]'' toyline, save for exclusion of some accessories, and the removal of a molded "Cassette Man" logo on his stomach. He transforms into a realistically-sized blue and silver microcassette recorder, complete with an opening cassette door that can accommodate any of the numerous [[Mini-Cassette]] figures, and came packaged with [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] to fully exploit and advertise this interactive gimmick. Soundwave is armed with a shoulder-mounted cannon and a hand-held concussion blaster, which both transform into imitation batteries that store in a compartment on his back while he is in his alternate mode. The Hasbro instructions mistakenly state that a pair of trapezoid-shaped stickers intended to decorate these batteries should be attached to Soundwave's legs (which was the case for his previous Micro Change incarnation)

:Takara's release of Soundwave reinstated the extra Cassette Man accessories that Hasbro had excluded from their release: a set of headphones and a microphone, both non-functioning. To further emulate Cassette Man, Takara's Soundwave came with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], rather than Buzzsaw, and a clear plastic case that he could fit into in tape mode, and his rocket launcher featured a spring-loaded firing mechanism that Hasbro had removed, as they did with all such features at the time. Takara also made a [[variant|running change]] to the [[mold]], re-sculpting the recessed buttons on Soundwave's pelvis into one solid, protruding piece, and moving the cassette door's hinge from inside the figure's chest to a lower, external position on either side of this new button assembly. This modification became the standard for all subsequent re-uses of the Soundwave mold.

: Aside from the aforementioned button remold, Soundwave's first notable modification was the addition of a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]] to his chest in 1985. The popularity of Soundwave and his interactive tape gimmick was evident from an early stage: his toy continued to be sold throughout 1986, after the vast majority of his 1984 brethren had been removed from toy shelves, and Mini-Cassette partners continued to be produced for him even after this, through 1988. Soundwave was subsequently reissued several times over the years, and this article lists each distinct edition of the figure under its own heading.

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

{{-}}
[[Image:G1toy_VSY.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
* '''Grimlock vs Soundwave''' (1985)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''VSY'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

: Prior to modifying his buttons, Takara also released Soundwave in a "versus" set along with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], lacking the additional headphone and microphone accessories and partnered with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] instead of Rumble. The set also included an audio cassette, and has become the rarest of the three "VS" sets Takara produced.
{{-}}
{{anchor|SoundblasterG1}}
[[Image:G1Soundblaster toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Once you go black, you can never go b—]]
*'''Soundblaster''' (Decepticon, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-101'''
**''Accessories:'' Buzzsaw, tape case, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

: As part of the Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (toyline)|Headmasters]]'' series, Soundwave was [[Redeco|redecoed]] in a new black and red color scheme, and his chest door was [[Retool|retooled]] so that he could now hold two cassettes at once. Soundblaster came packaged with Buzzsaw, who now sported a new [[sticker]] which would reveal the weak spot of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] when placed behind Soundblaster's translucent red chest door, in the same manner that [[Tech Spec]]s decoders worked. The figure's stickers, however, retain Soundwave's blue coloration instead of being changed to work with Soundblaster's black.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1987/Destron/Soundblaster/soundblaster.htm More information on Soundblaster at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:G1 ActionMaster Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|—uh, never mind.]]
*'''Soundwave with Wingthing''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' "Photon Negator" rifle

: Part of the very first wave of [[Action Master|Action Masters]], Soundwave is a non-transforming action figure which combines elements of his cartoon model and original toy. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle. He came packaged with his new [[Action Master partner|partner]], [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]].

: Soundwave's [[instructions]] depict a different [[weapon]] than the one the toy actually comes with. The weapon depicted in Soundwave's instructions was available with [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] instead. As a consequence, several toy information websites and identification guides (including ''[[Transformers Generations|Generations]]'') depict Soundwave with Treadshot's weapon, using the instructions as a reference.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1990/Decepticon/Soundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Soundwave (Action Master) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transform Jr===
[[Image:G1toy junior soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Gōkin, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''17'''
**''Accessories:'' Cassette, launcher, 2 missiles

:Released during the early portion of the ''[[Transform Jr]]'' toyline when it was still going by the short lived "''Transform Gōkin''" name, ''Jr'' Soundwave is a smaller, simplified version of the original Generation 1 toy, lacking many stickers and paint applications, as well as the larger figure's retractable fists and the spring-activated release for his chest door. The chest door can still be manually opened, though, and Soundwave comes with a cassette partner to fit inside, albeit a non-transforming one (it's basically just a rectangle of plastic with a sticker on it; from the pattern on the sticker, it might be Rumble). He comes with only one gun, which can be placed either on his shoulder or in his fist, and features [[die-cast]] metal parts in his legs.

::*''[http://www.vega.or.jp/~butto/tftcollejr-12.htm More information on Transform Gōkin Soundwave at a Japanese fan site]''
{{-}}
[[Image:G1toy junior soundblaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundblaster''' (Jr, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-101'''
**''Accessories:'' Cassette, launcher, 2 missiles

:Just as his larger toy was, ''Jr'' Soundwave was redecoed and retooled to become Soundblaster the following year, sporting a black coloration and an enlarged chest door (though the door itself remains colorless, lacking the distinctive red tint of the large Soundblaster figure). Soundblaster retains all of Soundwave's accessories and features; the sticker for his non-transformable cassette partner remains the same, looking a lot like Rumble despite Soundblaster's [[package art]] now showing Buzzsaw.

