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G.I. Joe (2024) issue 19

2026-02-19T19:36:24Z

Tomhur: /* Synopsis */ Wording felt a bit clunky so I updated it a bit.

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' #19
|prev=G.I. Joe (2024) issue 18
|next=G.I. Joe (2024) issue 20
|image=G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[February 18]], [[2026]]
|coverdate= February 2026
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Andrea Milana]]
|colors by=[[Lee Loughridge]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|production design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Duke must come to grips with the shocking secrets Clutch has been hiding from him. Elsewhere, Matt Trakker learns he may have a chance to go home... if he can live long enough.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Zartan]] contemplates the nature of [[Energon]], and how it is more than just a power source or a weapon; it is creation itself. While his own supply is beginning to run low, he can now use the information he’s gathered from both [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]] to track the Energon deposits that remain across [[Earth|the globe]].

Back in the [[Chihuahuan Desert]], in the aftermath of their conflict with [[Cobra Commander]] and the [[Dreadnok]]s, Duke aims two blasters at [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], demanding the [[Autobot]] talk. [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] tries to talk him down, preferring they deal with this unexpected surprise back at base. [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] and [[Risk (G.I. Joe)|Risk]] join in, but the revelation that Risk also knew about the robot just serves to agitate Duke more. When Hound tries to explain, Duke fires at him, leading Clutch to tackle him. Clutch emphatically defends Hound, saying that he’s a Joe like the rest of them, an idea Duke rebuffs. However, he does reluctantly concede that Hound is the best source for answers about the [[Transformer|robots]], and so places him under arrest. He orders the Joes back to the [[Pit (G.I. Joe)|Pit]].

Meanwhile, in the weeks since Clutch first brought Hound to him, [[Matt Trakker]] has continued to stay off the grid, constantly traveling all over the world, never staying in one place too long. He currently resides in a small mobile lab in an undisclosed woods. As he works one day, he receives an encoded message saying “NEW INFORMATION ON [[Miles Mayhem|MAYHEM]]” and asking him to meet. Reluctantly, Matt decides to take the invitation.

At the Pit, the Joes look forward to a bit of R&R after their desert battle. Stalker looks back on their repeated losses recently and suggests that the Joes need to upgrade both their gear and their ranks, as they are always outnumbered by Cobra's forces. However, "Colonel Hawk" insists they have to keep their team small in order to ensure trust. He then tells them that he has their next mission, much to the chagrin of Risk. He informs them that he’s splitting the Joes into smaller teams, each venturing into different Energon-rich locations in an effort to cut Cobra off from retrieving it themselves: Risk, Stalker, and Baroness will be sent to [[Badhikistan]], while [[Cover Girl]] will connect with [[Snow Job|Harlan "Snow Job" Moore]], who has recently lost eyes on [[Scarlett|an undercover agent]] he was in contact with. "Hawk" then notices that Duke and Clutch aren’t with the rest of the team; they're in another level of the Pit, having placed Hound in temporary confinement. Hound tells Duke about the war between the Autobots and [[Decepticon]]s and informs him that the robot who killed [[Frosting]] was a Decepticon named [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Reluctantly, Duke decides to believe Hound, but wants more. If Hound is a soldier, he must have a commanding officer that he can take Duke to. Hound tells Duke that he’s been trying to contact the Autobot leader, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but has been unsuccessful with his transponder still broken. Duke asks how they can fix it, but Clutch says the [[Matt Trakker|only person]] who could do so isn't going to be easy to find unless he wants to be found.

Elsewhere, Matt Trakker meets with [[Agent Walker]] at a busy motor speedway. Walker tells him that due to recent events, the [[United States of America|U.S. government]] is now aware that Miles Mayhem stole his tech and tried to pass it off as his own, but that Mayhem is now in the wind with his own agenda. Matt is incredulous, having been forced to go on the run because of Mayhem's actions and not believing he can trust the government again. Walker tells him that the world is changing and that he might have an opportunity to go home. However, their conversation is interrupted by an explosion and a lifted 4x4 driven by [[Scrap-Iron]] blasting its way into the race. Scrap-Iron incinerates Agent Walker before cornering Matt, telling his old buddy that he’s here to collect the bounty on his head.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c1=
* [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (3)
* [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (4)
* [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (5)
* [[Risk (G.I. Joe)|Risk]] (6)
* [[Baroness]] (7)
* [[Cover Girl]] (8)
* [[Snow Job]] (10)

|h2=[[Cobra]]|c2=
* [[Scrap-Iron]] (12)

|h3=[[Dreadnok]]s|c3=
* [[Zartan]] (1)

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (2)
* [[Matt Trakker]] (9)
* [[Agent Walker]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"He’s not just some robot... He’s shown me time and time again that he’s one of us... he’s a soldier. More than that... Hound is a G.I. Joe!" 
"No robot will ever be a Joe. Not as long as I’m breathing."
:—'''Clutch''' and '''Duke''' regarding Hound

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Zartan's disguise as [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Colonel Clayton "Hawk" Abernathy]] and his plans for Energon were revealed at the end of [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 17|issue #17]].
* Matt Trakker hasn’t been seen since the events of the [[G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story|G.I. Joe segment]] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]'', which apparently took place "weeks ago" before the events of this issue.
* Matt learns about recent events concerning [[Miles Mayhem]], which readers of [[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]] witnessed in across issues [[Transformers (2023) issue 25|#25]] to [[Transformers (2023) issue 28|#28]] of that series. Agent Walker likely works for [[Shadow Watch]], as at the end of Transformers #28, [[General Flagg]] orders his men to find Trakker.
* Hawk tells Cover Girl she will be linking up Snow Job to locate an undercover agent, referencing the events of the ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' series, where [[Scarlett|Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara]] infiltrated the [[Arashikage]] ninja clan. The events of Scarlett have largely gone unmentioned until this issue, setting up the return of those characters for [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 21|issue #21]]. At the time, it was unclear if Scarlett’s mission fell under the purview of G.I. Joe, or just the United States military in general, but this seems to confirm that it is.

===''G.I. Joe'' references===
* Badhikistan is a fictional country from the [[Devil's Due Press]] ''G.I. Joe'' comics, where Cobra relocated to their new Monolith Base after abandoning Cobra Island.

===''M.A.S.K.'' references===
* Matt Trakker is shown taking down a photo of a young boy while packing up his things. This is likely Scott Trakker, Matt's son from the original ''[[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|M.A.S.K.]]'' cartoon and comic.
* Reiterated in this issue is that Mayhem stole Trakker's designs, which was the inciting incident for [[M.A.S.K.]] in the comics.
* Though not exactly the same, the lifted orange truck that Scrap-Iron drives at the end resembles the M.A.S.K. vehicle [http://www.albertpenello.com/mask/firecracker.html Firecracker].
* Likely mere coincidence, but Scrap-Iron being a scarred individual who has a history with Matt Trakker and works for Miles Mayhem is similar to the role [[Bruno Sheppard]] played in the [[IDW Publishing]] [[Hasbro Universe]] [[M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand|''M.A.S.K.'' series]].

===Other notes===
* Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy.
** '''Character Spotlight:''' Hound
** '''One Trakk Mind:''' Recap of the history of Matt Trakker in the Energon Universe
** '''Creator Spotlight:''' Ben asks Andrea Milana who in the Energon Universe they’d disguise themselves as. Milana answers [[Beachhead|Beach Head]].

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Clutch gets between Duke and Hound, by [[Tom Reilly]].
* '''Cover B:''' Connecting cover, by [[Joshua Cassara]] & [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]].
* '''Cover C:''' Chameleon, by [[Ben Oliver]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Duke and Starscream, by [[Tonči Zonjić ]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Clutch and Hound, by [[Trevor Hairsine]], [[Andy Lanning]] & Romulo Fajardo Jr..
* '''Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Matt Trakker in [[Thunderhawk]], by [[Simon Parr]].
* '''Cover G:''' Die-cut Hound face, by [[John Amor]] & [[Andres Juarez]].

<gallery>
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover A.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover B.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover C.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover D.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover E.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover F.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Cover G.jpg|
File:G.I. Joe 2024 19 Black Saber Comics Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Ads===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 27|#27]], ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 30|#30]], and ''G.I. Joe'' #20.

===Reprints===

[[Category:G.I. Joe (2024) issues]]

Top Trumps

2025-12-19T20:21:28Z

Tomhur: /* Revenge of the Fallen */ I distinctly remember having these cards as a kid and being confused why Sideswipe was listed as a Decepticon. I went and checked and no it wasn't mandala effect, Sidewipe was listed as a Decepticon.

{{disambig2|the Top Trumps card games|the Top Trumps Transformers book|Top Trumps: Transformers}}
[[File:Movie2007-Top Trumps.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
'''Top Trumps''' is a type of card game produced by Winning Moves UK Ltd. Each pack consists of a number of cards (usually 30) with a series of statistics on each. Players get a randomised set of cards, and the active player reads one of the stats from their top card. The player with the highest value for that stat on their top card wins, and collects all of the top cards for that round. The player who manages to collect all the cards wins the match.

Given the similarities between this game and the Transformers' own [[Tech Spec]]s, it's only natural that the franchise lends itself to being adapted to this concept.

==''Transformers'' (2007)==
A pack of Top Trumps was released in [[2007]] to tie in with ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''. Each card has six statistics (Power, Height (m), Disguise, Heart, Courage and Mission), a brief description of the character or object, and an image of the subject.

===Cards===
{{collist|2|
*[[Autobot]]s
**[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]
**[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
**[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]
**[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]
*[[Decepticon]]s
**[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
**[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
**[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]
**[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
**[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
**[[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]
*[[Human]]s
**[[Sam Witwicky]]
**[[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]]
**[[Archibald Witwicky|Cpt Witwicky]]
**[[Ron Witwicky]]
**[[Judy Witwicky]]
**[[Trent DeMarco]]
**[[Miles Lancaster|Miles]]
**[[William Lennox|Cpt William Lennox]]
**[[Patrick Donnelly|Sgt Patrick Donnelly]]
**[[Robert Epps|Sgt Julius Epps]]
**[[John Keller|Keller]]
**[[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]]
**[[Maggie Madsen]]
**[[Glen Whitmann|Glen Whitman]]{{sic}}
**[[Tom Banachek|Banachek]]
**[[Brigham]]
**[[Sector Seven|Sector 7 personnel]]
**{{w|RAND Corporation}}
*Transformer
**[[Protoform]]s
*Unknown
**[[AllSpark]]
}}

===Notes===
*Blackout has the least power of all the Decepticons.
*Ron and Judy Witwicky are both braver than Optimus Prime and Megatron.
*In fact, Megatron has the lowest courage score in the game, and is therefore more cowardly than Glen Whitman.
*Miles is more powerful than Sam and Mikaela.
*The picture used for Donnelly is not [[Zack Ward]].
*Frenzy's alternate mode is a tape deck instead of a CD player.
*For whatever reasons, both models used for Scorponok are missing his head.
*The RAND Corporation uses a shot of Maggie and her team of analysts at the Pentagon.
*Additional "Super Top Trumps" cards were available separately in the UK and Germany, available when buying toys from certain stores, or with magazines:
**[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]
**[[Jorge Figueroa]]
**[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
**Maggie Madsen
**Megatron

==''Revenge of the Fallen''==
[[File:ROTF-3D Top Trumps.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
A second pack was released in [[2009]], to tie in with ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This pack included special markings on the back of selected cards which, combined with a webcam and a 3D software downloadable from the Top Trumps website, allowed you to "interact" with a 3D Optimus Prime in the form of a four question game. This time around, the six statistics given are Height (ft), Firepower, Disguise, Speed, Bravery and Intelligence.

===Cards===
{{collist|2|
*Autobots
**[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]*
**Optimus Prime truck
**[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
**Chevrolet Camaro
**[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]*
**[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]
**Ice cream van
**Chevrolet Trax & Beat
**[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]]*
**Corvette Stingray
**[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]
**GMC Topkick
**[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]*
**Hummer H2*
*Decepticons
**[[The Fallen]]
**[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]
**[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]
**[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]]*
**[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]*
**[[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]]
**[[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]]
*Humans
**[[Sam Witwicky|Sam]]
**[[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]]*
**[[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]]*
**[[Leo Spitz]]
**[[William Lennox]]
**[[Robert Epps]]
**[[NEST|N.E.S.T]]
**[[United States military|The US Military Strike Force]]*
*Other
**[[AllSpark|The AllSpark shard]]
}}
{{note|Cards marked with * have 3D markings.}}

===Notes===
*The Autobots having separate cards for their vehicle and robot modes leads to some oddities, such as Ironhide actually being one point faster in robot mode, and Optimus Prime's intelligence going up one point when he turns into a truck.
*Wheelie is shown in his toy truck mode, unlike the other Decepticons who are all in robot mode.
*In general, the height for returning characters is consistent with the first set, though in feet rather than metres.
*The AllSpark shard is 3 feet tall. It's also smarter than Sam and Mikaela.
*Megatron's description refers to him being frozen in ice and not dead.
*N.E.S.T stands for Non-biological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty, as in ''[[The Last Prime]]''.
* For some bizzare reason, Sideswipe is listed as a Decepticon, suggesting that somewhere in development he got mixed up with [[Sideways (ROTF)|SideWAYS]]

==''Transformers: Prime''==
[[File:TFPrime-Top Trumps.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
A third pack was released in October [[2012]], this time focusing on ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' rather than the movies, Winning Moves having eschewed releasing a pack for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. Each card has five stats—Intelligence, Rank, Strength, Speed and [[Fireblast]]. Unlike the movie packs, it avoids sticking to strictly on-screen characters and uses a number of toy-only characters and even a couple from ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''.

===Cards===
{{collist|2|
*Autobots
**[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
**[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]
**[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]]
**[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]
**[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]
**[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]
**[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]
**[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]]
**[[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]
**[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]
**[[Kup (WFC)|Kup]]
*Decepticons
**[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]
**[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]
**[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]]
**[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]
**[[Breakdown (WFC)|Brakedown]]{{sic}}
**[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]
**[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]
**[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]
**[[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] Cliffjumper
**[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]
**[[Rumble (WFC)|Decepticon Rumble]]
**[[Dead End (WFC)|Dead End]]
**[[Swindle (FOC)|Swindle]]
**[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]]
**[[Energon Driller]]
*Humans
**[[Jack Darby|Jack]]
**[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]
**[[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]
*Other
**[[Thundertron]]
}}

===Notes===
*Knock Out's card erroneously has an Autobot symbol, unintentionally foreshadowing his change of hearts at the end of ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]''.
*Thundertron lacks a faction insignia altogether.
*Pictures are a mix of promotional images from the show, toy [[package art]], and ''Fall of Cybertron'' images for Swindle and Vortex.
*The kids have intelligence stats of 8 and 9, making, for instance, Miko 3 points smarter than Bulkhead.
*The Energon Driller also has an intelligence of 8.

==''Transformers Annual 2015''==
The ''[[Transformers Annual 2015]]'' came with six exclusive ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' Top Trumps cards. The five statistics listed are Size, Strength, Terror, Speed and Disguise.

===Cards===
{{collist|2|
**[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]
**[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
**[[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]]
**[[Drift (AOE)|Drift]]
**[[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]]
**[[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]]
}}

===Notes===
*The description on Bumblebee's card misspells his name "Bumblee".
*Lockdown is listed as a Decepticon bounty hunter.
*Grimlock has a disguise stat of 1. Giant metal dinosaur is not a good disguise.

==30 Blasts from the Past!==
[[File:Top-Trumps-30-Blasts-From-The-Past.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Released in [[2015]], this pack celebrated 30 years of ''Transformers'' by featuring characters from the first couple of years of Generation 1. The cards feature reproductions of the original box art, and the five statistics included are Size, Speed, Power, Disguise and the enigmatic "Top Trumps Rating".

===Cards===
{{collist|2|
*Autobots
**[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]
**[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
**[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
**[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]
**[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
**[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]
**[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
**[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
**[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
**[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
**[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
**[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
**[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
**[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
**[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]
**[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*Decepticons
**[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
**[[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]
**[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
**[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]
**[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
**[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
**[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
**[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]]
**[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
**[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
**[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
**[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
**[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
**[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
}}

===Notes===
*Cosmos has the highest size stat at 6, making him bigger than Devastator. Cosmos also has the highest power stat possible at 50, making him equal to both Optimus and Devastator.
*The disguise stat ranges from 1 (Cosmos and Grimlock) to 20 (Ransack, Ironhide, Barrage and... Devastator?!)
*Seaspray and Skywarp only get a Top Trumps Rating of 2, while Optimus and Grimlock get the maximum rating of 15.
*Grapple's bio notes that he turns into a "construction site roadhauler".
*Shockwave's bio notes that he is an [[Action Master]] partnered with [[Fistfight (G1)|Fistfight]].
*Topspin's bio calls out his membership in the [[Wreckers]].
*Despite all three having identical bodies, Skywarp has a lower Size stat than both Starscream and Thundercracker.

==Super Trunfo Transformers==
[[File:Super-Trunfo-Transformers-Grow.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb]]
'''Super Trunfo''' is the [[Brazil|Brazilian]] equivalent of Top Trumps produced by Grow. This version of the game traditionally comes with 32 cards and features a numbering system that marks them with a letter from A to D and a number from 1 to 8, giving each card a unique combination from 1A to 8D. One card is also marked as ''the'' "Super Trunfo", meaning it automatically wins against every other card—regardless of the stats—except for the ones marked with the letter A, to whom it always loses. The ''Transformers'' edition was released in [[2022]] with Strength, Skill, Firepower and Transformation as the stats.

===Cards===
{{collist|2|
*1A [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
*2A Bumblebee vehicle
*3A [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
*4A [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
*5A [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*6A Ironhide vehicle
*7A [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*8A [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
*1B [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (Super Trunfo)
*2B Optimus Prime vehicle
*3B [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
*4B [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*5B [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
*6B [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
*7B Mirage vehicle
*8B [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]
*1C [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
*2C [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
*3C [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*4C Sunstreaker vehicle
*5C [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
*6C [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*7C [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]
*8C [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*1D [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]
*2D [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]
*3D [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]
*4D [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
*5D Bonecrusher vehicle
*6D [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*7D [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
*8D [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
}}

===Notes===
* Most of the artwork used for the cards are taken from various ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]''-branded toylines, most notably ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'', with others coming from the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Legends]]'' mobile game. The packaging and cover card, on the other hand, use [[evergreen]] images of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.
* Due to how the rules work, Megatron ''always'' beats robot-mode Optimus Prime, and also beats vehicle-mode Optimus in three out of the four stats. That's not a good look for the Autobots.
* Blurr has the best stats at both skill and transformation, and robot-mode Ironhide is the best card at firepower.
* Brawl has the highest strength while Ravage has the lowest.
* [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] appears as part of Cyclonus' artwork.
* So Bonecrusher randomly gets to have two cards but Starscream of all people is completely absent from the game? Whose idea was this?

==See also==
*[[Mega Cards]]
*[[Uno]]

==External links==
*[http://toptrumps.com/ Top Trumps website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3PwcPLxa7A Top Trumps advert demonstrating the 3D effect]

[[Category:Age of Extinction]]
[[Category:Card games]]
[[Category:Generation 1 merchandise]]
[[Category:Prime merchandise]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]

Transformers (2023) issue 27

2025-12-11T19:17:53Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity notes */ Brawn's hi and die moment was in the Energon Universe 2024 special not Issue 2.

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #27
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 26
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 28
|image=Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 10]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=December 2025
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Dan Mora]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''With Teletraan back up and running, the long-dormant Autobots are reawakening and have to adjust to this new world... and their new teammates!'''

==Synopsis==
With [[Teletraan I]] repaired, the [[Autobot]]s have begun repairing more of their fallen warriors. However, some such as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] are still far beyond repair. Outside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] talk about taking some time to repair themselves with a dinner away from the whirlwind of action their lives have been lately with the [[Transformer]]s. However, their conversation is interrupted by [[General Flagg]], who attempts to apologize to Carly for capturing and interrogating her, but is halted by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Magnus tells Flagg that it is only out of appreciation for his recent aid that Magnus hasn't told [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] about his capture and torture at Flagg's hands. However, Flagg defends his actions as the necessary precautions to defend his people against a hostile alien threat, ending with a veiled threat that Optimus Prime would understand. Magnus is left speechless.

At the [[Hoover Dam]], the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s cause terror, blasting at fleeing humans while [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] siphons their electricity into [[Energon]] cubes. Suddenly, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleports in and joins them in their carnage.

[[File:TF2023 no. 27 - Thundercracker Joins Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|Everything's turned upside-down now.|200px]]
Optimus Prime sits with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], who contemplates the cruelty with which his fellow [[Decepticon]]s have conducted themselves. Prime is heartened to know that Thundercracker shares his distaste for how their violence affects the innocents of [[Earth]], and admits that even the Autobots sometimes see the planet as beneath them. Thundercracker agrees, saying he would choose Skywarp over the humans, a mindset Prime does not begrudge.

At the [[Shadow Watch]] Underground Base, General Flagg meets with [[Miles Mayhem]], asking if Mayhem got everything he needs to complete his “little project” from the Transformers. Mayhem is indignant at this assessment, blustering that his technology is far more advanced than anything else on the planet, all thanks to ''his'' brilliance. When Flagg reminds him that [[Matt Trakker]] helped him with the project, Mayhem attacks him. However, Flagg easily dispenses with him, and due to the fact that Mayhem hasn't produced a single prototype, he sees no reason to keep him around as Director of Shadow Watch, ordering a group of soldiers to arrest him.

Back on the Ark, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] pleads with Optimus to let himself get repaired, but Prime continues to put the needs of others before himself, suggesting they begin searching for the rest of the Autobots thrown from the Ark when it crashed. He also considers repairing the remaining Decepticons, but Thundercracker objects, fearing the harm that would come from his reawakened brothers and sisters. Prime agrees and finally decides to be repaired. Outside, Ultra Magnus meets with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and confesses to her that, after everything that has happened to him, he wishes to pass the title of Magnus to her. Inside, with Thundercracker having now replaced his Decepticon insignia with an Autobrand, the fully-repaired Optimus Prime tells his Autobots that they have a new mission: ridding the planet of all Decepticons once and for all!

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] sneaks through Decepticon territory with a handful of recovered pieces of equipment. However, while he can avoid the patrols of Decepticons on foot, he has no idea that his every movement is being watched from above… by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], still alive and atop one of the towers!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (2)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (5)
* [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (20)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (24)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (25)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (26)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (27)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (28)

|c2=
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (11)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (14)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (15)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (16)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (21)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (22)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (23)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (29)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (30)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (8)
* [[General Flagg]] (9)
* [[Miles Mayhem]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"There are those among my Autobots who see my actions on this world as folly. Even they, though good of heart, see this world as '''beneath''' us. '''Unworthy''' of our notice." 
"Is it okay to admit there's a part of me that agrees with them? If I had to choose between Skywarp and a hundred of these creatures, I would choose Skywarp. But that doesn't mean I '''want''' them to die."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Thundercracker'''

"Man! You spend a few million years out cold and the standards sure do change around here! What’s next? [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] joining up?"
:—'''Bulkhead''', upon seeing Thundercracker with the Autobrand

"Run, run, little Autobot. I'll peel the steel from your frame soon enough. So swears... '''SHOCKWAVE.'''"
:—'''Shockwave''' returns.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Brawn and Blaster both had hi-and-bye cameos earlier in the series before appearing revived here (in the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2024 Special story| Free Comic Book Day 2024 story]] [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|and issue #5]], respectively).
* Jetfire has been fully repaired after being near-fatally wounded by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]] and revived but mode locked in [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|issue #8]].
* Jetfire remarks that there was good in Starscream once, something we saw — along with their friendship — in the flashbacks of [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|issues #13]] and [[Transformers (2023) issue 14|#14]].
* Carly and Ultra Magnus were captured by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]/Shadow Watch in [[Transformers (2023) issue 18|issue #18]].
* As Optimus and Thundercracker talk, we see a fully grown buck in a callback to the infamous deer scene from issue #2.
* Ratchet and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] are the two who have been most critical towards Optimus for his prioritizing of Earth and the humans.
* General Flagg namedrops [[Matt Trakker]] as having worked with Mayhem on his "[[M.A.S.K.|little project]]". Readers were introduced to Trakker in [[G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story|the ''G.I. Joe'' segment]] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]'', wherein he alluded to being on the run and involved in a dangerous secret project and showed awareness of the Transformers.
* Ultra Magnus has been dealing with post-traumatic stress ever since his capture and torture at the hands of Shockwave, as seen in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]].
* Wheeljack says that they've revived everyone who was accounted for in the ship, and that any other missing Autobots are expected to have been thrown from the ship when the Ark crashed. One of those Autobots is [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], who has been keeping busy in the pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''.
* Shockwave was believed dead when Optimus Prime crushed his head with his bare hands in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]]. It seems he wasn't quite as dead as believed, but his body and head are still in a state of disrepair.

===Transformers references===
* This issue reveals that the "Magnus" part of Ultra Magnus's name is actually a title. While typically "Ultra Magnus" is simply the character's name, there have been instances where this is not the case. ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' used "[[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]]" as the highest rank within the Autobots above [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a subversion of the usual pattern. The [[2005 IDW continuity]] featured "[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]" as a pseudonym used by a variety of Autobot lawmen after the originator of the name (for whom it was simply his given name) was killed.
* Among the deactivated Decepticons in the Ark are classic Decepticons Blitzwing, Dirge (officially completing the appearances of the [[Conehead]]s in the Energon Universe), and female [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] Slipstream, a character who – like Bulkhead – began life in ''Transformers: Animated'' before making the jump to other iterations.
* While watching Thundercracker display his new Autobot symbols, Bulkhead jokingly wonders if Megatron is next to join them, an obvious reference to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|the time Megatron ''did'' join the Autobots]].
* Optimus acknowledging that his flaw is projecting kindness onto those who have none, harkens back to his original character bio written by [[Bob Budiansky]] which lists Optimus being too compassionate as a major weakness of his.

===Real life references===
* The Hoover Dam is a real location that has appeared in Transformers fiction before, most notably in the [[2007]] ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' film, as well as the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers]]'' issue "[[Aerialbots over America!]]"

===Errors===
* The page after Thundercracker shows off his Autobrand colors his eyes as blue instead of red. We're not sure if this is intentional or not since previous pages, including the page revealing him sporting the Autobot insignia, still had his eyes in red hues. However, we've seen Starscream's eyes change blue to red and back multiple times in this series, as well as Optimus' optics when he was under the influence of Megatron's arm.
* Not an out-and-out error per se... but this issue reveals that several inactive Decepticons, namely Dirge, Slipstream, and Blitzwing, were left on the Ark. So, um...why didn't Starscream, Megatron, or Soundwave, who would have been in need of numbers on their side, bring them up at any point? And why didn't Starscream and Soundwave try to reactivate them during [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|Issue #5]]?

===Other notes===
* Miles says that his full name is "Miles McKane Mayhem."
* This issue's letters page includes a tribute to the late [[Ron Friedman]].
* Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy.
** '''Character Spotlight:''' Brawn
** '''Oh, Deer:''' Callback to the deer scene from issue #2.
** '''Creator Spotlight:''' Ben asks Robert Kirkman what his alt-mode would be. Kirkman would love to turn into a jet or spacecraft and fly around, but would probably actually turn into a keyboard or couch. Or his bed.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Soundwave, by [[David Nakayama]]
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus and Thundercracker sit together as the sun sets, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover, by [[Jorge Corona]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover D:''' Thundercracker wears his new Autobot insignias, by [[Lorenzo De Felici]].
* '''Cover E:''' Design for Soundwave, by Dan Mora and [[Andres Juarez]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Big Time Collectibles Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The Iron Lion Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisement===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 16|#16]] and [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 17|#17]] and ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 25|#25]].
* 3-page preview of the Quintesson War coming to ''Void Rivals'' #25!

===Reprints===

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 27

2025-12-11T02:41:46Z

Tomhur:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #27
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 26
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 28
|image=Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 10]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=December 2025
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Dan Mora]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''With Teletraan back up and running, the long-dormant Autobots are reawakening and have to adjust to this new world... and their new teammates!'''

==Synopsis==
With [[Teletraan I]] repaired, the [[Autobot]]s have begun repairing more of their fallen warriors. However, some such as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] are still far beyond repair. Outside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] talk about taking some time to repair themselves with a dinner away from the whirlwind of action their lives have been lately with the [[Transformer]]s. However, their conversation is interrupted by [[General Flagg]], who attempts to apologize to Carly for capturing and interrogating her, but is halted by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Magnus tells Flagg that it is only out of appreciation for his recent aid that Magnus hasn't told [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] about his capture and torture at Flagg's hands. However, Flagg defends his actions as the necessary precautions to defend his people against a hostile alien threat, ending with a veiled threat that Optimus Prime would understand. Magnus is left speechless.

At the [[Hoover Dam]], the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s cause terror, blasting at fleeing humans while [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] siphons their electricity into [[Energon]] cubes. Suddenly, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleports in and joins them in their carnage.

[[File:TF2023 no. 27 - Thundercracker Joins Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|Everything's turned upside-down now.|200px]]
Optimus Prime sits with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], who contemplates the cruelty with which his fellow [[Decepticon]]s have conducted themselves. Prime is heartened to know that Thundercracker shares his distaste for how their violence affects the innocents of [[Earth]], and admits that even the Autobots sometimes see the planet as beneath them. Thundercracker agrees, saying he would choose Skywarp over the humans, a mindset Prime does not begrudge.

At the [[Shadow Watch]] Underground Base, General Flagg meets with [[Miles Mayhem]], asking if Mayhem got everything he needs to complete his “little project” from the Transformers. Mayhem is indignant at this assessment, blustering that his technology is far more advanced than anything else on the planet, all thanks to ''his'' brilliance. When Flagg reminds him that [[Matt Trakker]] helped him with the project, Mayhem attacks him. However, Flagg easily dispenses with him, and due to the fact that Mayhem hasn't produced a single prototype, he sees no reason to keep him around as Director of Shadow Watch, ordering a group of soldiers to arrest him.

Back on the Ark, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] pleads with Optimus to let himself get repaired, but Prime continues to put the needs of others before himself, suggesting they begin searching for the rest of the Autobots thrown from the Ark when it crashed. He also considers repairing the remaining Decepticons, but Thundercracker objects, fearing the harm that would come from his reawakened brothers and sisters. Prime agrees and finally decides to be repaired. Outside, Ultra Magnus meets with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and confesses to her that, after everything that has happened to him, he wishes to pass the title of Magnus to her. Inside, with Thundercracker having now replaced his Decepticon insignia with an Autobrand, the fully-repaired Optimus Prime tells his Autobots that they have a new mission: ridding the planet of all Decepticons once and for all!

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] sneaks through Decepticon territory with a handful of recovered pieces of equipment. However, while he can avoid the patrols of Decepticons on foot, he has no idea that his every movement is being watched from above… by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], whose mangled body is fused to one of the towers!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (2)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (5)
* [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (20)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (24)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (25)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (26)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (27)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (28)

|c2=
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (11)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (14)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (15)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (16)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (21)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (22)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (23)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (29)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (30)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (8)
* [[General Flagg]] (9)
* [[Miles Mayhem]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"There are those among my Autobots who see my actions on this world as folly. Even they, though good of heart, see this world as '''beneath''' us. '''Unworthy''' of our notice." 
"Is it okay to admit there's a part of me that agrees with them? If I had to choose between Skywarp and a hundred of these creatures, I would choose Skywarp. But that doesn't mean I '''want''' them to die."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Thundercracker'''

"Man! You spend a few million years out cold and the standards sure do change around here! What’s next? [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] joining up?"
:—'''Bulkhead''', upon seeing Thundercracker with the Autobrand

"Run, run, little Autobot. I'll peel the steel from your frame soon enough. So swears... '''SHOCKWAVE.'''"
:—'''Shockwave''' returns.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Brawn and Blaster both had hi-and-bye cameos earlier in the series before appearing revived here (in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issues #2]] [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|and #5]], respectively).
* Jetfire has been fully repaired after being near-fatally wounded by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]] and revived but mode locked in [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|issue #8]].
* Jetfire remarks that there was good in Starscream once, something we saw — along with their friendship — in the flashbacks of [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|issues #13]] and [[Transformers (2023) issue 14|#14]].
* Carly and Ultra Magnus were captured by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]/Shadow Watch in [[Transformers (2023) issue 18|issue #18]].
* As Optimus and Thundercracker talk, we see a fully grown buck in a callback to the infamous deer scene from issue #2.
* Ratchet and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] are the two who have been most critical towards Optimus for his prioritizing of Earth and the humans.
* General Flagg namedrops [[Matt Trakker]] as having worked with Mayhem on his "[[M.A.S.K.|little project]]". Readers were introduced to Trakker in [[G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story|the ''G.I. Joe'' segment]] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]'', wherein he alluded to being on the run and involved in a dangerous secret project and showed awareness of the Transformers.
* Ultra Magnus has been dealing with post-traumatic stress ever since his capture and torture at the hands of Shockwave, as seen in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]].
* Wheeljack says that they've revived everyone who was accounted for in the ship, and that any other missing Autobots are expected to have been thrown from the ship when the Ark crashed. One of those Autobots is [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], who has been keeping busy in the pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''.
* Shockwave was believed dead when Optimus Prime crushed his head with his bare hands in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]]. It seems he wasn't quite as dead as believed, but his body and head are still in a state of disrepair.

===Transformers references===
* This issue reveals that the "Magnus" part of Ultra Magnus's name is actually a title. While typically "Ultra Magnus" is simply the character's name, there have been instances where this is not the case. ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' used "[[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]]" as the highest rank within the Autobots above [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a subversion of the usual pattern. The [[2005 IDW continuity]] featured "[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]" as a pseudonym used by a variety of Autobot lawmen after the originator of the name (for whom it was simply his given name) was killed.
* Among the deactivated Decepticons in the Ark are classic Decepticons Blitzwing, Dirge (officially completing the appearances of the [[Conehead]]s in the Energon Universe), and female [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] Slipstream, a character who – like Bulkhead – began life in ''Transformers: Animated'' before making the jump to other iterations.
* While watching Thundercracker display his new Autobot symbols, Bulkhead jokingly wonders if Megatron is next to join them, an obvious reference to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|the time Megatron ''did'' join the Autobots]].

===Real life references===
* The Hoover Dam is a real location that has appeared in Transformers fiction before, most notably in the [[2007]] ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' film, as well as the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers]]'' issue "[[Aerialbots over America!]]"

===Errors===
* The page after Thundercracker shows off his Autobrand colors his eyes as blue instead of red. We're not sure if this is intentional or not since previous pages, including the page revealing him sporting the Autobot insignia, still had his eyes in red hues. However, we've seen Starscream's eyes change blue to red and back multiple times in this series, as well as Optimus' optics when he was under the influence of Megatron's arm.
* Not an out-and-out error per se... but this issue reveals that several inactive Decepticons, namely Dirge, Slipstream, and Blitzwing, were left on the Ark. So, um...why didn't Starscream, Megatron, or Soundwave, who would have been in need of numbers on their side, bring them up at any point? And why didn't Starscream and Soundwave try to reactivate them during [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|Issue #5]]?

===Other notes===
* Miles says that his full name is "Miles McKane Mayhem."
* This issue's letters page includes a tribute to the late [[Ron Friedman]].
* Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy.
** '''Character Spotlight:''' Brawn
** '''Oh, Deer:''' Callback to the deer scene from issue #2.
** '''Creator Spotlight:''' Ben asks Robert Kirkman what his alt-mode would be. Kirkman would love to turn into a jet or spacecraft and fly around, but would probably actually turn into a keyboard or couch. Or his bed.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Soundwave, by [[David Nakayama]]
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus and Thundercracker sit together as the sun sets, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover, by [[Jorge Corona]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover D:''' Thundercracker wears his new Autobot insignias, by [[Lorenzo De Felici]].
* '''Cover E:''' Design for Soundwave, by Dan Mora and [[Andres Juarez]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Big Time Collectibles Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The Iron Lion Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisement===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 16|#16]] and [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 17|#17]] and ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 25|#25]].
* 3-page preview of the Quintesson War coming to ''Void Rivals'' #25!

===Reprints===

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 27

2025-12-11T02:38:45Z

Tomhur: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #27
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 26
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 28
|image=Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 10]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=December 2025
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Dan Mora]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''With Teletraan back up and running, the long-dormant Autobots are reawakening and have to adjust to this new world... and their new teammates!'''

==Synopsis==
With [[Teletraan I]] repaired, the [[Autobot]]s have begun repairing more of their fallen warriors. However, some such as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] are still far beyond repair. Outside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] talk about taking some time to repair themselves with a dinner away from the whirlwind of action their lives have been lately with the [[Transformer]]s. However, their conversation is interrupted by [[General Flagg]], who attempts to apologize to Carly for capturing and interrogating her, but is halted by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Magnus tells Flagg that it is only out of appreciation for his recent aid that Magnus hasn't told [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] about his capture and torture at Flagg's hands. However, Flagg defends his actions as the necessary precautions to defend his people against a hostile alien threat, ending with a veiled threat that Optimus Prime would understand. Magnus is left speechless.

At the [[Hoover Dam]], the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s cause terror, blasting at fleeing humans while [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] siphons their electricity into [[Energon]] cubes. Suddenly, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleports in and joins them in their carnage.

[[File:TF2023 no. 27 - Thundercracker Joins Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|Everything's turned upside-down now.|200px]]
Optimus Prime sits with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], who contemplates the cruelty with which his fellow [[Decepticon]]s have conducted themselves. Prime is heartened to know that Thundercracker shares his distaste for how their violence affects the innocents of [[Earth]], and admits that even the Autobots sometimes see the planet as beneath them. Thundercracker agrees, saying he would choose Skywarp over the humans, a mindset Prime does not begrudge.

At the [[Shadow Watch]] Underground Base, General Flagg meets with [[Miles Mayhem]], asking if Mayhem got everything he needs to complete his “little project” from the Transformers. Mayhem is indignant at this assessment, blustering that his technology is far more advanced than anything else on the planet, all thanks to ''his'' brilliance. When Flagg reminds him that [[Matt Trakker]] helped him with the project, Mayhem attacks him. However, Flagg easily dispenses with him, and due to the fact that Mayhem hasn't produced a single prototype, he sees no reason to keep him around as Director of Shadow Watch, ordering a group of soldiers to arrest him.

Back on the Ark, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] pleads with Optimus to let himself get repaired, but Prime continues to put the needs of others before himself, suggesting they begin searching for the rest of the Autobots thrown from the Ark when it crashed. He also considers repairing the remaining Decepticons, but Thundercracker objects, fearing the harm that would come from his reawakened brothers and sisters. Prime agrees and finally decides to be repaired. Outside, Ultra Magnus meets with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and confesses to her that, after everything that has happened to him, he wishes to pass the title of Magnus to her. Inside, with Thundercracker having now replaced his Decepticon insignia with an Autobrand, the fully-repaired Optimus Prime tells his Autobots that they have a new mission: ridding the planet of all Decepticons once and for all!

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] sneaks through Decepticon territory with a handful of recovered pieces of equipment. However, while he can avoid the patrols of Decepticons on foot, he has no idea that his every movement is being watched from above… by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], whose mangled body is fused to one of the towers!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (2)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (5)
* [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (20)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (24)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (25)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (26)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (27)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (28)

|c2=
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (11)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (14)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (15)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (16)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (21)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (22)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (23)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (29)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (30)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (8)
* [[General Flagg]] (9)
* [[Miles Mayhem]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"There are those among my Autobots who see my actions on this world as folly. Even they, though good of heart, see this world as '''beneath''' us. '''Unworthy''' of our notice." 
"Is it okay to admit there's a part of me that agrees with them? If I had to choose between Skywarp and a hundred of these creatures, I would choose Skywarp. But that doesn't mean I '''want''' them to die."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Thundercracker'''

"Man! You spend a few million years out cold and the standards sure do change around here! What’s next? [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] joining up?"
:—'''Bulkhead''', upon seeing Thundercracker with the Autobrand

"Run, run, little Autobot. I'll peel the steel from your frame soon enough. So swears... '''SHOCKWAVE.'''"
:—'''Shockwave''' returns.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Brawn and Blaster both had hi-and-bye cameos earlier in the series before appearing revived here (in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issues #2]] [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|and #5]], respectively).
* Jetfire has been fully repaired after being near-fatally wounded by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]] and revived but mode locked in [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|issue #8]].
* Jetfire remarks that there was good in Starscream once, something we saw — along with their friendship — in the flashbacks of [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|issues #13]] and [[Transformers (2023) issue 14|#14]].
* Carly and Ultra Magnus were captured by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]/Shadow Watch in [[Transformers (2023) issue 18|issue #18]].
* As Optimus and Thundercracker talk, we see a fully grown buck in a callback to the infamous deer scene from issue #2.
* Ratchet and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] are the two who have been most critical towards Optimus for his prioritizing of Earth and the humans.
* General Flagg namedrops [[Matt Trakker]] as having worked with Mayhem on his "[[M.A.S.K.|little project]]". Readers were introduced to Trakker in [[G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story|the ''G.I. Joe'' segment]] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]'', wherein he alluded to being on the run and involved in a dangerous secret project and showed awareness of the Transformers.
* Ultra Magnus has been dealing with post-traumatic stress ever since his capture and torture at the hands of Shockwave, as seen in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]].
* Wheeljack says that they've revived everyone who was accounted for in the ship, and that any other missing Autobots are expected to have been thrown from the ship when the Ark crashed. One of those Autobots is [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], who has been keeping busy in the pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''.
* Shockwave was believed dead when Optimus Prime crushed his head with his bare hands in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]]. It seems he wasn't quite as dead as believed, but his body and head are still in a state of disrepair.

===Transformers references===
* This issue reveals that the "Magnus" part of Ultra Magnus's name is actually a title. While typically "Ultra Magnus" is simply the character's name, there have been instances where this is not the case. ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' used "[[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]]" as the highest rank within the Autobots above [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a subversion of the usual pattern. The [[2005 IDW continuity]] featured "[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]" as a pseudonym used by a variety of Autobot lawmen after the originator of the name (for whom it was simply his given name) was killed.
* Among the deactivated Decepticons in the Ark are classic Decepticons Blitzwing, Dirge (officially completing the appearances of the [[Conehead]]s in the Energon Universe), and female [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] Slipstream, a character who – like Bulkhead – began life in ''Transformers: Animated'' before making the jump to other iterations.
* While watching Thundercracker display his new Autobot symbols, Bulkhead jokingly wonders if Megatron is next to join them, an obvious reference to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|the time Megatron ''did'' join the Autobots]].

===Real life references===
* The Hoover Dam is a real location that has appeared in Transformers fiction before, most notably in the [[2007]] ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' film, as well as the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers]]'' issue "[[Aerialbots over America!]]"

===Errors===
* The page after Thundercracker shows off his Autobrand colors his eyes as blue instead of red. We're not sure if this is intentional or not since previous pages, including the page revealing him sporting the Autobot insignia, still had his eyes in red hues. However, we've seen Starscream's eyes change blue to red and back multiple times in this series, as well as Optimus' optics when he was under the influence of Megatron's arm.
* Not an out-and-out error per se... but this issue reveals that several inactive Decepticons, namely Dirge, Slipstream, and Blitzwing, were left on the Ark. So, um...why didn't Starscream, Megatron, or Soundwave, who would have been in need of numbers on their side, bring them up at any point? And why didn't Starscream and Soundwave try to reactivate them during Issues #4 and #5?

===Other notes===
* Miles says that his full name is "Miles McKane Mayhem."
* This issue's letters page includes a tribute to the late [[Ron Friedman]].
* Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy.
** '''Character Spotlight:''' Brawn
** '''Oh, Deer:''' Callback to the deer scene from issue #2.
** '''Creator Spotlight:''' Ben asks Robert Kirkman what his alt-mode would be. Kirkman would love to turn into a jet or spacecraft and fly around, but would probably actually turn into a keyboard or couch. Or his bed.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Soundwave, by [[David Nakayama]]
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus and Thundercracker sit together as the sun sets, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover, by [[Jorge Corona]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover D:''' Thundercracker wears his new Autobot insignias, by [[Lorenzo De Felici]].
* '''Cover E:''' Design for Soundwave, by Dan Mora and [[Andres Juarez]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Big Time Collectibles Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 The Iron Lion Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisement===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 16|#16]] and [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 17|#17]] and ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 25|#25]].
* 3-page preview of the Quintesson War coming to ''Void Rivals'' #25!

===Reprints===

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Blaster (G1)

2025-12-10T23:27:10Z

Tomhur: /* Energon Universe */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|autobird|primusvanguard}}
{{disambigm|Blaster (disambiguation)|Twincast (disambiguation)}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Blaster is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:SDCCBlasterBoxArt.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"What it is, big mama? My mama ain't raise no dummies, I dug her rap!"]]

'''Blaster''' loves all Earth music, especially good, hard, LOUD rock 'n' roll. He can be found at the forefront of any situation in which he's involved, be it getting down and truly hopping to town, or kicking butt and taking names—both of which he does well, and both of which have led him into conflict with authority at times. Blaster marches to his own beat, whether it's a pounding bassline or pounding Decepticon skulls, and he's not shy when it comes to sharing his feelings about either! He maintains a shared enmity with his Decepticon counterpart [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], with whom he shares his powers over all forms of sound, and is often backed up by a team of his own [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s to match Soundwave's mini-minions on the battlefield.

{{note|Blaster's personality varied significantly across different media; see entries below for details.}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{main|Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
[[File:AutoBop blaster speakers.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Beware my tweeters of doom!!]]
Blaster was a fun-loving, hip and happening robot. Loud and energetic, he was quick to immerse himself in Earth culture, and was happy to share his choice of rockin' tunes with anyone, whether they really wanted to hear them or not—a trait that got him in trouble as often as it saved him and his Autobot allies. Developing a rivalry with his Decepticon opposite number, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], Blaster gained a cassette army of his own so he could fight Soundwave on equal footing, and he and little buddies were instrumental in ensuring reinforcements arrived in time to save [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] when it was besieged in [[2005]]. Following this, Blaster was assigned command of the city, where his jive-talking jingles and jams saw the Autobots through crises like the attack of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Blaster's duties also took him to a variety of battlefields that were stranger than many other Transformers would experience, including millions of years into the past, into another dimension ruled by magic, and—a particular favorite of his—the musical planet of [[Eurythma]].

In some timelines which spin off from this one, Blaster joined the [[Interplanetary Personnel Exchange Program]] under the new name '''Broadblast''' (ブロードブラスト ''Burōdoburasuto''), and after perishing in a one-on-one battle with Soundwave, was reconstructed by the super-science of the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]] as '''Twincast''' (ツインキャスト ''Tsuinkyasuto'').
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:BlasterUS17.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|More than likely, he'll kill you. Yeah, [[you]]. You know who you are.]]
Blaster was a rather grim, brooding, rebellious, badass who hated Decepticons with a passion, whose reputation as one of the best fighters the [[Autobot]]s had was blemished by his vocal problems with authority figures. Part of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|Autobot resistance cell]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he often disagreed with his superior's orders, especially after his friend [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] failed to make a rendezvous with him in the [[Dead End (place)|Dead End]], and Blaster wanted to hunt for him. Although his fellow freedom fighters rallied behind him at first, the discovery that Scrounge had been taken to the Decepticon stronghold in [[Polyhex]] changed their minds, and Blaster went in alone. Captured by the forces of [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus]], Blaster was sentenced to the [[smelting pool]], where he discovered the half-melted Scrounge, who clung to life just long enough to pass on to Blaster the data he had obtained, so that this death would not be in vain. Blaster was then saved from the pit by his comrades, and he claimed revenge for Scrounge by ripping out the pipes that fed the pool and blasting their Decepticon pursuers with molten slag.

[[File:MarvelUS18 blaster cyb altmode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3|And you thought the 1980s cellphones were huge.]]
Scrounge's information brought new hope to the Autobot resistance, as it revealed that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] were still alive and well after four million years, fighting on a planet called Earth. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} The Decepticons set about building a [[space bridge]] to this planet, and Blaster spied on the tests in his [[alternate mode]], gathering the information they needed to launch an attack. After planting [[fission bomb]]s on the bridge, Blaster personally battled Straxus, tricking the Decepticon leader into damaging the portal before kicking him through it and apparently destroying him. Blaster and the rest of his Autobot allies were trapped on the Earth side of the bridge as it faded out. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}} Though [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and his troops spotted the Autobots upon their materialization on Earth, the Decepticons were distracted by a more pressing mission at the time, and left without attacking the new arrivals. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

Blaster and his men were attacked by the government anti-robot task force [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] and its super-powered agent [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] almost immediately upon arrival; unfamiliar with Earth customs, Blaster's group first tried to communicate with RAAT's vehicles, leaving the humans an opening to blindside the Autobots with "electric snow" missiles. Circuit Breaker then delivered a powerful electric blast, short-circuiting the group. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Blaster and the others were disassembled, with their heads getting mounted on the wall of RAAT's headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} To deal with the threat of the [[Battlecharger]]s, Blaster and the Autobots agreed to allow Circuit Breaker to jury-rig their bodies together into a giant exo-suit she would use to take the two Decepticons down, in exchange for their being rebuilt and released. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

[[File:FallenAngel blaster sonics galvatron.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Yeah, that's real good, Blaster, you keep doing that.]]
''Blaster's team followed their fellow RAAT captive [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] back to the Ark, but along the way, their guide vanished, displaced to [[Limbo]] by the appearance of the future Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Unwisely deciding to engage the Decepticon, Blaster tried hitting him with a blast of sonics, which sundered Galvatron's tenuous hold on sanity and only made him even more dangerous. Fortunately, the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] saved him, and he decided to try the tactic again while Galvatron was distracted. It ''almost'' worked this time, but Galvatron hurled a discarded [[sword]] in Blaster's direction, and he was only rescued from impalement by [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]. Blaster was soon knocked unconscious, and didn't witness Galvatron being driven off by the present-day Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}} ''Blaster's team continued on their way to the Ark, and arrived just as the Autobots were preparing to hold a funeral for Optimus Prime. Blaster quietly questioned their decision to bury Prime rather than fire his body into space, but it proved a moot point when the Autobot leader turned out to not actually be dead, returning in the midst of the ceremony.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:JoeandTF4 blaster omega and the rest.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Turn down that blasted music! THIS I COMMAND!!!]]
When Optimus Prime died for real soon after, Blaster got on the comm to pass the grim news on to [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], ordering him to break off his present engagement with the anti-terrorist team [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and return to the Ark. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} After watching as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] tried and failed to rebuild the Autobot leader, Blaster attended Prime's funeral, where his body was sent into space on a funeral bier. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Blaster gave a speech to mark Prime's passing, {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} then returned to the Ark with the Autobots, only to be attacked by the ship's own defense systems, co-opted by the human criminal, the [[Mechanic]]. Perceptor had to stop Blaster from damaging the ship until the situation could be brought under control. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} No sooner had ''that'' been dealt with than Blaster detected a fleet of human aircraft heading for the Ark, which the Autobots proceeded to intercept on the assumption of hostile intent. After a brief battle, the human revealed themselves to agents of [[Cobra]], who requested the Autobots' help in stopping the Decepticons from destroying the planet using [[Power Station Alpha]]. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} Suspecting the highly advanced Alpha could potentially be a sentient technological lifeform, Blaster opposed destroying it outright, and remained at the Ark to co-ordinate a combined Autobot/G.I. Joe/Cobra attack on the Decepticons to free Alpha from their control. The Joes and Cobra surreptitiously had Alpha destroyed to remove its threat, infuriating Blaster and leading him to wonder if ''any'' humans could be trusted. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:MarvelUS28 blaster cops.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Blaster's about to lay down some sick beats!]]
Turning to the matter of finding a new leader of the Autobots, Blaster and several other high-ranking Autobots were in the process of a holding a vote when the massive Decepticon battle station Trypticon attacked, and Blaster was shot down when he attempted to rush the giant. Dinobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] proceeded to secure victory over Trypticon, convincing Blaster and the other Autobots to appoint him the Autobots' new commander. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Unfortunately, Grimlock soon gave Blaster cause to regret his decision with increasingly hostile leadership methods and a callous disregard for human safety. Paired with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], whose more naturally upbeat personality provided the Boy Wonder to his [[Batman]], Blaster was charged with locating the Mechanic, but disobeyed orders and entered into alliance with some local human law enforcement to prevent the officers from being killed by the advanced Cybertronian weapons the criminal had stolen from the Ark. Playing the fool, Detective [[Greco]] carried Blaster into the Mechanic's hideout in tape-deck mode, where the Autobot used his electro scrambler to disable all the villain's weapons. Alas, the Mechanic escaped, and, realizing that Grimlock would not tolerate the news of their failure and their human alliances, Blaster and Goldbug elected to go AWOL. {{storylink|Mechanical Difficulties!}}

[[File:MarvelUS30 blaster and goldbug.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|"MY PARTNERS ARE DEEEEAD!"]]
Rather than lay low, Blaster and Goldbug decided to take their fight to the Decepticons, and quickly tracked down the Autobots' human ally [[G.B. Blackrock]] in hope that he could provide them with both fuel and some hot tips on current 'Con activity. Following Blackrock's info, the two Autobots found a crashed Decepticon ship, and befriended the scientist [[Charlie Fong]] in order to bypass the military blocked surrounding it. Upon approaching the crash-site, they ran afoul of the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s. As Blaster took on all three of the villains at once, he discovered they were ravaged with [[Scraplet]]s, which soon infected him as well. Goldbug withdrew to seek a cure, but Blaster believed he had left him to die and swore vengeance against the little 'bot. {{storylink|Crater Critters}} Hooking up with the [[Throttlebot]]s and human scientist [[Charlie Fong]], Goldbug discovered that water could destroy the Scraplets, and surprised Blaster by returning to save him. Blaster refused to allow himself to be cured if it meant that the Decepticons would live as well, but when the Scraplets merged into a giant, Goldbug had no choice, and sprayed them all. A cured but furious Blaster smashed the water tank over the Scraplet-monster, killing it, then calmed down enough to apologize to Goldbug for doubting him. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

[[File:MarvelUS32 blaster arrested.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Check it out, Blaster, we all got [[Nerf]] guns for Christmas!]]
''Taking some time out of their life on the road to watch human television, Blaster, Goldbug and the Throttlebots happened upon a news report about the discovery of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and Galvatron, entombed in lava within the volcano, [[Mount Verona]]. Discovering that Soundwave and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were going to blow up the mountain to destroy them both, Blaster used his sonic powers to block Soundwave's detonation signal, preventing the bombs the Combaticons placed from going off.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}} Once they had evaded the pursuing Combaticons, Blaster and company found themselves in a scuffle with RAAT in [[California]], and hid out in [[Big Steve Ludwig (G1)|Big Steve Ludwig]]'s used car lot. Unfortunately, their battle made the evening news and finally alerted Grimlock to their AWOL status, prompting him to brand them traitors and send the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to hunt them down. The car lot quickly turned into a three-way battleground between the Combaticons, Protectobots and RAAT, and despite Blaster's help in the battle, the Protectobots surrounded and apprehended him at the fight's end. {{storylink|Used Autobots}}

[[File:Blasterbeourleaderplease.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|"BLASTER, BE OUR LEADER, PLEAAAASE???"]]
Trapped in tape deck mode by a [[mode lock]], Blaster was helpless to aid the Protectobots when the Combaticons returned. Groove sped off and stashed Blaster away in a drainage pipe for retrieval after the battle's end, where he latter was found by four [[Spacehikers|human children]]. It took some convincing, but Blaster eventually talked the younglings to remove his mode lock. Despite once more being able to transform, Blaster was still no match for [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], who had managed to fell Defensor in the meantime. Blaster was forced to rely on the children to put on a good show, and "proved" he was no longer loyal to the Autobots by making the Decepticon believe he shot one of them dead. The dimwitted colossus fooled, Blaster circled around him and collapsed an electrical tower onto Bruticus, knocking him offline. Realizing that Blaster was far nobler than Grimlock, [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] allowed him to go free upon his recovery. In turn, Blaster rewarded the children for their help by taking them on a trip into space aboard the mode-locked [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. Unfortunately, they were accosted in mid-flight by the now-airborne Ark. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} The humans tossed Blaster out an airlock so he could avoid capture by Grimlock's forces. While Grimlock was occupied trying to stop [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] from interfering in his attempted execution of the kids, Blaster rode a telecommunications satellite back to the Ark, where he his fellow Autobots, all sick of Grimlock's leadership, begged him to take over as leader. However, he was forced to surrender to his former commander in order to secure the kids' safety. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}}

[[File:MarvelUS41 blaster vs grimlock.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
Imprisoned by Grimlock, Blaster was strapped to a [[variable voltage harness]] for some time as punishment for his desertion and disobedience. When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and his Autobots arrived and Grimlock challenged him to a duel, Goldbug talked Blaster into taking the injured Fortress Maximus's place to get even with Grimlock once and for all. They proceeded to battle on the surface of Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]], but their duel was interrupted by a Decepticon attack, and Blaster pointed out that their feud had put all Autobots in danger. Grimlock agreed to call their duel a draw and declared a truce with Blaster as they fended off the Decepticons side by side. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:ClubCon-ptoo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
With Optimus Prime's subsequent return both to life and to command of the Autobots, the faction's in-fighting issues ceased and more important matters could be dealt with—namely, rescuing their human ally [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Decepticons' baffling new [[Club Con|desert island resort]]. Tasked with investigating, Blaster was loaded into a [[Egg transport|capsule]] in tape deck mode and dropped from the orbiting Ark into the Witwicky family garden, where he asked Buster's girlfriend [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]] to sneak him into "Club Con". The pair were able to steal a pair of captive Autobot cassettes—[[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]]—from the Decepticons, but this aroused the ire of the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], and Blaster, unable to battle them effectively due to the human holidaymakers occupying the island, was forced to ditch the tapes in the ocean to break off the fight. Although forced to withdraw without Buster, Blaster and Jessie ''had'' learned something important: the tapes held data on a mysterious Cybertronian object heading for Earth. {{storylink|Club Con!}} ''The eruption of the "Time Wars" briefly tabled this mystery, but Blaster had no real role in that conflict, as he, Optimus Prime, and several other Autobots were temporarily displaced into Limbo to make room for a team of Autobots arriving from the future.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A search of the waters where "Club Con" used to be proved fruitless, as the Decepticons quickly moved on after Blaster's incursion. Blaster berated himself for his "incompetence," which allowed the Decepticons to slip beyond their reach once more, though Optimus assured him they would track down their enemies in due course. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Soon after, the Autobots were drawn to the Arctic, where a Decepticon ambush awaited them. The warring factions struck a temporary truce when they learned that [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] had orchestrated the confrontation in order to distract everyone else from his own goals. The approaching object Blaster had learned about earlier, revealed to be the Cybertronian database known as the [[Underbase]], would endow Starscream with godlike powers were he to absorb all of its cosmic energies. Though the Autobot/Decepticon alliance interrupted Starscream's absorption of the Underbase's power, the portion he did manage to take into himself was enough to grant him near-invincibility. Blaster joined [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] in co-ordinating a battalion of Autobots and Decepticons in defense of [[New York City]] against Starscream's worldwide rampage, and was the last to fall, shot dead atop the Brooklyn Bridge, like all those who attempted to stand against the cosmically powered villain. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:Marvel77-Blaster.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|He used to be badass, now he's just a poor man's Perceptor...]]
Blaster's body was put into storage on the Ark, defying all of Ratchet's attempts to repair it, {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} to the extent that the medic started to have nightmares about him and various other deactivated Autobots reviving as [[zombie]]s to kill him for his failures. Ratchet's nightmares came true for a short while, when the Decepticon [[Sports Car Patrol]] managed to infiltrate the Ark and took control of the damaged Autobots' bodies to torment him. When this failed to make Ratchet snap completely, the Decepticons' plan was abandoned and Blaster was shut down once more. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}}

A few years later, Grimlock succeeded where Ratchet had failed by using the miracle fuel [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] to revive the damaged Autobots, with Blaster being one of the first back on his feet. Arriving on Cybertron in the nick of time aboard the Ark, Blaster took part in and survived the battle with [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} In the aftermath, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] had Blaster run a check on the strange seismic activity Cybertron was suffering from, {{storylink|Still Life!}} with disastrous results: It turned out Cybertron was tearing itself apart without the binding life-force of [[Primus]] to sustain it. A meeting was called, with Blaster sharing the news to all present. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:EndOfTheRoad-finalfive.jpg|thumb|Guess how many of these guys had Action Master toys on the shelves when this came out.]]
The Decepticons fled Cybertron, leaving the Autobots to die with their homeworld. Blaster found Prowl wandering about outside, and cautioned his fellow Autobot to take shelter, as Cybertron's gradual self-destruction made the outdoors dangerous. His warning was met with laughter; Prowl had given up on living altogether, seeing no escape from the planet's death-throes. The pair were then surprised by Grimlock, who had foreseen the Decepticons' treachery and secured alternate transportation! {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The Autobots followed the Decepticons to the planet [[Klo]], only to be caught in an ambush upon arrival. Only five stragglers managed to escape this surprise attack: Blaster, Grimlock, Kup, Slag, and Prowl. Despite their best attempts to lose their pursuers, the Autobots found themselves hounded by a hunting party. Blaster took a blast in the shoulder from [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], but persevered nonetheless. His group miraculously defeated the hunting party, and doubled back for a final stand against Bludgeon's forces. Upon arrival, they found a resurrected Optimus Prime already turning the tide of battle thanks to a new ally, the [[Last Autobot]]. Blaster was last seen shooting the head off [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] as the Decepticons were driven off into exile. [[Krunk|Uh oh.]] {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====The Big Broadcast of 2006=====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
[[File:Ultra magnus blaster big broadcast of 2006.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
In an alternate version of [[2006]], Blaster went with a group of Autobots to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to investigate strange happenings there. When they arrived, they discovered a chaotic scene where aliens from many worlds, including the Decepticons, were all engaged in a deadly battle with one another. Blaster detected a signal he suspected was hypnotizing all the combatants into this aggressive behavior. He and Ultra Magnus came up with a plan where [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] would fly Blaster into the air, while Blaster would broadcast soothing music. The plan succeeded in calming all those affected by the signal. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:SpacePirates blaster strung up.jpg|thumb|left|Help! He's touching my special area!]]
In the future of [[2008]], Blaster was present at Autobot City when the [[Quintesson]] [[Trident Attack Craft|Trident]] ships attacked. He attempted to transform Autobot City himself, but was stopped cold by General [[Ghyrik]]. He was deactivated in the battle that followed and his body strung up on the outer parapets as a warning to any Autobots who came to liberate the city. Although Blaster was inactive, his cassettes were not, and this fact gave [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] an edge when they began battling their way through the Quintesson occupants. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

Blaster was seen briefly in [[2009]] at the start of the Time Wars, but did not end up joining Rodimus Prime on his mission into the past (see above). {{storylink|Time Wars}} After Galvatron was destroyed back in [[1989]] and the time line rebooted itself, Blaster was still among the Autobots stationed at Autobot City. He responded to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]]'s emergency signal when the Autobots crash landed on Earth after a crazed Rodimus Prime turned against them. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} Upon his arrival however, Kup urged the other Autobots to hold their fire; he had deduced that it was Unicron acting through Rodimus, as the dark god had been imprisoned within the Matrix at a pervious date. Blaster and the other reinforcements stood back as Kup managed to rip the sacred talisman out of Rodimus's chest, severing Unicron's connection to him. {{storylink|White Fire}}
{{-}}

=====Letters page=====
[[File:TFUK300 letterspage.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb|FAKE NU(cleon)S]]
The relaxed and jovial Blaster of "yet another alternate future" was turned into an [[Action Master]] and somehow arrived on 1990s Earth, where he took a job answering letters for Marvel UK. {{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Darn 'n' Blast}} He had to recuperate in an acclimatisation unit as a result and a nameless human at the Marvel offices took it upon themselves to answer a letter about being an Action Master, copying [[Nucleon (substance)#Toy packaging blurb|the back of a toy box]] and claiming that was the origin of [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]. Don't trust it, kids! The ''real'' answer comes from an upcoming story, kids! {{storylink|The Human Factor!|#303's Darn 'n' Blast}}{{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Darn 'n' Blast}}

When Dreadwind refused to accept he'd been replaced as letters host and barricaded his office, Blaster, new host of ''Darn 'n' Blast'', took up a temporary office next door. Dreadwind kept banging on the wall to distract him. {{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Transformation}} The kids of 1990 Britain duly wrote to Blaster with rap and cool lingo, dude. {{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Darn 'n' Blast}}

Unlike Grimlock, he felt guilty about using the [[variable voltage harness]] to punish Marvel UK staff for bad work. Following a suggestion by a sadistic fan, he instead began tormenting people with hours of {{w|The Church (band)|''The Church}} and {{w|Cliff Richard}}. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm|#308 Darn 'n' Blast It}}

During Blaster's run we learned he had a brother named [[Toaster]]{{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!|#310's letters page}} and a sister called [[Karmen]] {{storylink|Out of Time!|#316's letters page}}, and about sports like the [[Iacon 5000]] and [[Mecha-soccer|Cybertron's football divisions]] (Primus League and Premier League). His team are the non-league no-hopers [[Throttlebot]] Wanderers {{storylink|Out of Time!|#316's letters page}} and he lamented how badly they'd been fouled by Combaticon Hove Albion, ruining their chances of a cup win. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!|#320's letters page}}

He was unable to make a reader's birthday party due to the battle against [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Exodus!|#326's letters page}}

{{-}}

=====''Combat Colin''=====
[[File:Combat colin 300.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
After [[Colin Doobrey-Smiff|Colin]] managed to defeat all of his recurring villains at once, he grew a bit too big for his boots and announced that he was going to boot out the [[Transformer]]s and take over the rest of the comic. Overhearing this, Blaster was forced to remind him of his place as a back-up strip character. {{storylink|Combat Colin issue 300}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:Another Time Place Fangry.jpg|thumb|left|That's his hand on the left!]]
Blaster was part of the rescue unit who infiltrated [[Hydrus Four]] to defeat the Decepticons and rescue the Dinobots. He personally helped disarm and defeat [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Blaster and the Autobots defended the launch of a new space flight by human scientists. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|Transformers in Action: The Countdown to a New Space Age!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
[[File:Invasion-Radcontrolroom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Blaster's happy? This can't be the Marvelverse.]]
{{noteclassics}}
Decades later in [[2012]], Blaster was stationed with several other Autobots in [[Canada]] within the ''[[Ark II]]''. He was present one day when [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] reported from the [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]] base in [[Oregon]] about a foiled attack by [[Overlord (G1)|Gigatron]] and his Decepticons. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

[[File:Recordicons12-everyone.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
Blaster and his partners [[Stripes]], [[Tigatron]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Sundor]], and [[Blockrock]] subsequently teamed up with negative polarity [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]]. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 12|Recordicons #12}}

Some time later on negative Cybertron, Blaster and [[Straxus (SG)|Straxus]] compared notes on their mirror universes, such as [[Straxus (G1)|the evil Straxus]]. {{storylink|Falling into Place}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Blaster silverbolt destiny.jpg|thumb]]
Sometime around [[2007]], Blaster was amongst those Transformers suffering ill effects from the infusion of [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] into their systems. It had apparently made him hyper-sensitive to noise and he was kept at the [[Nursery (Cybertron)|Nursery]]. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He, along with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] were eventually given new Nucleon-free bodies at the [[Garage]]. Going against [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]'s orders that they should not get involved in the growing conflict with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s Neo-Decepticons, Blaster began monitoring the old Decepticon comm-line subfrequencies and discovered that Soundwave was indeed responsible for keeping Cybertron's population aggressive through an irritant subsonic signal. Alerted to Blaster's hacking, Soundwave dispatched [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Snarler]], and [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]—the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]—to eliminate him, but the four former Nucleon patients used some quick thinking to subdue the Decepticons and report the signal to Autobot command. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:Blaster soundwave destiny.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|''Only one will survive. Beatle-based pop vs. New Romantic, History will decide.'']]
As the Decepticon invasion/uprising under Soundwave and Bludgeon began, Blaster tracked down Soundwave on the battlefield for a "battle of the bands". {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} Soundwave attempted to defeat Blaster with finesse, using a variety of sonic tricks and frequencies to disorient his Autobot counterpart. To win, Blaster abandoned skill for brute force, and unleashed a sonic onslaught that overwhelmed Soundwave and brought him to his end. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Blaster reintegrated into the Autobot forces, joining the bridge crew of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s command vessel ''[[Priam]]'' during the attack on the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]]. Unfortunately, the superior numbers and firepower of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his Cybertronians forced the Autobots to surrender. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} They escaped captivity thanks to the ever-insubordinate [[Wreckers]] staging their own attack on the Hub, and Blaster joined the crew as they made their way back to Cybertron to face an even greater menace. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} The [[Dark Matrix|Anti-Matrix]] had consumed the population of Cybertron, transforming them into [[shadow-leech]]es. Blaster and the remaining Autobots forces secured the [[space bridge]] network to Earth and [[Nebulos]] while Rodimus Prime confronted the creature in [[Zero Space]], bringing an end to its machinations. On Nebulos, Blaster joined [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s troops in finishing off [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] once and for all. With their link to the [[multiverse]] and [[Primus]] himself permanently cut off, Blaster and the other remaining Transformers abandoned Cybertron, eventually growing old and dying. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Blaster and the Autobots protected the humans from a revenge attack by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons.{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
[[File:ListeningtoBlaster-ASW.jpeg|thumb|left]]
Blaster received a message from Decepticon headquarters and conveyed it to Optimus Prime; the Decepticons had taken [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] hostage, and were demanding the Autobots' surrender. The Autobots sent out a party to rescue their captured comrade, but the attempt failed. Afterwards, Blaster once more relayed a message from Megatron to Optimus; the Decepticon leader threatened to destroy all four captured Autobots and rebuild them into Decepticons if Optimus did not surrender before morning. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}
{{-}}

===Attack of the Insecticons===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:AttackoftheInsecticonsBustercockpit.jpg|thumb]]
Blaster was witness to Ironhide testing the Sun-Pak, a device of Sparkplug's invention that would solve the Autobot's energy problems. When the Decepticons discovered of the device's existence, many possible adventures ensued. Most notably, after a failed attempt on Optimus's part to eliminate Starscream, who was leading the Decepticon's raid, Sparkplug is kidnapped by the Decepticons and Blaster is entrusted alongside Bumblebee and Buster with Sparkplug's rescue, while the rest of the Autobots are forced back to base in order to recharge. The trio is instructed to contact Autobot headquarters as soon as they come to know the Decepticons' location. Blaster was the one who managed to track down Starscream and Sparkplug, using his abilities to detect one of Starscream's transmissions. Blaster traces the transmission to a museum in the suburbs, and he and Buster sneak into the building while Blaster is camouflaged in tape-player mode. Hiding in one of the museum's planes until after-hours, at which point Starscream and Bombshell reveal they will use a Cerebro-shell to make Sparkplug compliant to their wills, Blaster and Buster debate whether to contact Megatron, and offer a recording made by Blaster earlier proving that Starscream is a Decepticon traitor in exchange for Sparkplug's release, or to fetch Bumblebee and take on the Decepticons personally.

If it is decided to try and parlay with Megatron, omitting any mention of the Sun-Pak in their story, Megatron appears attentive at first, but demands that the Autobots fulfill their half of the trade before he takes action. If Blaster and Buster accept, Megatron arrives at the museum, and forces Starscream back to Decepticon base to be reprogrammed after releasing Sparkplug. If they insist to have Megatron release Sparkplug from Decepticon custody first, Blaster and Buster are powerless to stop Sparkplug from becoming a mind-controlled slave.

If Blaster and Buster decide to fetch Bumblebee, the trio quickly formulate a plan to rescue Sparkplug. Using his Electro-Scramblers at a key moment, Blaster causes Starscream to be the recipient of the Cerebro-Shell instead of Sparkplug, and then convinces the now easily influenced Decepticon to release Sparkplug and hold back Bombshell while Sparkplug, Buster, Blaster and Bumblebee happily ride back to Autobot headquarters.
{{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}
{{-}}

===Milton Bradley mini-comic===
Blaster was among the Autobots under [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s command who launched in the [[Ark (G1)|ark]] to clear a path through an asteroid belt. When the Decepticons attacked the ship, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] sent it crashing into [[Earth]], knocking everyone aboard offline. Four million years later, they were repaired when the ship's systems were reactivated by a volcanic eruption. {{storylink|The Transformers (Milton Bradley comic)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions blaster plays.jpg|thumb|left|That's right kids, this is what 3D used to look like.]]
When Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] returned from [[Tau-Ursa]] with a strange recording, Blaster was able to play it. The recording revealed the existence of the [[Destructon]]s, [[Logicon]]s, and the location of [[Metascan Alpha]], the Logicons' storehouse of [[Energon]]. At Optimus Prime's command, Blaster contacted Ultra Magnus at Metroplex on Earth to pass the information along. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
Blaster took orders from Optimus Prime as the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' launched. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:AgeofWrath2 AutobotResistance.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Steeljaw was in the bathroom.]]
Around 6.5 million years ago, Blaster was one of the high-ranking Autobots who helped Ultra Magnus reunify their fractured faction at the end of the [[Dark Ages]], suggesting that he may have been in charge of one of the various splinter groups that formed during those troubled times. Over the next half-a-million years, the reunited Autobots worked to usher in a new Golden Age, and were finally poised to sign a peace treaty with the Decepticons and [[Ultracon]]s until the long-missing Megatron returned to Cybertron, launching an attack in the middle of the treaty ceremony with his new [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]]. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} With this new army, Megatron ushered in an [[Age of Internment]], capturing nearly the entire Autobot army and putting them to work as slaves, extracting the very core of Cybertron itself. Blaster managed to evade capture, however, and together with Perceptor, assembled a small rebel cell hiding out in the subterranean chambers of [[Iacon Command]]. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

Seeking to capture one of Megatron's drones in order to learn more about Megatron's new [[Cloning|clone technology]], Blaster oversaw his unit on the mission from a distance, using his abilities to jam any emergency transmissions while [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and several other Autobots engaged the drone in battle long enough to attach an inhibitor claw, immobilizing it. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.3}}

{{Unreleased WW comic}}

Blaster and his team used an ancient map of Cybertron's depths to infiltrate Megatron's slave camp, only for them to be discovered by Megatron himself. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}} Blaster battled Megatron one-on-one, managing to use his sonic powers to briefly gain the upper hand, before losing a leg to the Decepticon leader. The sudden return of Grimlock, believed to have died during Megatron's first attack, gave the wounded Blaster the chance he needed to free the Autobot prisoners by deactivating their [[inhibitor claw]]s. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}} Blaster was badly damaged, losing a leg in his fight against Megatron. Perceptor, meanwhile, used the data gleaned from studying the captured drone to deactivate the neural network linking the entire squadron, ending the Age of Internment. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}

Blaster remained on Cybertron when the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left four million years ago, and eventually entered stasis along with the rest of the planet when it finally ran out of energy during the [[Great Shutdown]]. The planet was reawakened by Shockwave in roughly the Earth year 1000 BC, and the Autobots and Decepticons put aside their differences to begin rebuilding their world. [[File:PassiveAggression Blaster lovesEarth.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]] Suspecting that Shockwave had more sinister motives, Blaster was one of the first Autobots to join an underground resistance movement against him, using his communications skills to discover a subliminal code being pumped through the public address screens around the planet that was aggravating the violent tendencies of the entire population. Despite his feelings for Shockwave, Blaster still developed a strong taste for information from the Earth culture Shockwave was introducing to Cybertron, and even modified his alternate mode into an Earthly boom box. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

In the year [[2003]], when Shockwave's forces brought Optimus Prime and the crew of the Ark back to Cybertron to be tried as war criminals, double agents inside the United Cybertronian force delivered Prime and his crew to Blaster and the others at their headquarters in the [[Wastelands]]. With the help of Cybertron's greatest hero, the resistance movement began an open insurrection against Shockwave's loyal Decepticon forces and the [[Guardian robot]]s under his control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shockwave's regime fell, and the Autobots resumed command of Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:DividedFront1 bots found.jpg|thumb|Comfortable?]]
In the year [[1985]], Blaster and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] hastily took off for [[Earth]] in an starship poorly-suited for interstellar travel. Upon arrival, they unsurprisingly crashed, landing in the forests of [[Oregon]] near [[Mount St. Hilary]]. Their deactivated bodies were found by the forces of [[Cobra]] and bundled up to be airlifted out, but a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team led by [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] soon intervened. [[Blowtorch]] knocked the chopper carrying their bodies out of the air with his [[flamethrower]], and [[Barbecue]] extinguished the flames before the two Autobots could be consumed by the blaze. Blaster and Perceptor's bodies were then taken back to G.I. Joe headquarters. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}
{{note|Dreamwave's bankruptcy meant this story was never finished.}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:HeartsofSteel blaster.jpg|left|thumb|No, no, don't get up.]]
Blaster and his fellow Autobots fought the Decepticons on Earth in the distant past until an incoming ice age threatened to deactivate all the Transformers. Both sides went into hiding underground until the danger had passed, remaining in stasis until the mid-19th century. When they woke up, the war against the Decepticons started anew, though Blaster was not seen getting involved. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Blaster participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons, though he did not fare too well, already laying defeated on the battleground during the conflict's early stages.{{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Stormbringer issue 1|''Stormbringer'' #1]]}}

Blaster was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}} Before the war, he was a reporter for the [[Iaconian Newsfeed Service]], and reported live from the [[Nova Plaza]] after an assassination attempt on [[Nominus Prime]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory #2}} He took a brief respite from reporting to work for security control for Sentinel Prime's government. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

[[File:Broadcast BlastersMoment.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left]]
When the [[Decepticon]] dictatorship of Cybertron began, Blaster used his bad experiences with state-censored media to set up the [[Nexis]], a pirate news broadcast that dared speak the truth about the new government. [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] attempted to assassinate him, but were defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] who asked for Blaster's help to hack the Iaconian Newsfeed Service's headquarters and send a rallying call for additional support against the Decepticon tyranny. {{storylink|Broadcast}} After his efforts had led to the Decepticons being overthrown and replaced with Optimus Prime's Autobot government, Blaster went back to legal news broadcasting. From the Nexis, he reported on the disastrous explosion of the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]] and interviewed [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] about the [[Exodus (event)|mass exodus]] triggered by its destruction. {{storylink|Fallout (issue)|Fallout}} During the exodus he interviewed some of the disgruntled Cybertronians stranded at [[Starsreach Spaceport]], annoying [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s Autobots who thought the media attention just served to make things worse. {{storylink|Massacre}}

[[File:SpotlightBlaster the voice.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|right|''I'm gonna bust into your head through your cute lil' ears'' ''and blow your minds with my sexy voice and out-of-sight sounds!'']]
In the wake of the exodus and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage in [[Harmonex]], Blaster reported that the [[Conclave of Representatives]] was refusing to disclose how many Cybertronians had left the planet and that Harmonex had been closed off, calling the government's intentions into question once more. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}}

With the war going into full swing, Blaster joined Optimus Prime's Autobots, and initially served as a soldier who was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy four million years ago. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} Eventually, however, he returned to his broadcasting roots and became a patriotic radio personality, broadcasting propaganda across the galaxy to rally the Autobot forces as they struggled on the war's many battlefronts. Known as "The Voice" for his widespread positive influence, Blaster became the target of a Decepticon assassination attempt, this time to prevent him from making an important broadcast on the eve of a major Autobot offensive. Although the assassin failed, Blaster's wounded body was ejected into space, and he was believed dead by his faction.

[[File:SpotlightBlaster altmode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Blaster used to transform into a kaboombox.]]
Some time later, Blaster was found by a passing [[Yar|trawler]] and delivered home, where it was revealed that he had to have been attacked by an Autobot. In an effort to flush the traitor out, Blaster went back on the air. The attempt worked, and his would-be killer was revealed: [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], forced into the act by a mind-controlling [[cerebro-shell]] implanted by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] at the direction of [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. However, he was able to resist when Blaster used his greatest weapon: his voice. As a damaged Beachcomber was brought in for repairs, Blaster swore he'd find Soundwave and that the last thing he'd ever hear would be... the Voice. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[File:AHM15 blaster and kup.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|I dunno... sex appeal?]]
In the year that followed the defeat of [[Nova Prime]], Blaster was among the Autobots captured by the Decepticon [[Turmoil]], but was soon rescued by a team led by [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]. All the other prisoners were members of the [[Wreckers]], suggesting Blaster may have joined the team at some point. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}} Blaster remained with Kup's team, and was serving as the communications officer for his ship, the ''[[Trion]]'', when a simultaneous galaxy-wide uprising was staged by the Decepticons. Distress signals came pouring in, but all went silent in short order, save for one from [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], so the crew of the ''Trion'' went to save the turbo-revvin' young punk from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The day was saved by [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]], although Blaster disapproved of the scientist's transformation into a warrior, saying he had "defiled himself". {{storylink|Lost & Found}}

Blaster and the others harried the Decepticon fleet until they were baited into an ambush above Cybertron. There, the ship was shot down and forced to crash-land on the assumed uninhabitable world. Banding together to survive, they eventually encountered Optimus Prime's unit, only to find him incapacitated, the Matrix having been seized by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} Blaster mingled with the other Autobots for a while, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} before warning Kup about an incoming [[Insecticon swarm|swarm]] attack that forced them to relocate. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

[[File:AHM9 blaster breaks up argument.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.0|...kiss, damn it, my fanfic needs justification!]]
With morale still dwindling, Blaster attempted to put his famous voice to work by trying to break up a fight between Hot Rod and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] by injecting some reason, but was interrupted by [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]] telling them they all deserved to die. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} The Autobots were eventually saved when [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] decimated the swarm and carried them all to Earth, where they attacked Megatron and his troops. Blaster was ordered to block the Decepticons' communications, allowing the arrival of Omega Supreme to take them completely by surprise. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} He survived the great battle. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Blaster remained on Earth with the other Autobots for the next three years, as they regathered their forces. [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] radioed in to Blaster when Prowl got himself nabbed by [[Skywatch]], an event which led to the death of [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and the resignation of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Autobot leadership was split between Bumblebee and Hot Rod, and Blaster stayed with Bumblebee's group, which went on to form an alliance with [[Gordon Horiuchi]] of Skywatch. Blaster was among the Autobots who captured [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and other Decepticons for their new allies. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}} Unfortunately, Horiuchi betrayed the Autobots and forced them to hunt one of their own kind, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. Bumblebee managed to get free from Horiuchi's control, and so Blaster and the others stayed behind to cover for him as he sought a solution for their problems. {{storylink|The Impossible Knot}} They pretended to be making plans to hunt down Hot Rod while Bumblebee recovered the control tech Skywatch was using to keep them in line. {{storylink|The Gift Horse}} Bumblebee was successful, and Blaster was later present when Bumblebee unveiled his new, more powerful form, to better serve as Autobot leader. {{storylink|Wings of Wax}}

[[File:IntimateBeheading BRILLIANT.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
Following the end of the war, Blaster was one of the Autobots who joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in search of the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]] {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} and was one of the first people to use [[Swerve's]], being part of the grand secret opening. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} Much later, when the newly arrived [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] was on a rampage around the ship, Blaster hacked a security camera so the crew could see what he was doing when he holed himself up in [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s office. {{storylink|Interiors}} He was later instructed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to patch him in with Rodimus after the latter and some other crewmembers had been teleported to [[Theophany]]. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Blaster was among those invited to [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind's]] first attempt to awaken Rung from his coma with a storytelling session, but it didn't go so well thanks to [[Siren (G1)|Siren]]'s volume. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

[[File:UnderColdBlueStars-PipesBlasterWhirl.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Swerve needs to go on an Electro-Scrambler Quest.]]
One of Blaster's duties on the ''Lost Light'' was to repair the long-range [[unspace|subspace]] communicator so that the crew could contact Cybertron, and he was annoyed all the while by [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] who wanted to be the first to send a message. He thought he fixed it, but the message still couldn't get through as Swerve had the wrong hailing frequency. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}} Not that it would have mattered much, as Blaster went on to say that any attempt made with the subspace communicator to reach Cybertron met with failure. {{storylink|Signal to Noise}} Blaster reported to Rodimus when the ''Lost Light'' was contacted by the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]'' and [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. {{storylink|Little Victories}} The subspace communicator still wasn't working properly, but this didn't stop [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] from leaving a message for [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] with Blaster while he was busy clearing a path through an asteroid belt with unwanted help from [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}}

Following the disappearance of an injured Ultra Magnus, Blaster used security footage to find out where he had gone, eventually leading the ''Lost Light'' to the lost moon [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]. Rodimus led a team to its surface, leaving Blaster and Fortress Maximus in charge, but they lost contact with the away team when the ship was attacked by [[Legislator]]s who blocked their transmissions. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Blaster took a blast to the chest early in the battle and had to be protected by Maximus, {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ámbus}} and the crew was ultimately overwhelmed by the Legislators. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} To make matters worse, when the insane Chief Justice [[Solomus|Tyrest]] activated his [[universal killswitch]] to eradicate the Transformers who were "constructed cold", Blaster was one of those affected. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}}

Following the Tyrest crisis, Blaster was one of the dozens of Autobots who helped clean and fix up the [[Swerve's|devastated bar]] so that Swerve could reopen it. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

Blaster was present on bridge when Ultra Magnus made the decision to search for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} The crew tracked the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] to the oceans of [[Hydrophena]] where they were attacked by [[Ammonite]]s, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} prompting Blaster to participate in the underwater battle. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Upon finding Metroplex, they used his [[space bridge]] to return the ''Lost Light'' to Cybertron, where they were reunited with the other Autobots. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} Once the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]] plaguing Cybertron was defeated, Blaster celebrated alongside the rest of the population. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} He went on to attend the trial of Megatron at [[Raskol Arena]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}}

[[File:TwentyPlusOne BlasterLostRodimus.jpg|upright=1.8|thumb|right]]
Blaster continued to serve aboard the ''Lost Light'' as it departed again under the command of a new captain—a reformed Megatron. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} Alongside the rest of the crew he evacuated the ship when it began mysteriously dematerializing piece by piece. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} Stuck on board the [[Rodpod]] alongside 20 other others, he took a message from Rodimus on the ''[[Leading Light]]'' to rendezvous at [[Ofsted XVII]]. All original crew members then began disappearing one by one as well, Blaster among them. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Fortunately, the new crew managed to reverse the quantum irregularity, and Blaster and the others quickly returned. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}

On a quantum-duplicated ''Lost Light'', its version of Blaster was executed along with the rest of the crew, save their Rewind. He was forced to transform into vehicle mode to keep his transformation cog fresh, which was harvested from his body by the [[Decepticon Justice Division|DJD]]. His corpse was found among a large collection of bodies in a room by [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}}

[[File:HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds-LostLightmutiny.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|Always [[Totaled!|first in line for mutiny.]]]]
Blaster gathered with most of the crew to hear Rodimus announce their rendezvous with the ''Vis Vitalis'' for the dying Thunderclash's "pre-wake". {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}} He later served as DJ for a dance party in Swerve's and accepted a song request from [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}} After a life-size [[holomatter]] projection of Earth appeared to be tailing the ''Lost Light'', Blaster attempted to make radio contact with it, only to hear a "catchy" song being played back to them. {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}} When [[Getaway]] set up his mutiny, Blaster agreed to be part of it. He 'discovered' the source of a signal that would lure Megatron, Rodimus, and their 'loyalists' off the ''Light'', and later stood with Getaway in a broadcast to emphasize how the crew had turned on their captains. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

[[File:FillingInTheBlanks GetawayFakeNews.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|right|Do one mutiny, get a second free.]]
During a team meeting regarding the [[Warren]], Blaster interrupted to report a distress signal came in from [[Frayus]], but was stunned when Getaway told him to respond that they couldn't assist. As Getaway and Thunderclash argued, Blaster and his teammates were horrified when a transmission from Rodimus revealed that Getaway had not only abandoned Rodimus's men to the mercies of the [[Galactic Council]], but to the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. With the command structure threatening to breakdown, Getaway had the mnemosurgeon [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] reprogram the memories of Blaster and the rest of the crew. They were coerced into believing that Rodimus and the others left of their own free will, abandoning the rest of the crew to find Cyberutopia faster on their own. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}

As the use of the Warren drew the ''Lost Light'' closer to Cyberutopia, Blaster was instructed by Getaway to change their course so that they could make a rendezvous with their new Head of Security. Soon after, Blaster happily reported to Getaway that they had finally arrived at Cyberutopia. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

[[File:ADanceBeforeDying BlasterSparkeater.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|"Hey folks, this is Blaster slaverin' at ya! ''Uhnnn, SPAAAAAAARKSSSSSSSS''..."]]
Everything collapsed, however, when they reached Cyberutopia. The promised land turned out to be a sham, and the ''Lost Light'' came under attack by the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]] and his [[Phantom Fleet]] of [[Worldsweeper]]s. Desperate to save his own skin, Getaway made a deal with the Architect to spare him in exchange for his help against Rodimus, who Getaway swore would try to stop the Grand Architect's plans. To that end, the Architect's ally [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was allowed to subject Blaster and the other Autobots to a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] virus, changing them into zombie-like minions with acid vomit, a thirst for sparks, and no will of their own. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}}

When Rodimus and the others ''did'' arrive on Cyberutopia, Blaster was dispatched with the first wave of Sparkeaters along with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]], [[Hound (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hound]] and [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] to "greet" their friends. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Blaster and the Sparkeaters threatened Rodimus and his growing collection of allies as they opposed the Grand Architect's forces. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} Eventually, First Aid discovered a form of concussive medicine that would transmit a kinetic program code to eliminate the Sparkeater virus. Blaster and the others were incapacitated, but seemingly cured of their infection. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} After Rodimus reclaimed the ''Lost Light'', he had Blaster and his ailing crew brought aboard for Ratchet and First Aid to continue treating as they confronted the Grand Architect. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

After the crisis was over, Blaster joined the rest of the crew for one last "victory lap" aboard the ''Lost Light''. As the crew prepared to quantum jump home, the science team proposed the risky gamble of recreating the malfunctioning launch, thereby quantum duplicating themselves before then shunting the duplicates into a parallel universe to ensure that the Lost Light's adventures would never truly end. Rodimus put the notion to a vote, and the crew agreed to attempt it.

After returning to Cybertron and years in the future, Blaster was one of the attendees at Ratchet's funeral. He led the grieving Hound away after the service had concluded.

Unaware to everyone, in some distant corner of the multiverse, the duplicate ''Lost Light'' with its version of Blaster had successfully materialized. Blaster excitedly reported that the navigation computers had no idea where they were, and everyone got ready to set sail for an infinity of new adventures. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
{{voiceactor|[[Buster Jones]] (English)}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Bee in the City 2: Electric Bugaloo}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Blaster Kreon.JPG|thumb]]
Blaster was seemingly escorting [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] at the inauguration of [[Metroplex (G1)|Autobot City]], as he was holding her hand. {{Storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

Some time later, when [[Soundwave (G1)#Kre-O online manga|Soundwave]] tried to use his clones to brainwash humans, Blaster arrived alongside [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus]] and [[Jazz (G1)#Kre-O online manga|Jazz]] to stop him. Blaster turned to tape deck mode to help the Autobots in the battle of opposing sounds, and later (in a different blue coloration) played music at the ensuing hanami. {{Storylink|Soundwave's Trap? Stop Operation Brainwash Humanity!}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:FormFollowsFunction-Blaster.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Blaster was a freedom fighter on a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron. He was one of the many thorns in Megatron's side that continuously evaded capture.