::*''[http://www.vega.or.jp/~butto/tftcollejr-13.htm More information on Transform Jr Soundblaster at a Japanese fan site]''
{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2 Gobot Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The goggles, they do nothing.]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: A [[redeco]] of the [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Gearhead]], Soundwave transforms into a [[NASCAR]]-style Ford Thunderbird stock car with precision wheels and wire axles, compatible with "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" playsets and tracks (which he was properly sized to fit). His ''exceptionally'' loud color scheme, being composed of bright shades of fluorescent yellow, pink and blue, is one of the few times fans can actually get away with describing a toy as "[[neon]]".

: Soundwave was one of only three Go-Bots released in Japan by Takara, on a normal [[Hasbro]] card with stickers over key parts to add Japanese text to the mix. The other two releases, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Megatron]], were not too heavily altered, aside from the addition of Soundwave's distinctive large "T" hood deco to their own bonnets, but Soundwave himself was significantly altered: while his car shell remains fluorescent yellow, his internal parts are the same as the opaque version of his predecessor, Gearhead.

: This mold was also used to make various versions of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[W.A.R.S.]] and the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' incarnation of [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]]. It was planned to be used to make ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Greasepit (G2)|Greasepit]], but that toy was canceled.

: This toy was later [[repurposing|repurposed]] to be a [[Soundwave (G2)|"next-generation" clone of Soundwave]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1995/Decepticon/Soundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Soundwave (Go-Bot) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|LaserCycle}}
[[Image:LaserCycleSoundwave.jpg|right|300px|thumb|His bio actually says this isn't his favorite form. No foolin'.]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Laser Cycle, unreleased)

: This planned [[redeco]] of the [[Laser Cycle]] [[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]] would have seen Soundwave transform to a blue and silver Honda Goldwing motorcycle, with an LED-lit tailpipe that became an arm-mounted weapon in robot mode. Ultimately, however, it ended up as one of several planned late-1995 ''Generation 2'' redecos that never made it to release. The cancellation was presumably a comparatively last-minute decision, since several of these toys, including Soundwave and fellow Laser Cycle redeco [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], ''were'' solicited in various store catalogues, such as the Sears Wish Book. Some packaged samples of this toy do exist, but there are estimated to be less than a dozen in existence.

: This mold was later [[Retool|retooled]] to make ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Axer (G1)|Axer]] and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]].
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Machine Wars===
[[Image:MW Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not my scene, baby!]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Mega, 1997)
**''Accessories:'' Giant missile, radar dish

:Originally a [[KB Toys]] exclusive, ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' Soundwave is a [[redeco]] of the [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]] [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]], transforming into a grey and burgundy tracked ICBM (Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile) carrier of probably made-up model. His ICBM can mount on either shoulder or his back in robot mode, and retains Stalker's [[Megavisor]] gimmick; a panel on the top slides open to reveal a port for the smaller Predator jets to attach to, allowing their Megavisor slides to be viewed through the "scope" of the missile. Stalker's own unique built-in slide, however, was removed for the Soundwave version of the figure. Also missing from this version of the toy are Stalker's hand-held missile launcher and accompanying ammunition, due to [[for safety reasons|safety concerns]] over their small size.

: This mold was also used to make the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|incarnation of Soundwave]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1997/Decepticon/Soundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Machine Wars Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
*'''Soundwave''' (2003) [[Image:G1toy_tfc_soundwave_and_soundblaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
** Japanese ID number: '''TFC-10'''
** Accessories: [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], tape case, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

:The first reissue of Soundwave's original toy was released as part of Takara's ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'', and this time came with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. The toy reinstates Soundwave's chest-mounted Decepticon symbol, relocating the rubsign to the cover of his battery compartment, but otherwise features no notable differences from the original, post-button-remold version of the figure. This was, however, many international fans' first exposure to Soundwave's modified button mold, and it was erroneously assumed by many that the change had been first made for this release as an artefact of modifying the Soundblaster mold back into Soundwave.

*'''Soundblaster''' (2005)
** Japanese ID number: '''TFC-18'''
** Accessories: [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], Buzzsaw, 2 tape cases, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

:Not ones to waste the opportunity now that they had the mold back in action, Takara also reissued Soundblaster as part of the ''Transformers Collection'', sweetening the deal by including not just his original partner Buzzsaw, but also the first reissue of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Despite the opportunity, they didn't change the color of Soundblaster's stickers from Soundwave-blue to black.
{{-}}

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
[[Image:SmallestTF Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Size: small. Taste: Big]]
*'''Soundwave''' (2003-2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GTF 05'''
**''Accessories:'' Rocket launcher, concussion blaster

: Standing at only two inches tall, ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' Soundwave is an extremely small-scale replica of his original Generation 1 toy. Although his retracting fists, rotating head and missile accessories are left out, the figure otherwise retains a surprising amount of the original toy's functions and features, including the ability to store his weapons as batteries and an opening chest door. This opening chest accommodates Soundwave's in-package partner, ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' Ravage, who is probably ''the'' smallest Transformer ever.

:Soundwave was originally released as part of the first ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' wave, and was then made available again in the limited-availability "Wave 2.5" the following year, without changes. In both instances, as with the rest of the figures in the line, he was sold in [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] packaging.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Destron/SmallestSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Smallest Transforming Transformers Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[Image:Universe Soundwave%26Space-Case toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Now, let's see Space Case jump out of Soundwave's chest!]]
*'''Soundwave & Space Case''' (Ultra, 2004)
**''Accessories:'' Giant missile, radar

: The [[#Machine Wars|''Machine Wars'' version of Soundwave]] was redecoed in blue and yellow for release in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line. Sold in an Ultra-level two-pack with [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]], it retains basically all the same neutered gimmicks from the previous release of the mold.

: Due to the lack of fiction for either toy in the set, it is ''possible'' that this incarnation is in fact an alternate-universe version of Soundwave, or possibly even a new character altogether.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/TFUSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Universe Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
{{anchor|TiCR}}
[[Image:Titanium CybHeroes Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He's the "manliest" Soundwave ever!]]
*'''Soundwave''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Laserbeak, rocket launcher, concussion blaster, display base

: ''[[Titanium Series]]'' Soundwave is a new toy cast in the image of his original Generation 1 figure, still transforming through a virtually identical process into a microcassette player mode. He retains his transforming weapons, which still store as batteries in a compartment on his back, and his opening chest door, which accommodates the diminutive transforming Laserbeak figure packaged with him. Soundwave comes with the standard display base that all other 6" ''Titanium Series'' figures come with, and a unique nameplate.

: ''Titanium'' Soundwave has been the subject of much criticism among fans, simply because the toy is patently inferior to the original Generation 1 figure that it seeks to emulate, despite being made with modern toy technology. In particular, its disproportionate, oddly-shaped crotch area makes it look like Soundwave is wearing a diaper, and its poor leg engineering makes it virtually impossible for them to stay extended, and as a result, the toy is barely able to stand up. The cumulative effect is a Soundwave who is not unlike [http://www.reprolabels.com/Misc/babywave.php a baby].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/TitSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Titanium Series Soundwave at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TiSoundblaster}}
[[Image:Titanium soundblaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundblaster''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, unreleased)
**''Accessories:'' Ravage, rocket launcher, concussion blaster, display base

: A planned redeco of ''Titanium'' Soundwave in his black and red Soundblaster colors, this toy would have come with a new ''Titanium'' version of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] instead of Laserbeak. Although displayed at [[BotCon 2007]], Soundblaster was ultimately canceled along with many other solicited 6" Cybertron Heroes, but this did not stop him from appearing as a cross-sell on the packaging for ''Titanium'' [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] in late 2008 (which claimed he would have been "also available" as of November 2008), as Hasbro was unwilling to spend the resources on altering the packaging for these already-complete products.
 
{{canceledtoy}}

===Classics===
[[Image:Classics Commemorative Soundwave toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Ravage, Laserbeak: Eject. Operation: Reissue.]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Commemorative Edition, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Laserbeak, Battle Ravage, 2 tape cases, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

: Hasbro's first reissue of the original Soundwave toy was originally intended to be part of their [[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] of Generation 1 reissues, but when that line was cancelled, it was instead released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' toyline. The phrase "Commemorative Edition" is prominently displayed on the front and sides of the box, though, and it remains exclusive to [[Toys"R"Us]], as all Commemorative Edition toys were.

:Despite both the packaging's claim that it is "identical to the original toy," and the image on the packaging showing Soundwave with his traditional chest-door, the figure actually sports the double-wide door of Sound''blaster'' (complete with extra tech-detailing), which allows him to carry both of his pack-in partners, Laserbeak and "Battle" Ravage. In an unusual move for a Hasbro release, the set also includes two clear-plastic cassette cases for the two tapes, previously only included with Takara versions of the figures. Per stringent child safety laws, his spring-loaded weapons were neutered.

:Sadly, in the Canadian markets, this version of Soundwave was pushed back over a year from the original release date, and very few Toys "R" Us' had them. Dang.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/ClassicsSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Classics Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Music Label===
[[Image:Music label soundwave.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Soundwave finally enters the digital age after only what, twenty-three years?]]
*'''Soundwave Playing Audio Player''' (2007)
**''Accessories:'' Electric launcher, "Wave Bluster", 2 clenched fists (left & right), 2 gun-holding fists (left & right), 2 eject-button pose fists (left & right), headphones

: Released as part of TakaraTomy's small ''[[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]]'' toyline, this incarnation of Soundwave drags the character kicking and screaming into the digital age as a working MP3 player. Despite his new electronic abilities, Soundwave still transforms, in a manner virtually identical to his original Generation 1 figure, no less. He still comes with his trademark pair of weapons (although they no longer double as batteries, since he's got a real one in there now!) plus three sets of hands: two clenched, two for holding his guns, and two posed as if he is pressing his "eject" button.