Enraged that the once great [[Hot Rod (G1)|Imhotep Rodimus]] was one of the many Autobots that had succumbed to Megatron's will, Blaster set out to confront his fellow Autobot at the planet's north pole. There, he berated and blasted Rodimus for his fall from grace. Rodimus retaliated and during the firefight, [[G.I.Rocket]]s began to rain down around them. One of the rockets' blasts caused debris to fall atop of Blaster, knocking him out. Rather than allow his friend to be captured by the Decepticons, Rodimus abandoned his post and hauled Blaster away. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} Rodimus brought Blaster to Ratchet for repairs before seizing leadership of the Autobots from [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

During the combined Autobot-Joe attack on the Decepticon army, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had Blaster deactivate [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s force shield by using his altmode to emit a sonic signal imbued with the shield's codes. Blaster then joined the battle by releasing his [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Recordobots]] against [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] lamented that all the great and famous Cybertronians, including his mentor Blaster, were long gone by the time Cybertron was controlled by the [[Builder Assembly]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:TPotTM BlasterStripesRewind.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right]]
When the [[Titan Master]]s joined the Autobot-Decepticon war, Blaster was partnered with the Titan Master [[Twin Cast]], the bot with the universe's most advanced cryptographic abilities. {{storylink|Blaster (G1)/toys#TitansReturn|''Titans Return'' Twin Cast/Blaster toy bio}} On the planet [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Blaster, Stripes, and Rewind pursued [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullsmasher]], [[Grax]], and [[Horri-Bull|Rot-Gut]] through the streets. They were ultimately forced to break off when Rot-Gut and Skullsmasher combined, allowing Skullsmasher to deploy a cloud of armor-eating rust and make good their escape. Blaster was later seen fighting off Soundwave's all-out attack on Cybertron. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}}

{{--}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
[[File:WinIfYouDare-Blaster.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Blaster was playing music outside the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] returned from a test drive, part of Ratchet's experimental "music therapy" program. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}

{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The Change In Your Nature Part Five|''Transformers'' #17]]}}

[[File:WarWorldHunt-Blaster.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Blaster worked with [[Playback (G1)|Playback]] and [[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]] at the [[Titan Net]] primary hub in Iacon. When members of [[The Rise]] hacked their network to upload a powerful [[data-bomb]], Blaster and his crew found that the virus left them unable to awaken any of the dormant [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s in Cybertron's orbit, and powerless to prevent the rogue Titan [[Vigilem]] from approaching the [[Winged Moon]]. With no other options, Blaster contacted [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] and her Titan [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], who had only recently returned from beyond Cybertronian space and hadn't yet linked with the Titan Net, and ordered her to stop Vigilem by any means necessary.{{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}}

Despite their best efforts, the pair weren't able to stop Vigilem from severing the great [[Tether]] that connected the Winged Moon to Cybertron. Blaster and his crew did their best to re-establish a link with the Titans; despite receiving assistance from [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]], and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} they weren't able to repair the Titan Net before Megatron staged a coup, overthrew the [[Senate]], and killed [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] inherited the Matrix to become Optimus Prime, Blaster attended his first speech. {{storylink|War World: Awakenings}} Not long afterwards, the triumphant Decepticons moved to seize control of Iacon's infrastructure by planting loyalists in positions of power, and as a result [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]], and [[Sparkstalker]] took control of the Titan Net building and ousted Blaster and his crew. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}}

Blaster followed Optimus Prime and his followers when they abandoned Iacon entirely and decamped to [[Crystal City]]. There, Blaster received a proper [[Autobot]] insignia as part of a ceremony commemorating the rebirth of the Autobot faction. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} However, when the Decepticons turned their sights on Crystal City, Blaster and a number of other scientists and engineers retreated to [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Radical Time}} There, Blaster helped [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] engineer a data-bomb that would disrupt the Insecticon neural network long enough for [[Termagax]] to transmit new instructions to the swarming [[Insecticon clone]]s and call off their rampage. {{storylink|End of Time}}

{{--}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:GodNeptuneComic1-Twincast.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Video killed the radio star.]]

A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling Twincast was a member of the [[Blue Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. When the traitorous [[Straxus (G1)#Precursor World|Straxus twins]] unleashed a rage virus to destroy the corps from within, he was slain in the ensuing brawl. Vanguard leader [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] later loaded the Warrior's lingering [[spark]]s into his [[Golden Noah]] in an attempt to ferry their souls to the [[G1 World|next world]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}} Unfortunately, this did not work. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo13-Blaster.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Blaster was freestyling with the other Autobots when he encountered his old foe [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] came up with the idea of having the equally matched rivals settle their differences through a rap battle, where they eventually admitted their grudging respect for one another. However, the two soon went back to brawling when each accused the other of screwing up their conciliatory high five. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 13}}

One evening, Blaster invited Bumblebee to come outside and play, but Bumblebee had too much homework to do. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 14}} Blaster and Eject took part in a snowball fight until Wheeljack's snowball-throwing robot went haywire. Jazz and Blaster provided covering fire so that Bumblebee could close the distance and switch off the machine, and that night the Autobots used the excess snow to construct an igloo where they could relax. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 18}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Go! Go! Extra Volume|Extra Volume}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 39}} {{storylink|The Transformers Go! Go! Search Quiz is Here!|Search Quiz}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 46}}}}

{{ongoing}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Blaster wielding gun.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Tell my electro-scrambler I love her!"]]
During a battle on Cybertron, Blaster was shot in the chest. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} He was one of the many Autobots who joined Optimus Prime on the Ark and was knocked into stasis lock when it crashed onto Earth. He was brought back online after the Autobots gained a donation of Energon from the U.S. military. Shortly afterward, he was seen training with Sideswipe and Ultra Magnus in a sparring session where Ultra Magnus grabbed him and threw him at Sideswipe. As he picked himself up, Blaster muttered that he had walked right into that one. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 27|Transformers #27}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Blaster allowed himself to be found by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] in his radio mode. The device caught Rumble's eye, and he decided to bring Blaster back to the Decepticons' headquarters. Soundwave wasn't as easily duped, and recognized Blaster as an Autobot intruder immediately upon seeing him. Blaster then had to contend with fending off [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Blaster|Blaster commercial}}
*When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] led a squad of Decepticons on an attack on the Autobots' launch site, Blaster informed [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] was off-planet, and so couldn't come to their aid. He stayed behind as Ultra Magnus carried several Autobots into battle to counter-attack. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus commercial}}
*Blaster, Cosmos, and Perceptor had a dance-off against Soundwave, Rumble, and Frenzy. {{storylink|Blaster VS Soundwave 2013}}

==Games==
===''Transformers G1: Awakening''===
[[File:Gluawakening blaster.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Blaster was among the Autobots who left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and spent four million years in stasis after it was shot down over Earth by the Decepticons. Though Ratchet soon had him fixed up, the Autobots lacked the [[energon]] that he needed to get operational. They had gathered enough by the time the Autobots were preparing to assault the Decepticon fortress on Cybertron to free their enslaved fellows, and Blaster took part in the operation to take out the fortress's main power plants. {{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
When the Decepticons seemed to be having a run of luck, Blaster and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] found this pattern so suspicious that they teamed up with [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to investigate. They eventually uncovered [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s infiltration and sent the Decepticon and his tapes packing. {{storylink|Covert Operations (Legends)|Covert Operations}} Concerned that the Decepticons might be after the technology at a scientific facility, Blaster and his tapes infiltrated the base only to find that Soundwave was already concealed inside and after the tech. {{storylink|Espionage}} Returning from a charity event, Blaster, Windcharger and Cliffjumper received a distress signal from a nearby human military base. Leading the charge, Blaster found a Decepticon raiding party scouring the base for the [[MacGuffin Generator]]. The Autobots fought the Decepticons to a stalemate until the evil robots managed to acquire the device. It proved more volatile than they expected however, and Blaster and his team helped rebuild the base after the Decepticons were blown away by the generator. {{storylink|Raiding Party}}

Blaster was among the Autobots who fought the Decepticons after they joined forces with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:Blaster-Bird.jpg|thumb|300px]]
{{main|Bubbles#As Blaster}}

On an [[AllSpark|Eggspark]]-altered [[Piggy Island]], Blaster found himself fused with [[Bubbles]] of the [[Flock]], turning them into an [[Autobird]] that transforms into a van-like thing. Bubbles-Blaster launches a rapid-fire stream of sonic blasts that pack incredible punch and have a wide "splash damage" range, especially when paired up with his [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|cassette]] partners.

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Accessory'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Rosanna (AB)|Rosanna]]
|Head
|Epic
|5 Epic Crystals + 60,000 Coins
| +20% Explosive Force
|
|-
|Headphones
|Head
|Uncommon
|5 Uncommon Crystals + 8,000 Coins
| +10% Damage
|
|-
|Baseball Cap
|Head
|Common
|5 Common Crystals + 2,500 Coins
| +10% Vehicle Time
|
|-
|Santa Hat
|Head
|Uncommon
|5 Uncommon Crystals + 8,000 Coins
| +10% Defense
| Holiday Event exclusive
|-
|Festive Deely Bopper
|Head
|Rare
|5 Rare Crystals + 20,000 Coins
| +20% Damage
| Holiday Event exclusive
|-
|Snowman
|Head
|Rare
|5 Rare Crystals + 20,000 Coins
| +20% Damage
| Holiday Event exclusive
|-
|Lion Hat
|Head
|Epic
|5 Epic Crystals + 60,000 Coins
| +16% Defense
|Chinese New Year exclusive
|-
|[[Stripes]]
|Chest
|Epic
|5 Epic Crystals + 60,000 Coins
| +40% Faster Reload
|
|-
|[[Sundor]]
|Arms
|Rare
|5 Rare Crystals + 20,000 Coins
| +20% Damage
|
|}
</center>

[[File:Blaster accessory.jpeg|thumb|200px|But I'm already a [[Bubbles#As Blaster|character]] in the game!]]

Blaster is also an "Accessory" character, giving Autobirds he's attached to an increase to their EMP Rounds (probably due to his groovy, well-tuned personality). This bonus can be increased with level upgrades, won from random-prize Crates or in the "[[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower" mini-game.

He can be unlocked by purchasing him with Gems in the Barracks, with Tokens during specific [[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)/Challenge Events|Challenge Events]], or won from Crates and [[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="15%" | '''Autobird'''
! scope="col" width="8%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Gem Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Red (AB)#As Blurr|Blurr]]
|Arms
|650
| EMP Rounds
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|Among the random Movie quotes a random bot says are: Two can Play! Sic' em! Don't know how much longer we can hold out. We're all going to look like burnt-out toaster ovens.]]
Blaster participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who first appeared in the "Sonic Clash" event, and could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal,100 event cores, and 50 cores of this character. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Blaster-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Yo dawg! Let's build this base before the Cons show up!]]

Loud, proud and in-your-face, Blaster has a zest for life and an unquenchable appetite for action.
The louder and more intense it gets, the more it sparks his circuits.
The opposite of sneaky, he prefers to make his presence known, literally assaulting his enemies with sound and fury.
But his special passion is good old fashioned rock 'n' roll, and his ability to monitor multiple frequencies and channels has exposed him to a wide variety of music. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Blaster Bio}}

Blaster was in contact with Ironhide and Jetfire after the latter two and an ally raided a Decepticon outpost. Blaster suggested it would be great if they upgraded the HQ.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

Blaster then helped out in the many other battles that the Autobots participated in.

*'''Class:''': Special (Deployer)
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Weapons:''' Blaster uses a standard issue Photon blaster used by Jetfire and the Aerobots.
*'''Ability: Deploy Minions:''' Deploy Eject, Rewind, Steeljaw, and Ramhorn to attack targets! All have unique attacks.
**'''Cost''': 3 ability points +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:blaster Blaster at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

Blaster is one of two characters that has a unique ending victory pose, in which Blaster has a chance to perform a handstand, and then start break dancing.

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:ForgedToFight-Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Impossible! Our laserfire is only making him '''stronger!'''"]]
In a surprising twist, Blaster isn't a clone of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], instead having his own unique animations and abilities. He fights using buffed-up energy attacks and his cassette allies, and, when awakened, can heal himself when struck with the enemy's ranged laser attacks.
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Blaster was head of Autobot communications and a master of sonic warfare. In his off-time, he was something of a party animal, and this laid-back approach to life has bled back into his career as a soldier. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game|Transformers Roleplaying Game bonus material}}

Blaster and his Mini-Cassettes were deployed to an abandoned railyard in [[Colorado]] to guard a shipment of [[energon cube]]s while [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] drew the attention of the Decepticons. However, their ruse failed; the Decepticons tracked the [[Union Pacific]] train back to its point of origin, and in the ensuing battle [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and his comrades defeated Blaster and stole the energon. {{storylink|The Great Energon Robbery}}

==Toys==
{{main|Blaster (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Blaster (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:MicroChangeRadiCassRobo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*Blaster had the preliminary names of '''Pulse'''<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/index.php?full=1&set_albumName=BotCon_2010_Sat_Panels&id=DSC05237&option=com_gallery&Itemid=4&include=view_photo.php Bob Budiansky's notes at BotCon 2010]</ref> and '''Blastbox'''.<ref>[[Production bible]] of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]</ref>
*Blaster began life as the ''[[Micro Change]]'' "Radi-Casse Robo" ("radio-cassette", you see), which was actually a functional AM radio. Though this feature was gutted from Blaster when he was released as part of the ''Transformers'' toyline, the original toy's power switch (on his right leg), earphone jack (on the back of his left leg) and tuning dial (on his chest) still remain, now as moulded, non-moving details. Even the toy's electro-scrambler gun is designed to serve as storage for the mono earphone which came with the toy, with the plug inserting into the stock, the cord winding around it, and the earphone itself tucking into the hole in the gun's main body. It was not the toy itself which was the radio; rather, the radio was a small "micro-cassette" which plugged into the toy's internal wiring when inserted into its chest, allowing it to play through the speakers in its legs in either mode. As the electronic equipment in the chest meant that the figure could not hold normal ''Micro Change'' cassettes there, it featured a compartment on its back which could hold a single tape instead. This compartment could still be found on some early releases of Blaster, though it was often mistaken by fans as a vestigial battery compartment, which was actually originally located in the toy's right leg.
*Blaster's finalized [[character model]] was apparently not available to artist [[Don Perlin]] when he first drew Blaster in the Marvel Comic. While the final model—used in the Generation 1 cartoon, the UK Marvel comics and ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''—gives Blaster a set of individual eyes, Perlin's interpretation of the toy reference material he had to work with saw him draw Blaster with a goggled visor. Perlin's visored head design would be used throughout the Marvel run, until the last few issues, when UK artists who had taken over drawing the book rendered Blaster with his finalized model's head. [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] rationalized this discrepancy early on in the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] of [[Hunters|UK issue #118]] by explaining that Blaster's visor is retractable, and used to shield his especially delicate optical sensors from sunlight. Less explainable was [[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]'s color choice for the comic version of Blaster: a red forehead and yellow face, a combination never used on a toy or in the cartoon.
**[[IDW Publishing]] tried for a hybridized look, giving Blaster an odd-looking "moustache" that was promptly discarded from his design after his introductory [[Spotlight: Blaster|''Spotlight'' issue]].
[[File:TFUK300 letterspage.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*In an odd quirk of design, Blaster's character model breaks the row of buttons on his abdomen up into three buttons in [[robot mode]], but four in [[alternate mode]]. It's a product of the way his toy is made: it's got three separate button-chunks, like his robot mode model, but the centre chunk is two buttons sculpted together, so he's actually ''got'' four, like his alternate mode model. This was most evident in the cartoon; in the comic, as you can see from some of the pictures above, they'd often basically draw as many as they felt like.
*Blaster hosted the Marvel UK comic's letters page for the final 33 issues (from [[Rhythms of Darkness!|issue #300]] to [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #332]]), to tie in with his Action Master toy. Here, the letters page was dubbed "Darn 'n' Blast", replacing [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind's]] "Dread Tidings", despite Dreadwind's holing himself up in the Marvel offices. The Decepticon finally left after a visit by three Christmas spirits, [[Ghost of the present|one of whom]] took on the appearance of Blaster. {{storylink|Dreadwind's Xmas!}} Blaster complained that Dreadwind had decorated the office in all purple and orange with a solitary picture of a dog with sad eyes. His characterization in the letters page is more in line with his fun-loving, hip and happening self from the cartoon than the rather grim, brooding, rebellious badass seen in the comics. He arrived on the letters page in advance of his resurrection in the comics itself, which did not occur until [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #321]]. He was explicitly identified as being a non-transformer Action Master, though his partner [[Flight Pack]] did not appear.
*According to Blaster himself on the UK letters page, he has two [[Relatives|siblings]]: [[Toaster]] and [[Karmen]]. And then there's [[Bluster]], his retroactively-created and less-seen brother.
*Since the release of ''Universe'' Blaster, there seems to be an attempt on the part of tech spec writers to balance Marvel's dark and brooding portrayal of Blaster with the rock 'n' roll loving version from the original US cartoon. The ''Universe'' write-up has Blaster organizing resistance cells with Perceptor (with NO mention of his musical interests), recalling the storyline in US comic #17-18. The 2010 San Diego Comic Convention release of the figure not only mentions Blaster's love of music ("Any music, from Cybertronian magna marches to down and dirty [[Washington, D.C.|D.C.]] hardcore"), it references "his hatred of the Decepticons", because "the war they started killed the music scene (and most of the musicians) on Cybertron"—combining Blaster's varying personalities from these two continuities into one.
**This also means Blaster is a fan of Bad Brains and Minor Threat. That rules '''so hard.'''

===Foreign names===
====Blaster====
*''Japanese:'' '''Broadcast''' (ブロードキャスト ''Burōdokyasuto''), '''Broadblast''' (ブロードブラスト ''Burōdoburasuto''), '''Blaster''' (ブラスター ''Burasutā'')
*''English:'' '''Billy''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Czech:'' '''Reprák''' (Supermax dub, "Speaker")
*''French:'' '''Tempo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Össztűz''' ("Bombardment"), '''Lőmester''' ("Demolitions-Expert", alternate name used occasionally in the Marvel comics)
*''Italian:'' '''Radiorobot''', '''Audiobot''' (''The Headmasters'')
*''Korean:'' '''Blaster''' (블래스터 ''Beullaeseuteo'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Lùyīnjī''' (China, 录音机, "Recorder"), '''Shuāng Lǚdài''' (''The Headmasters'', 双履带, "Double Pedrail")
*''Polish:'' '''Łoskot''' ("Rumble", sic!; in some episodes of cartoon)
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rajada''' (Portugal comic, "Gust"), '''Dinamitador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bluster''' ("Бластер", "Blaster", ''Transformers''), '''Billy''' ("Билли", ''The Headmasters'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Bill''' (America, ''The Headmasters''), '''Plato''' (America, ''The Headmasters'')

====Twincast====
*''Japanese:'' '''Twincast''' (ツインキャスト ''Tsuinkyasto'')
*''English:'' '''Blaster''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Italian:'' '''Digital'''
*''Spanish:'' '''Platon'''
*''Russian:'' '''Blaster''' (Бластер)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Blaster''' (Бластер)

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:IDW-AHM-Blaster-Guidi.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Autobirds]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Blue Order]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combat Colin characters]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Earthforce]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass refugees]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]

Blaster (G1)

2025-12-10T23:26:44Z

Tomhur: /* Energon Universe */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|autobird|primusvanguard}}
{{disambigm|Blaster (disambiguation)|Twincast (disambiguation)}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Blaster is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:SDCCBlasterBoxArt.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"What it is, big mama? My mama ain't raise no dummies, I dug her rap!"]]

'''Blaster''' loves all Earth music, especially good, hard, LOUD rock 'n' roll. He can be found at the forefront of any situation in which he's involved, be it getting down and truly hopping to town, or kicking butt and taking names—both of which he does well, and both of which have led him into conflict with authority at times. Blaster marches to his own beat, whether it's a pounding bassline or pounding Decepticon skulls, and he's not shy when it comes to sharing his feelings about either! He maintains a shared enmity with his Decepticon counterpart [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], with whom he shares his powers over all forms of sound, and is often backed up by a team of his own [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s to match Soundwave's mini-minions on the battlefield.

{{note|Blaster's personality varied significantly across different media; see entries below for details.}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{main|Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
[[File:AutoBop blaster speakers.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Beware my tweeters of doom!!]]
Blaster was a fun-loving, hip and happening robot. Loud and energetic, he was quick to immerse himself in Earth culture, and was happy to share his choice of rockin' tunes with anyone, whether they really wanted to hear them or not—a trait that got him in trouble as often as it saved him and his Autobot allies. Developing a rivalry with his Decepticon opposite number, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], Blaster gained a cassette army of his own so he could fight Soundwave on equal footing, and he and little buddies were instrumental in ensuring reinforcements arrived in time to save [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] when it was besieged in [[2005]]. Following this, Blaster was assigned command of the city, where his jive-talking jingles and jams saw the Autobots through crises like the attack of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Blaster's duties also took him to a variety of battlefields that were stranger than many other Transformers would experience, including millions of years into the past, into another dimension ruled by magic, and—a particular favorite of his—the musical planet of [[Eurythma]].

In some timelines which spin off from this one, Blaster joined the [[Interplanetary Personnel Exchange Program]] under the new name '''Broadblast''' (ブロードブラスト ''Burōdoburasuto''), and after perishing in a one-on-one battle with Soundwave, was reconstructed by the super-science of the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]] as '''Twincast''' (ツインキャスト ''Tsuinkyasuto'').
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:BlasterUS17.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|More than likely, he'll kill you. Yeah, [[you]]. You know who you are.]]
Blaster was a rather grim, brooding, rebellious, badass who hated Decepticons with a passion, whose reputation as one of the best fighters the [[Autobot]]s had was blemished by his vocal problems with authority figures. Part of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|Autobot resistance cell]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he often disagreed with his superior's orders, especially after his friend [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] failed to make a rendezvous with him in the [[Dead End (place)|Dead End]], and Blaster wanted to hunt for him. Although his fellow freedom fighters rallied behind him at first, the discovery that Scrounge had been taken to the Decepticon stronghold in [[Polyhex]] changed their minds, and Blaster went in alone. Captured by the forces of [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus]], Blaster was sentenced to the [[smelting pool]], where he discovered the half-melted Scrounge, who clung to life just long enough to pass on to Blaster the data he had obtained, so that this death would not be in vain. Blaster was then saved from the pit by his comrades, and he claimed revenge for Scrounge by ripping out the pipes that fed the pool and blasting their Decepticon pursuers with molten slag.

[[File:MarvelUS18 blaster cyb altmode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3|And you thought the 1980s cellphones were huge.]]
Scrounge's information brought new hope to the Autobot resistance, as it revealed that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] were still alive and well after four million years, fighting on a planet called Earth. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} The Decepticons set about building a [[space bridge]] to this planet, and Blaster spied on the tests in his [[alternate mode]], gathering the information they needed to launch an attack. After planting [[fission bomb]]s on the bridge, Blaster personally battled Straxus, tricking the Decepticon leader into damaging the portal before kicking him through it and apparently destroying him. Blaster and the rest of his Autobot allies were trapped on the Earth side of the bridge as it faded out. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}} Though [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and his troops spotted the Autobots upon their materialization on Earth, the Decepticons were distracted by a more pressing mission at the time, and left without attacking the new arrivals. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

Blaster and his men were attacked by the government anti-robot task force [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] and its super-powered agent [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] almost immediately upon arrival; unfamiliar with Earth customs, Blaster's group first tried to communicate with RAAT's vehicles, leaving the humans an opening to blindside the Autobots with "electric snow" missiles. Circuit Breaker then delivered a powerful electric blast, short-circuiting the group. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Blaster and the others were disassembled, with their heads getting mounted on the wall of RAAT's headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} To deal with the threat of the [[Battlecharger]]s, Blaster and the Autobots agreed to allow Circuit Breaker to jury-rig their bodies together into a giant exo-suit she would use to take the two Decepticons down, in exchange for their being rebuilt and released. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

[[File:FallenAngel blaster sonics galvatron.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Yeah, that's real good, Blaster, you keep doing that.]]
''Blaster's team followed their fellow RAAT captive [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] back to the Ark, but along the way, their guide vanished, displaced to [[Limbo]] by the appearance of the future Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Unwisely deciding to engage the Decepticon, Blaster tried hitting him with a blast of sonics, which sundered Galvatron's tenuous hold on sanity and only made him even more dangerous. Fortunately, the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] saved him, and he decided to try the tactic again while Galvatron was distracted. It ''almost'' worked this time, but Galvatron hurled a discarded [[sword]] in Blaster's direction, and he was only rescued from impalement by [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]. Blaster was soon knocked unconscious, and didn't witness Galvatron being driven off by the present-day Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}} ''Blaster's team continued on their way to the Ark, and arrived just as the Autobots were preparing to hold a funeral for Optimus Prime. Blaster quietly questioned their decision to bury Prime rather than fire his body into space, but it proved a moot point when the Autobot leader turned out to not actually be dead, returning in the midst of the ceremony.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:JoeandTF4 blaster omega and the rest.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Turn down that blasted music! THIS I COMMAND!!!]]
When Optimus Prime died for real soon after, Blaster got on the comm to pass the grim news on to [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], ordering him to break off his present engagement with the anti-terrorist team [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and return to the Ark. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} After watching as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] tried and failed to rebuild the Autobot leader, Blaster attended Prime's funeral, where his body was sent into space on a funeral bier. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Blaster gave a speech to mark Prime's passing, {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} then returned to the Ark with the Autobots, only to be attacked by the ship's own defense systems, co-opted by the human criminal, the [[Mechanic]]. Perceptor had to stop Blaster from damaging the ship until the situation could be brought under control. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} No sooner had ''that'' been dealt with than Blaster detected a fleet of human aircraft heading for the Ark, which the Autobots proceeded to intercept on the assumption of hostile intent. After a brief battle, the human revealed themselves to agents of [[Cobra]], who requested the Autobots' help in stopping the Decepticons from destroying the planet using [[Power Station Alpha]]. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} Suspecting the highly advanced Alpha could potentially be a sentient technological lifeform, Blaster opposed destroying it outright, and remained at the Ark to co-ordinate a combined Autobot/G.I. Joe/Cobra attack on the Decepticons to free Alpha from their control. The Joes and Cobra surreptitiously had Alpha destroyed to remove its threat, infuriating Blaster and leading him to wonder if ''any'' humans could be trusted. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:MarvelUS28 blaster cops.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Blaster's about to lay down some sick beats!]]
Turning to the matter of finding a new leader of the Autobots, Blaster and several other high-ranking Autobots were in the process of a holding a vote when the massive Decepticon battle station Trypticon attacked, and Blaster was shot down when he attempted to rush the giant. Dinobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] proceeded to secure victory over Trypticon, convincing Blaster and the other Autobots to appoint him the Autobots' new commander. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Unfortunately, Grimlock soon gave Blaster cause to regret his decision with increasingly hostile leadership methods and a callous disregard for human safety. Paired with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], whose more naturally upbeat personality provided the Boy Wonder to his [[Batman]], Blaster was charged with locating the Mechanic, but disobeyed orders and entered into alliance with some local human law enforcement to prevent the officers from being killed by the advanced Cybertronian weapons the criminal had stolen from the Ark. Playing the fool, Detective [[Greco]] carried Blaster into the Mechanic's hideout in tape-deck mode, where the Autobot used his electro scrambler to disable all the villain's weapons. Alas, the Mechanic escaped, and, realizing that Grimlock would not tolerate the news of their failure and their human alliances, Blaster and Goldbug elected to go AWOL. {{storylink|Mechanical Difficulties!}}

[[File:MarvelUS30 blaster and goldbug.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|"MY PARTNERS ARE DEEEEAD!"]]
Rather than lay low, Blaster and Goldbug decided to take their fight to the Decepticons, and quickly tracked down the Autobots' human ally [[G.B. Blackrock]] in hope that he could provide them with both fuel and some hot tips on current 'Con activity. Following Blackrock's info, the two Autobots found a crashed Decepticon ship, and befriended the scientist [[Charlie Fong]] in order to bypass the military blocked surrounding it. Upon approaching the crash-site, they ran afoul of the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s. As Blaster took on all three of the villains at once, he discovered they were ravaged with [[Scraplet]]s, which soon infected him as well. Goldbug withdrew to seek a cure, but Blaster believed he had left him to die and swore vengeance against the little 'bot. {{storylink|Crater Critters}} Hooking up with the [[Throttlebot]]s and human scientist [[Charlie Fong]], Goldbug discovered that water could destroy the Scraplets, and surprised Blaster by returning to save him. Blaster refused to allow himself to be cured if it meant that the Decepticons would live as well, but when the Scraplets merged into a giant, Goldbug had no choice, and sprayed them all. A cured but furious Blaster smashed the water tank over the Scraplet-monster, killing it, then calmed down enough to apologize to Goldbug for doubting him. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

[[File:MarvelUS32 blaster arrested.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Check it out, Blaster, we all got [[Nerf]] guns for Christmas!]]
''Taking some time out of their life on the road to watch human television, Blaster, Goldbug and the Throttlebots happened upon a news report about the discovery of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and Galvatron, entombed in lava within the volcano, [[Mount Verona]]. Discovering that Soundwave and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were going to blow up the mountain to destroy them both, Blaster used his sonic powers to block Soundwave's detonation signal, preventing the bombs the Combaticons placed from going off.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}} Once they had evaded the pursuing Combaticons, Blaster and company found themselves in a scuffle with RAAT in [[California]], and hid out in [[Big Steve Ludwig (G1)|Big Steve Ludwig]]'s used car lot. Unfortunately, their battle made the evening news and finally alerted Grimlock to their AWOL status, prompting him to brand them traitors and send the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to hunt them down. The car lot quickly turned into a three-way battleground between the Combaticons, Protectobots and RAAT, and despite Blaster's help in the battle, the Protectobots surrounded and apprehended him at the fight's end. {{storylink|Used Autobots}}

[[File:Blasterbeourleaderplease.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|"BLASTER, BE OUR LEADER, PLEAAAASE???"]]
Trapped in tape deck mode by a [[mode lock]], Blaster was helpless to aid the Protectobots when the Combaticons returned. Groove sped off and stashed Blaster away in a drainage pipe for retrieval after the battle's end, where he latter was found by four [[Spacehikers|human children]]. It took some convincing, but Blaster eventually talked the younglings to remove his mode lock. Despite once more being able to transform, Blaster was still no match for [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], who had managed to fell Defensor in the meantime. Blaster was forced to rely on the children to put on a good show, and "proved" he was no longer loyal to the Autobots by making the Decepticon believe he shot one of them dead. The dimwitted colossus fooled, Blaster circled around him and collapsed an electrical tower onto Bruticus, knocking him offline. Realizing that Blaster was far nobler than Grimlock, [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] allowed him to go free upon his recovery. In turn, Blaster rewarded the children for their help by taking them on a trip into space aboard the mode-locked [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. Unfortunately, they were accosted in mid-flight by the now-airborne Ark. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} The humans tossed Blaster out an airlock so he could avoid capture by Grimlock's forces. While Grimlock was occupied trying to stop [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] from interfering in his attempted execution of the kids, Blaster rode a telecommunications satellite back to the Ark, where he his fellow Autobots, all sick of Grimlock's leadership, begged him to take over as leader. However, he was forced to surrender to his former commander in order to secure the kids' safety. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}}

[[File:MarvelUS41 blaster vs grimlock.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
Imprisoned by Grimlock, Blaster was strapped to a [[variable voltage harness]] for some time as punishment for his desertion and disobedience. When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and his Autobots arrived and Grimlock challenged him to a duel, Goldbug talked Blaster into taking the injured Fortress Maximus's place to get even with Grimlock once and for all. They proceeded to battle on the surface of Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]], but their duel was interrupted by a Decepticon attack, and Blaster pointed out that their feud had put all Autobots in danger. Grimlock agreed to call their duel a draw and declared a truce with Blaster as they fended off the Decepticons side by side. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:ClubCon-ptoo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
With Optimus Prime's subsequent return both to life and to command of the Autobots, the faction's in-fighting issues ceased and more important matters could be dealt with—namely, rescuing their human ally [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Decepticons' baffling new [[Club Con|desert island resort]]. Tasked with investigating, Blaster was loaded into a [[Egg transport|capsule]] in tape deck mode and dropped from the orbiting Ark into the Witwicky family garden, where he asked Buster's girlfriend [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]] to sneak him into "Club Con". The pair were able to steal a pair of captive Autobot cassettes—[[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]]—from the Decepticons, but this aroused the ire of the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], and Blaster, unable to battle them effectively due to the human holidaymakers occupying the island, was forced to ditch the tapes in the ocean to break off the fight. Although forced to withdraw without Buster, Blaster and Jessie ''had'' learned something important: the tapes held data on a mysterious Cybertronian object heading for Earth. {{storylink|Club Con!}} ''The eruption of the "Time Wars" briefly tabled this mystery, but Blaster had no real role in that conflict, as he, Optimus Prime, and several other Autobots were temporarily displaced into Limbo to make room for a team of Autobots arriving from the future.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:MarvelUS50 blaster dies.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A search of the waters where "Club Con" used to be proved fruitless, as the Decepticons quickly moved on after Blaster's incursion. Blaster berated himself for his "incompetence," which allowed the Decepticons to slip beyond their reach once more, though Optimus assured him they would track down their enemies in due course. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Soon after, the Autobots were drawn to the Arctic, where a Decepticon ambush awaited them. The warring factions struck a temporary truce when they learned that [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] had orchestrated the confrontation in order to distract everyone else from his own goals. The approaching object Blaster had learned about earlier, revealed to be the Cybertronian database known as the [[Underbase]], would endow Starscream with godlike powers were he to absorb all of its cosmic energies. Though the Autobot/Decepticon alliance interrupted Starscream's absorption of the Underbase's power, the portion he did manage to take into himself was enough to grant him near-invincibility. Blaster joined [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] in co-ordinating a battalion of Autobots and Decepticons in defense of [[New York City]] against Starscream's worldwide rampage, and was the last to fall, shot dead atop the Brooklyn Bridge, like all those who attempted to stand against the cosmically powered villain. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:Marvel77-Blaster.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|left|He used to be badass, now he's just a poor man's Perceptor...]]
Blaster's body was put into storage on the Ark, defying all of Ratchet's attempts to repair it, {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} to the extent that the medic started to have nightmares about him and various other deactivated Autobots reviving as [[zombie]]s to kill him for his failures. Ratchet's nightmares came true for a short while, when the Decepticon [[Sports Car Patrol]] managed to infiltrate the Ark and took control of the damaged Autobots' bodies to torment him. When this failed to make Ratchet snap completely, the Decepticons' plan was abandoned and Blaster was shut down once more. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}}

A few years later, Grimlock succeeded where Ratchet had failed by using the miracle fuel [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] to revive the damaged Autobots, with Blaster being one of the first back on his feet. Arriving on Cybertron in the nick of time aboard the Ark, Blaster took part in and survived the battle with [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} In the aftermath, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] had Blaster run a check on the strange seismic activity Cybertron was suffering from, {{storylink|Still Life!}} with disastrous results: It turned out Cybertron was tearing itself apart without the binding life-force of [[Primus]] to sustain it. A meeting was called, with Blaster sharing the news to all present. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:EndOfTheRoad-finalfive.jpg|thumb|Guess how many of these guys had Action Master toys on the shelves when this came out.]]
The Decepticons fled Cybertron, leaving the Autobots to die with their homeworld. Blaster found Prowl wandering about outside, and cautioned his fellow Autobot to take shelter, as Cybertron's gradual self-destruction made the outdoors dangerous. His warning was met with laughter; Prowl had given up on living altogether, seeing no escape from the planet's death-throes. The pair were then surprised by Grimlock, who had foreseen the Decepticons' treachery and secured alternate transportation! {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The Autobots followed the Decepticons to the planet [[Klo]], only to be caught in an ambush upon arrival. Only five stragglers managed to escape this surprise attack: Blaster, Grimlock, Kup, Slag, and Prowl. Despite their best attempts to lose their pursuers, the Autobots found themselves hounded by a hunting party. Blaster took a blast in the shoulder from [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], but persevered nonetheless. His group miraculously defeated the hunting party, and doubled back for a final stand against Bludgeon's forces. Upon arrival, they found a resurrected Optimus Prime already turning the tide of battle thanks to a new ally, the [[Last Autobot]]. Blaster was last seen shooting the head off [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] as the Decepticons were driven off into exile. [[Krunk|Uh oh.]] {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====The Big Broadcast of 2006=====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
[[File:Ultra magnus blaster big broadcast of 2006.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
In an alternate version of [[2006]], Blaster went with a group of Autobots to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to investigate strange happenings there. When they arrived, they discovered a chaotic scene where aliens from many worlds, including the Decepticons, were all engaged in a deadly battle with one another. Blaster detected a signal he suspected was hypnotizing all the combatants into this aggressive behavior. He and Ultra Magnus came up with a plan where [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] would fly Blaster into the air, while Blaster would broadcast soothing music. The plan succeeded in calming all those affected by the signal. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:SpacePirates blaster strung up.jpg|thumb|left|Help! He's touching my special area!]]
In the future of [[2008]], Blaster was present at Autobot City when the [[Quintesson]] [[Trident Attack Craft|Trident]] ships attacked. He attempted to transform Autobot City himself, but was stopped cold by General [[Ghyrik]]. He was deactivated in the battle that followed and his body strung up on the outer parapets as a warning to any Autobots who came to liberate the city. Although Blaster was inactive, his cassettes were not, and this fact gave [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] an edge when they began battling their way through the Quintesson occupants. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

Blaster was seen briefly in [[2009]] at the start of the Time Wars, but did not end up joining Rodimus Prime on his mission into the past (see above). {{storylink|Time Wars}} After Galvatron was destroyed back in [[1989]] and the time line rebooted itself, Blaster was still among the Autobots stationed at Autobot City. He responded to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]]'s emergency signal when the Autobots crash landed on Earth after a crazed Rodimus Prime turned against them. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} Upon his arrival however, Kup urged the other Autobots to hold their fire; he had deduced that it was Unicron acting through Rodimus, as the dark god had been imprisoned within the Matrix at a pervious date. Blaster and the other reinforcements stood back as Kup managed to rip the sacred talisman out of Rodimus's chest, severing Unicron's connection to him. {{storylink|White Fire}}
{{-}}

=====Letters page=====
[[File:TFUK300 letterspage.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb|FAKE NU(cleon)S]]
The relaxed and jovial Blaster of "yet another alternate future" was turned into an [[Action Master]] and somehow arrived on 1990s Earth, where he took a job answering letters for Marvel UK. {{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Darn 'n' Blast}} He had to recuperate in an acclimatisation unit as a result and a nameless human at the Marvel offices took it upon themselves to answer a letter about being an Action Master, copying [[Nucleon (substance)#Toy packaging blurb|the back of a toy box]] and claiming that was the origin of [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]. Don't trust it, kids! The ''real'' answer comes from an upcoming story, kids! {{storylink|The Human Factor!|#303's Darn 'n' Blast}}{{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Darn 'n' Blast}}

When Dreadwind refused to accept he'd been replaced as letters host and barricaded his office, Blaster, new host of ''Darn 'n' Blast'', took up a temporary office next door. Dreadwind kept banging on the wall to distract him. {{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Transformation}} The kids of 1990 Britain duly wrote to Blaster with rap and cool lingo, dude. {{storylink|Rhythms_of_Darkness!|#300's Darn 'n' Blast}}

Unlike Grimlock, he felt guilty about using the [[variable voltage harness]] to punish Marvel UK staff for bad work. Following a suggestion by a sadistic fan, he instead began tormenting people with hours of {{w|The Church (band)|''The Church}} and {{w|Cliff Richard}}. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm|#308 Darn 'n' Blast It}}

During Blaster's run we learned he had a brother named [[Toaster]]{{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!|#310's letters page}} and a sister called [[Karmen]] {{storylink|Out of Time!|#316's letters page}}, and about sports like the [[Iacon 5000]] and [[Mecha-soccer|Cybertron's football divisions]] (Primus League and Premier League). His team are the non-league no-hopers [[Throttlebot]] Wanderers {{storylink|Out of Time!|#316's letters page}} and he lamented how badly they'd been fouled by Combaticon Hove Albion, ruining their chances of a cup win. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!|#320's letters page}}

He was unable to make a reader's birthday party due to the battle against [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Exodus!|#326's letters page}}

{{-}}

=====''Combat Colin''=====
[[File:Combat colin 300.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
After [[Colin Doobrey-Smiff|Colin]] managed to defeat all of his recurring villains at once, he grew a bit too big for his boots and announced that he was going to boot out the [[Transformer]]s and take over the rest of the comic. Overhearing this, Blaster was forced to remind him of his place as a back-up strip character. {{storylink|Combat Colin issue 300}}
{{-}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:Another Time Place Fangry.jpg|thumb|left|That's his hand on the left!]]
Blaster was part of the rescue unit who infiltrated [[Hydrus Four]] to defeat the Decepticons and rescue the Dinobots. He personally helped disarm and defeat [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Blaster and the Autobots defended the launch of a new space flight by human scientists. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|Transformers in Action: The Countdown to a New Space Age!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
[[File:Invasion-Radcontrolroom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Blaster's happy? This can't be the Marvelverse.]]
{{noteclassics}}
Decades later in [[2012]], Blaster was stationed with several other Autobots in [[Canada]] within the ''[[Ark II]]''. He was present one day when [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] reported from the [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]] base in [[Oregon]] about a foiled attack by [[Overlord (G1)|Gigatron]] and his Decepticons. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

[[File:Recordicons12-everyone.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
Blaster and his partners [[Stripes]], [[Tigatron]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Sundor]], and [[Blockrock]] subsequently teamed up with negative polarity [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]]. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 12|Recordicons #12}}

Some time later on negative Cybertron, Blaster and [[Straxus (SG)|Straxus]] compared notes on their mirror universes, such as [[Straxus (G1)|the evil Straxus]]. {{storylink|Falling into Place}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Blaster silverbolt destiny.jpg|thumb]]
Sometime around [[2007]], Blaster was amongst those Transformers suffering ill effects from the infusion of [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] into their systems. It had apparently made him hyper-sensitive to noise and he was kept at the [[Nursery (Cybertron)|Nursery]]. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He, along with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] were eventually given new Nucleon-free bodies at the [[Garage]]. Going against [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]'s orders that they should not get involved in the growing conflict with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s Neo-Decepticons, Blaster began monitoring the old Decepticon comm-line subfrequencies and discovered that Soundwave was indeed responsible for keeping Cybertron's population aggressive through an irritant subsonic signal. Alerted to Blaster's hacking, Soundwave dispatched [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Snarler]], and [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]—the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]—to eliminate him, but the four former Nucleon patients used some quick thinking to subdue the Decepticons and report the signal to Autobot command. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:Blaster soundwave destiny.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|''Only one will survive. Beatle-based pop vs. New Romantic, History will decide.'']]
As the Decepticon invasion/uprising under Soundwave and Bludgeon began, Blaster tracked down Soundwave on the battlefield for a "battle of the bands". {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} Soundwave attempted to defeat Blaster with finesse, using a variety of sonic tricks and frequencies to disorient his Autobot counterpart. To win, Blaster abandoned skill for brute force, and unleashed a sonic onslaught that overwhelmed Soundwave and brought him to his end. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Blaster reintegrated into the Autobot forces, joining the bridge crew of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s command vessel ''[[Priam]]'' during the attack on the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]]. Unfortunately, the superior numbers and firepower of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his Cybertronians forced the Autobots to surrender. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} They escaped captivity thanks to the ever-insubordinate [[Wreckers]] staging their own attack on the Hub, and Blaster joined the crew as they made their way back to Cybertron to face an even greater menace. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} The [[Dark Matrix|Anti-Matrix]] had consumed the population of Cybertron, transforming them into [[shadow-leech]]es. Blaster and the remaining Autobots forces secured the [[space bridge]] network to Earth and [[Nebulos]] while Rodimus Prime confronted the creature in [[Zero Space]], bringing an end to its machinations. On Nebulos, Blaster joined [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s troops in finishing off [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] once and for all. With their link to the [[multiverse]] and [[Primus]] himself permanently cut off, Blaster and the other remaining Transformers abandoned Cybertron, eventually growing old and dying. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Blaster and the Autobots protected the humans from a revenge attack by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons.{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
[[File:ListeningtoBlaster-ASW.jpeg|thumb|left]]
Blaster received a message from Decepticon headquarters and conveyed it to Optimus Prime; the Decepticons had taken [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] hostage, and were demanding the Autobots' surrender. The Autobots sent out a party to rescue their captured comrade, but the attempt failed. Afterwards, Blaster once more relayed a message from Megatron to Optimus; the Decepticon leader threatened to destroy all four captured Autobots and rebuild them into Decepticons if Optimus did not surrender before morning. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}
{{-}}

===Attack of the Insecticons===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:AttackoftheInsecticonsBustercockpit.jpg|thumb]]
Blaster was witness to Ironhide testing the Sun-Pak, a device of Sparkplug's invention that would solve the Autobot's energy problems. When the Decepticons discovered of the device's existence, many possible adventures ensued. Most notably, after a failed attempt on Optimus's part to eliminate Starscream, who was leading the Decepticon's raid, Sparkplug is kidnapped by the Decepticons and Blaster is entrusted alongside Bumblebee and Buster with Sparkplug's rescue, while the rest of the Autobots are forced back to base in order to recharge. The trio is instructed to contact Autobot headquarters as soon as they come to know the Decepticons' location. Blaster was the one who managed to track down Starscream and Sparkplug, using his abilities to detect one of Starscream's transmissions. Blaster traces the transmission to a museum in the suburbs, and he and Buster sneak into the building while Blaster is camouflaged in tape-player mode. Hiding in one of the museum's planes until after-hours, at which point Starscream and Bombshell reveal they will use a Cerebro-shell to make Sparkplug compliant to their wills, Blaster and Buster debate whether to contact Megatron, and offer a recording made by Blaster earlier proving that Starscream is a Decepticon traitor in exchange for Sparkplug's release, or to fetch Bumblebee and take on the Decepticons personally.

If it is decided to try and parlay with Megatron, omitting any mention of the Sun-Pak in their story, Megatron appears attentive at first, but demands that the Autobots fulfill their half of the trade before he takes action. If Blaster and Buster accept, Megatron arrives at the museum, and forces Starscream back to Decepticon base to be reprogrammed after releasing Sparkplug. If they insist to have Megatron release Sparkplug from Decepticon custody first, Blaster and Buster are powerless to stop Sparkplug from becoming a mind-controlled slave.

If Blaster and Buster decide to fetch Bumblebee, the trio quickly formulate a plan to rescue Sparkplug. Using his Electro-Scramblers at a key moment, Blaster causes Starscream to be the recipient of the Cerebro-Shell instead of Sparkplug, and then convinces the now easily influenced Decepticon to release Sparkplug and hold back Bombshell while Sparkplug, Buster, Blaster and Bumblebee happily ride back to Autobot headquarters.
{{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}
{{-}}

===Milton Bradley mini-comic===
Blaster was among the Autobots under [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s command who launched in the [[Ark (G1)|ark]] to clear a path through an asteroid belt. When the Decepticons attacked the ship, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] sent it crashing into [[Earth]], knocking everyone aboard offline. Four million years later, they were repaired when the ship's systems were reactivated by a volcanic eruption. {{storylink|The Transformers (Milton Bradley comic)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:WarAgainstDestructions blaster plays.jpg|thumb|left|That's right kids, this is what 3D used to look like.]]
When Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] returned from [[Tau-Ursa]] with a strange recording, Blaster was able to play it. The recording revealed the existence of the [[Destructon]]s, [[Logicon]]s, and the location of [[Metascan Alpha]], the Logicons' storehouse of [[Energon]]. At Optimus Prime's command, Blaster contacted Ultra Magnus at Metroplex on Earth to pass the information along. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
Blaster took orders from Optimus Prime as the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' launched. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:AgeofWrath2 AutobotResistance.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Steeljaw was in the bathroom.]]
Around 6.5 million years ago, Blaster was one of the high-ranking Autobots who helped Ultra Magnus reunify their fractured faction at the end of the [[Dark Ages]], suggesting that he may have been in charge of one of the various splinter groups that formed during those troubled times. Over the next half-a-million years, the reunited Autobots worked to usher in a new Golden Age, and were finally poised to sign a peace treaty with the Decepticons and [[Ultracon]]s until the long-missing Megatron returned to Cybertron, launching an attack in the middle of the treaty ceremony with his new [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]]. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} With this new army, Megatron ushered in an [[Age of Internment]], capturing nearly the entire Autobot army and putting them to work as slaves, extracting the very core of Cybertron itself. Blaster managed to evade capture, however, and together with Perceptor, assembled a small rebel cell hiding out in the subterranean chambers of [[Iacon Command]]. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

Seeking to capture one of Megatron's drones in order to learn more about Megatron's new [[Cloning|clone technology]], Blaster oversaw his unit on the mission from a distance, using his abilities to jam any emergency transmissions while [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and several other Autobots engaged the drone in battle long enough to attach an inhibitor claw, immobilizing it. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.3}}

{{Unreleased WW comic}}

Blaster and his team used an ancient map of Cybertron's depths to infiltrate Megatron's slave camp, only for them to be discovered by Megatron himself. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}} Blaster battled Megatron one-on-one, managing to use his sonic powers to briefly gain the upper hand, before losing a leg to the Decepticon leader. The sudden return of Grimlock, believed to have died during Megatron's first attack, gave the wounded Blaster the chance he needed to free the Autobot prisoners by deactivating their [[inhibitor claw]]s. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}} Blaster was badly damaged, losing a leg in his fight against Megatron. Perceptor, meanwhile, used the data gleaned from studying the captured drone to deactivate the neural network linking the entire squadron, ending the Age of Internment. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}

Blaster remained on Cybertron when the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left four million years ago, and eventually entered stasis along with the rest of the planet when it finally ran out of energy during the [[Great Shutdown]]. The planet was reawakened by Shockwave in roughly the Earth year 1000 BC, and the Autobots and Decepticons put aside their differences to begin rebuilding their world. [[File:PassiveAggression Blaster lovesEarth.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]] Suspecting that Shockwave had more sinister motives, Blaster was one of the first Autobots to join an underground resistance movement against him, using his communications skills to discover a subliminal code being pumped through the public address screens around the planet that was aggravating the violent tendencies of the entire population. Despite his feelings for Shockwave, Blaster still developed a strong taste for information from the Earth culture Shockwave was introducing to Cybertron, and even modified his alternate mode into an Earthly boom box. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

In the year [[2003]], when Shockwave's forces brought Optimus Prime and the crew of the Ark back to Cybertron to be tried as war criminals, double agents inside the United Cybertronian force delivered Prime and his crew to Blaster and the others at their headquarters in the [[Wastelands]]. With the help of Cybertron's greatest hero, the resistance movement began an open insurrection against Shockwave's loyal Decepticon forces and the [[Guardian robot]]s under his control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shockwave's regime fell, and the Autobots resumed command of Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:DividedFront1 bots found.jpg|thumb|Comfortable?]]
In the year [[1985]], Blaster and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] hastily took off for [[Earth]] in an starship poorly-suited for interstellar travel. Upon arrival, they unsurprisingly crashed, landing in the forests of [[Oregon]] near [[Mount St. Hilary]]. Their deactivated bodies were found by the forces of [[Cobra]] and bundled up to be airlifted out, but a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team led by [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] soon intervened. [[Blowtorch]] knocked the chopper carrying their bodies out of the air with his [[flamethrower]], and [[Barbecue]] extinguished the flames before the two Autobots could be consumed by the blaze. Blaster and Perceptor's bodies were then taken back to G.I. Joe headquarters. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}
{{note|Dreamwave's bankruptcy meant this story was never finished.}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:HeartsofSteel blaster.jpg|left|thumb|No, no, don't get up.]]
Blaster and his fellow Autobots fought the Decepticons on Earth in the distant past until an incoming ice age threatened to deactivate all the Transformers. Both sides went into hiding underground until the danger had passed, remaining in stasis until the mid-19th century. When they woke up, the war against the Decepticons started anew, though Blaster was not seen getting involved. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Blaster participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons, though he did not fare too well, already laying defeated on the battleground during the conflict's early stages.{{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Stormbringer issue 1|''Stormbringer'' #1]]}}

Blaster was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}} Before the war, he was a reporter for the [[Iaconian Newsfeed Service]], and reported live from the [[Nova Plaza]] after an assassination attempt on [[Nominus Prime]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory #2}} He took a brief respite from reporting to work for security control for Sentinel Prime's government. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

[[File:Broadcast BlastersMoment.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left]]
When the [[Decepticon]] dictatorship of Cybertron began, Blaster used his bad experiences with state-censored media to set up the [[Nexis]], a pirate news broadcast that dared speak the truth about the new government. [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] attempted to assassinate him, but were defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] who asked for Blaster's help to hack the Iaconian Newsfeed Service's headquarters and send a rallying call for additional support against the Decepticon tyranny. {{storylink|Broadcast}} After his efforts had led to the Decepticons being overthrown and replaced with Optimus Prime's Autobot government, Blaster went back to legal news broadcasting. From the Nexis, he reported on the disastrous explosion of the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]] and interviewed [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] about the [[Exodus (event)|mass exodus]] triggered by its destruction. {{storylink|Fallout (issue)|Fallout}} During the exodus he interviewed some of the disgruntled Cybertronians stranded at [[Starsreach Spaceport]], annoying [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s Autobots who thought the media attention just served to make things worse. {{storylink|Massacre}}

[[File:SpotlightBlaster the voice.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|right|''I'm gonna bust into your head through your cute lil' ears'' ''and blow your minds with my sexy voice and out-of-sight sounds!'']]
In the wake of the exodus and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage in [[Harmonex]], Blaster reported that the [[Conclave of Representatives]] was refusing to disclose how many Cybertronians had left the planet and that Harmonex had been closed off, calling the government's intentions into question once more. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}}

With the war going into full swing, Blaster joined Optimus Prime's Autobots, and initially served as a soldier who was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy four million years ago. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} Eventually, however, he returned to his broadcasting roots and became a patriotic radio personality, broadcasting propaganda across the galaxy to rally the Autobot forces as they struggled on the war's many battlefronts. Known as "The Voice" for his widespread positive influence, Blaster became the target of a Decepticon assassination attempt, this time to prevent him from making an important broadcast on the eve of a major Autobot offensive. Although the assassin failed, Blaster's wounded body was ejected into space, and he was believed dead by his faction.

[[File:SpotlightBlaster altmode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Blaster used to transform into a kaboombox.]]
Some time later, Blaster was found by a passing [[Yar|trawler]] and delivered home, where it was revealed that he had to have been attacked by an Autobot. In an effort to flush the traitor out, Blaster went back on the air. The attempt worked, and his would-be killer was revealed: [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], forced into the act by a mind-controlling [[cerebro-shell]] implanted by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] at the direction of [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. However, he was able to resist when Blaster used his greatest weapon: his voice. As a damaged Beachcomber was brought in for repairs, Blaster swore he'd find Soundwave and that the last thing he'd ever hear would be... the Voice. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[File:AHM15 blaster and kup.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|I dunno... sex appeal?]]
In the year that followed the defeat of [[Nova Prime]], Blaster was among the Autobots captured by the Decepticon [[Turmoil]], but was soon rescued by a team led by [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]]. All the other prisoners were members of the [[Wreckers]], suggesting Blaster may have joined the team at some point. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}} Blaster remained with Kup's team, and was serving as the communications officer for his ship, the ''[[Trion]]'', when a simultaneous galaxy-wide uprising was staged by the Decepticons. Distress signals came pouring in, but all went silent in short order, save for one from [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], so the crew of the ''Trion'' went to save the turbo-revvin' young punk from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The day was saved by [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]], although Blaster disapproved of the scientist's transformation into a warrior, saying he had "defiled himself". {{storylink|Lost & Found}}

Blaster and the others harried the Decepticon fleet until they were baited into an ambush above Cybertron. There, the ship was shot down and forced to crash-land on the assumed uninhabitable world. Banding together to survive, they eventually encountered Optimus Prime's unit, only to find him incapacitated, the Matrix having been seized by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} Blaster mingled with the other Autobots for a while, {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} before warning Kup about an incoming [[Insecticon swarm|swarm]] attack that forced them to relocate. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

[[File:AHM9 blaster breaks up argument.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.0|...kiss, damn it, my fanfic needs justification!]]
With morale still dwindling, Blaster attempted to put his famous voice to work by trying to break up a fight between Hot Rod and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] by injecting some reason, but was interrupted by [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]] telling them they all deserved to die. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} The Autobots were eventually saved when [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] decimated the swarm and carried them all to Earth, where they attacked Megatron and his troops. Blaster was ordered to block the Decepticons' communications, allowing the arrival of Omega Supreme to take them completely by surprise. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} He survived the great battle. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Blaster remained on Earth with the other Autobots for the next three years, as they regathered their forces. [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] radioed in to Blaster when Prowl got himself nabbed by [[Skywatch]], an event which led to the death of [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and the resignation of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Autobot leadership was split between Bumblebee and Hot Rod, and Blaster stayed with Bumblebee's group, which went on to form an alliance with [[Gordon Horiuchi]] of Skywatch. Blaster was among the Autobots who captured [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and other Decepticons for their new allies. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}} Unfortunately, Horiuchi betrayed the Autobots and forced them to hunt one of their own kind, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. Bumblebee managed to get free from Horiuchi's control, and so Blaster and the others stayed behind to cover for him as he sought a solution for their problems. {{storylink|The Impossible Knot}} They pretended to be making plans to hunt down Hot Rod while Bumblebee recovered the control tech Skywatch was using to keep them in line. {{storylink|The Gift Horse}} Bumblebee was successful, and Blaster was later present when Bumblebee unveiled his new, more powerful form, to better serve as Autobot leader. {{storylink|Wings of Wax}}

[[File:IntimateBeheading BRILLIANT.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
Following the end of the war, Blaster was one of the Autobots who joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in search of the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]] {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} and was one of the first people to use [[Swerve's]], being part of the grand secret opening. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} Much later, when the newly arrived [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] was on a rampage around the ship, Blaster hacked a security camera so the crew could see what he was doing when he holed himself up in [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s office. {{storylink|Interiors}} He was later instructed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to patch him in with Rodimus after the latter and some other crewmembers had been teleported to [[Theophany]]. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Blaster was among those invited to [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind's]] first attempt to awaken Rung from his coma with a storytelling session, but it didn't go so well thanks to [[Siren (G1)|Siren]]'s volume. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

[[File:UnderColdBlueStars-PipesBlasterWhirl.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Swerve needs to go on an Electro-Scrambler Quest.]]
One of Blaster's duties on the ''Lost Light'' was to repair the long-range [[unspace|subspace]] communicator so that the crew could contact Cybertron, and he was annoyed all the while by [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] who wanted to be the first to send a message. He thought he fixed it, but the message still couldn't get through as Swerve had the wrong hailing frequency. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}} Not that it would have mattered much, as Blaster went on to say that any attempt made with the subspace communicator to reach Cybertron met with failure. {{storylink|Signal to Noise}} Blaster reported to Rodimus when the ''Lost Light'' was contacted by the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]'' and [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]. {{storylink|Little Victories}} The subspace communicator still wasn't working properly, but this didn't stop [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] from leaving a message for [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] with Blaster while he was busy clearing a path through an asteroid belt with unwanted help from [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}}

Following the disappearance of an injured Ultra Magnus, Blaster used security footage to find out where he had gone, eventually leading the ''Lost Light'' to the lost moon [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]. Rodimus led a team to its surface, leaving Blaster and Fortress Maximus in charge, but they lost contact with the away team when the ship was attacked by [[Legislator]]s who blocked their transmissions. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Blaster took a blast to the chest early in the battle and had to be protected by Maximus, {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ámbus}} and the crew was ultimately overwhelmed by the Legislators. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} To make matters worse, when the insane Chief Justice [[Solomus|Tyrest]] activated his [[universal killswitch]] to eradicate the Transformers who were "constructed cold", Blaster was one of those affected. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}}

Following the Tyrest crisis, Blaster was one of the dozens of Autobots who helped clean and fix up the [[Swerve's|devastated bar]] so that Swerve could reopen it. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

Blaster was present on bridge when Ultra Magnus made the decision to search for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} The crew tracked the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] to the oceans of [[Hydrophena]] where they were attacked by [[Ammonite]]s, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} prompting Blaster to participate in the underwater battle. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Upon finding Metroplex, they used his [[space bridge]] to return the ''Lost Light'' to Cybertron, where they were reunited with the other Autobots. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} Once the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]] plaguing Cybertron was defeated, Blaster celebrated alongside the rest of the population. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} He went on to attend the trial of Megatron at [[Raskol Arena]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}}

[[File:TwentyPlusOne BlasterLostRodimus.jpg|upright=1.8|thumb|right]]
Blaster continued to serve aboard the ''Lost Light'' as it departed again under the command of a new captain—a reformed Megatron. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} Alongside the rest of the crew he evacuated the ship when it began mysteriously dematerializing piece by piece. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} Stuck on board the [[Rodpod]] alongside 20 other others, he took a message from Rodimus on the ''[[Leading Light]]'' to rendezvous at [[Ofsted XVII]]. All original crew members then began disappearing one by one as well, Blaster among them. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Fortunately, the new crew managed to reverse the quantum irregularity, and Blaster and the others quickly returned. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}

On a quantum-duplicated ''Lost Light'', its version of Blaster was executed along with the rest of the crew, save their Rewind. He was forced to transform into vehicle mode to keep his transformation cog fresh, which was harvested from his body by the [[Decepticon Justice Division|DJD]]. His corpse was found among a large collection of bodies in a room by [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}}

[[File:HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds-LostLightmutiny.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|Always [[Totaled!|first in line for mutiny.]]]]
Blaster gathered with most of the crew to hear Rodimus announce their rendezvous with the ''Vis Vitalis'' for the dying Thunderclash's "pre-wake". {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}} He later served as DJ for a dance party in Swerve's and accepted a song request from [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]. {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}} After a life-size [[holomatter]] projection of Earth appeared to be tailing the ''Lost Light'', Blaster attempted to make radio contact with it, only to hear a "catchy" song being played back to them. {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}} When [[Getaway]] set up his mutiny, Blaster agreed to be part of it. He 'discovered' the source of a signal that would lure Megatron, Rodimus, and their 'loyalists' off the ''Light'', and later stood with Getaway in a broadcast to emphasize how the crew had turned on their captains. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

[[File:FillingInTheBlanks GetawayFakeNews.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|right|Do one mutiny, get a second free.]]
During a team meeting regarding the [[Warren]], Blaster interrupted to report a distress signal came in from [[Frayus]], but was stunned when Getaway told him to respond that they couldn't assist. As Getaway and Thunderclash argued, Blaster and his teammates were horrified when a transmission from Rodimus revealed that Getaway had not only abandoned Rodimus's men to the mercies of the [[Galactic Council]], but to the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. With the command structure threatening to breakdown, Getaway had the mnemosurgeon [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] reprogram the memories of Blaster and the rest of the crew. They were coerced into believing that Rodimus and the others left of their own free will, abandoning the rest of the crew to find Cyberutopia faster on their own. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}

As the use of the Warren drew the ''Lost Light'' closer to Cyberutopia, Blaster was instructed by Getaway to change their course so that they could make a rendezvous with their new Head of Security. Soon after, Blaster happily reported to Getaway that they had finally arrived at Cyberutopia. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

[[File:ADanceBeforeDying BlasterSparkeater.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|"Hey folks, this is Blaster slaverin' at ya! ''Uhnnn, SPAAAAAAARKSSSSSSSS''..."]]
Everything collapsed, however, when they reached Cyberutopia. The promised land turned out to be a sham, and the ''Lost Light'' came under attack by the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]] and his [[Phantom Fleet]] of [[Worldsweeper]]s. Desperate to save his own skin, Getaway made a deal with the Architect to spare him in exchange for his help against Rodimus, who Getaway swore would try to stop the Grand Architect's plans. To that end, the Architect's ally [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was allowed to subject Blaster and the other Autobots to a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] virus, changing them into zombie-like minions with acid vomit, a thirst for sparks, and no will of their own. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}}

When Rodimus and the others ''did'' arrive on Cyberutopia, Blaster was dispatched with the first wave of Sparkeaters along with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]], [[Hound (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hound]] and [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] to "greet" their friends. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Blaster and the Sparkeaters threatened Rodimus and his growing collection of allies as they opposed the Grand Architect's forces. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} Eventually, First Aid discovered a form of concussive medicine that would transmit a kinetic program code to eliminate the Sparkeater virus. Blaster and the others were incapacitated, but seemingly cured of their infection. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} After Rodimus reclaimed the ''Lost Light'', he had Blaster and his ailing crew brought aboard for Ratchet and First Aid to continue treating as they confronted the Grand Architect. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

After the crisis was over, Blaster joined the rest of the crew for one last "victory lap" aboard the ''Lost Light''. As the crew prepared to quantum jump home, the science team proposed the risky gamble of recreating the malfunctioning launch, thereby quantum duplicating themselves before then shunting the duplicates into a parallel universe to ensure that the Lost Light's adventures would never truly end. Rodimus put the notion to a vote, and the crew agreed to attempt it.

After returning to Cybertron and years in the future, Blaster was one of the attendees at Ratchet's funeral. He led the grieving Hound away after the service had concluded.

Unaware to everyone, in some distant corner of the multiverse, the duplicate ''Lost Light'' with its version of Blaster had successfully materialized. Blaster excitedly reported that the navigation computers had no idea where they were, and everyone got ready to set sail for an infinity of new adventures. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
{{voiceactor|[[Buster Jones]] (English)}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Bee in the City 2: Electric Bugaloo}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Blaster Kreon.JPG|thumb]]
Blaster was seemingly escorting [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] at the inauguration of [[Metroplex (G1)|Autobot City]], as he was holding her hand. {{Storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

Some time later, when [[Soundwave (G1)#Kre-O online manga|Soundwave]] tried to use his clones to brainwash humans, Blaster arrived alongside [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus]] and [[Jazz (G1)#Kre-O online manga|Jazz]] to stop him. Blaster turned to tape deck mode to help the Autobots in the battle of opposing sounds, and later (in a different blue coloration) played music at the ensuing hanami. {{Storylink|Soundwave's Trap? Stop Operation Brainwash Humanity!}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:FormFollowsFunction-Blaster.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Blaster was a freedom fighter on a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron. He was one of the many thorns in Megatron's side that continuously evaded capture.

Enraged that the once great [[Hot Rod (G1)|Imhotep Rodimus]] was one of the many Autobots that had succumbed to Megatron's will, Blaster set out to confront his fellow Autobot at the planet's north pole. There, he berated and blasted Rodimus for his fall from grace. Rodimus retaliated and during the firefight, [[G.I.Rocket]]s began to rain down around them. One of the rockets' blasts caused debris to fall atop of Blaster, knocking him out. Rather than allow his friend to be captured by the Decepticons, Rodimus abandoned his post and hauled Blaster away. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} Rodimus brought Blaster to Ratchet for repairs before seizing leadership of the Autobots from [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

During the combined Autobot-Joe attack on the Decepticon army, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had Blaster deactivate [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s force shield by using his altmode to emit a sonic signal imbued with the shield's codes. Blaster then joined the battle by releasing his [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Recordobots]] against [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] lamented that all the great and famous Cybertronians, including his mentor Blaster, were long gone by the time Cybertron was controlled by the [[Builder Assembly]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
[[File:TPotTM BlasterStripesRewind.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right]]
When the [[Titan Master]]s joined the Autobot-Decepticon war, Blaster was partnered with the Titan Master [[Twin Cast]], the bot with the universe's most advanced cryptographic abilities. {{storylink|Blaster (G1)/toys#TitansReturn|''Titans Return'' Twin Cast/Blaster toy bio}} On the planet [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Blaster, Stripes, and Rewind pursued [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullsmasher]], [[Grax]], and [[Horri-Bull|Rot-Gut]] through the streets. They were ultimately forced to break off when Rot-Gut and Skullsmasher combined, allowing Skullsmasher to deploy a cloud of armor-eating rust and make good their escape. Blaster was later seen fighting off Soundwave's all-out attack on Cybertron. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}}

{{--}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
[[File:WinIfYouDare-Blaster.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Blaster was playing music outside the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] returned from a test drive, part of Ratchet's experimental "music therapy" program. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}

{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The Change In Your Nature Part Five|''Transformers'' #17]]}}

[[File:WarWorldHunt-Blaster.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Blaster worked with [[Playback (G1)|Playback]] and [[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]] at the [[Titan Net]] primary hub in Iacon. When members of [[The Rise]] hacked their network to upload a powerful [[data-bomb]], Blaster and his crew found that the virus left them unable to awaken any of the dormant [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s in Cybertron's orbit, and powerless to prevent the rogue Titan [[Vigilem]] from approaching the [[Winged Moon]]. With no other options, Blaster contacted [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] and her Titan [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], who had only recently returned from beyond Cybertronian space and hadn't yet linked with the Titan Net, and ordered her to stop Vigilem by any means necessary.{{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}}

Despite their best efforts, the pair weren't able to stop Vigilem from severing the great [[Tether]] that connected the Winged Moon to Cybertron. Blaster and his crew did their best to re-establish a link with the Titans; despite receiving assistance from [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]], and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} they weren't able to repair the Titan Net before Megatron staged a coup, overthrew the [[Senate]], and killed [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] inherited the Matrix to become Optimus Prime, Blaster attended his first speech. {{storylink|War World: Awakenings}} Not long afterwards, the triumphant Decepticons moved to seize control of Iacon's infrastructure by planting loyalists in positions of power, and as a result [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]], and [[Sparkstalker]] took control of the Titan Net building and ousted Blaster and his crew. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}}

Blaster followed Optimus Prime and his followers when they abandoned Iacon entirely and decamped to [[Crystal City]]. There, Blaster received a proper [[Autobot]] insignia as part of a ceremony commemorating the rebirth of the Autobot faction. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} However, when the Decepticons turned their sights on Crystal City, Blaster and a number of other scientists and engineers retreated to [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Radical Time}} There, Blaster helped [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] engineer a data-bomb that would disrupt the Insecticon neural network long enough for [[Termagax]] to transmit new instructions to the swarming [[Insecticon clone]]s and call off their rampage. {{storylink|End of Time}}

{{--}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:GodNeptuneComic1-Twincast.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Video killed the radio star.]]

A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling Twincast was a member of the [[Blue Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. When the traitorous [[Straxus (G1)#Precursor World|Straxus twins]] unleashed a rage virus to destroy the corps from within, he was slain in the ensuing brawl. Vanguard leader [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] later loaded the Warrior's lingering [[spark]]s into his [[Golden Noah]] in an attempt to ferry their souls to the [[G1 World|next world]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 1}} Unfortunately, this did not work. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
[[File:GoGo13-Blaster.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]

Blaster was freestyling with the other Autobots when he encountered his old foe [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] came up with the idea of having the equally matched rivals settle their differences through a rap battle, where they eventually admitted their grudging respect for one another. However, the two soon went back to brawling when each accused the other of screwing up their conciliatory high five. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 13}}

One evening, Blaster invited Bumblebee to come outside and play, but Bumblebee had too much homework to do. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 14}} Blaster and Eject took part in a snowball fight until Wheeljack's snowball-throwing robot went haywire. Jazz and Blaster provided covering fire so that Bumblebee could close the distance and switch off the machine, and that night the Autobots used the excess snow to construct an igloo where they could relax. {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 18}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Go! Go! Extra Volume|Extra Volume}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 39}} {{storylink|The Transformers Go! Go! Search Quiz is Here!|Search Quiz}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 46}}}}

{{ongoing}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Blaster wielding gun.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Tell my electro-scrambler I love her!"]]
During a battle on Cybertron, Blaster was shot in the chest. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}} He was one of the many Autobots who joined Optimus Prime on the Ark and was knocked into stasis lock when it crashed onto Earth. He was brought back online after the Autobot gained a donation of Energon from the U.S. military. Shortly afterward, he was seen training with Sideswipe and Ultra Magnus in a sparring session where Ultra Magnus grabbed him and threw him at Sideswipe. As he picked himself up, Blaster muttered that he had walked right into that one. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 27|Transformers #27}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Blaster allowed himself to be found by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] in his radio mode. The device caught Rumble's eye, and he decided to bring Blaster back to the Decepticons' headquarters. Soundwave wasn't as easily duped, and recognized Blaster as an Autobot intruder immediately upon seeing him. Blaster then had to contend with fending off [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Blaster|Blaster commercial}}
*When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] led a squad of Decepticons on an attack on the Autobots' launch site, Blaster informed [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] was off-planet, and so couldn't come to their aid. He stayed behind as Ultra Magnus carried several Autobots into battle to counter-attack. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus commercial}}
*Blaster, Cosmos, and Perceptor had a dance-off against Soundwave, Rumble, and Frenzy. {{storylink|Blaster VS Soundwave 2013}}

==Games==
===''Transformers G1: Awakening''===
[[File:Gluawakening blaster.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Blaster was among the Autobots who left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and spent four million years in stasis after it was shot down over Earth by the Decepticons. Though Ratchet soon had him fixed up, the Autobots lacked the [[energon]] that he needed to get operational. They had gathered enough by the time the Autobots were preparing to assault the Decepticon fortress on Cybertron to free their enslaved fellows, and Blaster took part in the operation to take out the fortress's main power plants. {{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
When the Decepticons seemed to be having a run of luck, Blaster and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] found this pattern so suspicious that they teamed up with [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to investigate. They eventually uncovered [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s infiltration and sent the Decepticon and his tapes packing. {{storylink|Covert Operations (Legends)|Covert Operations}} Concerned that the Decepticons might be after the technology at a scientific facility, Blaster and his tapes infiltrated the base only to find that Soundwave was already concealed inside and after the tech. {{storylink|Espionage}} Returning from a charity event, Blaster, Windcharger and Cliffjumper received a distress signal from a nearby human military base. Leading the charge, Blaster found a Decepticon raiding party scouring the base for the [[MacGuffin Generator]]. The Autobots fought the Decepticons to a stalemate until the evil robots managed to acquire the device. It proved more volatile than they expected however, and Blaster and his team helped rebuild the base after the Decepticons were blown away by the generator. {{storylink|Raiding Party}}

Blaster was among the Autobots who fought the Decepticons after they joined forces with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
[[File:Blaster-Bird.jpg|thumb|300px]]
{{main|Bubbles#As Blaster}}

On an [[AllSpark|Eggspark]]-altered [[Piggy Island]], Blaster found himself fused with [[Bubbles]] of the [[Flock]], turning them into an [[Autobird]] that transforms into a van-like thing. Bubbles-Blaster launches a rapid-fire stream of sonic blasts that pack incredible punch and have a wide "splash damage" range, especially when paired up with his [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|cassette]] partners.

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Accessory'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Rosanna (AB)|Rosanna]]
|Head
|Epic
|5 Epic Crystals + 60,000 Coins
| +20% Explosive Force
|
|-
|Headphones
|Head
|Uncommon
|5 Uncommon Crystals + 8,000 Coins
| +10% Damage
|
|-
|Baseball Cap
|Head
|Common
|5 Common Crystals + 2,500 Coins
| +10% Vehicle Time
|
|-
|Santa Hat
|Head
|Uncommon
|5 Uncommon Crystals + 8,000 Coins
| +10% Defense
| Holiday Event exclusive
|-
|Festive Deely Bopper
|Head
|Rare
|5 Rare Crystals + 20,000 Coins
| +20% Damage
| Holiday Event exclusive
|-
|Snowman
|Head
|Rare
|5 Rare Crystals + 20,000 Coins
| +20% Damage
| Holiday Event exclusive
|-
|Lion Hat
|Head
|Epic
|5 Epic Crystals + 60,000 Coins
| +16% Defense
|Chinese New Year exclusive
|-
|[[Stripes]]
|Chest
|Epic
|5 Epic Crystals + 60,000 Coins
| +40% Faster Reload
|
|-
|[[Sundor]]
|Arms
|Rare
|5 Rare Crystals + 20,000 Coins
| +20% Damage
|
|}
</center>

[[File:Blaster accessory.jpeg|thumb|200px|But I'm already a [[Bubbles#As Blaster|character]] in the game!]]

Blaster is also an "Accessory" character, giving Autobirds he's attached to an increase to their EMP Rounds (probably due to his groovy, well-tuned personality). This bonus can be increased with level upgrades, won from random-prize Crates or in the "[[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower" mini-game.

He can be unlocked by purchasing him with Gems in the Barracks, with Tokens during specific [[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)/Challenge Events|Challenge Events]], or won from Crates and [[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="15%" | '''Autobird'''
! scope="col" width="8%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Gem Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[Red (AB)#As Blurr|Blurr]]
|Arms
|650
| EMP Rounds
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|Among the random Movie quotes a random bot says are: Two can Play! Sic' em! Don't know how much longer we can hold out. We're all going to look like burnt-out toaster ovens.]]
Blaster participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character who first appeared in the "Sonic Clash" event, and could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal,100 event cores, and 50 cores of this character. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Blaster-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Yo dawg! Let's build this base before the Cons show up!]]

Loud, proud and in-your-face, Blaster has a zest for life and an unquenchable appetite for action.
The louder and more intense it gets, the more it sparks his circuits.
The opposite of sneaky, he prefers to make his presence known, literally assaulting his enemies with sound and fury.
But his special passion is good old fashioned rock 'n' roll, and his ability to monitor multiple frequencies and channels has exposed him to a wide variety of music. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Blaster Bio}}

Blaster was in contact with Ironhide and Jetfire after the latter two and an ally raided a Decepticon outpost. Blaster suggested it would be great if they upgraded the HQ.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

Blaster then helped out in the many other battles that the Autobots participated in.

*'''Class:''': Special (Deployer)
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Weapons:''' Blaster uses a standard issue Photon blaster used by Jetfire and the Aerobots.
*'''Ability: Deploy Minions:''' Deploy Eject, Rewind, Steeljaw, and Ramhorn to attack targets! All have unique attacks.
**'''Cost''': 3 ability points +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:blaster Blaster at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

Blaster is one of two characters that has a unique ending victory pose, in which Blaster has a chance to perform a handstand, and then start break dancing.

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:ForgedToFight-Blaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Impossible! Our laserfire is only making him '''stronger!'''"]]
In a surprising twist, Blaster isn't a clone of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], instead having his own unique animations and abilities. He fights using buffed-up energy attacks and his cassette allies, and, when awakened, can heal himself when struck with the enemy's ranged laser attacks.
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Blaster was head of Autobot communications and a master of sonic warfare. In his off-time, he was something of a party animal, and this laid-back approach to life has bled back into his career as a soldier. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game|Transformers Roleplaying Game bonus material}}

Blaster and his Mini-Cassettes were deployed to an abandoned railyard in [[Colorado]] to guard a shipment of [[energon cube]]s while [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] drew the attention of the Decepticons. However, their ruse failed; the Decepticons tracked the [[Union Pacific]] train back to its point of origin, and in the ensuing battle [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and his comrades defeated Blaster and stole the energon. {{storylink|The Great Energon Robbery}}

==Toys==
{{main|Blaster (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Blaster (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:MicroChangeRadiCassRobo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*Blaster had the preliminary names of '''Pulse'''<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/index.php?full=1&set_albumName=BotCon_2010_Sat_Panels&id=DSC05237&option=com_gallery&Itemid=4&include=view_photo.php Bob Budiansky's notes at BotCon 2010]</ref> and '''Blastbox'''.<ref>[[Production bible]] of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]</ref>
*Blaster began life as the ''[[Micro Change]]'' "Radi-Casse Robo" ("radio-cassette", you see), which was actually a functional AM radio. Though this feature was gutted from Blaster when he was released as part of the ''Transformers'' toyline, the original toy's power switch (on his right leg), earphone jack (on the back of his left leg) and tuning dial (on his chest) still remain, now as moulded, non-moving details. Even the toy's electro-scrambler gun is designed to serve as storage for the mono earphone which came with the toy, with the plug inserting into the stock, the cord winding around it, and the earphone itself tucking into the hole in the gun's main body. It was not the toy itself which was the radio; rather, the radio was a small "micro-cassette" which plugged into the toy's internal wiring when inserted into its chest, allowing it to play through the speakers in its legs in either mode. As the electronic equipment in the chest meant that the figure could not hold normal ''Micro Change'' cassettes there, it featured a compartment on its back which could hold a single tape instead. This compartment could still be found on some early releases of Blaster, though it was often mistaken by fans as a vestigial battery compartment, which was actually originally located in the toy's right leg.
*Blaster's finalized [[character model]] was apparently not available to artist [[Don Perlin]] when he first drew Blaster in the Marvel Comic. While the final model—used in the Generation 1 cartoon, the UK Marvel comics and ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''—gives Blaster a set of individual eyes, Perlin's interpretation of the toy reference material he had to work with saw him draw Blaster with a goggled visor. Perlin's visored head design would be used throughout the Marvel run, until the last few issues, when UK artists who had taken over drawing the book rendered Blaster with his finalized model's head. [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] rationalized this discrepancy early on in the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] of [[Hunters|UK issue #118]] by explaining that Blaster's visor is retractable, and used to shield his especially delicate optical sensors from sunlight. Less explainable was [[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]'s color choice for the comic version of Blaster: a red forehead and yellow face, a combination never used on a toy or in the cartoon.
**[[IDW Publishing]] tried for a hybridized look, giving Blaster an odd-looking "moustache" that was promptly discarded from his design after his introductory [[Spotlight: Blaster|''Spotlight'' issue]].
[[File:TFUK300 letterspage.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*In an odd quirk of design, Blaster's character model breaks the row of buttons on his abdomen up into three buttons in [[robot mode]], but four in [[alternate mode]]. It's a product of the way his toy is made: it's got three separate button-chunks, like his robot mode model, but the centre chunk is two buttons sculpted together, so he's actually ''got'' four, like his alternate mode model. This was most evident in the cartoon; in the comic, as you can see from some of the pictures above, they'd often basically draw as many as they felt like.
*Blaster hosted the Marvel UK comic's letters page for the final 33 issues (from [[Rhythms of Darkness!|issue #300]] to [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #332]]), to tie in with his Action Master toy. Here, the letters page was dubbed "Darn 'n' Blast", replacing [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind's]] "Dread Tidings", despite Dreadwind's holing himself up in the Marvel offices. The Decepticon finally left after a visit by three Christmas spirits, [[Ghost of the present|one of whom]] took on the appearance of Blaster. {{storylink|Dreadwind's Xmas!}} Blaster complained that Dreadwind had decorated the office in all purple and orange with a solitary picture of a dog with sad eyes. His characterization in the letters page is more in line with his fun-loving, hip and happening self from the cartoon than the rather grim, brooding, rebellious badass seen in the comics. He arrived on the letters page in advance of his resurrection in the comics itself, which did not occur until [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #321]]. He was explicitly identified as being a non-transformer Action Master, though his partner [[Flight Pack]] did not appear.
*According to Blaster himself on the UK letters page, he has two [[Relatives|siblings]]: [[Toaster]] and [[Karmen]]. And then there's [[Bluster]], his retroactively-created and less-seen brother.
*Since the release of ''Universe'' Blaster, there seems to be an attempt on the part of tech spec writers to balance Marvel's dark and brooding portrayal of Blaster with the rock 'n' roll loving version from the original US cartoon. The ''Universe'' write-up has Blaster organizing resistance cells with Perceptor (with NO mention of his musical interests), recalling the storyline in US comic #17-18. The 2010 San Diego Comic Convention release of the figure not only mentions Blaster's love of music ("Any music, from Cybertronian magna marches to down and dirty [[Washington, D.C.|D.C.]] hardcore"), it references "his hatred of the Decepticons", because "the war they started killed the music scene (and most of the musicians) on Cybertron"—combining Blaster's varying personalities from these two continuities into one.
**This also means Blaster is a fan of Bad Brains and Minor Threat. That rules '''so hard.'''

===Foreign names===
====Blaster====
*''Japanese:'' '''Broadcast''' (ブロードキャスト ''Burōdokyasuto''), '''Broadblast''' (ブロードブラスト ''Burōdoburasuto''), '''Blaster''' (ブラスター ''Burasutā'')
*''English:'' '''Billy''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Czech:'' '''Reprák''' (Supermax dub, "Speaker")
*''French:'' '''Tempo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Össztűz''' ("Bombardment"), '''Lőmester''' ("Demolitions-Expert", alternate name used occasionally in the Marvel comics)
*''Italian:'' '''Radiorobot''', '''Audiobot''' (''The Headmasters'')
*''Korean:'' '''Blaster''' (블래스터 ''Beullaeseuteo'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Lùyīnjī''' (China, 录音机, "Recorder"), '''Shuāng Lǚdài''' (''The Headmasters'', 双履带, "Double Pedrail")
*''Polish:'' '''Łoskot''' ("Rumble", sic!; in some episodes of cartoon)
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rajada''' (Portugal comic, "Gust"), '''Dinamitador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bluster''' ("Бластер", "Blaster", ''Transformers''), '''Billy''' ("Билли", ''The Headmasters'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Bill''' (America, ''The Headmasters''), '''Plato''' (America, ''The Headmasters'')

====Twincast====
*''Japanese:'' '''Twincast''' (ツインキャスト ''Tsuinkyasto'')
*''English:'' '''Blaster''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Italian:'' '''Digital'''
*''Spanish:'' '''Platon'''
*''Russian:'' '''Blaster''' (Бластер)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Blaster''' (Бластер)

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:IDW-AHM-Blaster-Guidi.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Autobirds]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Blue Order]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combat Colin characters]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Earthforce]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass refugees]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]

Transformers (2023) issue 27

2025-12-10T18:41:24Z

Tomhur: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #27
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 26
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 28
|image=Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 10]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=December 2025
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Dan Mora]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''With Teletraan back up and running, the long-dormant Autobots are reawakening and have to adjust to this new world... and their new teammates!'''

==Synopsis==
With [[Teletraan I]] repaired, the [[Autobot]]s have begun repairing more of their fallen warriors. However, some such as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] are still far beyond repair. Outside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] talk about taking some time to repair themselves with a dinner away from the whirlwind of action their lives have been lately with the [[Transformer]]s. However, their conversation is interrupted by [[General Flagg]], who attempts to apologize to Carly for capturing and interrogating her, but is halted by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Magnus tells Flagg that it is only out of appreciation for his recent aid that Magnus hasn't told [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] about his capture and torture at Flagg's hands. However, Flagg defends his actions as the necessary precautions to defend his people against a hostile alien threat, ending with a veiled threat that Optimus Prime would understand. Magnus is left speechless.

At the [[Hoover Dam]], the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s cause terror, blasting at fleeing humans while [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] siphons their electricity into [[Energon]] cubes. Suddenly, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleports in and joins them in their carnage.

Optimus Prime sits with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], who contemplates the cruelty with which his fellow [[Decepticon]]s have conducted themselves. Prime is heartened to know that Thundercracker shares his distaste for how their violence affects the innocents of [[Earth]], and admits that even the Autobots sometimes see the planet as beneath them. Thundercracker agrees, saying he would choose Skywarp over the humans, a mindset Prime does not begrudge.

At the [[Shadow Watch]] Underground Base, General Flagg meets with [[Miles Mayhem]], asking if Mayhem got everything he needs to complete his “little project” from the Transformers. Mayhem is indignant at this assessment, blustering that his technology is far more advanced than anything else on the planet, all thanks to ''his'' brilliance. When Flagg reminds him that [[Matt Trakker]] helped him with the project, Mayhem attacks him. However, Flagg easily dispenses with him, and due to the fact that Mayhem hasn't produced a single prototype, he sees no reason to keep him around as Director of Shadow Watch, ordering a group of soldiers to arrest him.

Back on the Ark, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] pleads with Optimus to let himself get repaired, but Prime continues to put the needs of others before himself, suggesting they begin searching for the rest of the Autobots thrown from the Ark when it crashed. He also considers repairing the remaining Decepticons, but Thundercracker objects, fearing the harm that would come from his reawakened brothers and sisters. Outside, Ultra Magnus meets with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and confesses to her that, after everything that has happened to him, he wishes to pass the title of Magnus to her. Inside, with Thundercracker having now replaced his Decepticon insignia with an Autobrand, the fully-repaired Optimus Prime tells his Autobots that they have a new mission: ridding the planet of all Decepticons once and for all!

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] sneaks through Decepticon territory with a handful of recovered pieces of equipment. However, while he can avoid the patrols of Decepticons on foot, he has no idea that his every movement is being watched from above… by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], whose mangled body is fused to one of the towers!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (2)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (5)
* [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (20)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (24)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (25)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (26)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (27)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (28)

|c2=
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (11)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (14)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (15)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (16)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (21)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (22)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (23)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (29)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (30)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (8)
* [[General Flagg]] (9)
* [[Miles Mayhem]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"There are those who see my actions on this world as folly. Even they, though good of heart, see this world as '''beneath''' us. '''Unworthy''' of our notice." 
"Is it okay to admit there’s a part of me that agrees with them? If I had to choose between Skywarp and a hundred of the humans, I would choose Skywarp. But that doesn’t mean I '''want''' them to die."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Thundercracker'''

"Man! You spend a few million years out cold and the standards sure do change around here! What’s next? [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] joining up?"
:—'''Bulkhead''', upon seeing Thundercracker with the Autobrand

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Brawn and Blaster both had hi-and-bye cameos earlier in the series before appearing revived here (in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issues #2]] [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|and #5]], respectively).
* Jetfire has been fully repaired after being near-fatally wounded by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]] and revived but mode locked in [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|issue #8]].
* Jetfire remarks that there was good in Starscream once, something we saw - along with their friendship - in the flashbacks of [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|issues #13]] and [[Transformers (2023) issue 14|#14]].
* Carly and Ultra Magnus were captured by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|/Shadow Watch in [[Transformers (2023) issue 18|issue #18]].
* As Optimus and Thundercracker talk, we see a fully grown buck in a callback to the infamous deer scene from issue #2.
* Ratchet and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] are the two who have been most critical towards Optimus for his prioritizing of Earth and the humans.
* General Flagg namedrops [[Matt Trakker]] as having worked with Mayhem on his "[[M.A.S.K.|little project]]". Readers were introduced to Trakker in [[G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story|the ''G.I. Joe'' segment]] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]'', wherein he alluded to being on the run and involved in a dangerous secret project and showed awareness of the Transformers.
* Ultra Magnus has been dealing with post-traumatic stress ever since his capture and torture at the hands of Shockwave, as seen in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]].
* Wheeljack says that they've revived everyone who was accounted for in the ship, and that any other missing Autobots are expected to have been thrown from the ship when the Ark crashed. One of those Autobots his [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], who has been keeping busy in the pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''.
* Shockwave was believed dead when Optimus Prime crushed his head with his bare hands in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]]. It seems he wasn’t quite as dead as believed, but his body and head are still in a state of disrepair.

===Transformers references===
* The technicians at the Hoover Dam are wearing yellow hardhats resembling the dock workers from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]].
* This issue reveals that the "Magnus" part of Ultra Magnus's name is actually a title. While typically "Ultra Magnus" is simply the character's name, there have been instances where this is not the case. ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' used "[[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]]" as the highest rank within the Autobots above [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a subversion of the usual pattern. The [[2005 IDW continuity]] featured "[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]" as a pseudonym used by a variety of Autobot lawmen after the originator of the name (for whom it was simply his given name) was killed.
* Among the deactivated Decepticons in the Ark are classic Decepticons Blitzwing, Dirge (officially completing the appearances of the [[Conehead]]s in the Energon Universe), and female [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] Slipstream, a character who – like Bulkhead – began life in ''Transformers: Animated'' before making the jump to other iterations.
* While watching Thundercracker display his new Autobots symbols, Bulkhead makes an offhand joking comment, wondering about who's next to join them. Megatron? An obvious reference to [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|the time Megatron ''did'' join the Autobots]].

===Real life references===
* The Hoover Dam is a real location that has appeared in Transformers fiction before, most notably in the [[2007]] ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' film, as well as the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers]]'' issue "[[Aerialbots over America!]]"

===Other notes===
* Miles says that his full name is "Miles McKane Mayhem."
* Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Executive Editor Ben Abernathy.
** '''Character Spotlight:''' Brawn
** '''Oh, Deer:''' Callback to the deer scene from issue #2.
** '''Creator Spotlight:''' Ben asks Robert Kirkman what his alt-mode would be. Kirkman would love to turn into a jet or spacecraft and fly around, but would probably actually turn into a keyboard or couch. Or his bed.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Soundwave, by [[David Nakayama]]
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus and Thundercracker sit together as the sun sets, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover, by [[Jorge Corona]] and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover D:''' Thundercracker wears his new Autobot insignias, by [[Lorenzo de Felici].
* '''Cover E:''' Design for Soundwave, by Dan Mora and [[Andres Juarez]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 27 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisement===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 16|#16]] and [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 17|#17]] and ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 25|#25]].
* 3-page preview of the Quintesson War comeing to ''Void Rivals'' #25!

===Reprints===

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Carnage in C-Minor

2025-12-09T03:59:35Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=82
|ep2=14
|prev2=Surprise Party
|next2=Fight or Flee (episode)
|image=Carnage C-Minor Autobots harmonic attack.JPG
|caption=[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime|Hey, what is that awful noise? Okay, let me straighten him out!]]
|title="Carnage in C-Minor"
|season=3
|season ep=17
|production code=700-102
|airdate=[[October 14]], 1986
|written by=[[Buzz Dixon]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm4ZFBIV4gM
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Several Autobots and Decepticons battle over a planet whose civilization revolves around music and whose inhabitants can use sound as a powerful weapon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Broadsidecrushesdevastator.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Die, Atlas!]]
The [[Decepticon]]s are building engines into the side of a comet in order to alter its course and crash it on top of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. As they fire up the engines, a group of [[Autobot]]s close in, led there by [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]. The Autobots attack, much to [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s dismay. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], who is promptly flattened when [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] drops on him in ship mode. In the ensuing battle, the engines are destroyed, and the comet is sent hurtling towards a small planet, which Perceptor reports is inhabited.

The Autobots attempt unsuccessfully to stop the comet before Galvatron again orders his men to engage their foe. While Galvatron and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] are grappling, waves of [[Harmony|sound energy]] destroy the comet and cause both groups of Transformers to plummet to the planet's surface. In a nearby city, three aliens are having a disagreement. One of them, [[Allegra]], storms out, saying that she's going to her retreat.

The Transformers recover from their crash, wondering what hit them. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] describes it as the most perfect harmony ever, but Galvatron is more interested in its destructive power. Broadside breaks up the discussion by punching Galvatron, and the fight resumes. As the Constructicons form Devastator again, Perceptor blows the giant apart with one shot from his cannon. Galvatron and Soundwave depart in search of the source of the harmony they heard earlier, but Ultra Magnus spots them leaving and takes Broadside and [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] in pursuit. Perceptor reflects that unless the trio are swift, there might not be much of them left.