:Soundwave runs on a single AAA battery, lasting for about six hours of continuous play, and operates using a miniSD card; the packaging claims it can only support up to 1GB, but reports indicate it can actually take up to 2GB. The distinctive buttons on Soundwave's pelvis are now working buttons that control the player: play/pause/power, next, previous, volume up and volume down. Naturally, the player also comes with a set of headphones, but an optional accessory, sold separately, can take their place: a set of ''transforming'' headphones in the image of Rumble and Frenzy.

:Soundwave was initially released in two color schemes: "Spark Blue", his normal blue and silver colors; and "Sonic White", a mostly white color scheme with some blue detailing, echoing the traditional iPod color scheme. When the toy received a second production run later in the year, the "Sonic White" version was replaced with a new Soundblaster-inspired "Blaster Black" deco.

: The "Sonic White" version was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the mirror-universe ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Sir Soundwave|Soundwave]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Destron/MLSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Music Label Soundwave (Sonic White) at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Destron/MLBlueSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Music Label Soundwave (Spark Blue) at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Destron/MLBlackSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Music Label Soundwave (Blaster Black) at TFU.info]''

===Encore===
[[Image:G1toy_encore_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundwave''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''03'''
**''Accessories:'' Laserbeak, tape case, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

:The original Soundwave toy was made available once again as part of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' series of reissues. Aside from a slightly lighter shade to his blue plastic and similar changes to his accompanying stickers, the figure remained unchanged from its previous reissues.
{{-}}

[[Image:Encore_Soundblaster_Toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundblaster''' (2012)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' "Enemy", "Wingthing", tape case, rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

:Soundblaster was available again as part of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' series of reissues. This release includes two new cassette partners: [[Enemy (G1)|Enemy]] and [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]].
:For this release Soundblaster features additional silver paint on his face plate and sides of his head, red metallic eyes instead of yellow, and the removal of the silver paint on his crest in an effort for animation accuracy. In addition he has a large Decepticon logo tampographed on his chest. All the label stickers from the previous releases of Soundblaster have been reproduced via tampographs as well, with the exception of the stickers for his weapons which come preapplied. The coloration of the blue labels has also been altered to replace some of the blue (but not all) with black.
{{--}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Universe2008toy soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Exclusive, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Laserbeak, Ravage, Buzzsaw, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], rocket launcher, 3 rockets, concussion blaster

: In 2009, Hasbro released yet another reissue of Soundwave as part of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, this time as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] exclusive that was prominently offered at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2009. After Hasbro's last reissue of the figure had used the double-sized Soundblaster chest door, this version of Soundwave reinstated his original door, and came packaged with no fewer than ''four'' tapes: Ravage, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Universe 2008 Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===United===
[[Image:Unitedtoy soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Let his metallic paint chip off, and he changes continuity families.]]
*'''Soundwave Cybertron Mode''' (Deluxe, [[December 25|12-25]]-2010)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''UN05'''
**''Accessories'': Rifle, missile launcher

: Part of the first wave of the ''United'' series, Soundwave is a repaint of his ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)#Toys|War for Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (WFC)#Generations|Soundwave]] toy.

: Retaining the ''exact same'' plastic colors as his WFC toy, Soundwave instead features an extensive metallic blue/violet [[Paint operation|paint]] scheme that covers a majority of his vehicle mode (as well as some robot parts, like his head, for example). The purple highlights on the Hasbro version are replaced with a bright pink, the metallic details on his chest are a milder shade of gold, and his chest insignia is in full color.

: [[Stock photography#Takara stock photos|Comically]], the action-oriented stock photo on the back of his packaging has him mis-transformed. His hinged crotch has not been pegged to his main body, with the result looking like Soundwave wearing a diaper... again.
{{--}}

===Masterpiece===
[[Image:Masterpiece_Soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Laserbeak, eject. Operation: let the fandom rejoice.]]
*'''Soundwave'''
**''ID number'': '''MP-13'''
**''Japanese ID number'' : '''TAK11481'''
**''Accessories'': Condor, Condor "case", energon cube (three in total in the Amazon.co.jp version), display panel, concussion blaster, rocket launcher, Megatron gun, sensor

: Masterpiece Soundwave was released on January 2013. He transforms into his tapedeck alt-mode and comes with Cassetticon Condor/Laserbeak. A more intricately engineered version of his G1 counterpart, Soundwave in tapedeck mode is roughly the same size as the original toy but is twice as thick. Unlike the previous release, he does not come with pseudo "batteries". Instead, one of the batteries has been incorporated into his shoulder mounted rocket launcher while the other is mounted on his left back panel and can be detached to became his gun. He can hold up to three of his cassettes at once with a mechanism that allows them to "eject" from his chest cavity one after the other. Both the original G1 cassettes and the Masterpiece ones fit in his chest compartment. Two little panels at the sides of his back (which are placed on the sides of his feet in robot mode) reveal storage for Frenzy and Rumble's guns.
:In robot mode, he stands roughly the same height as G1 Blaster, with multiple points of articulation, die-cast feet and a selection of accessories seen in the G1 show. Megatron's Walther P-38 mode can easily be handled by him, while the grid display panel can be connected to his chest to simulate his readouts of the [[Victory (G1)|Victory's]] blue prints from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" and intel reports hacked from Teletraan-1 written in Cybertronian characters (both the panels are cut-out pics on the instructions booklet's back cover that fit inside the grid). A hand mounted sensor probe is also included, based on the one he used in "[[Fire on the Mountain]]".
:Condor/Laserbeak's transformation actually includes his back-mounted laser guns as part of the cassette, rather than having them as separate pieces like the original toy. A tab on his head conceals an hidden camera like the one he used in [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie|the 1986 movie]].
:The edition purchased via [[Amazon_(website)|Amazon]] in Japan came with two additional energon cubes. The Asian version includes a commemorative coin contained in a package looking like Soundwave's tapedeck mode.
:Whether an actual variant or a widespread error, some Soundwave's have the small upside down triangle on his forehead crest painted in silver (which ends up looking more like a dot than a triangle) while others do not.
In a possible Nod to the Original G1 Figure, The American Version of this Soundwave also has a Yellow Visor instead of Red.

==Merchandise==

===Transformers Design Center===
[[Image:Transformers_design_center.jpg|right|thumb]]
* '''Design Center''' (1984)

:Manufactured by [[Arrow]], the Soundwave Design Center was a box in the general shape and likeness of Soundwave which contained various arts and crafts projects for young tykes to entertain themselves with. His head pulled out to reveal a ruler, one arm contains a hilariously dinky and useless pair of "scissors", his lower legs contained rubbing-transfer panels, and the entire back worked as a sort of pantograph machine - attaching a nib to one end of the large mechanical armature ostensibly allowed you to 'remote draw' designs on the included plates.
{{-}}

===Transformers Cassette Player===
[[Image:SoundwaveCassettePlayer.jpg|thumb|200px|Teddy Ruxpin comparisons: unappreciated.]]
* '''Cassette Player''' (1985)

:A non-Transforming cassette player in the shape of Soundwave in his robot mode (oh the irony!), made by Hasbro in 1985. It runs on 3 C batteries (not included, of course).

{{-}}
===Transformers Milk Caramel===
[[Image:Milk_caramel_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Soundwave''' (1985)
:One of [[Kabaya]]'s first Transformers [[candy toy]] lines, the ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' series featured small rubber figures, similar to the later-released [[Decoy]]s, but smaller, flatter and based more on the toys, rather than their animation models. Soundwave was available in numerous different colors.
{{-}}
===Transformers Gum===
[[Image:Tfgum_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundwave''' (1985)
**''Accessories:'' Rocket launcher, rocket

:A model kit of Soundwave was available as part of Kabaya's ''[[Transformers Gum]]'' range of figures. Released in the first wave of the series and standing at about four inches tall, he was moulded from red, black and grey plastic and featured stickers for detail. Although armed with only one of his guns and lacking the ability to store it in his battery compartment like the original toy could, he retains his opening chest door. Although ''Transformers Gum'' versions of some of Soundwave's cassettes would later be released, they proved too large to fit in ''Gum'' Soundwave's chest; he could, however, accommodate the smaller cassettes released as part of Kabaya's ''other'' candy toy model kit series, ''[[Transformers Choco]]''.

:This Soundwave figure was later re-released in 1997 by a Korean company named [[Toon Town]], in a two-pack with the "Transformers Gum" version of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].

::*''[http://bowbowdaijin.blog96.fc2.com/blog-entry-07.html More information on Transformers Gum Soundwave at a Japanese fan blog]''
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[Image:Decoy_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Destron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1985)
: This small purple rubber figurine of Soundwave was released in Japan as part of a large multi-pack of similar figures, which were used as playing pieces for ''Transformers'' board games. The figure features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Soundwave's [[Tech Spec]] ratings, which served some function in the gameplay the figures were used for. A peach-colored version of Soundwave could be found packed in various other multi-packs the following year, and in numerous other colours as part of the blindpacked ''[[Transformers Ramune]]'' line.

*'''Soundwave''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''36'''

: The Soundwave 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 (36, in Soundwave's case). Like all Decepticon Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and was, very early on in the promotion, available in an alternate red coloration that was only packed in with the Throttlebots. Unsurprisingly, this red figurine is much rarer.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Decoys/Soundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Decoy Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:HOC-figure Soundwave.JPG|right|300px|thumb|]]
* '''Soundwave''' (2001)

: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Soundwave was available in the third 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 colorless clear plastic version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. Additionally, in eight out of every ten cases, the color version of Soundwave came with the right arm of the wave's collectable [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] "build-a-figure".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/HoCSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Super Collection Figure Soundwave at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Destron/ClearSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on clear Super Collection Figure Soundwave at TFU.info]''

* '''Soundblaster''' (2002)