[[File:Carnage CMinor Blaster Magnus Basso.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"I now pronounce you bot and wife. You may kiss the bride."]]

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

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

[[File:Carnage CMinor Galvatron Soundwave Allegra.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Galvatron loved going to the opera. He always showed his appreciation by blowing the theater to kingdom come afterwards.]]

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

[[File:Carnage CMinor Allegra Zebop.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Alas, poor Zebop. We knew him we- Wait. No, we didn't.]]

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

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

[[File:Carnage CMinor Soundwave harmony.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Soundwave finds himself too big to fly through the rings in the Training Stage.]]

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

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

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (9)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (10)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (11)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (12)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (13)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (15)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (16)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (17)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (18)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (22)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (23)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (24)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (25)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (26)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (27)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (28)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (29)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (30)
*[[Scamper]] (31)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (32)

|c2=
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (1)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (4)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (5)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (6)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] (14)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (15)

|c4=
*[[Basso Profundo]] (19)
*[[Allegra]] (20)
*[[Zebop Skandana]] (21)
*[[Eurythman communicator]] (22)
}}

==Quotes==
"What was that?!" 
"That was heaven. The purest, most vibrant, most perfect harmony I've ever heard."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Soundwave''' wonder what hit them, to the latter's monotoned enjoyment.

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

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

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

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

==Notes==
"Carnage in C-Minor" is perhaps the most famously error-laden episode in the series, and a regular contender among fans for "worst G1 episode". Even by the cartoon's own low standards, the art and animation are of poor quality, while the sheer volume of animation errors — many of them glaringly obvious — is almost unmatched. Add to that the irritating sing-song speech and shrilly modulated voices of the alien protagonists, and you've got an episode that is pretty widely loathed. Despite all this, the actual script and plot are certainly not the weakest to grace the cartoon series — certainly not at level of, say, "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]".

===Real-world references===
*Galvatron's plan to smash Metroplex with a comet is based on the popular sci-fi idea of "kinetic bombardment". The trope would see use in [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|an issue of]] IDW's 2010 ongoing series.
*The Decepticons are said to be working in an Oort cloud, referring to the swarm of comets and proto-planet stuff believed to be orbiting the sun far beyond Pluto (not ''the'' Oort cloud, however, since it's close to the alien planet Eurythma — which raises the question of why the Decepticons didn't pick a comet in Earth's own solar system instead.)
*The Eurythman characters' names are all music-related puns. Allegra is named after either the Italian operetta and opera composer {{w|Salvatore Allegra}} or {{w|Tempo#Italian tempo markings|Italian tempo marking "allegro"}}, while Basso Profundo is derived from the singing style {{w|Bass (voice type)|basso prof'''o'''ndo}}. While these are all related to classical music, Zebop Skandana is named after popular music guitarist {{w|Carlos Santana}} and his 1981 album {{w|Zebop!}}... and the difference shows.
*Eurythma was possibly named after the popular '80s band The {{w|Eurythmics}}.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as Broadside takes off after the Decepticons.
**[[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] whine and [[Death Star]] superlaser as Galvatron and Soundwave take off after burying the Autobots, again as the Autobots pursue them back to the city, and again as the Decepticons depart for Earth.

===Animation or technical glitches===
[[File:Carnage CMinor Allegra Zebop.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|This episode ensured that no kid would ever, ever, ever want Broadside's toy.]]
*Like much of Season 3, this episode was animated by AKOM, using their usual incorrect character models:
**Galvatron is consistently colored using an outdated color model that gives him pale purple "underpants".
**Throughout the entire episode, Broadside is drawn using [[:File:Broadsidecharactermodels.jpg|his pre-final robot and jet mode]] [[character model]]s. On the other hand, his aircraft carrier mode is actually that of his final model colored like the pre-final version with a purple Autobot insignia.
**Soundwave's head crest is supposed to be the same blue as his body, but its lines and/or triangle randomly turn grey throughout the episode. His back piece is also grey when it should be blue, and his hands are colored black instead of blue.
**Magnus's gun is blue instead of white. Remarkably, he doesn't have a colored mouth like AKOM gives him in so many other episodes.
*Other episode-wide errors:
**The Transformation sound effects are frequently cut off.
**Soundwave's face plate doesn't move when he speaks for most of this episode.
**The harmony's effects are rarely consistent from scene to scene. Sometimes it's a ray or beam; other times it's a whispy wave or radiating circle of light. Sometimes it's actually sung; other times it's shown as a sort of telepathic ray. When Galvatron attacks the Autobots with it at the running battle, it's a green woobery line moving backwards through the air.
*Freeze-frame-o-vision:
**Bonecrusher pulls the engine activation lever with a serial freeze-frame effect, as if it were some great epic act.
**The comet's explosion is likewise "animated" with successive freeze-frames.
**Metroplex's transformation to battle station mode is also done this way.
*Grimlock is drawn with a mouth as he and the others fly toward the comet.
*An Autobot of made-up model is shown approaching the comet to Magnus's right, where Grimlock had been a couple of shots prior.
*Two more generic Autobots are shown alongside Magnus as they come into view above the Decepticons. Only Galvatron, Soundwave and Bonecrusher are shown on the comet, but more Decepticons will appear out of nowhere as the battle rolls on.
*In that same shot, Galvatron and Soundwave are facing away from the engine; in the next shot, as they react to the first shots, they're facing towards it.
*Combiner issues:
**Superion is consistently shown as the same size as the other Autobots; he should be twice as large even without any size changing.
**Devastator is exactly the same size as Soundwave as they return fire on the approaching Autobots.
**Devastator is shown firing alongside Soundwave in the first salvos of the comet battle; a moment later, the Constructicons are shown combining into Devastator.
**When the Constructicons form Devastator for the second time, the first shot shows Scavenger (''not'' Scrapper) and Mixmaster forming the legs, Bonecrusher forming the pelvis, and Long Haul forming the torso. The second shot shows Bonecrusher and Scavenger forming the arms and Hook forming the upper torso. This means that Scrapper, the Constructicon leader, didn't contribute to Devastator, but ''two'' Bonecrushers and Scavengers did, and [[Devastator (ROTF)|''seven'' Constructicons formed Devastator.]]
**Devastator doesn't just de-combine when Perceptor shoots him — he actually explodes into a bunch of little pieces!
**When the Protectobots are combined as Defensor, Hot Spot (Defensor's torso) is fighting alongside his combined self!
*Ultra Magnus has Optimus Prime's rifle sound effect as he dives toward the comet.
[[File:DeceptiBrawn1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|AKOM, it's really simple. Dead guys don't get to fight. Because they're dead. You know what 'dead' is, right?]]
[[File:Hotspot defensor.jpg|'ey you! Get back in mah belleh!|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Appearing/disappearing robots: The cast fluctuates so much it's almost impossible to tell who's actually supposed to be there. Autobots routinely appear for only a shot or two; it's hard to know if the appearances were scripted or not.
**Grimlock vanishes after the first couple of shots.
**Cyclonus appears for one shot, firing alongside Soundwave and Bonecrusher, and is never seen again.
**In the episode's most infamous shot, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (who should both be dead) show up alive and well. And it seems [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] has switched sides, as he's helping them shoot at the giant Decepticon rocket engine he just helped build! (Huffer's orange is so dark it appears red, to boot.)
**Hot Spot suddenly appears after the rocket explodes.
**In one shot, only four Transformers are shown falling out of the sky; a second shot shows six or seven. Eight are shown in the subsequent crater; there should be at least half a dozen more.
**Perceptor and Hot Spot seem to be the only ones left fighting once Broadside and company depart.
**Hot Spot abruptly replaces Broadside for several shots during the end of the battle at Allegra's retreat.
**Soundwave appears alongside the Constructicons for several shots during the ongoing firefight; at this point he's still running around with Galvatron.
**Defensor suddenly appears in the battle as Basso Profundo uses the harmonic amplifier on the Transformers. He separates into his components, who then show up in several more shots, so it's clearly a scripted appearance. (And as noted elsewhere, Hot Spot — his torso — is standing right next to him!)
*Galvatron sees Magnus flying right at him... then transforms to cannon mode and ''turns the other way''.
*During or after the ensuing cloud-obscured struggle, Galvatron returns to [[robot mode]], but no transformation sound is heard.
*When the engine explodes, it vanishes without a trace, leaving only a smooth metal platform behind — no debris, no crater, no damage.
*As observed by Perceptor, the comet seems to have a tiny moon following it! We also get Perceptor's microscope-vision before he's actually transformed.
[[File:Carnage C-minor Magnus Broadside.JPG|{{w|Monty Python's Life of Brian|"Hail Caesar!" "Hail Thaethar."}}|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*While the Autobots are shooting at the meteor, they are so badly drawn that they appear to have only one leg each, left arms starting from the elbows, and enormous heads...and Superion and Broadside (whose hugeness was a plot point just a couple of shots ago) are tiny. Perceptor's also drawn with a visor instead of single eyes.
*In a subsequent shot, the Autobots' lasers aren't actually reaching the comet they're firing at.
*"They thwarted me" — Soundwave's head crest is colored as though it were his face! The result is that he looks like an excited guy with a gaping-open mouth and the biggest chin strap this side of ''Animated''. Mixmaster also appears to have stolen [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]'s goggles and beard.
*Sudden starry night:
**When he picks up Galvatron, Broadside has starry night sky behind him in his closeup shot, but dusky clouds in the wide shots.
**Perceptor has night sky behind him in the same scene.
**Magnus gets random night sky as he asks about finding "the bandleader".
**Starry night as Galvatron drops and dismisses Allegra.
**Starry night as Superion prepares to tackle Galvatron.
*When Bonecrusher orders the formation of Devastator, he's wearing an Autobot insignia. See also the continuity error below.
*After Devastator gets blown apart by Perceptor, there are two Long Hauls firing at the Autobots, one with a malformed face.
[[File:Bigmagnus tinyconst.jpg|We'll take revenge by merging into Devastator! That can't possibly fail!|thumb|right|upright=1.1|'Kids, did I ever tell you the story of how I met your mother?']]
*After watching Galvatron and Soundwave leave, Ultra Magnus dispatches Hook and Scrapper—by picking them up in his hands and bashing them together. Magnus is supposed to be big, but not ''that'' big. (It's ''possible'' that the animators used the [[toy]]s for reference, unaware that the cartoon [[scale]] traditionally doesn't match the toys' scale in this case.)
*Blaster's voice is missing its usual modulation.
*Perceptor and Hot Spot seem to jump all over the place as they fight:
**They're beside each other in the crater as Perceptor takes out Devastator.
**A tiny Superion takes Hot Spot's place in a subsequent shot.
**Then Hot Spot is by himself as he turns and fires.
**Then Perceptor is back beside him as he continues firing.
**Then they turn and jump into the crater they were already in.
**The pair run from the firefight (not transform and drive, but ''run'')... then suddenly are standing still, rising up as though from a crouch.
*As Broadside overtakes the Decepticons, Blaster and Ultra Magnus aren't shown.
*As they approach the city, Blaster and Magnus have gone from hanging onto the back edges of Broadside's wings to hanging onto the (much more logical) front edges.
**In the same shot, Blaster's torso — hidden by the wing — has to be about twice as long as his legs to actually connect to them.
**And Magnus's mouth doesn't move as he delivers his lines.
*As Blaster and Ultra Magnus talk to Basso, Blaster is Magnus's height in closeup shots but (correctly) shorter than him in the long shots.
*As Galvatron shoots the bridge, his cannon has the usual Decepticon laser sound effect rather than its own sound effect.
*Broadside's eyes are yellow when he gets up from under the rubble on the bridge.
*Allegra is waving her arms around for several seconds before Galvatron walks in on her. It's not clear if she's supposed to be singing — in which case the vocals are completely missing — or if she's supposed to be playing music from the device in front of her, in which case she would be ''playing the show's own background music!'' Either way, it seems like a total non-sequitur when Galvatron walks in and says "Very impressive!"
[[File:Carnage CMinor Galvatron Soundwave Allegra.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Very impressive arm-waving!"]]
*When Galvatron and Soundwave first talk to Allegra, Soundwave has eyes rather than a visor, and his face is colored blue instead of grey.
**As he receives the first part of the haromony, his "nose" goes up so high into his visor that it appears as separate eyes again.
*Allegra goes from standing up (in bold defiance) to casually laying down in the span of two shots.
[[File:Soundwaveautobotgalvy.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Very impressive shrinking!"]]
*Soundwave has a purple Autobot [[insignia]] after recording Allegra's harmony section.
*Soundwave successively shrinks through this scene — at first he's the same height as Galvatron, then he's a head shorter, then only comes up to Galvatron's waist when Galvatron picks him up.
*After learning that they only have one third of the harmony, a recycled shot makes Galvatron look quite happy as he snarls in angry frustration.
*"Everybody's a critic" — Broadside is missing the passengers who are supposed to be hanging onto his wings.
*"I'm not so sure this is a good idea anymore" — Soundwave is missing his Decepticon symbol, and his headcrest comes down so far it separates his visor.
*Blaster is drawn delivering Broadside's line about "scorch-marks on top of everything else".
*The open parts of Magnus's trailer are misdrawn, making the entire trailer appear solid.
*Many of Magnus's white truck parts are colored light gray.
[[File:Carnage C-Minor Autobots harmonic attack.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Remember that shot a while back, where Broadside was twice as tall as Magnus in robot mode?]]
*A wide shot of Magnus advancing against the harmony has Blaster and Broadside at human scale, shorter — ''much'' shorter — than Magnus's truck mode.
*Allegra reacts to being grabbed by Galvatron a couple of seconds before it actually happens.
*While singing his harmony, Zebop goes from inside Magnus's cab to outside between shots.
**After Magnus frees himself from the pit a moment later, Zebop jumps out of the cab ''again''.
*After Soundwave blasts the Autobots into the ground, he transforms and walks toward the edge of the frame — but disappears ''before'' leaving the frame.
*While Soundwave and Blaster are fighting, Soundwave's grunts are unprocessed, making him sound like Dr. Claw.
*Galvatron has the standard Decepticon laser sound effect as he blasts Magnus, rather than his own signature sound.
*The script presumably calls for Zebop to move Allegra to safety; instead, the animation shows him putting her down and standing right over her, as Blaster and Soundwave fall on what would seem to be both of them. (Furthermore, when Zebop carries Allegra, her legs are supported by his left arm but then after a brief cut showing Blaster fighting Soundwave, from then on Allegra's legs are supported by his right arm. (Perhaps a frequent error with carrying animations for some reason, careless nonetheless)).
*Blue face on Soundwave after he and Blaster fall on Zebop.
*When Blaster explains that the Eurythmans use the harmony even for healing, Ultra Magnus is the one mouthing the words; Magnus also has a visor instead of eyes.
*Our first shot of the still-going battle features lasers being fired at a forest, with nobody from either side in view.
*Hot Spot has consistently had a faceplate till now, but as he asks Perceptor about the other Autobots, he's suddenly got a mouth.
*When Perceptor gets shot, he grunts in a voice like that of Ultra Magnus.
*The running battle is in a forest, but when Galvatron and Soundwave intervene it's suddenly in the city.
*When Galvatron orders Soundwave to play the harmonics on Earth, Soundwave's tape deck door is the same color as his body (it should be light blue).
[[File:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|It's his little shoulder-angel.|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*When Soundwave plays the harmonics to disrupt Metroplex, the waves are shown emanating from ''Galvatron's head''! We then pan over to Metroplex, who is hardly any bigger than the two Decepticons.
*Metroplex does a sort of malformed half-transformation out of battle station mode, then stops; a shot later he's in robot mode with no additional animation or sound.
*"Autobots! Impossible!" — Galvatron's mouth doesn't move.
*Soundwave suddenly has a Decepticon symbol on his back as he <s>dances</s> struggles with Blaster.
*As Blaster flies off after erasing Soundwave's tapes, a cel-layering error causes him to appear smaller than Soundwave's head!
*As the Decepticons retreat, Blaster is shown flying away (again!) behind two Constructicons.
*"The Decepticons won't be back" — Magnus's eyes change size and shape between successive shots.

...And all this is overlooking the frequently malformed bodies, incorrect proportions, minor coloring foul-ups, and just generally poor artwork that marks the whole episode.

===Continuity errors===
*Flying Autobots:
**The entire Autobot assault force flies through space to the comet. As usual, no rocket packs are in evidence, nor are they mentioned. Only Superion and Grimlock are usually capable of robot mode flight.
**Despite this, Blaster and Magnus have to hang on to Broadside to fly after the Decepticons once they're on the planet.
**Despite ''this'', they both take off alongside Broadside after Allegra heals Zebop, and are seen flying along on Earth too. Blaster even has a whole fight sequence with Soundwave while floating in the air.
*The Decepticons all fly away from the comet as the rocket activates. As the Autobots approach, they're back alongside it — well, three of them, anyway.
*Anyone bothered that this "sonic weapon" was used to destroy a comet IN SPACE?
*Bonecrusher is shown ordering the Constructicons to combine. Scrapper is supposed to be their leader. Granted, it's in line with Mixmaster giving the orders back in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]".
*Since when does Perceptor pack enough firepower to blast the once-invincible Devastator to pieces?
**Likewise, how come one little shot from the Constructicons knocks Superion apart?
*Much like the Season 2 episode "[[Kremzeek!]]", once characters start hanging on to another character to get around, the script seems to forget that there's any other way for them to travel. Blaster and Magnus ride around on Broadside's wings for the rest of the episode, and even poor Zebop has to do so once he joins them!
[[File:Carnage CMinor Blaster Magnus Basso.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"No." "What did he say?" "He said 'no'."]]
*Despite the aliens' dialog being in perfectly understandable English (or Galactic Standard or whatever), because they say everything in a sing-song rhythm, apparently none of the Transformers except Blaster and Soundwave can understand them, and the two tape decks spend a large (and annoying) amount of time translating Eurythman to "non-sing-song" for everyone else — at times repeating the same lines word-for-word. It very much seems like the episode was written with the idea that the Eurythhman's dialogue was originally going to consist of wordless musical notes (hence the need for Blaster and Soundwave to translate) before presumably being changed at the last minute.
**Blaster also somehow extrapolates quite a bit of information from short lines like "This is your war, not ours."
*At one point [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] states the Autobots are "outnumbered two to one", but even excluding oddities like Brawn and Huffer, the ''Autobots'' actually ''seen'' in this episode outnumber the ''Decepticons''. See also Appearing/Disappearing Robots, above.
*"Soundwave, are you getting this?" "I am... I am!" "Never mind that. Did you get the harmony?" Did a line get dropped?
*Superhuman aliens:
**Allegra is still in Galvatron's hands when Magnus shoots him in the back, causing Galvatron to drop her from what looks like a height of 30 or 40 feet. Despite this, she's up and running about a moment later.
**It's an animation error, not a scripted one, but she seems to survive being smushed by two Transformers just fine.
*When the Decepticons reach Earth, they ''pass'' Autobot City (in the usual lush valley - specifically a shot that's directly recycled from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]", just oddly tilted 25% clockwise) to reach Metroplex, who seems to be hanging out in a barren desert for no reason.
*The Autobots (Scamper, anyway) don't notice the Decepticons till they're literally already there and firing at them. Nobody noticed the Decepticons fly to Earth? What happened to the Earth Defense Command satellites?
*Why does Soundwave even ''have'' an 'erase' option? Better hope his [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|tapes]] had their copy-protection tabs removed!

===Trivia===
*Galvatron is ''weirdly'' chummy with Soundwave throughout the episode, never once abusing him in the ways he ordinarily treats his lieutenants. They're even briefly shown holding hands while flying! Perhaps there might be some lingering fondness from the former's previous life coming through?
*This was one of several episodes subjected to the [[MSTF]] treatment at [[BotCon 1999]].
*[[Ask Vector Prime]] [[Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 30, 2015|identified]] the [[Eurythma|Eurythmic]] [[Harmony]] as an especially potent source of [[animation error|time-space anomalies]]. This retroactively means that every single "error" that occurred in this episode actually happened.
*This episode marks the only time Broadside is shown in jet mode in the US cartoon. Further, the model that was used is actually his pre-final model which had previously only been used in the 1986 [[Triple Changer]] [[commercial]]. His final jet mode model wouldn't actually be used until ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' ?
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast and European French DVD release):'' "'''Massacre en do mineur'''" ("Massacre in C-Minor")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*Galvatron calls Metroplex "Métropolésie". That is the first and the last time this name is used in the cartoon.
:::*Once again, a lot of battle grunts and screams are recovered from the original version.
:::*The Eurythmans talk normally, the singing side was removed. However, their harmonies were recovered from the original version.
:::*Before Allegra sings for Galvatron and Soundwave, the cut to recover the original version was made too soon, we can hear the ending of the English voice actress' "harmonyyyyy!".
:::*Despite being called "Zebop" in the rest of the episode, Allegra calls him "Zebob" when telling the Decepticons about him.
:::*The dialogue between Broadside and Blaster as they approach the island is missing.
:::*After falling on Zebop, Blaster's "Zebop!" is dubbed by a satisfied "My dear Zebop!", which sounds pretty weird.
:::*The voice actors did not fall in the trap of the animation error where Ultra Magnus moves the lips when Blaster is talking. Like in English, it's indeed Blaster's voice actor who delivers his line.
:::*Soundwave's line "My tapes! You've erased my tapes!" is dubbed by "Oh no, I can't believe it! I was so happy! And he erased everything!".
:::*Despite the final joke about living in harmony also working in French, Blaster does not comment it, his line was replaced by "I sing too out of tune, I wouldn't live with them!".
:::*Name-dodging:
::::*Ultra Magnus' phrase "Ah, very good Perceptor, and that comet can serve as their prison" is dubbed by "Yes, you were not wrong. I hope that this way we will manage to surprise them".
::::*Bonecrusher's line "Constructicons! Form Devastator!" is replaced by "Quickly, regroup! We will have more strength by forming a single robot, let's hurry!".
::::*Galvatron saying "Soundwave! Soundwave!" is dubbed by "Ah, they are too many! They are resisting us!".
::::*Broadside's line "Blaster, you picking up anything?" is dubbed by "Maybe '''you''' can show us the way".
::::*Galvatron's "Soundwave, are you getting this?" is replaced by "Go, record this! And I advise you not to miss". Soundwave's answer "I am. I am" is dubbed by "Yeah, do not worry, we'll record this".
::::*Later, Galvatron's "Soundwave!" about the second harmony is dubbed by "Listen to this!" Record it!". Of course, the next "Soundwave" is missing too.
::::*Again, his "Soundwave!" about the third harmony is dubbed by "No but listen to this!".
::::*Ultra Magnus does not name Perceptor when telling him "It's a long story, I'll tell you on the way back to Earth".
::::*Galvatron's "Soundwave! The harmonics now!" is dubbed by "Come on, go ahead! Quickly play the magic harmonies!".

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Das Gemetzel in Cis-Moll'''" ("The Slaughter in Cis-Minor")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''Sinfonia mortale'''" ("Deadly Symphony")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Ultra Magnus's line: «I told you: they use their harmonies for everything, even healing!» is voiced by Blaster and Galvatron's actor, [[Angelo Nicotra]]. The fact that, immediately after, he talks again with his usual voice makes the scene pretty odd.
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''Massacro in do minore'''" ("Carnage in C-Minor")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''音楽惑星の挑戦'''" (''Ongaku Wakusei no Chōsen'', "Challenge of the Music Planet")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 20]], [[1987]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''C Xiǎodiào Dàtúshā '''" (C小调大屠杀, "The Slaughter in C-Minor")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' '''?'''
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode's original translated title is currently lost due to a glitch in the only known surviving copy of the audio track.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Skhvutkuh nuh see-meenor'''" (Схватка на Си-минор, "The Battle on C-Minor")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[1989]] — ''Transformers'' — Carnage in C Minor / The Ultimate Weapon ([[Tempo Video]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2004]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 5: Series 3.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 19 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2010]] — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808817/ IMDb's page for this episode]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=118hXiMvCPKsu45gR_be5DtX2mBId8W5A Episode dialogue script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Transformers (2023) issue 21

2025-12-08T23:57:04Z

Tomhur: /* Other trivia */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #21
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 20
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 22
|image=Transformers 2023 21 Cover B.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 11]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=June 2025
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The Autobots are forced to make difficult choices to survive when the Decepticons launch an all-out assault on the ''Ark''!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] awakens in the depths of the [[United States military]] facility he's being kept in. The only person around is [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Carl "Doc" Greer]], whom Magnus tentatively greets, to Doc's surprise. The two converse for a bit before the conversation is interrupted by the arrival of [[General Flagg]] with some sort of machine. Doc asks the general what he plans to do to Magnus, stating he's essentially a prisoner of war, but Flagg ignores his protests as he activates the machine. As the machine begins to whirr, Magnus pleads for them to stop.

[[File:TF2023 no. 21 - Enter Superion.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Superion (G1)#Age of the Primes|Coincidence?]] I think not!]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] checks in with [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] as they work to repair [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s [[space bridge]], hoping to return to [[Earth]] and bring back [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. However, because of the damage to the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' side, the portal will require quadruple the [[Energon]] necessary to transport all of them; they only have enough to send one [[Autobot]] back. Elita goes to [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Shredhead]], as the little red bot tells the newly born warrior about his friend [[Carly (G1)|Carly]].

Back on Earth, the [[Decepticon]]s prepare to launch an assault on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Inside the Autobot base, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] is examining Optimus, trying to figure out why the [[Matrix of Leadership]] hasn't recharged at all since its last use. As he looks over the scans, he deduces the cause to be some sort of infection coming from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s arm. However, their examination is interrupted by the Decepticons' attack. The Autobots return fire with the aid of the ''Ark'''s weaponry, managing to even keep the bickering combiners [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] at bay. As the two sides duke it out, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] emerges from his hiding place within the ''Ark'' and connects to the console where [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] resides.

The corruptive power of Megatron's arm grows on Optimus, to the point where he involuntarily turns his [[fusion cannon]] on [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. However, before he can do anything, Skywarp's teleportation ability activates, teleporting the entire ship to parts unknown and sending the Autobots falling into the caverns of the mountain left behind. The Decepticons converge on the Autobots, but they are saved by the timely intervention of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s, who combine into [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] to take on Bruticus and Devastator. As the Autobots try to recover, Optimus realizes what Megatron's arm is doing to him; however, he is unable to remove it himself. He pleads with his troops to shoot it off of him before it is too late, orders they reluctantly follow, wounding their leader in the process. The Autobots then attempt to flee on the back of Superion. Megatron, having regained his lost appendage, transforms into his gun mode and uses Starscream to blast Superion, ripping [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] from the gestalt and instantly killing him. The Autobots are forced to leave him behind as they fly away. Megatron tells the Decepticons to prepare for conquest.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (5)
* [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (6)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (7)
* [[Shredhead]] (8)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (10)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (15)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (20)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (21)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (25)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (26)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (27)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (28)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (29)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (30)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (11)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (13)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (14)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (22)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (23)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (24)

|c3=
* [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (1)
* [[General Flagg]] (3)
* [[Caparzo]] (4)
* ''[[Carly (G1)|Carly]]'' (9, holographic image)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"What are you reading?" 
"It's something that makes me--used to make me feel safe in the face of things too big to comprehend." 
"Like me." 
"Something like that." 
"I was doing the same thing when building my compound. Protecting myself. I wasn't doing anything. To anyone. What are you going to do to me?"
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Doc'''

"She '''does''' look fragile." 
"Well, yes...Carly's small. Just like me. I'm one of the smallest Autobots there is. But she made me realize how big I really am. How big...'''everything''' is. I wish I was stronger. Bigger." 
"Don't worry, Cliff. I'm strong enough for the both of us. '''And''' Carly."
:—'''Shredhead''' talks with '''Cliffjumper''' about Carly.

"Bruticus! Devastator! Pull your heads out of your scrapholes!" 
"But he said--" 
"'''I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR USELESS SQUABBLING!!''' Focus on the '''enemy''', not each other!"
:—'''Megatron''' breaks up '''Bruticus's''' sibling fight with Devastator.

"You are an incredible warrior, Prime. But deep down, I always knew there was weakness inside you."
:—'''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* General Flagg first appeared in the Energon Universe in ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 3|#3]], where he gave [[Destro|the titular arms manufacturer]] access to government secrets about [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s encounter with Starscream from back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issue #2]]. At the time, there was no indication that Flagg had any explicit connections to the G.I. Joe team that [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Colonel Hawk]] was assembling, but this issue confirms that he is at least part of the larger organization.
* Shockwave used the space bridge to connect Cybertron and Earth in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]]. Optimus destroyed it to prevent the harvesting of Earth, trapping Elita and Cliffjumper on Cybertron in the process, in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]].
* When last we saw Megatron at the end of the previous issue, his eyes were still damaged, but he's gotten them back this issue. Evidently, he must've had them repaired just after killing [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]].
* Skywarp's teleportation power was previously tapped into in [[Transformers (2023) issue 11|issue #11]] when Wheeljack used it to transport them directly into the brig of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''.
* The corrupting influence of Megatron's arm, which the Autobot leader used to replace the one he lost fighting Skywarp in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issue #4]], on Optimus has been growing steadily since the events of issue #12. As to ''how'' it's been corrupting Optimus, it can be easily surmised that it's the result of some residual energy from the "dark opposite" to the Matrix bestowed upon Megatron in the issue-long flashback from [[Transformers (2023) issue 19|issue #19]].
* Thundercracker snuck into the ''Ark'' in [[Transformers (2023) issue 17|issue #17]].
* Ultra Magnus’s antennas and Starscream’s new legs are both still blue.
* Superion makes his debut.

===''Transformers'' references===
* This isn't the first time Slingshot has been taken out of the Aerialbots' lineup. Will [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] or [[Alpha Bravo]] get their chance to shine? (Probably not.)
* Soundwave's design on [[Len Nicholas]]'s cover is a dead ringer for his [[Blokees]] ''[[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#Galaxy Version|Galaxy Version]]'' model kit. Considering the way the cover's drawn and framed, it's likely Nicholas used a photo of the kit as direct reference for the art.

===Real life references===
* Caparzo might be named for the character of Private Adrian Carpazo from ''{{w|Saving Private Ryan}}''.

===Other trivia===
* You guessed it: it's time for "What will Daniel Warren Johnson tease in the letters pages this time?"
** Johnson confirms that he's not planning on introducing another comic-original Decepticon before his time on the series ends.
** In rapid succession, Johnson says he "CANNOT SAY" if we'll know who [[Dezimir]]'s master is before the end of this arc, confirms that the cast is fairly locked-in at this point (but teases "more to come" in [[Transformers (2023) issue 25|issue #25]], the first issue following his departure), de-confirms [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] due to already having so much combiner representation, and teases Optimus' origins by saying that he didn't have the Matrix when his [[spark]] came into being.
* This issue's back-matter introduces a new feature in the Energon Universe line: a "behind-the-scenes"-esque page called "Energon Experience", headed by editor [[Ben Abernathy]]. In addition to an introduction by Abernathy and a checklist of the Energon Universe issues and trade collections releasing that month, this edition of Energon Experience also has three spotlight sections, which are:
** '''Character Spotlight:''' A brief overview of Ultra Magnus and what's going on with him right now.
** '''Doc's The Name:''' A section on Doc's introduction in issue #20, along with some concept art of him in military garb.
** '''Creator Q&A:''' Ben asks Daniel Warren Johnson what alt-mode he'd turn into if he had one, and Johnson says he'd be a guitar. Quick, someone tell him about [[Laserbeak (Animated)|''Animated'' Laserbeak]]!
* In a funny coincidence, Slingshot's death in this issue comes just a few months after his latest toy in the ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' toyline was released. Talk about awkward timing...
** It's also not the first time the Aerialbots have specifically lost Slingshot either, as he was killed off in IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]] in order to market his replacement, the new Aerialbot [[Alpha Bravo|Alpha Bravo]], for the then-upcoming ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' toyline.
* After Megatron slaps Starscream, the [[Seeker (body-type)|seeker]] is shown bleeding some green fluid from his mouth. [[Energon]] has been shown to take on a variety of colors across the various series [[Void Rivals|of]] [[Cobra Commander (comic)|this]] [[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|continuity]], but green is a new one; especially considering [[Transformers (2023) issue 6|prior]] [[Transformers (2023) issue 20|issues]] of ''this'' series showing Transformers bleeding bright blue (such as Starscream himself just last issue). Optimus does refer to bile at another point in the issue, and Starscream is a rather bilious character...then again, maybe he’s just [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|leaking lubricant]].
* At different points, Bruticus refers to Devastator as 'they' (page 8) and 'he' (page 11), so the pronouns of combiners remain unclear.
* Warpath makes a throwaway comment about being tickled. This throws up a bizarre mental image, as one wonders how a [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] could be tickled.

===Covers (16)===
* '''Cover A:''' Shredhead, Cliffjumper, and Elita One, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus gets Megatron's arm blown off, by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover by [[David Nakayama]].
* '''Cover D:''' The Decepticons, by [[Derrick Chew]].
* '''Cover E:''' Starscream in jet mode, by [[Simon Parr]].
* '''Cover F:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover G:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.
* '''The 616 Comics Cover A:''' Connecting cover by [[Tiago da Silva]].
* '''The 616 Comics Cover B:''' The other half of Tiago da Silva's connecting cover.
* '''MBartist Cover:''' Chibi-style versions of Soundwave, Laserbeak, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], by Len Nicholas.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover C.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover D.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover E.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover F.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover G.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Jimbo Salgado Cover.jpg
File:Dark21.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 Freely Abrigo Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 21 MBartist Cover.jpg
File:Brute.jpg
File:Airbots.jpg
File:Fanexpo21.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 8|#8]], ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 20|#20]], and ''Transformers'' #22.
* Energon Experience feature
* 4-page preview of ''Ghost Pepper''

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' ([[November 25]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534332588 / ISBN 978-1534332584 
** Collects ''Transformers'' issues #19–24 and the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story|''Transformers'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Soundwave (G1)

2025-12-07T07:53:38Z

Tomhur: /* Energon Universe */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ascenticon|primusvanguard|primus|hofsilver}}
{{disambigm|Soundwave (disambiguation)|Soundblaster (disambiguation)}}
{{suite}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TransformersCollectionSoundwaveDatafile.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Secretly, Soundwave was always a little surprised that his Barry White impression had taken him to the top ranks of the Decepticons.]]
'''Soundwave''' (aka '''Soundblaster''') is one of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s most reliable troops, and he has positioned himself comfortably and irreplaceably in the Decepticon upper command structure. Though "only" Communications Officer, Soundwave stands at Megatron's side as a confidant, comparable in rank to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], but unlike them, entirely loyal to his leader. Though stoic and possessed of little outward personality (as evidenced by his monotone computer-style speech), Soundwave is not without drives: he has worked hard to get where he is, and he guards his place in the Decepticon hierarchy fiercely. On top of hearing all in his role as Communications Officer and Decepticon spy-master, he is actually capable of "reading minds" by scanning and decoding the electrical impulses that carry "thoughts" in both organics and Cybertronians, and he will not hesitate to use what he learns as blackmail to keep himself high in Megatron's esteem. As such, Soundwave is not popular among the rank-and-file Decepticons, who see him as a two-faced snake and wouldn't mind abandoning him on the battlefield—if they thought Megatron would let them get away with it.

Soundwave commands an ever-growing legion of [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette troops]] to carry out tasks big and small. Stored within his signature chest compartment and called forth on Soundwave's whim with a push of a button, these miniature menaces are most commonly employed as spies for either the Decepticon cause or Soundwave's personal objectives, but are just as effective as warriors, and are entirely devoted to their master. They are also not Soundwave's only diminutive partners: as an [[Action Master]], he is [[Action Master partner|partnered]] with [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]].

{{bigquote|As you command, Megatron.|Soundwave, eternal loyalist|''[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{main|Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-SoundwaveRatbat.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|In Soviet Russia, ''tape'' commands ''you''!]]
Millions of years ago, Soundwave was one of the first members of the Decepticons; after sowing discontent amongst the masses, he, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] began the war that tore the planet itself out of its orbit. After joining the failed Decepticon attempt to hijack the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago, he fell into stasis lock with the rest of the crews after the ship crashed until 1984, when a [[Mount St. Hilary|volcanic eruption]], reactivated the Autobots and Decepticons, unleashing their war on Earth. Soundwave would prove one of the most useful troops, though not one of the most loyal, covertly running blackmail schemes and happily hitching his wagon to whichever Decepticon leader was currently in the ascendency, until—in many [[splinter timeline]]s—becoming leader of the Decepticons himself.
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===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Soundwave and company.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"Get out of mah BELL-AY!"]]
{{main|Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
Soundwave was one of the first Decepticons and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s most loyal soldier. Denoted by his eerie, echoing monotone, Soundwave regularly gathered vital intelligence for Megatron's numerous schemes with the aid of his faithful and ever-growing team of cassettes, but despite his primary role as a spy and communications officer, he never shied away the battlefield, and would regularly clash with the Autobot [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] before finding a true rival in his Autobot opposite number, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]]. He survived the perilous events of 2005 that took the lives of many of his contemporaries, and continued serving under [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] in the 21st century.

In a future timeline that branches off from this one, Soundwave ultimately met his end at the hands of Blaster, but even death could not stymie his loyalty to the Decepticon cause, as he was reborn as '''Soundblaster''' through the super-science of the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]].
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===Sticker Adventures books===
Soundwave was an Autobot. He stood by Optimus after he had reawakened following being knocked offline by a Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Return to Cybertron (sticker book)|Return to Cybertron}}
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===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
[[File:Bigbattle-ASW.jpeg|thumb|left]]
Soundwave was a Decepticon so horrible that even the other Decepticons hated him. During Megatron's latest scheme to take over the planet Earth, Soundwave attempted to blast Windcharger with his deadly concussion blaster gun, only to be repelled by Windcharger's magnetic powers. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

After the Decepticons had captured [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], Megatron ordered Soundwave to send a transmission to Autobot headquarters, informing them of the hostage situation. When a rescue party of Autobots attempted to free Sunstreaker, but wound up captured as well, Megatron presumably used Soundwave once more to send another message to the Autobots, informing them of the situation. Soundwave was later present when the Autobot wheeled their peace offering before the Decepticons' headquarters. He and the other Decepticons cheered when Devastator came to admire the peace offering, a life-size statue of the gestalt. The Autobots' surrender turned out to be a ruse, however, and a platoon of Autobots burst forth from within the statue once the Decepticons had their guard down. In the battle that followed, Soundwave inadvertently fell into a fissure created by Rumble's earthquake-inducing powers. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}
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===Marvel coloring books===
Soundwave was in attendance at the Decepticons' latest meeting in their war room. As Megatron discussed his latest plan to finance the construction of a Decepticon army, Soundwave noticed Bumblebee spying on them through a window. Megatron assured Soundwave that this would be used to their advantage, and they would soon both secure the sunken treasures in the waters of Alaska and capture the Autobots.

Disguised in his cassette player mode, Soundwave awaited Bumblebee's arrival underwater. Unable to pass up a free cassette player for his friend Buster, Bumblebee headed right for Soundwave, who captured the little Autobot. The Autobots soon came to Bumblebee's rescue, and the Decepticons were defeated when one of Rumble's earthquakes backfired and swallowed up all of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}}

Megatron sent Soundwave and the other Decepticons out to capture the Autobots so that they could be incarcerated in their newly built prison. Soundwave managed to capture Gears by sneaking up on him and pulling a plug within the Autobot's back. The Autobots later escaped, and Soundwave was trapped inside one of Trailbreaker's forcefield as they broke out of the Decepticon's prison. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

Soundwave was one of the many Decepticons who attempted to harm Sparkplug and Buster Witwicky, only to be thwarted by the Autobots' timely intervention. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}}

Soundwave was one of the Decepticons posted within the Decepticons' stronghold to prevent the Autobots from reaching their [[molecular transfer device]]. He failed, and was drained of his energy when Bumblebee managed to turn the machine against the Decepticons themselves. {{storylink|Summertime Coloring Book}}

Soundwave sent Kickback, Ravage and Laserbeak to attack a village and scare of the inhabitants. Later, Soundwave ordered the Constructicons to construct a new fuel planet. Soundwave and his Decepticons partners are defeated when the Dinobots route them into a pit full of quick-drying cement. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

Soundwave helped Megatron tear down a forest in order to make room for a Decepticon factory. Then didn't do much damage before the Autobots showed up and forced them to flee. {{storylink|Forest Rescue Mission}}

Together with Thundercracker, Rumble and Ravage, Soundwave concocted a dastardly trap for unsuspecting Autobots. They constructed a rest-stop that was in truth a car-compactor in disguise! Soundwave successfully crushed Gears in it, only for Mirage, Ratchet and Sideswipe to arrive on the scene instantly afterwards. In the battle that ensued, Rumble attempted to fight back with his earthquake-inducing abilities, only to create chasm in which both he and Soundwave fell into. Way to go Rumble. {{storylink|The Autobot Smasher!}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}}}

Soundwave was on a mission with Galvatron to steal oil from [[Oil Valley]] when they spotted Hot Rod nearby. When they gave chase, Soundwave detected that more Autobots, the Dinobots to be precise, were in the area. The Decepticon fliers went ahead to ambush the heroic robots. When Soundwave and the other ground-bound Decepticons caught up to them, Soundwave managed to land a shot on Swoop. The Decepticons were soon driven away when further Autobot reinforcements arrived on the battlefield. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

When the Decepticons learned that the Autobots had long ago lost a large shipment of Energon cubes at the Ark's original crash site, Galvatron ordered them to head to Mt. St. Hillary to uncover it. There, Soundwave fought the Autobots over possession of it. The brawl ended when Starscream scarfed down all of the Energon, and proceeded to pick a fight with Galvatron. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}
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===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:LaserbeaksFury Soundwave ejects.jpg|thumb|left|Laserbeak, why is there a ghost of you?]]
When [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] spotted the Autobots working on some sort of device, Soundwave believed it to be a radio mast, and followed Laserbeak to the site. He was unable to detect any radio signals, and the intrigued Megatron wanted to investigate further. First they had to stop [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] from destroying the device. While they were there, the device, in actuality a lightning collector, emitted a pulse of energy that caused the Decepticons to malfunction wildly, and they were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Soundwave sent out [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] to scout for energy sources, and the buzzard's mission resulted in Megatron and Soundwave locating an experimental solar energy plant. They signaled for the rest of the Decepticons and, after a minor insurrection on Starscream's part was squelched, set about collecting the energy in cubes. When [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] entered the plant, Soundwave detected him and raised the alarm, but it was too late to prevent the sabotage of the solar machinery and the energon cubes were destroyed. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

Ever loyal, Soundwave backed up Megatron's opinion that they needed to test the ion-drive for their new space cruiser. When they located a suitable abandoned mine, Soundwave was momentarily distracted by the railway lines, but they soon got to work testing the rig. Unfortunately the Autobots found them and though Soundwave raised the alarm, Spike used mine carts to destroy the ion-drive, bringing the tunnel down on the Decepticons. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}} At Megatron's command, Soundwave deployed Laserbeak to seek information on [[human]]s. When this led the Decepticons to a windmill, Megatron believed the structure was a new Autobot weapon that they needed to capture. Soundwave deployed Rumble, with the theory that the structure might prove susceptible to shockwaves. He was right, and the structure promptly fell on top of the Decepticons as Megatron protested he wanted it captured, not destroyed. {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}}

Under the leadership of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Soundwave was responsible for coordinating communications with three cloaked Decepticon spy satellites. On discovering the existence of the satellites, the Autobots set up equipment to block Soundwave's transmissions. Hound impersonated Soundwave perfectly, ordering the satellites to enter a collision course with each other, and Soundwave was unable to cut through the interference before the satellites collided. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
Soundwave was part of the ambush party that boarded the Ark during the Cretaceous period, which led to Optimus Prime crashing his ship in a volcano and shutting everyone on board offline. The Decepticons then raided a nearby nuclear power to gain the additional power necessary to destroy the Autobots. Frustrated over his lack of progress as the Decepticons still could not penetrate the Ark's shields, Megatron called Soundwave over to tune in on the inside of the ship. As Megatron suspected, Soundwave confirmed that the Autobots had left it behind in the Decepticons’ absence. Soundwave also reported that the Ark's computer was laughing at them. Eventually finding one another, the Decepticons and the Autobots battled, but with the Decepticons running low on fuel once more, the evil robots were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

Soundwave was spying on the Autobots Mirage and Cliffjumper. Listening in on the conversation, he learned of a cross-country car rally that offered a year's worth of gas and oil to whoever won the competition. Soundwave headed off to share this information with Megatron. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}

While the Decepticons looked on in jealousy over the Autobots' city Metroplex, Soundwave tuned in on the conversations going on within. He learned that Kup and Hot Rod were planning to see a car show which would showcase a new type of robot car. He informed Galvatron of this, who in turn was excited over the possibility of stealing the car to create a series of robot slaves. Soundwave, Galvatron, Starscream and Rumble then sneaked into the Colosseum that would soon be showing the car robot, and waited behind the scenes for their opportunity to steal it. The old Autobot Kup stumbled in on them, but was promptly captured. He nevertheless foiled the Decepticons' plan to create a blackout during the show, and Soundwave was forced to fight the Autobots, who had disguised themselves as being part of the show. Soundwave and the rest of the Decepticons were soon defeated and chased off by the Autobots afterwards. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|Unknown}}
Soundwave accompanied Megatron to the [[Kalahari Desert]], where they both overlooked their human slaves piling unimaginable amounts of coal into an underground cave. There, he complained about the desert sand getting into his cassette drives and fouling his transmissions, only to be berated by Megatron for his whining. Amidst Megatron's constant bullying, Soundwave assured his leader that their plan would soon come to fruition; the cave would be cocooned in a layer of [[lectonite]], which upon exploding would convert the charcoal into a diamond of enormous proportions, ready to be used in the next phase of Megatron's plan.

Soundwave and Megatron blasted off in their ship as Megatron detonated the lectonite, converting the coal and the human slaves left behind in the cave into the largest diamond lens in the universe. The task complete, Soundwave used the ship's anti-gravity lifters to tow the lens all the way to [[Mato Grosso (state)|Mato Grosso]], in [[Brazil]]. There, Soundwave finalized cutting the diamond lens, while complaining about the rain forest's humidity. The Decepticons then attacked the Diamond lens to a satellite. As the satellite launched, Soundwave and Megatron retreated to a control station in northeast America. They then unleashed the satellite's power, and began melting down the [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]].

Both Megatron and Soundwave looked on as Skyfire attempted to destroy the satellite in orbit. When the Autobot failed and fell back to Earth, burning up on reentry, both Decepticons had a good laugh at his expense. Their tone changed when the Autobots managed to destroy their satellite with a secondary plan, and launched an attack on Soundwave and Megatron's location. Soundwave and Megatron escaped the Autobot's attack in a [[turbine mole machine]]. {{storylink|Satellite of Doom}}

Soundwave accompanied Megatron on his next scheme to procure oil; using a hovercraft oil transporter to steal [[Prudhoe Bay]] crude oil. They were attacked by Skyfire afterwards, but Soundwave managed to escape their attacked by activating their ship's [[hyper-thrust afterburner]]s. The Decepticons then abandoned their badly damaged ship and ran off into the frozen wastelands of the north. Soundwave then helped Megatron steal another machine to secure oil, this time around a deep-sea oil transporter. Travelling close to the sea bed, Soundwave piloted the machine to the oil reservoir's lowest point, and began syphoning the oil once more. Unfortunately, the Autobots had somehow concocted a plan that filled the Decepticons’ transport's tanks with [[razon gas]] and returned the crude oil to its proper spot. With their submersible being forced to surface due to the gas, Megatron and Soundwave abandoned ship, though they did leave a booby-trap behind in case any Autobots boarded the ship.

According to Megatron, Soundwave is a "blundering, tape-filled idiot." While the veracity of this statement is subjective, Soundwave ''does'' whine a lot. {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

Soundwave once more accompanied Megatron to the jungles of Mato Grosso in Brazil, where they revisited their old satellite launch complex. He was so moved by Megatron's speech on destroying the Autobots that he began to cry, only to be berated once more by Megatron for displaying emotion. He and Megatron then used their turbo mole machine to drill under the jungle to get at the oil beneath it. Their first attempt failed when their tunnel collapsed on itself (taking [[Machu Picchu]] and part of the [[Andes Mountains]] with it) and Soundwave was forced to have the mole machine surface. Once they were in the open, Optimus and his Autobots began attacking them. Soundwave and Megatron managed to escape, and attempted once more to drill beneath the jungle. This attempt was more successful, and Soundwave watched on as the underground oil reserves gushed out into the jungle. He and Megatron then transferred themselves to their [[defoliator craft]] to better witness nature's ruin. When Skyfire screeched overhead, Soundwave assured his leader that he was scrambling his communications... only to realize that his wiring was loose, and it was his headset that was garbled, not the Autobots’ network. Optimus and his troops arrived shortly, and forced the Decepticons to retreat once more. {{storylink|Storms of Destruction}}

When Soundwave found Megatron destroy facsimiles of Shockwave, he was informed by his leader that he planned to kill Shockwave due to suspicions that he was luring Decepticons away from his leadership with promises of oil. Soundwave suggested that Megatron instead find a way to supply his Decepticons with enough oil to secure their loyalties. Soundwave and Megatron planned to steal the Dinobots’ fuel supply to accomplish this goal. After Slag was damaged in a Decepticon attack, Megatron and Soundwave followed him back to the Dinobots’ secret base in their [[Thermo-borer]]. Upon penetrating the Dinobot base however, Soundwave accidentally tripped an alarm. He and Megatron immediately retreated. Although Ratchet had planted a [[Memory Scrambler Mine]] on the Thermo-borer's hull, Soundwave had installed a [[Beta Blocker Shield]] on the machine, allowing the Decepticons to retain the coordinates they had acquired. Despite Soundwave's insistence that he and Megatron should attempt to sneakily siphon away the Autobots’ oil supply, Megatron ordered that they use the [[Crusher (G1)|Crusher]]. Though it seemed at first that they were about to succeed for once, Soundwave soon realized that their machine had inadvertently freed hundreds of Dinobots from their tar cocoons. He and Megatron then had to fight off hundreds of enemy robots before presumably retreating once more. {{storylink|Jaws of Terror}}

Soundwave accompanied Megatron on an a trip to the island of [[Buru]], where the Insecticons had turned the natives into mindless slaves to collect oil for them. Though Megatron insisted on the oil drilling operation, to increase its speed Venom refused, telling Soundwave that such a thing was impossible. Megatron and Soundwave met with the leader of the Insecticons. There, Megatron forced Soundwave to do all the talking, as he found himself intimidated by Venom. Their meeting was interrupted by Prowl and Optimus's arrival on the island. While Venom and his Insecticons dealt with the Autobots, Soundwave and Megatron went off to drill additional oil behind his back. Due to Megatron's greed, however, the Decepticons’ drilling machine became overstuff with oil. When Optimus Prime and the Dinobots headed for them, Soundwave and Megatron were forced to retreat once more without procuring any oil. {{storylink|Slaves of the Insecticons}}

From his submersible near [[Madagascar]], Soundwave helped Megatron sink six [[oil tanker]]s. Attacking another, Megatron's submersible was completely wrecked when it emerged the oil he drained was tainted by the Autobots with corrosive acid. As the submersible's systems failed one by one, Soundwave deduced that they had fallen for an Autobot trap. The two Decepticons escaped during the subsequent Autobot attack. {{storylink|Attack of the Decepticons}}
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===Listen 'n Fun audiobooks continuity===
Soundwave recorded a broadcast of Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]] receiving an award from the [[President of the United States]] and reported it to Megatron. Megatron dubbed him a "King of Communication". {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Fun)}}

===Listen 'n Play audiobooks continuity===
{{voiceactor|? (English)}}
While enacting a plan to abduct humans and ransom them to the US government for fuel, Megatron ordered Soundwave to contact the President of the United States once Starscream returned from his current mission kidnapping people. Unfortunately Starscream failed and the humans were all freed by the Autobots, so presumably Soundwave never got to make the call. {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Play)}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
Soundwave was among the Decepticons who followed the Autobots to [[South America]] and attacked them atop [[Mount Sheelah]]. The Decepticons were caught in the volcano's erupt and became trapped in lava. {{storylink|Terror of Mount Sheelah}} Despite his ability to hear a fly sneeze, he completely missed [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] infiltrating the Decepticon base to find out where the humans the Decepticons had been kidnapping had gone. He later discovered that the Autobot had stolen their [[global crystal]]. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} Soundwave was part of a Decepticon mission to take over [[Stanley Lake]] dam, which ended in the Decepticons being washed away in a torrent of water by the Autobots. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}} When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] planned to infiltrate the Autobots, Soundwave supplied him with a tiny radio transmitter with which to report back. Unfortunately while the Decepticons were acting on the information Starscream gathered, the Autobots destroyed their base. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

====Renegade Rhetoric====
Soundwave was a member of the Decepticons led by Megatron who fled to another dimensional Strata, pursued by the Autobot [[Spychanger|Spy Changers]]. They gathered an assortment of technologies from the human world, including [[Unit: E]]'s Project: Chimera files. Soundwave also guided [[Crash Test (G2)|Crash Test]] and Rumble in stealing the [[Brainwave Scanner]] from Metro City. Megatron and Soundwave combined their new advancements to become [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]]s, augmenting their body-types to be more powerful than the Spy Changers.

Unfortunately for Megatron, his parallel scheme to use the Brainwave Scanner to corrupt Optimus Prime proved ''too'' successful. The rechristened "[[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]" was power-hungry and a threat to Megatron's leadership, taking half the Go-Bots as his own separate Decepticon faction. Soundwave led [[Nightracer (G2)|Nightracer]] and Rumble on behalf of Megatron to steal some equipment from China, but they were opposed by the Spy Changers and the [[People's Liberation Army Paranormal Taskforce]]. Soundwave was captured by the Chinese authorities. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric (2)}}

===Milton Bradley mini-comic===
[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] organized an ambush for the Autobots' new [[Ark (G1)|ark]] as it tried to clear a path through an asteroid belt. As [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] sent the ship hurtling towards [[Earth]], Megatron ordered Soundwave to jump out just before the crash. Soundwave found himself battling [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|strange organic creatures]]. It wasn't long before he found himself against the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], whom the ark had repaired. Though the four Autobots weren't anywhere near a match for Soundwave, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] used his tail to bash a nearby cliff, bringing tons of rock down on top of both the Dinobots and Soundwave, knocking them all offline. {{storylink|The Transformers (Milton Bradley comic)|The Transformers}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Dinobots Strike Back====
In one path, Soundwave was one of many Decepticons in their secret base in [[Mount Lomas]], listening to Megatron's speech about how the [[black coral]] in nearby [[Dolphin's Bay]] would produce enough superfuel to triple their war-making capacity and crush the Autobots in just a few hours. As the speech wrapped up, he intercepted a radio transmission containing details on Operation Black Coral which Megatron just mentioned, and it seemed to be coming from just outside a doorway leading to one of the base's underwater access tunnels! He rushed through the doorway and told the Autobot spy, in a booming voice, "''Don't move!'' The game is over!" But when the intruder turned around and he saw it was just [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], he let [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] deal with him, paralyzing the Autobot with a sonic attack and leaving him in the water.

If [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] tried to radio Bumblebee from his [[Star mini-submarine|mini-sub]] afterwards, Frenzy nailed it with a long range sonic attack as well, presumably because Soundwave also intercepted that transmission and told the mini cassette where to aim.

In an alternate path in which the Decepticons foolishly invited four of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to a premature mountaintop victory party, thinking they were still being controlled by [[cerebro-shell]]s, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] suddenly broke cover and ordered them to attack. Sludge responded first, stomping Soundwave who was nearest to him. It's unknown how badly this injured Soundwave, but he surely didn't fare much worse than the other Dectpticons as the ensuing Autobot assault totaled their base. {{storylink|Dinobots Strike Back}}

====Battle Drive====
In one of the possible scenarios that took place, Soundwave was able to spy on a small squad of Autobots out in open farmland. There, he alternatively discovered if the Autobots were planning a ruse to trick the Decepticons into thinking the whole Autobot army was posed to attack them, or he discovered the location of Sparkplug Witwicky, who held schematics which detailed a fatal flaw in the Decepticons' circuits. In either case, he reported his findings back to Megatron.

In another possible series of scenarios, Soundwave is amongst Megatron's troops who ambush Optimus Prime once he is lured out in open farmland, without any nearby cover. In one version of these events, Soundwave attempts to stop Optimus from reaching the cover of a nearby bridge, only for Optimus to shrug off his blasts and plow past him, forcing Soundwave off the road. In this scenario, the Decepticons succeed in eliminating the Autobots. In an alternate scenario, Soundwave is taken out by Jazz's photon rifle, and the Autobots succeed in escaping the Decepticons' clutches. {{storylink|Battle Drive}}

====Attack of the Insecticons====
Soundwave was present, yet mostly uninvolved, in a number of possible adventures revolving around the Sun-Pak, a device invented by the Autobots' human ally Sparkplug. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

====Earthquake====
[[File:EarthquakeCosmosspies.jpg|thumb]]
Soundwave was one of the Decepticons involved in Megatron's latest ploy, the wipe out humanity through the use of a Destruction Beam and Rumble's earthquake-inducing abilities. Soundwave and Megatron were in the habit of explaining the plot to one another out loud, oblivious to the risk of Autobots wandering nearby and catching wind of their machinations.

In one possible sequence of events, Soundwave plotted with Starscream to overthrow Megatron, and become joint leaders of the Decepticons. Unbeknownst to him, Soundwave was spied upon by the Autobot Cosmos.

In the event that Cosmos relayed this information to Megatron, the Decepticon leader became enraged and confronted the pair. The Decepticons subsequently began fighting amongst themselves, leaving the Autobots to their own devices.

In a completely different possible series of events, Soundwave was handed the human girl Jessie, who had been discovered snooping around the Decepticons’ secret fortress. He and Thrust put the girl in a holding cell within the fortress. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightDrunkenDecepticons.jpg|thumb|left]]
Soundwave was part of a Decepticon deployment stationed in a desert base. The Decepticons plotted to lure the Autobots in a trap through the use of an anti-gravity beam. Using the beam on a nearby human settlement, the Autobots would be duped into coming to the fleshlings’ rescue, only to be themselves trapped by the effects of the beam.

In the event that the Autobots used a trojan ruse to infiltrate the Decepticon base, Soundwave was one of the many Decepticons who had been prematurely celebrating their victory, and was thus too drunk to fight off the subsequent Autobot attack. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}
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====Decepticon Poison====
Soundwave possessed a fighter jet [[alternate mode]]. In one possible scenario, Soundwave was one of the many Decepticons present at the water supply facility, about to poison it when the Autobots arrived on-scene. In one possible scenario that followed, he was shot down by the Autobots, creating his own grave in the charred earth bellow. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}

====Project Brain Drain====
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainDecepticonGuards.jpg|thumb]]
Soundwave reported to Galvatron that the [[Brain Drain device]], capable of syphoning away the brainpower of humans and convert it to energy, had been completed and was ready to be put to use for the Decepticon cause. He became giddy over the idea of rendering humans "incredibly stupid," until Galvatron sternly instructed him to simply inform him of the bare facts when reporting to him. After Soundwave elaborated further on the number of humans the Decepticons would need to "drain," Soundwave was instructed to guard the device while the Decepticons prepared to use it later in the day at a concert in [[Heywood Heights]].

In one possible scenario, Galvatron had to recall his troops from the concert at the last minute when Ultra Magnus and his troops began a timely assault on the Decepticons’ headquarters. Soundwave participated in the battle that ensued, which ended in a loss for the Decepticons when Ultra Magnus triggered an avalanche, burying Galvatron and shattering the Brain Drain device.

In another possible scenario, Soundwave and the rest of the Decepticons were surprised to find the Autobots hiding amidst the parked vehicles surrounding the concert just as they were about to put their plan into action. The two factions began battling as the scared concert-goers got caught in the middle.

In one scenario that ensued, Soundwave had to remind his leader to stop fighting and employ the Brain Drain device and complete their mission. Passing the device on to Galvatron, either Bumblebee or Hot Rod attempted to intercept the device.

If Hot Rod interfered, the young Autobot successfully plucked the device out of Soundwave hands and made his getaway through the nearby ring of fire.

In a completely different sequence of events, Soundwave was exiting the Decepticons’ lab, Brain Drain device in hand, when he spotted Sparkplug Witwicky and Wreck-Gar attempting to sneak in. Soundwave promptly sounded an alarm and open fire on the pair. As other Decepticons came to his aid and surrounded the human and the Junkion, Soundwave instructed the pair to surrender, promising their safety if they did so. Soundwave was lying of course, and blew Wreck-Gar and Sparkplug to smithereens if they gave themselves up. If the pair instead made a run for it, they escaped the Decepticons’ clutches.

In one possible scenario that followed, the Autobots returned to storm the lab shortly after. Soundwave was one of the few Decepticons too afraid of Galvatron's wrath to desert his post, and attempted to fend off the Autobot aggressors. Finding himself on the losing side, Soundwave grabbed the Brain Drain device, and attempted to flee with it.

If Hot Rod attempted to shoot the device out of Soundwave's hands, Soundwave tripped at the last moment over the fallen body of a Decepticon. Hot Rod's blast his Soundwave's shoulder, causing him to fling the Brain Drain device up in the air. Laserbeak managed to catch the device in mid-air, and flew off to rendezvous with Galvatron, ensuring the Decepticons’ victory.

If Jazz attempted to stop Soundwave, the Autobot used all of the sound equipment within his body to send a powerful sonic wave towards the fleeing Decepticon. Overwhelmed by the blast, Soundwave exploded, crushing the Brain Drain device in the process. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

===Frito-Lay posters===
Soundwave was amongst a squad of Decepticons who attempted to get to the power source within [[Sherman Dam|Boulder Dam]]. While Megatron dueled Optimus, Soundwave joined Starscream, Buzzsaw and Ravage in an attack formation. The Decepticons were ultimately unsuccessful in gathering the data they were after. {{storylink|Battle in the Desert Valley}}
{{-}}

===The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual===
Back on Cybertron, Soundwave was tasked with keeping Megatron's army efficient and well-informed. It was largely thanks to him that the Decepticons learned of the Autobots' plan to leave the planet aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. {{storylink|The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual|Soundwave's ''The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual'' profile}}

After awakening on Earth, the Decepticons remained in a prolonged stalemate against the Autobots. A chance to shift the balance of power came to the Decepticons' attention when [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] reported that their enemies had uncovered an ancient Cybertronian ship, one which contained a star map pointing the way back to their homeworld. Soundwave partook in the Decepticons' offensive to take the ship for themselves, and they found it surprisingly easy to send the Autobots into a retreat. They learned why upon entering the vessel; it was a trap! The door shut behind Soundwave and the others, and the Decepticons were sent hurtling blindly out into space. The Autobots knew they hadn't rid themselves of the Decepticons permanently, but were content with not having to deal with them for however long it took them to find their way back planet-side. {{storylink|Day of the Decepticons}}

Megatron brought Soundwave along to ambush Optimus and a couple of his soldiers while they were investigating Transformer power emissions in [[Brazil]]. After Megatron had taken out all opposition, Soundwave moved in to capture the two newly detected robots, a couple of savage [[Dinobot (G1)|mechanical dinosaurs]]. But the plasma net he used on the creatures had an uexpected effect; negative ion feedback triggered their Transformer circuitry and restored their personalities along with their robot modes. Soundwave was blasted by the newly restored [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and chose to flee rather than face the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots']] awesome power. {{storylink|The Dinobots!}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:BW Agenda Pt3 Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|With one stroke I shall free my tiny dinosaur brethren, yesssss!"]]
Soundwave was among the many inert Transformers strewn about the bridge of the ''Ark'' when the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] infiltrated the ship on his mission to destroy Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

====3H comics====
[[File:Terminus Autobots Decepticons.jpg|thumb]]
Soundwave was one of the ancient warriors who appeared from [[J'nwan]] to help battle the warlord [[Shokaract]]. {{storylink|Terminus (issue)|Terminus}} {{storylink|Departure}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Soundwavewarwithin.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Sound and ([[Ravage (G1)#3H comics|eventually]]) Furry.]]
Soundwave was chosen by Megatron to lead his second assassination team against the new Autobot supreme commander, Optimus Prime. With the aid of Soundwave's cassette troops, most notably [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], as well as [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], it was assumed he would have no problem with a young, peace-loving Autobot. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} Soundwave, like the rest of his team, underestimated Prime and lost track of him early in the mission. He reported back to Megatron, who reminded his troops ''not'' to toy with Optimus and to slay him at the first opportunity given. Using Ravage to follow the Prime's scent, the Decepticons resumed their pursuit, only to be all incapacitated when Optimus used the environment to his advantage and ambushed them. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} Soundwave was still out cold when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] came by, {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} but recovered in time to rescue Megatron after the latter's own battle with Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

At some point, Soundwave silently witnessed Megatron angrily confront Starscream for highjacking his plans while he was away, and enacting revenge against the council of elders. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

When Megatron and Optimus Prime vanished in a [[space bridge]] accident, the Decepticons were fragmented and Soundwave joined [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s faction. {{storylink|Conflagration}} While footage of a brawl between Defensor and Devastator was caught on-camera by Prowl's computers in his Autobase, Soundwave was also spotted by one of the hub's screens. {{storylink|Escalation}} Soundwave later participated in the attack on [[The Fallen]]'s minions in an attempt to stop the [[Unbinding]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

Eventually, Shockwave attempted to call a truce with the Autobots for the good of the Transformer race, but the initial ceremony was interrupted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s faction, the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]]. Soundwave was quite mad about this, telling the Predacons to perish for their crimes against Cybertron as he attacked them alongside several Autobots. Shortly after the Predacons were defeated, Megatron returned to Cybertron with his [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] and reunited the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} After falling back under Megatron's command, Soundwave reported the progress on his leader's plan to dig a hole to the core of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

[[File:DWG1Preview SoundwaveUnearthed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|MEMBA HIM?]]
In the year 1999, Soundwave was among the Decepticons defeated by the Autobots and their human allies on Earth. The ''[[Ark II]]'', the spacecraft that would have taken the Transformers back to Cybertron, was sabotaged by General [[Robert Hallo]] and [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], and it exploded upon liftoff, scattering the robots across the Arctic Ocean. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Three years later, Soundwave was unearthed by Rook (now calling himself "Lazarus") in the arctic. Seeing the Decepticon's inert form convinced a potential investor, [[Ratzenberg|Mr. Ratzenberg]], to fund Lazarus's black market organization. {{storylink|Prime Directive Preview}} Several more Transformers, Autobot and Decepticon alike, were recovered and reprogrammed by Rook to accept commands and were leased to terrorist organisations and military juntas as powerful weapons of war. As part of a demonstration to prospective buyers, Rook had Soundwave join an assault against the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside half a dozen Transformers. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} After Megatron freed himself and the other Decepticons from the human's command, Soundwave developed a 'metallic virus' that cyberformed Earth organics into cybertronic materials. Once this doomsday device was completed, Megatron had Soundwave unleash it onto the unsuspecting world. The Decepticons then met the Autobots outside, and the battle between the two factions began anew. Their brawl was briefly interrupted when General [[Robert Hallo]] dropped a low-yield nuclear weapon on the Transformers. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} But the previously unleashed virus absorbed most of the bomb's blast, leaving the Decepticons relatively unharmed. They recovered before the Autobots, and set off towards [[San Francisco]] to bring carnage upon the human city. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} The Autobots soon caught up, and during the Decepticons' subsequent battle against them, Devastator was felled. Despite this, the Decepticons overpowered their foes, and secured them with steel girders. Soundwave stood at Megatron's side as the Decepticon leader tried to convince Optimus to join forces with him, purporting that humans were too morally bankrupt to be worth his efforts. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} But with the humans' help, the Autobots were able to once more turn the tide of battle. Soundwave then detected a nuclear missile launched by Hallo heading for the city. He warned Megatron of the incoming payload, and the Decepticons used the distraction to escape. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

{{charstubfiction|[[The Transformers Trilogy]] ({{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} / {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} / {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}})}}

[[File:Soundwaveg1vol2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Leader's pet.]]
The Decepticons were battling Optimus Prime's forces on the shores of [[Alaska]] when Shockwave and his followers ambushed both factions, denouncing them all as war criminals. Shockwave claimed that in the Earthbound Transformers' absence, the civil war had ended on Cybertron, and those who followed either Optimus or Megatron were now considered enemies of peace. Shockwave brutally deposed Megatron while Soundwave stood by in silence and did nothing to help his former leader. Though the Autobots escaped, the Decepticons who agreed to yield to Shockwave's regime were granted amnesty, among these Soundwave. Shockwave then had his new recruits go within his ship's [[CR chamber]]s while he made his way back to their homeworld. {{storylink|New World Order}}

Soundwave worked his way quietly into Shockwave's good graces, earning the ire of Starscream. After Shockwave offered Soundwave a position as his lieutenant, the latter was accosted by Starscream. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} It didn't take many words to bring Soundwave around to the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]'s point of view. Later, when interrogated by Shockwave, a single, silent look from Soundwave stopped [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] from confirming that Starscream was behind Megatron's disappearance during their voyage to Cybertron. With this bit of non-verbal communication, Rumble and Frenzy understood they were to play along with whatever orders Shockwave issued them. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Soundwave aided Starscream in crippling Shockwave's surveillance systems, by delaying the video feeds being transmitted to his monitor womb. With this delay in place, Starscream was able to sneak up on the [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] trio posted within the surveillance center, and assassinate them. In thanks for his contribution, Starscream rewarded Soundwave by reuniting him with [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} As the battle between the Autobots and Shockwave's forces intensified, Soundwave followed Starscream's lead without a word, and helped him prepare for a return trip to Earth. Unfortunately, the shuttle they hijacked turned out to be the Autobot [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who took off of his own volition, trapping the Decepticons within himself. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

[[File:TheRouteOfAllEvil SoundwaveBlastsStarscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
But Soundwave managed to hack into Sky Lynx's neural processor, forcing him to take the Decepticons to Earth. The Decepticons made their way back to the ''Nemesis'' and set about scavenging parts to restore the ship to working order. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} To this end, Soundwave was part of Starscream's initial salvo against the ''Ark'', a decoy to be deliberately taken prisoner in order to draw out the remaining Autobots where the newly reformatted [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] could get at them in their combined form. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} Bruticus freed Soundwave from captivity, only for [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], a deranged and super-powered clone of Starscream, to arrive and disrupt the Decepticons' raid. Sunstorm's "purifying light" induced an energon overload in the Decepticons' systems, knocking them into stasis lock. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} Soundwave and the other Decepticons were made the Autobots' prisoners once more, until Starscream negotiated a deal for their release in exchange for his aid against Sunstorm. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} Afterwards, Soundwave began to take steps to re-establish Megatron as the head of their troupe; though he had feigned subservience to Starscream, he had never stopped serving Megatron in secret. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} One of his communiques with the true leader of the Decepticons was almost discovered by Starscream when the Seeker unexpectedly returned from his final confrontation against Sunstorm, though Frenzy managed to warn Soundwave of his approach. {{storylink|Infestation (Dreamwave)|Infestation}}

Soon thereafter, Megatron traveled to Earth, with Soundwave granting him access to the Decepticons' base while Starscream was out training with the Combaticons. Upon Starscream's return, Soundwave wielded Megatron in his gun mode, and blasted Starscream through the chest before the true leader of the Decepticons revealed himself to his usurper. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''G.I.Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Soundwavedevilsdue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"Eject. Operation: Dynamic Group Shot."]]
Soundwave was among the Transformers on the ''Ark'' when it crashed long ago, and was discovered and reprogrammed by the human terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] in the present. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} Arms dealer [[Destro]] made a visit to [[Cobra Island]] where [[Doctor Mindbender]] introduced him to Soundwave and his cassettes, who were under the complete control of Cobra's scientists. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} While Destro liked what he saw, he wanted to run a test, and personally operated Soundwave's controls during an attack on the [[SPS Research Facility]].

Meanwhile, a picture of Soundwave was secretly sent out to hundreds of email boxes. The message turned out to be a [[Defense Matrix|secret signal]] from Optimus Prime, which alerted [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Bumblebee to the location of Cobra's secret base where the rest of the Transformers were being held. When the two Autobots appeared to stop Destro's attack, the human brought Soundwave and himself back to Cobra Island. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

[[File:Soundwave GIJoevsTFs6.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3]]
Soundwave was released from Cobra control thanks to Wheeljack and attacked his former human masters. With Megatron and the other Decepticons freed, Soundwave went to work making energon cubes. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Just as things were going their way, Optimus Prime arrived, powered up using the energon, and punched his fist right through Soundwave's chest, taking him out of the battle. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} After the Autobots left on a return voyage to Cybertron, Soundwave's head and remains were taken in secret by human scientists for study. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

Several years later, the scientists managed to use Megatron's technology to create the organic weapon [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who plugged himself into Soundwave's deactivated head after getting free and downloaded data on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s history. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Soundwave Flint-Wolves.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]
Along with the rest of the Decepticons, Soundwave was buried in the [[Fera Islands]] until 1938, when [[Cobra]] accidentally awakened them and used them to conquer most of [[Europe]]. He sent Laserbeak to spy on the [[United States of America|United States]]' reaction to this, and learned that [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] had been created to battle the Cobra threat. Soundwave later helped Megatron and Starscream get rid of some Royal Air Force fighters above the English Channel, allowing Cobra to attack the [[United Kingdom]]. {{storylink|The Line}}

When G.I. Joe attacked the Fera Islands, Soundwave infiltrated [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]'s unit in the form of a radio transmitter carried by a disguised [[Zartan]]. Flint noticed that it wasn't their radio, but that didn't stop Soundwave from capturing him and taking him back to Cobra HQ. {{storylink|Wolves}} However, the Joes had managed to awaken the Autobots also buried on the island, and Soundwave soon found himself facing down [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. He lost the fight, and either died at the hands of Grimlock or when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] was smashed to pieces. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

{{Unreleased TFGJ comic}}
By [[1985]], Soundwave had returned by some unknown means. At some point, he and Starscream uncovered information about a "terrible secret" buried beneath Cobra Island, and set out to destroy Cobra Commander should the terrorist refuse to allow them access to it. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front|Divided Front #5}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
Puzzled by the loss of much of their stock of weapons, Megatron assigned Soundwave to investigate. Using Laserbeak's spying abilities, Soundwave determined that [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] was selling the weapons on the black market, much to Megatron's outrage. {{storylink|Two for the Price of One}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Soundwave participated in an all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots. In its initial stages, the battle swayed in the Decepticons’ favour, and Soundwave defeated [[Twin Twist]]. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===''Another Con''===
Soundwave was present when Megatron was remade into the form of a {{w|Pikachu|small electrical rodent}}. {{storylink|Another Con}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:DecepticonsandMuldoon-HOS2.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.5|right]]
Millions of years in the past, Soundwave was among the Decepticons who took on organic modes in order to battle the Autobots on prehistoric Earth. When an ice age approached, the Decepticons survived by powering down under what would eventually become the [[San Francisco]] Bay. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} Soundwave woke up in the mid-19th century, where he came under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Along with several other Decepticons, he stood by Starscream as he and [[Tobias Muldoon]] discussed where they would build their headquarters. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

{{IDW HOS}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Soundwaves-allofustogether.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Don't you hate it when your codpiece rides up to your collarbone?]]

{{main|Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
An [[Outlier (group)|Outlier]] with extremely powerful hearing and limited telepathic capabilities, Soundwave's unusual powers made him a freak and an outcast in the stifling days of [[Functionism|functionist]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. But after meeting [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]], Soundwave joined [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon]] movement, dreaming of a Cybertron where every Cybertronian could stand as true equals.

In this new role, Soundwave remained a loyal Decepticon for millennia—making one increasingly dubious compromise after the next—until after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], when Megatron, the 'bot who had led him down this path, saw the error of his own ways and defected to the Autobots. Grudgingly accepting cooperation with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] yet refusing to formally join the Autobot cause, Soundwave continued to proudly wear his purple Decepticon [[insignia]], a badge of honor that, to some, marked him as the last true Decepticon.
{{--}}

===''Lil Formers''===
Soundwave ejected all of his minions from his chest compartment, only for the last in line, Rumble, to refuse to come out; with all the extra leg room he now had, he was too comfortable to relinquish his spot. {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
Soundwave participated in an infiltration of [[BotCon]] to track down next year's toy designs, and use them to conquer the Autobots once and for all!

Later, Soundwave used the [[Autoscout]] to deliver a love-letter to [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
Soundwave was one of the many Cybertronians caught up in a civil war that emerged due to greed, corruption, and malice emerging in their planet's halls of power. During the early days of the war, he took part in a battle alongside Thrust. Soundwave was one of the first Decepticons to travel to Earth, and looked on as the Autobots took on alternate forms to disguise themselves amongst its populace. {{storylink|Action Blast 1}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
Soundwave—[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|in his Laser Cycle body]]—was seen among the inhabitants of the multiversal hub city of [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}}

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

===Robot Heroes===
Soundwave was one of the Decepticons who traveled to Earth to bring its people peace... through tyranny! He lay in wait until it was the moment to strike, at which time he unleashed Laserbeak and Ravage from his chest compartment. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}
{{-}}

===''United''===
After Megatron thought that Optimus had been vanquished once and for all, he declared himself Cybertron's "Emperor of Destruction". Soundwave was present for this proclamation. {{storylink|A New Battle!}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
Soundwave was in the audience of a tag battle pitting [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]] against [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Oddly enough, he cheered when it seemed that the Autobots were going to win the match... {{storylink|Last Bot Standing}}

Soundwave, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] enjoyed a picnic by the side of a road. When Bumblebee and Megatron raced by them, the picnickers waved at them. {{storylink|The Big Race}}

He was among the minions who passed Megatron his presents during the holiday season. {{storylink|A Gift For Megatron}}

Soundwave helped Megatron get back into shape after a string of humiliating defeats by standing on top of him while the Decepticon leader did some push-ups, and holding on to his weights while he did some reps. {{storylink|Megatron's Revenge}}

Soundwave participated in an enormous battle against the Autobots... until Optimus Prime began talking about the plot of the [[live-action film series]] to the audience. Soundwave operated the boom-mike for the "recap" segments Optimus recounted until [[Grimlock (Kre-O)|Grimlock]]'s attempt to order a pizza on the phone started bleeping out Optimus's lines. {{storylink|Take Us to the Movies}} {{storylink|Take Us Through the Movies}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}} {{storylink|Another Episode, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Fated Rival, Once Again...}} {{storylink|To Earth}} {{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)|Revenge}} {{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:KreO Soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
Soundwave was one of the [[Decepticon]]s who joined [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] in the ''[[Nemesis (Kre-O)|Nemesis]]'' to chase the [[Autobot]]s in the ''[[Ark (Kre-O)|Ark]]''. After they boarded the ''Ark'', it crashed to [[Earth]] and the [[Transformer]]s fell to a four million year-long sleep. They woke up to a world filled with blocks. {{storylink|Kreon Story}}

Soundwave was part of a massive Decepticon invasion force intended to ruin the Autobots' picnic. However, [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]] plowed through them with his truck and left them scattered... and then left. Returning to the scene after.. ''ahem'', taking care of some pressing business, Optimus gathered up the still-wiped-out Kreons, bound them up on a flatbed trailer, and took them to the picnic. {{storylink|Emergency! Hurry to the Base, Optimus!}}

Soundwave infiltrated into [[Metroplex (G1)|Autobot City]] as an inconspicuous music player. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}} Soundwave witnessed the combiners [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] trying to add the last piece of the Decepticons' new solar tower. {{storylink|Megatron's Ambition!? The Solar Tower Is Built!}}

Soundwave had his clones sold as music players to brainwash humans into slaves using hypnotic music. [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] opposed Soundwave, so Soundwave and his many clones unleashed a musical sound attack upon the Autobots, but Jazz and the others countered with a session of their own. {{storylink|Soundwave's Trap? Stop Operation Brainwash Humanity!}}

Soundwave was seen flying into battle with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] in [[Isami Tatewaki|some kid]]'s living room. {{storylink|Robots in Disguise! The Transformers Are by Your Side!?}}

{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:TPotTM Soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8]]
As part of his duties, Soundwave recorded a number of ''Decepticon Operational Status Updates'' about his faction's participants in the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]. {{storylink|Combiner Wars (comic)|''Generations Combiner Wars'' pack-in comic bios}}

Bolstered by the [[Titan Master]]s, Soundwave spearheaded an all-out Decepticon attack on Cybertron, only to be routed by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===

[[File:ISawThreeShips-chestprison.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Yummy yummy yummy, I've got Joes in my tummy.]]

Soundwave was a warm and emotional Decepticon with a sonorous musical voice and a love for life, the latter of which put him at odds with the brutality of other Decepticons. {{storylink|Black Cybertron}} He hooked [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head up to a machine after Starscream had brought it to Megatron. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}} Soundwave was opposed to the invasion of Earth, only for Megatron to coldly select him and his cassette children for the leading invasion force instead. {{storylink|Black Cybertron}} Together with Starscream and his [[Relatives|brother]] Shockwave, Soundwave and his cassettes traveled from Cybertron to Earth to demand the humans submit to Megatron. Their welcomers, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], were unwilling to surrender and attacked the Decepticons, prompting Soundwave to capture a bunch of the humans and imprison them in his chest cavity where they were attacked by metal tentacles. After [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] cut open his chest window to allow their escape, the Joes unleashed their [[Coltonbolt]] orbital weapon upon Soundwave, destroying his head. {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}}

[[File:ExpelledFromTheGarden-headmastersoundwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]

The headless body of Soundwave was brought to [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], where [[Doctor Venom]] was tasked with repurposing it as a weapon for the Joes. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} Using arcane knowledge, Venom sacrificed several Joe soldiers to turn Bumblebee's body into a robotic suit that could [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with Soundwave's remains, becoming its head. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} Taking control of Soundwave's body, Venom deployed his new weapon to defend T.H.E. P.I.T. from Optimus Prime, catching the attention of Shockwave who demanded the return of his brother. As Optimus Prime and Shockwave grappled over Soundwave, Prime was able to pry Venom and Bumblebee from his shoulders, deactivating his body once again. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

Reclaiming Soundwave's remains and collecting the shards of his head, Shockwave brought them to [[Kalis]] in hopes that [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] could resurrect his brother. However, Flame's twisted miracle brought him back not as his old, impassioned self, but as an emotionless, monotonous machine who denied any brotherly relation to Shockwave and only demanded to know the parameters of his next mission. When [[Snake-Eyes]] arrived in Kalis with a rebellious Ravage, Soundwave fought them both and reclaimed Ravage, who he manually transformed and inserted in his chest for reprogramming. {{storylink|Black Cybertron}}

Regrouping with the rest of the Decepticons, Soundwave and his minions participated in the battle to defend Trypticon from the united "Jotobot" army. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} When Optimus Prime returned from the afterlife and defeated Megatron, Soundwave ordered Laserbeak to snatch the Matrix away from Starscream. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

===''Construct-Bots'' cartoon===
[[File:Construct-Bots short card game.jpg|thumb|150px]]
Soundwave was playing cards with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] attacked. He was upgraded using [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s torso and some other parts thanks to Megatron and his Construct-Bots terminal. He cringed when Megatron slipped and fell on some gumballs. {{storylink|Intro!}}
{{-}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
[[File:ABTF1 Soundwave+Laserbeak.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75]]
Soundwave was among the Decepticon forces that attacked the Autobot ship in search of [[AllSpark]] only to be blasted back out into space by [[Heatwave (G1)|Heatwave]]'s water blasts. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
According to rumor in the 24th century, Soundwave sat at the center of the [[Mandala]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] for several centuries during one of the times Iacon was under Decepticon control. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}}

In 1984, Soundwave participated in a battle in [[London]], infiltrating the [[British Museum]] by pretending to be [[Noah Acton]]'s tape recorder and helping to steal the [[Rosetta Stone]]. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}} When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] upgraded into a [[Triple-Threat Master]] in the early 2030s, Soundwave estimated that he cut hundreds of thousands of solar cycles from his lifespan. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

Soundwave died at some point after this, as [[Eject (G1)|Eject]] lamented that all the great and famous Cybertronians, including Soundwave, were long gone by the time Cybertron was under the control of the [[Builder Assembly]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} Soundwave was of such renown that his face adorned the 100 denomination of [[Cyber Planet Key|cyber planet key]], a unit considered a symbol of wealth on 24th century Cybertron. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

===''Timelines''===
In [[Primax 096.0 Beta]], Soundwave chased fellow [[Laser Cycle]] [[Jazz (G1)#Timelines|Jazz]] during the obligatory Battle of [[Sherman Dam]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/06}} Later, communications officer Soundwave fought at [[Mirtonia]] in the final battle of the [[Great War (G1)|third Cybertronian war]]. Ultimately, however, [[Optimus Prime (G1)#General Optimus|General Optimus Prime]] led the Autobots to victory over the [[Decepticon Empire|Decepticon Star Empire]]. A stray missile blew up an experimental energon refinery, taking Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave with it. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Timelines|General Optimus Prime profile card}}

===''Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Nobuhiko Okamoto]] (Japanese)}}
Soundwave used to watch ''Magical Circle Guru Guru'', and had a crush on one of the characters. {{storylink|The Road to Small and Cute Transformers}} After [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] learned that the Autobots were discussing ways to make ''Q-Transformers'' more popular, Soundwave reported to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], only to have Starscream rag on his original alternate mode. Megatron thought the Decepticons should beat the Autobots to the punch, resulting in Starscream suggesting adding verbal tics to the ends of their sentences — Soundwave's suggestion was to add "I love you". {{storylink|The Road to More Popularity than Autobots}}

When Shockwave suggested discussing ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'', Soundwave recalled it mostly involved cute girls kissing Transformers. During the resulting conversation about making ''Transformers'' more adult, Soundwave yelled "EJECT!" and produced a questionable DVD. {{storylink|The Road to Transformers for Adults}} After Shockwave's presentation on similar series to ''Q-Transformers'', Megatron decided that they needed to have small and cute Transformers. Soundwave suggested that they think about similar anime they'd seen, and brought up his liking of ''Magical Circle Guru Guru''. He also asked if Megatron thought turning the Transformers into little girls was a good idea, though the group rapidly had to improvise little girl voices in case it meant they were out of work as voice actors. {{storylink|The Road to Small and Cute Transformers}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:Aw Yeah Revolution! Autobots vs Decepticons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.50|left]]
Megatron and Soundwave duked it out against the Autobots before an earthquake made the battleground unstable, forcing both sides to retreat. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}}

{{-}}

===When Worlds Collide===
When the Autobots and their allies pursued Megatron and Cobra Commander in search of the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]], Soundwave took part in the epic battle that followed, most likely fighting on the villains' side. {{storylink|When Worlds Collide}}

{{-}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:PrimesDirectivePart1-Decepticons.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Four million years prior to the 23rd century, the ''Ark'' left Cybertron to clear a path through an asteroid field only to be boarded by the Decepticons. Out of control, the ''Ark'' crashed into a volcano on the nearby [[Earth]], knocking all combatants into [[stasis lock]] until the 20th century. Reawakened in the era of humanity, the Transformers began a covert war for the planet's [[energon]] supply until the outbreak of [[World War III]]. The brutal conflict convinced Optimus Prime to abandon Earth, leading his troops away aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], with the Decepticons following aboard [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. After decades in space, the Autobots found energon on [[Cygnus Seven]], the Decepticons attacking and, once again, sending the Autobot ship hurtling towards a primitive planet, everyone within winding up in stasis lock. On stardate 5892.7, a survey team from the [[Federation]] unknowingly triggered Fortress Maximus' autonomic protocols, the repair beam striking Megatron first who healed his forces and led an attack on the surface. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

Despite the intervening centuries, human technology still proved woefully inferior to Cybertronian, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] making short work of the defences. When Optimus Prime entered the battlefield, he was struck down by [[James T. Kirk|a human]] who demanded the Decepticons identify themselves. When the Decepticons touched down, Megatron ordered Soundwave to use his audio disruptor waves against the organics, only for the weapon to allow them to call in a [[photon torpedo]] from the orbiting [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']], singeing Soundwave. When Megatron ordered the Decepticons to fall back until more information was gathered, Soundwave directed them to a nearby moon from which a Decepticon beacon was emanating. Upon arrival, the signal was found to be Trypticon who was infested with [[Klingon]]s. Megatron, however, managed to smooth talk their leader, [[Kuri]] into an alliance. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart3-BumblebeeVsSoundwave.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Before too long, Megatron grew tired of the Klingons, only being swayed when they revealed their cloaking technology, allowing Trypticon to scan their downed [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]]. The Titan used the cloaking device to bait a trap for the ''Enterprise'', crippling it, with Soundwave scrambling the human ship's distress beacon. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

During the attack on the colony, Soundwave hovered by Starscream before Optimus Prime and [[Spock]] surrendered themselves in exchange for the miners' safety. As Kuri beamed down to boast of the [[Klingon Empire]]'s superiority, Fortress Maximus suddenly burst out of the moon, now reformatted into a copy of the ''Enterprise'', and began duelling Trypticon. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

The battle came to a rather abrupt halt when Starscream, having been given a personal cloaking device by the Klingons, fled with a bounty of [[dilithium]], intending to conquer a planet. The act finally evaporated what little patience Megatron had for his traitorous SIC and he ordered all Decepticons after the traitor. As the Decepticons warped after the traitor, Soundwave attempted to dissuade Megatron from pursuit, noting that there were other planets in the universe with dilithium, only for Megatron to reveal his primary motivation was finally putting an end to Starscream. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

The Decepticons caught up with Starscream at the Klingon homeworld of [[Kronos]] as he was displaying his superiority to the [[Klingon High Council]], Soundwave releasing his [[Mini-Cassette]]s to round up the Klingons before the Autobots and [[Starfleet]] arrived. Though the organics had donned [[Crewbot|Cybertronian-scaled mechas]], Soundwave again unleashed his audio disruptor waves, bringing Starfleet and the Autobots to their knees but the frequency he utilized was imperceptible to Klingon ears, allowing them to summon a warbird fleet that defeated the invaders. As part of the deal that Kirk negotiated with the Klingon High Council, Soundwave and his fellow Decepticons were left in Klingon custody. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

===''War For Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Siege-Soundwave-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
On Cybertron, Soundwave was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Force Espionage Major]], whose function was a spy. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' webpage}}<ref name=Siege>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/siege ''Siege'' website]</ref> During the war for Cybertron, Soundwave placed some malicious code into the [[Stanix]] hub to breach the system's data. Being the most critical connection in the global communication grid, [[Teletraan I|Teletraan-1]] discovered it and recorded the event in its data files. {{storylink|Source:Teletraan-1 Data Files|''Siege'' Teletraan-1 Data Files}}

Closer than ever to reaching the AllSpark, the Decepticons awakened after crash-landing on pre-[[Ice Age]] [[Earth]]. While battling the Autobots, both sides were joined by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, their epic battle changing their combined destinies.

During this period, Soundwave's function was communications, and he [[trans-scan]]ned into a communications cassette player. His [[Concussion weapon|Concussion blaster]] and [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette troop]]s were his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his stoic, loyalty, and opportunism. Soundwave's message from the future was that an intruder may be more than they seem. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>
{{--}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Edward Bosco]] (English), [[Shinnosuke Ogami]] (Japanese)|[[Milton Parisi]] (Portuguese), [[Laurent Maurel]] (French), [[Michael Kühl]] (German), [[Julián Rodríguez]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Fidel Garriga]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

[[File:SiegeEp2-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"Excuse my sudden visit, but I saw your fiasco on the picture show and I just couldn't resist."]]
At some point during the war, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attempted to clone Soundwave, which resulted in the creation of the amoral [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}

After Megatron had taken [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] prisoner, Soundwave detected a low-frequency transmission from Magnus's holding cell and alerted Megatron that Magnus had caught wind of their plan to find the [[AllSpark]] and harness its power. {{storylink|Siege episode 2}} When Magnus finally died and transmitted the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]] to its next recipient, Megatron ordered Soundwave to track the anomaly. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}} Soundwave and Shockwave reported their findings to Megatron, who ordered him to find a way to stop the protocols from falling into Autobot hands using one of Shockwave's computer viruses. The virus did its job well: spreading quickly across the planet, it not only erased the code from [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s memory but also knocked systems offline across the planet and revealed the concealed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}

Soundwave took part in the final battle to recover the AllSpark from Autobot hands. As Megatron ordered Soundwave to destroy the Autobot starship, Soundwave reported to Megatron that Optimus was heading to Sector Seven of the planet and caused Megatron to realize that Prime intended to take the artifact off-planet. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

[[File:EarthriseEp4-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"Hahaha! Why does anyone do anything? Sheer, absolute boredom!"]]