:Soundwave's PVC was recolored into his black ''Headmasters'' incarnation, Soundblaster, for the sixth ''SCF'' wave. This time, the figure was available in a variant metallic silver "pewter" color scheme, at the same ratio of one each per standard case. Pewter Soundblaster came packaged with the right leg of this wave's [[Grand Maximus]] build-a-figure.
===Heroes of Cybertron===
* '''Soundwave''' (2003)

:The original Soundwave ''SCF'' figure was later released by Hasbro as part of the third wave of the ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' series. Like all figures in the line, this release of Soundwave differed from his ''SCF'' counterpart by being cast entirely in translucent red plastic and then painted over, save for his eyes, allowing for a [[light-piping]] effect. Rather than being blindpacked, Soundwave was sold on an individual blister pack with a profile card included.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/HoCSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Heroes of Cybertron Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Hard Hero===
[[Image:HardHero Soundwave bust.JPG|right|thumb|]]
* '''Soundwave''' (2002)

:The fourth in [[Hard Hero]]'s series of ''Transformers'' busts, Soundwave is 6 inches tall and made out of cold-cast porcelain. 100 copies of the bust were signed by sculptor [[Jason Ray]].

{{-}}
===MyClone===
[[Image:Myclone_soundwave.jpg|thumb|]]
*'''Soundwave''' (2003)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MTF012'''
** ''Accessories:'' Blue display stand

:Released in the second wave of the ''[[MyClone]]'' line of Transformers PVC figures, this [[super deformed]] Soundwave comes with a hexagonal blue display stand, which can link up with the identical stands included with other MyClone figures. His modular design allows his parts to be mixed and matched with those of any other MyClone figure.
{{-}}
===Q-Robo Collection===
[[Image:Qrobo_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Soundwave''' (2003)
**''Accessories:'' Laserbeak

:A super-deformed PVC of Soundwave was released as part of the ''[[Q-Robo Collection Figure|Q-Robo Collection]]'', and included a removable Laserbeak figure that could fit into his chest, as if in mid-ejection. Like all the figures in the series, it was sold blindpacked in a plastic capsule, featured articulation in the neck and shoulders, and was also available in a translucent purple color scheme.

::*''[http://snakas.web.fc2.com/figure/q_robo1.htm More information on the Q-Robo Collection at Autobase Aichi]''
{{-}}

===Generation 1 Figure-Collection===

[[Image:Bottlecap_soundwave.JPG|right|thumb|[[Death|In memory of Soundwave.]]]]

*'''Soundwave''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-3'''
**''Accessories:'' Display base

:At only one inch in height, this Soundwave "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 rendered in a "retro" black and white color scheme, and came with a leaflet, personalized with cartoon screen captures.
::*''[http://snakas.web.fc2.com/misc_item/kabaya_bottle.htm More information on the Generation 1 collection at Autobase Aichi]''
{{-}}

===History Collection===

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

*'''Soundwave''' (2004)
**''Accessories:'' Display base

:Takara produced this PVC figurine of Soundwave as part of their [[History Collection]] set. Despite its diminutive size, this two-piece full-color figure features articulated shoulders.

::*''[http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act234/ More information on the History Collection at TFKenkon.com]''
{{-}}

===Palisades===
[[Image:Palisades_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Soundwave''' (statue, 2004)

:This statue of Soundwave by [[Palisades Toys]] stands at 6" tall, and was limited to 2000 pieces worldwide. Palisades later released mini-statues of Laserbeak and Ravage which were scaled to fit with Soundwave; the Laserbeak statue was capable of perching on Soundwave's outstretched arm.
{{-}}
===Titanium Series===
{{anchor|Ti3inch}}
[[Image:Titanium-toy RMSoundwave.JPG|right|thumb|]]
*'''Soundwave''' (3" Robot Masters, unreleased)
**'' Accessories'': Decepticon stand

: Soundwave was also planned to be released as a 3" Robot Masters non-transformable figurine, though it never saw release.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}
*'''Soundblaster''' (3" Robot Masters, unreleased)
**'' Accessories'': Decepticon stand

: A 3" Soundblaster was also advertised on catalogues included with some of the last ''Titanium'' toys to be released, and was also canceled. In fact, this figure has never even been ''seen''... but we feel pretty confident saying it would have been a redeco of the unreleased Soundwave figure.

{{canceledtoy}}

===Transformers - Wall Plaque===
[[Image:Soundwave plaque.jpg|right|thumb|Arrival: Imminent. Party: Started.]]
* '''Soundwave''' (Diamond Select, 2006)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2006, Soundwave was sculpted by [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1,000 pieces. He is seen emerging from the space bridge with Rumble, Laserbeak, and Ravage in tow. Despite the being solicited as a Wall Plaque this piece can not be placed on a wall in any way.
{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Soundwave statue.jpg|right|thumb|An elegant but succinct summation.]]
* '''Soundwave''' (Diamond Select, 2007)

: Released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2007, Soundwave was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1,000 pieces. The sculpt features both his concussion blaster gun and shoulder cannon with Laserbeak perched on his left shoulder. His tape deck altmode is sculpted on the base of the bust.