Soundwave and the other Decepticons were left stranded on the dying planet following the launch of the ''Ark'' and the destruction of the [[space bridge|spacebridge]]. As their fuel situation grew ever more perilous, Soundwave picked up a transmission from the ''Ark'' and passed this knowledge on to Megatron, who authorized the construction of a starship to pursue them. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} Some time later, the Decepticons successfully launched the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' and caught up with the Autobots at [[Nebulon Station]] during a fight with a rampaging [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. When Megatron fell and Starscream seized command, Soundwave joined in the assault against the Autobots until dire circumstances forced a temporary alliance. Soundwave helped open a set of blast doors so that the Autobots and Decepticons could deal with Scorponok, but soon after Megatron took back leadership the truce broke down and the Autobots escaped amidst the confusion. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

After a perilous trip through the [[Dead Universe]], the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' followed the trail of the AllSpark to prehistoric Earth. In the ensuing three-way battle between the ''Ark'', the ''Nemesis'', and the Quintesson [[Deseeus]] aboard the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'', the ''Nemesis'' was badly damaged and crash-landed on the planet below. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

[[File:KingdomEp3-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"Dear, if I wanted to hurt anyone here..'''I would have done so ALREADY...'''"]]

Soundwave and the other Decepticons worked to get their ship functional again until Laserbeak detected an intruder. Soon after encountering [[Megatron (BW)|the Predacon Megatron]] and his followers, time-travelling Cybertronians from a dystopian future, Soundwave and Laserbeak captured the [[Maximal]] spy [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and brought her back to the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} Armed with both the Matrix of Leadership and a mysterious [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] he'd obtained during his time in the Dead Universe, Megatron contacted Soundwave and informed them that his knowledge of future events meant that it was time for the Decepticon-Predacon alliance to press their advantage. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} Soundwave joined his Megatron in the subsequent search for the AllSpark; despite his increasingly ominous visions, Megatron dismissed Soundwave's fears that possessing the Matrix of Leadership would have adverse effects. When a repentant [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] had a crisis of conscience and ambushed his erstwhile allies, Soundwave unleashed a sonic barrage before Dinobot recovered and impaled him through the chest. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 3}}

Soundwave eventually recovered and joined the crew of the ''Nemesis'' during their final attack on the ''Ark''. From his station, Megatron ordered Soundwave to fire on the grounded Autobot ship below, but thanks to Airazor and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s sabotage, their guns were offline. Despite this, Megatron simply transformed and made a kamikaze dive toward the ''Ark'', which assumed a towering robot mode and grounded the Decepticon warship for good by punching it into molten lava. Soundwave and the other Decepticons were captured and imprisoned aboard the ''Ark'' as the ship returned to Cybertron. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} Soundwave was locked in a stasis field until he was freed to partake in a climactic showdown against [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]], which ended with the arrival of spark spirits. After [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]]'s spirit bought a swift end to the threat, Soundwave and the other Decepticons came together with the Autobots to mark a tentative end to the Great War before departing under Megatron's command. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}}

=== 2019 IDW continuity ===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|''Transformers'' #2]]}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPart3 AscenticonGuardVolunteers.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"Ladies and gentlemen... I give you the Beatles!"]]

During the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Exarchon]] developed a clone of Soundwave named [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} After the war, Soundwave spent time in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], a haven for war veterans and political dissidents. {{storylink|Storm Horizon Part 1}}

At some point after Exarchon's defeat, Soundwave had become Senator, a representative within the planetary [[Senate]]. For a time, he worked as a member of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s inner retinue as head of the planet's intelligence division; {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}} eventually, however, Sentinel was forced to cut a deal with the ambitious [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in exchange for his silence regarding the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[spark]]s he'd hidden under the [[Forge Pyramid]], {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} and as a result of the backroom deal, Soundwave lost his prestigious position.

Eventually, Soundwave fell in with Megatron and his burgeoning [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] movement; a firm supporter of Megatron's grand designs, Soundwave aided his new leader as Megatron reforged the scattered remnants of [[Termagax]]'s vision into an effective political machine. Not only did he help to represent the Ascenticon interests within the Cybertronian senate, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} Soundwave also served as a liaison between the respectable veneer of the Ascenticon movement and [[The Rise]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s underground network assembled to foment dissent within Cybertronian society, {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}} and even helped recruit ex-intelligence operatives into the clandestine organization. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}} In public, Soundwave remained one of Megatron's closest confidants and helped record and broadcast his speeches that criticized the [[Nominus Edict]] the Ascenticons sought to overturn. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

One evening, Soundwave joined Megatron at an Ascenticon rally in Tarn, where the pair survived a suspiciously incompetent assassination attempt. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} The "attack" gave Soundwave an opportunity to reveal the next phase of the Ascenticon movement as he introduced the [[Ascenticon Guard]], a private security force sympathetic to the cause. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} In the meantime, however, respected scientist [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s murder—the first murder in millennia—sent ructions through Cybertronian society, and threatened the legitimacy of the Ascenticon platform when all available evidence implicated The Rise. While hunting for a [[Voin]] who might have witnessed the killing, [[Security Operations]] officer [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] discovered a loose end that tied The Rise to Brainstorm's murder, and passed this information to Soundwave, who in turn sent [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] to silence the Voin. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPartFive-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the meantime, Soundwave attended Brainstorm's funeral alongside his leader, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} and later recorded another speech of Megatron's, claiming that this one would reach a hundred thousand Cybertronians would hear it before the cycle's end. When [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] approached the Ascenticons for a position, he assumed that he'd be dealing with Guard leader [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]], but she sent Soundwave in his place to evaluate Bumblebee's fitness for the Guard during a secluded interview in an abandoned energon mine. However, Soundwave's [[electromagnetic suppressor spear|electromagnetic suppressor]] prevented Bumblebee from receiving [[Rubble]]'s transmission, who'd had the misfortune of stumbling upon Quake killing the Voin and was himself murdered. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

With tensions on Cybertron mounting, Megatron paid Termagax a visit and confirmed to Soundwave that she would not be interfering with their upcoming plans. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two}} Eventually, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] discovered that Barricade had gone behind his back to tip off the Ascenticons, leading to Barricade deserting Security Operations and seeking sanctuary at [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Ascenticon Headquarters]]. Correctly deducing that Barricade could not fall into Senate hands, Soundwave denied Prowl entry into their building, leading to a tense standoff. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four}} When Megatron discovered this, he scolded an unresponsive Soundwave for his haphazard handling of the situation. When other business called Megatron away, he ordered Soundwave to use one of his secure drones to have someone come and collect Barricade, and to make it look good. That night, after the raid had spirited Barricade away, Soundwave recorded Megatron making another speech, one where he revealed [[Decepticon|a new direction]] for their movement and for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}}

With First Senator Sentinel Prime back from his colonial tour due to the unrest, Soundwave approached him as senator for the Ascenticons. Soundwave suggested accelerating the time table for senate elections to clarify the government's mandate was still among the people. Recognizing this as a tactic to gain a senate majority for the Ascenticons over the Autobots, Sentinel forcibly denied the request. Soundwave next decided to publicly insert the Ascenticon Guard into a developing situation involving Rise terrorists. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part One}} Four members of the Rise had been caught trying to steal energon and fled inside an immersant Titan, then used stolen weaponry to keep Security Operations at bay in a stand-off. Soundwave presented himself as a neutral intermediary to negotiate with the Rise. He hoped to ensure safe passage for Ruckus and the other three, assuming they knew nothing of value that could upset the Ascenticon plans. Unfortunately, Ruckus not only knew Soundwave helped Barricade escape and that Shockwave was recruiting ex-intelligence types to the Rise on Soundwave's recommendation, he was also too dumb to even realize this was important information. Realizing Ruckus was a liability, Soundwave left his suppressor staff with the Rise while he "renewed negotiations" with Security. Soundwave had just finished telling Bumblebee and Elita-1 it looked like the terrorists had explosives when he detonated his staff, desecrating the Titan and eliminating the loose ends. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}}

[[File:AllFallDown-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

A Rise attack destroyed the [[Tether]] that connected Cybertron to its [[Winged Moon]], and Soundwave joined Megatron and his fellow Ascenticon senators as they surveyed the devastation. Having learned from fellow Senator [[Heretech]] that Sentinel Prime planned to arrest Soundwave during the next Senate meeting as part of a sting operation, Megatron put Soundwave under the protection of the Ascenticon Guard and sourced some extra muscle from The Rise in order to beef up their numbers. Soundwave announced that Elita-1, who had previously headed the Guard, would be relieved of command and confined to her quarters, while [[Flywheels|Skytread]] took over the day-to-day running of the Ascenticon Guard. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}}

When Quake was captured by the Autobots and marched through Iacon, Soundwave ordered Skytread to ensure the veteran was not taken into custody. Though Ascenticon supporters managed to free Quake, he was ultimately killed by Bumblebee. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}

[[File:Awakenings-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

When the Ascenticons - now rebranded as the "Decepticons" - took control of the [[Senate]], Soundwave stood by Megatron as the leader announced his new world order to the Senators. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}} After calling [[Andromeda (G1)|Andromeda]] to [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]], Soundwave stood by Megatron when Starscream arrived for a haggling session. Incensed by Starscream's theatrics and insults, Soundwave unleashed his sonic cannon on the Head of Intelligence, wounding his former colleague enough to give his information to Megatron for free. {{storylink|War World: Awakenings|Awakenings}} Soundwave bore witness to Andromeda's first propaganda interview with Megatron, warning her to do as she was told. Once the recording was completed, Soundwave told Andromeda to submit the footage to him for a final review, that she would be called upon as needed and to get out. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}}

Megatron arranged a holographic parley with Optimus Prime, in an effort to track his true position and send a strike force to end their feuding. Soundwave did track the transmission, but he alerted Megatron that Optimus Prime and the Autobots were out of range, having already abandoned Iacon to move beyond their reach. {{storylink|War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness}} Later on, Soundwave reported in to Megatron that Termagax had been located by the Seekers along the Sea of Rust. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

[[File:WarsEndPartTwo-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Soundwave was in attendance at Megatron's throne room when the captive [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was brought in for interrogation. He heard Magnus's claims that Exarchon had survived and possessed Ruckus, and seemed dubious. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} However, Cyclonus soon arrived with another sighting of Exarchon, the similarly miraculously revived [[Provoke]], whom he had killed. Soundwave shut down Starscream when he tried to interject, but Megatron allowed the former chief of intelligence to have his say. Starscream suggested that, alive or dead, Exarchon made a good rallying symbol to solidify his rule. If Exarchon were truly back, defeat him. Even if he wasn't, taking action to ''pretend'' Exarchon was back might by politically advantageous as well. {{storylink|War's End Part One}}

Soundwave remained bitter that Megatron would not allow him to finally rid himself of Starscream. Starscream needled his former boss, suggesting Soundwave learn to go with the flow, right before a wounded Skywarp teleported into their midst. He brought yet another sighting, this time confirming Exarchon was back and renewing his ties with Shockwave. Starscream brought this information to Megatron and encouraged him to make a temporary truce with the Autobots, allowing both parties time to deal with the other threats Cybertron faced. He could always break the truce and kill Prime once he served a purpose. Megatron deferred to Soundwave on this plan and Soundwave, reluctantly, chose to support Starscream's idea despite its source. {{storylink|War's End Part Two}}

Soundwave was present with Megatron's forces when they gathered for the final battle with the Autobots at [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], after the truce ended. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}
{{--}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
[[File:MazingerZvsTransformers-Decepticons.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Soundwave and the other Decepticons were battling the Autobots for control of a space bridge when a freak accident teleported everyone to the Japan of another universe. As they scouted out the terrain, Soundwave and Laserbeak reported on the miraculous energy source beneath the nearby [[Photonic Power Laboratory]]. The Decepticons watched as the Autobots took on and later allied with [[Kōji Kabuto]] and his [[Mazinger Z]] super robot after realizing that [[Baron Ashura]] had deliberately misled them into supporting the evil [[Mechanical Beast]]s. Not long after the evil robots retreated, the Decepticons sought out their leader [[Doctor Hell]] and formed an alliance.

Backed by the Mechanical Beasts, the Decepticons made a second run on the Photonic Power Laboratory and did well up until Mazinger and Optimus Prime joined the fray, only for the tide of battle to shift back into the favor of the Decepticons when Starscream, now sporting an enormous Mazinger body, and took out the pair before turning on Megatron. When all three factions teamed up to destroy "Mazinscream", the destruction of his physical body created an energy vortex that sucked all of the Cybertronians back to their native dimension. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsOFCybertronPart4-youstillfunction.jpg|thumb|250px]]
When the Autobots fled Cybertron following the end of the Great War, the planet was visited by the supernatural menace known as [[Gozer]]. Soundwave, Megatron, Shockwave, and Starscream visited the [[Temple of Gozer|temple]] that Gozer had summoned in order to deal with the invader; although Soundwave advised caution, Megatron's recklessness and Starscream's ego quickly spiralled out of control, and Gozer transformed into a monstrous avatar of Starscream in order to destroy the doomed world. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}

Soundwave grimly reported to Megatron that not even their strongest [[combiner]]s could outpower Gozer, before the 'bots of [[Decepticon High Command]] were approached by another ghostly entity: the electrical being known as "[[Kremzeek]] the Scavenger," who tricked the four 'bots into surrendering their physical bodies and turning them into [[ghost]]s. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}} Kremzeek demanded them to help him find and absorb the [[AllSpark]], which the Autobots had taken with them; all but Starscream refused, however, and the trio were absorbed into Kremzeek's being.

Roughly a thousand years later on Earth, Kremzeek's physical body was destroyed when the Scavenger made physical contact with [[Killerwatt|an electricity consuming ghost]], freeing the three Decepticons. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4}} Although Soundwave and Shockwave initially hoped to work with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ectotron]] to restore their bodies, the conflict quickly escalated and the pair joined the battle against the [[Ghostbusters]]. Soundwave released several of his equally ghostly cassettes to take on the humans, but he was quickly restrained by [[Winston Zeddemore]] and sucked into a [[ghost trap]]. At the conclusion of the battle, Optimus Prime agreed that he would take the three Decepticons into his care until he could find a way to revert them to their old selves. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 5}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. the Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPartFour-GoTerminateYourself.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
In the year [[1984]], Soundwave awoke aboard the ''Ark'' alongside Megatron and the other Decepticons, watched his leader execute [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and took part in the invasion of Earth that ended with the defeat of [[Skywatch]] and the extinction of humanity. In order to retroactively win the war, Skywatch's robotic defense network [[Skynet]] sent a [[T-800]] Terminator back in time to defeat the Cybertronians before they could menace Earth. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

In this new timeline, Soundwave awoke on board the ''Ark'' alongside Megatron and the other Decepticons, only for the Terminator to barge into the ship and confront the Cybertronians. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}} After the robot's pinpoint aim blew out Megatron's optic, the tyrant sent Starscream and Soundwave to destroy the intruder; upon detecting [[Sarah Connor]], Soundwave unleashed [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and disoriented the Terminator with his sonic blasts. Sarah managed to revive both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], however, and Megatron ordered a retreat to gather information on this new world. The Decepticons regrouped on the Oregon coast, where Soundwave repaired Megatron's optic. Once Starscream had deduced that the humans would pose no threat to their future energy-gathering efforts, the villains attacked the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility for its energy production facilities, suspecting a link between their mechanical attacker and the cybernetics facility. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}}

While the other Decepticons secured a perimeter, Soundwave and [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] siphoned electrical energy from the plant into [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}} However, when the Autobots attacked, Soundwave took to the front lines with the rest of the villains, and advanced on Bumblebee and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] before he detected Sarah fruitlessly calling for help from within Cyberdyne's parking booth. Soundwave correctly deduced that no further Autobots would be arriving, but before he could inform Megatron of this development he was shot and fatally wounded by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had double-crossed the other Decepticons with the assistance of the Terminator. A dying Soundwave confronted Sarah and the Terminator, accusing them of setting the events in motion that led to the defeat of the Decepticons; unmoved by his words, however, the two joined forces and shot him until he collapsed and died. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}
{{--}}

===Precursor World (1)===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling a blue Soundwave (as opposed to the [[Soundwave (G1)#Precursor World (2)|other guy]]) was a member of the [[Blue Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. He and his comrades followed their commander [[Blue Big Convoy]] into battle when a duel between [[G1 World|dimension-tossed]] future warriors [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Generations Selects Special Comic (1)|Ultra Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]] threatened the [[Blue Planet (GS)|Blue Planet]] and [[Beast People|its people]]. The Warrior received a direct hit from Ultra Megatron for his trouble. {{Storylink|Super Megatron comic 2}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:PetSounds-SoundwaveVsDiscord.jpg|thumb|300px]]
While fighting for control of a damaged [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Soundwave was among the many Decepticons transported through the bridge to [[Equestria]] as a result of [[Queen Chrysalis]]'s magic spell. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}} Soundwave crash-landed in [[Ponyville]], near [[Fluttershy]]'s house while she was enjoying tea with [[Discord (MLP)|Discord]], and although his strange appearance confused the duo the presence of his cassettes soon convinced the animal-loving pony to try and befriend him and his "pets". Discord's mischievous behavior quickly grated on the nerves of the stoic Decepticon, but it was not until [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] upset Fluttershy that Discord retaliated in earnest by siccing a horde of robotic animals on the pair. Soundwave admitted that he, too, understood the value of friendship between him and his followers, and agreed that he could be friends with Fluttershy under threat of being turned into a pony by Discord. Indeed, when Megatron ordered his lieutenant to meet him at his current position, Soundwave—happily watching as his cassettes played with their new friends—told Megatron that they'd be there... eventually. {{storylink|Pet Sounds}}

[[File:SickBeats-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

After the Decepticon forces had been reunified, Soundwave joined in the attack on the [[Crystal Empire]]. Met by the Autobot/pony alliance, Soundwave attempted to eject his cassettes only for [[Pinkie Pie]] to have inexplicably made his way into his chest and throw a pie in his face. The Decepticon invasion of Equestria was eventually halted when Optimus Prime and [[Twilight Sparkle]] combined the power of the Matrix of Leadership and the magic of friendship to send the invaders, Soundwave included, back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

After the Decepticons had discovered a means of returning to Equestria for magical samples and artifacts, Soundwave, unaware of [[King Sombra]] being unleashed on his planet, continued the mission of detaining any Equestrians. Discovering [[Octavia]] and [[Vinyl Scratch]]'s group, Soundwave responded to their aggression with his sonic cannon, trapping him and them under 500 tons of steel. With neither his sonic weapons nor his minions being able to clear the obstruction, Soundwave reluctantly agreed to ally with the Equestrians to blast their way to freedom. When Soundwave made contact with Megatron, he learnt of King Sombra and agreed to extend the alliance with the organics. {{storylink|Sick Beats}}

[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] airlifted Soundwave and Octavia into the fray during the final battle against a Sombra-controlled [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}
{{--}}

===Precursor World (2)===
[[File:Abominus2-GoldenSoundwave.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I'd rather be shiny!]]

A Transformer resembling a particularly dazzling Soundwave (as opposed to the [[Soundwave (G1)#Precursor World (1)|other guy]]) was a follower of [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] in the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]]. Like his fellows, he dutifully assisted Primus in his efforts to confiscate the [[Star Power|Seven Lights]] from his dissenting army the [[Primus Vanguard]] and destroy the universe.

Soundwave was present in the strike team Primus brought to bear against the [[Powered Master]]s in an expedition to the year [[2050]] of the [[G1 World|next universe]] to capture its newly formed, empty [[Silver Matrix]] for his patsy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]]. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

When all of the players were in place for Primus's grand plan, Soundwave ferried [[Primus's envoy|his master's envoy]] to the site of the final battle as his passenger dramatically proclaimed their master's impending victory.

Primus personally collected the assembled Seven Lights in short order, and his hype man continued to big up the boss from atop Soundwave as Primus brought their full power to bear, bringing about the end of the [[Precursor World]] the Golden Age had so long strived for, {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Prelude|Finale Prelude}} only for Primus to be blown to smithereens by the massive battle mech [[Blue Planet (GS)|Neo Primus]]'s central cannon! The god's golden shell fell away to reveal his true form—a tiny energy being known as "Oracle". The surviving Primus Vanguard commanders whisked the now-exposed Oracle to safety. All this commotion left Soundwave vulnerable to hostile boarding by the future warrior [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron Omega]], having survived Primus's assault, who proceeded to drain his companion of [[Golden Power]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF1-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Million of years before 1984, Soundwave was one of the Decepticons who boarded the ''Ark'', winding up in stasis lock when the ship crashed on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}} In [[1985]], Soundwave and Megatron listened to [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s report from [[Hill Valley]] as they watched [[Marty McFly]] travel back in time in [[DeLorean time machine|a specialized DeLorean]]. None of the Decepticons were sure what they were looking at until Ravage detected trans-temporal particles, suggesting that the humans had invented [[time travel]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}}

Rumble had managed to stow away on the DeLorean to [[2015]], discovering that the Decepticons had been defeated. Time travelling back to before the ''Ark'' had rebooted, Rumble reactivated the Decepticons ahead of schedule. Executing the stasis locked Autobots, the Decepticons conquered Earth, turning humanity into a labour force. In the altered 2015, Soundwave brought the coordinators of Pasadena and Arleta before Megatron when the two cities had fallen behind on their quota of energon cubes. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Unpredictable}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 13}} {{storylink|I Want to Protect This Place}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 17}} {{storylink|The Villains' Strategy Conference, Indeed!}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 26}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 32}} {{storylink|The Trick to a Healthy Autobot Warrior}} {{storylink|The Transformers Go! Go! Search Quiz is Here!|Search Quiz}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 40}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 41}} {{storylink|A Tasty Trap!!}} {{storylink|The Transformers Gather on the Snowy Mountain!|Search Quiz 2}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 45}}}}

{{ongoing}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 26|December 10 2025}}
On Cybertron, Soundwave fought alongside the other Decepticons for 200 years, felling many Autobots such as [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}} He would later take part in the Decepticon raiding party on board the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' as it pursued the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and took part in the raiding party that boarded the Autobot vessel. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}}

[[File:TF2023 – Soundwave reawakens.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|Skywarp gets it.]]
Many years later, Soundwave was one of many Decepticons lying dormant in the ''Ark'' when [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] unearthed the ship and attempted to use [[Teletraan One]] to rebuild the Transformers aboard. A fight broke out, and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ordered [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to drag Decepticon warriors closer to his position to take advantage of the computer's indiscriminite repairs. Soundwave, along with the cassettes inside his chest compartment, was the first rebuilt, and immediately opened fire on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. He then deployed [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to assist Starscream's attack on Optimus, and was visibly shaken when Optimus shot Ravage.

After the Autobots escaped, Soundwave explained to Starscream and Skywarp, all while cradling a damaged Ravage, that Teletraan One had been damaged beyond their current capacity of repair due to their lack of energy. He explained he had already sent [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] in search of an energy source and argued that Starscream should collect it due to his higher [[Energon]] reserves. Soundwave attempted to say the plan is what [[Megatron (G1)#Energon Universe|he]] would want, but was promptly told by Starscream to never say his name. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

Starscream brought back enough energy to power the other Decepticons, and they all returned to collect the rest, with Soundwave carrying a converter taken from the Autobot's ship. Soundwave deployed [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] to assist in setting up the energy transfer module before powering on the converter, claiming to Starscream it would provide them limitless power. Soundwave would then warn Skywarp of a jet falling out of the sky, courtesy of Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

They did make it back to the ''Ark'' with energy and materials. However, Soundwave – still cradling Ravage – explained to Starscream that while they had more than enough Energon to repair Teletraan One, the materials available lacked the advanced compound structure. He attempted to lament on what Megatron would have done, which earned him a swift slap from Starscream for mentioning that name. Just then, the Decepticons received a priority alert from Laserbeak about [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Energon Universe|an Autobot]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 3|Transformers #3}}

[[File:TF2023-4 – Soundwave Kicks Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|"AND HERE COMES SOUNDWAVE WITH THE STEEL BOOT!"]]
Soundwave and his cassettes attacked Optimus Prime and Cliffjumper at the local hospital, catching the two off-guard. Soundwave quickly dispatched Optimus with a kick to the face and was about to execute the Autobot leader before Starscream told him to wait. Starscream had figured out the purpose of the hospital and wanted to make Optimus suffer before Soundwave killed him. However, Soundwave alerted Starscream to two approaching Autobots: Ratchet and [[Jazz (G1)#Energon Universe|Jazz]]. Soundwave and Starscream fired on the newcomers, but Jazz quickly dispatched them, slamming Soundwave into the ground. The Autobots rallied, so Starscream called for a retreat, carrying Soundwave in cassette player mode on the underside of his jet mode.

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Starscream kicks Ravage.jpg|thumb|right|[Soundwave will remember that]]]
The Decepticons returned to the ''Ark'', Soundwave carrying the damaged Skywarp and berating Starscream's single-minded appetite for destruction. As the two argued over repairs, Soundwave realized they did have the Cybertronian materials needed, and so he and Starscream tore Skywarp apart to get them. After the repairs were completed, Soundwave watched as Teletraan One finally began repairing [[Reflector (G1)|Decepticons]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}} Soundwave wanted to use the computer to rebuild Ravage, but Starscream vetoed the idea and punted the cassette aside, instead opting to revive [[Thundercracker (G1)#Energon Universe|Thundercracker]]. Soundwave then received word from Laserbeak that the Autobots had found a fresh source of energy, prompting Starscream to lead an expeditionary force to put a stop to them. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Later, when the Autobots mounted a counteroffensive to retake the ''Ark'', Soundwave was part of the counterattack as the Autobots managed to slip past [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]] into the ship. A furious Devastator began to pound his way into the ship to get at the Autobots, prompting Soundwave to try and get the combiner to stop, pointing out that the Decepticons needed the ''Ark'' too, and that a better way would be to dig through a relatively weak part of the mountain the ship was embedded in. The operation was successful, and Soundwave made it through to grapple with Jazz. However, Devastator would be defeated by Optimus Prime wounding Starscream in the process, and the Decepticons retreated.

Before Soundwave left carrying Ravage, Optimus stopped to offer Soundwave an olive branch. Soundwave wordlessly glanced toward Ravage, and then threw a punch at Optimus. However, the Prime caught his punch, and Soundwave hitched a ride from Thundercracker away from the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}


[[File:TF2023no.7-All_Hail_Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|"And so it is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Starscream... Well, he ain't getting any deader!"]]

As the Decepticons took refuge in a mountainous area, Soundwave called a meeting of the Decepticons, calling for Starscream's resignation as acting Decepticon leader, invoking the right of a battle for the leadership when he refused. Starscream could only beg and plead as Soundwave beat him senseless. When Starscream tried to fight back with some cheap tricks, Soundwave dispatched Laserbeak, who ripped out his eye. Starscream once again tried bargaining, but Soundwave, still not having forgiven the Seeker for kicking Ravage, disembowelled Starscream and threw him off a cliff. Soundwave then vowed to use Starscream's parts to rebuild Ravage, and that he would rebuild the Decepticons as a whole and make them conquerors again, and the other Decepticons knelt and cheered for their new leader. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 7|Transformers #7}}

A more methodical leader than Starscream, Soundwave's first act as leader was to set up a new base of operations for the Decepticons. He did this by attacking the human aircraft carrier [[USS Henry Harrison|''Henry Harrison'']] alongside Thundercracker. Thundercracker wanted to take pity on the humans and let them abandon ship, but Soundwave pointed out that they couldn't allow for any witnesses to the attack, and sank their lifeboats.

[[File:TF2023 no. 8 – Soundwave and Thundercracker.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.12|It's always better down where it's wetter: under the sea.]]
Moving on to the next phase of the plan, the two Decepticons scuttled the carrier so that it lay next to where the Constructicons were unearthing the ''Nemesis''. Using the ''Harrison'''s nuclear reactor, the Decepticons restored power to their sunken starship and made their way inside it. It was then that they realized that [[Astrotrain (G1)#Energon Universe|Astrotrain]] was online, and Soundwave ordered a reluctant Thundercracker to open his cell. Astrotrain proceeded to beat Thundercracker senseless, demanding to know where Megatron was. Soundwave responded that he didn't know, and agreed to Astrotrain's terms that when they found Megatron, they would turn him over to Astrotrain's tender mercies. Soundwave then moved on to Phase Three of his plan, as while the large and energon-deprived ''Nemesis'' was immobile and unspaceworthy, he only needed the ship's communications systems to contact Cybertron, allowing him to reach [[Shockwave (G1)#Energon Universe|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}}

[[File:TF2023 no 9 - Soundwave wields Shockwave.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.12|[[Darth Vader|"You are beaten! It is useless to resist!"]]]]
Thanking Shockwave for agreeing to come to their aid, Soundwave led the Decepticons in the ensuing battle with the Autobots, wielding Shockwave in gun mode to take out Ratchet and using his shoulder cannon to severely damage Jazz and Cliffjumper. When Elita One emerged from the space bridge portal though which Shockwave had come, Soundwave ordered the Decepticons to give chase after she blasted it with Prime's ion blaster and urged the Autobot leader to retreat. However, Shockwave convinced Soundwave that repairing the bridge was of much greater importance to them. Meanwhile, Astrotrain, whom Soundwave had ordered to capture Spike Witwicky, informed the human that Soundwave was aware of Shockwave's interest in studying this new species. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}}

Back at the ''Nemesis'', Soundwave, in the middle of attempting to repair Ravage, was interrupted by Shockwave who scoffed at the idea of prioritizing such an unimportant task when a new era was upon them. However, just as Shockwave moved to throw the recordicon into a recycler, the two were distracted by a huge whale. Soundwave commented that the planet had many organic wonders, to which Shockwave replied that it was wonderful to know the role the creature would play in their cause. Walking over to an energy feeder the Constructions had just finished building, Soundwave watched as the whale and other nearby sea life were sucked into the machine and converted into energon.

Accompanying Shockwave to the interrogation of a captured Jazz and Cliffjumper, Soundwave led Thundercracker, who disapproved of Shockwave's dishonourable brutality, from the room, saying that it was best not to dwell on such things and that as much as they disliked Shockwave, his role was key to their plans. Though the Seeker proceeded to make clear his frustration at leaving Skywarp behind at the ''Ark'', Soundwave refuted that his rescue was out of the question and that, as a Deception, Thundercracker's life belonged to him.

Soundwave was among the Decepticons who witnessed the reactivation of the space bridge, which opened a portal above Earth from which Cybertron emerged. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 10|Transformers #10}} As Shockwave prepared to return to the planet, Soundwave pleaded with him to retrieve parts to repair Ravage, but Shockwave shut down the idea yet again.

After Shockwave had returned from Cybertron, the Autobots invaded the ''Nemesis'' in the hopes of rescuing their captured comrades. Soundwave watched as Shockwave ordered the Constructicons to merge into Devastator and halt their attack. As things began to look bad for the Autobots, a strange portal opened up and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and Wheeljack stepped through. However, Magnus froze up, unable to bring himself to fight, and fled the battle. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 11|Transformers #11}} Shockwave transformed to gun mode, but before Soundwave could use him to execute Cliffjumper, Carly's van came zooming out of the portal and rammed into him, causing him to drop the weapon. Meanwhile, Devastator toppled onto the energy feeder, destroying it and causing Shockwave to retreat though the space bridge to obtain reinforcements. However, it was not Shockwave that would eventually reemerge from the bridge, but a massive chunk of Cybertron itself, which fell into the ocean, {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 12|Transformers #12}} scattering the remaining Decepticons and causing them to lose the ''Nemesis'' .

When they eventually regrouped, Soundwave deemed Cybertron as a lost cause and refocused efforts on holding their ground on Earth. Hoping to gather a stockpile of energy and draw the Autobots out of hiding, the Decepticons commenced numerous raids on cities, ransacking them and slaughtering humans. Just as Soundwave had predicted, Optimus and what remained of the Autobots did eventually arrive in an attempt to aid the humans. However, he opted not to attack and to instead keep an eye on their numbers. Promising Laserbeak that Ravage would eventually be repaired, Soundwave sent him on a mission that he mused he should have done the moment he had awoke aboard the ''Ark''.

[[File:TF2023 no.15 - DecepticonsFight.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Soundwave and the Decepticons eventually tracked the Autobots to their energy feeder at a dam. However, they were not the only insects there, as Starscream, still bearing the scars from his fight with Soundwave, was there along with Astrotrain and the Combaticons. Declaring that Soundwave would pay for his treachery, Starscream ordered the Combaticons to merge into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 15|Transformers #15}} As the Constructicons formed Devastator in retaliation, Soundwave charged Starscream, only to be rammed into the water by a vengeful Astrotrain. Soundwave castigated the Triple Changer for switching sides so easily, only for Starscream to fall on top of Astrotrain. Soundwave then asked Thundercracker for help against the two, but Thundercracker, having just learned of Soundwave's role in Skywarp's fate, transformed and deserted Soundwave instead. Not long after, Optimus Prime used Megatron's fusion cannon to shoot a hole in the dam, and the brawling Decepticons were caught up in a flash flood. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 16|Transformers #16}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 18 - Megatron Returns.jpg|thumb|left|200px|You know that feeling when your dad comes home from work and you and your sibling are fighting? Yeah, that’s Soundwave and Starscream right here.]]
The battle moved into [[Seattle]], as Devastator and Bruticus continued to brawl, with the Autobots milling around to try and save any humans caught in the crossfire. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 17|Transformers #17}} As Starscream soared above in Astrotrain, Soundwave ejected the one-armed Rumble, who shattered the triple changer's right wing and sent him crashing to the ground. Through Bruticus attempted to come to the aid of his master, Soundwave ordered Devastator to tackle him back down. Fighting Starscream once more, Soundwave berated the Seeker for how pathetic he truly was, pointing out his need for Earth technology to even move. Furious, Starscream tore off Soundwave's chest door and extracted the comatose Ravage, preparing to finish what [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|Prime had started]]. However, much to Starscream's horror, a heavily battered Megatron arrived and put an end to tussle with only a single word. Commending Soundwave and his tapes for their loyalty, Megatron revived Ravage, much to Soundwave's delight, and declared that they had much work to do. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 18|Transformers #18}}

Soundwave watched as Megatron proceeded to defeat a rage filled Astrotrain in combat and accompanied the rest of the Decepticons in submitting to Megatron's rule once more. When Megatron uncovered a stock of Energon on the chunk of Cybertron and used it to repair Starscream, he ordered the Seeker to wield him in gun mode to destroy Astrotrain. Soundwave looked on as Megatron swore to retrieve his arm from the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 20|Transformers #20}} As the Decepticons headed for the ''Ark'', Megatron commended Soundwave on a job well done in his absence.

Soundwave took part in the following battle with the Autobots, expressing shock when the ''Ark'' vanished into thin air and looking on as Megatron retrieved his right arm and killed [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 21|Transformers #21}} With the Autobots on the run, Megatron ordered Soundwave to begin tracking them. The two met up in a forest where Megatron uncovered a dead deer Optimus had buried. Scoffing at this mourning of such a weak being, Megatron decided to call of the search fo r now and to instead target the human military for the time being. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 22|Transformers #22}}

Finally locating the Autobots in hiding in Chicago, the Decepticons launched an all out offensive against them culminating in Megatron engaging Optimus one-on-one. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 23|Transformers #23}} When Optimus ultimately came out on top and Megatron was left badly injured by the newly arrived Autobot [[Shredhead]], Soundwave lept towards the newcomer for daring to attack his leader. However, Shredhead sent the Communication chief flying off the top of the skyscraper they were standing on. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 24|Transformers #24}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 26 - Optimus Gives Soundwave Energon.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Buried under a pile of rubble, Soundwave was unable to accompany the retreating Decepticons and was eventually uncovered by the Autobots during their clean up of the ravaged city. Unbelieving of Megatron's retreat, Soundwave engaged Optimus Prime but was overpowered by the Autobot leader who ordered Wheeljack, Jazz, and Ultra Magnus to cuff Soundwave and bring him to their base. When they arrived at the cave left by the ''Ark'''s disappearance, the ship miraculously reappeared in its original spot. Soundwave fell silent as he was imprisoned in the brig. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 25|Transformers #25}}

After Thundercracker, who had returned along with the ship, attacked the Autobots demanding to know where it had taken them and attempting once more to free Skywarp from Teletraan, Optimus was able to talk the Seeker down and promised to repair Skywarp using Energon gifted to them from the Shadow Watch. Optimus also gave the imprisoned Soundwave a small ration of the Energon, though the communication chief's response wasn't as receptive as Thundercracker's. Though grateful for the Energon he needed to survive, Soundwave reiterated his loyalty to Megatron and the Decepticons. Optimus questioned this loyalty but left Soundwave to his Energon.

When Skywarp was repaired, he violently attacked the Autobots despite Thundercracker's attempts to make him realize what they had done for him. On his way out of the ship, Skywarp came across Soundwave in his cell. Soundwave told Skywarp to leave quickly and alert Megatron. With that, Skywarp transformed and flew off, ignoring Thundercracker's pleas for him to stay. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 26|Transformers #26}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

===Yolopark comics===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Sound of Science}}}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[File:Soundwavecommercial.jpg|thumb|"Say hello to my leetle friend!"]]

Original footage of Soundwave featured in several commercials:

*When Sideswipe, Prowl, and Jazz infiltrated the Decepticons' base, Soundwave reached into his chest compartment with his own fingers and threw out a (tiny) tape into the air. The tape transformed into Laserbeak, and Soundwave sic'ed on the three Autobots. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Soundwave|Soundwave commercial}}
{{note|Soundwave wasn't properly introduced in this commercial, only referred to as the "Decepticons' communications officer." This early animation featured a Soundwave model colored in lavender, versus the dark blue used later.}}
*Soundwave, Ravage, and Laserbeak were driven back by the Dinobots amid a thunderstorm. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Dinobots|Dinobots commercial}}
*When Rumble strolled into his base carrying a radio, Soundwave immediately identified it as an "Autobot intruder" and dispatched Ravage and Laserbeak to attack [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Blaster|Blaster commercial}}
*Soundwave was seen grappling with [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] during a vicious battle on Cybertron. While some fought, others left Cybertron behind to expand the Transformers' war to the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}

Soundwave also appeared in online promotional videos:
*After Megatron learned about [[BotCon 2009]] from Optimus Prime, he led a small group of Decepticon representatives to the convention, including Soundwave. {{storylink|BotCon 2009!}}
*Soundwave was present with Megatron, [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]], and [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] when the topic about finding new ultimate weapon ideas changed to [[BotCon 2010]]. As Breakdown mentioned that one of the things he was looking forward to was the debut of the [[Transformers Hall of Fame]], Soundwave turned to Counterpunch and pointed to himself. {{storylink|BotCon 2010 Promo}}
*Soundwave, Rumble, and Frenzy had a dance-off against Blaster, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. {{storylink|Blaster VS Soundwave 2013}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Soundwave could interfere with Optimus Prime's progress, diverting him into areas of the Decepticons' maze-like base. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===''The Transformers'' (Commodore 64)===
[[File:Commodore64 Title screen.jpg|thumb]]
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|The Transformers (Commodore 64)}}}}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
In one of several possible timelines, the time-traveling [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] Ravage broke into the ''Ark'' while its occupants were still in stasis and downloaded protoform cloning data from Soundwave, among several others. He then returned to his future, planning to revive the Decepticons in new clone bodies and begin their conquest anew. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TF PS2 Soundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
{{voiceactor|[[Robert Belgrade]] (English)}}

====Decepticon story====
Soundwave and Starscream were sent to investigate strange reports of space-time warps and UFOs on the planet Zel Samine, bringing a space bridge with them on their shuttle that they would use to transport Megatron to the plant once they had landed. Inexplicably, their ship wound up crashing, and when they attempted to use the space bridge, it malfunctioned, dumping Megatron some distance away. After reuniting with his leader, Soundwave deduced that powerful electromagnetic rays from Zel Samine's sun, Paradius, were responsible for scrambling the systems of the shuttle and the space bridge, and that the Decepticons themselves would be subject to similar catastrophic system disruption if they tried venturing off the planet without a ship. The Decepticons immediately set about raiding local energy sources for energon to repair their craft, starting with a wind power plant on [[Mount Jaad]]. Then, after successfully draining the [[Ranpas Geothermal Power Plant]]—in part thanks to Soundwave deploying Laserbeak to locate any Autobot guards around the facility—Megatron chose the [[Monogan Hydroelectric Power Station]] for their next target. Soundwave pointed out the heavy Autobot fortifications that had been set up around the station and suggested a different target, but Megatron dismissed his concerns, and when the Decepticons did indeed emerge victorious, Soundwave apologized for speaking out of turn and doubting his leader.

Via Laserbeak, Soundwave soon discovered that the Autobots on the planet had made contact with the occupants of one of the strange UFOs, and suggested to Megatron that they send a task force to intercept them. In the process, the Decepticons wound up allying themselves with the ''other'' UFO's passengers: Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, a trio of Decepticons from the future who had traveled back in time to locate and destroy the powerful [[Zel Quartz]], a weapon that threatened Galvatron's rule in their home time. Soundwave was teamed with Cyclonus to seek out possible locations of the quartz across the planet, and the communications officer stoically carried out his task, all the while struggling to keep Megatron and Galvatron from fighting with each other.

After failing to find the quartz at the [[Lazalt Ruins]], the Decepticons next decided to search the [[Karzite mine]]. Cyclonus informed Soundwave that he saw both him and Megatron as "worthless scrap", and warned the communications officer the mine yielded a similar lack of results, then he would be taking the blame, not Cyclonus. Soundwave agreed, but have a warning of his own: he charged a high price for being spoken to with disrespect. As it turned out, the quartz was not in the mine, and Soundwave accepted the blame as promised, only to then reveal his price: he had recorded his conversation with Cyclonus and played it back for Megatron, who did not take kindly to the future Decepticon's insults. At Megatron's command, Soundwave recorded Cyclonus's screams as the Decepticon leader subjected him to a vicious punishment.

{{charstubgame}}

{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

====Autobot story====
Megatron had Soundwave send out a fake Autobot SOS transmission in an attempt to trick the Autobots into leaving their base. The plan was a success and Optimus Prime and his crew were lured out. When the Autobots realized that they had been deceived, Megatron sent a message through Soundwave's transmitter, gloating how he had tricked Prime and announced that his crew was going to steal the energon the Autobots had on their shuttle. When Megatron had finished his message, Soundwave returned to base. On the way back to their shuttle, the Autobots encountered Soundwave again, this time leading a hoard of Decepticon troops, and fought them. Despite his best efforts, Soundwave was overwhelmed and left to rejoin Megatron. Later, Soundwave fought the Autobots again while they were dealing with another swarm of enemies. He lost again, and left to fight another day.

Later on, Soundwave teamed up with his future self, Soundblaster, and with [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] as the final defense against the Autobots before they reached Megatron and Galvatron. When the Autobots arrived, Soundblaster started by expressing [[dull surprise]] at how the Autobots managed to survive up until the current point. Soundwave continued, warning the Autobots that he would not let them stand in Megatron's way. Both the present and future versions of the Communications Officer we all know and love put up the best fight they could, but even with Full-Tilt's help, the Autobots overpowered them.

===Transformers G1: Awakening===
[[File:Gluawakening soundwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85]]
Soundwave was among the Decepticons who pursued and boarded the Autobot [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. When the ship crashed on [[Earth]], all inside were sent into stasis, but the Decepticons woke up four million years later and resumed their conquering ways. When the Autobots began waking up as well, Soundwave was hot on their trail, and Ratchet and Bumblebee had to silence him before he could alert Megatron. After a series of skirmishes, Soundwave was among the Decepticons who failed to prevent the Autobots from finding the Decepticon [[space bridge]]. He accompanied Megatron back to Cybertron to lay a trap for the Autobots, but was equally unsuccessful as a prison guard. Trailing the Autobots to Earth, Soundwave was beaten up by [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], took part in a disastrous assault on the Ark, and was unable to stop an Autobot attack on the Decepticon's Cybertron fortress. {{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{--}}

===''Construct-Bots Builder''===
The components necessary for building "Construct-Bot" Soundwave were accessible within the Cybertron construction zone. Despite it being against protocol, [[you]] could mix his parts with those of Autobots! (gasp!) {{storylink|Construct-Bots Builder}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Soundwave and his tapes conducted a covert infiltration of the Autobot base, allowing them to pass information back to the Decepticons and ensure a string of Decepticon victories. He was eventually uncovered by [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], who sent him packing. {{storylink|Covert Operations (Legends)|Covert Operations}} On another occasion, Soundwave infiltrated a human science facility with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]] to gain access to a technology to increase [[Energon]] production. The trio were faced by [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and his tapes. {{storylink|Espionage}}

After Megatron and his men, including Soundwave, found a [[Lightning Bug]] on an old Autobot colony world, they found they'd contracted [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Back on Earth, they stole [[corrostop]] and cured themselves, before inflicting the disease on the Autobots. The Decepticons were unable to stop the Autobots getting a sample of corrostop from the [[Statue of Liberty]] and curing themselves, however. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (Legends)|Cosmic Rust}} The Decepticons manage to drive the Autobots off Earth, and proceeded to set about conquering the planet. Unfortunately for them, the Autobots soon returned and succeeded in badly damaging Megatron, resulting in Soundwave and the other Decepticons retreating with their wounded leader. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron (Legends)|All Hail Megatron}}

Soundwave was among those who supported [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s bid for leadership. {{storylink|The Coronation of Starscream}}

When humans unlocked the secrets of [[Gravitronic Energy]], Soundwave and his minions attempted to take possession of the data, but were foiled by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. {{storylink|Box Trap}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Chef Pig#As Soundwave}}
Soundwave appears as the third unlockable character and first unlockable [[Deceptihog]]. He is portrayed by Chef Pig. He also appears as an [[Chef Pig#As Energon Soundwave|Energon version]]. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
[[File:Devastation-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The only character that can literally play his own boss battle theme.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Welker]]}}

When a surge of [[plasma energy]] was detected in New York City, the Decepticons investigated, finding the ''[[Proudstar]]'', the lost ship of [[Nova Prime]], buried beneath the city. Assuming control, the Decepticons pushed forward the [[cyberforming]] protocols. When the Autobots breached the ship, Soundwave briefly fought them off before he was called away by Megatron. The Autobots eventually reached the ''Proudstar''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Plasma Core]] but the ship's security ejected it.

When the Core was located, it was found to have ruptured. Though the Decepticons attempted to seal the leak, the Autobots closed in, forcing Starscream to carry it away prematurely. Soundwave consulted [[Teletraan Alpha]] for instructions on how to repair it, learning that it could be done at a [[Plasma Energy Interface]] on Cybertron. When the Core was brought to the ''Proudstar''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s command tower, it was sent through the [[space bridge]]. Once it was repaired and reinstalled, the cyberforming continued. When the Autobots tried to obtain the [[Ferrotaxis]], they faced off against Soundwave once again, defeating him. Though disappointed by his most loyal follower's defeat, Megatron noted it hardly mattered with regards to his plan. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Soundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Epic Soundwave Superior, but still inferior
]]
Soundwave participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character first available as a reward in the "Guess Who?" contest held on the Transformers: Battle Tactics' Facebook page. Then he was available as a reward in the delayed "Sonic Clash" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Soundwave-EarthWars.jpg|frame|right|200x200px|Operation: Invasion]]
;'''Soundwave'''

Though Soundwave appears remote, detached and clinical, he secretly delights in the cries and screams of his enemies. It's literally music to his audio receptors. Beneath the expressionless exterior lies the generator coil of a born blackmailer and opportunist, and it's wise to be very careful what you say within audio range. Though it's said that Soundwave can hear a fly sneeze a whole City State away.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Soundwave bio}}

Soundwave was in contact with the Decepticons on Earth, saying that it would be beneficial if [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], the only two cons on Earth at the time, to upgrade their HQ. {{storylink|Get Optimus! / Get Megatron!| Get Megatron!}} He came to earth during the battle for the [[Fractal Map]] and helped out in the battle for the [[Codex Key]] too. {{storylink|The Codex Showdown}} Soundwave also witnessed the creation of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Combiner Wars (Earth Wars)| Combiner Wars}}

Soundwave was a member of the Decepticon Justice Division, but left the D.J.D. once Deathsaurus took command of the Decepticons, forming a small group of Megatron loyalists consisting of [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], Ravage, [[Octane|Octone]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullsmasher]], the Combaticons, [[Baro (G1)|Baro]], [[Lancelon (G1)|Lancelon]], and [[Power Punch]]. Soundwave sent Swindle and the Combaticons to retrieve the Dark Star Sabre from Deathsaurus. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Enter the DJD}} {{storylink|Target: 1984}}

Soundwave planned on sending Wildrider, Ravage, Power Punch, Lancelon, and Baro back in time to 1984 to find and retrieve Megatron. {{storylink|Crossroads of Time}} Ozu joined the group being sent back in time, who Soundwave reminded not get distracted. {{storylink|The Dark Age}}

Soundwave sent a team of C.O.M.B.A.T. bots, Runamuck, Runabout, Apeface, Full-Tilt, and Sinnertwin to look for a time displaced D-16. {{storylink|Heavy Hitters}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating''': 3 star, (2 star in beta)
*'''Weapons''': Soundwave uses a gun of the same make as [[Jetfire (G1)|the traitor]] and [[Aerialbot (G1)|the Aerialbots]] to blast targets from medium range. He then closes in on the target and smashes it with his fists.
*'''Ability: Deploy Minions''': Deploys Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak, and Buzzsaw to attack targets for Soundwave. They will take damage like any other normal Con, just at less health. They all have unique attacks.
**'''Cost''': 3 ability points, +3 for every reuses.

*Soundwave is one of two characters that has a special character victory pose, in which Soundwave has a chance to perform "the moonwalk". He can also transform to play "[[The Touch]]" while being viewed in the collection.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:soundwave Soundwave at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{--}}
;'''Soundwave [[HISS tank|H.I.S.S.]]'''
[[File:Soundwave GiJoe EarthWars.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Like my appearance? I'll never look like this again.]]

Master of communications and surveillance, Soundwave remains as meticulous and focused as ever - missing nothing, storing everything about everyone, often for personal leverage. He can also, in effect, read minds by monitoring electrical impulses in the brain. But now, allied with Cobra, Soundwave is a force to be reckoned with in either mode. His new HISS (High Speed Sentry) tank form is heavily armed and armored, and highly mobile across even the toughest terrains. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Soundwave H.I.S.S. bio}}

Soundwave was rebuilt into a H.I.S.S. Tank after being blown up by G.I. Joe and the Autobots. Despite owing his life to Cobra, he reminds his Decepticon hecklers he is still the same loyal Decepticon and remembers his grudges.

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: Cobra Command''' - Follow [[Cobra Commander#Transformers: Earth Wars|Cobra]]’s command! Aim at a defence and the H.I.S.S. Tank will deal some damage. Defences in the area receive 20% (2-Star) / 30% (3-Star) / 40% (4-Star) more damage and get prioritized by all bots for 3.5 seconds.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +3 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:soundwave-h-i-s-s Soundwave H.I.S.S. at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{--}}

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
[[File:Soundwave TFO.jpg|thumb|right|"Oh lets break it DOWN!"]]
{{bigquote|The cries and screams of my victims are music to my audio receptors.}}

As early as 900 million years ago, Soundwave was already Megatron's loyal lieutenant when war broke out on ancient Cybertron. Often silent, but deadly, Soundwave amassed a regiment of Decepticons to gain intel from the Autobots. He would often take on the role of mediating quarrels, but Soundwave is not without his sense of intellect. If anyone were to threaten his position, Soundwave could blackmail his perpetrator with the latter's database. As a result of his greed, Soundwave was often hated. As long as knowledge is (within his) power, Soundwave always gets the last laugh.

In battle, Soundwave wielded the "[[Quantum Cutter]]" buzzsaw and a semi-auto "[[Super Annihilator Rifle]]" that comes equipped with two ammo mags. His active skill was "Sonic Shield":
*'''Sonic Shield''' — Soundwave projects a force field that reduces incoming damage by 50% to himself and his allies. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero11.shtml Soundwave on the Transformers Online website]</ref>

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Soundwave-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Definitely Superior now. (Just don't tell him about [[Windblade (G1)#games|Windblade]])]]
Soundwave was one of the Decepticons pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|his universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around!

Soundwave has an offensive damage moveset for a bot in the Tech class; he generates Power connecting a Laserbeak Heavy attack, then re-charges to full Power connecting a Ravage Special attack, with a side of Shock and Power control. At every Power bar he activates a Sonic Shield that reflects projectiles. {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{chargamestub}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOSoundwave.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Soundwave is the twenty-second base commander to be fought by Autobot raiders, players encounter him once they reach 360,000,000 points. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
As the chief Decepticon spymaster, the egotistical Soundwave was a master of infiltration {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}} and a member of the Decepticon [[Conclave]]. As a highly trained [[Modemaster]], he specialized in deploying [[Mini-Cassette|Recordicon]] minions to access sensitive information. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}} On Cybertron, Soundwave had a rivalry with Blaster as he attempted to shut down the Autobot's pirate broadcasts. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

On Earth, Soundwave recruited a group of low-ranking Decepticons to infiltrate [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s group when the treacherous Air Commander was seen fraternizing with the enemy. As part of the initiation process, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] tried to persuade the group to sabotage Soundwave's recordings as part of a pranking spree. Ultimately, Soundwave and his Recordicons tailed Starscream to the desert and defeated him battle, leaving Starscream to plead his case before Megatron. {{storylink|Catch a Falling Starscream}}

==Toys==
{{Main|Soundwave (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{Main|Soundwave (G1)/merchandise}}

==Notes==
*The Decepticon faction insignia appears to be roughly based on Soundwave's head.
*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.)
[[File:Bm soundwave.jpg|thumb|Soundwave gets slagged by Vehicons, and Nightscream escapes. How's that for injustice?]]
*A 1986 [[Panini]] stickerbook sold in Belgium and the Netherlands gave Soundwave the alternate French language name "Stacar". Whether this name was used in any other media made for French-speaking regions is unknown.
*Soundwave's computer model was used for one of the [[generic]] Transformers in ''Beast Machines''. It is seen in "[[Forbidden Fruit]]" during [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream's]] flashback being cornered by [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] just before Nightscream flees into the lower levels of Cybertron. Though the model was recolored, it was still really 'Soundwavey,' causing much confusion among fans. His computer model as well as [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s continued to show up for the rest of the series, used to represent deactivated Transformer shells.
*Later, Soundwave's character model showed up numerous times in various color schemes as a generic background character in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon.
[[File:Cyb ep34 G1 soundwave.jpg|thumb|Ha ha ha, stop poking me, that tickles!]]
*[[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] listened to music using a tape deck resembling Soundwave in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Memory (Cybertron)|Memory]]". Later, after a new [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] was found, ''Cybertron'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] held tape deck Soundwave in his arms. This caused a great disturbance in the [[force]]...

===Foreign names===
====Soundwave====
*''Japanese:'' '''Soundwave''' (サウンドウェーブ ''Saundowēbu'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Jam Bo''' (音波, "Voice Wave")
*''Czech:'' '''Kyber'''
*''French:'' '''Soundax''' (European French dub), '''Radar''' (Canada), '''Sonore''' (Canada Action Master, "Sonorous")
*''Hebrew:'' '''Gal Kól''' (גל קול, "Sound Wave")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Fülelő''' ("Listener"), '''Fürkész''' ("Seeker", ''The Movie'' 1st dub)
*''Indonesian:'' '''Gelombang Suara''' ("Soundwave")
*''Italian:'' '''Memor'''
*''Korean:'' '''Soundwave''' (사운드웨이브 ''Saundeuweibeu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Shēng-pō''' (Taiwan, 聲波, "Soundwave"), '''Yīng-pō''' (Taiwan, 音波, "Soundwave"), '''Shēngbō''' (China, 声波, "Soundwave"),'''Yīnbǎn''' (China, ''The Headmasters'', 音板, "Soundboard")
*''Polish:'' '''Dźwiękofalowiec''' (''The Movie'', "Soundwaver")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Onda-Sonora''' (Portugal comics), '''Microonda''' (Brazil comics, "Microwave")
*''Russian:'' '''Barkhan''' (cartoon, Бархан, "Dune")<ref>Possibly the translator thought his name was "Sandwave".</ref>
*''Spanish:'' '''Sam''' (America, ''The Headmasters'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Zvukohvyl''' (Звукохвил, "Soundwave")

====Soundblaster====
*''Japanese:'' '''Soundblaster''' (サウンドブラスター ''Saundoburasutā'')
*''English:'' '''New Soundwave''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Italian:'' '''Vizar'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Shēng Pàu''' (Taiwan, 聲爆, "Sound Blast")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Blue Order]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Decepticon Justice Division]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Golden Age]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Senators]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Decepticons]]
[[Category:Security officers]]

Prime Target (G1)

2025-12-07T05:46:13Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig3|Prime Target}}

{{episode
|image=Lord chumley plaque.jpg
|caption=...This pretty much speaks for itself.
|series=G1toon
|ep=51
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=51
|prev2=Blaster Blues
|next2=Auto-Bop
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=13
|prev3=The Golden Lagoon (episode)
|next3=War of the Dinobots
|title="Prime Target"
|season=2
|season ep=35
|written by=[[Flint Dille]] [[Buzz Dixon]]
|production code=700-50
|airdate=[[November 14]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBcYNLUkYro
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The big-game hunter Lord Chumley begins hunting Autobots, and he's gunning for Optimus Prime.'''

==Synopsis==
Over the [[Arctic]], [[Daina|Oktober Guard One]] is flying an experimental jet, when it is suddenly speared by a submarine under the ice. She ejects, but the plane is captured. It turns out that the plane was stolen by [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], a game hunter, who tells his manservant [[Dinsmore]] that he needs one more thing to complete his collection... the head of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].

[[File:Primetargetchumleydinsmore.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Dinsmore, I believe the Autobots are about to suffer a series of unfortunate events!"]]
Heading into town, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] spot [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and head after them. However, the [[Decepticon]]s are revealed to be [[hologram]]s as part of a trap set by Chumley. Back at the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], the Autobots are watching a soap opera which is interrupted by a news broadcast about the theft of the plane. Apparently, the [[Soviet Union]] is accusing the [[United States of America]] of the theft, which the United States denies, and the two countries are ready to go to [[World War III|war]]. Having not heard back from Bumblebee and Tracks, Prime orders the Autobots to search for their friends. However, Chumley has devised several traps for the Autobots and manages to capture [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]], and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], the latter of whom sends a message to Prime about the capture. Not wanting to risk the others, Prime orders the Autobots to return to base.

[[File:Primetargetbotsintraps.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|And you thought Hasbro safety tests were tough.]]
While they regroup, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] sends a message to Prime, saying that he's found the missing bots, who are being held in (poorly designed) traps intended to prevent them from escaping. Chumley himself contacts Prime and requests his presence. Pissed at seeing his friends tortured, Prime overloads Chumley's screen and orders the Autobots to remain at the base.

However, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] has been keeping an eye on the events and feels that Chumley, though a flesh creature, may be useful...especially since he's done more in two days than Megatron has done in two years, which [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] takes the time to point out. Unaware that Chumley is only after Prime, Megatron sends Blitzwing and Astrotrain (surprise, surprise) to make a deal between Chumley and the [[Decepticon]]s.

Arriving at Chumley's castle, Prime finds himself in a "well researched" mock-up of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He unleashes a [[Beast of Borneo|monster]] on Prime, but Prime is able to defeat it. Heading down a corridor, Prime finds a young woman imprisoned, but leaves. Blitzwing investigates, and gets trapped in a goo-net intended for Prime, much to Astrotrain's irritation. Finally, Chumley sends out a [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|mechanical scorpion]], but Prime is shot in the back by Astrotrain and apparently killed. Furious that his prize has been ruined, Chumley takes the Decepticons prisoner and defuses their energy weapons.

[[File:PrimetargetOPvsspider.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Blackarachnia (disambiguation)|Blackarachnia]]'s debut was not the most glamorous.]]
Knowing that Prime is alive, Bumblebee sends their coordinates to the Autobot leader, who enters the castle. A [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|mechanical spider]] is dispatched, but Prime destroys it and heads into Chumley's control room. Dinsmore hides in a tank while Chumley frees the Decepticons on the promise that they'll fight the Autobot. Instead Astrotrain and Blitzwing go after Chumley to "See how he likes being hunted." The Autobots are freed by Prime, and Blitzwing and Astrotrain retreat after realizing that they are unarmed. Chumley is left at the mercy of Prime.

The Autobots return the plane to the Soviet Union, with Chumley strapped to its nose. The world thanks Optimus Prime for his efforts in solving the mystery.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (9)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (10)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (11)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (15)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (18)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (19)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (20)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (26)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (27)
}}
|c2=
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (7)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (8)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (22)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (23)
|c3=
*[[Daina|Oktober Guard One]] (1)
*[[Dinsmore]] (2)
*[[Chumley|Lord Chumley]] (3)
*[[Hector Ramirez]] (6)
*Soviet sentry (28)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:Lord chumley trophyroom.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|''Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?'']]
"She's a lovely specimen, Lord Chumley, but, there's a frightful international row brewing over it." 
"Ahhh. These things blow over... Remember the [[Boer War]]?" 
"Painfully, sir." 
"Oh, yes, well. Everybody else has forgotten it."
:—'''Dinsmore''' and '''Chumley''' are older'n hell, apparently.

[[File:Kitchensinks-audience.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't ''you'' stand at attention when you're watching your stories?]]
'''News Announcer''': "We interrupt 'As the Kitchen Sinks' for this special news bulletin." 
'''Jazz, Blaster, Beachcomber''' and '''Grapple''' in unison: "Awwwwwwwww..."
:—The Autobots do not like to miss their soaps.

"Ah hah. Here comes the robot now. Dressed as a semi-truck. How very punctual!"
:—'''Chumley'''

"Where did he come from!? That blasted fool!" 
"You blasted fool!"
:—'''Chumley''' and '''Astrotrain''' on the same wavelength as '''Blitzwing''' falls for the booby trap.

"Amazing. A booby trap that actually catches boobies!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' says "boobies".

"Bah! Impenetrable! Blitzwing, how do you get into these messes?!"
:—'''Astrotrain''' vainly tries to free Blitzwing

"Help! Get me out of this damn thing!!"
:—'''Blitzwing's''' "MUFFLED call for help", according to the script, makes its way past Standards and Practices

"Decepticons! Trust them to spoil the hunt." 
"Yes, sir. Just like the Humane Society, in a way."
:—'''Chumley''' and '''Dinsmore'''

"Smashing! Simply smashing!"
:—'''Chumley''' does his best Nigel Thornberry impression.

"Drat! Outsmarted by a lorry!"
:—'''Chumley''' loses on ''Are You Smarter Than a Tractor-Trailer?''

'''Chumley''': I say, old chaps. If I free you, will you fight Optimus Prime? 
'''Astrotrain''': Trust us! 
'''Chumley''': There he is, lads! Ha ha! Give him a good thrashing! 
[''Astrotrain immediately tries to stomp Chumley''] 
'''Astrotrain''': See how ''you'' like being hunted! 
'''Chumley''': But—you said— 
'''Blitzwing''': Never trust Decepticons, flesh creature!
:—Chumley gets a lesson in Decepticon ethics.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 10th May 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:HectorRamirezPrimeTarget1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Not afraid to interrupt the Autobots' soaps, even if means a [[variable voltage harness]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1KT1QoSCT8#t=01m07s to the face.] ]]
*The Oktober Guard are a Soviet special operations force from the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' cartoons and comics. While the sole member shown is never named in the episode, process of elimination indicates that it's [[Daina]], the only female member of the team (at the time at least).
*The newscaster the Autobots observe on television is [[Hector Ramirez]], a crossover character who originated in ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' and went on to appear in numerous other [[Hasbro]]/[[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] cartoons.
*Several of the Autobots are revealed to be fans of an Earth soap opera entitled ''[[As the Kitchen Sinks]]''. Clearly, they've been away from Cybertron too long. Even better, they all ''groan'' when it's interrupted.
*Beachcomber carries enough change with him to pay a tollbooth.
*Tracks and Bumblebee are on a "supply run". Sounds like they've ventured into [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]]!
*Starscream's sick burn that Lord Chumley's done more in two days than Megatron's done in two years sadly doesn't quite line up with reality, as ''The Transformers'' show had only been running about a year when this episode aired. But hey, maybe it's in-universe time?
*Optimus Prime calls Chumley "one royal pain in the diode".
*Points to this episode for keeping track of Optimus Prime's shoulder wounds–they appear very consistently after his battle with the dragon. They even become a plot point, as the robot scorpion uses them to grip Prime with its claws.
*Optimus Prime is quick to discount the possibility of the Decepticons being behind the theft of the experimental jet, despite them [[Blaster Blues|previously]] [[Traitor (episode)|stealing]] [[Enter the Nightbird|human]] [[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|tech]]. (And they [[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|would do]] [[Masquerade|so again]].)

===Real-world references===
[[File:Kitchensinks-show.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Using a hyper-advanced alien supercomputer to watch a soap opera may seem funny to you, but you're using more computing power than got us to the moon to look at ''this'', of all things.]]
*The plot of the episode appears to be loosely based on ''{{w|The Most Dangerous Game}}''.
*The episode has a couple of low-key nods to Disney's 1951 animated movie ''{{w|Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)|Alice in Wonderland}}'':
** Dinsmore laments Huffer's escape as "No cooperation, no cooperation at all", a direct quote from the Dodo as he tries to burn down the white rabbit's house.
** Optimus appraises one of Chumley's traps as "Neither impossible, nor impassable!", hearkening to a conversation early in the film between Alice and the magical doorknob.
*There was a 1914 silent film called ''{{w|Lord Chumley}}''. It probably didn't have Autobots in it.
*The episode script states Dinsmore's age at 101 (born in 1884) and so was indeed alive for the {{w|Second Boer War}}. Additionally, Chumley is stated to have been a 24 year-old English military officer during [[World War II]], when he downed the Stuka dive bomber whose propeller is seen in his trophy room, placing his age roughly in the mid-sixties.
*Chumley boasts of having hunted {{w|Javan Tiger|Javanese tigers}}... which were actually hunted to extinction by the late 1970s. ''Bastard.''
*The show ''As The Kitchen Sinks'' the Autobots were watching is a reference to the show ''As The World Turns''.
*Chumley bears some resemblance to Major Minor from Snagglepuss cartoons (even down to having a head plaque ready for his next target), just ''hugely'' more resourceful and effective.
*The news report refers to the capturing of the Soviet jet as the highest point in US-Soviet tensions since the {{w|Cuban Missile Crisis}}.
[[File:Primetarget beast of borneo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Stop dragon my heart around.]]
*There is a real-world legend of a dragon that lives in Borneo.<ref>[http://www.amazingborneo.com/travel/myths-legends-of-mount-kinabalu "Myths & Legends" section of a Borneo tourism site]</ref> Specifically, it dwells on {{w|Mount Kinabalu}}... which seems to be referenced indirectly when Lord Chumley talks about having studied "the Kibolaroo tribe in lower Songtanka... or was it the Songtanka tribe in lower Kibolaroo?" ("Songtanka" is also suspiciously close to "{{w|Sintang Regency|Sintang}}", another part of Borneo.)
**Moreover, [[Flint Dille]], who co-wrote "Prime Target", had a large hand in the development of [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]]'s ''[[Inhumanoids]]'' series, which featured another reptilian monster from Borneo in the form of [[Ssslither]].
**There ''is'' an actual Bornean lizard species called the Kinabalu crested dragon,<ref>[http://tinyurl.com/mn72yqe Entry for Kinabalu crested dragon in ''A Field Guide To The Reptiles Of South-East Asia'']</ref> but it has never been known to reach [[Autobot]]-threatening sizes.<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/65695019@N07/6737074543 Video of Kinabalu crested dragon]</ref>

===Animation and technical errors===
*A large number of sound effects are missing or oddly truncated throughout the episode. Inferno smashes his way into the burning building without any smashy-smashy-type noises, and a second later his wrist communicator is snipped off in total silence. Prime shoots a bear trap with only about a fourth of his usual blaster sound effect; a second later he throws open a castle gate, which only makes half of a clang.
*Likewise, there are a few lines of dialogue present in the episode's shooting script that are dropped from the final version. This in and of itself is hardly unusual, except in one instance, an odd technical glitch results. In the script, after Prime flattens Chumley's robotic scorpion, Chumley entreats Astrotrain to "help [his] machine to its feet," and Astrotrain replies "Certainly!" In the finished episode, however, Chumley's request is removed but Astrotrain's response is ''not'', leaving the Decepticon randomly saying "Certainly!" for no apparent reason.
*And finally, quite a bit of the scene editing is disjointed, cutting from place to place almost at random.
*Coloring errors:
**One of Tracks' missile launchers is blue instead of white as he and Bumblebee walk up to the crowd in the city.
**When Optimus Prime and the Autobots at HQ first transform, Optimus' headlights aren't colored white (they're the same red as his body).
**One of Jazz's fenders is blue instead of white after he's captured.
**Mirage's missile is colored black instead of white as he listens to Cosmos' broadcast.
**After he first lands at Chumley's castle, one side of Blitzwing's helmet is yellow and the other side is purple.
*The collective groans of the Autobots at their interrupted soap don't match any of their actual voices.
*A billboard urging viewers to "Don't drink and drive" has a second message to "Don't fly drive".
*When the fire hose/tentacle trap ensnares Inferno it's shown breaking off his wrist communicator twice.
*When Optimus signals the Autobots of the change in plans, his cab is shown to have rear windows (it's probably a layering error where the front windows got copied).
*During the scene when [[Chumley]] contacts Optimus at the Autobots headquarters, both [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] can be seen standing next to Optimus even though earlier, they got captured by Chumley.
*When Chumley watches Optimus through his telescope as he approaches the castle, it appears as if Optimus is "driving" through the in the sky. While it might seen that the error here is that no ground has been drawn in, if you look closely, Prime is actually "wearing" an Autobot jetpack, affixed to the top of his trailer, with jet-exhaust effects and all—he really is ''supposed'' to be flying in truck mode! The real error in this scene is the display of Prime on Chumley's monitor which has no sky or ground, and just show Optimus floating in a purple background—plus the absence of any scene that shows him landing, as the very next shot shows he has already done. In addition, the non-descript purple background on Chumley's large screen is shared by the sky outside the window, making it seem like the castle itself is moving.
*After Prime frees himself from the net, the net and chain both vanish between shots.
*Blitzwing and Astrotrain's mouths don't move as they speak their lines while approaching the beartrap.
*"Don't you know it's dangerous to play with poison, Mrs. Blackwidow?" Optimus Prime means [http://snakebuddies.net/2014/08/18/did-you-get-stung-by-a-poisonous-snake/ ''venom'', not poison].
*When Blitzwing says "Never trust Decepticons, flesh creature", Chumley mouths along. A few seconds later Blitzwing says "Look out, the Autobots are free!" in Astrotrain's voice.
*The Russian guard drops his rifle in surprised reaction to something in front of him... then turns around to find the missing jet ''behind'' him.

====Rhino DVD release====
*In the [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] release of this episode, when Chumley chides Optimus for changing the rules of his twisted game, Chumley stands in place without stepping forward, with his mouth correctly animated to the entirety of his dialogue. In the broadcast master, Chumley's mouth is not animated to move to the last part of his line, and he subsequently steps forward out of shot. This short sequence was not replaced with the as-broadcast footage for the [[Shout! Factory]] DVD release.

===Continuity errors===
*Oktober Guard One received a sonar reading from beneath the ice while flying over in her jet. Sonar doesn't work that way.
*Any other cartoon (or real-life) jet would have completely exploded either upon being struck, or upon smashing nose-first into the ice.
*Why is footage of the "top secret Russian jet fighter" being shown on the American nightly news?
*The truck that Bumblebee pretty much just drives into has no roof. Couldn't he just transform and climb out? Unlike Tracks, he also doesn't seem to get zapped, so couldn't he also contact headquarters and activate the same homing signal he uses at the end of the episode?
*It looks like Blaster is simply "transformed" by the billboard hands (how they knew to do this to him specifically is a mystery; and how did they make him change ''size''?). Why doesn't he transform back when Chumley grabs him?
*Chumley's devices seem to change from "capture" to "kill" about the time Prime recalls the Autobots to base. Both Windcharger and Huffer narrowly escape traps that seem likely to inflict major damage, at the very least (an onrushing train and a drill descending from a streetlight, respectively).
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Jazz and Inferno are briefly seen at the Ark when they were actually captured by Lord Chumley. Jazz is Warpath's height.
**Some of the Autobots freed by Optimus Prime aren't the same ones that were captured: Ironhide, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Prowl, and Bluestreak bust into Chumley's control center along with Prime. Jazz and Bumblebee are there too (correctly), but what happened to the others who were captured (Tracks, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster and Inferno)?
*Both Tracks and Beachcomber seem to be in traps that they could easily escape from.
*Optimus Prime has spectacularly poor peripheral vision, failing to notice the giant monster right near him as he threatens that "you better hope I find ''them'' before I find ''you''."
*When Bumblebee radios Prime, the blades swinging at him conveniently disappear.
*Speaking of Bumblebee, the dialog implies that he and the others are running out of energy... yet they seem pretty lively when charging the Decepticons at the end!
*Optimus walks into a spiderweb ''that's right in front of him''.
*Because it's a crazy-huge castle, we can forgive some of the usual scale issues that let Transformers walk around inside human buildings–but Blitzwing and Astrotrain fly out of what must be one ''massive'' window opening.
*Though obviously scripted for comedic effect, it beggars belief that the Autobots were actually able to drop the jet off without the Russian soldier noticing.

===Trivia===
[[File:PrimeTarget scorpion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You can pretend I'm [[Scorpia (G2)|Scorpia]]! I've even got a little screen."]]
*Grapple's voice is much higher and more nasal than usual in this episode, presumably an attempt by Peter Renaday to distinguish him from Lord Chumley, whom he also voices.
*Chumley is one of the most outlandish characters in the entire series. He seems to be ''insanely'' rich, while having access to scads of ludicrous technology:
**He deploys some ''unfathomably'' improbable traps and devices. The most hilarious are a pair of giant hands that come to life from a billboard to fold up Blaster into his tape deck mode (somehow forcing him to shrink at the same time). The list also includes a [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|giant fully-animated mechanical scorpion]] that is impervious to Optimus Prime's laser fire, some sort of instant-hardening liquid which is ''also'' impervious to Astrotrain's blaster, a [[Chumley's arachnoid drones|giant mechanical black widow]], a self-animating energy net, a "[[holographic projection rifle]]" that projects fully-animated 3D images of Astrotrain and Blitzwing running through alleys and streets, complete with sound effects; giant mechanical tentacle arms (which can somehow be transported by a comparatively tiny forklift), a tube/hose/thing that is smart enough to wrap itself around Inferno ''and'' snip off his communicator, and a set of heavy steel girders which can assemble themselves into a cage while in freefall.
**Furthermore, he's somehow worked quite a few of his traps and gadgets right into publicly-owned infrastructure. A suction clamp comes snaking out of a toll booth; a giant drill comes out of a street lamp while clamps emerge from a manhole; and railroad crossing gates descend at his command.
**In addition to all the crazy technology he uses for recreational purposes, he's seen to own a submarine, a sprawling clifftop castle (with what looks like an abandoned [[oil]] refinery right next to it), a fully operational steam locomotive, a custom-modified car wash, an apartment building (which he casually burns), a veritable fleet of flatbed and other trucks, a heavy construction crane (and presumably the entire construction site where it's located), a taxi cab, a fire truck, and a barge.
**He also has the money to build a replica of part of Cybertron just to hunt Optimus in.
**Chumley's hunting and history includes:
***Hunting Javanese tigers
***Hunting a rhino in the veld
***Stalking a dragon-thing through the interior of Borneo
***Study of the "Kibularu tribe in lower Sontanga... or was it the Sontanga tribe in lower Kibularu?"
**Seriously. What does this guy ''do'' for a living??

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Optimus chassé'''" ("Optimus Hunted")
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''La cible mouvante'''" ("The Moving Target")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is present in the [[Déclic Images]] DVD collection, but due to the titles' general disorder, its title is also "Un jeu d'enfants", a copy of [[Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play]]'s French title.
::*Oktober Guard One is dubbed by a man, despite the presence of an unidentified voice actress in the episode to voice the crying girl and the character in ''As The Kitchen Sinks''.
::*The unpleasant voice effect from ''Kremzeek!'' is back for the Transformers.
::*Jazz, who usually is one of the only characters to roughly keep the same voice actor, is dubbed by [[Albert Augier]] in this episode.
::*Dodged names:
:::*Optimus Prime's line "Tracks and Bumblebee haven't reported in." becomes "and the ''other two'' still haven't called?".
:::*Jazz's conclusion "...but no sign of Tracks and Bumblebee" is dubbed by "I didn't see any trace of these imbeciles". Rude.
:::*Optimus Prime's line "... but Grapple is already beginning to fade" becomes "...but ''him'', on the other hand, is starting to weaken".
::*Missing lines:
:::*Beachcomber's line "Hey, don't be greedy! I'm not giving you one penny more! Huh, let go of me!" is missing.
:::*Grapple's line "Hey, you up there! I'm looking for some friends of mine." is missing.
:::*Blaster does not say a single word before being captured.
:::*Most of Inferno's lines are absent during his intervention. He only reports to Prime after discovering the child was a decoy.

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Jagd auf Prime'''" ("Hunt for Prime")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 23]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il cacciatore'''" ("The Hunter")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*When Tracks tells Bumblebee to "get help", the line is changed to: «Help! Let me go away! Help!». Thus, it looks like Bumbleebee is simply running away without caring about what happens to Tracks. Bumbleebee... you little...
::*The title of ''As the Kitchen Sinks'' is never pronounced. Hector simply says: «We interrupt the show [...]».
::*Starscream's line: «Especially since he has done more in two days than you have in two years!» is changed to: «And especially because he managed to do more than you [plural] in just two days than you [singular] in all these years!». If the sentence sounds weird to you it's not because it as been translated from Italian to English... but because it really is.
::*When Chumley says that Prime is "dressed as a semitruck", in Italian he says that he's "dressed as a truck". Prime is actually... well... a semitruck, not a truck.
::*Optimus's famous line: «Amazing. A booby trap that actually catches boobies!» is changed to: «Great. A trap for idiots that really catches idiots!» which is... waaaaay less funny.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Bersaglio Optimus'''" ("Target Optimus")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Target wa Convoy'''" (ターゲットはコンボイ, "The Target Is Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 4]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zhànlìpǐn Qíngtiānzhù '''" (战利品擎天柱, "Booty Optimus Prime")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Grande Alvo'''" ("The Great Target")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tsel nomer odin'''" (Цель номер один, "The Target Number One")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-33 [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Inferno]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2016)'''
:Inferno comes with a firehose and a pair of wrist-mounted comunicators based on the scene from this episode where he is caught by Lord Chumley.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2003]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 18 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180228132242/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-50.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NND8R7-mC1PYX9HxjlTOM7rk851fgxTP/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1j-TTS4nQr_V9R1Qg3PlWdPCf5aENGFH2 Episode dialogue script]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bhOHVcCIEs2kR9Dx1i5w1WKQInIKqaV9/view?usp=drive_link Episode model sheets]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Sea Change

2025-12-04T06:13:37Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity errors */ Just something I noticed while looking at the storyboards and script for the episode.

{{episode
|image=SeaChange Alana riding Seaspray.jpg
|caption=Taking inter-species relationships to the [[Transformer romance#Transformer - organic|next level]].
|series=G1toon
|ep=49
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=44
|prev2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2
|next2=Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=35
|prev3=Blaster Blues
|next3=The Search for Alpha Trion
|title="Sea Change"
|season=2
|season ep=33
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production code=700-48
|airdate=[[November 20]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcQuQ_lhsKE
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Seaspray turns into a merman with robot feet and falls in love.'''

... '''wait, what?!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] is pulling a water skiing [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] around a lake, but Bumblebee wipes out while trying to jump a ramp. 'Bee decides to call it a day, as the first star comes out. Seaspray makes a wish on the star, but keeps it a secret, otherwise it won't come true.

Meanwhile, on [[Tlalakan (planet)|another planet]], the [[Tlalakan (species)|Tlalakan]]s are all wishing for one thing... freedom from [[Deceptitran]], who has enslaved them. He has developed a unique method of gathering [[energon]] by directly harvesting it from the Tlalakans themselves. However, the Tlalakans have finally had enough, and revolt. As his droids appear incapable of stopping them, Deceptitran sends out a distress signal.

[[File:SeaChange Autobots in Cosmos.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Seaspray! Bumblebee! This nice prince of the Zigerian system says he'll electronic mail us a million [[Shanix]] if I send him one thousand to unlock his account first!"]]

Back on [[Earth]], Seaspray is still wishing on stars, when he suddenly receives a signal. Heading back to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], the two [[Autobot]]s show it to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]. Perceptor can't identify any specifics, but he is sure that it's a distress signal. Optimus sends the three in [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], but the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] himself is too large to come. The Autobots depart, as Optimus wishes them luck. Before they reach the planet, Perceptor discovers that the distress signal is similar to ones intercepted during the [[Third Cybertron War]]. Seaspray suddenly realizes that they're responding to a distress signal intended for the [[Decepticon]]s. Before they can abort, Deceptitran detects them, and orders the droids to open fire. As the Autobots emerge from the crash, the droids swoop in to finish the job, when the Tlalakans suddenly attack. Seaspray manages to save one, who calls herself [[Alana]]... and Seaspray appears a little shy.

Meanwhile, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] enters the planet's atmosphere and lands in the city. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] has come with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] to assist. After Deceptitran briefs Megatron on the situation, the Decepticons go Autobot hunting.

[[File:SeaChange Seaspray Bumblebee at pool.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|She's sitting in the pool because they've stolen her dress to make dusters!]]

Meanwhile, the Autobots are being taken to the [[Well of Transformation]], which the Tlalakans describe as the one secret that they have kept from Deceptitran. Unfortunately, a pair of droids have followed them in. Bumblebee downs one, while Seaspray throws another into the Well...where it dissolves. Alana explains that the Well dissolves the body, leaving only the lifeforce, which the Tlalakans use to change into whatever they want. Alana warns them not to get in, fearing that they will die just like the droid. After turning into a mermaid, Alana bids them farewell, blowing Seaspray a [[kiss]]. Bumblebee has to drag a babbling Seaspray out of the cave.

Heading to the river, the Autobots are discovered by [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]], and the rest of the Decepticons swoop in. Seaspray [[Transformation|transforms]] and takes the Autobots down the river—and right over the waterfall. Perceptor, Seaspray, and Cosmos are rescued by the Tlalakans, while Bumblebee is captured. The Autobots are taken to the Tlalakans underwater city, the only place that the Decepticons have not conquered. They meet [[Tlaloc]], their king, who loans them some warriors to rescue Bumblebee and storm the city. However, Cosmos and Perceptor are too damaged. It's just Seaspray and his men. Er, mermen. After the mermen and Alana change back into humans, some of the mermen set bombs under the city, heralding the start of the attack. The Decepticons go to attack the Tlalakans, while Bumblebee activates a homing beam. He signals Seaspray, who rescues Bumblebee and damages Deceptitran. The Tlalakans withdraw, taking Bumblebee with them, while Seaspray and Alana go to the well. Unfortunately, Laserbeak follows Bumblebee underwater...

In the control room, Deceptitran is having a panic attack, causing Megatron to simply turn him off (why he doesn't do that with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] is beyond anyone's guess). Megatron receives a signal from Laserbeak, and promises to join their little friend in a short while...

[[File:SeaChange Mermaid Seaspray and Alana.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Robo-Conan & Robo-Sonya]]

In the forest, the Tlalakans are being chased by the droids, but manage to reach the Well of Transformation. Seaspray asks if Alana really believes he would die if he went in, but Alana points out that they're both machines. Feeling dejected, Seaspray resolves to go into the Well, as Alana cries out in horror. Believing him dead, Alana muses that she ''did'' love Seaspray...only for Seaspray to emerge as a blond muscle man, but with robot feet (and for some reason, still has his gargling voice). The two jump into the Well and change into merpeople. They discover that the city is under attack by the Decepticons, but Seaspray doesn't have any weapons systems as a merman. Spotting them, Megatron orders Rumble to follow. Rumble begins firing, only for his body to also be affected by the Well. Alana begins to tell Rumble to think of a big tree, or become lost. Rumble survives...as a tree. Seaspray resumes his old robot mode, while Alana takes one of her own, as a measure for fighting Decepticons, but she likes her color (guess what [[Elita One (G1)|it]] [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|is]]). On the surface, Seaspray and Alana head to the above water city (with Alana transforming into a gondola) and attack Deceptitran's forces.

[[File:SeaChange Alana Deceptitran.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Boy, you are too fat to be my ''botfriend''!]]

Underwater, the Decepticons are overwhelming the Autobots and Tlalakans, when Megatron receives a mayday from Deceptitran. Megatron is willing to leave Deceptitran to die, but the energon must be protected. Heading back for the city, the Decepticons spot Seaspray, and follow him into the energon warehouse. However, the droids fire on the Decepticons, as Alana has reprogrammed Decepitran to serve her. The explosion causes a massive tremor, destroys the city and causes Rumble, back in the caves, to fall into the Well of Transformation, allowing him to change back. Megatron orders Astrotrain to transform and take them off the planet.

As the Tlalakans celebrate, Alana has retaken her human form, but tells Seaspray that they won't let it ruin their relationship. As the two sail off into the sunset, Bumblebee notices the first star, and asks if anyone wants to make a wish. Perceptor asks why, and Bee says that it's merely a [[human]] superstition he heard...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (1)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (2)
* [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (9)
|c2=
* [[Deceptitran]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (13)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (14)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (16)
|h3=[[Tlalakan (species)|Talalkans]]|c3=
* [[Chac]] (3)
* [[Alana]] (4)
* [[Mok]] (5)
* [[Tlaloc]] (17)
* [[Rarto]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hey, look! The first star of the evening. Whaddaya say we make a wish?" 
"I know what ''my'' wish is... no more water skiing!"
:—'''Seaspray''' and '''Bumblebee'''

"Oh no...my paint job's... ruined."
:—borrowing a page from [[Carnage in C-Minor|Broadside]] and [[B.O.T. (episode)|Gears']] playbook, '''Cosmos''' sweats the small stuff before collapsing

"She kissed me! She kissed me!" 
"Ah, dream on, bubble-brain..."
:—'''Seaspray''' and '''Bumblebee''' on Seaspray's love life

"Maybe that is all I am, a bunch of transistors and bolts, but I don't believe it! My heart may look like an [[energon pump]] but that doesn't mean it can't feel."
:—'''Seaspray'''

"Transform, you sponge, and get us out of here!"
:—'''Megatron''' destroys Astrotrain's self-esteem with what appears to be a sea-related insult. Mercy.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 28th May 1985
* Script revised by Doug Booth: 30th May 1985
* First draft storyboards completed: 8th June 1985
* Dialogue recording: 20th June 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:SeaChange Deceptitran.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* More interplanetary dealings by Megatron! He's apparently built himself some kind of little empire off-screen, given the content of this episode and "[[The Gambler]]".
* Gadgets and powers:
** Seaspray picks up Deceptitran's distress call. He has to muck with some component inside his chest to do it.
** Cosmos is explicitly shown changing size when he transforms inside Autobot Headquarters; he converts to ship mode, then suddenly enlarges enough to accommodate his three passengers.
* Cosmos flies straight out of the volcano's cone, a rarely-used but apparently viable means of leaving Autobot Headquarters.
*Bumblebee's original [[bio]] notes that he's good at underwater operations, and of course Seaspray is made for such work. Still, the implication of both bios is that the ''other'' Autobots ''aren't'' real good underwater... but here, as with every other underwater episode, all of them are equally at home. In fact, Bumblebee is portrayed [[Humanization|coughing and sputtering]] after going over the falls.
* As with the [[Atlantis, Arise!|Sub-Atlanticans]], the Tlalakans can talk underwater.
* Dirge mentions [[robo-rat]]s.
*Rumble says destroying Seaspray and Alana will be a "piece of carborundum".
* Seaspray's faceplate can apparently change colour when smitten. Powerglide does not show the same reaction when put in the same situation in "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]".
* Rumble calls Astrotrain an [[astro-turkey]]. Although pretty clearly an insult in its original context, TakaraTomy's ''[[World of the Transformers]]'' online featurette declared it to be a Cybertronian creature.
* Exactly why Seaspray and Rumble are able to survive and even use the [[Well of Transformation]] isn't really explored within the episode. The concept of the [[Spark]] wasn't established at this point in the franchise, but is an excellent explanation as to why Deceptitran's drones are destroyed while full-fledged Transformers are not.
* Rumble is frigging stupid.

===Real-world references===
[[File:SeaChange Bumblebee wipeout.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|It went almost as well as Dinobot football.]]
[[File:SeaChange Tlalakans escaping.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* The term "sea change" simply means [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20change a significant transformation,] though, {{w|Ariel's Song|when Shakespeare coined it}}, he was talking about the substance of a body literally being changed by the sea (such as bone being replaced with coral).
* This episode marks the Autobots' third foray into Earth sports, as Bumblebee gives water skiing a try (see also "[[The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders]]" and "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]") The Stunticons will later have a go at it in "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]".
* The vaguely Meso-American aesthetic of the natives and the word "Tlalakan" itself suggests that the planet is meant to evoke {{w|Tlalocan}}, the "heaven" in Aztec cosmology reserved for those who died by drowning or had an otherwise water-related death. That's, uh, actually pretty morbid!
* One of the Tlalakan natives is even named {{w|Tlaloc}}, after the Aztec god of rain and water who ruled Tlalocan. Hopefully, he didn't demand child sacrifices like the real one...
*Conversely, another of the natives is named Chac, which is very similar to {{w|Chaac}}, who was a Mayan god of rain.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** [[Lightsaber]]s clashing and slashing equipment as the drones whip the workers.
** Diving [[X-wing Fighter]]s as Cosmos first approaches the city, and again when Astrotrain makes the same approach.
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine roar as Laserbeak takes off to pursue Seaspray.
** [[TIE Fighter]] roar as Laserbeak flies into Astrotrain.

===Animation and technical errors===
* As he's water skiing, Bumblebee is supposed to ski up to the ramp and then over it, but instead he's floating a few feet above the water before he even gets to it. Then a layering error has him flying past the ramp (in front of it, looking tiny) instead of going over it. Then part of his feet and skis disappear after he clears the ramp.
*Ventriloquist bots:
** "Because that is my programming!" - Deceptitran's mouth doesn't move as he laughs after delivering this line.
** Prime's mouthplate doesn't move as he restates Perceptor's analysis.
** Perceptor groans in pain twice after the crash... but the second time, it's the more visibly damaged Cosmos who's on-screen.
** Alana has already moved underwater when she says "I'll see you there".
** The shot of the Autobots going over the waterfall is repeated before and after the commercial break. The first time, the Autobots are crying out as they fall; the second time, they're silent.
** Seaspray orders Bumblebee to go with the Tlalakans, but one of the Tlalakans is shown mouthing his words.
** "Hey, what's going on?!" - tree-Rumble's mouth doesn't move as he speaks this line.
** Tree-Rumble's cough (as he falls in the water) is provided by [[Jack Angel]].
* Coloring errors:
** When the guards dump Chac, Alana's legs are colored green, as if she's wearing pants. (Heavens forefend!)
**While analyzing the distress signal, Perceptor's helmet is red.
** "We came as soon as we got your request for help" - two bits of Megatron's Decepticon symbol aren't colored in.
** Seaspray's back is yellow instead of white as Laserbeak flies overhead.
** One of Soundwave's hands is white as he captures Bumblebee.
** As the firing Decepticons advance on the undersea city, Rumble has Frenzy's color scheme.
** Megatron's fusion cannon is white instead of dark gray as he flies out of the city to attack the rebels.
** "They must not escape!" - Deceptitran's mouth is the same gray as his face, where it is darker gray in other scenes. The same error happens as he responds to Cosmos's arrival over the city.
** When Deceptitran radios Megatron to tell him the energon supplies are in jeopardy, Soundwave's cheekguards and eject button are blue instead of white; then his visor changes from red to white.
** Soundwave is colored as Perceptor, and Astrotrain as Cosmos, when the Decepticons leave to save the energon.
** When the droids first start firing on the Decepticons, the walls are shown glowing energon pink, but they haven't reached the energon stockpile yet.
** Around the time when Megatron calls a retreat, Soundwave's visor is white.
** "Destroy the Autobot!" - as the Decepticons run along, Soundwave's missing his eject button, has some black stripes on his chest, and has blue cheekguards again.
* Missing body parts:
** As we look over Perceptor's shoulder in Autobot Headquarters, his head is missing! His cannon's also missing some of its black coloration.
** When Seaspray and Bumblebee are seen carrying Cosmos, only Cosmos' upper half is there! Perceptor's missing his Autobot symbol as he walks behind the other Autobots.
** As Seaspray warns Mok, his left arm is missing.
** "It's those blasted rebels again" - Astrotrain's right wing is missing.
** When Rumble is ordered by Megatron to follow Seaspray and Alana, his rear-mounted weapon disappears as he moves forward; meanwhile, Megatron's gun barrel is missing.
* When Alana runs to assist Chac, the first cell is reversed, making her appear to be on the wrong side of the screen for an instant.
* Lots of misaligned glow effects in this episode:
** When Seaspray starts to receive the distress message, a glow effect is shown, but it's not illuminating any of his components.
** In the first shot of Cosmos beginning to enter the atmosphere, the heat flame effect is off to one side of him.
** When the droids open fire on Cosmos, the laser beams are misaligned so that they're not coming from the guns, but from a bit to the right of the guns.
** When they first attack the city to rescue Bumblebee, a couple of the rebel's shots aren't aligned with their guns.
** The glow of Bumblebee's homing beacon is not inside the lines of the buttons he's pushing in two successive shots. Neither are the glowing components on Seaspray's side as he receives the signal.
* In the nighttime establishing shot of Autobot Headquarters, the ship is tilted much more steeply than usual, almost vertical to the ground.
* In the first shot of the newly arrived Decepticons, Rumble's model is replaced by one Deceptitran's droid's. Also, Dirge and Soundwave are both missing their Decepticon symbols.
* As Deceptitran tells Megatron about the Autobots, he's floating above the floor instead of sitting on it.
* Soundwave's 'con symbol is missing again as he moves to capture Bumblebee.
* Flying Autobots:
** Perceptor and Bumblebee are showing "flying" along underwater without moving their limbs, despite not having any means of propulsion. Seaspray should be using his propellers, but he's not.
* Missing [[Transformation#The noise|transformation noise]]:
** After randomly declaring that "we may be able to repair ourselves after all" for no apparent reason, Perceptor transforms to robot mode with no transformation sound.
** The Decepticons land and transform in sequence to pursue Seaspray into the energon warehouse, but only a single transformation sound effect plays. Dirge finishes his transformation in silence.
* When Alana tells Seaspray to take the tunnel to the surface, Seaspray stops - but his propellors are drawn as though they're still spinning, even though they're not moving.
* Seaspray's shot (which severs Deceptitran's arm) doesn't get the usual Autobot laser sound effect.
* Megatron tells Dirge and the droids to chase Seaspray and Alana, but only the droids go. One of the droids freezes in place behind Megatron as he lands.
* When Rumble moves forward to start the attack, the perspective of his body doesn't correspond to the perspective of his gun.
* Wrong laser sounds:
** Dirge gets a non-standard laser effect as he fires at Seaspray.
** Megatron's fusion cannon doesn't make its standard sound as he laughs during the attack.
[[File:G1-Cartoon-SeaChange-Rumble-Tree.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Rumble's plan to attract hot tree huggers goes awry.]]
* After Rumble's and Seaspray's transformative glow effects vanish, the backgrounds don't change back to normal with it.
* When Rumble is changed into a tree, he appears to be simply a tree with a mouth and eye holes, but during his close-up, his face is its regular, robotic self, apart from the fact his visor is now two separate eyes. The tree images in general look rather unfinished.
* The animators did a pretty good job of remembering that Deceptitran is missing an arm, but it briefly reappears as Alana and Seaspray approach for the second time.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Cosmos in space.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Inside: Seaspray, Bumblebee, Perceptor, and two of every animal in its kind.]]
[[File:SeaChange Energy syphon.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|He's like 50 Dr. Arkevilles.]]
*In all of its other appearances, Cosmos's interior is shown to have light grey walls with a dark grey floor. For this episode only, his interior is the same burnt orange color as the interior of Autobot HQ.
* Moreover, he's got a carrying capacity far greater than what was shown in "[[Blaster Blues]]" and "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]" (though comparable to what's shown in "[[Quest for Survival]]".) He ''does'' turn away Optimus Prime as being too big to fit, implying that there is ''some'' kind of size limit on his interior.
* In "The Ultimate Doom" it was shown that Dr. Arkeville couldn't even fill 1 energon cube with his brain power, yet the energy from Chac instantly fills a cube. Deceptitran's equipment appears to do a full-body power drain from the Tlalakans, as opposed to just using "mind energy" as Starscream did.
* When the Decepticons attack Seaspray and Alana after Lazerbeak follows Bumblebee into the sea, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] fights alongside the other Decepticons, even though he is not present in any other scene.
*Although Tlaloc appears to be among the mer-Tlalakans leading the escaping prisoners away, he later expresses surprise that Alana and Mok are free. A quick glance at the script and storyboards show he wasn't actually scripted to appear during the escape scene (instead it just says some other merfolk help Alana and Mok out), suggesting that rather than a scripting error, this was a goof on the part of the animators.
* As usual, it's a bit weird that Perceptor transforms to microscope mode to look at a screen.
* Why is Dirge setting up a probe to extract information from Bumblebee? Megatron's got Soundwave right there, and [[Roll for It|he's done this]] [[War of the Dinobots|multiple times before]]. Aside from being [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette-guy]], it's kind of his main thing.
* After Alana and Seaspray rescue Bumblebee, Megatron orders "Dirge! Droids! Follow them!" However, Dirge, who is standing right next to him, doesn't move. And he's still depicted with Megatron in the very next scene, when Megatron is dealing with the hysterical Deceptitran.
*It's implied that the Tlalakans can only change form while in the Well of Transformation, yet Alana's transformation between robot and gondola modes uses the same effect as a Tlalakan changing, rather than a traditional Transformer transformation (as you would expect from her having imitated Cosmos's species) and she's nowhere near the Well. Likewise, she changes from a pink metal robot into a brown wooden boat.
*Also, how is Alana able to shoot lasers when transformed? It looks like they just come out of her body!

===Trivia===
* Nearly every discrepancy in the episode, big and small, is the result of the trimming that the first-draft script went through to get it down to a 22-minute episode:
** The "wish on a star" scene originally had Seaspray noticing a human couple together near the water, making clear to the viewer and to Bumblebee what his unfulfilled wish was. Bee gives him some ribbing about it a few times later on... but it's also why he mentions wishing on a star at the episode's conclusion.
** The subplot of Perceptor and Cosmos's damage is almost entirely cut. The script calls for Perceptor to be visibly damaged as he's carried out of Cosmos, a visual that didn't make it into the animation. Later the Tlalakans showed Perceptor an organically developed welding torch, prompting his otherwise random line about repairing themselves. The two were to be shown with detached limbs as they worked to get them fully functional again, then frantically reattaching them as the Decepticons attacked!
** A cut scene would have featured Astrotrain greedily devouring the stored energon, then drunkenly transforming to locomotive mode and smashing into a wall. He subsequently "sleeps it off" for the rest of the episode, with Dirge periodically checking in on him, explaining why he's absent for nearly all of the scenes on the alien planet. This also explains Megatron's strange insult to him during the retreat; originally Megs called him a "sot" -- a drunkard -- rather than a "sponge".
** Dirge also grumbles during one of these checkins that he "never should have left Cybertron".
** Dirge's memory probe originally uncovered a scene of little baby Bumblebee transforming for the first time, with his momma and daddy looking on proudly.
** The chemistry/tension between Seaspray and Alana is expanded and ratcheted up a bit; at one point, complaining that the Tlalakans see him as nothing but a bunch of nuts and bolts, Alana replies that she *likes* his nuts and bolts!
* Number of times someone says "Destroy the Autobots": 4
* "I'm, uh, sorry about what happened to your city," says Seaspray, in a hilariously avoidant use of the passive voice - "what happened" to it was that ''Seaspray blew it up!''

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le Grand Amour'''" ("The Great Love")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*All the logo transitions were cut. It is unknown if it was that way for the original broadcast or if the episode was chopped for the DVD release.
::*As usual, some dialog is changed to avoid pronouncing Laserbeak's name:
:::*Bumblebee's line "Oh no! Laserbeak!" becomes "Oh no! Decepticons!".
:::*Megatron's line "I read you, Laserbeak" becomes "Go ahead, I'm listening", making it confusing who he is talking to.
::*And also as usual, some lines are absent from the dub:
:::*Seaspray's line "Hey Bumblebee, what do you think of water skiing so far?" is missing.
:::*Cosmos' explanation "Well actually, searching my memory banks, I found the sequencing is quite similar to transmissions intercepted during the third Cybertron war" is missing.
:::*Deceptitran does not say "How good it is to see Decepticons again!", he immediately starts on screen with "You must be exhausted after your long journey".
:::*The dialogue between Soundwave and Rumble as they inspect if the Autobots survived is missing.
:::*Perceptor's line "Cosmos! We may be able to repair ourselves after all" is missing.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il pianeta Tritone'''" ("The Planet Tritone")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*While Tlalakan's name is never pronounced in the episode itself like in English, the title suggests that it's called Tritone, which is the Italian word for "merman", but also the Italian name of [[w:Triton (mythology)|Triton]], son of Poseidon. Interestingly, Triton is already the name of [[w:Triton (moon)|a real existing moon]].
::*After Seaspray recives the helping request, Bumblebee's line: «Hey, you're right!» is oddly changed to: «Hey, you guessed correctly!».
::*In "third cybertronian war", "cybertronian" is translated as "cubetronica" which... means nothing in Italian. "Cybertronian" is generally rendered in Italian as "cybertroniano" in male form and "cybertroniana" in female form.
::*Rumble is voiced by at least two different actors in this episode.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Cambio di marea'''" ("Change of Tide")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The title is somehow a translation of the literal meaning of "sea change", not considering that it actually means "transformation". Hence, the title has no connection to the actual plot.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Henshin no Izumi'''" (変身の泉, "The Spring of Transformation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 16]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Bàngwǎn de Xīngxīng '''" (傍晚的星星, "Stars at Nightfall")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mudança no Mar'''" ("Sea Change")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Morje menyayetsya'''" (Море меняется, "The Sea Is Changing")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Seaspray.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And they look at you ... and they KNOW. And they say "Who's Alanna?"]]
*'''Seaspray''' (Legends Class, [[2017]])
**''Accessories'': Blaster/roof

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Seaspray's inner forearms have [[Alana]]'s name (though spelled "Alan'''n'''a") engraved in [[Alphabet#Autobot script|Ancient Autobot]] in reference to this episode. Apparently he ran out and got the Autobot equivalent of a tattoo.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 11 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rjc2FYqZXWb0ZWz8kSXkwV-gPRihpFYG/view?usp=sharing First draft script, submitted 28th May 1985]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zn2HPBqxNFsnavpHsHVYByJbP5SLwA1M/view?usp=sharing Episode script, revised by Doug Booth 30th May 1985]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xL0o7SgCMCqWxAwMG0-lK5bAbjjLGg_J/view?usp=drive_link Episode model sheets]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-48-sea-change.html Gallery of first draft storyboards]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BM_e63erCeyF4IhpuedhE8-1SxN2dN5w Episode dialogue script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Reflector (G1)

2025-12-02T04:55:52Z

Tomhur: /* The Transformers cartoon */ Correcting an error that seems to have been present for over a decade at this point. Seems someone might have gotten mixed up with Atlantis Arise at some point.

{{factions|decepticon|cobra|deceptihog|ascenticon}}
{{disambigm|Reflector (disambiguation)|Refractor}}
:''Reflector is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:ReflectorG1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's a Kodak moment. Top down: Viewfinder, Spyglass, Spectro]]
'''Reflector''' (aka '''Refraktor''') likes to watch. He lives (they live?) to observe anything and everything, from scenery, to wildlife, to architecture. But above all else, Reflector likes to watch his (their?) comrades, learn their dark secrets, and profit from them. Reflector is also very impressed with his (their?) own abilities both in the fields of observation and blackmail.

Reflector is generally composed of three separate robots—[[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]], and [[Viewfinder]]—who combine into the one single-lens-reflex camera [[alternate mode|altmode]] that is Reflector. He is (they are?) also the leader (leaders?) of the [[Photon (subgroup)|Photons]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Chris Latta]] (English), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese, "Fire in the Sky")|[[Frank Todaro]] (English, "[[Transformers 40th Anniversary Event]]"), [[Wang Wèi]] (Chinese), [[Ulrich Bernsdorff]] (German), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "S.O.S. Dinobots"), [[Mário Monjardim]] (Portuguese), [[Francisco José]] (Portuguese, "Roll for It"), [[Orlando Drummond]] (Portuguese, "Divide and Conquer"), [[Carlos Seidl]] (Portuguese, "Autobot Spike"), [[Marco Ribeiro]] (Portuguese, "Generation 2", Audio News Dub), [[Paulo Maeda]] (Portuguese, "Generation 2", Audio Brasil dub), [[Edgar Givry]] (European French), [[Jean Roche]] (European French, "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French, "Roll for It"), [[Francis Lax]] & [[Georges Atlas]] (European French, "Divide and Conquer"), Unknown (European French, "Autobot Spike")}}

[[File:MTME1 Reflector camera.jpg|left|thumb|[[Scale]] in a camera-con? Don't be silly.]]
Reflector was among the warriors who accompanied [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] aboard the Decepticons' [[Nemesis (G1)|space cruiser]] during its assault on the [[Autobot]]s' [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago. When the Ark crashed on [[Earth]], Reflector was entombed in stasis with the other Transformers and awoke with the other Decepticons in [[1984]]. Withdrawing from the Ark, the Decepticons immediately set about constructing a temporary base for themselves, and Reflector and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] were assigned to patrol the perimeter. As they surveyed the desert landscape, Reflector expressed his disbelief that the Autobots had also survived the crash. Thundercracker then spotted something off in the distance, and Reflector transformed to camera mode so that Thundercracker could use him to zoom in on the mystery object. Reflector dispensed a Polaroid photograph of the truck that had caught their attention, and Thundercracker reported the intruder to Megatron as a possible Autobot (which it wasn't). {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[File:GenericDecepticons MTMTE.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|Anything you need reflected? I (we?) gotcha covered.]]
Reflector later battled the Autobot forces on an offshore oil rig, {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} and joined in the Decepticons' attack on [[Sherman Dam]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} Reflector participated in the battle royale with the Autobots shortly before the Decepticons' failed attempt at returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard a new space cruiser. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} Numerous [[Photon (subgroup)|robots sharing Reflector's design]], who existed in addition to the core trio, also took part in these activities. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

While the Decepticons were in the midst of testing their new intergalactic "[[space bridge]]" transport system, Reflector took part in two battles with the Autobots when the heroic robots tried to interfere with the test run. The battle ended badly when Megatron was sucked through the space bridge and back to Cybertron, {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}} but Reflector seemed unfazed by the apparent loss of his leader, as he went on to carry out orders that had previously been given to him and began staking out the laboratory of [[antimatter]] researcher [[Alcazar|Doctor Alcazar]]. Using his photographic abilities to obtain the entry code for the laboratory's security system in secret, Reflector concluded his stakeout just as Megatron returned to Earth, and he quickly reported his findings to the Decepticon leader. Reflector subsequently followed Megatron back to the lab and entered the entry code for him, allowing the villains to enter the complex stealthily. Reflector was no doubt rather cheesed off to learn that his spying had been for naught when it turned out that Alcazar had gotten rid of the antimatter formula by transmitting it to [[Chip Chase]]. When the Decepticons acquired the formula from Chip, Reflector helped charge [[energon cube]]s with the antimatter they created, and then participated in the subsequent battle with the Autobots, which ended when the antimatter cubes Megatron was using to power himself threatened to overload. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

[[File:ReflectorCartoon1.jpg|left|thumb|I (we?) see EVERYTHING!]]
Reflector later worked with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] on another attempt to transport energon cubes to Cybertron via the space bridge. A group of Autobots soon arrived to investigate the Decepticon goings-on, but Reflector was quick to act and dazzled them with a blinding flash from his central lens. The Autobots soon got themselves together, though, and Reflector was dispatched when his duplicates were hurled into one another, causing them to recombine into one. Reflector's component selves later took part in a Decepticon attack on [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] and were fired upon by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]], but the three robots were confident that the Earth germ couldn't hit all of them at once. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:FireintheSky Reflector formation.jpg|thumb|Presenting... the Cirque du So-lame! ok I'll show myself out.]]
Reflector did most of the grunt work when the Decepticons sought to drain the energy of the [[Earth's core]] via a crystal shaft in the Arctic, operating machinery and gathering energon cubes. When their digging unearthed the frozen Autobot [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], Reflector tried attacking the towering robot by running at him in a sort of cheerleader-pyramid formation, only to be—unsurprisingly—knocked to the ground with a swipe of Skyfire's arm. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

Along with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]], Reflector gathered valuable intelligence on the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power station, and he took part in the attack that their information-gathering helped facilitate. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} Soon after, Reflector went with the other Decepticons on a mission to Peru in another attempt to seize the power of the Earth's core. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}} Later still, Reflector was part of the Decepticon team who tried harnessing energy from an unstable meteorite. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

When the Decepticons used their space bridge to pull Cybertron itself into Earth's orbit in order to reap the energy released by the natural disasters that would result, Reflector was at Megatron's side as the Decepticon leader watched the construction of a hydroelectric energy collector. When an unexpectedly strong tidal wave demolished the structure, Megatron and Reflector escaped aboard a transport ship, though Reflector was given pause to wonder on the fate of the Decepticons' human ally, [[Doctor Arkeville]]. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

[[File:SOSDinobots Great Falls.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]

After taking part in another energy-raiding attempt with the help of new arrivals the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} Reflector joined the other Decepticons in relinquishing his [[power chip rectifier]] to a machine that would transfer all of the Decepticons' special abilities to Megatron, enabling him to best [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] easily in a one-on-one duel. During the combat, Megatron employed Reflector's power to generate a brilliant flash of light to blind Optimus Prime. When Megatron's deception was exposed, Reflector and the other Decepticons were sent tumbling into a river of lava by the enraged Autobots. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

Learning that the Autobots had transferred Spike's mind into a robot body, Megatron had Reflector watch over Autobot Headquarters, and his spying soon bore fruit when the unstable "Autobot Spike" came bursting through a wall and flew off. Reflector followed and summoned the other Decepticons to his position. Megatron proceeded to try and turn Spike against the Autobots, but the attempt ultimately ended in failure. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}}

Reflector joined in the Decepticons' attempt to conquer [[New York City]], {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}} followed Megatron in an attempt to hijack a rocket, {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}} and clashed with the Insecticons over stolen [[electro-cell]]s. {{storylink|Traitor (episode)|Traitor}} A little later, he helped battle the Autobots for control of [[korlonium crystal]]s. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} After this, having being absent for a prolonged period, Reflector reappeared as part of a group of Decepticons on the rampage in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} and soon after, he was among the Decepticons who coated themselves with [[electrum]] to cause havoc. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Reflector later battled the mutinous Starscream and his [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

Reflector was present at the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and the coronation of Starscream soon afterward. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Reflector’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]''.}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
Reflector was amongst the Decepticons who attacked New York City early in their conflict with the Autobots on Earth. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)#Part 1|Broadcasting on TV! Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
The Reflector trio were amongst the Decepticons who attacked the ''[[Trigger]]'' as it neared completion. They took it over easily, thanks in part to the human collaborator, [[Trov]]. One human, [[Makoto (Star Gate)|Makoto]], had been overlooked by the Decepticons however, and managed to pin down Reflector and the rest of the group under Megatron's command in the ''Trigger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s rail room with a powerful electromagnetic field. Reflector was almost sent hurdling to the farthest side of the galaxy by the ''Trigger'', but a blast from Megatron's fusion cannon disabled the portal. Then the Autobots showed up, and the two factions began their battle aboard the space station. The Decepticons lost the fight and fled. {{storylink|First Contact (Star Gate)|First Contact}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Reflector was one of the Decepticons supporting the [[Selector]] revolt at [[Neo Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

During the skirmish, [[Angolmois Energy]] began to erupt from the planet's surface. Reflector was caught in the corrupting backwash of one of the geysers. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
[[File:SRLF4 astrotrain snaps metroplex.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|After a long day at work, the Autobot city sat down for a beer.]]
[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] photographed the incomplete [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] with the aid of Reflector's camera mode, so that Megatron could decipher whether or not it was powerful enough to stand up to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

====Full Throttle Scramble Power!====
The Decepticons constructed a new weapon to pursue their energy-plundering campaign on Earth, the [[Omega Wave Cannon]]. Reflector and Shockwave were charged with manning the device's control as other teams of the Decepticons would go out and attack power plants to retrieve the energy stored within them. The whole plot was foiled when [[Jenny (G1)|Jenny]], a captive of the Decepticons, managed to reprogram Starscream into blowing up the Omega Wave Cannon's controls. Reflector was sent tumbling away from his post. He then followed Megatron into battle, but was forced to flee along with the rest of the Decepticons when a massive amount of Autobot reinforcements joined the fray. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}
{{--}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
The Reflector trio were "one" of fourteen [[Decepticon Warlord|Warlords]] that arose championing the Decepticon cause. His / their legion, the [[Photon (subgroup)|Photons]], were an endless series of identical Cybertronians apparently patterned after their leader. As the [[Elite Guard|Autobot Elite Guard]] began picking off the Decepticon Warlords one at a time, Reflector attended the War Councils with the other Decepticon leaders to discuss strategy. It was Reflector who suggested they pool secrets and information for the greater good of the Decepticon cause. It was also Reflector who assimilated his / their Photons into the ranks of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s Decepticons after the Warlords gave up their secrets to each other. This merger allowed him / them to avoid certain destruction when [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] sent an unwitting suicide bomber to the next council meeting, wiping out all the remaining Warlords besides Megatron. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}

As [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] breached [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s walls, Reflector was there with the rest of Megatron's forces. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

====''Cloud''====
The Reflector of "OG001 Spacetime" was one of several Decepticons who wound up on the receiving end of a beating from a [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron from another universe]], as he fought his way through them to get to [[Optimus Prime (Cloud)|his world's Optimus Prime]] and the super-powerful entity [[SARA]]. {{storylink|TFC-A01}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
[[File:Reflectormarvel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A [[To sell toys#Hi-and-die|hi-then-die]] who didn't even get to say hi!]]
A robot resembling Viewfinder was seen decorating the cavern floor of [[Mount St. Hilary]] after all the [[Decepticon]]s were rendered inoperative by [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s poisoned fuel. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

====''Transformers '84''====
As the [[Great War (G1)|war]] raged on Cybertron, Reflector was among the many Decepticons seen battling the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}

===''S.T.A.R.S.'' continuity===
Using the human power known as "imagination," S.T.A.R.S. recruits could perceive what it was like to be Reflector. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}}

Before the construction of Autobot City on Earth, Optimus led a convoy of Autobots to find the ideal location for their new base's construction. Reflector was (maybe) amongst the Decepticons who lay in wait to ambush Optimus and the Autobots. The battle that ensued later came to be known as "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}

Evidently, the battle went in the Decepticons' favour, as Optimus was forced to send some of his troops away to fetch reinforcements. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}} Later, Reflector discovered that the same squad of Autobots was out scouting for new energy source. {{storylink|The Autobots Are Under Attack!}}

{{note|Reflector is never seen in any of the illustrations depicting "Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction," but is implied to be involved as all other toys advertised in the flyer are participants in the battle.}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:BrothersBurden Reflector.jpg|thumb|left|"Who added Sky-Lynx to our Skype call?!"]]

''Reflector was part of Megatron's crew, active on Earth in the 1980s before the ''[[Ark II]]'' incident. When Megatron was snatched up by the Keepers, not all Decepticons fell into line under Starscream's maniacal command. [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and the three Reflector robots chose to make a stand against Starscream's leadership at [[Hoover Dam]], outside the Decepticon's new base in [[Las Vegas]]. Spyglass and Skywarp drew [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s electronic attention, prompting Starscream and his communications officer to make an appearance at the Dam. As Skywarp rejected Starscream's rule, the other Reflector robots leapt out of hiding to attack the usurper. The battle quickly turned against Skywarp and Reflector, though, as Soundwave's sonic attack ripped Spectro apart, sending him over the edge of the dam and into stasis lock. Once Skywarp was disabled as well, Spyglass and Viewfinder wisely chose to abdicate to Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}''

''The surviving two Reflector parts remained under Starscream's command only as long as necessary, and left Las Vegas with Megatron's splinter faction of Decepticons soon after their former leader returned to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} After the Decepticons reunited, Reflector was instrumental in several attempts at blackmail and media manipulation against the [[President of the United States]], first recording him whimpering helplessly in Megatron's massive hand during an attack on the White House, and later sending the media outlets footage of the U.S. Armed Forces attempting to assassinate Autobots AND Decepticons in the Nevada desert.''

''A "inferior copy" of'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}} Reflector remained on Cybertron and worked for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], monitoring the planet and its inhabitants for him from a central mainframe. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} They were destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he broke ranks with Shockwave's command structure; using Soundwave's expertise, Starscream delayed footage of himself as he encroached on Shockwave's monitor womb, within which the Reflector trio were posted. They thus were unable to foresee Starscream sneaking up on them, and he blasted all three 'cons to death. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoevsTF4 Reflector.jpg|thumb|{{w|Kool-Aid Man|"Oh Yeah!"}}]]
The three Reflector components were among the Transformers who crashed on Earth millions of years in the past, and upon being discovered by humans, they were reprogrammed to serve the terrorist organization [[Cobra]]. The Autobot [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] eventually restored everyone's original programming, and the angry Reflector trio broke into Cobra's control center to teach the fleshlings a thing or two about messing with their heads. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Reflector was then ordered by Megatron to assist [[Doctor Mindbender]] and [[Firefly]] while they used the [[SPS Satellite]] to create [[energon cube]]s. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived to halt their scheme, the three Reflectors attacked him, but were easily swatted aside. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

[[File:ArtofWar4 Reflector message.jpg|left|thumb|30th anniversary Viewfinder, Spyglass and Spectrum Gold Edition! Buy Now! (''while stocks last'')]]
In a dark alternate future where the Decepticons had conquered Earth, three black Reflectors guarded human slaves imprisoned near a factory, but were killed by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Tomax and Xamot]]. As this future was also full of multiple [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon swarms]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage packs]], it is possible these Reflectors were some sort of [[Cloning|clones]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

Viewfinder was present for a Decepticon gathering on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], during which [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] took control of the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} During a subsequent Decepticon assault on an Autobot peace ceremony, the Reflector trio were charged with delivering a message to Optimus Prime. After being carried to Prime in [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s palm, Viewfinder used his chest lens to project a hologram of Serpent O.R., allowing the Decepticon leader to negotiate with Prime. Reflector came under attack by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] during the negotiation, but Viewfinder managed to continue the transmission despite being injured. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
Early in the war, the Reflector trio tried to stop an Autobot prison break in the [[Citadel]] only to be blown away by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. {{storylink|Rise}} Spectro and Spyglass were later seen aboard a Decepticon orbital outpost, terrified of walking down the same hallway as [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sixshot}}

[[File:AHM3 Reflector Rumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
All three Reflector units (speaking entirely in unison), eventually joined [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] on [[Earth]], and helped defeat the Autobots there. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Following this victory, the Reflector trio help destroy [[New York City]] along with the other Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}} Spectro and Spyglass enjoyed "playing games" with the city's fleshy inhabitants, but were disappointed about how easily they came apart. Viewfinder preferred to brood by himself, while still echoing the other two's dialogue. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} Reflector stayed with Megatron when [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] rebelled against his leader {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}, and fought back against the Autobots when they returned to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Decepticons were ultimately defeated {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} and Viewfinder and Spectro left the planet aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|Uneasy Lies the Head}} Spyglass was left behind, however, and was still trying to get off the planet two years later. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

In the aftermath of the war with [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] and [[D-Void]], the trio was instructed by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] to undertake a special mission beginning with the theft of [[Turmoil]]'s time-sliding space cruiser. {{storylink|Night and the City}} Using the ship, they were supposed to locate [[LV-117]] and report its circumstances back to Shockwave, but were unprepared for the planet's erratic movement through time. Appearing out of nowhere right in front of them, LV-117 flung the Reflector trio over one hundred years into the past, depleting the ship's fuel supply and causing it to crash. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

Viewfinder was killed in the crash when a large piece of the bridge's shattered canopy impaled through his chest. Spectro and Spyglass survived and eventually they located [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who had previously crashed on the same planet and had been building an escape vessel with a [[Varta|friendly alien]]. They managed to hijack the vessel shortly before it launched by threatening to kill Wheelie's friend, but the tiny Autobot removed the safety catch from his energon converter before disembarking, causing it to explode violently shortly after takeoff, killing the last two fragments of Reflector's being. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

====''Timelines''====
[[File:BotCon2016 Reflector CardArt.jpg|left|thumb|upright=.5|Yeah! Punch that card user!]]
After the apparent death of Viewfinder, Spectro and Spyglass sought out [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stabilize them for individualized life. However, when Viewfinder's body was recovered from LV-117, it was discovered that exposure to [[Ore-1]] would allow his spark to be reignited, and thus Reflector was reborn from this process. {{storylink|#Combiner Wars|BotCon 2016 Reflector profile card}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:Reflectortrioandfriendrailway-HOS3.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5]]
The Reflector trio were three of the many Decepticons under Starscream's command during Earth's industrial revolution. They helped oversee the construction of the railway that would allow The [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to reach [[New York City|New York]]. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===''Alternity''===
[[File:Worldisflat alternity bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|"I swear to god Peppy, if you say "do a barrel roll" one more time..."]]

Three Reflector units hailing from an unknown [[universal stream]] were among the minions serving under [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Megatron]] during his complicated, cross-dimensional war with the Autobot [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]. This incarnation of Reflector was a [[Pretender]], with each of his components able to disguise itself as an ordinary-sized human being.

Reflector was dispatched to [[Primax 905.0 Beta|universal stream 905.0 Beta]] to search for the source of a new dimensional flux of previously unheard type. In their Pretender guises, the trio tracked the source of the disruption to the [[Otsuka Museum of Art]], and found that it was a strange tablet. Reflector was about to make off with the tablet when he was accosted by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (Energon)|Elita Seven]], and his components promptly dropped their Pretender forms to battle the little Autobot. Unfortunately for Reflector, he was no match for the unearthly powers of an Alternity: Bumblebee snatched the tablet away, and with a snap of his fingers, reduced Reflector to a nearly two-dimensional state. From across the dimensions, Megatron saw his minions collapse like paper, and lashed out with his tesseractal swords, destroying the museum and the tablet, and wounding Bumblebee. By the time Bumblebee came to, Reflector was long gone. {{storylink|The World Is Flat!}}
{{--}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Siege-Refraktor-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
Refraktor was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Force Espionage Raider]], whose function specialized in recon. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' webpage}}<ref name=Siege>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/siege ''Siege'' website]</ref> During the war for Cybertron, he was stationed inside the Decepticon stronghold, [[Helex (polity)|Helex]]. {{storylink|Source:Teletraan-1 Data Files|''Siege'' Teletraan-1 Data Files}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
[[File:Refraktor Generics.jpg|thumb|250px|left]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Todaro]] ([[Siege episode 2|''Siege'' #2]], [[Earthrise episode 4|''Earthrise'' #4]], English), [[Kaiser Johnson]] ([[Siege episode 5|''Siege'' #5]] "Desperate Decepticon", English), [[Edward Bosco]], [[Shawn Hawkins]] ([[Earthrise episode 1|''Earthrise'' #1]] "Factory Worker", English), [[Mark Whitten]] ([[Earthrise episode 3|''Earthrise'' #3]] "Decepticon Refugee", English)|[[Júlio Monjardim]] (Portuguese), [[Julián Rodríguez]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Esteban Desco]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

Refraktor was part of the Decepticon ambush team that attacked the Autobots looking for the [[AllSpark]]. He fought with [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] during the battle. {{storylink|Siege episode 2}}
Refraktor was present when Mirage attempted to infiltrate the Decepticon camp using a hologram. He fights Mirage again in a rematch. Refracktor was confused by all of Mirage's cloned holograms and was finally taken out of the fight by Mirage and Wheeljack. {{storylink|Siege episode 3}}
Refraktor was part of the Decepticon ranks that attacked the Ark. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

Refracktor was part of the Decepticons that traveled to the [[Nebulos|Nebulon]] Station aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] ordered his Decepticons to attack [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. After an explosion, he reported to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] that Megatron cannot be found. Starscream assumed that Megatron was dead and took command of the Decepticon forces. The Decepticons broke into the area where the Autobots were and began to attack, but were ordered to cease fire when a wounded Megatron arrived, being supported by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. He ran over to help Megatron. Scorponok then attacked again, forcing Refraktor to counter-attack. Once Scorponok retreated, Megatron ordered the Decepticons to terminate the Autobots. Scorponok returned and attacked the Decepticons, allowing the Autobots to escape. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

{{charfictionstub}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|''Transformers'' #3]]}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPart3 AscenticonGuardVolunteers.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Refraktor was a veteran of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]]. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two}} In the post-war era, Refraktor joined the Ascenticons and was one of the first four recruits for the [[Ascenticon Guard]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}} However, Refraktor led a secret double life: as one of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s many operatives, he regularly reported highly sensitive intelligence regarding [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s increasingly volatile political movement back to the head of Cybertron's intelligence division. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}}

After [[Rubble]] had been murdered, Bumblebee petitioned to join the Ascenticon Guard, but neither Refraktor nor [[Flywheels|Skytread]] thought he was up to the task. When Skytread ran his mouth, Bumblebee punched him in the face, and Refraktor took a backhand before [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] broke up the fighting. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One}} When [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]], who'd been implicated in Rubble's murder, received asylum at [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Ascenticon Headquarters]], Refraktor and the other members of the Ascenticon Guard took up defensive positions when [[Security Operations]] tried to intervene. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five}} After the Ascenticons got a rebrand, Refraktor accompanied Soundwave to a standoff in the [[Cybertronian Mountains]] where he met up with Starscream and brought him up to speed on everything that'd happen while he was away. Starscream angrily pointed out that he'd neglected to tell Starscream the most important revelation—Bumblebee, known associate of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]], had joined the Ascenticon Guard. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}}

[[File:WarWorldHunt-Refraktor.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

After the [[Tether]] fell and caused mass destruction in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Refraktor went on patrol with the rest of the Ascenticon Guard as they helped out with search and rescue operations. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|All Fall Down}} Eventually, however, as tensions mounted, Megatron fast-tracked a coup and successfully overthrew the Senate entirely after rebranding him and his followers as "Decepticons". Beforehand, Refraktor privately alerted Starscream of the impending coup and warned him to lay low until the dust had settled. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}} When the Autobots and their allies tried to rescue Orion Pax and Sentinel from Decepticon captivity, Refraktor and [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]] were on sentry duty outside the captured Senate building when [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] ran them over. {{storylink|War World: Prime}}

Refraktor was on patrol with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] and [[Airwave (facility)|Airwave]] when they decided to harass [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'s clinic and intimidate the medics who worked there into surrendering any Autobot sympathizers. However, Ratchet was less compliant than they'd hoped and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] eventually scared them into leaving when he threatened to turn a swarm of [[Diagnostic Drone|diagnostic drone]]s upon the three. {{storylink|Escape Part One}}

Refraktor also joined the Decepticon Guard in driving Security Operations away from one of their holding cells and freed some useful prisoners. During the operation, however, Refraktor cornered a member of Sec-Ops named [[Vibes]]. At Starscream's direction, he slipped Vibes a tip about [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Titan (group)|Titan]][[spark]]s. Starscream had been forced to share some of his cards with Megatron and Starscream, so he wanted Optimus Prime to have some of the same intelligence to keep himself potentially useful. While the injured Starscream underwent repairs, Refraktor reported on his successful mission, but warned Starscream that his loyalty would only stretch so far, especially as Megatron seemed to be winning. Starscream warned Refraktor not to get too cocky and start thinking for himself at a time like this. {{storylink|War World: Hunt}}

Incidentally, Refraktor was targeted by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] as a potential source of information as well. The enterprising casino owner tagged Refraktor as a favored patron, one who might get more talkative after some specially-refined energon. It may have been from him that Swindle learned the location of the [[Enigma of Combination]]. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}} Refraktor and the Decepticons were soon deployed to the Sea of Rust in search of the Enigma. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|Sea of Rust II}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsOfCybertron1-Reflector.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Reflector was part of the final battle of the Great War that saw the Autobots flee Cybertron aboard the ''Ark'' before [[Gozer]] arrived on Cybertron. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPart3-energoncubes.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

When the ''Ark'' rebooted in 1984, its repair beams first struck Skywarp, who proceeded to revive the Decepticon army. After the stasis-locked Autobots had been destroyed, the Decepticons attacked Earth. The humans responded by founding [[Skywatch]] which itself created [[Skynet]] and an army of [[T-800]] Terminator robots. Refraktor perished in the Skynet-Decepticon conflict, {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}} and by the year [[2029]] one of his bodies was part of a mass grave outside [[Los Angeles]]. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}

To avert the Decepticon threat, a lone T-800 travelled back to 1984 to try and destroy them before they conquered the world. The time traveller's intervention allowed the Autobots to be reactivated prompting the Decepticons to retreat from the ''Ark''. Conducting a scouting mission with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], Refraktor reported to Megatron on the energy production capabilities of a nearby [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility, taking part in the subsequent attack on it. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}} Once the facility had been conquered, Refraktor began filling up [[energon cube]]s before the Autobots arrived. Confident that he could crush the T-800 that they'd allied with, Refraktor was unprepared for the android throwing a bomb directly on his face and detonating it, killing him instantly. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:Finale-ArceeDoublecross.jpg|thumb|right]]

Refraktor was one of the many Cybertronians who'd been captured and [[magic]]ally brainwashed by [[King Sombra]]. When the Autobots and their pony friends launched a counterattack, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] used [[Applejack]]'s transforming [[exosuit|exo-suit]] to rescue both him and [[Doublecross]] by breaking the spell.

After he'd been returned to normal, Refraktor stood guard at the Decepticon [[space bridge|spacebridge]] as the [[Wonderbolts]] took a caged Sombra back to the land of [[Equestria]]. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

===''Canon/Transformers''===
On [[Earth]], "Refraktor-1", the central component of the camera mode, was altered by the [[AllSpark]] into a new body that could transform into a Canon [[EOS R5]] camera. However, with a stand-in, the other Refraktor units were able to still combine into their camera mode. Refraktor sought the [[Quantum Dial]] as a clue to solving the mystery of his ability to split. {{storylink|#Canon/Transformers 2|Decepticon Refraktor R5 bio}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Reflector is Outmatched.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25]]
Reflector was part of the Decepticon crew who attacked the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. He was revived in the present day to bolster the Decepticon ranks. Upon being revived, Reflector was curious about what had happened to [[Megatron (G1)#Energon Universe|Megatron]], but [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] ordered him to drop it and focus on the mission.

Starscream then airlifted him into battle against the Autobots at the Farmingham Dam, dropping into battle guns blazing and with an acronym-based quip at the ready. Unfortunately for him, he dove toward [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]], who was equipped with Megatron's arm, and therefore his [[fusion cannon]]. Reflector had just enough time to realize how fragged he was before he was eviscerated in a single shot. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
In one of several possible timelines, the time-traveling [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] Ravage broke into the ''Ark'' while its occupants were still in stasis and downloaded protoform cloning data from Reflector, among several others. He then returned to his future, planning to revive the Decepticons in new clone bodies and begin their conquest anew. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)}}

===''Sector Seven'' game===
Dubbed "[[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial]] - 115", a video of Reflector transforming in the midst of a child's birthday party reached the public through "hacked evidence" files. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Reflector rallied with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when the latter became Decepticon leader in Megatron's absence. The Autobots soon had the Decepticons defeated and Starscream's plan thwarted. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (Legends)|Countdown to Extinction}} After the Decepticons discovered a [[Crystal of Power]] in [[South America]], Starscream and Reflector were sent to steal materials for a cannon. They succeeded, despite Autobot interference, though the Autobots later managed to destroy the cannon anyway. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (Legends)|Fire on the Mountain}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
Reflector is an "Accessory" character, giving Deceptihogs he's attached to a boost to their weapon's power. This bonus can be increased with upgrades won from random-prize Crates or in the "[[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower" mini-game.

He can be unlocked by purchasing him with Gems in the Barracks, with Tokens during specific [[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)/Challenge Events|Challenge Events]], or won from Crates and [[King Pig|Shockwave]]'s Tower. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

<center>
{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:75%" align="center"
|-
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Deceptihog'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Body Part'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Rarity'''
! scope="col" width="10%" | '''Gem Cost'''
! scope="col" width="20%" | '''Base Effect'''
! scope="col" width="30%" | '''Notes'''
|-
|[[King Pig#As Bludgeon|Bludgeon]]
|Chest
|Epic
|650
| +10% Damage
|
|-
|}
</center>
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:ReflectorEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Three in one, one in three, we are the ones who heal thee.]]
Spyglass, Spectro, and Viewfinder were selected to spy on and gather intelligence on the [[Nova Power Core|Nova Core]]. They sneaked through the base's security and found the Nova Core. Unfortunately, by their own incompetence and curiosity they removed the device with the power plant still running. As soon as the reactor was set off, Reflector fled the scene.
{{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Project Supernova}}

Reflector was out of contact while the two snipers [[Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] fought it out. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bit of a Longshot}}

Viewfinder had absorbed most of the damage from the blast, and the other two set up a shielding unit to protect them while they complete repairs. Megatron reminded them of their mission, and Brake-Neck reminded them of Smokescreen. They naively thought they could be three less targets by transforming into camera mode. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Battle Hardened}}

Reflector soon informed Megatron they were back to being 100% operational and going to make a move to recover the Nova Core. As the battle was taking place, they were spotted by Smokescreen. Reflector asked Brake-Neck fpr cover fire, but he refused and told Spyglass it was stupid of them to be in an open field in the first place. Then Viewfinder was hit by a sniper bullet as they ran and cranked up their shields.

As [[First Aid (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|First Aid]] headed to an extraction site where his Medi-bots would meet him, Brake-Neck was compromised by Smokescreen, and Reflector stole the Core and tried to take off with it. First Aid intervened, and... unexpectedly, Spectro dropped the Nova Core into water, of all things. The Core went critical, and First Aid convinced Reflector to help him shield the energy as the Nova Core went into meltdown. The Nova Core faded, and Viewfinder only asked that the Autobot not tell Megatron about what just happened. Then Viewfinder got hit by Brake-Neck's bullet, much to his irritation {{storylink| Transformers: Earth Wars/Events| Big Bang!}}

When Reflector came through the Spacebridge, Shockwave thought it was malfunctioning, seeing as it had multiple lifeforms coming through at once. After they made their entrance, Starscream warned Shockwave about their meddlesome nature, to which Shockwave replied that the four of them would get along well together.

While Swindle was having a sale with Luca, Reflector eavesdropped on the two, and learnt Luca had a "plan" for Starscream involving a box. Naturally, Reflector went to tattle on Starscream about the ploy. Starscream destroyed the box, much to Swindle's chagrin. Apparently it wasn't a trap, but in fact a gift for Starscream's Inception Day! - Cybertron-21, a high-fidelity holographic battlefield simulator. Starscream was shocked he had just destroyed a game (in mint condition). Reflector thought that it was a bad call to have done that, and they decide to go back to blackmailing people. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

*'''Class:''' Medic
*'''Lowest Star rating''': 2 stars
*'''Weapons:''': Viewfinder uses a medi-gun of unusual make in which it shoots out health bombs, instead of one continuous stream. Spectro and Spyglass both use medi-beams like Hook and Shockwave to provide 40-45% resistant shields. If any of Reflectors' components are not healing bots, they use their pistols to shoot targets.
*'''Ability: Reflector Team Up! '''Summon Spectro and Spyglass, each with an ability to shield friendly bots blocking 40/45% of incoming damage.
**'''Cost''': 4 ability points +2 cost increase.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:reflector Reflector at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{--}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Reflectors were a team of Decepticons who specialized in light-based warfare, including holograms and optical misdirection. The three leaders of the group could combine into a single alternate mode, but the many [[Photon (subgroup)|Photon]] [[drone]]s based on their body-types could not. The Reflector trio spent most of their time on [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], supervising the [[Assembly Forge]] responsible for constructing new Decepticon [[drone]]s. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1-toy Reflector.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|We three kings of orient are... Left to right: Spectro, Viewfinder, Spyglass]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Reflector''' (Mail-away, [[1986]]/[[1987]]; wide release in Japan, [[1985]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''21'''
:*''Accessories:'' Spectro's [[shutter gun]], Viewfinder's [[lens laser]], Spyglass' [[opto blaster]], flash cube/missile launcher, 3 missiles, telephoto lens
{{toydesigner|[[Hideaki Yoke]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Shinji Aramaki]] (concept artist)}}
:Reflector is composed of three distinct robots that combine to form a camera that most closely resembles a 1969 Ricoh 126C-Flex TLS: [[Viewfinder#Toys|Viewfinder]] as the central component with the lens, [[Spectro#Toys|Spectro]] as the right-side component with the shutter button, and [[Spyglass#Toys|Spyglass]] as the left-side component with the flashcube. It actually has play functions that simulate an actual camera: the viewfinder actually works (though one needs to stand about 8' back to see anything clearly), and the shutter button clicks when pressed in.

:Reflector was first sold in Japan in 1985 as an ordinary retail item. While [[Hasbro]] originally planned him for release in 1984 (thus him appearing in the cartoon), they delayed selling him in the U.S. until 1986, and only then via mail-order from a [[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:|direct-mail flyer promoting ''The Transformers: The Movie'']]''.'' (Amusingly, this came just as the character was being quietly and fully phased out of the fiction.) The toy would be a common offering in [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] from then on, at a cost of $10 and two [[Robot Point]]s. Naturally, the Hasbro version has the flashcube missile launcher's spring removed, while the Takara version has it at regular missile-launching strength. Oddly, the Decepticon [[insignia]] decals on Spyglass and Spectro are inverted from the norm, being silver symbols with purple outlines, something not seen elsewhere in the first two years of G1 figures.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Spectro/spectro.htm More information on (part of) Reflector at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/SpyGlass/spyglass.htm More info on another part of Reflector at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Viewfinder/viewfinder.htm More info on yet another part of Reflector at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Sideswipe vs. Reflector''' (unreleased Toys"R"Us exclusive 2-pack, planned for ca. 2011)}}</ul>
:This figure would have been a [[Retool#Gang-molded alternate parts|pretool]]/redeco of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]]'' Deluxe Class [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Perceptor]], utilizing that toy's alternate head sculpt based on Perceptor's original 1985 toy's head (which does bear a passing resemblance to Viewfinder). It was inteded to be released as part of a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] two-pack with [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Generations|Sideswipe]], a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Sideswipe]] in Sideswipe's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' colors. The head sculpt intended for Reflector was first acknowledged by Hasbro at the [[BotCon 2010]] design panel,<ref name="botcon 2010">http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-hasbro-designers-panel-170066/</ref> and was later used by TakaraTomy for the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''Generations'' [[Magnificus (G1)#Generations|Magnificus]] figure. The intended deco sheets for the two figures were revealed by the unofficial [[Pete Sinclair|Pete]]'s Robot Convention on Facebook in 2020, but later taken down again at the request of Hasbro.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

====''Thrilling 30''====
[[File:GenT30-toy Reflector.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Didn't there used to be two more of you, you?"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Skrapnel & Reflector''' (Legends Class, [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''Series / Number'': '''02 / #007'''
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] and [[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}
:Part of the sixth wave of 2012-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Thrilling 30 (2013–2014)|Generations]]'' Legends Class toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' "[[Shrapnel (G1)#Generations|Skrapnel]]" comes with Reflector, a smaller robot based on [[Viewfinder]]'s [[package art]]. Reflector can transform into a camera or a weapon modeled after Shrapnel's grenade launcher, both of which Skrapnel can wield via its [[5 mm post]], or mount onto Skrapnel's back in insect mode. The only way Reflector's camera mode can be held right-side-up is loosely by the unfolded robot arms–the 5mm post is on ''top'' of the camera, and is sculpted to resemble a camera's flashcube.

:[[Stock photography]] of Reflector depicts him with his [[:File:GenerationsSkrapnelandReflectortoypromo.jpg|arms swapped, and therefore facing backwards.]] This mold was redecoed into [[Spy-Eye (Diaclone)#Toys|Spy-Eye]] for [[BotCon 2015]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Decepticon/GenReflector/reflector.htm More information on ''Generations'' Reflector at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
{{anchor|MasterpieceGoldMegsReflector}}
[[File:MP-05G-Reflector.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Doesn't split into three figures, doesn't transform, doesn't take photos]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Megatron Gold Ver.''' (December [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''MP-5G'''
:A non-transforming Reflector comes with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MP5G|MP-5G Megatron]], the Hasbro Asia gold-chrome redeco of the MP-5 mold Megatron.
{{--}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:BotCon2016toy-Reflector.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The only camera here is a dash-cam.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Reflector''' (3-pack, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:Released as a [[BotCon 2016]] souvenir exclusive, ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass, and Viewfinder) is a three-pack of a singular redeco and retool of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Shockwave]], utilizing the mold's existing alternate head. Reflector transforms into a spaceship based on Shockwave's Cybertronian handgun mode. Undocumented in the instructions, Reflector can transform into a gun mode for any ''Combiner Wars'' gestalt.

:Hasbro has encouraged finding ways to combine the three into a vaguely camera-shaped object, and as such there are multiple [[Fan mode|unofficial attempts]].

:This version of the mold was also used to make BotCon 2016 [[Flash Sentry#Generations|Flash Sentry]]. This mold also served as the model for the non-toy ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnation of [[Movor#Beast Wars: Uprising|Movor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/BCReflector/reflector.htm More information on Combiner Wars Reflector at TFU.info]''

::*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/1065216-new-botcon-2016-configuration.html Deceptigtar's instructions]
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
[[File:Siege-toy Refraktor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Have fun finding three of me!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Refraktor''' (Deluxe Class, June [[2019]])}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro ID Number'': '''WFC-S36'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''SG-28'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 24]], 2019
:*''Hidden message code'': '''REFLECTOR'''
:*''Accessories:'' "EMM Distortion Blaster"/tripod part, "HPR Telefocal Shield"/lens part, "Bioscale Compression Rotor"/chest module
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro),<ref name=seibertron>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/siege-red-alert-revealed-stock-photos-for-nycc-siege-figures-design-notes-from-warden-nycc/42180/ Design notes] from [[Hasbro]] designer [[John Warden]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2018|San Diego Comic-Con 2018]], at Seibertron.com</ref> [[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}
:''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' '''Refraktor''' (thanks, [[trademark]]!) is a single-packaged Deluxe figure based on [[Viewfinder]]'s robot design, although the figure includes a removable 'chest module' which allows one to recreate [[Spectro]] or [[Spyglass]] instead.<ref name=seibertron/> As standalone robots, each Refraktor bot on its own can transform into an "artillery hovercraft"<ref name=seibertron /> that might be ''generously'' interpreted as marginally reminiscent of the BotCon 2016 redecoes above. Purchasing three units and combining them allows the formation of the classic camera mode, looking vaguely like a modern digital reflex body. To this end, each Refraktor includes a blaster and a shield which form one-third of the camera tripod and lens, respectively, with the Viewfinder "chest module" connecting the tripod for stability. Though not suggested in the instructions, you can also pop the other two chest modules into the empty sockets on top of each of the camera's sides, simulating the aperture and shutter speed controls on a real camera. Unlike most ''Siege'' figures, the Refraktors lack battle damage. Unfortunately, this figure [[Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon|suffers from a citogenerated]] red wrist stripe which was not actually there in the original cartoon.

:Inputting the blacklight code "Reflector" into the Teletraan-1 page on Hasbro's website reveals a desktop wallpaper containing a preview of the Refraktor Reconnaissance Team, notably before the official reveal at [[San Diego Comic-Con]].

:Due to the need for three Refraktors to make a camera, Hasbro wholesalers allowed independent retailers to order entire cases composed solely of them, outside the normal waves and case assortments offered to big-box retailers. As of 2019 this is not unusual and most figures are available this way.

:This mold was later redecoed to make ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)#Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2020-2022)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Scrapface#Toys|Scrapface]], as well as retooled into ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Comic Edition|Comic Edition]]'' [[Xaaron#Generations Comic Edition|Emirate Xaaron]]. It also serves as the basis for the non-toy character [[Shamble]] as well as ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Reflector (SG)|Reflector]]'s appearance in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' comic.

{{-}}{{anchor|3pack}}
[[File:Siege-toy Refraktor 3pack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|This time you can tell us apart!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Refraktor Reconnaissance Team 3-Pack''' (Multi-pack, [[September 1]], [[2019]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' 3 "Telefocal Shields"/lens parts, 3 "Shutter Blaster/Lens Laser/Optic Blaster" rifles, "Flash Launcher" flashcube, "Shutter Armor", 3 "Bioscale Compression Rotors"/torso-parts, Kremzeek blast effect
{{toydesigner|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:One of many many ''many'' online exclusives revealed and opened for pre-order during [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2019, this set features three copies of the Deluxe figure above, only this time decoed to match the original Reflector toy layouts (mostly). Each robot also comes with extra accessories to make the combined camera mode look that much more like an actual modern-ish camera while still evoking the original toy, adding a flashcube for Spyglass, a grip/shutter-button for Spectro, and a viewfinder for Viewfinder.

:The set also includes a [[Kremzeek#War for Cybertron: Siege|Kremzeek]] figurine, which is compatible with the ''Siege'' "blast effect" system. Neat!

:This set was originally intended to be a [[HasCon 2019]] exclusive, but that event was indefinitely postponed.<ref>https://www.bbcw.com/product.php?productid=52162&cat=&page=9</ref>

:These three decoes (without the added equipment) were used for some of the [[:File:Refraktor Generics.jpg|background Refraktors]] in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon]].
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:WFCT-toy Scrapface.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|What's in a name?...besides an obvious insult.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Scrapface''' (Deluxe Class, 2020)}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''WFC-05'''
:*''TakaraToy release date'': [[November 28]], 2020
:*''Accessories:'' blaster/tripod part, shield/lens part, chest module
{{note|This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as an [[Angolmois Energy|Angolmois]]-corrupted form of Reflector in ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]''.}}
:Part of the first assortment of toys promoting the [[Netflix]] [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon]], [[Scrapface#Toys|Scrapface]] is a blue-and-red redeco of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Reflector (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Refraktor]], transforming into a Cybertronian "artillery hovercraft. Scrapface is molded almost entirely in shades of grey plastic with his splashes of colour being an extensive paint wash; this gives him the appearance of being covered in accumulated grime and battle scars.

:As with any version of this mold, Scrapface can also transform into one third of a camera, allowing buyers to combine three units into Reflector's classic camera mode ([[Shortpacking|good luck with getting three, though!]]). The shield becomes one third of a telephoto lens, while his blaster becomes one third of a tripod.

:The military insignia on Scrapface's box has him as a Ground Division Infantry Private, while his instructions place him in the Espionage unit like his Refraktor mold-mates. Given a similar copy/paste error in the concurrent Voyager Class [[Hotlink (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Hotlink]]'s instructions, the box probably has it right.

:This toy, like all of the Netflix ''War For Cybertron Trilogy'' toys, was a [[Walmart]] exclusive in the U.S. and Canada, and a [[TakaraTomy]] Mall exclusive in Japan.

{{-}}{{anchor|E33}}
[[File:WFCT-toy Refraktor Centurion.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Deluxe Centurion Drone''' (Deluxe Class with accessories pack, [[2020]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''WFC-E33'''

:A small, non-transforming accessory of Refraktor in camera mode is included as part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]]. Refraktor is scaled so it may be paired with its Deluxe and Voyager contemporaries, though the handle placement makes it basically impossible for toys without swivel wrists to "use" it correctly, and even those with swivel wrists might have a hard time getting it to face level. Oh well!

:Unlike fellow accessory-bots [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#E33|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Soundwave]], Refraktor is completely unpainted. Also, Refraktor is curiously based on the original ''[[Micro Change]]''-mold toy, rather than either ''Siege'' iteration ''or'' the original cartoon model, the latter slightly odd given the original-cartoon-centric theme of the accessory pack.
{{--}}

===''Canon/Transformers''===
[[File:TF-Canon-Transformers-Refraktor-R5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|You thought it was Megatron? It was me, '''''REFLECTOR!''''']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Refraktor R5''' (2023)}}</ul>
:*Accessories: Camera Cap/Shield, three-part small camera accessory, [[Quantum Dial]]
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy) and [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] (Robot parts and accessory)}}
:An exclusive to [[TakaraTomy Mall]], ''[[Canon/Transformers]]'' Refraktor is a roughly Leader Class-sized figure that transforms into a fully licensed Canon EOS R5 digital camera. The toy is 80% the size of the genuine article and features a removable lens attachment, though it must be reattached to him before he can transform to robot mode since it forms his head and arms. The lens cap is removable and is used as a shield in robot mode. His included "Quantum Dial" accessory can be pegged onto his lens, just behind the front element. He also comes with a small version of his alternate mode from the original ''Transformers'' cartoon, which can split into three pieces, in homage to the original Reflector toy. As a bit of an easter egg and likely a nod to the original Reflector having three components, Refraktor has three very small "lenses" sculpted into his forehead, though they are almost entirely concealed by his helmet. The head must be unscrewed and the face removed (which can be quite difficult) to reveal them.

:Both his Quantum Dial and small camera accessory can be pegged into his palms. His hands feature a range of movement, with the thumb and index finger being articulated and the remaining fingers joined together.

:This mold was also used to make the concurrently released ''Canon/Transformers'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Canon/Transformers|Optimus Prime R5]] and the subsequent [[Nemesis Prime R5]] retool.
{{-}}

===''Dramatic Capture Series''===
[[File:TF-DCS-Reflector.jpg|thumb|300px|"Getting reflector is gonna be a piece of oil cake!"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticons Part 1''' (Multi-pack, ([[2025]])}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': [[November]] [[2025]]
:*''Accessories:'' 3 shields/lens parts, 3 rifles, flashcube, shield/grip, 3 shutters/torso-parts, 2 parts shoulder armor/viewfinders,[[Kremzeek]] blast effect

:The fifth ''[[Dramatic Capture Series]]'' box set comes with the trio of Reflector [[redeco]]ed from the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' toy into more saturated cartoon-accurate colors, they come with the accessories from their [[Reflector (G1)#3pack|multi-pack release]]. Reflector(s) is packed with an additional [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Dramatic Capture Series|Thundercracker]] figure and the same [[Kremzeek (G1)#Dramatic Capture Series|Kremzeek]] figurine from the "Refraktor Reconnaissance Team 3-Pack" set (Shown above)

<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticons Part 2''' ([[2026]])}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': February 2026

:The later ''Dramatic Capture Series'' set "Decepticons Part 2" consisted of [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Dramatic Capture Series|Skywarp]], [[Kickback (G1)#Dramatic Capture Series|Kickback]], [[Bombshell (G1)#Dramatic Capture Series|Bombshell]], and [[Shrapnel (G1)#Dramatic Capture Series|Shrapnel]]. Included among its accessories was a Reflector camera - a painted version of the ''[[Reflector (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' camera listed above.
{{toystub}}
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:Tfcaramel reflector.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Sweet and observant, like a mother. Who takes pictures of your every action.]]
*'''Reflector''' (1985)
:A small soft-rubber figurine of Reflector (known as a ''keshigomu'' in Japan) was released as part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' line of [[candy toy]]s. Based specifically on the Viewfinder toy, the figure was available in multiple colors and came packaged with a piece of chocolate-covered caramel.
{{--}}

===''Transformers Gum''===
*'''Reflector''' (1985)
**''Accessories:'' Spectro's "Shutter Gun", Viewfinder's "Lens Laser", Spyglass' "Optic Blaster", flash cube/missile launcher, missile, telephoto lens
:Essentially a downsized version of the original Reflector toy, the ''[[Transformers Gum]]'' kit is sculpted from black, red and grey plastic, features stickers rather than paint applications for details, and came with a stick of gum.
{{--}}

===Decoy===
[[File:ReflectorDecoy1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|"HI! I'M SUPPOSED TO BE CONSPICUOUS! AM I DOING IT RIGHT? HI!"]]
*'''Destron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
:Reflector was among the larger ''keshigomu'' developed by Takara, molded from soft purple rubber and initially sold in a multi-pack with twenty-one other Decepticon figurines. The figure, based on Reflector's animation model (unlike the earlier ''Caramel'' figure), features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Reflector's [[Tech Spec]] ratings, for use in the various simple games that could be played with the figures. Reflector was later available in a peach coloration as part of various other multi-packs.

*'''Reflector''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''52'''
:The Reflector 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 (52, in Reflector's case). Like all Decepticons 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/Reflector/reflector.htm More information on Reflector at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''ReAction''===
*'''Reflector''' (2022)
:Released in the fifth wave of [[Super7]]'s line of multi-property 3.75-inch "retro" action figures, ''[[ReAction]]'' Reflector is a non-converting 3 3/4-inch action figure based on his appearance in the original cartoon, with 5 points of articulation (swivel neck, shoulders, hips) and holes in his feet for use with some variety of stand. Unlike the various other accessory-less figures in the ''ReAction'' line, both of Reflector's hands are open to hold accessories he doesn't have.

:As with all releases in the ''ReAction'' toyline, Reflector comes packaged on a small cardback that emulates the nostalgic packaging style of [[Kenner]]'s ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' action figures from the late 1970s to early '80s.
{{--}}

===''Transformers Character Card''===
[[File:Transformers Character Card Reflector and Mirage.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|]]
*'''Rije & Refraktor Set''' ([[December]], [[2023]])
**''ID number:'' '''75 & 76'''
:Released as part of the tenth wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of "[[Mirage (G1)|Rije]]" and "Refraktor" (in his traditional form of [[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]] and [[Viewfinder]]) along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#76|Translation of Reflector's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}
===''Blokees''===
{{charstubtoys}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:PreReflector.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Say "Cheese" and die.]]
*Reflector was originally the "Camera Robo" from Takara's ''[[Micro Change]]'' sub-series of the ''[[Microman|New Microman]]'' line. The only noteworthy difference between the two releases, besides the whole missile-launcher-neuter-in-the-United-States thing, is that the ''Microman'' release has "MICROX" emblazoned on the center unit's decals instead of "REFLECTOR".
*Not so surprisingly, the Camera Robo was first designed as a single unit. Apparently, the primary designer of the final toy, and possibly this initial design, was mecha designer [[Shinji Aramaki]], who designed the robots for ''{{w|Megazone 23}}'' and ''{{w|Genesis Climber Mospeada}}''.
*Reflector's role early in the cartoon makes it seem likely his toy was originally planned for inclusion in the initial 1984 line, a theory supported by the inclusion of a Hasbro product code consistent with the other 1984 toys in [[Teletraan I]]'s files on the Decepticons in "[[Heavy Metal War]]". Why Hasbro decided not to release it so late in the game is unknown, as is the reason they later reversed that decision to make it a viable mail-away. In accordance with Hasbro's decision not to release the figure, the [[Production bible|series story bible]] specifically discouraged writers from use of the character after season one ended.<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#043 Reflector's page in the series bible]</ref> Indeed, following "City of Steel", Reflector is never called for by an episode script again, and appears only in group shots of the Decepticons at the animators' discretion.
*At the script stage, Reflector was intended to be a singular robot who possessed the ability to split into three duplicates, identical save for the lens aperture in the chest of the robot who forms the center of their camera mode, who all act with the same mind and talk in unison, with the same voice. This ability was never shown on-screen, having apparently been consciously erased from the series: it was displayed in deleted scenes from "[[Divide and Conquer]]", "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]", and "[[War of the Dinobots]]". However, "Divide and Conquer" ''did'' show the three robots ''re-combining'', as the three components collide with one another and disappear until only one is left. Reflector was usually just seen in his triplicate state most of the time, but on rare occasions, he would appear as a single robot. His character model was also [[:File:GenericDecepticons MTMTE.jpg|sometimes]] used for [[generic]] Decepticon troops.
*In the Japanese dub of ''The Transformers'' cartoon, and in true anime fashion, Reflector announces the name of his special attack every time he uses it: "Flash Beam!"
*Amusingly, the mailaway flyer for Reflector's original toy advertised it as coming with a "flashcube and ''laser'' sheet", presumably due to someone in marketing misreading the [[instructions]]' "flashcube and ''label'' sheet".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Reflector''' (リフレクター ''Rifurekutā''), '''Refraktor''' (リフレクター ''Rifurekutā'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Fǎnshèjìng''' (Taiwan, 反射鏡, "Reflector"), '''Zhàoxiàngjī''' (China, 照相机, "Camera")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Deceptihogs]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Security officers]]

Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)

2025-11-18T08:17:46Z

Tomhur: Updated to reflect the new info on Boom Studios acquiring the MLP license

{{disambig3|Finale}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron]]'' #4
|prev=The Mightiest Dinobot
|next=
|image=MLPTFII 4 cvrA.jpg
|title="Finale"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[The Magic of Cybertron issue 4|''The Magic of Cybertron'' #4]]
|date=[[July 21]], [[2021]]
|coverdate=July 2021
|written by=[[James Asmus]]
|art by=[[Jack Lawrence]]
|colors by=[[Luis Antonio Delgado]]
|letters by=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|editor=[[Megan Brown]] and [[David Mariotte]]
}}

'''Autobots, Decepticons, and ponies unite to save Cybertron—but can the power of friendship overcome King Sombra's ultimate weapon?'''

==Synopsis==
In a desolate, long-abandoned region of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[King Sombra]]'s brainwashed minions have begun a large-scale excavation effort to reach something buried deep within the planet's metal strata. Spying on the group from a nearby ridge, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] contacts the main [[Autobot]] force that they'll need reinforcements as soon as possible. Unfortunately, they won't ''get'' those reinforcements until [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] are finished with their secret weapon; Optimus insists that they need to stop Sombra ''now'', however, and so Prime orders the Autobots under his command to charge into battle!

As [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] shields their advance, Optimus orders [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] to keep Sombra off-balance so that he can't use his [[magic]] against them. But as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] contends with [[Fluttershy]] and [[Pinkie Pie]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] realizes where they are and ''why'' Optimus rushed them into combat; as Sombra evades Mirage and races down into the depths of Cybertron to claim his prize, Elita explains that a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] sleeps under the plain, deliberately sealed away to keep him from ever reawakening. At that moment, however, Sombra bursts free from the ground, having transferred his essence into this new vessel—[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok!]] Once he's harnessed the Titan's power to amplify his own magic power, "King Sombranok" will put Optimus and the others under his control with a powerful magic spell, then raise an army powerful enough to conquer ''two'' worlds. At that moment, however, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] cuts Sombra off as he arrives with the calvary: Autobots, [[Decepticon]]s, and [[pony|ponies]] ride into battle alongside [[Rarity]], [[Applejack]], and [[Rainbow Dash]], clad in mechanical [[Exosuit|exo-suit]]s!

Sombra orders his second wave of soldiers into action to buy the time while he charges up his next spell; however, the need to focus his magic means that his concentration's divided, and the heroes outmaneuver his clumsy attempts to capture them and put their own plan into play. As Rarity and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] work together to free Pinkie and Fluttershy, Rarity explains that while Sombra mindlessly plundered Cybertron without ever trying to understand its inhabitants, she and her friends have learned to work ''with'' the Transformers, and have found new ways to combine their strengths, including the power of [[transformation]]! Using their modified exo-suits, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] all become weapons for their Transformer allies, capable of magically channeling the emotions of their wielders into their targets to break Sombra's spell. In this way do the Cybertronians turn the tide; Spike saves Bumblebee from [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] just by encouraging the yellow Autobot to remember who his attackers truly are, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Applejack take out [[Doublecross]], and Rarity and Shockwave rescue Twilight. As Optimus takes on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], however, Starscream cuts in with Rainbow Dash, shouting that if ''anyone'' gets to fire on Megatron, it'll be ''him'', and promptly swings Rainbow hard enough to instantly break Sombra's hold on Megatron!

As Ratchet and Wheeljack help Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie into three extra suits of armor, Sombra finalizes his control over Scorponok, but still doesn't know how to trigger the Titan's onboard weapons. Outside, Megatron questions if something as abstract as "friendship" can truly defeat such a monster, but Optimus reminds the Decepticon leader that they were once allies. If the pair can fight side-by-side against a common foe after so many battles, perhaps there still is a path to reconciliation... and if friendship can over come eons of hatred, why couldn't it also stop a Titan? Ratchet, Shockwave, Arcee, and Starscream lay down cover fire with their pony partners as Optimus and Megatron—wielding Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie—charge down the middle, straight towards Scorponok's head. Twilight's own magic is able to overload Scorponok's systems, and with one broad slash from Optimus, the pair magically overload the Titan, who explodes in a burst of magical energy! With Sombra unconscious and the spell broken, Optimus turns his attention to the newly freed Decepticons and asks Megatron if they've just exchanged one threat for another. Megatron points out that a friend once told him that freedom is the right of all sentient beings; today, the Autobots fought for ''his'' freedom, and what kind of person would he be if he didn't return the favor? That clemency doesn't apply to ''Starscream'', however; thanks to the empathetic pony magic, Megatron knows that Starscream tried to sneakly offline his leader under the pretense of "freeing" him. Megatron chases the Air Commander off, who howls that he'll get his revenge on Megatron ''and'' the ponies as he flees.

Some time later, the ponies have gathered at the [[space bridge]] portal to [[Equestria]] to take King Sombra back to their own world. Optimus points out that Twilight and her friends have foiled Megatron's mischief ''twice'' now, and the pony princess asks the Decepticon leader if he's learned his lesson. Megatron admits that he and his warriors seek order, and a force as unpredictable as magic cannot coexist with the Decepticon vision for Cybertron. Twilight suggests that the next time they cross paths, they should do so on purpose, as friends. Rainbow Dash suggests a competition, [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] enthuses at the idea of a swap meet, and Rarity ponders a potential cultural exchange; Megatron grudgingly concedes that if his fellow Cybertronians seek an alliance with Equestria, he will not stand in their way. It seems like a happy ending as the ponies dogpile Megatron with hugs, but neither of them are aware that a ''third'' party has been watching the goodbyes from afar. Somewhere, far away, a [[Quintesson]] considers the power and potential of the ponies, and eventually finds them "innocent"...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (5)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (6)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (7)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (8)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] (9)
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (18)
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (22)
* [[Clampdown (G1)|Clampdown]] (26)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (27)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (31)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (32)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (33)
* [[Doublecross]] (36)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (38)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (39)
* [[Greenlight]] (40)

|c2=
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (10)
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (11)
* [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (19)
* [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (20)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (23)
* [[Aimless]] (28)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (29)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (31)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (35)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (37)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (41)
* [[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] (42)
* [[Flywheels|Skytread]] (46)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (47)
* [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] (48)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (49)

|h3=[[Equestria]]ns|c3=
* [[Twilight Sparkle]] (1)
* [[Pinkie Pie]] (13)
* [[Fluttershy]] (14)
* [[King Sombra]] (15)
* [[Blaze (MLP)|Blaze]] (17)
* [[Applejack]] (21)
* [[Octavia]] (24)
* [[Surprise]] (25)
* [[Rarity]] (30)
* [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] (34)
* [[Wave Chill]] (43)
* [[Soarin]] (44)
* [[Fleetfoot]] (45)

|c4=
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (16)
* A [[Quintesson]] (50)
}}

==Quotes==
"Time to '''pony up''' and '''kick some tail!''' Do, uh, do you all say stuff like that?" 
"Not really. But I appreciate the sentiment!"
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Applejack'''

"R-Rarity? Whoa... how long was I out?" 
"About '''twenty minutes'''. But I've noticed that things '''often''' escalate that quickly for us."
:—'''Twilight Sparkle''' is freed by '''Rarity'''

"Will I be able to turn into a '''rubber chicken?'''" 
"No." 
"A '''cream pie?!''' 
"No." 
"'''A giant banana peel?!?'''" 
"Do you know '''anything''' about '''machines?'''" 
"'''No!'''"
:—'''Pinkie Pie''' suits up with '''Wheeljack'''

"'''SOMBRA!''' If your weakness was ponies '''combining''' their power with '''friends'''—you shouldn't pick a fight where they've made '''a lot more'''."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everypony who's not mind-controlled—'''raise your hoof!'''" 
''[everyone raises their hand]'' 
"Gasp! But what if '''I'm''' mind-controlling them now?!"
:—'''Pinkie Pie'''

"These little "ponies"... such compelling creatures... so '''different'''... so '''powerful'''... so... '''innocent'''."
:—The '''Quintesson''' gets sinister

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] piloted a standard-model [[Exosuit|exo-suit]] in [[Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|the final story]] of the first crossover. While that model was based on the bipedal, bubble-helmet version that appeared in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the animated movie]], these modified suits take pony physiology into account and resemble formfitting power armor instead.
* In "[[The Beauty of Cybertron]]", Rarity, Ratchet, and [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] discovered that they could break Sombra's spell by combining Equestrian magic with Cybertronian technology to transmit and amplify positive emotions and memories. That story ended with Ratchet and Rarity agreeing to tell [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] of their discovery, and as a result the exo-suits in this story all possess a refined version of the technology that can free victims of Sombra's magic just by hitting or blasting them.
* [[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] has rejoined the Decepticons after Rarity and Knock Out broke Sombra's hold over him in "The Beauty of Cybertron".
* The one-page epilogue is set at some point after "a few alt-mode joyrides and magic shows", just as the final scene of ''Friendship in Disguise!'' took place after a "delightful tea & energon party".
* While discussing their chaotic encounters with the Cybertronians, Twilight admits that "[their] villain started it" in reference to how [[Queen Chrysalis]] kicked off the plot of ''Friendship in Disguise!'' after her spell interfered with a Cybertronian [[Space bridge|spacebridge]].
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] is the first Cybertronian to suggest a peaceful alliance with the ponies. As demonstrated in "[[The Magic of Cybertron]]", he's been a closet pony aficionado since his adventure with Fluttershy in "[[Pet Sounds]]".

===Transformers references===
* Like many modern depictions of the character, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is depicted as an ancient [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. In this story, however, he's noted to have been deliberately buried and sealed underground after "the one who controlled him" went away; given the reveal on the final page, it's a sure bet that this "one" is a [[Quintesson]]—the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron]]'' cartoon had previously implied a connection between Scorponok and the five-faced aliens.
* As Scorponok bursts from the ground, he's shown yanking himself free from multiple mechanical tendrils and cords; apparently, Titans in this universe can go "[[immersant]]" like in [[Transformers (2019 comic)|IDW's ongoing ''Transformers'' reboot]].
* You'd be forgiven for thinking that the black-headed Transformer on four next to Afterburner is [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]—it's actually obscure Japanese character [[Clampdown (G1)|Clampdown]]! You can tell the two apart by the colour of their hood badges: Clampdown's is blue with red trim.
* As he faces off against the Sombra-controlled Megatron, Optimus gets as far as "this must be stopped, no matter the-" before Starscream cuts in, referencing their famous throwdown in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]].

===My Little Pony references===
* Pinkie Pie's exosuit grants her the power to transform into a confetti, cupcake, and rubber chicken-blasting "[[wikia:mlp:Party cannons|party cannon]]", her go-to "weapon" of choice in the ''Friendship Is Magic'' cartoon.

===Real-world references===
* As the Cybertronians ride into battle, [[Octavia]] is shown riding atop Soundwave's alternate mode while playing a double-headed, flame-throwing cello, homaging the [[fandom:madmax:Coma-Doof Warrior|iconic guitar-playing guy]] from ''{{w|Mad Max: Fury Road}}''.
* As Megatron chases Starscream away, the Seeker swears that he'll get the ponies "and their little dragon too", paraphrasing the Wicked Witch's famous line from ''{{w|The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz}}''.

===Errors===
* On page three, "Equestria" is misspelled "Equstria".
* On page six, Refraktor's eyes are blue instead of red.
* On page seven, Shockwave states that "[he] attuned [the exo-suits] to ancient Titan's natural frequencies". There should have been a 'the' between 'to' and 'ancient'.
* We'll let it slide 'cause it's a funny joke, but it seems unlikely that the ''entire'' miniseries can take place in just twenty minutes—events like [[One-Trick Pony|Applejack getting lost in the wasteland]] or [[The Beauty of Cybertron|Ratchet and Rarity going on a trip across Cybertron]] seem like they'd at ''least'' take a few hours.

===Other trivia===
* While the Quintesson cameo at the end of this story seems set to imply a potential continuation, a third volume ultimately never came to pass. Notably, at the time of release, the ''My Little Pony'' franchise was in a state of flux as the decade-long ''Friendship Is Magic'' era wound down in anticipation of a {{w|My Little Pony: A New Generation|new animated film}} that kickstarted "Generation 5" of the franchise in September 2021—a date that roughly coincided with the end of IDW's own 100-issue-plus ''My Little Pony'' ongoing. Combined with IDW's loss of the ''Transformers'' license to [[Skybound Entertainment]] the following year and losing the ''My Little Pony'' license to BOOM! Studios in 2025, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a continuation of the story (any future comics would have to be jointly published by Skybound and BOOM! Studios).

[[Category:My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron issues]]

G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story

2025-07-09T04:06:27Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''
|prev=
|next=Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story
|seriesissue2=''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''
|prev2=G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6
|next2=G.I. Joe (2024) issue 7
|image=Energon Universe 2025 Special FCBD Cover.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 3]], [[2025]]
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Andrea Milana]]
|colors by=[[Lee Loughridge]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Clutch makes a new friend, and reconnects with an old one.'''

==Synopsis==
''As the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' crashes to [[Earth]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] is thrown from the ship, crashing to the planet and laying dormant for centuries until he is awoken by a signal from [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. The [[Autobot]] scout wanders the planet looking for [[Transformer|his people]] until he comes across a battle at a [[The Pit (G.I. Joe)|secret military base]]. Taking the form of a jeep, he hides and waits, gathering information until one day, when [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|a human]] returns to the base... with [[Energon]] in hand!''

Hound throws Clutch from the seat of his vehicle mode and transforms, demanding to know how the human has Energon. Clutch, terrified, grabs his pistol and immediately opens fire. Hound, annoyed, fires back. Clutch crawls to his bag and fishes out the souvenir he took from [[Cobra]]: an Energon grenade! He tosses it at Hound, critically injuring him, but the momentary pause allows him to get in a few words to talk Clutch down. Realizing his mistake, Clutch decides to help repair the Autobot. Knowing he can’t take him back to the Pit, he decides to take him to an old friend: [[Matt Trakker]].

Clutch finds Trakker at a garage in the middle of nowhere, working on some kind of [[mask]]. Trakker isn’t happy to see Clutch, but when Clutch shows him the reason he sought him out, he simply responds “finally.” As Matt repairs Hound, Clutch catches him up on his recent adventures with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Matt is surprised that Clutch has joined the service, and when he offers to put in a word for him, Matt declines, preferring to work alone. Clutch asks how Matt knows how to work on Cybertronian tech, to which Matt coldly replies that if he told him, he’d have to kill him.

As he nears completion of the repairs, Hound suddenly detects an incoming enemy. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] then bursts into Trakker’s garage. Matt fires on the [[Decepticon]], but Clutch tells him that bullets won’t work. Ravage pounces on Clutch, trying to get the Energon in his bag, only for Hound to pull him off the human. After a couple of blasts from Hound’s blaster, Ravage scuttles away. As the sun rises, Clutch and Hound decide to head back to the Pit, and Matt prepares to leave his now ruined garage. Before they part, Matt tells Clutch not to tell anyone he saw him. As Clutch and Hound drive off together, Clutch begins to bring Hound up to speed about Cobra.

Meanwhile, in the Florida Everglades, a Cobra Trooper crawls from the wreckage of a [[Stinger (G.I. Joe)|Stinger]]. The Trooper tells his attacker that they were just moving the leftover Energon in the swamps. The attacker asks if they work for [[Destro]], but the Trooper tells them that [[Cobra Commander]] has taken over Destro’s operations. [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] is happy to hear that. The Commander took everything from the [[Dreadnok]]s. Now they’re going to war against Cobra!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photographs. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'' (1)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (3)

|c2=
* ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'' (2)
* ''[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'' (6)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (8)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
* [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (5)

|h4=Others|c4=
* ''[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'' (4)
* [[Matt Trakker]] (7)
* [[Cobra]] Trooper (9)
* [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hey, how do you know how to work on this tech anyway?" 
"If I told you, I’d have to kill you."
:—'''Clutch''' and '''Matt Trakker'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The opening page flashes back to several key moments from earlier Energon Universe stories:
** The ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' crashing and the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron was first seen in the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2024 Special story|''Transformers portion'']] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]''. This makes Hound the third known Transformer to be thrown from the ''Ark'' during its crash, alongside Megatron and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]].
** Jetfire reviving the Autobots and Decepticons in ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|#1]].
** Hound is seen watching the battle between the soon-to-be Joes and [[Major Bludd]]’s [[Blood Hound]]s from ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 4|#4]].
* When Clutch mentions the Transformers killing people, we flash back to Starscream’s murder of [[Frosting]] from [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|''Transformers'' #2]].
* Clutch uses the Energon grenade we saw in his bag at the end of [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6|''G.I. Joe'' #6]].
* Ravage has been out of commission for most of the Energon Universe since getting blasted by Optimus Prime in the first issue of ''Transformers''. When last readers saw him, he was revived by Megatron in [[Transformers (2023) issue 18|''Transformers'' #18]]. Since then, he’s been fully repaired and is back to his usual predatory ways.
* Interestingly, Matt doesn't seem particularly ''surprised'' to see a giant robot (something Clutch takes notice of), even responding with a "Finally" like he was expecting something like this to happen. He also seems to have some familiarity with Cybertronian tech. Curious...
* We last saw Buzzer and the rest of the [[Dreadnok]]s back in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 4|#4]], wherein the Commander (and [[Nemesis Enforcer]]) utterly decimated them.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Hound’s admiration of Earth’s beauty is a character trait that goes back to his original [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] toy bio by [[Bob Budiansky]].
* Hound facing off against Ravage echoes their adversarial interactions from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode “[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]”.

===''G.I. Joe'' (and other Hasbro franchise) references===
* In a surprise reveal, this story features the Energon Universe debut of [[Matt Trakker]] from ''[[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|M.A.S.K.]]''! The leader of the titular [[M.A.S.K.|Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]] has crossed over with ''G.I. Joe'' before, notably being introduced in the ''G.I. Joe: 25th Anniversary'' toyline under the title “Specialist Trakker”, and later starring in the [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]]'' series as part of IDW’s [[Hasbro Universe]]. Notably, while the outfit Trakker wears is based more on his classic appearance, he is depicted as an African-American man like the IDW version.
** The 1:50 incentive cover for the special, which features Trakker as designed by regular ''G.I. Joe'' series artist [[Tom Reilly]], lists his specialties as "advanced technology" and "vehicle design", taken directly from the filecard for Specialist Trakker.

===Errors===
* On page 13, panel 2, a period is missing from Clutch's second line of dialogue.

{{DEFAULTSORT:G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6.5}}
[[Category:G.I. Joe (2024) issues]]

G.I. Joe Energon Universe 2025 Special story

2025-07-09T04:03:22Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''
|prev=
|next=Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story
|seriesissue2=''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]''
|prev2=G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6
|next2=G.I. Joe (2024) issue 7
|image=Energon Universe 2025 Special FCBD Cover.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 3]], [[2025]]
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Andrea Milana]]
|colors by=[[Lee Loughridge]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Clutch makes a new friend, and reconnects with an old one.'''

==Synopsis==
''As the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' crashes to [[Earth]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] is thrown from the ship, crashing to the planet and laying dormant for centuries until he is awoken by a signal from [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. The [[Autobot]] scout wanders the planet looking for [[Transformer|his people]] until he comes across a battle at a [[The Pit (G.I. Joe)|secret military base]]. Taking the form of a jeep, he hides and waits, gathering information until one day, when [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|a human]] returns to the base... with [[Energon]] in hand!''

Hound throws Clutch from the seat of his vehicle mode and transforms, demanding to know how the human has Energon. Clutch, terrified, grabs his pistol and immediately opens fire. Hound, annoyed, fires back. Clutch crawls to his bag and fishes out the souvenir he took from [[Cobra]]: an Energon grenade! He tosses it at Hound, critically injuring him, but the momentary pause allows him to get in a few words to talk Clutch down. Realizing his mistake, Clutch decides to help repair the Autobot. Knowing he can’t take him back to the Pit, he decides to take him to an old friend: [[Matt Trakker]].

Clutch finds Trakker at a garage in the middle of nowhere, working on some kind of [[mask]]. Trakker isn’t happy to see Clutch, but when Clutch shows him the reason he sought him out, he simply responds “finally.” As Matt repairs Hound, Clutch catches him up on his recent adventures with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Matt is surprised that Clutch has joined the service, and when he offers to put in a word for him, Matt declines, preferring to work alone. Clutch asks how Matt knows how to work on Cybertronian tech, to which Matt coldly replies that if he told him, he’d have to kill him.

As he nears completion of the repairs, Hound suddenly detects an incoming enemy. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] then bursts into Trakker’s garage. Matt fires on the [[Decepticon]], but Clutch tells him that bullets won’t work. Ravage pounces on Clutch, trying to get the Energon in his bag, only for Hound to pull him off the human. After a couple of blasts from Hound’s blaster, Ravage scuttles away. As the sun rises, Clutch and Hound decide to head back to the Pit, and Matt prepares to leave his now ruined garage. Before they part, Matt tells Clutch not to tell anyone he saw him. As Clutch and Hound drive off together, Clutch begins to bring Hound up to speed about Cobra.

Meanwhile, in the Florida Everglades, a Cobra Trooper crawls from the wreckage of a [[Stinger (G.I. Joe)|Stinger]]. The Trooper tells his attacker that they were just moving the leftover Energon in the swamps. The attacker asks if they work for [[Destro]], but the Trooper tells them that [[Cobra Commander]] has taken over Destro’s operations. [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] is happy to hear that. The Commander took everything from the [[Dreadnok]]s. Now they’re going to war against Cobra!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photographs. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'' (1)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (3)

|c2=
* ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'' (2)
* ''[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'' (6)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (8)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
* [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (5)

|h4=Others|c4=
* ''[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'' (4)
* [[Matt Trakker]] (7)
* [[Cobra]] Trooper (9)
* [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hey, how do you know how to work on this tech anyway?" 
"If I told you, I’d have to kill you."
:—'''Clutch''' and '''Matt Trakker'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The opening page flashes back to several key moments from earlier Energon Universe stories:
** The ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' crashing and the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron was first seen in the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2024 Special story|''Transformers portion'']] of the ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]''. This makes Hound the third known Transformer to be thrown from the ''Ark'' during its crash, alongside Megatron and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]].
** Jetfire reviving the Autobots and Decepticons in ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|#1]].
** Hound is seen watching the battle between the soon-to-be Joes and [[Major Bludd]]’s [[Blood Hound]]s from ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 4|#4]].
* When Clutch mentions the Transformers killing people, we flash back to Starscream’s murder of [[Frosting]] from [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|''Transformers'' #2]].
* Clutch uses the Energon grenade we saw in his bag at the end of [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6|''G.I. Joe'' #6]].
* Ravage has been out of commission for most of the Energon Universe since getting blasted by Optimus Prime in the first issue of ''Transformers''. When last readers saw him, he was revived by Megatron in [[Transformers (2023) issue 18|''Transformers'' #18]]. Since then, he’s been fully repaired and is back to his usual predatory ways.
* Interestingly, Matt doesn't seem particularly ''surprised'' to see a giant robot (something Clutch takes notice of), even responding with a "Finally" like he was expecting something like this to happen. Curious...
* We last saw Buzzer and the rest of the [[Dreadnok]]s back in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 4|#4]], wherein the Commander (and [[Nemesis Enforcer]]) utterly decimated them.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Hound’s admiration of Earth’s beauty is a character trait that goes back to his original [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] toy bio by [[Bob Budiansky]].
* Hound facing off against Ravage echoes their adversarial interactions from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode “[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]”.

===''G.I. Joe'' (and other Hasbro franchise) references===
* In a surprise reveal, this story features the Energon Universe debut of [[Matt Trakker]] from ''[[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|M.A.S.K.]]''! The leader of the titular [[M.A.S.K.|Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]] has crossed over with ''G.I. Joe'' before, notably being introduced in the ''G.I. Joe: 25th Anniversary'' toyline under the title “Specialist Trakker”, and later starring in the [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]]'' series as part of IDW’s [[Hasbro Universe]]. Notably, while the outfit Trakker wears is based more on his classic appearance, he is depicted as an African-American man like the IDW version.
** The 1:50 incentive cover for the special, which features Trakker as designed by regular ''G.I. Joe'' series artist [[Tom Reilly]], lists his specialties as "advanced technology" and "vehicle design", taken directly from the filecard for Specialist Trakker.

===Errors===
* On page 13, panel 2, a period is missing from Clutch's second line of dialogue.

{{DEFAULTSORT:G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6.5}}
[[Category:G.I. Joe (2024) issues]]

To sell toys

2025-06-24T05:05:14Z

Tomhur: /* Hi-and-die */ I feel like this is a pretty good example of a Hi-and die for the reasons I just stated, even if Moonracer is technically a legacy character, but if you don't feel it fits that's fine.

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers. Japanese-original shows such as ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', and the various instalments of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] often structure their casts and storylines around a single specific play feature, which is highlighted in just about every episode.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy. Then, when it looked like Tigerhawk's toy would be canned, he was almost immediately killed off.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They did end up getting increased roles in IDW fiction later, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
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==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This even gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

*The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] was as ''a giant hand punching through a building for no apparent reason''. The series would also make it routine for him to use different modes for specific purposes: He would arrive to battles in Jet Mode, observe fights and command his troops in Robot Mode, personally engage his foes in Dragon Mode, and retreat from battle in Bat Mode. His Car Mode and Hand Mode would be used far less often than those four, but situations that deliberately called for their use ''would'' still crop up. Things got even sillier when he turned into Galvatron and gained four ''more'' modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turned into his "Iron Mammoth" form to brace himself against a hostile [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]... only for the form to prove ''useless'' when Maximus called off his attack. His griffin form was later made out to be his most powerful form, which he used prominently during the series' [[The Final Battle (RID)|final episode]], while his Pteranodon and hydrofoil modes would each only be used once, in cases where Galvatron barely did ''anything'' in those modes (much like the case with his mammoth mode).
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
*The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" — the last episodes of the entire series — was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*In [[Spotlight: Trailcutter]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Trailbreaker]] has an existential crisis, and worries that everyone only sees him as 'the forcefield guy'. Deciding to revamp his image, he decides that he'll now go by the much slicker(?) "Trailcutter"... just as [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Generations|Thrilling 30 Trailcutter]] hit store shelves.
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around — [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradictions ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury (episode)|Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
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===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s first action was to turn Starscream into a pile of ash in a single shot from his cannon mode, and he accomplishes an even more impressive feat upon his reintroduction in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]" when he destroys the entire planetoid of Thrull. In later episodes, his attacks seem to be, at most, somewhat stronger than those of the other Decepticons, and characters can withstand shots from him in cannon mode without any serious injuries.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision (episode)|Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
*When [[Lightlong|Lightning]] [[Optimus Prime (WK)|Optimus]] first debuted in ''Wild King'', he was pretty powerful, able to send [[Leafback]] flying in a single blow and fight on even terms with [[Captain Volca|Flame]] [[Megatron (WK)|Megatron]] compared to regular Optimus, requiring the latter to further combine into Flame-Grass Megatron to seemingly defeat him. However, 2 episodes later, ''[[Ignite Leo|a single energy beast]]'' is more than capable of doing that, with the only reason Lightning Optimus doesn't fall being [[Hydrophant]] gaining the courage to strike back, but even then he still had to combine with Hydrophant into Lightning Aqua Optimus to defeat his opponent.
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===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[burning spirit]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
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==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters. And [[Laserbeak]].
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].)
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]! Like the prior comics, ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' also wipes out a lot of characters not due for an appearance in ''Dark of the Moon'' like [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]], though some stragglers like the Twins, Arcee, and Chromia survive.
*Another odd case of this in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] — the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
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===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Marvel)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before — or even after — being killed off. Examples from ''More than Meets the Eye''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] shows up during the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Transformers War For Cybertron Trilogy]]'' cartoon, even though she did ''not'' have a new toy as part of the [[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|toyline]]. Since she ends up as part of a squad filled with characters who ''do'' have toys, and her animation model is simply a redeco of [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia's]], no prizes for guessing who ends up being the one to bite the dust.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before dying again years later.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the [[Size class#Beast Wars|Ultra-sized toy]] would actually be produced.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). Even more egregious than that would be [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who would be killed off in the show just ''one day'' before his toy hit shelves.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.
*In ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers 2023]]'', Slingshot is killed off in issue [[Transformers (2023) issue 21|#21]], even though he had received a new toy as part of the ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' toyline that had just come out a few months prior.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the UK comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers: Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing '''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys until Mohawk got a ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure ''seven years later''. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

To sell toys

2025-06-11T21:15:30Z

Tomhur: /* Killing off characters with new toys */ Decided to add the link to the issue.