{{-}}
[[Image:Soundblaster statue.jpg|right|thumb|So this is what having your own mold feels like.]]
* '''Sound Blaster''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, Sound Blaster was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]], limited to 1,000 pieces. He comes with Ratbat perched on his shoulder, and a scale version of Frenzy in tape mode that can be freely removed. This is Sound Blaster's first North American release. His name has been changed from "Soundblaster" to "Sound Blaster".

:His [[Tech Spec]] contains some interesting new information, notably that his body was reconstructed using technology stolen from [[Nebulos]] and his shoulder cannon is now an "electric launcher" capable of firing charged particles at 38,000 volts. His tech spec stats are STR 10 INT 7 SPD 8 END 10 RNK 9 CRG 10 FBL 10 SKL 8 and are completely different from the ones on his original Japanese release. His motto reads "Volume the same, destructive power doubled."

{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===

[[Image:G1 RobotHeroes BumblebeeVsSoundwave.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Be vewy, vewy qwiet...]]
*'''Bumblebee & Soundwave''' (2007)

: ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' Soundwave is a soft-plastic figurine sculpted in a [[super deformed]] style, with joints at his head and shoulders (although his shoulder cannon prevents his big head from turning to the right). He came in a two-pack with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/RHSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Robot Heroes Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===Boss Coffee===
[[Image:Boss_coffee_soundwave.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Soundwave''' (2008)

:A non-transforming PVC figure of Soundwave was released as part of a promotion by [[Boss Coffee]]. The small figure was randomly included with single cans of the company's "Rainbow Mountain Blend" coffee, contained in a plastic capsule affixed to the top of can which then became a display base for the figurine once removed. Soundwave features articulation at the shoulders and waist, and came with a small catalog leaflet that could be folded up and attached to the lid/base to form a diorama background for added display value.
{{-}}
===Attacktix===
[[Image:Attacktix G1Soundwave toy.jpg|right|thumb|I like big blasters and I can not lie!]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Booster, unreleased)

: Part of a planned second series of ''Transformers [[Attacktix]]'' boosters, Soundwave was to be a 30-point "Leader" class piece.

{{canceledattacktix}}
{{-}}

===Mighty Muggs===
[[Image:MightyMuggs_Soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|"Mass status: round. Solution: blame Starscream."]]
*'''Soundwave''' (2009)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: This super-deformed, non-transformable Soundwave figure uses the standard [[Mighty Muggs]] body template, with swivel joints in his neck and arms. His colors are based on those of his original toy, including yellow eyes and even having a painted "screw" behind his head, and he comes with a super-deformed version of his concussion blaster.

{{-}}
===G.I. Joe and the Transformers===
[[Image:Sdcc2012_shockwaveaccessories-detail.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Shockwave H.I.S.S. Tank with two figures & Energon''' (2012)

: An [[exclusive]] release for San Diego Comic-Con 2012, is a [[redeco]] of the 2012 new-[[mold]] ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: Retaliation]]'' [[HISS tank]] meant to represent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. It includes the [[Cobra]]s [[Destro|James McCullen Destro XXIV]] and a [[Battle Android Trooper]] with a trolley for carrying [[Energon cube]]s.

:Destro's accessories include Soundwave in the form of a non-transforming tape deck and three micro-casettes capable of being placed within the Soundwave toy. The cassettes are red, orange, and gold and feature sculpted detail evoking the [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]/[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] mold, although according to official product descriptions they represent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], Laserbeak, and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]].

{{-}}

==Notes==
* According to an interview in the magazine ''Otaku USA'' (issue 3, pg. 102-3), the original Microchange toy and the accompanying cassettes were at least partially designed by famed mecha designer and anime director [[Shinji Aramaki]]. He did not come up with the transformation scheme, but designed most of the outward appearance and details. He also worked on the toys that became the deluxe [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].

* Including the ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' "Cassette Man" version, the original Soundwave mold has sported at least four different tape doors:
** The original MC-10 version had a cassette door that had "Cassette Man" emblazoned on it and featured a hinge that was internal to the robot's body.
** For the initial ''Transformers'' release by Hasbro, the "Cassette Man" text was removed.
** When [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] released the ''Transformers'' version of Soundwave in Japan, they [[retool]]ed the hinge so the bottom of the door attached to the outside of the robot, on either side of the "buttons", which had also been retooled. Both versions of Soundwave were available in Japan, making the retool a running change [[variant]].
** The Soundblaster version had a door that retained the external hinge and added the capacity for holding a second cassette.

[[Image:Classics Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Pimp My Ride.]]
* The Decepticon faction insignia appears to be roughly based on Soundwave's head, or vice versa.

* Though Soundwave's toy is a microcassette recorder, his fictional appearances depict him as a stereo cassette deck or Walkman. (Likewise, his microcassette tapes are depicted as regular audio cassettes.)