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers. Japanese-original shows such as ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', and the various instalments of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] often structure their casts and storylines around a single specific play feature, which is highlighted in just about every episode.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy. Then, when it looked like Tigerhawk's toy would be canned, he was almost immediately killed off.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They did end up getting increased roles in IDW fiction later, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
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==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This even gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

*The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] was as ''a giant hand punching through a building for no apparent reason''. The series would also make it routine for him to use different modes for specific purposes: He would arrive to battles in Jet Mode, observe fights and command his troops in Robot Mode, personally engage his foes in Dragon Mode, and retreat from battle in Bat Mode. His Car Mode and Hand Mode would be used far less often than those four, but situations that deliberately called for their use ''would'' still crop up. Things got even sillier when he turned into Galvatron and gained four ''more'' modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turned into his "Iron Mammoth" form to brace himself against a hostile [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]... only for the form to prove ''useless'' when Maximus called off his attack. His griffin form was later made out to be his most powerful form, which he used prominently during the series' [[The Final Battle (RID)|final episode]], while his Pteranodon and hydrofoil modes would each only be used once, in cases where Galvatron barely did ''anything'' in those modes (much like the case with his mammoth mode).
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
*The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" — the last episodes of the entire series — was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*In [[Spotlight: Trailcutter]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Trailbreaker]] has an existential crisis, and worries that everyone only sees him as 'the forcefield guy'. Deciding to revamp his image, he decides that he'll now go by the much slicker(?) "Trailcutter"... just as [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Generations|Thrilling 30 Trailcutter]] hit store shelves.
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around — [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradictions ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury (episode)|Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
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===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s first action was to turn Starscream into a pile of ash in a single shot from his cannon mode, and he accomplishes an even more impressive feat upon his reintroduction in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]" when he destroys the entire planetoid of Thrull. In later episodes, his attacks seem to be, at most, somewhat stronger than those of the other Decepticons, and characters can withstand shots from him in cannon mode without any serious injuries.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision (episode)|Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
*When [[Lightlong|Lightning]] [[Optimus Prime (WK)|Optimus]] first debuted in ''Wild King'', he was pretty powerful, able to send [[Leafback]] flying in a single blow and fight on even terms with [[Captain Volca|Flame]] [[Megatron (WK)|Megatron]] compared to regular Optimus, requiring the latter to further combine into Flame-Grass Megatron to seemingly defeat him. However, 2 episodes later, ''[[Ignite Leo|a single energy beast]]'' is more than capable of doing that, with the only reason Lightning Optimus doesn't fall being [[Hydrophant]] gaining the courage to strike back, but even then he still had to combine with Hydrophant into Lightning Aqua Optimus to defeat his opponent.
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===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[burning spirit]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
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==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters. And [[Laserbeak]].
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].)
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]! Like the prior comics, ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' also wipes out a lot of characters not due for an appearance in ''Dark of the Moon'' like [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]], though some stragglers like the Twins, Arcee, and Chromia survive.
*Another odd case of this in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] — the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
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===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Marvel)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before — or even after — being killed off. Examples from ''More than Meets the Eye''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before dying again years later.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the [[Size class#Beast Wars|Ultra-sized toy]] would actually be produced.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). Even more egregious than that would be [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who would be killed off in the show just ''one day'' before his toy hit shelves.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.
*In ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers 2023]]'', Slingshot is killed off in issue [[Transformers (2023) issue 21|#21]], even though he had received a new toy as part of the ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' toyline that had just come out a few months prior.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the UK comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers: Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing '''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys until Mohawk got a ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure ''seven years later''. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Transformers (2023) issue 21

2025-06-11T18:22:43Z

Tomhur: /* Other trivia */ Hope you don't mind the bit of humor I added.

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #21
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 20
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 22
|image=Transformers 2023 21 Cover B.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 11]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=June 2025
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The Autobots are forced to make difficult choices to survive when the Decepticons launch an all-out assault on the ''Ark''!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] awakens in the depths of the [[United States military]] facility he's being kept in. The only person around is [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Carl "Doc" Greer]], whom Magnus tentatively greets, to Doc's surprise. The two converse for a bit before the conversation is interrupted by the arrival of [[General Flagg]] with some sort of machine. Doc asks the general what he plans to do to Magnus, stating he's essentially a prisoner of war, but Flagg ignores his protests as he activates the machine. As the machine begins to whirr, Magnus pleads for them to stop.

[[File:TF2023 no. 21 - Enter Superion.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[Superion (G1)#Age of the Primes|Coincidence?]] I think not!]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] checks in with [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] as they work to repair [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s [[space bridge]], hoping to return to [[Earth]] and bring back [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. However, because of the damage to the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' side, the portal will require quadruple the [[Energon]] necessary to transport all of them; they only have enough to send one [[Autobot]] back. Elita goes to [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Shredhead]], as the little red bot tells the newly born warrior about his friend [[Carly (G1)|Carly]].

Back on Earth, the [[Decepticon]]s prepare to launch an assault on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Inside the Autobot base, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] is examining Optimus, trying to figure out why the [[Matrix of Leadership]] hasn't recharged at all since its last use. As he looks over the scans, he deduces the cause to be some sort of infection coming from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s arm. However, their examination is interrupted by the Decepticons' attack. The Autobots return fire with the aid of the ''Ark'''s weaponry, managing to even keep the bickering combiners [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] at bay. As the two sides duke it out, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] sneaks into the ''Ark'' and connects to the console where [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] resides.

The corruptive power of Megatron's arm grows on Optimus, to the point where he involuntarily turns his [[fusion cannon]] on [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. However, before he can do anything, Skywarp's teleportation ability activates, teleporting the entire ship to parts unknown and sending the Autobots falling into the caverns of the mountain left behind. The Decepticons converge on the Autobots, but they are saved by the timely intervention of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s, who combine into [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] to take on Bruticus and Devastator. As the Autobots try to recover, Optimus realizes what Megatron's arm is doing to him; however, he is unable to remove it himself. He pleads with his troops to shoot it off of him before it is too late, orders they reluctantly follow, wounding their leader in the process. The Autobots then attempt to flee on the back of Superion. Megatron, having regained his lost appendage, transforms into his gun mode and uses Starscream to blast Superion, ripping [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] from the gestalt and instantly killing him. The Autobots are forced to leave him behind as they fly away. Megatron tells the Decepticons to prepare for conquest.
{{--}}
==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (5)
* [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (6)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (7)
* [[Shredhead]] (8)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (10)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (15)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (20)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (21)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (25)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (26)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (27)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (28)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (29)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (30)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (11)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (13)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (14)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (22)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (23)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (24)

|c3=
* [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (1)
* [[General Flagg]] (3)
* [[Caparzo]] (4)
* ''[[Carly (G1)|Carly]]'' (9, holographic image)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"What are you reading?" 
"It's something that makes me--used to make me feel safe in the face of things too big to comprehend." 
"Like me." 
"Something like that." 
"I was doing the same thing when building my compound. Protecting myself. I wasn't doing anything. To anyone. What are you going to do to me?"
:-'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Doc'''

"She '''does''' look fragile." 
"Well, yes...Carly's small. Just like me. I'm one of the smallest Autobots there is. But she made me realize how big I really am. How big...'''everything''' is. I wish I was stronger. Bigger." 
"Don't worry, Cliff. I'm strong enough for the both of us. '''And''' Carly."
:-'''Shredhead''' talks with '''Cliffjumper''' about Carly.

"Bruticus! Devastator! Pull your heads out of your scrapholes!" 
"But he said--" 
"'''I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR USELESS SQUABBLING!!''' Focus on the '''enemy''', not each other!"
:-'''Megatron''' breaks up '''Bruticus's''' sibling fight with Devastator.

"You are an incredible warrior, Prime. But deep down, I always knew there was weakness inside you."
:-'''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* General Flagg first appeared in the Energon Universe in ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 3|#3]], where he gave [[Destro|the titular arms manufacturer]] access to government secrets about [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s encounter with Starscream from back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issue #2]]. At the time, there was no indication that Flagg had any explicit connections to the G.I. Joe team that [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Colonel Hawk]] was assembling, but this issue confirms that he is at least part of the larger organization.
* Shockwave used the space bridge to connect Cybertron and Earth in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue #9]]. Optimus destroyed it to prevent the harvesting of Earth, trapping Elita and Cliffjumper on Cybertron in the process, in [[Transformers (2023) issue 12|issue #12]].
* When last we saw Megatron at the end of the previous issue, his eyes were still damaged, but he's gotten them back this issue. Evidently, he must've had them repaired just after killing [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]].
* Skywarp's teleportation power was previously tapped into in [[Transformers (2023) issue 11|issue #11]] when Wheeljack used it to transport them directly into the brig of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''.
* The corrupting influence of Megatron's arm, which the Autobot leader used to replace the one he lost fighting Skywarp in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issue #4]], on Optimus has been growing steadily since the events of issue #12. As to ''how'' it's been corrupting Optimus, it can be easily surmised that it's the result of some residual energy from the "dark opposite" to the Matrix bestowed upon Megatron in the issue-long flashback from [[Transformers (2023) issue 19|issue #19]].
* Thundercracker snuck into the ''Ark'' in [[Transformers (2023) issue 17|issue #17]].

===''Transformers'' references===
* This isn't the first time Slingshot has been taken out of the Aerialbots' lineup. Will [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] or [[Alpha Bravo]] get their chance to shine? (Probably not.)
* Soundwave's design on [[Len Nicholas]]'s cover is a dead ringer for his [[Blokees]] ''[[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#Galaxy Version|Galaxy Version]]'' model kit. Considering the way the cover's drawn and framed, it's likely Nicholas used a photo of the kit as direct reference for the art.

===Real life references===
* Caparzo might be named for the character of Private Adrian Carpazo from ''{{w|Saving Private Ryan}}''.

===Other trivia===
* You guessed it: it's time for "What will Daniel Warren Johnson tease in the letters pages this time?"
** Johnson confirms that he's not planning on introducing another comic-original Decepticon before his time on the series ends.
** In rapid succession, Johnson says he "CANNOT SAY" if we'll know who [[Dezimir]]'s master is before the end of this arc, confirms that the cast is fairly locked-in at this point (but teases "more to come" in [[Transformers (2023) issue 25|issue #25]], the first issue following his departure), de-confirms [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] due to already having so much combiner representation, and teases Optimus' origins by saying that he didn't have the Matrix when his [[spark]] came into being.
* This issue's back-matter introduces a new feature in the Energon Universe line: a "behind-the-scenes"-esque page called "Energon Experience", headed by editor [[Ben Abernathy]]. In addition to an introduction by Abernathy and a checklist of the Energon Universe issues and trade collections releasing that month, this edition of Energon Experience also has three spotlight sections, which are:
** '''Character Spotlight:''' An brief overview of Ultra Magnus and what's going on with him right now.
** '''Doc's The Name:''' A section on Doc's introduction in issue #20, along with some concept art of him in military garb.
** '''Creator Q&A:''' Ben asks Daniel Warren Johnson what alt-mode he'd turn into if he had one, and Johnson says he'd be a guitar. Quick, someone tell him about [[Laserbeak (Animated)|''Animated'' Laserbeak]]!
* In a funny coincidence, Slingshot's death in this issue comes just a few months after his latest toy in the ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' was released. Talk about awkward timing...

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Shredhead, Cliffjumper, and Elita One, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus gets Megatron's arm blown off, by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' Connecting cover by [[David Nakayama]].
* '''Cover D:''' The Decepticons, by [[Derrick Chew.]]
* '''Cover E:''' Starscream in jet mode, by [[Pye Parr]].
* '''Cover F:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover G:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.
* '''The 616 Comics Cover A:''' Connecting cover by [[Tiago da Silva]].
* '''The 616 Comics Cover B:''' The other half of Tiago da Silva's connecting cover.
* '''MBartist Cover:''' Chibi-style versions of Soundwave, Laserbeak, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], by Len Nicholas.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover F.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 Cover G.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 21 MBartist Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 8|#8]], ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 20|#20]], and ''Transformers'' #22.
* Energon Experience feature
* 4-page preview of ''Ghost Pepper''

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' ([[November 25]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534332588 / ISBN 978-1534332584 
** Collects ''Transformers'' issues #19–24 and the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story|''Transformers'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

To sell toys

2025-06-11T06:44:36Z

Tomhur: /* Killing off characters with new toys */

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers. Japanese-original shows such as ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', and the various instalments of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] often structure their casts and storylines around a single specific play feature, which is highlighted in just about every episode.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy. Then, when it looked like Tigerhawk's toy would be canned, he was almost immediately killed off.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They did end up getting increased roles in IDW fiction later, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
{{-}}

==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This even gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

*The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] was as ''a giant hand punching through a building for no apparent reason''. The series would also make it routine for him to use different modes for specific purposes: He would arrive to battles in Jet Mode, observe fights and command his troops in Robot Mode, personally engage his foes in Dragon Mode, and retreat from battle in Bat Mode. His Car Mode and Hand Mode would be used far less often than those four, but situations that deliberately called for their use ''would'' still crop up. Things got even sillier when he turned into Galvatron and gained four ''more'' modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turned into his "Iron Mammoth" form to brace himself against a hostile [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]... only for the form to prove ''useless'' when Maximus called off his attack. His griffin form was later made out to be his most powerful form, which he used prominently during the series' [[The Final Battle (RID)|final episode]], while his Pteranodon and hydrofoil modes would each only be used once, in cases where Galvatron barely did ''anything'' in those modes (much like the case with his mammoth mode).
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
*The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" — the last episodes of the entire series — was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*In [[Spotlight: Trailcutter]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Trailbreaker]] has an existential crisis, and worries that everyone only sees him as 'the forcefield guy'. Deciding to revamp his image, he decides that he'll now go by the much slicker(?) "Trailcutter"... just as [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Generations|Thrilling 30 Trailcutter]] hit store shelves.
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around — [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradictions ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury (episode)|Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
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===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s first action was to turn Starscream into a pile of ash in a single shot from his cannon mode, and he accomplishes an even more impressive feat upon his reintroduction in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]" when he destroys the entire planetoid of Thrull. In later episodes, his attacks seem to be, at most, somewhat stronger than those of the other Decepticons, and characters can withstand shots from him in cannon mode without any serious injuries.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision (episode)|Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
*When [[Lightlong|Lightning]] [[Optimus Prime (WK)|Optimus]] first debuted in ''Wild King'', he was pretty powerful, able to send [[Leafback]] flying in a single blow and fight on even terms with [[Captain Volca|Flame]] [[Megatron (WK)|Megatron]] compared to regular Optimus, requiring the latter to further combine into Flame-Grass Megatron to seemingly defeat him. However, 2 episodes later, ''[[Ignite Leo|a single energy beast]]'' is more than capable of doing that, with the only reason Lightning Optimus doesn't fall being [[Hydrophant]] gaining the courage to strike back, but even then he still had to combine with Hydrophant into Lightning Aqua Optimus to defeat his opponent.
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===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[burning spirit]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
{{-}}

==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters. And [[Laserbeak]].
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].)
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]! Like the prior comics, ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' also wipes out a lot of characters not due for an appearance in ''Dark of the Moon'' like [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]], though some stragglers like the Twins, Arcee, and Chromia survive.
*Another odd case of this in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] — the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
{{-}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Marvel)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before — or even after — being killed off. Examples from ''More than Meets the Eye''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before dying again years later.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the [[Size class#Beast Wars|Ultra-sized toy]] would actually be produced.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). Even more egregious than that would be [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who would be killed off in the show just ''one day'' before his toy hit shelves.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.
*In ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers 2023]]'', Slingshot is killed off in issue 21, even though he had received a new toy as part of the ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' toyline that had just come out a few months prior.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the UK comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers: Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing '''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys until Mohawk got a ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure ''seven years later''. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Beachcomber (G1)

2025-06-01T20:15:16Z

Tomhur: /* Energon Universe */ Corrected the issue number.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|primus}}
{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Beachcomber}}
:''Beachcomber is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Beachcomber-Dreamwave-MTMTE.jpg|upright=2|thumb|''Hippies.'' They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.]]
'''Beachcomber''' has a hard time reconciling his love of peace and freedom for all creatures with the need to combat those who threaten it. Furthermore, however just the cause for which it was fought, the gruesome and destructive aftermath of any battle sickens him to the spark.

Sometimes, when the internal struggle gets too heavy, he simply has to wander into the wilderness and cleanse his soul. Even there, far from civilization, he sometimes finds strange substances to aid the Autobot cause, for Beachcomber is a skilled naturalist, and geology is his specialty, man. He often tries to preserve or even to hide these discoveries, but he has seen too much evil done by the ruthless Decepticons to conceal any possible source of aid completely from his allies.

Beachcomber's geology tools include a wide array of sensors (magnetic, seismic, sonic, infrared) and a 'sonic pick' which can cut through rock. Beachcomber can use his magnetic sensors to navigate like a compass, but local magnetic disturbances can cause this to lead him astray. His sonic probes possess only limited range.

Beachcomber is neither very fast nor very strong, and his antiwar sentiments gain him little respect from the more martial of the Autobots, yet he is agile and skilled in a fight, and his courage is beyond all reproach.

{{bigquote|Relax, man. Remember, we're all one with the universe.|Beachcomber|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Alan Oppenheimer]] (English), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese) |[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Vladimiro Conti]] (Italian, second dub), [[Jorge García]] (Latin American), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[Roger Carel]] (European French, "The Insecticon Syndrome"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "Prime Target"), [[Marcus Jardym]] (Portuguese), [[André Filho]] (Portuguese, "The Secret of Omega Supreme"), [[Hélio Ribeiro]] (Portuguese, "Prime Target"), [[Marco Antônio Costa]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")}}
[[File:DinobotIslandPart2 BeachcomberFiring.jpg|thumb|right|Beachcomber, secret [[GoBots|GoBot]]?]]

Beachcomber helped [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] investigate some [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] attacks on an old growth forest. This unit proved to be underpowered when it came to confronting freshly fed Insecticons, and they hid behind Hound's [[hologram]]s till the Insecticons left. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}} He offered "geology-type info" to [[Chip Chase]] during the [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] crisis and later traveled to the island itself to fight the Decepticons. Beachcomber worried that the battle with the Decepticons would destroy the environment before it could be properly studied. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Beachcomber, along with the other Autobots, was exiled from Earth after Megatron allied with greedy businessman [[Shawn Berger]] to create anti-Autobot propaganda. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} He and the other Autobots managed to return to Earth thanks to [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s force field and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'s navigation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[File:Beachcomber with bird.jpg|thumb|left|He talks to the animals. Especially after a good hit of Kalis Mountain High.]]
On a geology expedition with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and several other Autobots, Beachcomber abandoned them in the middle of a firefight to explore a cave in the nearby cliffside. While his friends were dodging laser fire and trading blows, Beachcomber was learning to speak [[Paradise Parakeet|parakeet]] and communing with nature. He also found a golden lagoon full of [[electrum]], a naturally-occurring element which would make any Transformer temporarily impervious to harm. He dipped his hand into the lagoon, and it turned completely gold in color. Beachcomber hid this information from his fellow Autobots, and even kept his silence after [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] arrived coated in electrum and drove the Autobots into retreat, capturing two of their number in the process. Valuing the scenic beauty surrounding the electrum pool, Beachcomber still refused to warn his comrades after the entire Decepticon army arrived coated with invincible golden armor. He went solo to check on the lagoon, and was captured by the Decepticons. Some of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] acted as his prison guards at the Decepticon sunken base; Beachcomber managed to escape alongside his fellow prisoners Perceptor and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]].

[[File:Goldenlagoonbeachcomber1.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|Seriously, he hangs out with a lot of birds.]]
Reaching the electrum pool, the trio was met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the rest of the Autobots, who had independently uncovered the pool's location thanks to [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]. When Optimus Prime observed that they must have all learned about the lagoon at the same time, Beachcomber, hanging back from the crowd, glanced at his golden hand, and quickly dove into the electrum, seemingly to hide his prior knowledge of the substance, and called for the other Autobots to join him in coating themselves with the metal. The wilderness was subsequently ravaged by the invulnerable Autobots' battle with Decepticons, which concluded when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the electrum pool destroyed rather than allowing it to be shared with Autobots. While the other Autobots celebrated their victory, Beachcomber sat amidst the devastation and mourned for the natural beauty that had been lost. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Beachcomber briefly maintained a position at the Autobots' New York City base inside [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} He also attended to Teletraan I when the Autobots were engaged with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and [[Morphobot]]s. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} Beachcomber then protected [[San Francisco]] from an alien bird-dragon unleashed on Earth by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He tried appealing to the creature with universal oneness, but failed. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} When the energy creature called [[Kremzeek]] assaulted the Ark, Beachcomber was one of the first Autobots short-circuited by the little creep. {{storylink|Kremzeek!}} Beachcomber was later kidnapped by a greedy toll booth and forced to drive in a circle while hopping over spike-traps. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}} After Megatron kidnapped Perceptor and then voluntarily let him go, Beachcomber joined the entire Autobot team in riding out a few miles from the base to retrieve their friend. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

In [[2006]], Beachcomber was stationed at the Ark with [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and several others when [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] came to destroy it. Their feeble efforts to defend the spacecraft were barely noted by the dinosaur robot. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Beachcomber attended a lecture on Earth about the human's earthquake-prediction technology. Beachcomber attended mostly because he was a geology nut. As the Autobots and Professor Ohnishi spoke after the lecture, an earthquake struck. The Autobots were able to quickly deduce that the Decepticons were causing artificial quakes, but Beachcomber did not take part in the following confrontation against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Activation}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Beachcomber attended the unveiling of Wheeljack's latest invention, the Transform Super Cog. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
Beachcomber fought alongside the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Throttlebot]]s on Cybertron in 2011. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic wave forced him and his allies to fall asleep. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

=====''Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic''=====
Beachcomber was a spectator for the second week of the [[Speedia 500]] on [[Velocitron]] with the [[Paradise Parakeet]]. {{storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Beachcomber and the Autobots supported the [[Selector]]s, human-made robots who wanted freedom from their creators. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

The [[Quintesson]]s chose to aid the humans, however, lending their [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to the fight. The creatures released a metal-eating gas on the Transformers, and Beachcomber was among those caught in the vapors. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
[[File:FSRLTFmanga8 Minibots.jpg|left|thumb]]
As a member of the [[Four-Wheel Drive Corps]], Beachcomber confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Beachcomber and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

Later, Beachcomber was part of a group who arrived to back up [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], who was defending a [[Battle Dog|dog]] that had been cruelly experimented on by the [[Decepticon]]s from being hunted and captured by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. He and the other [[Mini-Vehicle|Minibots]] [[Minibot combiner|combined]] with Powerglide in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s thanks to the energy within the dog, and spinning furiously, smashed through [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s chest and out the other side in a flying drill attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

====IDW ''The Animated Movie'' adaptation====
Beachcomber was killed during the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. {{storylink|The Gathering Storm}}
{{--}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:G2Redux-BeachcomberGoldbugpowers.jpg|thumb|right]]
In [[2010]], Beachcomber was stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. He was led into battle by [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] as the Autobots came to the rescue of [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'s forces at the [[Large Hadron Collider]] in Switzerland. In the aftermath of the battle, they were exposed to the mutating properties of [[forestonite]], developing new color schemes and abilities. Beachcomber became a ''real'' flower-child, taking on an environmentally-friendly green paint scheme and causing plant life to grow wherever he walked. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

A couple of years later, he and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] compared powers while standing around Autobot City. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Smeltingpoolminivehicles.jpg|left|thumb|On Cybertron, Beachcomber basically transformed into whatever Kup does.]]

[[Club Con!#Continuity errors|An erroneous account]] placed Beachcomber as part of a group of Autobots posted on Cybertron hundreds of years ago who, upon detecting the [[Underbase]] heading towards Earth, sent out [[Raindance|two]] [[Grand Slam (G1)|mini-cassettes]] to forewarn the Autobots posted on the organic world of its arrival. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

Beachcomber was a member of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|resistance cell]] on Cybertron who disobeyed orders along with most of the cell to help [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] recover [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] from the [[smelting pool]]. He actually demonstrated some uncharacteristic strength and gusto, tearing down a [[laser sentinel tower]] with his bare hands. The rescue mission failed, but they did recover Scrounge's stolen data, and learned that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] were alive and fighting on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[File:Powerglidereadytoblastoffrightnow.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Beachcomber's bloodthirstiest moment.]]
Soon after, Perceptor's crew began a mission to destroy the [[space bridge]] before the Decepticons on Earth and Cybertron could begin trading resources. Beachcomber used his geological skills to map out a safe path underneath the planet's surface to bomb the underlying support structures of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], bringing down [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s whole fortress. The unit failed to destroy the space bridge, however, and were ultimately forced to retreat across the Bridge to Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} Immediately upon arrival, they were approached by the Decepticon fliers [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], who correctly identified them as Autobots and were about to open fire when [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] realised the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was undefended and diverted his troops there instead. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

However, the humans belonged to the anti-robot attack team, [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. While Beachcomber and the other Autobots, unfamiliar with how things worked on Earth, tried to talk to their vehicles, RAAT deployed "electric snow" missiles to disorient them. Beachcomber's group was then too dazed to fight back, and were defeated with the help of [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Beachcomber and his fellows were subsequently taken captive, and the robot-hating Circuit Breaker mounted their heads on the wall of RAAT's headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Meanwhile, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and the shifty human [[Donny Finkleberg]] were sent on a mission to determine their whereabouts, but Finkleberg sold out Skids to RAAT as well. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Ultimately, Finkleberg redeemed himself by forcing the captured Autobots' release as part of a deal. If the [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|combined bodies]] of Beachcomber and the other captives could successfully aid in the defeat of the vandalizing [[Battlecharger]]s, they would be set free. And so it was. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''Beachcomber and the others headed home, directed by Skids, when the [[time travel]]ling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] took their guide's place. Galvatron tore his way through the group, one by one, with Beachcomber one of his casualties, though he was ultimately driven off by the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}}

''Following the Dinobots' directions, the Cybertron Seven finally joined up with the Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] only to discover that Optimus Prime was dead. They attended his funeral but it was cut short by the sudden return from Cybertron of... Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Beachcomberdarkstar.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|They're about to crash through Bruce Wayne's window.]]
Some time later, after Optimus Prime's ''real'' death, Beachcomber was one of the several Autobots who watched on as Ratchet futilely tried to repair Optimus Prime's body. Once the Autobot leader was declared irreparable, the Autobots held a funeral service for their leader, and launched his body into space. Upon their return to the Ark, Beachcomber and the other grieving Autobots were shot at by their ship's own defense systems, which had been activated by a [[Mechanic|human intruder]] in their absence. Ratchet, who had elected not to attend the funeral, was able to defeat the villain and then tended to the wounded. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} The Ark then came under attack by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and Beachcomber was one of the first casualties, getting blasted by the monstrous Decepticon's battle station mode. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Under the direction of the Autobots' new leader [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], Beachcomber, Cosmos and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] constructed a [[variable voltage harness]] with which to punish the "traitorous" Blaster. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} After capturing Blaster's "accomplices"—[[Spacehikers|a quartet of human children and a stuffed bear]]—Beachcomber and the other Autobots watched as Grimlock tried them before an [[Autobot Multi-Circuit Court]] and sentenced them to death. Meanwhile, much to Beachcomber's relief, Blaster had sneaked aboard the Ark and rallied the Autobots in his support but he was forced to surrender to Grimlock in order to save the children's lives. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}} While he did champion Blaster for replacing Grimlock as the Autobots' commander, this didn't stop Beachcomber from whining about senseless violence throughout their duel on the moon. Luckily, a Decepticon strike force arrived to drown out his voice with some lasers and explosives. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

When the Autobots rescued [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Arctic and were ambushed by the Decepticons, Beachcomber was among the first to be attacked, set upon and mauled by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}} ''Presumably, this rendered him non-functional, as Beachcomber was last seen laying deactivated aboard the Ark as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] attempted to repair him.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Beachcomber air raid space pirates.jpg|thumb|]]
When the [[Quintesson]]s raided [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in [[2008]], Beachcomber and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] rushed to defend their home with a team of fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the Quintesson shock troops were too much for them, and quickly overran the defenders. Beachcomber and his [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] buddy made a run for back-up, but were jumped from behind and taken out with the rest. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Lancer two crew war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left]]
Beachcomber was part of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s assault on [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], serving on board the ''[[Lancer Two]]'' alongside [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] under [[Getaway]]. Though their part of the mission was carried out successfully, Jhiaxus had anticipated the Autobots' strategy and they were quickly overwhelmed by his reinforcements and forced to crash land on a nearby planet. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Beachcomber and the Autobots protected the humans from a revenge attack by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons.{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
Beachcomber, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] maintained a 24-hour watch on the Decepticon hideout by taking turns. Beachcomber was once almost discovered by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], but simply remaining quiet and still was enough to fool the Decepticon, who was a noted idiot. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
[[File:InsecticonAttack BeachcomberSeesGrapple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
Being a pacifist geologist, Beachcomber did not enjoy hearing about Decepticons around the ''Ark'', and decided to drive off to his "secret place" to look at rocks in peace. Beachcomber's secret place was where a mountain met a valley by a beautiful pond. In Beachcomber's secret place, [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] had also found some tranquility. Beachcomber didn't enjoy having Grapple in his secret place, but decided to stay quiet and watch Grapple until he went away.

Beachcomber's watch was interrupted when he saw the Insecticon [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] transform and fly away from where Grapple was sitting. He told Grapple what he had seen, but not before the other Insecticon, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], got close enough to implant a cerebro-shell in Grapple, turning him against Beachcomber. Beachcomber raced home and told the other Autobots what had happened. Optimus Prime then led an assault on the Decepticons that ultimately freed Grapple from the Insecticons' mind control. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

===Island of Fear===
{{notemultipath}}
Beachcomber was vacationing on the tropical paradise of [[Nali]] when he ran into [[you]]. The following events likely saw him bound up in a mission to stop [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] from tapping into the [[Earth's core]] to power the Decepticons' weapons. Whatever happened to him was up to you! {{storylink|Island of Fear}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Attack of the Insecticons====
[[File:AttackoftheInsecticons BeachcomberKickback.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Little dune buggy in the sand,
Little blue dune buggy in my hand.]]
Beachcomber was witness to [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] testing the [[Sun-Pak]], a new device of Sparkplug's invention that would solve the Autobots' energy woes. However, the Decepticons' discovery of the device forced the Autobots in a number of possible perilous situations. Notably, one such situation involved the Autobots being at the mercy of the Insecticons while trapped underground. If Beachcomber convinced Optimus Prime the best course of action was to entrust him with the Sun-Pak in order to recharge it, two possible outcomes were possible in Beachcomber's solo mission.

Beachcomber explored the system of underground lakes, marveling at the many strange things that lived there, and manages to find his way to the surface. While recharging the Sun-Pak he was attacked by [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and had to be saved by [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. How humiliating.

Alternatively, Beachcomber became lost when his magnetic sensors erroneously led him directly to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. He did not regret this error for long. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

====Earthquake====
Beachcomber was lounging about Autobot headquarters, discussing how nice the recent lull in Decepticon activity was, when Optimus recommended that the peace-loving Autobot take a vacation. Beachcomber gladly agreed. He then drove out to the countryside, only to suddenly be shaken up by a tremor. Pinpointing the tremor's origin, he came upon Rumble practicing his earthquake abilities. Once the Decepticon had finished, Beachcomber followed him back to the Decepticons' newest secret base.

[[File:EarthquakePowerglideBeahccomberWindcharger.jpg|thumb|]]
If Beachcomber decided to return immediately to Autobot headquarters to report his findings, Beachcomber was sent back out to investigate further, this time with Powerglide and Windcharger. Once the three Autobots arrived at the cliff face that concealed the Decepticons' base, the three of them debated on their course of action. Beachcomber advocated for trying to find a more conspicuous route into the base, thinking the main entrance would be too risky.

If the three Autobots decided to walk through the main entrance of the Decepticons' base, Windcharger was promptly crushed by the fortress's doors, which then let loose a swarm of Decepticons. Beachcomber then tricked Rumble into causing an earthquake, which brought down the Decepticons and their fortress in one fell swoop. The pair then retrieved the damaged Windcharger to be fixed by Ratchet.

If the trio decided instead to look for an alternate entrance, they discovered a narrow passageway hidden behind some bushes and scrubs. Taking the passageway, Beachcomber's squad emerged into a storage room. Leading out of the storage room was a passage not unlike the one from which they had just emerged and a brightly lit corridor. While Powerglide wanted to explore the bright corridor and Windcharger wanted to investigate the dark passageway, Beachcomber considered looking for other places to explore in the storage room.

If Beachcomber joined Windcharger, the two of them soon found themselves before a heavy stone doorway. Hearing Decepticon voices beyond the door, the pair argued whether or not to spring a surprise attack their enemies. Beachcomber had the option of either proceeding forth with Windcharger, or returning to the storage room to join up with Powerglide.

If Beachcomber decided to proceed with Windcharger, the two Autobots started to argue once more on how to get through the heavy door. While Windcharger was eager to bust it down, Beachcomber considered attempting to decode the door's access lock.

If they managed to decode the door's password, they found themselves intruding upon an empty room; Megatron's secret chamber.Upon hearing Megatron approaching, the pair managed to grab him from behind. Taken by surprised, the Decepticon leader was tricked into thinking that the Autobots had the base surrounded, and was made to have the Decepticons surrender. After Beachcomber contacted Optimus Prime for reinforcements, the Decepticons’ ploy was successfully undone.

If the pair were unable to decode the door's password, Windcharger attempted to smash the door down, despite Beachcomber's protests. All Windcharger managed to do was make a lot of noise, and the two Autobots attempted to flee the scene. As they retreated, they were spotted by Megatron, who blocked off their exit. The Decepticon leader then promptly slaughtered the pair with a blast of his nuclear-charged fusion cannon.

If Beachcomber decided to explore the brightly lit corridor with Powerglide, the pair soon found the entire fortress to be eerily silent. Finally hearing Decepticon voices nearby, the pair heard Megatron expositing his plan to Soundwave. The Decepticons planned to use a Destruction Beam to create a fault line near Center City, which would in turn be exploited by Rumble's earthquake-inducing abilities to destroy the entire area. With this knowledge, Powerglide and Beachcomber raced out of the fortress, meeting up with Windcharger en route, and returned to Autobot headquarters. Relating this information to Optimus, the Autobots then decided to split up in two groups. One group was to attack the Decepticons’ fortress, the other to stop Rumble in Center City. Beachcomber was assigned to the lead team.

If the lead team was sent to the Decepticons’ fortress, Optimus was able to overpower Megatron in the battle that ensued. The Decepticon leader was forced to guide Beachcomber, Inferno and Optimus to the Decepticons’ lab. There, the Autobots disabled and destroyed the Destruction Beam device, captured Megatron, and left many Decepticons permanently maimed. Though they later had to trade Megatron to the Decepticons for the safe release of the Autobots captured in Center City, the Autobots were ultimately victorious that day.

If the lead team was sent to defend Centre City, the Autobots’ next objective was to meet up with Sparkplug They consulted him on whether the Autobots should enter Centre City in their [[robot mode]]s, or in their vehicle modes.

If Sparkplug suggested that the Autobots not worry about subtlety, the entire squad transformed and began prowling the streets in search of Decepticons, oblivious to the panic they were causing. Unable to restore order in time, Beachcomber and the rest of the main team were destroyed in the ensuing earthquake.

If Sparkplug suggested that the Autobots remain in their vehicle modes, he would concoct a plan where the Autobots would help evacuate the entire town in their vehicle modes. With no more than four trips in and out of the city, Beachcomber and the rest of the team carried out the plan without incident. With the humans out of harm's way, the Autobots transformed and engaged the approaching Decepticons, whom they easily dispatch. With the city safe, the Autobots moved out to help their comrades at the Decepticon fortress.

Alternatively, if Beachcomber decided to have Windcharger, Powerglide and himself each investigate a different area of the Decepticons’ fortress, he would accidentally bump into Dirge. Dirge easily overpowered Beachcomber, disassembled him, and replayed the last few moments of his memory tape to find out who had accompanied him.

In a completely different sequence of events, Beachcomber decided to try and infiltrate the Decepticons’ headquarters on his own. Though he was able to activate the fortress's main doors, upon hearing nearby human voices he hesitated on whether he should proceed within the fortress or investigate the voices first.

[[File:EarthquakeJessieKidnapped.jpg|thumb|left]]
If Beachcomber went to check on the humans, he soon found out that they were the Autobots’ allies, Buster and Jessie. The pair informed Beachcomber of a secret passage they had discovered, which led inside the Decepticons’ fortress. They trio were surprised by Ramjet, who captured Jessie and took off. Though Buster was adamant that they rescue her, Beachcomber felt they should report back to Optimus first.

If Buster managed to convince Beachcomber to rescue Jessie, he led Beachcomber to the secret entrance he had previously discovered. Once inside the fortress, the duo heard voices nearby once more.

If they followed the voices, they came upon Soundwave and Thrust putting Jessie away in a cell. Once the Decepticons left, Beachcomber wasted no time in breaking Jessie out. The three of them then set out to find the Decepticons’ lab. But after searching for some time, they were unable to find it. Giving up their search, they reported back to Autobot Headquarters. Beachcomber and Mirage then headed back to the Decepticons’ fortress, and used Mirage's holographic abilities to trick Buzzsaw into thinking the fortress was overrun by an Autobot army. This prompted Buzzsaw to head back to the lab to defend it. Following him, the Autobots were able to destroy the Destruction beam before it caused any harm, and then hurried out of the fortress while the Decepticons still panicked over Buzzsaw's report of an Autobot army.

If Beachcomber convinced Buster to hide instead of following the voices, the duo quickly came at a loss on what to do next. After a few moments’ hesitation, the pair came out of hiding only to be confronted by Thrust. Beachcomber engaged the Decepticon in a brief firefight before escaping with Buster. But Thrust quickly came upon them once more, this time backed up by Starscream, Dirge, and Megatron himself. The Decepticons led their new prisoners to Megatron's lab. Megatron then tortured the pair by showing them the destruction of Center City via a view screen. The show over, Megatron then turned his Fusion Cannon upon the pair, and pulled the trigger...

Alternatively, Beachcomber might have been able to convince Buster to leave Jessie behind by claiming that the Decepticons were unlikely to harm her. The two of them then headed to Autobot headquarters, and returned with reinforcements. Shortly before arriving at their destination, the Autobots had to choose their next course of action; they could either storm the Decepticon fortress by force, or try to sneak in through the secret passageway Buster had discovered.

If they decided to storm the fortress, Beachcomber would become nervous, and urge his fellow Autobots to find a more peaceful way to resolve the situation. Optimus sternly told him that this was not the time for one of his anti-war speeches. This moment of hesitation ultimately cost the Autobots the battle, and the Decepticons triumphed that day.

If they decided a stealthier approach, the Autobots quietly entered the Decepticon base, and set out to shoot down any Decepticons they encountered, save Megatron, whom they planned to capture. After encountering some resistance from their foes, the Autobots came upon branch in the passageway, and had to choose to go left or right.

If they took the right passageway, the group happened upon Jessie, whom they freed. Telling them she knew the location of the Decepticons’ lab, Jessie then led the group into a Decepticon trap; she had been brainwashed. The Autobots were captured and Megatron's plan to destroy Center City came to fruition.

If they took the left passageway, the group happened upon Megatron's lab. Megatron was then taken captive. Beachcomber successfully deactivated the Destruction beam, and the rest of the Autobots deactivated the remaining Decepticons. The Autobots celebrated their victory by guzzling a few quarts of fine-grade oil.

In a final possible path, wherein Beachcomber attempted to enter the Decepticons’ fortress by himself through the front door, he was jumped by Buzzsaw who immediately tore into Beachcomber. Buzzsaw was helped by Scrapper into disassembling the Autobot. Megatron then ordered his Decepticons to rebuild Beachcomber. In the process, the Decepticons planned to swap Beachcomber's memory chip for a Destructicon chip, to create the perfect Decepticon double agent. But Mixmaster mixed up the two chips, and Beachcomber returned to Autobot headquarters as his old self. Now having become the perfect Autobot double agent, Beachcomber hoped to soon be able to end the war and return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightBeachcomberbumpsintoCosmos.jpg|thumb]]
Beachcomber was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission.
When they heard a tremendous explosion go off nearby, Beachcomber was suspicious that the Decepticons had wanted them to hear it; he reasoned the Decepticons had left them several clues on their nearby activities recently, and wanted to spring a trap on the Autobots. Optimus sent Cosmos to investigate the noise.

If Cosmos radioed his findings to Optimus immediately, Optimus's convoy moved in to investigate a nearby Decepticon base. En route, the Autobots passed near a human town, but began floating in mid-air before being able to reach it. Evidently, the phenomenon was caused by a Decepticon anti-gravity weapon.

If Optimus ordered his troops to come to the humans’ aid, they found themselves taking part in a struggle in futility, as the entire town was near-weightless, meaning they couldn't put the humans anywhere where they wouldn't float away once more. Then, the Autobots heard Decepticons approaching. Helpless in their current position, the Autobots were quickly eradicated by the Decepticons.

If Optimus ordered his troops to attack the Decepticon base, Beachcomber took a moment to goof off in the low-gravity environment, and accidentally bumped into Cosmos, flying nearby. The Autobots soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence, and Beachcomber refocused on the mission at hand. They were then attacked by a small fleet of Decepticons. The Decepticons were quickly forced to break off their attack and retreated. But with the battle over, the Autobots noticed a small human boy at their feet. The Autobots then headed for the Decepticon base, with their stowaway. Megatron delivered an ultimatum; if the Autobots did not surrender Optimus Prime to the Decepticons immediately, he would use his gravity beam to have the nearby humans float off into space.

If the Autobots decided to continue with their initial plan to simply attack the Decepticon base, their advance was halted by a force field. Megatron then fired his beam in all directions, causing a ripple effect that sent everything not fastened down to the Earth's surface to float helplessly out into space.

Alternatively, the Autobots could concoct a plan where Optimus would pretend to allow himself to be taken prisoner, per Buddy's suggestion. The Decepticons, fooled into thinking they've won, took Optimus Prime into their base. In actuality, Beachcomber and the rest of the Autobots were hidden away inside Optimus's trailer. The Autobots then led a surprise attack on their unsuspecting foes.

In the event that Buddy tampered with the gravity gun in the ensuing battle, the Autobots would emerge victorious.

[[File:DesertFlightRipInSpaceTime.jpg|thumb|left]]
If Buddy instead ran towards Beachcomber and Tracks over the course of the battle, Laserbeak would fire at the group at the same time as the gravity beam reached them, creating a tear in space-time above the group. Beachcomber accidentally stumbled into the time anomaly, and disappeared. Once the Autobots gained the upper hand in battle, Buddy insisted he and Tracks venture into the anomaly to rescue Beachcomber.

If Buddy and Tracks entered a space-time anomaly created during the battle, they would emerge to discover they had traveled three hours into the future, whereas Beachcomber was only flung forward for one hour. In the intervening time, Beachcomber had been captured, and most of the other Autobots were dead or injured, resulting in a Decepticon victory.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, wherein Cosmos had taken off to explore the Decepticon base on his own, The Autobot convoy were surprised to see two Cosmoses flying back towards them some time later. Both Cosmoses declared themselves to be the real one, and urged Optimus to destroy the other.

If Optimus destroyed the wrong Cosmos, the duplicate obliterated Beachcomber and the rest of the Autobots with the [[proton bomb]] it housed within its body.

If Optimus destroyed the duplicate Cosmos, the real one would inform the Autobots of the Decepticons’ schemes, and the convoy would roll out to take on their adversaries. They were soon met by a squad of flying Decepticons, but were at a strict disadvantage against their adversaries as their vehicle modes possessed no weapons. The Autobots nonetheless managed to fight their way to the Decepticons’ base, one way or another, and defeated the Decepticons by using their own gravity weapon against them. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}

====Autobot Alert!====
Alongside Springer and Blurr, Beachcomber was assigned a secret mission; to uncover the location of a sphere of cybertite, containing an ancient Autobot formula. Part way into the mission, Beachcomber's squad was attacked by Decepticon storm troopers who dragged Beachcomber away after having blasted their way into the Autobots’ research centre. The Decepticons then set out for a nearby crater where they believed the sphere of cybertite to be, Beachcomber still in hand. When the Decepticons manage to crack the code of a message they had intercepted containing further details on the location of the cybertite sphere, they left Beachcomber at the crater, after tying him to an explosive device.

In one possible sequence of events, Blurr and Hot Rod arrived at the crater and managed to free Beachcomber from the explosive device before it went off. Unfortunately, heading for the crater instead of the cybertite sphere's actual location cost the Autobots valuable time, making it impossible for them to catch up to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Countdown to Extinction Minibots pre-battle.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man. Bonnnngggg!!!"]]
Beachcomber was seen as one of the civilians on the united Cybertron after Shockwave and Ultra Magnus's forces returned from Earth. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He was spurred into action against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s regime when Optimus Prime returned to the planet and rallied the Autobots into an organized army. His actual contribution to the insurrection was undocumented, but it's entirely possible he may have even picked up a weapon. Really. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

Afterwards, Beachcomber was assigned to a mission suitable for his pacifism, as part of Bumblebee's supply crew on the ''[[Orion]]'', bringing news and fuel to their comrades on Earth. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} Little did they know they would be caught up in heavy combat with [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} As part of an alliance to defeat their mutual enemy, Beachcomber was supposed to be guarding Sunstorm's primary target, the Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], aboard the ''Orion'' shuttle. Now, of course, the question isn't whether Starscream betrayed them at the first opportunity (he did); It's whether Beachcomber even bothered to pick up his gun and try to stop Starscream, or just passively let the 'Con gun him down. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|''[[Spotlight: Blaster]]''}}

Beachcomber originally hailed from [[Ibex]], where he wrote ''[[Primal Prophecies|The Primal Prophecies: A New Interpretation]]''. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Early in the war, Beachcomber, along with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], met with the damaged [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] when their transport ship returned to HQ. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Beachcomber was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

[[File:SpotlightBlaster BeachcomberTransform.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Later, Beachcomber was captured by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], who used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to inject him with a [[cerebro-shell]]. Under its control, Beachcomber attempted on three occasions to assassinate [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. Ultimately, Blaster confronted him about it and forced him to fight against his Decepticon control. Though his mental resistance shorted out the shell, his neural processors were severely damaged as well. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

After eventually recovering, Beachcomber ended up among the Autobot forces on Earth. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] visited to investigate [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s surrender, Beachcomber feared that they might all get arrested, and decided to leave the team. Alongside [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], he attempted to find and join [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who was trying to get off the planet, only to drive straight into a [[Skywatch]] ambush. Beachcomber was the first to be deactivated when a human named [[Campolongo]] zapped him using a hi-tech suit. The captured Autobots were brought into the hangar where Optimus Prime was imprisoned by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Major Witwicky]] in an attempt to get the Autobot leader to cooperate. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

[[File:AnotherMine Beachcomber.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Kei Zama]] can make ''anyone'' look badass.]]
After [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] became Autobot leader and formed an alliance with Skywatch, Beachcomber was freed. He would later completely ignore Bumblebee's leadership once [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] returned from space with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and demanded to see Optimus Prime. Beachcomber was also amongst those (meaning everyone) who volunteered to return to a restored Cybertron and fight [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s army. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} Upon arriving, he transformed and rolled out alongside the other Autobots. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

In the post-Great War era, Beachcomber joined the [[Cybertronian Security Force]]. In early 2018, following Chancellor [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s public confession to a myriad of crimes, Beachcomber was assigned to guard his cell. After [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] stopped by to show Starscream the [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] he'd been working on, the former ruler of Cybertron requested Beachcomber pass along a message to some [[Badgeless|friends of Starscream]]. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

Shortly afterwards, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] returned to Cybertron with Beachcomber being among those assigned to guard the latter. Feeling guilty about aiding Starscream, he let [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and his entourage interrogate the latter for five minutes. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} He and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] later escorted the captive Shockwave through the streets to be imprisoned, with Beachcomber telling the monologuing cyclops to shut up along the way. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Beachcomber's bad luck as a guard continued when an escaped Starscream later returned and knocked him out in order to converse with Shockwave. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Beachcomber managed to escape Cybertron's destruction at [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s hands, being transported to Earth with many survivors. He immediately began admiring some flowers upon arrival. {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
When the Minibots excavated a [[Dinobot (BW)|mysterious mech]], Beachcomber was astute enough to recognize the Predacon symbol may have been descendant from the Decepticon sigil. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 11}}

===Bot on the Street===
Beachcomber was asked if he'd like to change his alternate mode, and thought he'd like to be a bird feeder. {{storylink|Bot on the Street}}

===''TransTech''===
Beachcomber criticized the [[Supreme Multi-Circuit Court]] for allowing [[Hydradread/Highbrow Hybrid Technologies]] unfettered access to the [[Iocus]] Cluster. He especially didn't care for the idea of a [[Hero Mashers|Transformer being built out of pieces that belonged to other Transformers]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

Beachcomber debated [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] about internship practices on [[Axiom Nexus]] during a television segment. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
Beachcomber thought it cruel to keep the [[Anibot]]s in a [[roboto-zoo]] but [[Vector Prime]] saw little alternative. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/24}}

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

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
The peace-loving Autobot Beachcomber could wield powers of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s by linking with [[Prime Master]]s. {{storylink|#Generations|''Power of the Primes'' Beachcomber packaging bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Beachcomber, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Beachcomber was part of a geological survey team along with [[Azimuth (G1)|Azimuth]], [[Geomotus]], and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] that set out to investigate unusual seismic activity. After coming across [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]], who had fallen into a crevice, a violent groundquake led them to discover a team of [[The Rise|Risers]] who proceeded to attack the surveyists. In the struggle that ensued, Beachcomber was shot by [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]]. At that moment, [[Security Operations]] came to the rescue and engaged in battle with the Risers. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} Afterwards, the injured Beachcomber and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] were taken to [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]] for repairs. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:Abominus Comic 2 GoldBeachcomber.jpg|thumb|left|And that's who you'll be from now on, Beachcomber... "Goldbong".]]
A Transformer resembling a particularly dazzling Beachcomber was a follower of [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] in the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]]. Like his fellows, he dutifully assisted Primus in his efforts to confiscate the [[Star Power|Seven Lights]] from his dissenting army the [[Primus Vanguard]] and destroy the universe. He was present in the strike team Primus brought to bear against the [[Powered Master]]s in an expedition to the year [[2050]] of the [[G1 World|next universe]] to capture its newly formed, empty [[Silver Matrix]] for his patsy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]]. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

When Star Convoy grew wise to his master's plan, Beachcomber helped restrain him as their master personally gathered the last two Star Powers from [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron Omega]] and [[Purple Wicked Convoy]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Prelude|Finale Prelude}} Primus's plan soon went off the rails, with Primus being reduced to his diminutive Oracle form by [[Blue Planet (GS)|Neo Primus]] and the Seven Lights being captured by malevolent future warrior [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Gold Megatron]] and used to create his own seven-part force, the [[New Primus Vanguard]]. Realizing the dire nature of the threat, the Oracle reversed his orders, and Beachcomber and company freed Star Convoy and pooled their [[Golden Power]] into him. Star Convoy arose as Gold Primus Convoy. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:Skybound-TF-2023-Beachcomber-death.jpg|thumb|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] would've been thrilled to see this.]]
During a battle on Cybertron, a fleeing Beachcomber was shot in the back by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}} Surviving the attack, Beachcomber wound up on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' as it fled Cybertron. When the crew of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' boarded, amidst the chaos of the battle, Beachcomber stared through a gash in the ''Ark'''s hull at the vastness and liveliness of space, and came to realize how pointless the battle was. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 17|Transformers #17}} However, Beachcomber's epiphany gave [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] an opening to toss him out of the ''Ark'' as the ship passed over [[Earth]]. Caught in the [[Moon (moon)|moon]]'s gravity well, Beachcomber spent millennia on the satellite until the [[Apollo 11]] mission touched down. Covertly hitching a ride to the planet, Beachcomber, after taking in the beauty of Earth, found the ''Ark'' but decided against activating his fellows, fearing that they would bring only their war to Earth. After helping himself to some energon, Beachcomber retreated to the wilderness. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 10|Transformers #10}}

When the ''Ark'' was reactivated and, as Beachcomber predicted, the war resumed, Beachcomber covertly watched [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] bond with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Energon Universe|Spike]] and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}} When [[Astrotrain (G1)#Energon Universe|Astrotrain]] captured Spike, Beachcomber shut down the [[Triple Changer]]'s engines and liberated the human. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}} After shackling Astrotrain, Beachcomber sat on a beach with Spike and told him how he'd come to be on Earth. After Astrotrain mentioned [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], Beachcomber explained the scientist to the human before noticing the light of a [[space bridge]]. Though Spike asked what should be done, Beachcomber said that he had no desire to become involved in the war again before Cybertron itself emerged from the space bridge. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 10|Transformers #10}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 11 - beachcomber surfing.jpg|thumb|left|Will I ever return to my beloved Zenn-La?]] Grabbing a surfboard, Beachcomber rode a whirlpool created by Cybertron's gravity, confirming that the life in the ocean was being harvested for energon. Leaving some fuel for Astrotrain, Beachcomber headed off into the wilderness with Spike. After sighting a [[deer]], Spike sympathized with Beachcomber's desire not to fight but noted that he couldn't just run away. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 11|Transformers #11}}

When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] sent Cybertron back through the space bridge, Beachcomber flew up on his board and caught his leader, landing in the ocean just ahead of the chunk of Cybertron that had been sliced off their homeworld. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 12|Transformers #12}}

Beachcomber joined Spike, Carly, and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] on a quest to locate [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Before departing, Optimus asked if he would participate in the fight to stop the Decepticons, but Beachcomber stuck to his pacifism, suggesting that the best thing they could do for Earth would be to leave it. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 15|Transformers #15}} Eventually, Beachcomber detected an Energon signal, giving the four a lead to follow. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 16|Transformers #16}} The trail led into the water, so they used Beachcomber's surfboard to go the rest of the way. As they approached the [[San Jaun Islands]], Arcee asked Beachcomber why he no longer fought, and Beachcomber related his epiphany aboard the ''Ark''. Arcee was about argue the finer points of this philosophy when the surfboard was turned over by an explosion. As Arcee picked Spike and Carly out of the water, Beachcomber came under fire from a paranoid Ultra Magnus until Arcee persuaded him to stop. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 17|Transformers #17}} Beachcomber then sat with Spike around a fire in Ultra Magnus's makeshift fortress, as Arcee and Carly tried to convince the once great warrior to rejoin the fight before being interrupted by an attack from [[G.I. Joe|a mysterious military force]]. He and Spike escaped in time, but Carly and Magnus were taken prisoner.{{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 18|Transformers #18}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
Beachcomber made friends with a seagull during a beach party. {{storylink|The Transformers Go! Go! Search Quiz is Here!|Search Quiz}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Transformers Gather on the Snowy Mountain!|Search Quiz 2}}}}

{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Bumblebee recruited Beachcomber to join the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} Chased by Decepticon forces, Beachcomber discovered a Golden Lagoon of [[Electrum]]. Unfortunately the Decepticons found it too, and in the resultant battle, both the lagoon and the surrounding glen were destroyed, much to Beachcomber's dismay. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (Legends)|The Golden Lagoon}} After [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] was inflicted on the Autobots, Gears and Beachcomber managed to sneak past the Decepticons and get a sample of [[corrostop]] from the [[Statue of Liberty]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (Legends)|Cosmic Rust}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Blues#As Beachcomber}}
Beachcomber appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by The Blues. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Beachcomber-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px|G2 is his only cue!]]
Beachcomber (G2) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was available to 100 leagues in the "Divide and Conquer" medium events.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:EW-Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]

Beachcomber often cuts a solitary figure, preferring to roam alone into vast expanses of desert wilderness or along rugged, inaccessible coastal shores. Cool-headed, low-key, he's exactly who you need in a crisis, and - despite his urge to wander - never shirks his responsibility to the Autobot cause. And when it comes to gathering resources his vast array of sensor equipment is almost without compare. Though not one of the strongest Autobots he has unusually high agility, making him an elusive target. Every 10 seconds, Beachcomber points forward and grants allies within a large area 20% damage absorption for 10 seconds. It will sometimes shoot a water bullet that reduces the attack and defence of the target. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Beachcomber Bio}}

Beachcomber wondered what kind of weapon could even hurt a [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] told him that one wielded by the first [[Thirteen|Primes]] could do it. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Falling Apart}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Beachcomber was an Autobot with a radical outlook on life. {{storylink|Field Guide to Action and Adventure}} Although he was a skilled geologist who fought valiantly to defend Earth's beauty, he often took time off to recuperate, either by spending time in nature or consulting with his comrades, who recognized that Beachcomber's willingness to acknowledge his own fears and doubts made him stronger than many other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game#Transformers Roleplaying Game Starter Bundle|Transformers Roleplaying Game Starter Bundle}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|My other alternate mode is a bong.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' ([[Mini Vehicle]], [[1985]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-63'''

: Released in the second year of the [[Hasbro]] ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' line, [[Mini Vehicle]] Beachcomber transforms into a blue and gray 1982 M1040 Chenowth "Hellfire" Fast Attack Vehicle (which is an amusingly well-armed vehicle for such a peace-loving Autobot). Although not documented in his instructions, Beachcomber's legs are slightly extendable, providing much-needed clearance for his lower legs to transform between modes without scraping against his torso.

: The figure has several minor variants. The initial releases of the toy have his thighs, headlamps and wheel hubs cast in silver plastic that matches his torso rather than the usual light gray, which is the vastly more common coloration. Later releases of the light-gray version altered his right arm to add a "Hasbro" stamp to it (removing half the "mesh" pattern). The French release of the toy by [[Joustra|Ceji]], aside from using the "half-mesh" arm variant, has a slightly different headsculpt with narrower eyes, different wheel-pins with four "rivets", plus slightly different shades of blue and gray plastic.

: Beachcomber continued on into the 1986 Mini Vehicle assortment, with no notable changes. He was also released in Greece by [[El Greco]] in 1986, being virtually identical to his international version besides bearing a very slightly different shade of blue and featuring no rubsign.

: In the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] line, Beachcomber was not part of the initial 1985 "pre-movie" series (despite being in the pre-movie cartoon), but premiered in 1986's post-movie ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Transformers 2010]]'' line. Like all of the smaller toys sold by Takara at the time, he was packaged in a small box and came with a collector's card inside, rather than on a bubble-card. It is currently uncertain which arm-variant was released in Japan; ''presumably'' the latter "Hasbro"-stamped one, but this has not been confirmed.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Beachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Generation 1'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-beachcomber/707/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Beachcomber at Transformerland.com]''
{{--}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2 Beachcomber photo.jpg|upright=1.40|thumb|Beachcomber went green before it was in vogue.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a2|'''Beachcomber''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1993]])}}</ul>

: Released in the first (proper) year of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toys, Beachcomber is a [[redeco]] of his original toy, now with a chrome green instead of blue plastic, and the grey of the upper legs and lamps was replaced with a funky bright salmon color. This version removed the "half-mesh" on the left arm and simply replaced it with a large Hasbro copyright stamp.

: An extremely rare variant exists that may have been a [[prototype|test shot]] run with gray legs. These figures were apparently given out internally by Hasbro as [[Christmas]] ornaments, as they have been found bagged with a string attached and a card reading "Transformers Christmas ornament" on one side and "Merry Christmas from the Boys' Toys Marketing" on the other.<ref>[https://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/Employee/Gen2ChristmasOrnamentBCom.html Beachcomber variant given to Hasbro staff as a Christmas ornament - shown at the Super Toy Archive]</ref> The same treatment has been seen with a ''Generation 2'' [[Seaspray (G1)#Generation 2|Seaspray]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Beachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Universe2008 Legends Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Has a [[fireblast]] of 1, yet is the only Legends Mini-Vehicle with a weapon.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Legends, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': G1 Series
:*''Accessories'': Wheel-mounted gun
:*''Known designers'': [[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)

: Released in the fourth wave of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]]'s Legends assortment, Beachcomber has a very cartoon-inspired robot mode, but his vehicle mode appears to be inspired by the "Warthog" off-road vehicle from the ''[[Xbox 360|Halo]]'' game series. Amusingly, the pacifist Beachcomber has a spare-tire-mounted machine gun in vehicle mode. (Maybe it's a paintball gun?) Despite this piece being removable, Beachcomber has no way of holding it in robot mode.

: This mold is the basis for the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]]'s [[Sandstorm (TF 2010)|Sandstorm]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Universe'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei-toy Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Yes, the pacifist is part of the "Attack Team" rather than the "Spy Team". Makes sense!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

: The ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' release of ''Universe'' Beachcomber is at first glance identical to the ''Universe'' release. However, the ''Henkei'' release has a flatter and less vibrant blue than Hasbro's release.

: He was only available in a three-piece set with [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Gong]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Cliff]].
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BeachcomberKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"I am totally high right now."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2013]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': Collection 3
:*''Bag number'': '''***** 60'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo brick, small pistol
:*''Known designer'': [[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)

: As part of the third wave of [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Beachcomber is a [[Kreon]] that can be rebuilt into a little dune buggy. He uses the [[Constructicon (G1)#Kre-O|Constructicon]]-style cab-helmet, and [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]]'s handgun.

: This Micro-Changer assortment was the last one to appear at [[Target]], with later waves showing up only at [[Toys"R"Us]] or drug/discount stores.

: This mold was also used to make a [[N.E.S.T. Sentry]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Kre-OBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on Beachcomber at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2015}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Kreon Class of 1985''' (Kreon figure set, [[2015]])}}</ul>
:*''Set number'': '''B5152'''
:*''Voted'': Most Likely to Grow Totally Organic Energon
:*''Accessories'': Small pistol

: [[Kreon Class of '85]] Beachcomber's deco is much more heavily based on the [[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|original Beachcomber toy]], with a more cartoon-accurate face. Like the rest of the set, he uses the almost-totally-[[retool]]ed 2015 style of Kreon body.

: This box set of thirty Kreons was a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2015 [[exclusive]], with leftovers being sold on [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on Class of '85 Beachcomber at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|2015Kreon}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': Collection 3
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, small pistol

: In 2017, the Collection 3 Micro-Changers were re-released in a whole new production run, first appearing at [[Walgreens]] stores in the US. These releases use the almost-entirely-[[retool]]ed 2015 Kreon (making most parts incompatible with older Kreons), with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. Beachcomber's [[tampograph]]s are slightly altered, changing the flat light gray to metallic silver, giving him a red Autobot [[Insignia|faction symbol]], and adding some white highlights.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{--}}

===''EZ Collection''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (2013)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''EG10'''

: ''[[EZ Collection]]'' Beachcomber was to be a [[redeco]] of the [[#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Legends Class figure]]. It was solicited in 2013, but never saw release.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimestoy-Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Legends Class, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-06'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[May 25]], [[2018]]
:*''Known designers'': [[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Robby Musso]] (concept artist)

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Legends" class toys, Beachcomber is based heavily on his original toy and cartoon model. In dune buggy mode, his "driver" compartment can seat [[Titan Master]]s and [[Prime Master]]s.

{{--}}

===''Golden Lagoon''===
[[File:TF 35th Golden Lagoon Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Come on in, the [[Electrum]]'s fine.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber / Perceptor / Seaspray''' (Multi-pack, November 2018)}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''GL-03'''

: ''[[The Transformers Golden Lagoon|Golden Lagoon]]'' Beachcomber is a gold and gold chrome redeco of ''Power of the Primes'' Legends Class Beachcomber in homage to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] [[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|episode of the same name]]. Packaged with similar redecoes of ''Titans Return'' [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Golden Lagoon|Perceptor]] and [[Seaspray (G1)#Golden Lagoon|Seaspray]], this set was released exclusively at [[TakaraTomy Mall]] as part of TakaraTomy's celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary. The set was later rereleased by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the USA in January 2021.

: This toy also appeared in ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]'' as a member of the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]], who may or may not be named "Beachcomber".
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I am Lorde. Yah yah yah.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber & Paradise Parakeet''' (Deluxe Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL-43'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[October 28]], 2023
:*''Accessories'': Bumper/Machine gun, [[Paradise Parakeet]]
:*''Known designers'': [[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shuhei Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[April 4]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qv8dh66d48 Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Sam Smith]], [[Shogo Hasui]] and [[Delaney Norris]].</ref>

: ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: Evolution]]'' Beachcomber is an animation-accurate, deluxe-scaled version of the character, turning into a dune buggy in 11 steps. The wheels are made with PVC plastic, as well as being pinned on for better rolling action. His [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick is his handheld machine gun, which doubles as the front bumper of his alt mode.

: He also includes a small "[[Paradise Parakeet]]", seemingly inspired by the bird Beachcomber encountered in the episode "[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]". It sits on a [[Fire Blast effect|blast effect]]-style post, allowing it to plug into 5 mm ports or over 3 mm pegs throughout both of Beachcomber's modes. Said bird also gets top billing, and is named alongside Beachcomber himself on the box. Its name is likely a reference to the {{w|paradise parrot}}, which went extinct nearly 100 years ago, giving Beachcomber something else to be sad about.

: Note that the tires, which are made of rubber-like PVC plastic, can stick and chip off other paint details if you store him in contact with other toys.

: For reasons unknown, this assortment basically did not show up at brick-and-mortar stores and there was no second round of online orders available, leaving Beachcomber and his bird buddy very difficult to find... [[eBay|at normal prices, anyway]].

:This mold was retooled to make ''Legacy: United'' "Doom 'n Destruction" [[Ruckus (G1)#Legacy|Decepticon Rukus]].

:Beachcomber was reissued in [[2025]].

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CqtZFFiuZx6/ Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Beachcomber from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Little blue dune buggy...]]
*'''Beachcomber, Geologist''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T08/T46'''
**''Stars: ''6

:Beachcomber, Geologist is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' Beachcomber toy, with the Bot Mode art being reused from the toy's packaging art. The card's Alt Mode received original art, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

===Blokees===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Shining Version, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Shining Version 02 - Shining 1985'''
{{toystub}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFTM-MaybeBeachcomber.jpg|thumb|See kids? This is what happens to hippies.]]
*There's a generic robot seen ahead of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] in line for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s smelting pool in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', who's colored in an approximation of Beachcomber's color scheme. It's not his [[character model]], though, so don't worry, that "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" appearance isn't an error.
*Beachcomber's character model shows up during a flashback in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode, "[[Prehistory]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Beachcomber''' (ビーチコンバー ''Bīchikonbā'', ビーチコマー ''Bīchikomā'')
*''French:'' '''Déferlo''' (Canada), '''Pacifico''' (Canada ''Generation 2'')
*''Greek:'' '''Angeliofόros''' (Αγγελιοφόρος, "Messenger")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Guberáló''' ("Scavenger")
*''Italian:'' '''Pulce''' ("Flea")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jù Làng''' (巨浪, "Waves")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Onda''' (Portugal comics), '''Pacífico''' (Brazil comics)
*''Russian:'' '''Shezlong''' (Шезлонг, "Lounge")

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:POTP-Beachcomber-art-transparent.jpg|''Power of the Primes'' packaging art
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/Employee/Gen2ChristmasOrnamentBCom.html Christmas Ornament Variant]

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Geologists]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Golden Age]]

Ramjet (G1)

2024-12-12T23:52:27Z

Tomhur:

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|mercenary}}
{{disambig3|Ramjet}}
{{suite}}
:''Ramjet is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TFU Ramjet.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Ramjet likes toast.]]
What can really be said about someone whose only idea of strategy is to smash into things with his head? In '''Ramjet'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s defense, he's specifically built to survive such midair collisions and his prey most definitely is not. The strategy can be frighteningly effective, since no one expects a fighter jet to ram them. Ramjet has a tendency to regard the sky as belonging only to him, and will frequently ram even neutral or friendly targets. Though he is built to take such hits, frequent collisions and crashes can still take their toll on his internal mechanisms.

And yet, despite all of this, he's still convinced he's an evil genius. Some mechs never learn.

{{bigquote|They say, ''[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]]'', [ramming into things] knocked some screws loose over the years. But I always say they was loose to start with, y'know.|Ramjet|"[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Angel]] (English), [[Toshiro Ishii]] (Japanese)|[[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese), [[Ken Shiroyama]] (Japanese, "The Master Builders", "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2"), [[Kōki Kataoka]] (Japanese, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1"), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese, "The Girl Who Loved Powerglide"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese, ''The Movie''), [[Kōji Totani]] (Japanese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"), [[Zhan Che]] (Chinese), [[Lucas Cisneros]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Ulrich Bernsdorff]] (German, "The Girl Who Loved Powerglide" and "Hoist Goes Hollywood"), [[Gerhard Acktun]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"), [[Imo Heite]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, "Thief in the Night"), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, ''Generation 2''), [[Christoph Jablonka]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Auto Berserk" and "Triple Takeover"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court" & "Hoist goes Hollywood"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2"), [[Albert Augier]] (European French, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Carlos Seidl]] (Portuguese), [[Francisco José]] (Portuguese, "Auto Berserk"), [[Olney Cazarré]] (Portuguese, "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court"), [[Marco Antônio Costa]] (Portuguese, "The Gambler"), [[Mário Monjardim]] (Portuguese, "Triple Takeover"), [[Ronaldo Magalhães]] (Portuguese, "The Search for Alpha Trion" to "Hoist Goes Hollywood"), [[Dario de Castro]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"), [[Márcio Simões]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")}}

[[File:DinobotIsland2 Ramjet Thrust with cubes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Shut up, they're not THAT heavy.]]
Ramjet was first seen on Earth when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and his ilk raided [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] for its energy resources. He and his fellow Decepticons went to work filling their energon cubes to maximum capacity. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} They were eventually opposed by the Autobots, however, and engaged in a heavy metal war for control of the island. Eventually, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] turned their fellow dinosaurs against the Decepticons. Ramjet and Thrust were run down by a stampeding herd of dinosaurs before Megatron finally called it quits. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[File:AutoBerserk Megatron and Ramjet watching surveillance.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"So much of my schemes have been thwarted by the Autobots, let me tell you Ramjet that sometimes I feel like growing a cone head!"
"Err, pardon?"]]
Later, Ramjet was sent into battle by Megatron to intercept the Autobots' sole aerial ace, [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], before he interfered with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] guarding the solar power tower that Megatron had rightfully stolen. Ramjet tried to ram Powerglide out of the sky, but flew too close to his massive comrade, and was swatted down by Devastator himself. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} When [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and his Cassettes failed to steal the [[Negavator]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and Ramjet led the Seekers in an aerial raid. Once [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] triggered an avalanche to trap the Autobots in a box canyon, it should have been easy pickings. Unfortunately, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] unleashed his magnetic clouds and then electro-disrupted the jets' radar, leaving them completely blind-flying and Yoda-talking. Ramjet tried to make his crash count by landing on an Autobot, but comically managed to land right on top of Megatron, just after the Decepticon leader had secured the all-powerful Negavator machine for himself.'' "I've got morons on my team!",'' Megatron screamed, and it was hard to disagree. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

[[File:MMP1 Ramjet rams Tracks.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|That's either a tiny jet or a big-ass car!]]
When a new solar energy facility opened up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Starscream led Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust to steal its power. The facility proved to be a trap, however, set by Shawn Berger to elevate himself in the public eye by taking down the Decepticons with his private militia. Berger's operatives failed, but the Autobots soon arrived to engage the Decepticons as well. [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] took to the air and zapped Dirge with his blackout beam. Luckily for Dirge, Ramjet managed to pull off a loopity-loop and ram the flying Autobot into the ground. Megatron then "requested" the pleasure of Shawn Berger's presence, not to punish him, but to play a subtler game. He attempted to convince the industrialist that the Decepticons were good, and the Autobots evil. Ramjet was one of the key players in Megatron's staged videos to tarnish the Autobots' reputation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Later, after the Autobots were successfully vilified in the public eye and exiled to deep space, the Seekers turned on the people of Central City, opening fire in the middle of the streets. Ramjet in particular expressed his frustrations over having to act "good", even for a little while, by flying straight ''through'' a building, bringing the whole mess down. Although the Seekers fared well against an attack by the Air Force, the eventual return of the Autobots proved to be more than the Decepticons could handle. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

After Megatron took over Earth's airwaves from the moon, Ramjet and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] did their bit to speed the chaos along, attacking the Autobots during their various rescue missions. Ramjet even got a chance to pay back Powerglide for an old injury, shooting down the Autobot flier over the airport. Very nearly got rid of two [[Carly|annoying]] [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|humans]], too. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[File:Ramjetinpast.gif|upright=1.1|thumb|Ramjet could have been a great soccer player.]]
Once, Ramjet was working with Starscream, Rumble and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] in the United Kingdom, when they got low on energon fighting the Autobots. Sensing energy inside the mysterious [[Dragon Mound]], the Decepticons accidentally activated a timewarp and were transported back to the days of Camelot. Running across a pair of errant knights, Ramjet found that lasers could not function in the Dark Ages, so he merely headbutted his opponent into submission. After a brief exchange, Starscream realized the situation and made a pact with the knight, Sir [[Wigend of Blackthorn]], to aid him against his enemies. At a pre-arranged tournament the next afternoon, Rumble and Ramjet acted as knight and steed in Sir Wigend's stead, against the [[Aetheling the Red|Red Knight]]. The Decepticons' coup was cut short, however, due to the arrival of the Red Knight's champions, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. With Warpath serving as the Red Knight's steed, Ramjet ended up ruining his nose in the joust. Although the Decepticons tried to build their own kingdom after that by inventing gunpowder and the electric dynamo before their time, they were eventually defeated, and all the Transformers returned to the 20th century through the Dragon Mound. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}}

On one occasion, Ramjet and Thrust joined [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in an air strike on an Autobot geological survey near the rocky coastline. Ramjet attempted to engage [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] over the open seas, and was trading firepower pretty well until his instincts got the best of him and he tried to ram the Autobot hovercraft. Seaspray easily dodged the knuckleheaded Decepticon, who plummeted into the briny deep. During this exchange, though, Thrust discovered a pool of [[electrum]], and soon all the Decepticons were rendered completely invulnerable. Ramjet and the others relished in their invincibility for a time, but soon the Autobots discovered the pool as well, and the supply of electrum was quickly exhausted by both factions. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Ramjet was involved in the strike on the [[Morphobot]]s, but was driven off by the Autobots after the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[File:Gambler Gyconi Ramjet and Dirge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Gambling is bad for you kids, you have to keep so much in mind that you'll end up with a cone head like these two fellas!" "I BEG YOUR PARDON!?"]]
Later on, Dirge, Ramjet and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] came to [[Monacus]] to look after Megatron's interests in [[Sheol]], and his less than reputable partner, Lord [[Gyconi]]. They were putting the squeeze on Gyconi when a program caught Dirge's optic, inviting one-and-all to see the Autobots in pit battle against Gyconi's [[animalien]]s. They decided to take in a show while on Monacus, but quickly realized what was going on when Smokescreen flooded the arena with smoke to stop the games and save his friends. Dirge and Ramjet set off after the Autobot in jet mode, and very nearly destroyed him before the bounty hunting Autobot named [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] stepped in to blast them out of the air. There's nothing a Decepticon fears more than a fair fight, and the two Seekers skedaddled as soon as they were able to get back in the sky. They retreated back to Astrotrain with their share of Gyconi's energon, and eventually fled the planet, with Devcon chasing their smoke trail. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

When the [[Triple Changer]]s temporarily disposed of Megatron and Starscream, Decepticon leadership became a free-for-all. Instead of choosing sides like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, Ramjet and the Seekers were mostly content just to watch the hilarity ensue, like Blitzwing's football antics and Astrotrain's army of idiot trains. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

[[File:SearchForAlphaTrion Ramjet and Shockwave cower.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| [[Starscream (Movie)|Sometimes, cowards who block their faces, survive!]]]]
One day, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] found himself under siege from a lost tribe of [[Female Autobots]] on Cybertron, and so Megatron sent Ramjet and a small group of Decepticons via the [[space bridge]] to assist him. He tried to take down the team leader [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] with a missile, only to have her grab it in mid-flight and hurl it back at him. Ramjet survived that, only to have a tower dropped on him later by [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]]'s sharpshooting skills. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

Ramjet and his buddies tried to kidnap [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]], CEO of [[Hybrid Technologies]] but failed, miserably and repeatedly. Although they eventually captured her, it's hard to call anyone who ended up with Astoria the "winner". {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} They proved to be just as hapless when Megatron sent them on an ultra-secret mission to recover a [[Wheeljack's unnamed invention|mysterious cargo]] when even he didn't know what it was. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}} In the latest in a long series of ineptitudes, Ramjet and his flying partners were outmaneuvered by the Autobots on the ground while trying to steal an experimental superfuel. Dirge and Thrust were taken out of action when Prime and the others tricked them into flying into the side of a mountain above the road. Ramjet was too quick for them but, when the Autobots pulled exactly the same maneuver moments later, he ran into the mountain just as hard as his buddies did. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[File:AerialAssault Ramjet crashed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|It's just the time to think...]]
Dirge and Ramjet were briefly seen using Megatron's [[Lightning Bug]] in defense of the Decepticons' undersea base. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} The two were later captured by Starscream and the renegade [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], and pilfered for their energy absorbers. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Still, Ramjet was repaired rather quickly, and was seen helping Megatron and the Insecticons in another joint scheme soon thereafter. He and Dirge were commissioned to find the Insecticons when [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stole a vital part of the Space Bridge machinery. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} During a Decepticon mission in the Middle East, Ramjet helped the Decepticons create an army of drone jets out of stolen parts, commanding them as his own personal flight wing against the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s. Even with back-up, however, Ramjet was tossed out of the sky by [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}} He was briefly seen as part of Megatron's scheme to throw the moon out of orbit. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

[[File:G1toon starscream coronation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Ramjet later participated in the [[Battle of Autobot City]], where he was shot by a high-jumping [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Luckily he wasn't damaged enough by the blast to be tossed into space for being dead weight later on, and was present at [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream's]] crowning as the new Decepticon leader. Ramjet, or a random Decepticon jet with his color scheme, later flew into [[Unicron|Unicron's]] mouth and exploded. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Ramjet’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]" and the storybook "[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|Transformers the Movie]]."}}

[[File:FFOD1 Dirge and Ramjet shot down.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Here are two great grey-faced trackers: Big Blue Fathead and Big White Fathead...]]
Ramjet and Dirge were later hiding in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], but were found out by [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] and his "[[Decepticon detector]]", and the two Seekers were interrogated to reveal the location of [[Chaar]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} Ramjet was able to rendezvous with the other Decepticons on Chaar, before the [[Quintesson]]s arrived to bribe them all with energon cubes and take them to attack a group of Autobots on the planet [[Goo 8739-B|Goo]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} The attack was halted when [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] arrived an reclaimed his army. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Ramjet took part in the assault on Cybertron, and was totally blownuptified when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] decided to deal with him by chucking the conehead into a wall. Dude. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Somehow still alive and well, Ramjet was among the group of Decepticons who Galvatron lead to Carbombya to find [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and [[Octane]], only to discover that the country's oil supply produced high quality energon. When [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|Abdul Fakkadi]] tried to send a warning to the Autobots, Ramjet lead him away and locked him up. Ramjet survived the inevitable battle, and was seen retreating with the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Ramjet was among the Decepticons Megatron brought to the ''[[Trigger]]'' to confront two Starscreams, one from the present, one from the future, who were in the middle of conspiring against the Decepticon leader. When Starscream combined himself with the ''Trigger'' to create a powerful new body for himself, Ramjet had to contend with the volley of asteroids thrown towards both Autobots and Decepticons from Starscream's star gate. He was then almost sucked into a portal to a black hole when Starscream neared defeat, but was instead sent plummeting down to Earth when Optimus and Megatron worked together to defeat Starscream. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Ramjet and the Decepticons lent their support to the Earth-born [[Selector]]s, robots eager to rebel against their human makers who enslaved them. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

====''Wings Universe''====
[[File:Timelines G2Ramjet CardArt.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1]]
{{Wingsnote}}
When most of the Decepticons left for the stars with Galvatron and Scorponok, Ramjet remained behind on Earth. Without any true purpose of his own, Ramjet hired himself out as a mercenary to human dictators and criminal organizations. He caught a lucky break when he attacked the Go-Bot named [[Motormouth]] and uncovered a supply of [[forestonite]]. With this substance, Ramjet augmented himself like many of the other Transformers still on Earth. {{storylink|Ramjet (G1)/toys#Timelines|''Timelines'' Ramjet bio card}}

At some point, Ramjet officially became a member of the [[Decepticon Syndicate]] led by [[Clench (G1)|Clench]]. He broke into [[Quantum Laboratories]] and stole a number of documents of interest to [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] during one of the Syndicate's dealings with the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}
{{-}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In an unstable amalgam universe, Ramjet was one of the many Decepticons who assaulted [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian City]] in the year 2005, critically wounding [[Spay-C]] and [[Good Knight]]. Not long afterwards, he was shot down by [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]] when the Guardian leader arrived. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
Ramjet was one of the many warriors who retreated from Autobot City after Optimus Prime turned the tide, and was shocked when Starscream revealed that Megatron hadn't made it out. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
Ramjet was one of Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s warriors operating out of [[Polyhex]]. Along with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and the other [[conehead]]s, he pursued another sextet of Autobots who had just carried out some sort of raid on the [[smelting pool]], only to be forced to retreat by a torrent of liquid metal that had just been siphoned off of it. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

He continued to serve under Straxus on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] until the Decepticon overlord was assassinated. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} ''He was [[Ten Deadliest Killers|one of the most feared and deadly killers]] on Cybertron, and would have been a key target in [[Operation: Volcano]] if he hadn't been abruptly ordered to Earth by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], along with [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]].'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Thetorquerifle.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|I HATE it when I get my Schwartz twisted!]]
They were given Earth jet forms specified by Megatron and provided air support when the Decepticons attempted to exploit [[Hoover Dam]] for energy. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] arrived to deal with them, but Ramjet scored first blood for the Decepticons by ramming [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] right out of the sky. His early victory didn't help Ramjet in his fight with [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]], however, as the Autobot's [[torque rifle]] twisted his beautiful nosecone all out of shape. As the Aerialbots successfully reorganized, Ramjet led the Decepticon jets in a swift tactical advance to the rear. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

''Optimus Prime would later review footage of Ramjet's arrival on Earth and his subsequent antics to determine that his Autobots were insufficiently prepared should he meet his demise.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:Decepticons enemy action.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Even Ramjet was quick to deduce that Shockwave was the one who farted.]]
Ramjet was seen to be shot down in flames during battle against the combined forces of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]]. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

Under [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], Ramjet participated in a raid on a fleshling [[oil tanker]] alongside [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. After [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] had electronically taken command of the ship's controls, Ramjet forced the passengers onto life-rafts and had them sail off to sea. But though the Decepticons successfully took control of the ship, they did so after it had already dispensed it cargo, leaving them with no fuel for their efforts. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}}

''Later, he was among the Decepticons present when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked their [[Club Con|new underwater headquarters]], ready to try and gun down their near-invincible opponent as he breached their defenses. However, upon doing so, Galvatron told the Decepticons that he had only wished to talk to them, and that Shockwave's choice to respond to his arrival with violence had taken that option off the table. Ramjet turned to Shockwave, none-too-impressed with how he had handled the matter as Galvatron took off.'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} ''Shockwave dispatched Ramjet to [[London]] along with Thrust, Dirge, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], and [[Overbite (G1)|Jawbreaker]] to recover the deactivated [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] from the [[Thames|River Thames]], inadvertently stealing [[Richard Branson]] (or [[Mister Johnson]])'s thunder.'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} Under [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s command, he participated in a daring attack against the Autobots on the Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. The Decepticon forces were ultimately driven back when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], then squabbling over leadership of the Autobots, managed to put aside their differences for long enough to rally the Autobots into a counterattack. {{storylink|Totaled!}} Afterwards, the Decepticons disguised their island base as a tropical vacationing resort. Ramjet was put to work transporting humans to and from the island. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Decepticon fliers space pirates.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
In [[2008]], Ramjet was seen among the Decepticon fliers being led into battle by [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and his flagship, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]; the Decepticons had been fed information that the Autobots had mostly left Cybertron, leaving their territories vulnerable. This turned out to be a Quintesson ruse, and the aliens ambushed the Decepticons in a bid to forcefully colonize the Transformer homeworld. The Decepticons wound up having to temporarily join forces with the Autobots to thwart them. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Ramjetg2comics.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Shouldn't he be teal now?]]
When [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] returned and overthrew [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s command, Ramjet was aggravated that Megatron brought a revived Starscream with him. Starscream was arrogant, loud, and would never shut up, so why didn't Megatron leave him dead? Seriously, what was Megatron's problem? {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}} Optimus soon turned up, but instead of fighting Megatron, attempted to convince him to join forces against the greater threat of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus's]] [[Cybertronian (faction)|Advanced-Decepticons]]. Ramjet looked on as Megatron responded by beating Optimus to near-death, and pilfering the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]'s energies. Ramjet was blasted at when a group of Autobot reinforcements came to Prime's rescue, but the Decepticons simply retreated rather than risk losing their means to bring a [[Bludgeon's new army|new Decepticon army]] to life. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

Ramjet was among the Decepticons killed in the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]'s final attack on [[Autobase]]. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Ramjet war without end.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Perfect, now I'm ready for G2-OW, he shot me in the boob!]]
Ramjet was sporting a new paintjob and an odd lack of cone when he joined Bludgeon's forces in attacking Earth. He was shot down in battle by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
Ramjet was deactivated by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during his stint with the [[Underbase]]'s power. Thanks to Shockwave making personality back-ups of the Decepticons, he was successfully rebuilt, though a tad more unstable than he had been in his previous life. Ramjet didn't mind, especially since his death was among the many memories he had now lost. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Ramjet's profile in Club magazine #15}}

[[File:Ramjet crossing over.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
Ramjet was part of Megatron's forces on Earth years after his initial destruction. When Skywarp was reactivated as well, Ramjet was the one to inform him that Starscream was to blame for his previous deactivation. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 14|Skywarp's profile in Club magazine #14}} When the Decepticons detected [[rarified Energon|a powerful source of energy]], the Decepticons, including Ramjet, were gathered to find and exploit it. They met with a squadron of [[human]] jet fighters, but the Decepticon jets easily took care of them. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} When [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] attempted to assist the humans, Ramjet took his own name quite literally and physically knocked the Autobot aside. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} In the following battle between Autobots and Decepticons, Ramjet provided airborne fire. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} When Megatron ordered Ramjet and Starscream to enter the power source's chamber, Ramjet left Starscream behind to deal with Jetfire. Once deep inside, Ramjet spotted [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] and other Transformers and claimed the energon for Megatron just before a bomb planted by Cliffjumper blew him aside. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

[[File:GamesofDeception-Seekers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Despite the face-full of explosion, he recovered from the ordeal quickly and accompanied Starscream in his meeting with [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], However, it turned out to be a ruse and Ramjet was [[cerebro-shell]]ed by [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] as part of Bug Bite's plan to gain revenge on and wrest control from Megatron. Interference from the Autobots freed the Decepticons from Bug Bite's control and Ramjet rejoined his group in battle against the traitors and Autobots. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

At some point, Ramjet participated in an attack on a human city with his old wingmen, Thrust and Dirge. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Ramjet thrust dirge shockwave secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Ramjet was part of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s crew for the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' but shortly before the vessel's launch, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] went missing and Megatron ordered Ramjet, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to go and find him. [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] suggested that they might find him at the [[Project Dreadnought]] control hub and they arrived to find Shockwave standing over the wrecked bodies of [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]]. When they relayed Megatron's orders, Shockwave acquiesced and they returned to board the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

Ramjet and his fellow [[Conehead]]s joined in the assault on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] as it emerged from the [[Stellae Cimeterium]] but on Megatron's orders did not board the vessel with the rest of the Decepticons, instead remaining in flight mode in case any Autobots attempted to escape. When the Ark crashed into prehistoric [[Earth]] with everyone aboard, Ramjet, Dirge, and Thrust returned to the ''Nemesis'' to confront Shockwave over his inaction regarding their comrades' fates but Shockwave incapacitated them with a derivative of the [[Scraplet]] virus before heading to Earth himself to tidy up some "loose ends". {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

[[File:Coneheads drones secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
Awakening a short time later, Ramjet, Dirge, and Thrust travelled down to the surface of the planet in pursuit of Shockwave, but on arriving at the Ark they were instead confronted by five drones, constructed in the images of [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] by the Ark's computer [[Aunty|AUNTIE]] to defend against the approaching threat of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Battle was swiftly joined, though the Coneheads found the drones tough to outmanoeuvre, unencumbered as they were by Autobot morality. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}

They were then shocked to see Grimlock burst out of the Ark, locked in combat with Megatron, who was also being controlled by AUNTIE. Ramjet was the first to notice that there was something wrong with Megatron's eyes and warned Grimlock that the Decepticon leader was channelling pure [[Antimatter|anti-matter]] from a [[black hole]] before the three [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] retreated back to the ''Nemesis''. Subsequently, they reported back to [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] that they had located Megatron and the Ark, but that the ''Nemesis'' was too badly damaged to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Lord Straxus agreed to send a rescue ship for them and offered them places in his new hierarchy if they conveniently forgot all about the location of the Ark; given that the alternative was a slow and painful death, all three readily agreed to his terms. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
Ramjet was summoned by Megatron to raid a power plant of its energy, after it had been evacuated of its human occupants due to the danger of landslides in the area. As the Decepticons prepared to attack the [[Pullen Power Plant]], Ramjet nervously asked Megatron on what they were to do if they found the Autobots and Aerialbots guarding the location. Megatron dismissed Ramjet's concerns, pointing out that the Decepticons had the Stunticons as their secret weapons. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}
{{-}}

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
[[File:JawsOfTerror SlagVRamjet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|]]
Catching the Dinobots flying on route from the Antarctic towards the Autobots’ headquarters, Ramjet and the rest of the Decepticon superjets attacked them in mid-air. Ramjet managed to catch Slag unawares, and damaged the Dinobot by ramming into his side. The Decepticons then broke off their attack. {{storylink|Jaws of Terror}}

Ramjet and the other Decepticon jets took part in a series of hit-and-run attacks on Autobot superjet forces around the Pacific Rim to draw attention away from their operations on the island of [[Buru]]. {{storylink|Slaves of the Insecticons}}
{{-}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
When the Decepticons learned that the Autobots had long ago lost a large shipment of Energon cubes at the Ark's original crash site, Galvatron ordered them to head to Mt. St. Hillary to uncover it. There, Ramjet fought the Autobots over possession of it. The brawl ended when Starscream scarfed down all of the Energon, and proceeded to pick a fight with Galvatron. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===''Find Your Fate Junior''===
{{notemultipath}}
====Earthquake====
In one possible sequence of events, Ramjet was one of the many Decepticons sent out to make sure the destruction of Center City went without incident. Unfortunately for Ramjet, a hidden team of Autobots were waiting for the Decepticons' arrival, and Ramjet was shot out of the sky.

In another possible scenario, Ramjet came upon Beachcomber, Buster and Jessie snooping around the Decepticons’ newest secret headquarters. After firing a few shots at the Autobot, Ramjet swooped down and captured Jessie, bringing her within the fortress.

In one possible scenario, Ramjet encountered an Autobot raid team infiltrating the Decepticons’ base. Though he was backed up by Buzzsaw and Skywarp, the three of them were felled in one blow by Optimus Prime.{{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}
{{-}}

====Desert Flight====
Ramjet was part of a Decepticon deployment stationed in a desert base. The Decepticons plotted to lure the Autobots in a trap through the use of an anti-gravity beam. Using the beam on a nearby human settlement, the Autobots would be duped into coming to the fleshliness’ rescue, only to be themselves trapped by the effects of the beam.

If the Autobots fell into the Decepticons’ trap, Ramjet, alongside Buzzsaw, Dirge, and Thrustt would swoop down upon their helpless prey for the kill. The Autobots destroyed, they would then turn off their gravity weapon, and force the townsfolk to drill oil to fuel the Decepticon army.

If the Autobots bypassed the anti-gravity field, Ramjet was part of the squad that intercepted the Autobot convoy headed for the Decepticon base, tasked with backing-up his squad leader, Dirge. He was taken out by Powerglide, and deprived of any backup, Dirge was forced to retreat.{{storylink|Desert Flight}}
{{-}}

====Decepticon Poison====
[[File:DecepticonPoisonMegatronFlying.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Ramjet was tasked with poisoning the Autobots’ latest batch of fuel with a poison which would prevent the Autobots from assuming their robot forms. He was spotted fleeing the area around the Autobot headquarters before all of Optimus's troops had the chance to ingest the tainted fuel however, and as a result only about half of the Autobots were poisoned.

In one possible sequence of events, Ramjet then returned to the Autobots’ base, this time accompanied by Megatron and a number of Decepticon warriors. The squad met with the recently cured Autobots, and a fierce battle began between both sides. Ramjet was downed when Brawn threw a boulder at him, crippling his wing.

In another possible scenario, Megatron and his Decepticon squad were tricked into thinking that the Autobots were already dead, and strode into the Autobots’ base. The Decepticons lay down their weapons in order to carry out the Autobots’ "corpses," but were ambushed once they had disarmed themselves. Ramjet and the others were then quickly defeated.

In another possible scenario, Ramjet led the led of a full-scale Decepticon assault. The Autobots, having miscalculated on how much antidote they had taken to cure themselves of the Decepticons’ poison, found themselves falling apart, leading to an easy victory for the Decepticons.

In yet another possible scenario, the Autobots weaponized the tainted fuel, lighting it aflame as the Decepticons approached the Autobot base. Ramjet was poisoned by the toxic fumes that emerged from the fire, and crashed in a nearby hillside.

In completely different possible series of events, Ramjet and Starscream had the bad habit of loudly gloating about the Decepticons’ plan to enslave the human race, unawares that there might be Autobot spies lurking in the shadows nearby.

If the Autobots snuck up on the two Decepticons, Starscream and Ramjet were quickly overpowered and forced to watch as the Autobots destroyed the lab. Optimus then gloated to the pair, telling them that the Autobots would soon be back in full fighting force, before driving off.

In one possible scenario that followed, Laserbeak, Ramjet and Skywarp were hauling tanks of poison out of the lab when the Autobots returned, after having stolen the antidote to the Decepticon's poison from right under their noses.