* "Years ago", [[Don Figueroa]] created a concept drawing for a potential SUV-esque Soundwave toy for ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]''.<ref name="classics">[http://www.unicron.com/news_item/1132/ Don Figueroa, New Concept Art & comics news!]</ref> Presumably, this toy would have been Voyager-sized.<ref name="classicslineup">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/possible-transformers-classic-line-up-4336/ Early rumors about the line-up for Classics] (spot on except for Soundwave and a Deluxe-sized Optimus Prime who was later seen as a prototype)</ref> Despite the [[fandom]]'s immediate assumptions, ''Transformers Animated'' character designer [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] has said that this particular design did ''not'' in fact influence the [[Soundwave (Animated)|''Animated'' version of Soundwave]], meaning any resemblance between the two is coincidental.

* During one of Hasbro's designer panels at [[BotCon 2008]], an audience member questioned the feasibility of releasing the [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Music Label|''Music Label'' Soundwave toy]] in the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'' toy line]], but '''''without''''' the expensive MP3 player electronics. Bizarrely, Hasbro design director [[Aaron Archer]] gave a seemingly prepared statement that did not answer the question at all, and instead stated that Hasbro were unlikely to release ''Music Label'' Soundwave in their markets due to the obscurity of the MiniSD memory card format. (For what it's worth, Hasbro's [[Greg Lombardo]] had given an actual answer to the same question at [[BotCon 2007]], when he stated that ML Soundwave's innards are so devoted to electronics that removing them might adversely impact the leftover toy's appearance and stability.)

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Music Label]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]

Ratbat (WFC)

2012-12-28T16:53:24Z

Ssjgoku72000: /* Notes */

{{faction|decepticon|minicon}}

{{disambig3|Ratbat}}
:''Ratbat is a [[Decepticon]] [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)| War for Cybertron]] portion of the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[Image:RatbatFOCcardart.jpg|right|thumb|500px|]]

'''Ratbat''' was once the [[Mini-Con]] representative for the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] in the days before the great war, and was well known for being corrupt and in the pocket of the wealthy elite. The general opinion was that he believed only what he was paid to, and only while the payment was good. When the war began, he left that position and, along with fellow Council member [[Contrail]], joined Megatron's Decepticons.

Nowadays, Ratbat is one of [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'s [[Deployer (Prime)|agent]]s, but spends most of his time away from the others. What he does during this time is what he always does best, and that is masterminding incredibly complex financial schemes and scams to drag his [[Autobot|target]]s in the red while he rakes in the credits. And they say war changes people...

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===

[[Image:WFCcomicEliteGuard.jpg|left|thumb|250px|]]

Ratbat generally made useless interjections during [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]]'s hearing before the High Council, humiliating Orion when he joked he could imagine an end to their session when the young librarian complained the [[caste system]] had rendered the society imaginationless. Ratbat became more serious when Halogen began to concur with Orion and Megatron's beliefs, and was informed that no matter what, it was the beginning of the end for the castes.

Ratbat then mentioned attempts to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]] had been made by the rebels, and uncharacteristically commented since it had not been found, the Matrix was unwilling to give itself up. This in turn led to the Council's unanimous vote for Orion to become Optimus Prime and be given the quest to find it. An enraged Megatron killed [[Halogen (Prime)|Halogen]], declared war and called the Decepticons to follow him. Optimus noticed Ratbat boarded Contrail and left with the Decepticons. During the war [[Polyhex]], Ratbat's home, quickly fell to the Decepticons. Teracycles later, Ratbat's cowardly survival was notable enough for [[Teletraan-1]] to inform [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] of it. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}
{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generations===
[[Image:Generationstoy-FOCRatbat.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Decepticon Frenzy & Ratbat''' (Legends Class, 2012)
**''Series / number'': '''01 / 002'''
**''Accessories'': Disc case
: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class]] toys, Ratbat is a [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of [[Laserbeak (Prime)#Generations|Laserbeak]], and transforms from a "data disc" into a bat. He is designed to interact with the Voyager Class [[Soundwave (Prime)#GenerationsVoyager|Soundwave]] mold, being capable of storing in and launching out of Soundwave's chest compartment, and features a [[Flipchanger|fully automatic, spring-loaded transformation]] to bat mode that is triggered when a button on his underside is pressed. He comes with a clear-purple plastic case which can be used to store him in disc mode.

: He was only available in a two-pack with [[Frenzy (Prime)#Generations|Decepticon Frenzy]]. The original version of this mold was redecoed into [[Buzzsaw (FOC)|Buzzsaw]].

{{-}}
{{anchor|Data}}
*'''Decepticon Data''' (Disc Set, 2013)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''TG16'''

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* Ratbat is described as being the Mini-Cons's representative to the Council. So it's not surprising that he's often described as being tiny and scampering. As of the end of the story, he's also the only Mini-Con that is depicted talking, versus communicating in beeps and tones. ([[Rumble (Prime)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (Prime)|Frenzy]] are said to be able to, but use the coded beeps and tones when it's quicker or more efficient.)

* The Ratbat Mold used for the Generations Legends class bears a striking resemblance of his form from the The Transformers: Devastation issue 1 seen here [[Image:Ratbatdevastation.jpg]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Prose-only Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Mini-Cons]]