One possible scenario saw the Autobots using Windcharger's magnetic abilities to levitate the drums of poison above Ramjet and company, and then ignite the poison over the Decepticons’ heads. The Decepticons were forced to retreat as their lab was destroyed.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, Ramjet was one of the many Decepticons who attempted to poison a water supply facility in order to turn the nearby human population into mindless slaves. Whether or not the Decepticons succeeded depended on what choices the Autobots made. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}
{{-}}

====Autobot Alert!====
In one possible scenario, Ramjet accompanied Galvatron on a campaign to retrieve an ancient sphere of cybertite that contained the secrets to an ancient Autobot power-booster. Learning that the sphere was located within a sunken ship off the California coast, Ramjet and the others headed for its location.

If they found the Autobots in the middle of retrieving it, the Decepticons destroyed both the ship and the sphere, and proceeded to rain superior Decepticon firepower upon their foes.

If the Decepticons found the coast deserted, they retrieved the ship themselves, using the might of Devastator.

If Ironhide, Brawn and Grapple attempted to snatch the ship away from the Decepticons, Ramjet and his comrades destroyed the ship and the sphere contained within to keep it out of Autobot hands. The Decepticons then proceeded to pin down the Autobots in their hiding spots, leaving the heroic robots at their mercy.

If Springer, Topspin and Seaspray executed their plan to retrieve the sphere from Decepticon clutches, they successfully distracted the evil robots for long enough to whisk the cybertite sphere back to Metroplex. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
{{-}}

====Project Brain Drain====
In one possible scenario, Ramjet was posted as a guard to keep safe the Decepticons’ lab. Disguised as an old building, the lab housed the Decepticons’ latest invention, a [[Brain Drain device]].

In the event that Sparkplug and Wreck-Gar attempted to infiltrate to lab and were caught by Soundwave, Ramjet was called over to block off the duo’d escape, alongside a whole detachment of Decepticons. If the pair surrendered, the Decepticons blew them up anyways. If Wreck-Gar and Sparkplug made a run for it, Ramjet was unable to halt them, and the Junkion motorcycle and his rider zoomed right past him. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

===The Official ''Transformers: Generation 2'' Annual===
[[File:G2RamjetPackageArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
On Cybertron, Ramjet was rumored to be the Decepticon who had downed the most Autobot flyers, earning him a fearsome reputation. Upon awakening on Earth, Ramjet became quite pleased with his new form, and used it to lead more stealth-oriented attacks against the enemy. {{storylink|The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual|Ramjet's ''The Official Transformers: Generation 2 Annual'' profile}}

When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] returned from a scouting mission with exciting news, Ramjet was among the Decepticons who gathered around to hear his report. Starscream's dramatic pausing throughout his story soon got on Ramjet's nerves, and he started walking away when Starscream blurted out that the Autobots had found the means to return to Cybertron. The Air Commander had eavesdropped on the Autobots, and learned that they had uncovered an ancient Cybertronian ship atop of [[Table Mountain]] in [[Africa]]. Naturally, the Decepticons attacked right away to take it for themselves. Ramjet, Skywarp, and Starscream buzzed the Autobots from above, distracting them from the approach of the Decepticons' ground forces as they scaled the mountain. The Decepticons thought they had won when the Autobots retreated, leaving the ship theirs for the taking. They realized they had been tricked when the vessel proved to be an Autobot trap that blasted them off into space uncontrollably. {{storylink|Day of the Decepticons}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:DWvol2 BrothersBurden Ramjet.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.]]
Soon after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had been selected as [[Prime (rank)|leader of the Autobots]], the Decepticons launched a massive attack on the Autobot stronghold in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Ramjet shot at a [[Guardian robot]] during this offensive, {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}} and flew to the fore of the attack as the Decepticons managed to penetrate the last of the Autobots' defenses. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

''In the early days of the Decepticon offensive, Ramjet participated in the annihilation of the city-state known as [[Praxus]] and its inhabitants. At [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s behest, Ramjet shielded an unwitting Autobot named [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] from harm during the devastation, ensuring that one living survivor would live to tell the tale of the fall of Praxus... and the might of Megatron.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

Ramjet was under the command of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in his assault on the Autobot stronghold in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] shortly after the death of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and the rise of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} After Megatron disappeared in a [[space bridge]] accident with Optimus Prime, Ramjet came to serve under Shockwave. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

The [[Micromaster]]s were thereafter developed, and recruited to both side of the conflict. But when [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]] joined the Decepticons, he soon learned that his larger compatriots didn't treat him with much respect; Thrust and Ramjet were among those who made it clear that they didn't see him as a ''true'' warrior. {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}} When [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] took over the Decepticons and posed as Shockwave to retain command over the other full-sized Transformers in the ranks, Ramjet was among the troops duped by the diminutive 'bot into launching an all-out offensive, despite their resources being at an all-time low. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} During what was meant to be a suicide mission, the Decepticons nearly claimed victory against the Autobots... until both factions' Micromasters turned up to put an end to the conflict. After the miniature 'bots began brandishing about Shockwave's decapitated head, the Decepticon forces got spooked and fled the battlefield. {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

After the [[Great Shutdown]], he continued working for Shockwave as one of his top agents, and joined his expedition to Earth to forcibly collect the crews of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|New World Order}} After Ultra Magnus arrived to take command of the team attempting to arrest the Optimus Prime's Autobots, Ramjet disobeyed orders and made a foolhardy dash for the Ark, only to be cut down in a hail of [[autogun]] fire. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Ramjet was once more operational by the time several insurgents started to rise up against Shockwave's rule. He flew over Iacon as the Dinobots rampaged through it, causing many explosions in their wake. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Ultimately, the Autobots were successful in overthrowing Shockwave's regime. After the battle's end, Ramjet was cuffed and escorted away from the battlefield. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Soon after Shockwave was dethroned, Ramjet escaped capture by Autobot authorities and met with Shockwave's remaining troops in the [[Wastelands]]. They remained there until the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] overthrew Shockwave in the name of Megatron, and Ramjet and the [[Conehead]]s returned to his control. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Ramjet and Shockwave GIJoevsTFsII3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
Along with [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], Ramjet was one of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s personal bodyguards. After a failed attempt to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] from stealing [[energon cube]]s from them, the Decepticons tried to take control of [[Teletran 3]], but were stopped by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}}

Eventually Magnus's force field around Teletran 3 went down, and Ramjet helped capture the Autobots and shoot [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in the back. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}} He later attacked the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] in his Cybertronian jet mode, but how he fared in the battle is unknown. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Ramjet participated in a savage all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots. With the Decepticons maintaining the advantage throughout the battle, Ramjet was amongst those who approached a crippled Optimus Prime, ready to dispatch the Autobot leader. Before they could deliver the finishing blow, the Dinobots combined into [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], shifting the Decepticons’ priorities. Ramjet joined several other flying Decepticons in a direct assault against The Beast, to little avail. The Beast then killed him. {{storylink|The Beast Within}} His corpse would later be one of many that littered the battlefield as Autobot survivors tried to escape the Beast. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Man and Machine, Part Two|''New Avengers/Transformers'' #2]]}}

[[File:TheIronAge Ramjet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|]]
Ramjet and several other Decepticons ambushed [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s team of Autobots near the borders of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], stopping them from apprehending [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} He was then present at the [[Jump Joint]] during Orion's little chat with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], and was caught by surprise when the other Autobots came to rescue him. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}} Megatron then led him and several other Decepticons to [[Nyon]], where they prevented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] from killing Orion Pax. {{storylink|Choices}} After Megatron and Orion joined forces to overthrow Zeta, the Seekers participated in the attack on his [[Citadel (building)|Citadel]]. {{storylink|Overthrown}}

With the death of Zeta Prime, Megatron took control of Cybertron and had his troops hunt down and arrest any Autobots who tried to resist. Ramjet helped capture [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] by cutting off the escape routes from their safe-house in [[Ultrix]]. {{storylink|Transformation (issue)|Transformation}} Ramjet battled against the Autobots when they made an assault on the Citadel but was intercepted by the newly recruited Aerialbots. {{storylink|Broadcast}}

Ramjet later fell under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} who led him and the other Seekers on an attack on the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]]. {{storylink|Faces of Darkness}} He later served as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s escort during a retreat from [[Starsreach Spaceport]]. {{storylink|Unleashed}}

Ramjet was assigned as scout and guard to an energon convoy bringing supplies to Megatron. He was too busy complaining about Megatron's orders to stay on the ground to notice the approach of Optimus Prime and Ironhide. He noticed the butt of Prime's [[ion blaster]], though. Briefly. Painfully. Before blacking out. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

[[File:Ramjet ManAndMachine.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Okay, who looked at the actual toy!?]]
Cybertron was rendered uninhabitable after [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage, {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} and some two hundred years ago Ramjet had joined up with [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s [[Infiltration protocol|infiltration unit]] to successfully infiltrate and topple a backwater planet in the [[Huni System]]. No sooner had they finished laying waste to the planet when they encountered a swarm of [[Dire Wraith]]s led by [[Vekktral]]. The alien proposed an alliance of convenience: if the Decepticons helped them attack the [[Solstar Order]], their hated foes, the Decepticons would be free to steal the [[energon synthesizer]] that belonged to the orphaned Cybertronian [[Space Knight]] [[Stardrive]]. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}}

The Decepticon-Wraith force subsequently infiltrated and laid siege to the ''[[Orchid Crossing]]'' over [[Xetaxxis]], engaging the Space Knights [[Rom]], [[Livia]], [[Auxin]], and [[Stardrive]]. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} They were unprepared, however, for the arrival of [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]]. In the chaos, one of the Wraiths attempted to merge with Sky Blast, but the resulting fusion only created an out-of-control monster that tore the station to bits. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} Ramjet and the other Decepticon fliers helped evacuate their Wraith partners to the icy planet below. Following the loss of the mutation, Ramjet joined the other Seekers as they flew to the wreckage of the ''Orchid Crossing'' and dogfought with the Space Knights. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}}

The three Coneheads continued to grapple with their organic enemies, and held out long enough for the Space Knights to refocus on dealing with an emotional Stardrive; Starscream ignored Ramjet's suggestion to strike then and there in favor of watching their enemies finish one another off. Though it appeared that help had arrived when a Vekktral-possessed Ultra Magnus intervened, the shapeshifting organics betrayed their Decepticon allies and began possessing them. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}} Thankfully, Bumblebee and the Space Knights lent a hand and helped the Decepticons drive the Wraiths off. Ramjet and the others ultimately retreated at Starscream's command after the energon synthesizer was destroyed. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

[[File:Spotlight-ramjet-big-plans.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|"...the Superstring Space Bridge will assure my eternal dominion over - what'd you call this? - oh yeah, eternal dominion over Dreamwave posing!"]]

In the modern day, Ramjet joined Megatron's unit on Earth as it was going into [[mirror response mode]] in [[Latveria]]. Due to his late arrival, Megatron didn't trust him yet, and thus refused to power him up using [[Spider-Man]]'s blood. Instead, Ramjet was assigned to guard the [[Psycho-Prism]]. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Two}} Disgruntled that Megatron didn't respect him, he seemingly ignored his duties and let [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] pass by on his way to the prism... and into [[Doctor Doom]]'s trap. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Three}} However, Doom soon betrayed the Decepticons and led [[Wolverine (Marvel)|Wolverine]] and some more Autobots to the Psycho-Prism. This time, Ramjet abandoned his duties for real and left without a fight, telling the heroes that causing Megatron's plans to fail was great, since it'd bring ''him'' one step closer to becoming [[Decepticon leader]]. {{storylink|Man and Machine, Part Four}}

[[File:Spotlight-ramjet-jetmode.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|And a few weeks later, he's evolved into his ''Classics'' toy.]]
Ramjet had aspirations to rule the universe and began to carry out a very ambitious plan to achieve this, one clearly too ambitious for his actual resources and chances but which his ego told him was working ''great''. With the 'help' of duped humans, a [[Harrison (G1)|sub-par facsimile]], and disinterested, fart-joke loving [[Mini-Constructicon]] units, he planned to acquire an [[Energon]] substitute, kill Megatron, destroy the United States, track and enslave all Cybertronians, mind-control the entire human race, and use a [[superstring spacebridge]] to dominate the galaxy. Unfortunately, Megatron had a simpler plan: beat Ramjet to death, tear out his spark, scatter his dismembered corpse across the world, and keep his severed head as a trophy. Megatron's plan worked. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}

Ramjet's remains eventually found their way into the possession of [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] and the [[Earth Defense Command]], who used them—as well as the remains of [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]—to create an army of combining [[Seeker clone]]s. {{Storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}}
{{-}}

===''Lil Formers''===
When he was called useless and ineffective, the only response Ramjet could muster up was a deep sigh. {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
Ramjet helped Starscream excavate [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] from the Arctic ice, asking the air commander how he knew the frozen Cybertronian as he worked. Starscream explained that they used to be old friends, and that their friendship would continue to prosper thanks to a mind-control helmet he planned on using on the scientist. Later, several Decepticon jets, including Ramjet, staged an attack on a human power plant, and met against the Autobots during their raid. Skyfire broke free of Starscream's control during the attack and joined the Autobots, forcing the remaining Decepticons to retreat. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4|Henkei! Henkei! #4}}

Some time later, Ramjet, Skywarp, and Thundercracker had their alternate modes graffitied by a little kid. Flaming mad, they went after the kid, who was being sped to safety by [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. The jets were able to catch up to them when Prowl pulled Sunstreaker over for speeding, but once he understood the situation, the 'cop-bot helped his fellow Autobot send the Decepticons packing. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 5}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}} {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}} {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} {{storylink|Wataru's Power}} {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}}}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 5}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 6}} {{storylink|Visualize Shot 14}}}}

===''United''===
[[File:FierceFightingOnPlanetNebulos-StraxusDecepticons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Peekaboo.]]
A [[nano-virus]] that afflicted most Autobots save the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] and the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] required [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] to lead a team to [[Nebulos]] for an anti-virus. However, the nano-virus was merely a ploy by the Decepticons to draw out the Targetmasters and Headmasters to abduct their [[Nebulan]] partners, so when the Autobots arrived on Nebulos, Ramjet and several other Decepticons were waiting for them! Ramjet and the others quickly fell into disarray, unfortunately, when their leader Straxus was singled out and defeated. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Fated Rival, Once Again...}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)|Revenge}}}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
Ramjet participated in a Decepticon attack on the Autobot shuttle carrying the [[AllSpark]]. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Ramjet followed Megatron to Earth in his quest for the Allspark. There, he encountered Omega Supreme. The battle did not go in the Decepticons' favour, and Ramjet soon found himself on the ground, his nocecone crumpled up into slag. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===

During the Great War, Ramjet was killed in an incident directly involving a [[Universal Cybertronic Tracker]]. That UCT was immortalized as an exhibit at the [[Museum of Decepticon Heritage]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
One of the Decepticons under Megatron's immediate command, Ramjet followed his leader aboard [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] when [[World War III]] turned Earth into a wasteland. Trailing the Autobots aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], the Decepticons struck above [[Cygnus Seven]] only for their boarding to send the Autobot [[Titan (group)|Titan]] crashing down into the planet below. In the 23rd century, the [[Federation]] moved in, with a survey team unwittingly reactivating Maximus's autonomous systems which proceeded to revive Megatron who reactivated his troops and led an attack on the surface. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}}

Though Decepticon firepower proved superior to the Federation's, the group retreated when the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']] was called in. Falling back to Trypticon's resting point, they soon aligned themselves with the [[Klingon Empire]]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}} When Starscream betrayed the Decepticons however, Megatron ordered the battle abandoned so he could pursue his traitorous first lieutenant. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
With Cybertron's fate sealed and the Autobots gone, the Decepticons followed them closely through space aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref> Ramjet was an [[Cybertronian military insignia|Air Force Infantry Sergeant]] and a member of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker Elite]] team. After crash landing on [[Earth]], the Seeker Elite battled the "Autobot Alliance", consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Seeker Elite marketing material}}<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-TRA-EARTHRISE-Seeker-Pack/dp/B083VMBWCK/ Seeker Elite on Amazon]</ref>

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
Ramjet was a member of [[Doubledealer]]'s crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]], hired by [[Quintesson Judge]] [[Deseeus]] to bring in the [[Autobot]]s aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to [[Chaar]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

Aboard the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'', the crew flew to the adrift ''Ark'' and infiltrated the ship. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 1}} The Mercenaries reactivated the ship and successfully brought the Autobots to Chaar, though after Deeseeus refused to pay them and Doubledealer made a new deal with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Ramjet and the others battled the [[Quintesson]]'s [[Deseeus Army Drone|forces]] and helped the Autobots escape. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

After Deseeus took control of Doubledealer's mind, Ramjet and his fellow [[Conehead]]s left the crew. [[Exhaust]] later stated he was going to do the same as them. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:LightStar Coneheads.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|]]
Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust were hired enforcers enlisted by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to increase security at the [[Hexagon]] outpost, security for Thunderwing's...''personal'' pursuits. Matters became tense when a rogue [[Titan (group)|Titan]] named [[Vigilem]] docked at [[Hexagon]], and [[Colonial Security]]'s [[Technobot (G1)|Technical Solutions Team]] insinuated themselves in the situation to apprehend him. [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]'s snooping around a secure area led the Seekers to open fire on the visitors. The Technical Solutions Team located [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]]'s laboratory where she sought to artificially recreate the [[Enigma of Combination]]. They absorbed the power of her [[Combination Core]], becoming a new Combiner named [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] that Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust tried to contain. Thunderwing ended up ejecting that section of Hexagon, and it's unclear whether the Seekers were able to navigate their way back inside as Computron was forcibly jettisoned out into space. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no.15 - Ramjet death.JPG|thumb|upright=1.0|left|"Oh come on! First I got [[Spotlight: Ramjet|killed by Megatron]], then I only got to show up [[Light/Star|one time]], and now I die instantly. When am I gonna catch a break in the comics?!"]]
Ramjet was on a standard patrol on Cybertron when he was surprised from behind and stabbed by the Autobot Bluestreak. After he was killed, Bluestreak drained him of his energon in order to keep him and his comrades running. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 15|Transformers #15}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Ramjet swooped down towards Prime in his ''Generation 2'' colors, then engaged in a brutal fight with the Autobot leader. Despite managing to blast a hole in Optimus's chest, Ramjet lost the fight. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Generation 2 comic|Generation 2 comic commercial}}
*He then flew alongside [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] over a rocky desert, shooting his blasters at apparently nothing in particular. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Jets and cars|Generation 2 jets and cars commercial}}
*Ramjet grappled with Optimus once more during a promotional video re-visiting the "Generation 2" era of the Transformers franchise. {{storylink|BotCon 2010 - Generation 2: Redux}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy''===
[[File:MysteryofConvoy jetron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|All these jets look the same, but they ''say'' one of 'em is Ramjet, so whatevs.]]
Ramjet was among the [[Decepticon]] troops who sought to destroy [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] on his journey, confronting him in the [[Wasteland Zone]]... in theory. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}

{{note|Ramjet's supposed appearance in this game is from a [[Transformers: Mystery of Convoy (promo video)|''Mystery of Convoy'' promo video]], calling him one of the "[[Seeker (body-type)|Jetron]]" foes (while using the early Starscream-colored Ramjet concept artwork). These enemies being copies of Ramjet is... dubious, especially given the poor visual resemblance.}}

{{-}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Ramjet serves under [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] as one of his Decepticon soldiers, battling [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}

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

===''Transformers Legends''===
When the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] marched on the Decepticon base, Ramjet joined [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] in bringing them to a halt. {{storylink|Day of the Dinobots - Part 2}} Ramjet was among a group of Decepticons who accidentally time travelled back to the sixth century and ended up having to battle some similarly displaced Autobots using medieval technology. They lost, and returned to the present as prisoners of the Autobots. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (Legends)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} After [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] crashed into a movie set, [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], Ramjet, and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] were sent to retrieve him and the weapon he was transporting. Unfortunately they got into an altercation with the Autobots and failed to destroy the film evidence of the crash, which subsequently made it into a blockbuster film. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (Legends)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Ramjet took part in the battle of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], attempting to take down the city's power grid with a bombing run. He and the other Decepticons fled following Megatron's defeat. {{storylink|The Battle for Autobot City}} In a series of battles led by Galvatron to overtake Autobot territory, Ramjet fought alongside Trypticon and the other Decepticons. The Decepticons emerged triumphant in the end, forcing the Autobots into a retreat. {{storylink|The Colossus War}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Minion Pig#As Ramjet}}
Ramjet appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by a Minion Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsRamjet.jpg|thumb|400px|Fly through and in outer space. Not to join him but to beat him.]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Ramjet-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px|For his adventure just be sure and stay tuned to this station.]]
Ramjet participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Ramjet''—This Uncommon character could be recruited by collecting 65 units of Cybermetal, and 30 units of Transmetal.
*''Generation 2 Ramjet''—This Super Rare character was available as a reward in the "Generation 2 Episode 1" event.
There's also a G2 Ramjet based on his Timelines toy which only appears in promotional images, including the "Transformers: Till All are One!" grand finale event.

{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Ramjet_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|Gonna smash into this here base... and I'm gonna do a thing...]]
In 1987, Ramjet raided a forwards scientific base because of an energy fluctuation. After breaking in and smashing all the automated turrets, he soon broke his way into the forwards operating lab to steal <s> all the toast</s> the Prime core. When [[Bumblebee (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|an unknown bot]] came out to confront him, Ramjet beat him into submission, only to have [[Bumblebee (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|an annoying runt]] blast him with electricity. Noticing a [[Harmony Keen|squishy fleshling]] Ramjet picked her up and threatened to crush her. Bumblebee gave up the Prime Core, but as soon as Harmony was out of the picture, Bumblebee snagged it, and knocked out Ramjet. When Ramjet woke up, he was on earth, and being pulled into a spacebridge where he later met up with Megatron and the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

Later, Ramjet demonstrated to [[Headstrong (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Headstrong]] and [[Tantrum (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Tantrum]] his method of relieving stress... which consisted of beating his head repeatedly against a wall. After some banter, the two Predacons asked if they could join in, before all of them indulged in smashing their heads against the walls, much to everyone's chagrin. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Ramjet Research}}

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating''': 2 Stars
*'''Weapons''': Ramjet uses his custom modified Null-Rays to blast everything into submission. In jet mode, he literally rams into his targets with his specially-modified nosecone.He also punches and kicks things. A lot.
*'''Ability''': Blazing Charge! - Rush into combat setting buildings on fire and dealing damage to each of them over time. The effect will spread if the building is destroyed during this time.
*'''Cost''': 3 energy points. +3 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:Ramjet Ramjet on Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:ForgedToFight-Ramjet.jpg|thumb|300px|A Toast to wrecking things! And a Toast for my new Toaster!]]

One of Starscream's most unpredictable Seekers, Ramjet takes hardheadedness to new extremes by smashing into any foes, and sometimes friends, that cross his flight path.
As a Demolitions bot, Ramjet lives to his name, Burning opponents and then Ramming with Unstoppable force and Momentum to Stun them.
{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{chargamestub}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBORamjet.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Ramjet was in command of the twelfth Decepticon base attacked and destroyed by the Autobots during a series of raids. He fought the invaders using his air advantage, but was eventually defeated. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Ramjet was a Seeker with a number of unique adaptations to support his favored battlefield tactic—ramming airborne enemies out of the sky. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
{{main|Ramjet (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
*Ramjet's name makes sense for the character, as he's a jet that rams into things. However, real-world {{w|ramjet}}s are a specialized kind of jet engine with no moving parts. They have nothing to do with jets ramming into each other. And F-15s don't have 'em. (Although, the secondary engines on his non-F-15 wings ''could'' possibly be ramjets.) His French-Canadian name is a [[w:fr:Statoréacteur|reference to this kind of engine]] and totally misses the English pun.
*The original [[character model]]s of the coneheads all feature design elements simplified from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]'s robot mode stickers - which were themselves originally recolored from [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s robot mode stickers.
*Ramjet was supposed to appear in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' episode]] "[[Nemesis Part 2]]", alongside [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and have a kickass mid-air fight scene with the [[Maximal]]s, but this didn't happen due to budget constraints.
*IDW Ramjet was robbed of his conehead in ''[[New Avengers/Transformers]]''. However, this proved to just be a mistake of the artist, as ''[[Spotlight: Ramjet]]'' depicted him in a form closely resembling his ''Classics'' toy.
*''Transformers'' fan Robowang started a meme in his [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/1c7ef3ed5be91bf3?dmode=source alt.toys.transformers signature] which claimed that Ramjet likes toast. This sort of caught on, and [[Canonizing|was referenced]] subtly in [http://www.transformersclub.com/ramjet11.cfm ''Timelines'' Ramjet's online profile].
*Rather than being based directly off of his ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' toy, Ramjet's ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' character model only retains the toy's head, with the rest of his body being a carbon copy of the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] model.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ramjet''' (ラムジェット ''Ramujetto'')
*''French:'' '''Statoréacto''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Nibbio''' (Kite bird)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Pēnqìjī''' (China, 喷气机, "Jet")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Motor''' (Portugal comics), '''Rajada''' (Brazil comics)
*''Russian:'' '''Revun''' (Ревун, "Roarer")

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersclub.com/ramjet11.cfm ''Timelines'' Ramjet's online profile]

[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Mercenaries]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Seekers]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mystery of Convoy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise characters]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

File:TF2023 no.15 - Ramjet death.JPG

2024-12-12T23:41:01Z

Tomhur: {{SkyboundEU |description=Ramjet gets killed by Bluestreak. {{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=Jorge Corona|colors=Sarah Stern|script=Daniel Warren Johnson|letters=Rus Wooton}} |series=transformers |interio...

{{SkyboundEU
|description=[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] gets killed by [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]].
{{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=[[Jorge Corona]]|colors=[[Sarah Stern]]|script=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]|letters=[[Rus Wooton]]}}
|series=transformers
|interior=y
|issueno=15
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|pageno=
|panelno=|panelnos=
|year=24}}

[[Category:Images by Jorge Corona]]
[[Category:Images by Sarah Stern]]

Void Rivals issue 10

2024-06-27T01:37:31Z

Tomhur: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Void Rivals]]'' #10
|prev=Void Rivals issue 9
|next=Void Rivals issue 11
|image=Void Rivals 10 Cover A.jpg
|caption=Looks like the Void Rivals are finally getting to this whole “Energon” thing.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 26]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=June 2024
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Lorenzo De Felici]]
|colors by=[[Patricio Delpeche]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The secrets of the past are unlocked.'''

==Synopsis==
Minister [[Dulin]] summons Premiere [[Zalilak]] to a holographic meeting, much to the latter's irritation, to inquire about the status of his son, [[Darak]]. Zalilak reluctantly admits that he still lives. Zalilak detects relief in Dulin and reminds the Minister of what is at stake, to which Dulin responds by deducing that Darak and [[Solila]] escaped. Zalilak abruptly ends the call, leaving Dulin smiling.

Meanwhile, in the wastelands, [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Proximus]] continue their duel as Darak examines the key he found on the unconscious Solila’s person. [[Handroid]] is unable to identify it, only reporting that it is "very, very old." Solila springs to life and throttles Darak, telling him not to touch the key before collapsing again. Using his transformation ability and his built-in arsenal, Springer is able to keep Proximus on the ropes, but ultimately defeats him by stabbing him into the ground with his sword; however, when Darak once again asks Springer to help Solila, Proximus is able to escape, leaving behind an arm and a leg.

Springer takes Darak and Solila to a hidden underground lab that he’s been constructing for the last century, using the remains of his crashed ship and whatever parts he could scavenge on the surface of the [[Sacred Ring]]. When Darak removes his helmet, Springer is shocked to see the [[mind eye]] crystal on his forehead, which he recognizes as actually being an [[Energon]] port! Realizing Solila has the same, Springer pours some of his Energon supply into the crystal. As she begins to awaken, Solila hears the voice of [[Zerta Trion|Zerta]] telling her that it is her destiny, as the strongest of her children, to undergo a quest that will awaken all the inhabitants of the Sacred Ring: Solila must venture into the depths of the Sacred Ring and find Zerta herself.

Solila awakens to find herself glowing pink as her body absorbs the Energon, to the astonishment of Darak and Springer. Springer explains that Energon is the fuel and food of the [[Transformer|Cybertronians]], and that while the Agorrians and Zertonians are indeed organic, their physiology has elements of a synthetic nature that appears to be Cybertronian in origin. He also reveals that the Sacred Ring itself is actually an engine that generates its own Energon, though he doesn’t know why. Darak recognizes the name "Cybertronian" from their encounter with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. Springer tells them how the war between the [[Autobot]]s and the [[Decepticon]]s and their ever-dwindling resources led him to seek out the legend of Zerta Trion, who rebelled against her fellow Cybertronians and set out to "forge a new path."

Solila asks Springer to tell her everything Zerta Trion, but their conversation is interrupted by the sound of an explosion on the surface: an entire squadron of Zertonian soldiers and weaponry has just arrived.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (3)

|h4=[[Agorrian]]s|c4=
* [[Dulin]] (2)
* [[Darak]] (5)

|h5=[[Zertonian]]s|c5=
* [[Zalilak]] (1)
* [[Proximus]] (4)
* [[Solila]] (7)
* Minister of arms (8)
* Zertonian soldiers (9)

|h6=Others|c6=
* [[Handroid]] (6)
}}

==Quotes==
"It is time for you to awaken, Solila, my child." 
"I am not asleep." 
"Zertonians, Agorrians. You are all sleeping. In a sense. "
:—'''Zerta''' and '''Solila'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* As revealed back in [[Void Rivals issue 4|issue #4]], Zalilak and Dulin have a secret channel through which they communicate.
* Zerta previously communicated with Darak the same way she did with Solila when he had his vision back in [[Void Rivals issue 2|issue #2]].
* The minister of arms mentions the resource issues that have plagued Zertonia.
* And so Energon finally makes a proper appearance in ''Void Rivals''! However, eagle-eyed readers will recall the yellow fuel that re-empowered Jetfire in [[Void Rivals issue 1|issue #1]]. Was that also some form of Energon, or simply another fuel source with some key similarites? We have seen in ''[[Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 4|#4]] that different forms of Energon with different colors are indeed possible…

===''Transformers'' references===
* At one point during his fight with Proximus, Springer brings out the wrist blaster he used during the start of the battle of Autobot City in Transformers The Movie.
* Springer alludes to the Cybertronians gaining independence from their creators, confirming that something akin to the [[Autobot Rebellion]] against the [[Quintesson]]s from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] also happened in the Energon Universe.
* Springer says that only two Cybertronians have ever earned the title of "Trion," clearly referencing [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] as the other.

===Other notes===
* This issue contains a five page preview of ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Covers (7)===
* '''Cover A:''' Solila glows with Energon, by [[Lorenzo De Felici]].
* '''Cover B:''' Solila and Darak, by [[Cory Walker]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[André Lima Araújo]] and [[Chris O'Halloran]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Solila is empowered by the Energon, by [[Marcio Takara]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The pink of Energon surrounds Solila, by [[Annie Wu]].
* '''Cover F:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover G:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.

<gallery>
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover A.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover B.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover C.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover D.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover E.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover F.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 10 Cover G.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* 5-page preview of ''Destro''
* Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for ''Void Rivals'', ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'', ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'', and ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''.

===Reprints===

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Void Rivals issues]]

The Search for Alpha Trion

2024-06-23T03:59:05Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity errors */ I hadn't seen anyone add this if they noticed it so I decided to do it myself.

{{episode
|image=Search4atelita%26prime.jpg
|caption=Disco didn't die. It just went into stasis lock.
|series=G1toon
|ep=53
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=41
|prev2=Child's Play (episode)
|next2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=36
|prev3=Sea Change
|next3=Autobot Spike
|title="The Search for Alpha Trion"
|season=2
|season ep=37
|written by=[[Beth Bornstein]]
|production code=700-52
|airdate=[[November 12]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvK_aAyizUk
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Discovering that his long-thought-dead love, Elita One, is in the hands of the Decepticons, Optimus Prime speeds to Cybertron on a rescue mission, only to end up discovering something about his own history in the process.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Femaleautobots.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|How old were ''you'' when this episode aired? Were you all like, ''ew, girls!''?]]

On Cybertron, three [[Female Autobots]] ([[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]) sneak into [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave's]] [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|headquarters]] under orders of their leader, [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]. They raid Shockwave's stockpile of [[energon cube]]s to power their fight against the [[Decepticon]]s. On the way out, Moonracer decides to try and take some extra Energon, as they desperately need it, and accidentally trips an alarm and is trapped but freed by Chromia. Shockwave, surprised to see female Autobots still alive, attempts to stop them but is stunned by being hit with some energon cubes and sends a [[Sentinel (G1)|sentinel]] after them.

[[File:Search4atelitaandalpha.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I see a bearded man in your future.]]

The Female Autobots escape the sentinel and return to Elita One, though Shockwave deduces the approximate location of their underground headquarters. Shockwave contacts [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] who sends [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] to assist in the apprehension of the Female Autobots. Rumble starts an earthquake which damages their headquarters. Elita One attempts to lure them away from the base by attacking, but is captured. Rumble continues shaking things up until Starscream believes the base is suitably destroyed, though the Female Autobots have actually survived.

[[File:Search4atelitakicks.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Self Defense against sexual harassment.]]

Megatron contacts [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and shows him the imprisoned Elita One. Optimus rushes to her rescue, even though he knows it's a trap. Apparently, 4 million years ago, Optimus and Elita had a "thing" going. Right before boarding the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Elita begged to go with him, but Optimus told her it was too dangerous. As they spoke, the Decepticons attacked [[Great Dome|Iacon]] and Elita vanished in the chaos, leaving Optimus to think she had perished. Not wishing to lose her a second time, Optimus heads for Cybertron via the Decepticon space bridge. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] become curious as to why Optimus is heading to Cybertron alone and follow in secret.

As soon as Optimus arrives, he is taken prisoner by Starscream, who dangles him over a barrel of acid to torture Elita. Rumble drops Optimus, but before he lands in the barrel, Elita uses her special power, which stops time. Elita rescues Prime, but at the cost of her own life force, as the special power uses up so much energy. Prime loads Elita into his trailer and races to find [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], the only Autobot who can save her.

Back at Shockwave's headquarters, the Decepticons believe Optimus had perished in the acid. Just then, the three Autobots arrive and attack. In the Female Autobots' underground headquarters, Moonracer comes up with a plan to dig their way out. They detonate the energon cubes they had stolen, creating an exit. They soon meet up with their male counterparts and together they take on the Decepticons.

[[File:SearchAlphaTrion Prime Elita Autobots.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|You're lucky my chick's here, m—oh, hey, so's yours.]]

Optimus eventually finds [[Alpha Trion's base‎]], and the old Autobot uses his skill to repair Elita One as best he can. In the end, Alpha Trion instructs Prime to interface with her for a power transfusion, as he is the only Autobot compatible with her design. A confused Prime remarks that only his creator could know that. After the transfusion, Elita One recovers, and the two then return to help the Autobots fight off the Decepticons. Outnumbered, the Decepticons retreat. Alpha Trion then sets the Female Autobots up with a new secret base, and the two Autobot groups bid each other farewell when the Autobots prepare to return to Earth.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (1)
* [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (2)
* [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (3)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (4)
* [[Greenlight]] (7)
* [[Lancer]] (8)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (13)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (15)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (16)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (17)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (18)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
* [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (20)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (11)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"Female Autobots? I thought they were extinct."
:—'''Shockwave''' obviously hasn't kept up to date on Cybertron's Discovery Channel.

"Such noble nonsense."
:—'''Shockwave''' disses Chromia and [[The Transformers: The Movie|gives Megatron material to rip off]].

"I can deal with Decepticons. Elita One knows no fear!"
:—'''Elita One''' need not worry about Man-Thing, then.

"Optimus Prime, something rather exciting has been discovered on Cybertron. I thought you might like to know about it."
:—'''Megatron''' calls to say he's discovered girls.

"Please, let him go." 
"Very well, my dear... let him go... into the acid!"
:—'''Elita One'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plea to '''Starscream''' to free Optimus Prime doesn't have the expected result.

"How quaint! The girls have come to rescue their boyfriends!"
:—Jealous, '''Starscream'''?

"Alpha Trion... I never expected to see you again."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' doesn't have much faith in his deadbeat dad.

==Notes==
===Production information===
First draft script submitted: 28th June 1985

===Continuity notes===
* The episode marked the first appearance of genuine [[female Transformer]]s in official fiction.
* Alpha Trion's relationship to Optimus Prime would be touched upon again in "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]", and explained more fully in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]".
* Starscream refers to Rumble's earthquake power as his "piledriver arms", giving them an in-universe name.
* "War Dawn" would also go on to explain precisely why only Prime's power supply would interface with Elita's, as seen in this episode (because she was rebuilt at the same time).
* Proof that Prime's trailer exists in subspace: He goes over the space bridge to Cybertron and transforms, and his trailer rolls in from out of nowhere!
* This episode is the fourth and final appearance of Prime's trailer's "artillery robot" in the animated series; it's seen briefly bringing Elita inside with its claw arm.
* The episode's ending sequence of pan-outs from Cybertron gives us a precise location for Decepticon Headquarters - it's in the planet's northwest quadrant, on the flat plains between the two largest buildings.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Chromia uses a built-in communicator, but unlike most Autobots, hers is in her shoulder.
** Ironhide [[Quest for Survival|again]] shoots from his retracted fingertips. This time it's an orange blast that melts a hole in the wall.
** Starscream uses his null ray; it acts more like a radio wave than an energy beam.
** And of course, Elita-One's time stop power, which creates colorful light effects when in use.
* Ironhide must hate the wall in Shockwave's base—this is at least the second time he has blown through it!
* In two of three transformation sequences for Firestar in the episode, she is shown to be a [[partformer]]. When transforming, her lower legs detach at the knee and combine to form her truck bed, while her torso becomes the cab, and reconnects before she lands on the ground. Guess this establishes that characters other than [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] can partsform too, even if their parts don't become individual [[alternate mode]]s themselves.

===Real-world references===
[[File:SearchForAlphaTrion Ramjet and Shockwave cower.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|I'd say about 20 guns. Some on the surface, some on the towers.]]
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Clashing [[lightsaber]]s as Moonracer trips the security laser.
** [[Death Star]] defense cannons as Ramjet and Shockwave shield themselves from the Autobot assault.
* The "Energy transfer" is basically the robot version of a blood transfusion, right down to the compatibility issues.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:SearchforAlphaTrion Shockwave gun mode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|He only shoots when someone tells him to.]]
* The weapon sound effects in general are "off model" throughout the whole episode. Autobots and Decepticons alike are constantly stealing the other team's laser sounds, and nobody's gun is consistent even within the episode. Many shots use a generic sci-fi laser effect that's not standard for either side. Some examples:
** Chromia's gun makes the Decepticon laser sound as she blasts open the hidden control room, and again as she tries to free Moonracer a moment later. She gets the sci-fi effect when she shoots down the Sentinel.
** Shockwave's gun arm gets Optimus Prime's laser sound effect as he shoots at Firestar; then he gets the generic sci-fi laser as he shoots at Chromia and Moonracer in the energon storage room. His gun mode shots get a sizzling explosion sound.
** Elita gets the sci-fi sound effect when she shoots at Starscream and company outside her base.
** Ramjet gets a totally random laser sound, layered over the standard Decepticon laser, as he shoots at Elita.
** The Autobots get the sci-fi effect as they open fire in Decepticon HQ. When they're having their firefight with the 'cons two scenes later, they have the standard Decepticon laser sound.
** Ironhide's finger lasers use the sound effect of Megatron's fusion cannon.
** Prime's gun gets an explosion sound effect as he shoots at Starscream.
** And we could go on.
* Likewise, the [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound effects]] are "off model" as well. Normally, a robot converting to ground [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] gets the descending pitch sound, while vehicle-to-robot gets ascending pitch.
** Firestar gets the ascending pitch transformation sound when she converts to truck mode; then she gets the descending pitch version when she converts back to [[robot mode]] at headquarters.
** As the trio escapes from Shockwave, Moonracer's transformation sound effect is missing the first part.
** Ironhide's team converts to vehicle mode with the ascending pitch sound.
** Prime returns to robot mode at the space bridge with the descending pitch sound. On Cybertron, he changes into a truck with the ascending pitch sound.
** Again, this continues ad nauseum.
*The wall that Firestar cuts through has details on it which suddenly vanish as she finishes cutting through it, and the area behind the Female Autobots is drawn as a very plain area with light gray walls (which should be purple). Chromia also says "Good shot, Firestar" in reference to cutting the hole, which... makes no sense - she didn't shoot it; she ''cut'' it.
* Moonracer removes two cubes from the second stack to reveal a black void, rather than more cubes.
* Moonracer is carrying two cubes when she triggers the trap, but as it activates, they're lying on the floor next to her. In the same shot, the security laser beam is not shown.
* When the Autobots used Shockwave's elevator, it had a door that closed before lowering. When Shockwave uses it a moment later, it lowers without the door shutting. It also doesn't seem to have a floor when Shockwave runs into it.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** How does Shockwave get a travelling-alongside view of the Sentinel floating along?
[[File:SearchForAlphaTrion-ShockwaveBackgrounds.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0|Shockwave quickly regretted showing Megatron iChat's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOP-IgoStqI&t=0m23s backdrop replace] feature.]]
* As Shockwave speaks to Megatron, who is on Earth, the purple interior of Decepticon Headquarters is visible behind him. However, as Megatron instructs Shockwave that a team would be arriving shortly, the background suddenly becomes an exterior shot - the same Cybertronian background that accompanied the view of the exploded Sentinel.
*Also, the console configuration is totally different in the last shot (as Megatron ends the communication).
* The first two energon cubes to go down the hatch lose their glowing effect for a split second as the shot cross-fades to the next shot.
* Coloring errors:
** Starscream's eyes are blue as he walks out of the space bridge elevator.
**When the Autobots are trying to work out where Prime had gone, Perceptor is represented by [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] in a red and gray color scheme.
** Prime's tires are gray instead of black as he loads Elita.
** As he gloats to Ironhide, the top and bottom of Starscream's cockpit cowling are yellow instead of gray.
**As Ironhide says, "Stop right there, Starscream. You've taken your last step.", his cheekguards are white when they should be red.
**Chromia's eyes are red during her line of "Ladies first."
**The area around Alpha Trion's eyes changes from white to gray several times in the episode, sometimes from shot to shot.
** Prime's exhaust stacks are red as he transforms at the battle site.
** Powerglide's mouthplate is medium gray as he watches Shockwave fall, rather than the same light gray as his face.
*In several shots before the first commercial break, Rumble has only one gun on his back. For the remainder of the episode, he has two.
*When Ramjet delivers the line "Maybe Shockwave made an error in his calculations", he has Astrotrain's voice, minus the space-echo effect that is used for Astrotrain.
* The crashing/smashing sound effects are notably subdued as the Autobots' headquarters collapses. Firestar gets pinned by a pipe with no sound at all.
* Elita's shot at Astrotrain is supposed to send him flying backwards. What actually happens as animated is that he ducks under the shot... then flies backwards, head over heels, for no reason at all!
* Starscream's null ray is animated as an energy wave, rather than the usual laser beam. In the same shot, the top of his cockpit cowling is colored yellow instead of gray.
* As Elita falls, Ramjet is still laying on the ground in jet mode, smoldering. In the next shot, he's in robot mode, taking Elita captive. No transformation sound is heard.
[[File:Optimus prime nomouthplate.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Very, ''very'' brief, in fact. Blink and you'll miss it. ''Don't'' blink and you'll still probably miss it.]]
*After Megatron shows Prime the image of the captive Elita, Prime's [[mouthplate]] is missing for a very brief instant.
*When Megatron tells Optimus about the Female Autobots and shows him "proof", as he asks "How's this Prime?", Elita One's mouth is moving. In fairness, with no audio, it's possible she's just saying something to her captors.
* When Prime emerges from the space bridge elevator, the pink glow of the indicator light isn't aligned with the light itself.
*When Chromia says "Oh, we need more than hope", Moonracer is shown as the one speaking.
[[File:Searchforatprimehanging.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Now we will drop Prime into a deadly vat of floor!]]
*Prime is shown hanging precariously over a vat of acid. When the shot changes to a view from above, the vat is missing. The smoke from it is still there, but it's not moving.
*When Elita revives Optimus from her stasis field, he fades from his normal colors to green, rather than the other way around. Once the fade is complete, mind you, he jumps back to his normal colors when he starts to move.
* As the Decepticons gloat, the acid is missing from the shot; only the yellow ripples on its surface are visible. And Starscream's air intake vents are red instead of black.
* Prime loads Elita into his trailer ''sideways'', meaning either Elita's really small or the trailer's really big. Later, she's shown laying lengthwise in the trailer.
* Inferno gasps "It can't be!" in response to Prime's apparent demise, but Ironhide is shown speaking.
* As the Autobots run through the hole in the wall in pursuit of the Decepticons, the background behind the hole has changed from a Cybertronic exterior to a generic interior.
* Starscream's wing insignia are missing as he starts to fall off the ledge.
*Alpha Trion says he will do what he can for Elita One, but he barely looks for 5 seconds while Prime walks away! There probably should have been a dissolve to show some passage of time.
*As Alpha Trion says, "Now it's your turn to help her," Prime's mouthplate is moving as if he's speaking the words.
*As Prime charges Elita One, the shot shows a wall behind him where the hallway was a moment earlier (unless her bed suddenly turned 90 degrees).
* When he shoots at Starscream, Prime his holding his gun by a handle that shouldn't be there, near the front of the barrel.
*When Optimus and Elita are saying their goodbyes to each other, the space bridge of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] is raised. When Optimus leaves, it is down, then raises up to send out the space bridge beam.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:TSfAT-TheSentinel.jpg|thumb|upright=0.66|Kinda like trying to use an [[oil tanker]] as a fighter jet.]]
* Why is Chromia breaking radio silence during a stealth mission? She doesn't receive any useful orders or information from Elita-One.
* Chromia is cognisant enough to know that "Shockwave may be following us," admonishing Moonracer that they were still in danger... but then does nothing about it. Rather than taking her team somewhere else or taking measures to shake anyone following them, she leads them directly back to their headquarters. It's only Elita One who spots the Sentinel, and only once they're right at the front door.
* The Sentinel is really, very, extremely not made for flight. It is a huge, bulky, awkward box with wheels on its base and no visible flight mechanisms that looks totally goofy floating along through the air. Despite this, it gets a glowing rocket engine effect on its back, precisely on the spot where there is no rocket engine.
[[File:Sfat prime and elita fb.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Everything you knew is a lie!]]
*When the Ark launched back in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", there was no indication of a Decepticon attack on [[Great Dome|Iacon]], as this episode's flashback shows.
*After Starscream is backed up to the cliff by Ironhide and Chromia, he jumps off, transforms and flies away. When the scene returns, he is standing with the other Decepticons like he never left.
*Perceptor, Bumblebee and Cliffjumper are shown in Autobot HQ, yet they don't transform or join Ironhide's team heading for the space bridge.
*As usual, Rumble's pile drivers bust up the ground (several feet away from him) but don't shake up the Decepticons standing right next to him.
*Observing the spacebridge from afar, Ironhide notes that "if Prime got past those guards" so could his team. The thing is, there ''are'' no guards, and there weren't any when Prime used the bridge, either.
*As the Decepticons are freed from Elita's stasis field, Starscream cheers, "But Prime has disintegrated!" as if responding to some unspoken line from one of the others. Sure enough, the original episode script reveals that Rumble was supposed to take note of Elita's absence. Bizarrely however, the missing line is absent from the episode's shooting script.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/5821789ca800431a/68758ddf3993e5ac Secrets of the Original Scripts, Part Five]</ref>
*As Starscream announces Prime's destruction, we see a bunch of parts in the vat of acid (what Starscream later calls Prime's "melted carcass"). Where did they come from? Prime escaped without a scratch!
* Optimus Prime apparently has no idea that Alpha Trion was his creator. Events shown in the later episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" make this a bizarre concept: Prime meets Alpha Trion after being rebuilt, and even knows that Elita One was also rebuilt by him.
*Why doesn't Shockwave shoot Optimus Prime and Elita One instead of just floating there?

===Trivia===
[[File:Search4a3 ironhide and chromia.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Dawwwwww.]]
*This is a rare human-free episode.
*The only male Transformers seen to have 'girlfriends' in this episode ALL have red as part of their color schemes.
*Since Optimus Prime and Elita One have the same creator, they are, in some way, brother and sister, which just makes their relationship look plain weird. The events of "War Dawn" show that Orion Pax and Ariel existed as non-siblings before they were remade into Optimus Prime and Elita One, though Transformers has demonstrated somewhat [[Relatives|puzzling definitions of siblings]]. It should be noted that [[human]] mythology has been directly based on {{w|Adam and Eve|a similar}} {{w|Abraham#Abraham and Sarah|premise}}, so who are we to judge?
*Greenlight and Lancer went nameless for 25 years until they finally got their monikers in the [[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]] text story ''[[Flames of Yesterday]]''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''À la recherche d'Alpha Trion'''" ("Finding Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*All the logo transitions were cut. It is unknown if it was that way for the original broadcast or if the episode was chopped for the DVD release.
::*The [[Déclic Images]] DVD version sports the title "La recherche d'Alphatrion".
::*All the male Transformers have a strongly high-pitched voice effect, although their normal voices can be slightly heard underneath.
::*Surprisingly, most of the female Transformers names are pronounced. Firestar, however, lost that game. Chromia's line "Okay Firestar, roll out!" becomes "Come on, move, you can go!", "Firestar, I told you to roll out!" becomes "'''YOU'''! Get out of here!" and Inferno's line "Firestar! Been a long time." becomes "Wow! It has been a few centuries!".
::*Moonracer's name is dodged once, Chromia's line "Moonracer!" becomes "''Are you crazy?''". Calm down, she didn't trip that alarm on purpose!
::*The whole dialogue between the female Autobots as they are driving is absent from the dub.
::*Optimus Prime's line "I will save you, Elita One... even if it means sacrificing myself" was only dubbed as "Don't worry, Elita One. I will save you".
::*The Decepticons' laugh after Optimus vanished is missing.
::*Starscream's line "Oh, quaint! The girls have come to rescue their boyfriends!" becomes "It's so cute! The girls coming to help their boyfriends, it feels like we're in a melodrama!".
::*Optimus Prime's line "Alpha Trion's base" as he arrives is missing.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Le donne Autorobot'''" ("The Autobot Women")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Energon cubes are called ''cubi energonici'' (which can be translated as "energonic cubes").
::*Once, Rumble refers to Cybertron as "their planet" instead of "our planet". You're a cybertronian too, you know that, Rumble?
::*Starscream's line: «Decepticons, retreat!» is heard too late, so you can see him moving his mouth without saying anything, and then starting talking.
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Alla ricerca di Alpha Trion'''" ("In Search of Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Alpha Trin o Sagase!'''" (アルファートリンを探せ!, "Find Alpha Trin!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 25]], [[1986]]
::*Elita-One's "special power" is instead referred to as her "secret power". Just as generic-sounding, sure, but the term "secret power" would be used again years later in Japanese continuity when Elita's Decepticon counterpart, [[Megaempress]], is introduced.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Nǚ Qìchērén '''" (女汽车人, "Female Autobots")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''À Procura de Alpha Trion'''" ("In Search for Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''V poiskah Aljfa Triona'''" (В поисках Альфа Триона, "In Search of Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
:*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Elita One (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Chromia (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Moonracer (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Firestar (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Greenlight#Toys]]''
:*''[[Lancer#Toys]]''

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1999 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 2: Revenge of the Decepticons ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 12 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R4nzEJBGj_k7L5NtLbD0wKtBD6arVPwE Episode dialogue script]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TJ3OWlKLpIdhwykgyvFgFntqEZvJ9J4s/view?usp=sharing Episode script]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Search for Alpha Trion}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2

2024-06-20T05:45:17Z

Tomhur: There's four actually. One is in the very back.

{{Comicstory
|series=joevstf2|issueno=2
|prev=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1
|next=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3
|image=devilsdue-joetf2-cover2a.jpg
|caption=New York's finest example of 'Bot Deco.
|publisher=[[Devil's Due Press]]
|date=[[October 13]], 2004
|coverdate=
|writer=[[Dan Jolley]]
|pencilers=[[E.J. Su]], [[Tim Seeley]]
|inker=[[Andrew Pepoy]]
|colorist=[[Jeremy Roberts]]
|letterer=[[Dreamer Design]]
|graphic design=[[Mike Norton]]
|editor=[[Mark Powers]]
|continuity=[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity]]
}}
'''1930s Chicago is not Percy's kind of town.'''

==Synopsis==
Team two—Roadblock, Beach Head, the Baroness and a Cobra trooper—realize they've materialized in [[1937]] Chicago. The trooper, Percy, immediately begins to freak out; [[time travel]] is just more than he can deal with. The rest, meanwhile, debate using stealth (the Baroness) vs. force (the Joes). Muscle carries the day for the moment, and the team is soon looking down at their first target, a blue and red truck. Beachhead beats information out of the goons who are loading it, and learns that a local crime boss found the truck with five other vehicles, and has them in a garage under his nightclub. The team decides to activate the robot, figuring some muscle on their side might be useful. They're in luck—it's Optimus Prime.<ref>A red and blue truck turns out to be Optimus. Go fig.</ref> A few explanations later, the team is on their way to the other targets.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Teletran 3]] tower is surrounded by a platoon of [[Decepticon]]s. Inside, Perceptor has secured Blitzwing, but Magnus is growing weary from holding the force field up. There's only 6 hours of power left.

Meanwhile, decades earlier: The Baroness, in sultry period dress,<ref>For sufficiently lax definitions of "period".</ref> is getting a tour of [[Tommy Fingers]]' nightclub. Roadblock (introducing himself as "{{w|Miles Davis}}") secures a trumpet gig with the band. After the set, he bashes his way past a few goons in back, and summons the others. The Baroness arrives, having slipped Fingers a sleeping pill. Inside, Prime and company find four cars. The Baroness learned from Fingers that the last target, a truck, is packed with dynamite to be used in a bank heist. If they forcibly reactivate him, they risk setting it off, damaging the [[Transformer]], and being unable to return him to Cybertron. To compound the problems, Prime doesn't know who they're looking at, so they debate whether to activate the four.

[[File:GIJoevstfIIprime1930s.jpg|left|275px|thumb|We direly need more retro Transformers toys. DIRELY.]]
Before a decision can be reached, however, the choice is made for them. Breakdown wasn't mode-locked at all; and he doesn't care a whit for Earth's future. He transforms, blasts Prime, and activates his three comrades—the Stunticons!

Prime and the humans flee, with the four Decepticons hot on their tail. With some suppression fire from the Joes, and a collapsed bridge, Prime just barely manages to stay ahead of them. The last Cybertronian appears ahead, but the Stunticons are still coming up fast. As they prepare to fire, the Baroness says "screw it", and blasts the truck. The dynamite goes off. The Baroness activates the last 'bot—Motormaster—who transforms and falls on his butt, with little more than a nasty headache. As they teleport back to the future, she explains her reasoning: They're giant robots! Of course dynamite's not gonna hurt them!

The pessimistic Percy exults that he's still alive.

Another time, another place, and the third team materializes—amid the ruins of a destroyed city. And what appears to be a skyscraper-sized leg.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (15)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (19)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (20)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (21)
|c2=
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (6)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (7)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (8)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (9)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (10)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (11)
*[[Octane]] (12)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (13)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (14)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (17)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (18)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (26)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (27)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (28)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (29)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (30)
*[[Ragnarok]] (31)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (3)
*[[Beachhead]] (4)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (23)
*[[Scarlett]] (24)
*[[Spirit]] (32)
*[[Barbecue]] (33)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Baroness]] (1)
*[[Percy]] (2)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (22)
*[[Doctor Mindbender|Dr. Mindbender]] (34)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (35)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (36)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Tommy Fingers]] (25)
}}

==Quotes==
"I could hogtie him, leave him here. I haven't hogtied anybody in weeks." 
"It's a thought."
:—'''Beachhead''' and '''Roadblock''' debate how to deal with a freaking-out Percy

"Y'know, under the circumstances, I actually find watching a bunch of guys get punched in the head kind of comforting."
:—'''Percy''', watching Beachhead at work

"Y'know, since we're basically here to change history... I mean, if we're successful, none of this will ever happen, right? So what's it matter if anybody sees us?" 
"''Do'' be quiet."
:—'''Percy''' critiques the plot for us; '''the Baroness''' isn't having any of it.

"I can't believe she picked ''him''. I mean, she said she'd need ''me'', right?" 
"Roadblock seemed to be the more logical choice, given the situation." 
"Y'know, it doesn't help my state of mind that I'm talking to a truck right now."
:—'''Percy''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"What's your name, son?" 
"Uh... um. I shouldn't tell you that, should I? I mean— you're a G.I. Joe." 
"I'm not going to ask you again." 
"Ah. It's, um. Percy." 
"Good. ''Shut up'', Percy."
:—'''Beachhead''' and '''Percy''' kill the time.

'''Roadblock:''' Evenin'! One o' y'all spare a cigarette? 
'''Goon #1:''' Hey man, you shines was hot tonight, but this ain't where the band cools their heels. You'd best fade. 
'''Roadblock:''' I know, brother, but I ran out of butts, and I'm dyin' for one. 
'''Goon #2:''' Okay, okay, I think I got a couple— 
:''KRAK!''
:''WHAM!''
:''BRAK!''
'''Roadblock:''' [to unconscious goons] Sorry, boys. I don't even smoke.

"Good thing I just kept quiet and listened. 'Cause I'm not locked into anything... and I really couldn't care less what happens to Earth."
:—'''Breakdown''', about to cause a lot of trouble

"Hey -- I'm still alive!"
:—'''Percy''' survives his time-travel adventures

==Notes==
*Most of the Decepticons in this issue appear in the crowd shot surrounding the Teletran 3 tower. They're tiny, however, and not all clearly identifiable.
*In the absence of Motormaster, Breakdown leads the Stunticons.
*Period alternate modes shown in this issue include:
**Optimus Prime = 6-wheeled truck
**Breakdown = cool
**Dead End = sweet
**Drag Strip = awesome
**Wild Rider = kickass
**Motormaster = 6-wheeled truck
*Cover A features Wheeljack integrated into the design of [[New York City]]'s Chrysler Building. Neither Wheeljack nor New York appear in the issue. Red herring!
*As with last issue, the whole issue is pretty much slathered in awesome.
*The final panel shows four titanic Decepticons rampaging across a ruined landscape. Three are in silhouette and the closest one only has part of his leg visible, but he's colored like the robot on [[:File:Joetfii 03a.jpg|next issue's cover]], which was printed on the back cover of this issue. In [[2015]], the Facebook blog [[Ask Vector Prime]] would identify him as [[Ragnarok]], a powerful Decepticon who was shunted from the ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''-verse into a [[Primax 1104.10 Lambda|parallel universal stream]] so that the time travellers could complete their mission.
*Years later, Adam Pollina would use the fact he'd drawn a variant cover for this comic to claim he'd worked on ''both'' franchises for, er, "Marvel". It wasn't his most egregious claim!<ref>[http://www.theadampollinastore.com/about/ Pollina's website]: "Adam was hired by Marvel Comics at the age of 23 to retool the X-Men franchise, transforming this flagging title into one of Marvel’s best selling comics of the 90’s. This success lead to more work for Marvel and DC Comics on such characters as Superman, G.I. Joe, Spiderman, Hellboy and Transformers"</ref>

===Covers===
*'''Cover A:''' Art Deco Wheeljack and some mug with a tommy gun, by [[E. J. Su]] and [[Jeremy Roberts]].
*'''Cover B:''' Dead End and Drag Strip stare blankly ahead, plus the Joes and Baroness, by [[Adam Pollina]] and Jeremy Roberts.
*'''Second Printing:''' ''The War Within'' (???) Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Jazz, and Bumblebee and Snake-Eyes, Duke, Scarlett, Flint, and Roadblock charge into battle on Cybertron, by Su, Seeley, and Pepoy.
<gallery>
File:Devilsdue-joetf2-cover2a.jpg
File:Devilsdue-joetf2-cover2b.jpg
File:Devilsdue-joetf2-secondprinting.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' DVDs
*''Battle of the Planets'' and ''The Best of G-Force'' DVDs
*''Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury'' game
*G.I Joe Fan's Choice Figure Pack
*Dreamer Design
*''Misplaced'' #4
*''Mu'' #1
*''Mega City'' #3
*''The Blade of Kumori''
*''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' #35
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II'' #3]]

===Reprints===
Other than [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II#Collections|collections of the full series]]
*N/A

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

[[Category:Devil's Due issues]]

Hybrid Technologies

2024-06-19T19:06:47Z

Tomhur:

'''Hybrid Technologies''', sometimes shortened to '''Hy-Tech''' is a major electronics corporation on [[Earth]]. The founder of the company died, leaving it to his daughter, [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]]. Apparently, the [[Autobot]]s had heard of this company, as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was impressed that Ms. Carlton-Ritz was now the proprietor of the business. {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}}

They're [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz|ALL DOOMED.]]

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
{{stub}}

===Live-action film series===
HyTech was the parent company of [[Symultech Industries]], and was owned by a hotel heiress. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

===Energon Universe===
{{stub}}

[[Category:Generation 1 businesses]]

Astoria Carlton-Ritz

2024-06-19T04:38:31Z

Tomhur: Adding Energon Universe section

:''Astoria Carlton-Ritz is a [[human]] from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:G1 Astoria Carlton-Ritz.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|"Didn't I say I never hang out with the Hilton sisters?"]]
After the death of her father, '''Astoria Carlton-Ritz''' inherited his vast fortune as well as his company, [[Hybrid Technologies]]. Spoiled rotten, Astoria is mostly a figurehead with little control over the company's goings-on. Instead, she spends most of her time throwing herself lavish parties and wondering why nobody wants to be her friend. She has the bizarre ability to jinx any mechanical device just by coming into contact with it, which is just one more reason why she keeps away from her father's company and its equipment. Her father gave her a necklace with a top secret formula and requested she never take the necklace off. Astoria also has a thing for [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]].

She probably spends her time with the Hilton sisters.

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Laurie O'Brien]] (English), [[Run Sasaki]] (Japanese)|[[Maria Böhme]] (German), [[Mônica Rossi]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Astoria kisses Powerglide.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The original Kiss Player.]]

While Astoria was throwing herself a birthday party (being attended by the board of her late father's company), the [[Conehead]]s came trying to kidnap her, as [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] believed that she had her father's energy formula. Powerglide, who was passing by, rescued her and took her to the [[Autobot]]s' [[New York City]] base. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], believing that the [[Decepticon]]s wanted access to the company's industrial capabilities, ordered Powerglide to escort her back home. However, the Coneheads again attacked, this time succeeding in capturing Astoria and leaving Powerglide damaged.

Astoria was taken to the [[Sky Platform]], the Decepticons' new power-gathering facility, where [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] attempted to interrogate her about her father's formula with the [[psycho-probe]], but got nowhere. Megatron then tried his own hand at interrogating her. What he experienced was frustration beyond anything [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] could hope to cause. Finally, Powerglide arrived and managed to rescue her. While no one was looking, Astoria destroyed the gem in her necklace, which contained the formula Megatron sought. She was then sent home, while Powerglide seemed to experience some sort of strange reaction in his circuits. {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===
{{Wingsnote}}
In [[2012]], she visited [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and encountered [[Dirk Manus]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}

===''Legends'' comic===
Astoria was one of the many women brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Tigatron]] using the [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra-drill]] in an attempt to get women who liked him better than [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. It did not work out, as all of the women brought over eventually swooned over Springer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}}

===''Energon Universe''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Destro issue 1}}}}

==Notes==
[[File:Astoria strength.JPG|upright=0.85|thumb|She is probably stronger than [[:File:RollForIt FloppyDisk destruction.jpg|Chip Chase]].]]
* The name "Astoria Carlton-Ritz" is a play on two famous hotels, the {{w|Waldorf-Astoria Hotel|Waldorf-Astoria}} and {{w|Ritz-Carlton}}.
* When her mind was being probed, the psycho-probe said that Astoria's mind was "completely empty". Let's not speculate what this means. Let's also not dwell on the fact that sending 90,000 volts through her brain simply made her laugh.
* She was slammed by Powerglide a few times without getting hurt. (Not that way.) Not to mention, practically thrown out of the room for "jinxing" the controls and pushed off when the Sky Platform was falling.
* She can tear a metal cover with her bare hands.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Astoria Carlton-Ritz''' (アストリア・カールトン=リッツ ''Asutoria Kāruton-Rittsu'')

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carlton-Ritz, Astoria}}
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon humans]]
[[Category:Legends humans]]
[[Category:Wings Universe humans]]

Scarlett issue 1

2024-06-17T22:14:33Z

Tomhur: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' #1
|prev=
|next=
|image=Scarlett 1 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 5]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=June 2024
|written by=[[Kelly Thompson]]
|art by=[[Marco Ferrari]]
|colors by=[[Lee Loughridge]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Scarlett must undergo her most dangerous mission yet: braving a storm to infiltrate the shadowed world of Clan Arashikage to save her best friend!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Scarlett|Sergeant Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara]] infiltrates a party at a private compound in [[Monaco]] looking for information about a group of hostages. She suggests to her superiors that the hostages could be on site, but they remind her that even if their intel is incorrect, she is ordered ''not'' to engage. Scarlett identifies their target, a buyer named "[[Bartleby]]", but is soon distracted by the sight of a woman with a tattooed symbol that she vaguely recognizes, only to realize the woman is [[Jinx]], an old friend of hers who went missing two years ago. Noticing that Jinx and several men are wielding swords, she requests permission to engage but is repeatedly denied. She then notices a series of symbols scrawled on the wall: a code from Jinx telling her not to get involved. Jinx and the swordsmen free the women being held hostage, leading to a brawl with the compound's security. Scarlett — against the orders of her superiors — engages, grabbing a crossbow and taking out the rest of the security detail, saving Jinx and allowing her to escape with one of the hostages.

Later, in [[Washington, D.C.]], Scarlett is berated by her superior, Major [[Gorman]], for her insubordination and causing an international incident. Though she defends her actions, she is ultimately kicked out of Gorman's unit. Angrily returning to the home she used to share with Jinx, she finds that her home has been broken into by [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], who has come to her with a mission. He reveals that Jinx disappeared while on a mission to infiltrate Clan [[Arashikage]], a rising power in the global arms race. Because of how close Jinx and Scarlett were — having developed their own code of symbols to communicate secretly, as Jinx did back in Monaco — Stalker wants Scarlett to infiltrate the Arashikage, retrieve Jinx, and also find a secret weapon that the Arashikage possess. Stalker tells her that she'll have to go in alone, with her only backup being her pilot, [[Snow Job|Harlan "Snow Job" Moore]], whom Scarlett has worked with before. She accepts.

Snow Job takes her up in a helicopter to her target location: a hidden fortress at the top of a snow-covered mountain, guarded by a number of ninjas. She fights her way through the ninja to reach her intended target: the [[Hard Master]], the leader of the clan. She apologizes for the interruption, and reveals her intentions, offering her services to the Arashikage. The Hard Master questions if he needs her services, which Scarlett insists he does. However, she is swiftly knocked out from behind by the Hard Master's most loyal servant: [[Storm Shadow]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[United States military]]|c1=
* [[Scarlett]] (1)
* [[Gorman]] (4)
* [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (5)
* [[Snow Job]] (6)

|h2=[[Arashikage]]|c2=
* [[Jinx]] (3)
* Arashikage ninjas (7)
* [[Hard Master]] (8)
* [[Storm Shadow]] (9)

|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Bartleby]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"--caused an international incident that will takes weeks to clear up! Is there anything you want to offer in your defense?"

"No sir."

"No sir ''what!?'' I can always hear the 'but' with you O'hara. What smartass thing do you have to say today soldier?"

"I suppose I would ask how the victims and their families feel about being home, instead of us coming home on intel on where they were going to be... sir."
:—'''Gorman''' is told not so subtly by '''Scarlett''' where he can shove it.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Back in ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 2|#2]], Stalker displayed his martial arts prowess, saying he learned a roundhouse kick from "a friend." This issue reveals that he received some of his training from the Arashikage.
* Storm Shadow makes his first full appearance this issue after being glimpsed on a computer screen in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 5|#5]].
* It isn't entirely clear when exactly this series takes place relevant to the other Energon Universe ''Joe'' titles: Stalker makes no overt reference to [[G.I. Joe (team)|the new team]] formed at the end of [[Duke issue 5|''Duke'' #5]], so while it's possible Jinx's operation was merely a standard military op, it could have been under the purview of the Joes.

===G.I. Joe references===
* In a departure from previous Energon Universe Joe comics, most of the cast of Scarlett does not seem to be based on their Classified Series toys: Scarlett's main uniform (seen only on the covers) is an updated interpretation of her classic costume, while Storm Shadow wears an original design. The one exception to this is Jinx.
* During the skirmish in Monaco, Scarlett grabs a crossbow, her signature weapon.
* Stalker training with the Arashikage plays on his history with both Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes from back in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|Marvel series]].
* Scarlett's snow uniform is based on Snow Job's usual attire.
* Snow Job is shown in flashback using a sniper rifle. The original Snow Job’s file card made note of his expertise in such weapons.
* Jinx's real name is conspicuously never addressed in this first issue. Originally, her true identity was classified top-secret, with all that was known about her identity being that her family had ties to the Arashikage clan and later she's identified as Storm Shadow's cousin. The [[Devil's Due Press]] comics introduced her given name as "Kimi Arashikage", while noting that "Kimi" might be a nickname. This name was later used in ''G.I. Joe: Renegades'' cartoon, and it has also been given as just "Kim" starting in 2012. HOWEVER. This isn't true of every version of Jinx. IDW's [[Hasbro Universe]] incarnation was a Chinese-American with some martial arts background but not a ninja, though they later introduced the character of "Ronin/[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]" as a stand-in for the original after Jinx's death. The 2019 IDW G.I. Joe series introduced a half Japanese-American, half Korean version named Elaine Song. What route will this series take? Only time will tell!

===Errors===
* In her letter at the end of the book, Thompson writes the G.I. Joe slogan as "GO JOE" instead of "YO JOE".

===Other trivia===
* Scarlett notes that Snow Job is a "good guy" both on and off the battlefield, which is slightly out of step with his usual characterization as a perpetual con artist and prankster.
* This is the first #1 issue in the Energon Universe to contain no references to Transformers.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Scarlett with the Arashikage symbol in blood in the snow, by Marco Ferrari and Lee Loughridge.
* '''Cover B:''' Scarlett, Jinx, and the Arashikage, by [[Joëlle Jones]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Gleb Melkinov]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett on explosion background, by [[Steve Epting]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Stalker, by [[Leonardo Romero]].
* '''Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Storm Shadow, by [[Jonboy Meyers]].
* '''Cover G (1:250 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Storm Shadow, by [[David Mack]].
* '''Cover H:''' Blank sketch cover.
* '''Cover I:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover J:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.
* '''616 Comics / Tuxedo Tiger Comics exclusive A:''' by [[Marco Turini]].
* '''616 Comics / Tuxedo Tiger Comics exclusive B:''' by Marco Turini.
* '''Black Saber Comics exclusive:''' by [[Freddie E. Williams II]].
* '''Stadium Comics exclusive:''' by [[Laura Braga]] and [[Prasad Rao]].
* '''Syndicate Comics / Southern Comics Cartel exclusive:''' by [[Deegan Puchkors]] and [[James Offredi]].
* '''Comic Kingdom Creative exclusive:''' by [[Sajad Shah]].
* '''CBNS / Stronghold Collectibles exclusive:''' by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''Rabbit Comics exclusive A:''' by [[Junggeun Yoon]].
* '''Rabbit Comics exclusive B:''' by [[Ivan Tao]].

<gallery>
File:Scarlett 1 Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover B.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover C.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover D.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover E.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover F.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover G.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover H.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover I.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover J.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Marco Turini Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Marco Turini Cover B.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Black Saber Comics Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Stadium Comics Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Deegan Puchkors Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Comic Kingdom Creative Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Andrew Wildman Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Rabbit Comics Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Rabbit Comics Cover B.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Five page preview for ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Scarlett Volume 1: Special Mission''''' ([[November 6]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534329552 / ISBN 978-1534329553 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Scarlett V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Special Mission''''' – cover art by Marco Ferrari and Lee Loughridge
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Scarlett issues]]

Scarlett issue 1

2024-06-17T22:12:57Z

Tomhur: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' #1
|prev=
|next=
|image=Scarlett 1 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 5]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=June 2024
|written by=[[Kelly Thompson]]
|art by=[[Marco Ferrari]]
|colors by=[[Lee Loughridge]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Scarlett must undergo her most dangerous mission yet: braving a storm to infiltrate the shadowed world of Clan Arashikage to save her best friend!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Scarlett|Sergeant Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara]] infiltrates a party at a private compound in [[Monaco]] looking for information about a group of hostages. She suggests to her superiors that the hostages could be on site, but they remind her that even if their intel is incorrect, she is ordered ''not'' to engage. Scarlett identifies their target, a buyer named "[[Bartleby]]", but is soon distracted by the sight of a woman with a tattooed symbol that she vaguely recognizes, only to realize the woman is [[Jinx]], an old friend of hers who went missing two years ago. Noticing that Jinx and several men are wielding swords, she requests permission to engage but is repeatedly denied. She then notices a series of symbols scrawled on the wall: a code from Jinx telling her not to get involved. Jinx and the swordsmen free the women being held hostage, leading to a brawl with the compound's security. Scarlett — against the orders of her superiors — engages, grabbing a crossbow and taking out the rest of the security detail, saving Jinx and allowing her to escape with one of the hostages.

Later, in [[Washington, D.C.]], Scarlett is berated by her superior, Major [[Gorman]], for her insubordination and causing an international incident. Though she defends her actions, she is ultimately kicked out of Gorman's unit. Angrily returning to the home she used to share with Jinx, she finds that her home has been broken into by [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], who has come to her with a mission. He reveals that Jinx disappeared while on a mission to infiltrate Clan [[Arashikage]], a rising power in the global arms race. Because of how close Jinx and Scarlett were — having developed their own code of symbols to communicate secretly, as Jinx did back in Monaco — Stalker wants Scarlett to infiltrate the Arashikage, retrieve Jinx, and also find a secret weapon that the Arashikage possess. Stalker tells her that she'll have to go in alone, with her only backup being her pilot, [[Snow Job|Harlan "Snow Job" Moore]], whom Scarlett has worked with before. She accepts.

Snow Job takes her up in a helicopter to her target location: a hidden fortress at the top of a snow-covered mountain, guarded by a number of ninjas. She fights her way through the ninja to reach her intended target: the [[Hard Master]], the leader of the clan. She apologizes for the interruption, and reveals her intentions, offering her services to the Arashikage. The Hard Master questions if he needs her services, which Scarlett insists he does. However, she is swiftly knocked out from behind by the Hard Master's most loyal servant: [[Storm Shadow]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[United States military]]|c1=
* [[Scarlett]] (1)
* [[Gorman]] (4)
* [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (5)
* [[Snow Job]] (6)

|h2=[[Arashikage]]|c2=
* [[Jinx]] (3)
* Arashikage ninjas (7)
* [[Hard Master]] (8)
* [[Storm Shadow]] (9)

|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Bartleby]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"--caused an international incident that will takes weeks to clear up! Is there anything you want to offer in your defense?"

"No sir."

"No sir ''what!?'' I can always hear the 'but' with you O'hara. What smartass thing do you have to say today soldier?"

"I suppose I would ask how the victims and their families feel about being home, instead of us coming home on intel on where they were going to be... sir."
:—'''Gordon''' is told not so subtly by '''Scarlett''' where he can shove it.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Back in ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 2|#2]], Stalker displayed his martial arts prowess, saying he learned a roundhouse kick from "a friend." This issue reveals that he received some of his training from the Arashikage.
* Storm Shadow makes his first full appearance this issue after being glimpsed on a computer screen in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 5|#5]].
* It isn't entirely clear when exactly this series takes place relevant to the other Energon Universe ''Joe'' titles: Stalker makes no overt reference to [[G.I. Joe (team)|the new team]] formed at the end of [[Duke issue 5|''Duke'' #5]], so while it's possible Jinx's operation was merely a standard military op, it could have been under the purview of the Joes.

===G.I. Joe references===
* In a departure from previous Energon Universe Joe comics, most of the cast of Scarlett does not seem to be based on their Classified Series toys: Scarlett's main uniform (seen only on the covers) is an updated interpretation of her classic costume, while Storm Shadow wears an original design. The one exception to this is Jinx.
* During the skirmish in Monaco, Scarlett grabs a crossbow, her signature weapon.
* Stalker training with the Arashikage plays on his history with both Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes from back in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|Marvel series]].
* Scarlett's snow uniform is based on Snow Job's usual attire.
* Snow Job is shown in flashback using a sniper rifle. The original Snow Job’s file card made note of his expertise in such weapons.
* Jinx's real name is conspicuously never addressed in this first issue. Originally, her true identity was classified top-secret, with all that was known about her identity being that her family had ties to the Arashikage clan and later she's identified as Storm Shadow's cousin. The [[Devil's Due Press]] comics introduced her given name as "Kimi Arashikage", while noting that "Kimi" might be a nickname. This name was later used in ''G.I. Joe: Renegades'' cartoon, and it has also been given as just "Kim" starting in 2012. HOWEVER. This isn't true of every version of Jinx. IDW's [[Hasbro Universe]] incarnation was a Chinese-American with some martial arts background but not a ninja, though they later introduced the character of "Ronin/[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]" as a stand-in for the original after Jinx's death. The 2019 IDW G.I. Joe series introduced a half Japanese-American, half Korean version named Elaine Song. What route will this series take? Only time will tell!

===Errors===
* In her letter at the end of the book, Thompson writes the G.I. Joe slogan as "GO JOE" instead of "YO JOE".

===Other trivia===
* Scarlett notes that Snow Job is a "good guy" both on and off the battlefield, which is slightly out of step with his usual characterization as a perpetual con artist and prankster.
* This is the first #1 issue in the Energon Universe to contain no references to Transformers.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Scarlett with the Arashikage symbol in blood in the snow, by Marco Ferrari and Lee Loughridge.
* '''Cover B:''' Scarlett, Jinx, and the Arashikage, by [[Joëlle Jones]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Gleb Melkinov]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett on explosion background, by [[Steve Epting]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Stalker, by [[Leonardo Romero]].
* '''Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Storm Shadow, by [[Jonboy Meyers]].
* '''Cover G (1:250 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Storm Shadow, by [[David Mack]].
* '''Cover H:''' Blank sketch cover.
* '''Cover I:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover J:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.
* '''616 Comics / Tuxedo Tiger Comics exclusive A:''' by [[Marco Turini]].
* '''616 Comics / Tuxedo Tiger Comics exclusive B:''' by Marco Turini.
* '''Black Saber Comics exclusive:''' by [[Freddie E. Williams II]].
* '''Stadium Comics exclusive:''' by [[Laura Braga]] and [[Prasad Rao]].
* '''Syndicate Comics / Southern Comics Cartel exclusive:''' by [[Deegan Puchkors]] and [[James Offredi]].
* '''Comic Kingdom Creative exclusive:''' by [[Sajad Shah]].
* '''CBNS / Stronghold Collectibles exclusive:''' by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''Rabbit Comics exclusive A:''' by [[Junggeun Yoon]].
* '''Rabbit Comics exclusive B:''' by [[Ivan Tao]].

<gallery>
File:Scarlett 1 Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover B.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover C.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover D.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover E.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover F.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover G.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover H.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover I.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover J.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Marco Turini Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Marco Turini Cover B.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Black Saber Comics Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Stadium Comics Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Deegan Puchkors Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Comic Kingdom Creative Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Andrew Wildman Cover.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Rabbit Comics Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Rabbit Comics Cover B.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Five page preview for ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Scarlett Volume 1: Special Mission''''' ([[November 6]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534329552 / ISBN 978-1534329553 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Scarlett V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Special Mission''''' – cover art by Marco Ferrari and Lee Loughridge
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Scarlett issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 9

2024-06-16T04:30:04Z

Tomhur: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #9
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 8
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 10
|image=Transformers 2023 9 Cover A.jpg
|caption=Where's [[Dai Atlas]] when you need him?
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 12]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=June 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The battles on Earth and Cybertron finally collide, with horrifying consequences for Optimus and his allies.'''

==Synopsis==
As the [[Autobot]]s near the [[Decepticon]]s' location in the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] activates a device from the bridge of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. From an antenna atop the ship, a whirlpool begins to form and a beam of pink energy fires into the sky which grazes [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], sending the Autobot jet careening to the bottom of the ocean floor. As the Autobots are thrown from their companion, they are confronted by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s as they work on the device — a [[space bridge]], through which [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] steps through! The Autobots scramble to fight back as the Decepticons converge on them. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] is cornered by Soundwave, wielding Shockwave in his gun mode, but is saved from execution by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] taking the blast for him and allowing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to intervene. Shockwave quickly engages the Autobot leader, eager to pay him back after their last encounter.

In [[Farmingham]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] make their way back to the dam, hoping to repair their [[energon]] turbine with supplies from the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Carly is eager to learn how to fight, but Arcee informs her that being linked is more about looking out for each other than it is fighting. However, a mile out from the dam, they are confronted by the [[Farmingham milita]]. Carly rushes out in front of the militia and urges them to stand down, telling them the Autobots are the good guys. Meanwhile, at [[Farmingham Hosptial]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] learns from the doctor that his spine was grazed by the bullet when the militia accidentally shot him. Spike asks if he'll ever walk again, but the doctor's words of reassurance are interrupted by the sound of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], who has come looking for Spike. Though he doesn't wish to to harm any "lesser beings", he threatens to destroy the hospital if Spike doesn't come with him; Spike agrees without hesitation.

[[File:TF2023 no 9 - Beachcomber Rescues Spike.jpg|left|thumb|"Aren't you a little short for—Oh wait [[Star Wars (franchise)|wrong franchise]]".]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are cornered by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. Unable to find an escape, Elita follows a pink glow at the end of a corridor, discovering the portal Shockwave used to come to Earth, arriving on the alien world in the midst of Optimus and Shockwave's battle. The Combaticons begin to follow them through, with [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] giving the order to merge. Without missing a beat, Elita grabs Prime's [[ion blaster]] and fires at the space bridge. Onslaught leaps through, but [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] is caught in between the portal and is bisected as it closes. Soundwave orders the Decepticons to eliminate the rest of the Autobots and they open fire on Cliffjumper and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Elita insists that she and Optimus retreat, dragging both him and Magnus away from the combat. Soundwave prepares to go after them, but Shockwave tells him to focus on repairing the space bridge. The cyclopean Decepticon then discovers the abandoned Cliffjumper and Jazz, eager to have new subjects to "experiment" with.

As Astrotrain approaches the Pacific, he tells Spike about how Cybertron has been plagued with disease, but that the resources of Earth will help the Decepticons save their world, even at the cost to the humans. Spike protests, but Astrotrain nonchalantly says that it is simply the way for "a weaker species." Astrotrain also reveals that he will be delivered to Shockwave as an offering from Soundwave to experiment with the native lifeform. As they approach the coastline, a blue-and-white machine attaches to the Decepticon, shutting off his engines and sending him crashing to the shore. The side of Astrotrain is torn open by [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], who's here to rescue Spike!
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (1)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (7)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (14)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (15)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (24)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (25)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (29)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (8)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (10)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (11)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (21)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (22)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (23)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (26)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (27)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (28)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (16)
* Militia (17)
* Doctor (18)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (19)
* Hospital security (20)
}}

==Quotes==
"Still sniveling. Still slimy. Still '''weak'''." 
"'''Weak?''' Did you forget our last meeting, Shockwave? Shall I make you cry for mercy a '''second''' time?"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Optimus'''

"You fought dirty last time, Optimus. But I have learned much since that day. '''''Your ending shall be slow and brutal.'''''"
:—'''Shockwave''' drives home how he's changed.

"It must be surprising to you, seeing us standing in front of you, in all our metallic glory. But where we hail from is a shell of its former self. Our home is in need of sustenance. And look at the land you live in. Your resources are immeasurable and ripe for the taking." 
"But... this is our ''home!''" 
"Such is the way for a weaker species. I feel sorry for you, human."
:—'''Astrotrain''' teaches '''Spike''' how colonization works.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Jetfire is now sporting an [[Insignia|Autobrand]], something which must have occurred in between panels [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|last issue]].
* The Decepticons who fired on Elita's team in [[Transformers (2023) issue 7|issue #7]] are confirmed to have been the Combaticons. In their previous appearance, only their shadowed silhouettes were seen.
* Spike was shot by one of [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]]'s militia in [[Transformers (2023) issue 3|issue #3]].
* So why ''does'' Soundwave want Spike as a test subject for Shockwave when presumably any human will do? Could it perhaps have something to do with the fact Spike is responsible for Ravage getting shot in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]] and this is a bit of petty revenge?
* So we weren't crazy, that ''was'' Beachcomber hiding in the shadows [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|last issue]]. He didn't appear to be part of the resurrected Ark crew and he didn't come through with Elita and Magnus, so how the heck did he get to Earth?

===''Transformers'' references===
* The Combaticons are colored in their [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] colors.
* In something of a counter-reference, Shockwave is acting unusually emotional throughout the issue, even ''laughing'' at one point. In a series that has taken pains to recapture the personality traits of the G1 cast, this is a glaring exception; time will tell if it was artistic license (or, uh, error) or a setup for an upcoming in-story personality adjustment.

===Real-world references===
* Shockwave paraphrases the human idiom "tickled pink," replacing "pink" with his own "purple."
* As noted in the opening blurb of the letters page, Daniel Warren Johnson is ecstatic that Jorge Corona didn't bat an eye at the direction of drawing Shockwave performing {{w|The Undertaker}}'s signature {{w|Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Kneeling reverse_piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver}} finishing move on Optimus.

===Errors===
* Shockwave uses the word "welp" as an insult. It should be spelled "[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whelp whelp]"; the word "[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/welp welp]" is a corruption of "well", typically used to express helpless exasperation.

===Other trivia===
* In a franchise first, Shockwave's gun mode is shown to shrink down to a size that a "normal" character like Soundwave can wield. In all prior media, Shockwave's gun mode had been a gigantic levitating contraption, not requiring anyone to hold it and in any case too big for all but [[The Revenge of Bruticus|the largest bearers]].

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus holds the world on his shoulders ala {{w|Atlas (mythology)|Atlas}}, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Shockwave and his victims, by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Shockwave, by [[Jonathan Wayshak]] and [[David Baron]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The Combaticons, by [[David Baldeón]] and [[Rex Lokus]].
* '''Cover F:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover G:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover F.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover G.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skyboundent/gi-joe-a-real-american-hero-compendium-set Kickstarter for the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' Hardcover Compendiums]]
* 5-page preview of ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' ([[November 27]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534345272 / ISBN 978-1534345270 
** Collects issues #7–12.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V2.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 8

2024-06-16T04:21:48Z

Tomhur: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #8
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 7
|prev2=Transformers Energon Universe Special story
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 9
|image=Transformers 2023 8 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 8]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=May 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''As the Autobots ready themselves to go on the offensive, Soundwave begins a plan to bring Earth under Decepticon rule!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Carly (G1)|Carly]] brings [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] to a lake outside [[Farmingham]], thinking it will help his recovery to get some fresh air. When she asks how he feels, Spike tells her he doesn't feel ''anything''. Carly says that with the world changing, they have to protect themselves. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] joins them, even offering them colas, but Carly is still angry at him for not killing [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], feeling like she can't trust him anymore. She storms off, leaving Spike to comfort a dejected Cliff.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] carries the mangled body of a delirious [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] through the fortress, looking for an exit. Having experienced over a hundred fifty years of torture, Magnus begs Elita to kill him. Elita apologizes for taking so long to find him and assures him that she won't let him go again, but ultimately promises to follow Magnus's order—for both of them—if they are captured.

In the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[USS Henry Harrison|U.S.S. ''Henry Harrison'']] makes its way towards [[Washington (state)|Washington]] when [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] attack. Thundercracker pities the humans, and when the Captain begs for his life, he begins to let them go. Soundwave points out that while they pose no threat to them, they will likely inform their superiors about their attack, and thus they cannot be allowed to go free. He blasts the humans fleeing on lifeboats.

On the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] is still trying to use [[Teletraan I|Teletraan One]] despite the interference of [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], whose fusion with the computer gives him more control over it and whom Wheeljack can't remove without compromising what remains of Teletraan. Optimus pities the Seeker for what his fellow [[Decepticon]]s did to him, especially after seeing a video log of him getting ripped apart. However, Carly enters carrying a missile launcher, planning to kill what remains of Skywarp. Optimus tries to talk her down, but her finger slips on the trigger, sending the missile headed towards the computer. However, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] takes the shot, saving Teletraan and Skywarp, much to Carly's distress. Grateful to be saved, Skywarp uses Teletraan to fix Wheeljack's legs. Optimus tries to use this as a teaching moment for Carly, but she's not having any of it and storms off to her van. Arcee follows after her, and Carly apologizes. Carly admits that she’s confused why the [[Autobot]]s don't act like the giant badass robots she sees, but Arcee reveals that before Optimus brought them together, they were all scattered and lost. She tells Carly that while Optimus tries to hide it, his losses are greater than anyone's.

Later, Optimus awakens from a dream where he sees himself with a human child as the boy grows through the years. He questions what these visions mean, but is soon distracted by the newly-awoken [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], whom [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] was able to save from death, but unfortunately, he is now [[Transformation paralysis|mode locked]] and blind, much to Jetfire's horror. Optimus apologizes, trying to justify it as an allocation of resources, but when he turns to leave, Jetfire begs him to stay, not wanting to be left alone in the darkness. Optimus agrees to sit with him awhile.

[[File:TF2023 no. 8 - Nemesis Underwater.jpg|200px|thumb|left]]

Having sunk the ''Henry Harrison'', Soundwave and Thundercracker follow it down to the sea floor, where the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have been unearthing the key to Soundwave's ultimate plan: the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', the ship which brought the Decepticons to Earth all those years ago! As the Decepticons work to repair the ship, they hear a loud banging coming from inside the ship's brig. Soundwave orders the Decepticons open it, much to their trepidation, saying they need all the help they can get. As the doors open, an enraged [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] tears through them, demanding to know where [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is. As he tears through the smaller Decepticon warriors, Soundwave tries to get him to calm down, saying that they don't know where Megatron is now, but promising to give him to Astrotrain when they find him.

Back at the ''Ark'', Wheeljack detects the activation of the ''Nemesis''. Optimus orders the Autobots to board Jetfire so that they might finally take the fight to their enemy. Carly insists on coming, but Optimus refuses, telling her she isn't a warrior. Arcee offers to take Carly on as her [[iron apprentice]]—a sacred bond between (typically) an older and younger Cybertronian that marks the beginning of a [[clan]], and the same relationship Ultra Magnus had with Arcee many years ago. Optimus reluctantly agrees, but orders them to instead stay at the Ark with Wheeljack to defend their home and watch over Spike as the rest of the Autobots depart in Jetfire.

On the ''Nemesis'', Thundercracker asks when the ship will take to the skies, but Soundwave reports that that will require too much [[energon]]. What they really need is the ship's antennae, which will allow them to finally call for reinforcements. Soundwave activates the monitor on the ship's bridge, and the image of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] appears.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]? (4, see "Continuity notes" below)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (5)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (12)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (13)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (18)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (21)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (15)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (16)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (17)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (20)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (22)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (1)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (2)
* Captain of the ''Henry Harrison'' (8)
* "[[Skip (EU)|Skip]]" (9)

|c4=
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"That's why we have to protect ourselves, Spike. And we've got big metal warriors now. They can help us get the ones who killed our dads!" 
"But...my dad ''wasn't'' killed. He gave himself up for those robots, I can't help but think of how he disappeared. No body, no ashes, just ''gone''. Just like Jimmy. I didn't realize how much I needed him until he went away. I didn't know how bad it could get until now..." 
:—'''Carly''' and '''Spike''' discuss their reactions to their respective fathers deaths

"I don't get it. You're all huge and powerful! Total badasses. How come you don't '''act''' like it?" 
"We weren't always like this. We were scattered and lost before the war started on our planet. Optimus brought us together. He desires peace above all else." 
"Easy for '''him''' to say." 
"He doesn't speak of it often, but believe me-- His losses could fill a chasm."
:—'''Carly''' struggles to believe '''Arcee''' and the Autobots aren't warriors

"I... had to use what was left at my disposal. We needed a way to travel around this world in order to save it." 
"Is that what I am to you now? A '''husk?''' I cannot move. Everything is... black. I cannot see the '''stars''' anymore."
:—'''Optimus''' faces the repercussions of bringing '''Jetfire''' back to life

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Hidden in the shadows on the first page is a bot whose few identifying features look suspiciously similar to [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], who was previously seen getting shot in a flashback to Cybertron in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issue #2]]. What is he doing here?
* Carly mentions that Starscream killed Bumblebee back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]].
* Cliffjumper’s refusal to kill Starscream occurred in [[Transformers (2023) issue 6|issue #6]].
* Wheeljack has been operating as only a torso since he was revived in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issues #4]].
* Skywarp getting torn apart to repair Teletraan One happened in issues #4 and [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|#5]].
* The Decepticons might not know where Megatron is, but readers who picked up the [[Energon Universe Special 2024]] certainly do.
* Arcee's relationship with Ultra Magnus was first glimpsed [[Transformers (2023) issue 7|last issue]].
* Clans were first mentioned back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 3|issue #3]].
* After previously appearing in ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 4|#4]] and being alluded to last issue, Shockwave finally makes his first appearance in the ''Transformers'' title proper.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Introduced in this issue is the ''Nemesis'', the classic Decepticon flagship seen in both the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]]. Its name and fate - crashed and at the bottom of the ocean - first appeared in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' finale two-parter, "[[Nemesis Part 1|Nemesis]]".
* The Decepticons operating out of a crashed spaceship at the bottom of the ocean is yet another element pulled from the Generation 1 cartoon. However, it should be noted that, while the ''Nemesis'' was depicted as crashing into the ocean in the aforementioned ''Beast Wars'' episode, the Decepticon headquarters of the Generation 1 cartoon was actually a different ship, the ''[[Victory (G1)|Victory]]''.

===Real-world references===
* While the colas go unbranded, they are colored with red packaging of {{w|Coca-Cola}}.

===Errors===
* The establishing caption for the U.S.S. ''Henry Harrison'' again misspells the name as ''Henry Harrisson''.

===Other trivia===
* It is confirmed in the fan mail section that Frenzy (the [[FIRRIB|red one]] in this continuity) perished during the dam battle in Issue #5.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Elita One, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Thundercracker attacks the ''Henry Harrison'', by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Astrotrain, by [[Ethan Young]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The ''Nemesis'' in the sky over Optimus Prime, by [[Paul Azaceta]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* 5-page preview of ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' [[Scarlett issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' ([[November 27]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534345272 / ISBN 978-1534345270 
** Collects issues #7–12.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V2.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 8

2024-06-16T04:21:07Z

Tomhur: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #8
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 7
|prev2=Transformers Energon Universe Special story
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 9
|image=Transformers 2023 8 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 8]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=May 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''As the Autobots ready themselves to go on the offensive, Soundwave begins a plan to bring Earth under Decepticon rule!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Carly (G1)|Carly]] brings [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] to a lake outside [[Farmingham]], thinking it will help his recovery to get some fresh air. When she asks how he feels, Spike tells her he doesn't feel ''anything''. Carly says that with the world changing, they have to protect themselves. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] joins them, even offering them colas, but Carly is still angry at him for not killing [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], feeling like she can't trust him anymore. She storms off, leaving Spike to comfort a dejected Cliff.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] carries the mangled body of a delirious [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] through the fortress, looking for an exit. Having experienced over a hundred fifty years of torture, Magnus begs Elita to kill him. Elita apologizes for taking so long to find him and assures him that she won't let him go again, but ultimately promises to follow Magnus's order—for both of them—if they are captured.

In the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[USS Henry Harrison|U.S.S. ''Henry Harrison'']] makes its way towards [[Washington (state)|Washington]] when [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] attack. Thundercracker pities the humans, and when the Captain begs for his life, he begins to let them go. Soundwave points out that while they pose no threat to them, they will likely inform their superiors about their attack, and thus they cannot be allowed to go free. He blasts the humans fleeing on lifeboats.

On the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] is still trying to use [[Teletraan I|Teletraan One]] despite the interference of [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], whose fusion with the computer gives him more control over it and whom Wheeljack can't remove without compromising what remains of Teletraan. Optimus pities the Seeker for what his fellow [[Decepticon]]s did to him, especially after seeing a video log of him getting ripped apart. However, Carly enters carrying a missile launcher, planning to kill what remains of Skywarp. Optimus tries to talk her down, but her finger slips on the trigger, sending the missile headed towards the computer. However, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] takes the shot, saving Teletraan and Skywarp, much to Carly's distress. Grateful to be saved, Skywarp uses Teletraan to fix Wheeljack's legs. Optimus tries to use this as a teaching moment for Carly, but she's not having any of it and storms off to her van. Arcee follows after her, and Carly apologizes. Carly admits that she’s confused why the [[Autobot]]s don't act like the giant badass robots she sees, but Arcee reveals that before Optimus brought them together, they were all scattered and lost. She tells Carly that while Optimus tries to hide it, his losses are greater than anyone's.

Later, Optimus awakens from a dream where he sees himself with a human child as the boy grows through the years. He questions what these visions mean, but is soon distracted by the newly-awoken [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], whom [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] was able to save from death, but unfortunately, he is now [[Transformation paralysis|mode locked]] and blind, much to Jetfire's horror. Optimus apologizes, trying to justify it as an allocation of resources, but when he turns to leave, Jetfire begs him to stay, not wanting to be left alone in the darkness. Optimus agrees to sit with him awhile.

[[File:TF2023 no. 8 - Nemesis Underwater.jpg|200px|thumb|left]]

Having sunk the ''Henry Harrison'', Soundwave and Thundercracker follow it down to the sea floor, where the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have been unearthing the key to Soundwave's ultimate plan: the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', the ship which brought the Decepticons to Earth all those years ago! As the Decepticons work to repair the ship, they hear a loud banging coming from inside the ship's brig. Soundwave orders the Decepticons open it, much to their trepidation, saying they need all the help they can get. As the doors open, an enraged [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] tears through them, demanding to know where [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is. As he tears through the smaller Decepticon warriors, Soundwave tries to get him to calm down, saying that they don't know where Megatron is now, but promising to give him to Astrotrain when they find him.

Back at the ''Ark'', Wheeljack detects the activation of the ''Nemesis''. Optimus orders the Autobots to board Jetfire so that they might finally take the fight to their enemy. Carly insists on coming, but Optimus refuses, telling her she isn't a warrior. Arcee offers to take Carly on as her [[iron apprentice]]—a sacred bond between (typically) an older and younger Cybertronian that marks the beginning of a [[clan]], and the same relationship Ultra Magnus had with Arcee many years ago. Optimus reluctantly agrees, but orders them to instead stay at the Ark with Wheeljack to defend their home and watch over Spike as the rest of the Autobots depart in Jetfire.

On the ''Nemesis'', Thundercracker asks when the ship will take to the skies, but Soundwave reports that that will require too much [[energon]]. What they really need is the ship's antennae, which will allow them to finally call for reinforcements. Soundwave activates the monitor on the ship's bridge, and the image of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] appears.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]? (4, see "Continuity notes" below)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (5)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (12)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (13)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (18)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (21)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (11)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (15)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (16)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (17)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (20)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (22)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (1)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (2)
* Captain of the ''Henry Harrison'' (8)
* "[[Skip (EU)|Skip]]" (9)

|c4=
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"That's why we have to protect ourselves Spike. And we've got big metal warriors now. They can help us get the ones who killed our dads!" 
"But...my dad ''wasn't'' killed. He gave himself up for those robots, I can't help but think of how he disappeared. No body, no ashes, just ''gone''. Just like Jimmy. I didn't realize how much I needed him until he went away. I didn't know how bad it could get until now..." 
:—'''Carly''' and '''Spike''' discuss their reactions to their respective father's deaths

"I don't get it. You're all huge and powerful! Total badasses. How come you don't '''act''' like it?" 
"We weren't always like this. We were scattered and lost before the war started on our planet. Optimus brought us together. He desires peace above all else." 
"Easy for '''him''' to say." 
"He doesn't speak of it often, but believe me-- His losses could fill a chasm."
:—'''Carly''' struggles to believe '''Arcee''' and the Autobots aren't warriors

"I... had to use what was left at my disposal. We needed a way to travel around this world in order to save it." 
"Is that what I am to you now? A '''husk?''' I cannot move. Everything is... black. I cannot see the '''stars''' anymore."
:—'''Optimus''' faces the repercussions of bringing '''Jetfire''' back to life

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Hidden in the shadows on the first page is a bot whose few identifying features look suspiciously similar to [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], who was previously seen getting shot in a flashback to Cybertron in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issue #2]]. What is he doing here?
* Carly mentions that Starscream killed Bumblebee back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]].
* Cliffjumper’s refusal to kill Starscream occurred in [[Transformers (2023) issue 6|issue #6]].
* Wheeljack has been operating as only a torso since he was revived in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issues #4]].
* Skywarp getting torn apart to repair Teletraan One happened in issues #4 and [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|#5]].
* The Decepticons might not know where Megatron is, but readers who picked up the [[Energon Universe Special 2024]] certainly do.
* Arcee's relationship with Ultra Magnus was first glimpsed [[Transformers (2023) issue 7|last issue]].
* Clans were first mentioned back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 3|issue #3]].
* After previously appearing in ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 4|#4]] and being alluded to last issue, Shockwave finally makes his first appearance in the ''Transformers'' title proper.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Introduced in this issue is the ''Nemesis'', the classic Decepticon flagship seen in both the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]]. Its name and fate - crashed and at the bottom of the ocean - first appeared in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' finale two-parter, "[[Nemesis Part 1|Nemesis]]".
* The Decepticons operating out of a crashed spaceship at the bottom of the ocean is yet another element pulled from the Generation 1 cartoon. However, it should be noted that, while the ''Nemesis'' was depicted as crashing into the ocean in the aforementioned ''Beast Wars'' episode, the Decepticon headquarters of the Generation 1 cartoon was actually a different ship, the ''[[Victory (G1)|Victory]]''.

===Real-world references===
* While the colas go unbranded, they are colored with red packaging of {{w|Coca-Cola}}.

===Errors===
* The establishing caption for the U.S.S. ''Henry Harrison'' again misspells the name as ''Henry Harrisson''.

===Other trivia===
* It is confirmed in the fan mail section that Frenzy (the [[FIRRIB|red one]] in this continuity) perished during the dam battle in Issue #5.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Elita One, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Thundercracker attacks the ''Henry Harrison'', by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Astrotrain, by [[Ethan Young]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The ''Nemesis'' in the sky over Optimus Prime, by [[Paul Azaceta]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 8 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* 5-page preview of ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' [[Scarlett issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' ([[November 27]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534345272 / ISBN 978-1534345270 
** Collects issues #7–12.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V2.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 6

2024-06-15T01:55:50Z

Tomhur: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 5
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 7
|image=Transformers 2023 6 Cover A.jpg
|caption=''[[Iridescent|When you were standing in the wake of devastation'' ''When you were waiting on the edge of the unknown...]]''
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[March 13]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=March 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=Daniel Warren Johnson
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The Autobots face total devastation! And the loss of one of their bravest soldiers...'''

==Synopsis==
The [[Autobot]]s and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky Witwicky]] attempt to take cover inside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] attacks. Having fallen behind, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] attempts to assist, but [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] advises him instead to look for an alternate way into the Ark so that they can find more firepower. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] cackles in delight at the destruction wrought by the [[Decepticon]] [[combiner]], only to be summarily kicked in the face by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Devastator grabs Prime and tosses him around, severely injuring the Autobot leader. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] drags him into the Ark while [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] lays down suppressive fire. Devastator then grabs [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and attempts to drag him out, forcing the Autobots to close the Ark’s bay doors and cutting off Ratchet’s leg in the process. Devastator tries to punch through the door, but [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] orders him to stop as to not damage their sanctuary, instead suggesting getting into the Ark by digging through the mountain; Devastator complies. Cliffjumper and Carly scale the side of the mountain and reach the access port on the back of the ship, however they are soon confronted by Starscream.

[[File:SparkyIsOneWithTheMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|''Remember all the sadness and frustration?'' ''And let it go, let it go''.]]
The other Autobots get Optimus onto a table, but Ratchet tells them that his wounds are too severe for him to fix. As he starts to succumb to his injuries, Optimus apologizes to his friends for leading them on false hope. He takes the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his chest and attempts to give it to one of them, but is so weakened he drops it on the floor. Sparky approaches it, contemplating that every-time something bad has happened to the people he cares about, he’s always wondered if he could have somehow taken their place. He places his hand inside the Matrix and asks Optimus to tell [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] how proud he is of him before entering the Matrix completely, renewing its energy and repairing Prime in the process. Revitalized, Prime says Sparky will not be forgotten and promises to protect Spike and the whole world. At that moment, Devastator breaks through the ceiling of the ship, but a resolute Prime simply grabs him by the finger and rips it off! He then grabs his [[ion blaster]] and uses it in tandem with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]’s fusion cannon to unleash hell on the giant gestalt.

[[File:TF2023 no. 6 – Soundwave Rejects Prime's Olive Branch.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|''You felt the gravity of tempered grace, falling into empty space'' ''No one there to catch you in their arms'']]
Meanwhile, Starscream has Cliffjumper pinned down and gloats about how he massacred the Autobot's clan. As the two grapple, Carly aims one of the Transformers' guns at Starscream and fires. Cliffjumper then takes the gun and aims it directly at Starscream's head. He tells the Seeker that he's always wondered what this moment would feel like, ready to pull the trigger... but he can't do it. Carly angrily reminds Cliff of everything Starscream has done, but Cliff is simply too tired of all the fighting and death. However, his hesitation gives Starscream the chance to recover and he grabs Carly and begins to squeeze. Outside, Optimus leads Devastator to the edge of a cliff, goading him to follow him. As Devastator attempts to rush Optimus, Prime maneuvers under the giant and pushes him over the edge, where he falls right on top of Starscream and frees Carly from the Decepticon's grip. With their leader damaged, the Decepticons decide to retreat, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] hauling Starscream away. Optimus attempts to make peace with Soundwave so that the two sides can work together to save [[Cybertron (planet)|their home]], but Soundwave rejects the parlay and flies off with Thundercracker.

Back at the [[Farmingham]] Hospital, Spike wakes up. The Doctor tells him not to speak, so on a nearby piece of paper Spike writes just one thing: "Where's my dad?"

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (6)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (7)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (8)

|c2=
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (5)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (11)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (12)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (13)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (14)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (15)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (16)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (17)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (18)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)

|c3=
* ''[[Jimmy Witwicky]]'' (1)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky Witwicky]] (2)
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (9)
* Nurse (20)
* Doctor (21)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (22)
}}

==Quotes==
"My men. Jimmy. Spike. Whenever something bad happened to them... I'd always think... ''"If only I could have taken their place. If only it was me instead of them."'' Maybe now is my chance. I know you're going to care for this world like I care for my boys." 
"Sparky..." 
"Watch over them for me? And when Spike wakes... Tell my son I'm proud of him." 
"You will not be forgotten, Sparky. And I promise, I will protect your son. I will protect the whole Earth."
:—'''Sparky''' gives his life to energize the Matrix as '''Optimus Prime''' swears to protect humanity.

"Make no mistake, Soundwave... I desire '''peace'''. But I am no fool."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives Soundwave a warning.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Ratchet is missing most of his left leg when we first see him, reflecting the injury inflicted upon him by Scavenger at the end of [[Transformers (2023) issue 5|last issue]]. He loses the other leg to Devastator later in the issue... which cruelly, ironically recalls his buddy [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], who was working as only his top half back at the dam.
* Thundercracker continues to believe that the Autobots are to blame for what Starscream and Soundwave did to [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] at the end of [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issue #4]].
* The opening Carly and Cliffjumper (and later Starscream) climb into is the exact same hexagonal opening to Teletraan One's room that's been shown in nearly every issue up to this point, beginning ''all'' the way back with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] flying in through it in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]].
* Cybertronians were shown to not have the concept of “father” in [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|issue #2]]. To be fair to Starscream, even ''we'' weren't aware the guy named "[[Davey]]" he crushed was Carly's dad until the end of that same issue!
* Starscream was established to have wiped out Cliffjumper’s clan in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issue #4]].
* As he's dying, Optimus recalls [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s dying words from [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]].
* Though it is shaped near-identically, the Cybertronian pistol Carly fires at Starscream isn't actually the one Cliffjumper was using – we can see Carly running towards it at the very start of the fight.
* Optimus finds a new way to use the fusion cannon in his vehicle mode other than the oversized smokestack seen in the previous issue: it mounts backwards on his truck roof to serve as a powerful rocket booster he uses to race ahead of Devastator as he lures him to the cliff's edge.

===Transformers references===
* Optimus' near death is an homage to his death in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', with panels even recreating specific shots from the scene.
* As Optimus unleashes his firepower on Devastator and leaps to kick the combiner in the face, the sound effects of those two panels spell out "AW YEAH" and “YOU KNOW THE SONG,” cueing the reader to hear "[[The Touch]]" by [[Stan Bush]], the song from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' used whenever Optimus does something insanely awesome. According to Daniel Warren Johnson, initially he planned on using the actual lyrics to the song, but Hasbo vetoed it because they would have had to get permission from Stan Bush first.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gf3prR5PK0]</ref>
* This isn’t [[Optimus Prime (comic)|the first time]] Optimus has asked Soundwave to put their conflict behind him.

===Real-world references===
* Starscream raises "{{w|Sign of the horns|the horns}}" with both hands as he watches Devastator stomp across the battlefield.
* Jazz's musical references continue, as he says that Optimus "might be coming up on that final encore..."
* Continuing the pro-wrestling moves from previous issues, Optimus performs a {{w|Dropkick#Missile dropkick|missile dropkick}} on Devastator's face.
* Optimus' license plate, as seen when he drives away from Devastator, reads "MF." As amusing as it might be to consider the possibility of a hard swear sneaking its way into a ''Transformers'' comic, this is almost certainly short for "[https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/murder-falcon Murder Falcon]", continuing the gag of DWJ using license plates to reference his previous work with Skybound.
* This issue ends with a dedication thanking [[Peter Cullen]] for the inspiration for the story from Daniel Warren Johnson.

===Errors===
* In the fourth panel on page one, Jazz is miss-colored as Cliffjumper.
* In the fifth panel on page one, Jazz and Sparky have seemingly teleported to the opposite side of Optimus.
* On page eleven, when Optimus tears off Devastator’s finger, the leaking Energon is blue, when it should be yellow.
* In the second panel on page sixteen, Devastator has all of his fingers. Optimus had torn one off by that point.
** Two panels later, the error is seemingly fixed, and Devastator is drawn missing a finger…but it’s the wrong one. Optimus tore off the right ring finger, not the middle.
* * On page twenty, panel five, Scrapper’s helmet is colored green, when it should be black.

===Other trivia===
* In the physical release, the moment where Optimus tosses Devastator onto Starscream is a vertical double-page spread, requiring the reader to turn the comic in a way that mimics the motion of Optimus’ action, as well as acting as a callback to a similar moment from issue #1 when Optimus and Ratchet transformed for the first time.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Sparky stands over a defeated Optimus Prime, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus lies before Devastator, by [[André Lima Araújo]] and [[Chris O’Halloran]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover by [[Orlando Arocena]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Devastator winds up a massive punch, by [[Eric Canete]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The Autobots standing their ground inside the ''Ark'' as seen from Devastator's perspective, by [[Joe Quinones]] and [[Stacey Lee]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 6 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 6 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 6 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 6 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 6 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Extremity'' Signature Edition by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]] [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skyboundent/extremity-signature-edition on Kickstarter]
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 3|#3]], ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 4|#4]], and [[Void Rivals]] [[Void Rivals issue 8|#8]].
* Daniel Warren Johnson original art and commissions at [https://www.felixcomicart.com Felix Comic Art]

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' ([[May 8]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398171 / ISBN 978-1534398177 
** Collects issues #1–6.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''Transformers Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Direct Market Exclusive''' ([[May 8]], [[2024]]) 
** Variant cover version of the above trade paperback, exclusively sold through the comic book direct market.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' – cover art by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 DM Variant.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Jonboy Meyers]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

File:TF2023 no 9 - Beachcomber Rescues Spike.jpg

2024-06-15T01:48:45Z

Tomhur:

{{SkyboundEU
|description=It turns out that [[Beachcomber (G1)| Beachcomber]] did not bite the dust.
{{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=[[Jorge Corona]]|colors=[[Mike Spicer]]|script=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]|letters=[[Rus Wooton]]}}
|series=transformers
|interior=y
|issueno=9
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|pageno=
|panelno=|panelnos=
|year=24}}

[[Category:Images by Jorge Corona]]
[[Category:Images by Mike Spicer]]

Transformers (2023) issue 9

2024-06-14T00:23:39Z

Tomhur: /* Synopsis */ This image got removed from the Beachcomber page (For understandable reasons) but I didn't want the image to go to waste so I thought I'd try putting it here. Hope it's okay.

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #9
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 8
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 10
|image=Transformers 2023 9 Cover A.jpg
|caption=Someone ought to get him a chiropractor.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 12]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=June 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The battles on Earth and Cybertron finally collide, with horrifying consequences for Optimus and his allies.'''

==Synopsis==
As the [[Autobot]]s near the [[Decepticon]]s' location in the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] activates a device from the bridge of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. From an antenna atop the ship, a whirlpool begins to form and a beam of pink energy fires into the sky which grazes [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], sending the Autobot jet careening to the bottom of the ocean floor. As the Autobots are thrown from their companion, they are confronted by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s as they work on the device — a [[space bridge]], through which [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] steps through! The Autobots scramble to fight back as the Decepticons converge on them. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] is cornered by Soundwave, wielding Shockwave in his gun mode, but is saved from execution by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] taking the blast for him and allowing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to intervene. Shockwave quickly engages the Autobot leader, eager to pay him back after their last encounter.

In [[Farmingham]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] make their way back to the dam, hoping to repair their [[energon]] turbine with supplies from the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Carly is eager to learn how to fight, but Arcee informs her that being linked is more about looking out for each other than it is fighting. However, a mile out from the dam, they are confronted by the [[Farmingham milita]]. Carly rushes out in front of the militia and urges them to stand down, telling them the Autobots are the good guys. Meanwhile, at [[Farmingham Hosptial]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] learns from the doctor that his spine was grazed by the bullet when the militia accidentally shot him. Spike asks if he'll ever walk again, but the doctor's words of reassurance are interrupted by the sound of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], who has come looking for Spike. Though he doesn't wish to to harm any "lesser beings", he threatens to destroy the hospital if Spike doesn't come with him; Spike agrees without hesitation.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are cornered by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. Unable to find an escape, Elita follows a pink glow at the end of a corridor, discovering the portal Shockwave used to come to Earth, arriving on the alien world in the midst of Optimus and Shockwave's battle. The Combaticons begin to follow them through, with [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] giving the order to merge. Without missing a beat, Elita grabs Prime's [[ion blaster]] and fires at the space bridge. Onslaught leaps through, but [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] is caught in between the portal and is bisected as it closes. Soundwave orders the Decepticons to eliminate the rest of the Autobots and they open fire on Cliffjumper and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Elita insists that she and Optimus retreat, dragging both him and Magnus away from the combat. Soundwave prepares to go after them, but Shockwave tells him to focus on repairing the space bridge. The cyclopean Decepticon then discovers the abandoned Cliffjumper and Jazz, eager to have new subjects to "experiment" with.

[[File:TF2023 no 9 - Beachcomber Rescues Spike.jpg|left|thumb|"Aren't you a little short for—Oh wait [[Star Wars (franchise)|wrong franchise]]".]]As Astrotrain approaches the Pacific, he tells Spike about how Cybertron has been plagued with disease, but that the resources of Earth will help the Decepticons save their world, even at the cost to the humans. Spike protests, but Astrotrain nonchalantly says that it is simply the way for "a weaker species." Astrotrain also reveals that he will be delivered to Shockwave as an offering from Soundwave to experiment with the native lifeform. As they approach the coastline, a blue-and-white machine attaches to the Decepticon, shutting off his engines and sending him crashing to the shore. The side of Astrotrain is torn open by [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], who's here to rescue Spike!
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (1)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (7)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (14)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (15)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (24)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (25)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (29)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (8)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (10)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (11)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (21)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (22)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (23)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (26)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (27)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (28)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (16)
* Militia (17)
* Doctor (18)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (19)
* Hospital security (20)
}}

==Quotes==
"Still sniveling. Still slimy. Still '''weak'''." 
"'''Weak?''' Did you forget our last meeting, Shockwave? Shall I make you cry for mercy a '''second''' time?"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Optimus'''

"You fought dirty last time, Optimus. But I have learned much since that day. '''''Your ending shall be slow and brutal.'''''"
:—'''Shockwave''' drives home how he's changed.

"It must be surprising to you, seeing us standing in front of you, in all our metallic glory. But where we hail from is a shell of its former self. Our home is in need of sustenance. And look at the land you live in. Your resources are immeasurable and ripe for the taking." 
"But... this is our ''home!''" 
"Such is the way for a weaker species. I feel sorry for you, human."
:—'''Astrotrain''' teaches '''Spike''' how colonization works.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Jetfire is now sporting an [[Insignia|Autobrand]], something which must have occurred in between panels [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|last issue]].
* Spike was shot by one of [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]]'s militia in [[Transformers (2023) issue 3|issue #3]].
* So we weren't crazy, that ''was'' Beachcomber hiding in the shadows [[Transformers (2023) issue 8|last issue]]. He didn't appear to be part of the resurrected Ark crew and he didn't come through with Elita and Magnus, so how the heck did he get to Earth?

===''Transformers'' references===
* The Combaticons are colored in their [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] colors.

===Real-world references===
* Shockwave paraphrases the human idiom "tickled pink," replacing "pink" with his own "purple."
* As noted in the opening blurb of the letters page, Daniel Warren Johnson is ecstatic that Jorge Corona didn't bat an eye at the direction of drawing Shockwave performing {{w|The Undertaker}}'s signature {{w|Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Kneeling reverse_piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver}} finishing move on Optimus.

===Errors===
* Shockwave uses the word "welp" as an insult. It should be spelled "[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whelp whelp]"; the word "[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/welp welp]" is a corruption of "well", typically used to express helpless exasperation.

===Other trivia===

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus holds the world on his shoulders ala {{w|Atlas (mythology)|Atlas}}, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Shockwave and his victims, by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Shockwave, by [[Jonathan Wayshak]] and [[David Baron]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The Combaticons, by [[David Baldeón]] and [[Rex Lokus]].
* '''Cover F:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover G:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by Jason Howard.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover E.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover F.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 9 Cover G.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skyboundent/gi-joe-a-real-american-hero-compendium-set Kickstarter for the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' Hardcover Compendiums]]
* 5-page preview of ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' ([[November 27]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534345272 / ISBN 978-1534345270 
** Collects issues #7–12.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V2.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Beachcomber (G1)

2024-06-13T20:21:46Z

Tomhur: /* Energon Universe */ Added image showcasing Beachcomber's survival.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|primus}}
{{disambig3|Beachcomber}}
:''Beachcomber is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Beachcomber-Dreamwave-MTMTE.jpg|upright=2|thumb|''Hippies.'' They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.]]
'''Beachcomber''' has a hard time reconciling his love of peace and freedom for all creatures with the need to combat those who threaten it. Furthermore, however just the cause for which it was fought, the gruesome and destructive aftermath of any battle sickens him to the spark.

Sometimes, when the internal struggle gets too heavy, he simply has to wander into the wilderness and cleanse his soul. Even there, far from civilization, he sometimes finds strange substances to aid the Autobot cause, for Beachcomber is a skilled naturalist, and geology is his specialty, man. He often tries to preserve or even to hide these discoveries, but he has seen too much evil done by the ruthless Decepticons to conceal any possible source of aid completely from his allies.

Beachcomber's geology tools include a wide array of sensors (magnetic, seismic, sonic, infrared) and a 'sonic pick' which can cut through rock. Beachcomber can use his magnetic sensors to navigate like a compass, but local magnetic disturbances can cause this to lead him astray. His sonic probes possess only limited range.

Beachcomber is neither very fast nor very strong, and his antiwar sentiments gain him little respect from the more martial of the Autobots, yet he is agile and skilled in a fight, and his courage is beyond all reproach.

{{quote|Relax, man. Remember, we're all one with the universe.|Beachcomber|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Alan Oppenheimer]] (English), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese) |[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Vladimiro Conti]] (Italian, second dub), [[Jorge García]] (Latin American), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[Roger Carel]] (European French, "The Insecticon Syndrome"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "Prime Target"), [[Marcus Jardym]] (Portuguese), [[André Filho]] (Portuguese, "The Secret of Omega Supreme"), [[Hélio Ribeiro]] (Portuguese, "Prime Target"), [[Marco Antônio Costa]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")}}
[[File:DinobotIslandPart2 BeachcomberFiring.jpg|thumb|right|Beachcomber, secret [[GoBots|GoBot]]?]]
Beachcomber showed up out of nowhere one day, helping [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] investigate some [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] attacks on an old growth forest. This unit proved to be sufficiently under-powered when it came to confronting freshly fed Insecticons, and their battle strategy amounted to hiding behind Hound's holograms until the bad robots went away. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}} He offered "geology-type info" to [[Chip Chase]] during the [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] crisis and later traveled to the island itself to fight the Decepticons. Beachcomber worried that the battle with the Decepticons would destroy the environment before it could be properly studied, but at least he was still fighting while complaining. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Beachcomber, along with the other Autobots, was exiled from Earth after Megatron allied with greedy businessman [[Shawn Berger]] to create anti-Autobot propaganda. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} He and the other Autobots managed to return to Earth thanks to [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s force field and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'s navigation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[File:Beachcomber with bird.jpg|thumb|left|He talks to the animals. Especially after a good hit of Kalis Mountain High.]]
The next time Beachcomber was involved in a large-scale battle, he was less eager to fight. On a geology expedition with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and several other Autobots, Beachcomber abandoned them in the middle of a firefight to explore a cave in the nearby cliffside. While his friends were dodging laser fire and trading blows, Beachcomber was learning to speak parakeet and communing with nature. He also found a golden lagoon full of [[electrum]], a naturally-occurring element which would make any Transformer temporarily impervious to harm. He dipped his hand into the lagoon, and it turned completely gold in color. Beachcomber hid this information from his fellow Autobots, and even kept his silence after [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] arrived coated in electrum and drove the Autobots into retreat, capturing two of their number in the process. Valuing the scenic beauty surrounding the electrum pool, Beachcomber still refused to warn his comrades after the ''entire Decepticon army'' arrived coated with invincible golden armor. He went solo to check on the lagoon, and was captured by the Decepticons. Some of the dumber [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] acted as his prison guards at the Decepticon sunken base, though, and Beachcomber managed to escape alongside his fellow prisoners Perceptor and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]].

[[File:Goldenlagoonbeachcomber1.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|Seriously, he hangs out with a lot of birds.]]
Reaching the electrum pool, the trio was met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the rest of the Autobots, who had independently uncovered the pool's location thanks to [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]. When Optimus Prime observed that they must have all learned about the lagoon at the same time, Beachcomber, hanging back from the crowd, glanced at his golden hand, and quickly dove into the electrum, seemingly to hide his prior knowledge of the substance, and called for the other Autobots to join him in coating themselves with the metal. The wilderness was subsequently ravage by the invulnerable Autobots' battle with Decepticons, which concluded when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the electrum pool destroyed rather than allowing it to be shared with Autobots. While the other Autobots celebrated their victory, Beachcomber sat amidst the devastation and mourned for the natural beauty that had been lost. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Beachcomber briefly maintained a position at the Autobots' New York City base inside [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} He was also seen attending Teletraan I when the Autobots were engaged with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and [[Morphobot]]s. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} Beachcomber was next seen protecting [[San Francisco]] from an alien bird-dragon unleashed on Earth by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He tried appealing to the creature, thinking that we're all one with the same universe. Yeah... that didn't work well. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} When the energy creature called [[Kremzeek]] assaulted the Ark, Beachcomber was one of the first Autobots short-circuited by the little creep. {{storylink|Kremzeek!}}

Beachcomber was later kidnapped by a greedy toll booth and forced to drive in a circle while hopping over spike-traps. It might make more sense if we explained it better, but it would be nowhere near as funny. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

Next, after Megatron kidnapped Perceptor and then voluntarily let him go, Beachcomber joined the ''entire Autobot team'' in riding out a few miles from the base to retrieve their friend. Why several dozen Autobots were needed for such a simple mission... is unknown. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

In [[2006]], Beachcomber was stationed at the Ark with [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and several others when [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] came to destroy it. Their feeble efforts to defend the spacecraft were barely noted by the dinosaur robot. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Beachcomber attended a lecture on Earth about the human's earthquake-prediction technology. Beachcomber attended mostly because he was a geology nut. As the Autobots and Professor Ohnishi spoke after the lecture, an earthquake struck. The Autobots were able to quickly deduce that the Decepticons were causing artificial quakes, but Beachcomber did not take part in the following confrontation against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Activation}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Beachcomber attended the unveiling of Wheeljack's latest invention, the Transform Super Cog. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
Beachcomber fought alongside the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Throttlebot]]s on Cybertron in 2011. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic wave forced him and his allies to fall asleep. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

=====''Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic''=====
Beachcomber was a spectator for the second week of the [[Speedia 500]] on [[Velocitron]] with the [[Paradise Parakeet]]. {{storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Beachcomber and the Autobots supported the [[Selector]]s, human-made robots who wanted freedom from their creators. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

The [[Quintesson]]s chose to aid the humans, however, lending their [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to the fight. The creatures released a metal-eating gas on the Transformers, and Beachcomber was among those caught in the vapors. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
[[File:FSRLTFmanga8 Minibots.jpg|left|thumb]]
As a member of the [[Four-Wheel Drive Corps]], Beachcomber confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Beachcomber and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

Later, Beachcomber was part of a group who arrived to back up [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], who was defending a [[Battle Dog|dog]] that had been cruelly experimented on by the [[Decepticon]]s from being hunted and captured by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. He and the other [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] [[Minibot combiner|combined]] with Powerglide in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s thanks to the energy within the dog, and spinning furiously, smashed through [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s chest and out the other side in a flying drill attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

====IDW ''The Animated Movie'' adaptation====
Beachcomber was killed during the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. {{storylink|The Gathering Storm}}
{{--}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:G2Redux-BeachcomberGoldbugpowers.jpg|thumb|right]]
In [[2010]], Beachcomber was stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. He was led into battle by [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] as the Autobots came to the rescue of [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'s forces at the [[Large Hadron Collider]] in Switzerland. In the aftermath of the battle, they were exposed to the mutating properties of [[forestonite]], developing new color schemes and abilities. Beachcomber became a ''real'' flower-child, taking on an environmentally-friendly green paint scheme and causing plant life to grow wherever he walked. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

A couple of years later, he and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] compared powers while standing around Autobot City. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Smeltingpoolminivehicles.jpg|left|thumb|On Cybertron, Beachcomber basically transformed into whatever Kup does.]]

[[Club Con!#Continuity errors|An erroneous account]] placed Beachcomber as part of a group of Autobots posted on Cybertron hundreds of years ago who, upon detecting the [[Underbase]] heading towards Earth, sent out [[Raindance|two]] [[Grand Slam (G1)|mini-cassettes]] to forewarn the Autobots posted on the organic world of its arrival. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

Beachcomber was a member of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|resistance cell]] on Cybertron who disobeyed orders along with most of the cell to help [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] recover [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] from the [[smelting pool]]. He actually demonstrated some uncharacteristic strength and gusto, tearing down a [[laser sentinel tower]] with his bare hands. The rescue mission failed, but they did recover Scrounge's stolen data, and learned that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] were alive and fighting on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[File:Powerglidereadytoblastoffrightnow.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Beachcomber's bloodthirstiest moment.]]
Soon after, Perceptor's crew began a mission to destroy the [[space bridge]] before the Decepticons on Earth and Cybertron could begin trading resources. Beachcomber used his geological skills to map out a safe path underneath the planet's surface to bomb the underlying support structures of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], bringing down [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s whole fortress. The unit failed to destroy the space bridge, however, and were ultimately forced to retreat across the Bridge to Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} Immediately upon arrival, they were approached by the Decepticon fliers [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], who correctly identified them as Autobots and were about to open fire when [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] realised the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was undefended and diverted his troops there instead. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

However, the humans belonged to the anti-robot attack team, [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. While Beachcomber and the other Autobots, unfamiliar with how things worked on Earth, tried to talk to their vehicles, RAAT deployed "electric snow" missiles to disorient them. Beachcomber's group was then too dazed to fight back, and were defeated with the help of [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Beachcomber and his fellows were subsequently taken captive, and the robot-hating Circuit Breaker mounted their heads on the wall of RAAT's headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Meanwhile, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and the shifty human [[Donny Finkleberg]] were sent on a mission to determine their whereabouts, but Finkleberg sold out Skids to RAAT as well. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Ultimately, Finkleberg redeemed himself by forcing the captured Autobots' release as part of a deal. If the [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|combined bodies]] of Beachcomber and the other captives could successfully aid in the defeat of the vandalizing [[Battlecharger]]s, they would be set free. And so it was. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''Beachcomber and the others headed home, directed by Skids, when the [[time travel]]ling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] took their guide's place. Galvatron tore his way through the group, one by one, with Beachcomber one of his casualties, though he was ultimately driven off by the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}}

''Following the Dinobots' directions, the Cybertron Seven finally joined up with the Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] only to discover that Optimus Prime was dead. They attended his funeral but it was cut short by the sudden return from Cybertron of... Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Beachcomberdarkstar.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|They're about to crash through Bruce Wayne's window.]]
Some time later, after Optimus Prime's ''real'' death, Beachcomber was one of the several Autobots who watched on as Ratchet futilely tried to repair Optimus Prime's body. Once the Autobot leader was declared irreparable, the Autobots held a funeral service for their leader, and launched his body into space. Upon their return to the Ark, Beachcomber and the other grieving Autobots were shot at by their ship's own defense systems, which had been activated by a [[Mechanic|human intruder]] in their absence. Ratchet, who had elected not to attend the funeral, was able to defeat the villain and then tended to the wounded. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} The Ark then came under attack by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and Beachcomber was one of the first casualties, getting blasted by the monstrous Decepticon's battle station mode. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Under the direction of the Autobots' new leader [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], Beachcomber, Cosmos and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] constructed a [[variable voltage harness]] with which to punish the "traitorous" Blaster. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} After capturing Blaster's "accomplices"—[[Spacehikers|a quartet of human children and a stuffed bear]]—Beachcomber and the other Autobots watched as Grimlock tried them before an [[Autobot Multi-Circuit Court]] and sentenced them to death. Meanwhile, much to Beachcomber's relief, Blaster had sneaked aboard the Ark and rallied the Autobots in his support but he was forced to surrender to Grimlock in order to save the children's lives. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}} While he did champion Blaster for replacing Grimlock as the Autobots' commander, this didn't stop Beachcomber from whining about senseless violence throughout their duel on the moon. Luckily, a Decepticon strike force arrived to drown out his voice with some lasers and explosives. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

When the Autobots rescued [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Arctic and were ambushed by the Decepticons, Beachcomber was among the first to be attacked, set upon and mauled by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}} ''Presumably, this rendered him non-functional, as Beachcomber was last seen laying deactivated aboard the Ark as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] attempted to repair him.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Beachcomber air raid space pirates.jpg|thumb|]]
When the [[Quintesson]]s raided [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in [[2008]], Beachcomber and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] rushed to defend their home with a team of fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the Quintesson shock troops were too much for them, and quickly overran the defenders. Beachcomber and his [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] buddy made a run for back-up, but were jumped from behind and taken out with the rest. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Lancer two crew war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left]]
Beachcomber was part of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s assault on [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], serving on board the ''[[Lancer Two]]'' alongside [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] under [[Getaway]]. Though their part of the mission was carried out successfully, Jhiaxus had anticipated the Autobots' strategy and they were quickly overwhelmed by his reinforcements and forced to crash land on a nearby planet. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Beachcomber and the Autobots protected the humans from a revenge attack by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons.{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
Beachcomber, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] maintained a 24-hour watch on the Decepticon hideout by taking turns. Beachcomber was once almost discovered by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], but simply remaining quiet and still was enough to fool the Decepticon, who was a noted idiot. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
[[File:InsecticonAttack BeachcomberSeesGrapple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
Being a pacifist geologist, Beachcomber did not enjoy hearing about Decepticons around the ''Ark'', and decided to drive off to his "secret place" to look at rocks in peace. Beachcomber's secret place was where a mountain met a valley by a beautiful pond. In Beachcomber's secret place, [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] had also found some tranquility. Beachcomber didn't enjoy having Grapple in his secret place, but decided to stay quiet and watch Grapple until he went away.

Beachcomber's watch was interrupted when he saw the Insecticon [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] transform and fly away from where Grapple was sitting. He told Grapple what he had seen, but not before the other Insecticon, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], got close enough to implant a cerebro-shell in Grapple, turning him against Beachcomber. Beachcomber raced home and told the other Autobots what had happened. Optimus Prime then led an assault on the Decepticons that ultimately freed Grapple from the Insecticons' mind control. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

===Island of Fear===
{{notemultipath}}
Beachcomber was vacationing on the tropical paradise of [[Nali]] when he ran into [[you]]. The following events likely saw him bound up in a mission to stop [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] from tapping into the [[Earth's core]] to power the Decepticons' weapons. Whatever happened to him was up to you! {{storylink|Island of Fear}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Attack of the Insecticons====
[[File:AttackoftheInsecticons BeachcomberKickback.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Little dune buggy in the sand,
Little blue dune buggy in my hand.]]
Beachcomber was witness to [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] testing the Sun-Pak, a new device of Sparkplug's invention that would solve the Autobots' energy woes. However, the Decepticons' discovery of the device forced the Autobots in a number of possible perilous situations. Notably, one such situation involved the Autobots being at the mercy of the Insecticons while trapped underground. If Beachcomber convinced Optimus Prime the best course of action was to entrust him with the Sun-Pak in order to recharge it, two possible outcomes were possible in Beachcomber's solo mission.

Beachcomber explored the system of underground lakes, marveling at the many strange things that lived there, and manages to find his way to the surface. While recharging the [[Sun-Pak]] he was attacked by [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and had to be saved by [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. How humiliating.

Alternatively, Beachcomber became lost when his magnetic sensors erroneously led him directly to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. He did not regret this error for long. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

====Earthquake====
[[File:EarthquakeJessieKidnapped.jpg|thumb|right]]
Beachcomber was lounging about Autobot headquarters, discussing how nice the recent lull in Decepticon activity was, when Optimus recommended that the peace-loving Autobot take a vacation. Beachcomber gladly agreed. He then drove out to the countryside, only to suddenly be shaken up by a tremor. Pinpointing the tremor's origin, he came upon Rumble practicing his earthquake abilities. Once the Decepticon had finished, Beachcomber followed him back to the Decepticons' newest secret base.

If Beachcomber decided to return immediately to Autobot headquarters to report his findings, Beachcomber was sent back out to investigate further, this time with Powerglide and Windcharger. Once the three Autobots arrived at the cliff face that concealed the Decepticons' base, the three of them debated on their course of action. Beachcomber advocated for trying to find a more conspicuous route into the base, thinking the main entrance would be too risky.

If the three Autobots decided to walk through the main entrance of the Decepticons' base, Windcharger was promptly crushed by the fortress's doors, which then let loose a swarm of Decepticons. Beachcomber then tricked Rumble into causing an earthquake, which brought down the Decepticons and their fortress in one fell swoop. The pair then retrieved the damaged Windcharger to be fixed by Ratchet.

If the trio decided instead to look for an alternate entrance, they discovered a narrow passageway hidden behind some bushes and scrubs. Taking the passageway, Beachcomber's squad emerged into a storage room. Leading out of the storage room was a passage not unlike the one from which they had just emerged and a brightly lit corridor. While Powerglide wanted to explore the bright corridor and Windcharger wanted to investigate the dark passageway, Beachcomber considered looking for other places to explore in the storage room.

If Beachcomber joined Windcharger, the two of them soon found themselves before a heavy stone doorway. Hearing Decepticon voices beyond the door, the pair argued whether or not to spring a surprise attack their enemies. Beachcomber had the option of either proceeding forth with Windcharger, or returning to the storage room to join up with Powerglide.

If Beachcomber decided to proceed with Windcharger, the two Autobots started to argue once more on how to get through the heavy door. While Windcharger was eager to bust it down, Beachcomber considered attempting to decode the door's access lock.

If they managed to decode the door's password, they found themselves intruding upon an empty room; Megatron's secret chamber.Upon hearing Megatron approaching, the pair managed to grab him from behind. Taken by surprised, the Decepticon leader was tricked into thinking that the Autobots had the base surrounded, and was made to have the Decepticons surrender. After Beachcomber contacted Optimus Prime for reinforcements, the Decepticons’ ploy was successfully undone.

If the pair were unable to decode the door's password, Windcharger attempted to smash the door down, despite Beachcomber's protests. All Windcharger managed to do was make a lot of noise, and the two Autobots attempted to flee the scene. As they retreated, they were spotted by Megatron, who blocked off their exit. The Decepticon leader then promptly slaughtered the pair with a blast of his nuclear-charged fusion cannon.

If Beachcomber decided to explore the brightly lit corridor with Powerglide, the pair soon found the entire fortress to be eerily silent. Finally hearing Decepticon voices nearby, the pair heard Megatron expositing his plan to Soundwave. The Decepticons planned to use a Destruction Beam to create a fault line near Center City, which would in turn be exploited by Rumble's earthquake-inducing abilities to destroy the entire area. With this knowledge, Powerglide and Beachcomber raced out of the fortress, meeting up with Windcharger en route, and returned to Autobot headquarters. Relating this information to Optimus, the Autobots then decided to split up in two groups. One group was to attack the Decepticons’ fortress, the other to stop Rumble in Center City. Beachcomber was assigned to the lead team.

If the lead team was sent to the Decepticons’ fortress, Optimus was able to overpower Megatron in the battle that ensued. The Decepticon leader was forced to guide Beachcomber, Inferno and Optimus to the Decepticons’ lab. There, the Autobots disabled and destroyed the Destruction Beam device, captured Megatron, and left many Decepticons permanently maimed. Though they later had to trade Megatron to the Decepticons for the safe release of the Autobots captured in Center City, the Autobots were ultimately victorious that day.

If the lead team was sent to defend Centre City, the Autobots’ next objective was to meet up with Sparkplug They consulted him on whether the Autobots should enter Centre City in their [[robot mode]]s, or in their vehicle modes.

If Sparkplug suggested that the Autobots not worry about subtlety, the entire squad transformed and began prowling the streets in search of Decepticons, oblivious to the panic they were causing. Unable to restore order in time, Beachcomber and the rest of the main team were destroyed in the ensuing earthquake.

If Sparkplug suggested that the Autobots remain in their vehicle modes, he would concoct a plan where the Autobots would help evacuate the entire town in their vehicle modes. With no more than four trips in and out of the city, Beachcomber and the rest of the team carried out the plan without incident. With the humans out of harm's way, the Autobots transformed and engaged the approaching Decepticons, whom they easily dispatch. With the city safe, the Autobots moved out to help their comrades at the Decepticon fortress.

Alternatively, if Beachcomber decided to have Windcharger, Powerglide and himself each investigate a different area of the Decepticons’ fortress, he would accidentally bump into Dirge. Dirge easily overpowered Beachcomber, disassembled him, and replayed the last few moments of his memory tape to find out who had accompanied him.

In a completely different sequence of events, Beachcomber decided to try and infiltrate the Decepticons’ headquarters on his own. Though he was able to activate the fortress's main doors, upon hearing nearby human voices he hesitated on whether he should proceed within the fortress or investigate the voices first.

If Beachcomber went to check on the humans, he soon found out that they were the Autobots’ allies, Buster and Jessie. The pair informed Beachcomber of a secret passage they had discovered, which led inside the Decepticons’ fortress. They trio were surprised by Ramjet, who captured Jessie and took off. Though Buster was adamant that they rescue her, Beachcomber felt they should report back to Optimus first.

If Buster managed to convince Beachcomber to rescue Jessie, he led Beachcomber to the secret entrance he had previously discovered. Once inside the fortress, the duo heard voices nearby once more.

If they followed the voices, they came upon Soundwave and Thrust putting Jessie away in a cell. Once the Decepticons left, Beachcomber wasted no time in breaking Jessie out. The three of them then set out to find the Decepticons’ lab. But after searching for some time, they were unable to find it. Giving up their search, they reported back to Autobot Headquarters. Beachcomber and Mirage then headed back to the Decepticons’ fortress, and used Mirage's holographic abilities to trick Buzzsaw into thinking the fortress was overrun by an Autobot army. This prompted Buzzsaw to head back to the lab to defend it. Following him, the Autobots were able to destroy the Destruction beam before it caused any harm, and then hurried out of the fortress while the Decepticons still panicked over Buzzsaw's report of an Autobot army.

If Beachcomber convinced Buster to hide instead of following the voices, the duo quickly came at a loss on what to do next. After a few moments’ hesitation, the pair came out of hiding only to be confronted by Thrust. Beachcomber engaged the Decepticon in a brief firefight before escaping with Buster. But Thrust quickly came upon them once more, this time backed up by Starscream, Dirge, and Megatron himself. The Decepticons led their new prisoners to Megatron's lab. Megatron then tortured the pair by showing them the destruction of Center City via a view screen. The show over, Megatron then turned his Fusion Cannon upon the pair, and pulled the trigger...

Alternatively, Beachcomber might have been able to convince Buster to leave Jessie behind by claiming that the Decepticons were unlikely to harm her. The two of them then headed to Autobot headquarters, and returned with reinforcements. Shortly before arriving at their destination, the Autobots had to choose their next course of action; they could either storm the Decepticon fortress by force, or try to sneak in through the secret passageway Buster had discovered.

If they decided to storm the fortress, Beachcomber would become nervous, and urge his fellow Autobots to find a more peaceful way to resolve the situation. Optimus sternly told him that this was not the time for one of his anti-war speeches. This moment of hesitation ultimately cost the Autobots the battle, and the Decepticons triumphed that day.

If they decided a stealthier approach, the Autobots quietly entered the Decepticon base, and set out to shoot down any Decepticons they encountered, save Megatron, whom they planned to capture. After encountering some resistance from their foes, the Autobots came upon branch in the passageway, and had to choose to go left or right.

If they took the right passageway, the group happened upon Jessie, whom they freed. Telling them she knew the location of the Decepticons’ lab, Jessie then led the group into a Decepticon trap; she had been brainwashed. The Autobots were captured and Megatron's plan to destroy Center City came to fruition.

If they took the left passageway, the group happened upon Megatron's lab. Megatron was then taken captive. Beachcomber successfully deactivated the Destruction beam, and the rest of the Autobots deactivated the remaining Decepticons. The Autobots celebrated their victory by guzzling a few quarts of fine-grade oil.

In a final possible path, wherein Beachcomber attempted to enter the Decepticons’ fortress by himself through the front door, he was jumped by Buzzsaw who immediately tore into Beachcomber. Buzzsaw was helped by Scrapper into disassembling the Autobot. Megatron then ordered his Decepticons to rebuild Beachcomber. In the process, the Decepticons planned to swap Beachcomber's memory chip for a Destructicon chip, to create the perfect Decepticon double agent. But Mixmaster mixed up the two chips, and Beachcomber returned to Autobot headquarters as his old self. Now having become the perfect Autobot double agent, Beachcomber hoped to soon be able to end the war and return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightBeachcomberbumpsintoCosmos.jpg|left|thumb]]
Beachcomber was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission.
When they heard a tremendous explosion go off nearby, Beachcomber was suspicious that the Decepticons had wanted them to hear it; he reasoned the Decepticons had left them several clues on their nearby activities recently, and wanted to spring a trap on the Autobots. Optimus sent Cosmos to investigate the noise.

If Cosmos radioed his findings to Optimus immediately, Optimus's convoy moved in to investigate a nearby Decepticon base. En route, the Autobots passed near a human town, but began floating in mid-air before being able to reach it. Evidently, the phenomenon was caused by a Decepticon anti-gravity weapon.

If Optimus ordered his troops to come to the humans’ aid, they found themselves taking part in a struggle in futility, as the entire town was near-weightless, meaning they couldn't put the humans anywhere where they wouldn't float away once more. Then, the Autobots heard Decepticons approaching. Helpless in their current position, the Autobots were quickly eradicated by the Decepticons.

If Optimus ordered his troops to attack the Decepticon base, Beachcomber took a moment to goof off in the low-gravity environment, and accidentally bumped into Cosmos, flying nearby. The Autobots soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence, and Beachcomber refocused on the mission at hand. They were then attacked by a small fleet of Decepticons. The Decepticons were quickly forced to break off their attack and retreated. But with the battle over, the Autobots noticed a small human boy at their feet. The Autobots then headed for the Decepticon base, with their stowaway. Megatron delivered an ultimatum; if the Autobots did not surrender Optimus Prime to the Decepticons immediately, he would use his gravity beam to have the nearby humans float off into space.

If the Autobots decided to continue with their initial plan to simply attack the Decepticon base, their advance was halted by a force field. Megatron then fired his beam in all directions, causing a ripple effect that sent everything not fastened down to the Earth's surface to float helplessly out into space.

Alternatively, the Autobots could concoct a plan where Optimus would pretend to allow himself to be taken prisoner, per Buddy's suggestion. The Decepticons, fooled into thinking they've won, took Optimus Prime into their base. In actuality, Beachcomber and the rest of the Autobots were hidden away inside Optimus's trailer. The Autobots then led a surprise attack on their unsuspecting foes.

In the event that Buddy tampered with the gravity gun in the ensuing battle, the Autobots would emerge victorious.

If Buddy instead ran towards Beachcomber and Tracks over the course of the battle, Laserbeak would fire at the group at the same time as the gravity beam reached them, creating a tear in space-time above the group. Beachcomber accidentally stumbled into the time anomaly, and disappeared. Once the Autobots gained the upper hand in battle, Buddy insisted he and Tracks venture into the anomaly to rescue Beachcomber.

If Buddy and Tracks entered a space-time anomaly created during the battle, they would emerge to discover they had traveled three hours into the future, whereas Beachcomber was only flung forward for one hour. In the intervening time, Beachcomber had been captured, and most of the other Autobots were dead or injured, resulting in a Decepticon victory.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, wherein Cosmos had taken off to explore the Decepticon base on his own, The Autobot convoy were surprised to see two Cosmoses flying back towards them some time later. Both Cosmoses declared themselves to be the real one, and urged Optimus to destroy the other.

If Optimus destroyed the wrong Cosmos, the duplicate obliterated Beachcomber and the rest of the Autobots with the [[proton bomb]] it housed within its body.

If Optimus destroyed the duplicate Cosmos, the real one would inform the Autobots of the Decepticons’ schemes, and the convoy would roll out to take on their adversaries. They were soon met by a squad of flying Decepticons, but were at a strict disadvantage against their adversaries as their vehicle modes possessed no weapons. The Autobots nonetheless managed to fight their way to the Decepticons’ base, one way or another, and defeated the Decepticons by using their own gravity weapon against them. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}

====Autobot Alert!====
Alongside Springer and Blurr, Beachcomber was assigned a secret mission; to uncover the location of a sphere of cybertite, containing an ancient Autobot formula. Part way into the mission, Beachcomber's squad was attacked by Decepticon storm troopers who dragged Beachcomber away after having blasted their way into the Autobots’ research centre. The Decepticons then set out for a nearby crater where they believed the sphere of cybertite to be, Beachcomber still in hand. When the Decepticons manage to crack the code of a message they had intercepted containing further details on the location of the cybertite sphere, they left Beachcomber at the crater, after tying him to an explosive device.

In one possible sequence of events, Blurr and Hot Rod arrived at the crater and managed to free Beachcomber from the explosive device before it went off. Unfortunately, heading for the crater instead of the cybertite sphere's actual location cost the Autobots valuable time, making it impossible for them to catch up to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Countdown to Extinction Minibots pre-battle.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man. Bonnnngggg!!!"]]
Beachcomber was seen as one of the civilians on the united Cybertron after Shockwave and Ultra Magnus's forces returned from Earth. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He was spurred into action against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s regime when Optimus Prime returned to the planet and rallied the Autobots into an organized army. His actual contribution to the insurrection was undocumented, but it's entirely possible he may have even picked up a weapon. Really. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

Afterwards, Beachcomber was assigned to a mission suitable for his pacifism, as part of Bumblebee's supply crew on the ''[[Orion]]'', bringing news and fuel to their comrades on Earth. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} Little did they know they would be caught up in heavy combat with [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} As part of an alliance to defeat their mutual enemy, Beachcomber was supposed to be guarding Sunstorm's primary target, the Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], aboard the ''Orion'' shuttle. Now, of course, the question isn't whether Starscream betrayed them at the first opportunity (he did); It's whether Beachcomber even bothered to pick up his gun and try to stop Starscream, or just passively let the 'Con gun him down. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|''[[Spotlight: Blaster]]''}}

Beachcomber originally hailed from [[Ibex]], where he wrote ''[[Primal Prophecies|The Primal Prophecies: A New Interpretation]]''. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Early in the war, Beachcomber, along with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], met with the damaged [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] when their transport ship returned to HQ. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Beachcomber was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

[[File:SpotlightBlaster BeachcomberTransform.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Later, Beachcomber was captured by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], who used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to inject him with a [[cerebro-shell]]. Under its control, Beachcomber attempted on three occasions to assassinate [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. Ultimately, Blaster confronted him about it and forced him to fight against his Decepticon control. Though his mental resistance shorted out the shell, his neural processors were severely damaged as well. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

After eventually recovering, Beachcomber ended up among the Autobot forces on Earth. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] visited to investigate [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s surrender, Beachcomber feared that they might all get arrested, and decided to leave the team. Alongside [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], he attempted to find and join [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who was trying to get off the planet, only to drive straight into a [[Skywatch]] ambush. Beachcomber was the first to be deactivated when a human named [[Campolongo]] zapped him using a hi-tech suit. The captured Autobots were brought into the hangar where Optimus Prime was imprisoned by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Major Witwicky]] in an attempt to get the Autobot leader to cooperate. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

[[File:AnotherMine Beachcomber.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Kei Zama]] can make ''anyone'' look badass.]]
After [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] became Autobot leader and formed an alliance with Skywatch, Beachcomber was freed. He would later completely ignore Bumblebee's leadership once [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] returned from space with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and demanded to see Optimus Prime. Beachcomber was also amongst those (meaning everyone) who volunteered to return to a restored Cybertron and fight [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s army. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} Upon arriving, he transformed and rolled out alongside the other Autobots. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

In the post-Great War era, Beachcomber joined the [[Cybertronian Security Force]]. In early 2018, following Chancellor [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s public confession to a myriad of crimes, Beachcomber was assigned to guard his cell. After [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] stopped by to show Starscream the [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] he'd been working on, the former ruler of Cybertron requested Beachcomber pass along a message to some [[Badgeless|friends of Starscream]]. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

Shortly afterwards, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] returned to Cybertron with Beachcomber being among those assigned to guard the latter. Feeling guilty about aiding Starscream, he let [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and his entourage interrogate the latter for five minutes. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} He and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] later escorted the captive Shockwave through the streets to be imprisoned, with Beachcomber telling the monologuing cyclops to shut up along the way. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Beachcomber's bad luck as a guard continued when an escaped Starscream later returned and knocked him out in order to converse with Shockwave. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Beachcomber managed to escape Cybertron's destruction at [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s hands, being transported to Earth with many survivors. He immediately began admiring some flowers upon arrival. {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
When the Minibots excavated a [[Dinobot (BW)|mysterious mech]], Beachcomber was astute enough to recognize the Predacon symbol may have been descendant from the Decepticon sigil. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 11}}

===Bot on the Street===
Beachcomber was asked if he'd like to change his alternate mode, and thought he'd like to be a bird feeder. {{storylink|Bot on the Street}}

===''TransTech''===
Beachcomber criticized the [[Supreme Multi-Circuit Court]] for allowing [[Hydradread/Highbrow Hybrid Technologies]] unfettered access to the [[Iocus]] Cluster. He especially didn't care for the idea of a [[Hero Mashers|Transformer being built out of pieces that belonged to other Transformers]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

Beachcomber debated [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] about internship practices on [[Axiom Nexus]] during a television segment. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
Beachcomber thought it cruel to keep the [[Anibot]]s in a [[roboto-zoo]] but [[Vector Prime]] saw little alternative. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/24}}

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

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
The peace-loving Autobot Beachcomber could wield powers of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s by linking with [[Prime Master]]s. {{storylink|#Generations|''Power of the Primes'' Beachcomber packaging bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Beachcomber, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Beachcomber was part of a geological survey team along with [[Azimuth (G1)|Azimuth]], [[Geomotus]], and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] that set out to investigate unusual seismic activity. After coming across [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]], who had fallen into a crevice, a violent groundquake led them to discover a team of [[The Rise|Risers]] who proceeded to attack the surveyists. In the struggle that ensued, Beachcomber was shot by [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]]. At that moment, [[Security Operations]] came to the rescue and engaged in battle with the Risers. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} Afterwards, the injured Beachcomber and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] were taken to [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]] for repairs. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:Abominus Comic 2 GoldBeachcomber.jpg|thumb|left|And that's who you'll be from now on, Beachcomber... "Goldbong".]]
A Transformer resembling a particularly dazzling Beachcomber was a follower of [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] in the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]]. Like his fellows, he dutifully assisted Primus in his efforts to confiscate the [[Star Power|Seven Lights]] from his dissenting army the [[Primus Vanguard]] and destroy the universe. He was present in the strike team Primus brought to bear against the [[Powered Master]]s in an expedition to the year [[2050]] of the [[G1 World|next universe]] to capture its newly formed, empty [[Silver Matrix]] for his patsy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]]. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

When Star Convoy grew wise to his master's plan, Beachcomber helped restrain him as their master personally gathered the last two Star Powers from [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron Omega]] and [[Purple Wicked Convoy]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Prelude|Finale Prelude}} Primus's plan soon went off the rails, with Primus being reduced to his diminutive Oracle form by [[Blue Planet (GS)|Neo Primus]] and the Seven Lights being captured by malevolent future warrior [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Gold Megatron]] and used to create his own seven-part force, the [[New Primus Vanguard]]. Realizing the dire nature of the threat, the Oracle reversed his orders, and Beachcomber and company freed Star Convoy and pooled their [[Golden Power]] into him. Star Convoy arose as Gold Primus Convoy. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 9|July 10, 2024}}
[[File:Skybound-TF-2023-Beachcomber-death.jpg|thumb|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] would've been thrilled to see this.]]
During a battle on Cybertron, a fleeing Beachcomber was shot in the back by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}} Beachcomber got better and made it to Earth, watching from the shadows unbeknownst to the other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}} Beachcomber shot down [[Astrotrain (G1)#Energon Universe|Astrotrain]] and rescued the captive [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Energon Universe|Spike]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}}
[[File:TF2023 no 9 - Beachcomber Rescues Spike.jpg|thumb|left|Well...never mind then.]]

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Bumblebee recruited Beachcomber to join the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} Chased by Decepticon forces, Beachcomber discovered a Golden Lagoon of [[Electrum]]. Unfortunately the Decepticons found it too, and in the resultant battle, both the lagoon and the surrounding glen were destroyed, much to Beachcomber's dismay. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (Legends)|The Golden Lagoon}} After [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] was inflicted on the Autobots, Gears and Beachcomber managed to sneak past the Decepticons and get a sample of [[corrostop]] from the [[Statue of Liberty]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (Legends)|Cosmic Rust}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Blues#As Beachcomber}}
Beachcomber appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by The Blues. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Beachcomber-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px|G2 is his only cue!]]
Beachcomber (G2) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was available to 100 leagues in the "Divide and Conquer" medium events.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
Beachcomber wondered what kind of weapon could even hurt a [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] told him that one wielded by the first [[Thirteen|Primes]] could do it.{{Storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Falling Apart}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Beachcomber was an Autobot with a radical outlook on life. {{storylink|Field Guide to Action and Adventure}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|My other alternate mode is a bong.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' ([[Mini Vehicle]], [[1985]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-63'''

: Released in the second year of the [[Hasbro]] ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' line, [[Mini Vehicle]] Beachcomber transforms into a blue and gray 1982 M1040 Chenowth "Hellfire" Fast Attack Vehicle (which is an amusingly well-armed vehicle for such a peace-loving Autobot). Although not documented in his instructions, Beachcomber's legs are slightly extendable, providing much-needed clearance for his lower legs to transform between modes without scraping against his torso.

: The figure has several minor variants. The initial releases of the toy have his thighs, headlamps and wheel hubs cast in silver plastic that matches his torso rather than the usual light gray, which is the vastly more common coloration. Later releases of the light-gray version altered his right arm to add a "Hasbro" stamp to it (removing half the "mesh" pattern). The French release of the toy by [[Joustra|Ceji]], aside from using the "half-mesh" arm variant, has a slightly different headsculpt with narrower eyes, different wheel-pins with four "rivets", plus slightly different shades of blue and gray plastic.

: Beachcomber continued on into the 1986 Mini Vehicle assortment, with no notable changes.

: In the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] line, Beachcomber was not part of the initial 1985 "pre-movie" series (despite being in the pre-movie cartoon), but premiered in 1986's post-movie ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Transformers 2010]]'' line. Like all of the smaller toys sold by Takara at the time, he was packaged in a small box and came with a collector's card inside, rather than on a bubble-card. It is currently uncertain which arm-variant was released in Japan; ''presumably'' the latter "Hasbro"-stamped one, but this has not been confirmed.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Beachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Generation 1'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-beachcomber/707/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Beachcomber at Transformerland.com]''
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2 Beachcomber photo.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Beachcomber went green before it was in vogue.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a2|'''Beachcomber''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1993]])}}</ul>

: Released in the first (proper) year of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toys, Beachcomber is a [[redeco]] of his original toy, now with a chrome green instead of blue plastic, and the grey of the upper legs and lamps was replaced with a funky bright salmon color. This version removed the "half-mesh" on the left arm and simply replaced it with a large Hasbro copyright stamp.

: A rare variant exists that may have been a [[prototype|test shot]] run with gray legs. These figures were apparently given out internally by Hasbro as [[Christmas]] ornaments, as they have been found bagged with a string attached and a card reading "Transformers Christmas ornament" on one side and "Merry Christmas from the Boys' Toys Marketing" on the other. The same treatment has been seen with a ''Generation 2'' Seaspray.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Beachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Universe2008 Legends Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Has a [[fireblast]] of 1, yet is the only Legends Mini-Vehicle with a weapon.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Legends, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': G1 Series
:*''Accessories'': Wheel-mounted gun
:*''Known designers'': [[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)

: Released in the fourth wave of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]]'s Legends assortment, Beachcomber has a very cartoon-inspired robot mode, but his vehicle mode appears to be inspired by the "Warthog" off-road vehicle from the ''[[Xbox 360|Halo]]'' game series. Amusingly, the pacifist Beachcomber has a spare-tire-mounted machine gun in vehicle mode. (Maybe it's a paintball gun?) Despite this piece being removable, Beachcomber has no way of holding it in robot mode.

: This mold is the basis for the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]]'s [[Sandstorm (TF 2010)|Sandstorm]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Universe'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei-toy Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Yes, the pacifist is part of the "Attack Team" rather than the "Spy Team". Makes sense!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

: The ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' release of ''Universe'' Beachcomber is at first glance identical to the ''Universe'' release. However, the ''Henkei'' release has a flatter and less vibrant blue than Hasbro's release.

: He was only available in a three-piece set with [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Gong]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Cliff]].
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BeachcomberKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"I am totally high right now."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2013]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': Collection 3
:*''Bag number'': '''***** 60'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo brick, small pistol
:*''Known designer'': [[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)

: As part of the third wave of [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Beachcomber is a [[Kreon]] that can be rebuilt into a little dune buggy. He uses the [[Constructicon (G1)#Kre-O|Constructicon]]-style cab-helmet, and [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]]'s handgun.

: This Micro-Changer assortment was the last one to appear at [[Target]], with later waves showing up only at [[Toys"R"Us]] or drug/discount stores.

: This mold was also used to make a [[N.E.S.T. Sentry]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Kre-OBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on Beachcomber at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2015}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Kreon Class of 1985''' (Kreon figure set, [[2015]])}}</ul>
:*''Set number'': '''B5152'''
:*''Voted'': Most Likely to Grow Totally Organic Energon
:*''Accessories'': Small pistol

: [[Kreon Class of '85]] Beachcomber's deco is much more heavily based on the [[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|original Beachcomber toy]], with a more cartoon-accurate face. Like the rest of the set, he uses the almost-totally-[[retool]]ed 2015 style of Kreon body.

: This box set of thirty Kreons was a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2015 [[exclusive]], with leftovers being sold on [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on Class of '85 Beachcomber at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|2015Kreon}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': Collection 3
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, small pistol

: In 2017, the Collection 3 Micro-Changers were re-released in a whole new production run, first appearing at [[Walgreens]] stores in the US. These releases use the almost-entirely-[[retool]]ed 2015 Kreon (making most parts incompatible with older Kreons), with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. Beachcomber's [[tampograph]]s are slightly altered, changing the flat light gray to metallic silver, giving him a red Autobot [[Insignia|faction symbol]], and adding some white highlights.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''EZ Collection''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (2013)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''EG10'''

: ''[[EZ Collection]]'' Beachcomber was to be a [[redeco]] of the [[#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Legends Class figure]]. It was solicited in 2013, but never saw release.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimestoy-Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Legends Class, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-06'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[May 25]], [[2018]]
:*''Known designers'': [[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Robby Musso]] (concept artist)

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Legends" class toys, Beachcomber is based heavily on his original toy and cartoon model. In dune buggy mode, his "driver" compartment can seat [[Titan Master]]s and [[Prime Master]]s.

: Though designated for a first quarter 2018 release, Beachcomber's wave actually reached U.S. store shelves in November 2017.
{{-}}

===''Golden Lagoon''===
[[File:TF 35th Golden Lagoon Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Come on in, the [[Electrum]]'s fine.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber / Perceptor / Seaspray''' (Multi-pack, November 2018)}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''GL-03'''

: ''[[The Transformers Golden Lagoon|Golden Lagoon]]'' Beachcomber is a gold and gold chrome redeco of ''Power of the Primes'' Legends Class Beachcomber in homage to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] [[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|episode of the same name]]. Packaged with similar redecoes of ''Titans Return'' [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Golden Lagoon|Perceptor]] and [[Seaspray (G1)#Golden Lagoon|Seaspray]], this set was released exclusively at [[TakaraTomy Mall]] as part of TakaraTomy's celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary. The set was later rereleased by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the USA in January 2021.

: This toy also appeared in ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]'' as a member of the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]], who may or may not be named "Beachcomber".
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I am Lorde. Yah yah yah.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber & Paradise Parakeet''' (Deluxe Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL-43'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[October 28]], 2023
:*''Accessories'': Bumper/Machine gun, [[Paradise Parakeet]]
:*''Known designers'': [[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shuhei Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[April 4]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qv8dh66d48 Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Sam Smith]], [[Shogo Hasui]] and [[Delaney Norris]].</ref>

: ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: Evolution]]'' Beachcomber is an animation-accurate, deluxe-scaled version of the character, turning into a dune buggy in 11 steps. The wheels are made with PVC plastic, as well as being pinned on for better rolling action. His [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick is his handheld machine gun, which doubles as the front bumper of his alt mode.

: He also includes a small "[[Paradise Parakeet]]", seemingly inspired by the bird Beachcomber encountered in the episode "[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]". It sits on a [[Fire Blast effect|blast effect]]-style post, allowing it to plug into 5mm ports or over 3mm pegs throughout both of Beachcomber's modes. Said bird also gets top billing, and is named alongside Beachcomber himself on the box. Its name is likely a reference to the {{w|paradise parrot}}, which went extinct nearly 100 years ago, giving Beachcomber something else to be sad about.

: Note that the tires can stick and chip off other paint details if you store him in contact with other toys.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CqtZFFiuZx6/ Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Beachcomber from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Little blue dune buggy...]]
*'''Beachcomber, Geologist''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T08/T46'''
**''Stars: ''6

:Beachcomber, Geologist is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' Beachcomber toy, with the Bot Mode art being reused from the toy's packaging art. The card's Alt Mode received original art, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFTM-MaybeBeachcomber.jpg|thumb|See kids? This is what happens to hippies.]]
*There's a generic robot seen ahead of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] in line for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s smelting pool in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', who's colored in an approximation of Beachcomber's color scheme. It's not his [[character model]], though, so don't worry, that "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" appearance isn't an error.
*Beachcomber's character model shows up during a flashback in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode, "[[Prehistory]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Beachcomber''' (ビーチコンバー ''Bīchikonbā'', ビーチコマー ''Bīchikomā'')
*''French:'' '''Déferlo''' (Canada), '''Pacifico''' (Canada ''Generation 2'')
*''Greek:'' '''Angeliofόros''' (Αγγελιοφόρος, "Messenger")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Guberáló''' ("Scavenger")
*''Italian:'' '''Pulce''' ("Flea")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jù Làng''' (巨浪, "Waves")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Onda''' (Portugal comics), '''Pacífico''' (Brazil comics)
*''Russian:'' '''Shezlong''' (Шезлонг, "Lounge")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/Employee/Gen2ChristmasOrnamentBCom.html Christmas Ornament Variant]

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]

[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Geologists]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Golden Age]]

File:TF2023 no 9 - Beachcomber Rescues Spike.jpg

2024-06-13T20:16:16Z

Tomhur: {{SkyboundEU |description=It turns out that Beachcomber did not bite the dust. {{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=Jorge Corona|colors=Mike Spicer|script=Daniel Warren Johnson|letRus Wooton]]}} |series=transformers |interior=y |issueno=9 |storylin...

{{SkyboundEU
|description=It turns out that Beachcomber did not bite the dust.
{{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=[[Jorge Corona]]|colors=[[Mike Spicer]]|script=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]|letRus Wooton]]}}
|series=transformers
|interior=y
|issueno=9
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|pageno=
|panelno=|panelnos=
|year=24}}

[[Category:Images by Jorge Corona]]
[[Category:Images by Mike Spicer]]

Transformers Energon Universe 2024 Special story

2024-06-13T05:16:49Z

Tomhur: /* Quotes */ Forgot the "Scream" at the end had two extra m's.

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Energon Universe Special 2024|''Energon Universe Special'' 2024]]
|prev=
|next=Void Rivals Energon Universe Special story
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]''
|prev2=Transformers (2023) issue 7
|next2=Transformers (2023) issue 8
|seriesissue3=''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''
|prev3=Cobra Commander issue 1
|next3=Cobra Commander issue 5
|image=Energon Universe Special 2024 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 4]], [[2024]]
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Ryan Ottley]]
|colors by=[[Annalisa Leoni]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Whatever happened to the Decepticon leader?'''

==Synopsis==
As the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' careens toward [[Earth|the blue and green planet]] below, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tears through the opposing forces of its [[Autobot]] crew. The [[Decepticon]] leader blasts a hole through [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s chest, causing an enraged [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to attack him. Megatron taunts Optimus as the two trade blows, blaming him for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s destruction. Using his [[energon-axe]], Optimus slices off Megatron's right arm, allowing him to kick Megatron towards an opening in the ship. Hanging onto the edge, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to aid him, but the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] uses this opportunity to finally seize leadership of the Decepticons, blasting Megatron and sending him falling to the planet.

Awaking sometime later — and now missing both arms — in the science labs of [[Cobra-La]], Megatron's fury finally allows him to escape the shackles of his captors, crushing a Cobra-La scientist under his foot. He demands the return of his limbs, but the surviving scientist tells him they were only able to find one. Megatron allows the scientist to live as thanks and reattaches his left arm. However, he is interrupted by the arrival of Lord [[Golobulus]] and his [[Royal Guard]]. Golobulus orders his soldiers not to let "the beast" escape. Living up to this description, Megatron savagely tears his way through the Royal Guard and Golobulus's Cobra-La creatures before Golobulus manages to stab him his remaining eye. Blinded and furious, Megatron flees from the battle by flying upwards, bursting through to the surface of the planet. Amid the snowy mountains, Megatron swears that he will find Starscream and make him pay!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (5)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (6)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (7)

|h3=[[Cobra-La]]|c3=
* Scientists (8)
* [[Golobulus]] (9)
* [[Royal Guard]]s (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''STARSCREAMMM!!'''"
:- '''Megatron''' shows us, that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

"You are a metal '''Abomination'''! Inorganic filth! You still belong to me!" 
"Belong? Pathetic insect...'''Do you know who I am???!!!''' '''I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!'''"
:–'''Golobulus''' provoking '''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This story finally reveals what happened to Megatron prior to the start of the main ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' series. [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|Issue #4]] had previously shown Megatron frozen in ice, with the subsequently released ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]] revealing he was found by the people of Cobra-La and taken in to be studied.
** Considering how this story ends, with Megatron emerging into the frozen wastes, the scene from ''Transformers'' #4 either takes place ''after'' his escape from Cobra-La, having been lost in the Arctic, or between his crash landing and his discovery by Cobra.
* Megatron's dialogue hints towards the ideological conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, something that has frequently been alluded to but not yet fully established in the main ''Transformers'' comics.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Megatron's line of "I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!" echoes what he said to [[Unicron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (2023) issue 7.5}}
[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers Energon Universe 2024 Special story

2024-06-13T05:15:37Z

Tomhur: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Energon Universe Special 2024|''Energon Universe Special'' 2024]]
|prev=
|next=Void Rivals Energon Universe Special story
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]''
|prev2=Transformers (2023) issue 7
|next2=Transformers (2023) issue 8
|seriesissue3=''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''
|prev3=Cobra Commander issue 1
|next3=Cobra Commander issue 5
|image=Energon Universe Special 2024 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 4]], [[2024]]
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Ryan Ottley]]
|colors by=[[Annalisa Leoni]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Whatever happened to the Decepticon leader?'''

==Synopsis==
As the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' careens toward [[Earth|the blue and green planet]] below, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tears through the opposing forces of its [[Autobot]] crew. The [[Decepticon]] leader blasts a hole through [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s chest, causing an enraged [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to attack him. Megatron taunts Optimus as the two trade blows, blaming him for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s destruction. Using his [[energon-axe]], Optimus slices off Megatron's right arm, allowing him to kick Megatron towards an opening in the ship. Hanging onto the edge, Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to aid him, but the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] uses this opportunity to finally seize leadership of the Decepticons, blasting Megatron and sending him falling to the planet.

Awaking sometime later — and now missing both arms — in the science labs of [[Cobra-La]], Megatron's fury finally allows him to escape the shackles of his captors, crushing a Cobra-La scientist under his foot. He demands the return of his limbs, but the surviving scientist tells him they were only able to find one. Megatron allows the scientist to live as thanks and reattaches his left arm. However, he is interrupted by the arrival of Lord [[Golobulus]] and his [[Royal Guard]]. Golobulus orders his soldiers not to let "the beast" escape. Living up to this description, Megatron savagely tears his way through the Royal Guard and Golobulus's Cobra-La creatures before Golobulus manages to stab him his remaining eye. Blinded and furious, Megatron flees from the battle by flying upwards, bursting through to the surface of the planet. Amid the snowy mountains, Megatron swears that he will find Starscream and make him pay!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (5)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (6)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (7)

|h3=[[Cobra-La]]|c3=
* Scientists (8)
* [[Golobulus]] (9)
* [[Royal Guard]]s (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''STARSCREAM!!'''"
:- '''Megatron''' shows us, that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

"You are a metal '''Abomination'''! Inorganic filth! You still belong to me!" 
"Belong? Pathetic insect...'''Do you know who I am???!!!''' '''I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!'''"
:–'''Golobulus''' provoking '''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This story finally reveals what happened to Megatron prior to the start of the main ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' series. [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|Issue #4]] had previously shown Megatron frozen in ice, with the subsequently released ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]] revealing he was found by the people of Cobra-La and taken in to be studied.
** Considering how this story ends, with Megatron emerging into the frozen wastes, the scene from ''Transformers'' #4 either takes place ''after'' his escape from Cobra-La, having been lost in the Arctic, or between his crash landing and his discovery by Cobra.
* Megatron's dialogue hints towards the ideological conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, something that has frequently been alluded to but not yet fully established in the main ''Transformers'' comics.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Megatron's line of "I BELONG TO NO ONE!!!" echoes what he said to [[Unicron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (2023) issue 7.5}}
[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Duke (G.I. Joe)

2024-06-13T02:43:07Z

Tomhur:

{{Factions|gijoe}}
{{disambigm|Duke (disambiguation)|Hauser}}
{{picsneeded|needs appearances from ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' miniseries and other [[Energon Universe]] properties}}
:''Duke is a [[human]] from the [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Duke_1_Cover_A_(Without_Cover_Dress).jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Hi kids. BLAAAAH'm Crack Stuntman. I'm the voice of the gun-shaver on Cheat Commandos, here with an important rap song about safety and spring break. Bust it!]]

'''Duke''', real name '''Conrad S. Hauser''', is a member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] often serving as the team leader whenever [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] is somewhere else. With his blond hair, blue eyes, and cleft chin, he really sports that whole "real American Hero" thing. That he's got the skills and combat history to back it all up doesn't hurt, either.

==Fiction==
===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Duke GIJoevsTFs5.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In response to the forming of the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and its commandeered Transformers, the United States government assembled a strike team dubbed [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Duke was amongst its earliest recruits, and helped track down Cobra's money trail to narrow down where to look for the terrorists. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} He later helped defend the [[SPS Research Facility]] from a [[Cobra]] attack, and dramatically escaped through a window when the place was blown up. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} He was later present when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] helped free several Transformers from Cobra's programming by hacking into the terrorist organization's network. The Autobot also managed to pinpoint the location of Cobra Island, enabling G.I. Joe to launch a counter-attack against their enemy. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers #4}} En route, Duke made small-talk with Hawk, discussing how they’d probably all get court-martialed if they managed to survive their mission. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers #5}} During G.I. Joe's assault on [[Cobra Island]], Duke ordered his squadron to fire on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. After the battle was won, the [[Autobot]]s gave Duke a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] battle mech as a thank you for helping them defeat the [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

[[File:GI Joe vs Transformers V2 Duke.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|...Christopher Pike?!]]
In a far future, where Decepticons had conquered Earth and turned the world into something that looks like it's out of ''The Terminator'', a one armed, no legged, wheelchair-bound Duke that's missing a hunk of his face led the [[Dreadnok]]s as part of the human resistance. When a small group of Joes and Cobras arrived from the past in search of time-lost Transformers, Duke was uninterested in their mission and ordered them to join his resistance group. When [[Barbecue]] refused on the grounds that they could simply "undo" this future if they succeeded, Duke called them cowards and told them to get the hell out of his face. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

As the Decepticon invasion was successfully prevented, Duke got to keep his limbs and face. Back in the regular timeline, he was part of a team of Joes preparing to warp to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and help defeat [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} Upon arrival, they joined up with the local Autobot forces and won against Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Duke and a few other Joes went to [[Cuba]] to stop [[Destro]]'s illegal arms dealing. When they arrived, a team of Autobots had already dealt with it, although Destro had gotten away. While complaining about this, Duke was contacted by [[Firewall]], who told him that [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] was in trouble in [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}} Duke promptly lead a team of Joes to Tibet, where they fought their way past [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] and into [[Cobra-La]]. There Duke met his idol, [[Joe Colton]], and together they gunned down various mutants and defeated Cobra-La. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Duke-The Line.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
Duke was among the founding members of G.I. Joe in [[1939]]. During the team's first meeting, he spotted and opened fire on [[Laserbeak (G1)|a spy]], only to be disarmed when the infiltrator pierced his hand with a laser. Along with [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]], Duke later led an attack on [[Cobra]]'s base on the [[Fera Islands]]. {{storylink|The Line}} He was in charge of Strike Team One, whose task was to take out the shore defenses so Flint's team could call in the fleet. During their mission, the team accidentally reactivated several [[Autobot]]s buried on the island. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] told Duke about the Autobots' long war with the [[Decepticon]]s, and offered to help the Joes with their own mission. {{storylink|Transformed}}

[[File:Transformers GI Joe 5 Duke.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Always bet on Duke!]]
With the Autobots help, Duke's troops fought their way across the island, eventually making contact with [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], who Duke thought had died in battle. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} After thinking up a way to counter [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s earthquakes, he figured that with the Autobots' help, they didn't really need the fleet after all. {{storylink|Wolves}} However, as the Joes approached the [[Terrordrome]], Optimus Prime started regretting getting involved in their war, and told Duke that the Autobots would not aid them any longer. Duke managed to jumpstart Prime's resolve by telling him about the horrors that Cobra had done to their fellow humans, and would keep doing if they weren't stopped. {{storylink|Trenches}} Upon reaching the Terrordrome, Duke bore witness to [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s activation and subsequent rampage. In the end, the Autobots were forced to sacrifice themselves to destroy the giant. Duke reflected on this, telling his fellow Joes that "There's a fine line between being a hero and being a memory." {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

Cobra survived, however, and Duke continued to fight them for the next fifty years. By [[1988]], he had risen to the rank of commander of G.I. Joe, and listened to [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] apologize for a failed attempt to capture [[Destro]]. He responded that Flint's father, [[Nathaniel Faireborn|Nathaniel]], never gave apologies, only results. A short while later, G.I. Joe uncovered [[Blaster (G1)|two]] [[Perceptor (G1)|new]] Autobots who had crashed on Earth, and Duke decided to tell the new recruits exactly what they had found. Together with Stalker and [[Scarlett]], he showed Flint and [[Spirit]] footage of Optimus Prime's battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on the Fera Islands. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Joes in action so that her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]], could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Duke could be seen charging into action alongside Scralett and Roadblock on one of Synergy's view-screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
[[File:DetentionEscape Duke and Snake-Eyes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Duke and Snake-Eyes were stuck in detention by [[Dr. Mayhem]]. They attempted to escape by parachuting out of the window, but were caught and returned to detention. The pair were finally freed when fellow captive [[Spock]] had Mayhem transported to an alien planet. {{storylink|Detention Escape}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Growing up, Duke argued with his step-father frequently. He was also none too keen on [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|his half-brother]]. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

Duke was part of a G.I. Joe strike force that stormed a Cobra hideout housing deadly [[G.I.Rocket|Creeper bombs]]. As his squad were air-dropped into the field, Duke attempted to persuade [[Scarlett]] to go on a date with him. Scarlett rebuked his advances, but told him that she would marry the Joe who brought her [[Cobra Commander]]'s helmet. Both Duke and fellow Joe [[Snake-Eyes]] accepted her challenge. As the Joes swept across the Cobra base, disabling and capturing many operatives as they went, Duke witnessed Cobra Commander and the [[Baroness]] fleeing the scene in a [[Rattler]]. Commandeering another plane, and with Scarlet as his gunner, Duke pursued the terrorists. Pandemonium broke out as the Transformers [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] joined the fight. The battle ultimately culminated in Cobra Commander's plane being destroyed by a payload of Creeper vines, and Duke and Scarlet rescuing Snake-Eyes from the explosion after his face had been blasted by the head of Cobra.

The Joes later reconvened in [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], where Duke voiced his grievances to [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]; their triumph over Cobra felt like a Pyrrhic victory, in light of the trauma they had all gone through. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}}

[[Image:tfvsjoe Duke forgets money.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]

On his next mission, Duke helped round up many Cobra operatives in the town of [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]]. Afterwards, he was recalled to T.H.E. P.I.T. once again. There, he learned that the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was heading for Earth, and that Scarlett had returned to active duty, though Snake-Eyes had not. Duke and [[Ace]] patrolled the skies when representatives from the planet Cybertron came to demand the Earth's unconditional surrender. Having none of that, Duke faced off against Starscream, though [[General Flagg]] ordered him to retreat, lest he be caught in the blast of the [[Coltonbolt]] fired down from orbit. Duke stuck around long enough to rescue [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], [[Lady Jaye]] and [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], and managed to just make it out of the defense satellite's blast range when it fired. {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}}

Aboard the ''[[USS Flagg]]'', Duke took part in General Hawk's mock-funeral, an elaborate set-up meant to draw Cobra into the open. The plan worked, though the Joes were faced with not only their human enemies, but the combined might of the Decepticobra alliance! Duke, Hawk and Jaye took on Starscream during the battle. But the fight was in truth a ruse within a ruse; as Cobra troops were forced to retreat, a disguised Duke sneaked in among their ranks. At the enemy base of [[Decepticobropolis]], Duke noted that Snake-Eyes stood alongside [[Destro]], confirming his fears that the ninja had turned traitor. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}}

Despite his disguise, Duke was soon found out by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who presented the captive Joe to [[Big Boa]]. Duke managed to stuff a bomb in Rumble's mouth, killing him, before taking on Big Boa and a handful of Cobra Troopers by himself. Once they had been dealt with, Duke confronted Snake-Eyes about his betrayal, and went toe-to-toe with the ninja. During their fight, the pair tumbled into the nearby [[M.A.S.S. Device|M.A.S.S. transfer device]]. In the void between dimensions, the two combatants came upon the lost leader of the Autobots: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]! {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} The three of them were then ensnared by the [[Quintesson]]s. Recognizing that these "robothulhus" presented a more pressing matter than his beef with Snake-Eyes, Duke nominated they work together to deal with them. Though the Quintessons managed to invade their memories, the trio slipped through their grasp and high-tailed back to normal space. Duke and Snake-Eyes arrived on Cybertron just in time to join Scarlett and repel a Decepticobra assault on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. The villains were forced to slink away, but they took many prisoners with them. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} With the enemy forces driven off, [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] showed Duke, [[Cover Girl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] some elaborate scribbles he had created while in a mystical trance; a map to the chamber of [[Primus]]. The six of them were joined by [[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] and followed the map to an underground chamber containing the face of the Transformers' creator-god... as well as Decepticobra guards! {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Escape from Primus}} {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{mainIDW|Duke}}
Duke was among a select few chosen to form the elite U.S. military force [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], meeting their namesake General [[Joe Colton]] upon their formation. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} {{storylink|The Divine Source of Liberty|Scarlett profile in Revolution #2}}

[[Ayana Jones|Ayana "Mayday" Jones]] served under Colonel Hauser during the [[Nanzhao]] conflict. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}

At the time of the [[Revolution]] incident, [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] last knew that [[Big Ben]] was running missions in Eastern Europe with Colonel Hauser. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}}

The [[Decepticon]] [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] believed from outdated information that Duke was the leader of G.I. Joe. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}}}}

===When Worlds Collide===
{{Charstubfiction|{{storylink|When Worlds Collide}}}}

===Energon Universe===
As a kid, Conrad Hauser would test drive vehicles built by his childhood friend [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)| Lance "Clutch" Steinberg]], until he "went on the straight and narrow." {{storylink|Duke issue 2|Duke #2}}

For the first part of his military career, Hauser, or rather, Duke, was considered an exemplary, if not exceptional soldier almost from the get-go, renowned as a born leader both on and off the battlefield. He could boast innumerable successes in extraction and rescue missions with zero collateral damage. Despite this, he turned down multiple promotions, feeling that his place was on the battlefield with the troops, rather than commanding them from afar.

[[File:Duke no. 1 – Starscream about to kill Frosting.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.275]]
But the trajectory of Duke's life would change forever when he called in a favour from his comrade-in-arms [[Frosting]] to fly him back to base in his jet, Viper 2. {{storylink|Duke issue 1|Duke #1}} The trip was interrupted when the jet was ordered to investigate anomalous radar readings coming from the power plant in [[Farmingham]]. However, an [[Starscream (G1)|enemy jet]] intercepted them and opened fire, before converting into a giant robot and slapping their jet out of the sky. Frosting managed to eject himself and Duke from the craft in time, but the robot sadistically killed Frosting with a clap of its hands. The robot then attempted to kill Duke, but Duke deployed a jetpack and shot the robot in the face with a flare gun before making his escape. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

Frosting's death would haunt Duke, as he refused to deny what had happened despite the cover stories, and became bound and determined to find the answers as to where the jet robot came from, feeling he owed it to Frosting's wife and newborn son. This caused him to receive multiple disciplinary actions. [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Colonel Hawk]], not wanting to lose an asset like Duke, tried to talk him into accepting the official story so he could pass a psych eval and return to duty. Duke, however, held his ground, demanding to know what was on Viper 2's flight recorders, but Hawk continued to stonewall him, prompting Duke to leave in a huff, deciding that if his country was only going to lie to him, then he'd find the answers and take out the robot himself.

Six months later, Duke's quest for answers got him invited by Dr. [[Adele Burkhart]] to a convention of alien enthusiasts in [[Washington, D.C.]]. Initially, Duke was skeptical he'd find anything from the numerous wackjobs in the crowd, but he became interested when Burkhart took Duke aside, explaining that she'd had theories about [[Energon|a new clean energy source]] from space, but started asking too many questions, which got her sidelined from her profession (which Duke found relatable). Burkhart expressed concern that her findings could be used to create new and devastating weapons, and theorized that in encountering the robot, Duke had stumbled onto a high-tech arms race, with one of the key players being [[M.A.R.S.|M.A.R.S. Industries]].

Acting on this theory, Duke decided to infiltrate M.A.R.S. to scope it out for himself. Once inside the building, he found the company was constructing numerous high-tech weapons, including [[S.N.A.K.E.|a kind of robotic armour]], which led him to believe that M.A.R.S. had constructed the jet-robot that had killed Frosting. But before he could do anything more however, he was set upon by [[Mercer]], who engaged him in a fistfight until Duke was subdued by countless security goons. The goons were content to trespass him from the building, but Duke's infiltration had also earned him unwanted attention from [[Destro|M.A.R.S.'s head honcho]]…

Confused about why the corporate goons had let him live, Duke returned to the enthusiasts' convention only to find that to his horror, they had all been murdered. There, he found a mortally wounded Dr. Burkhart, who told him that [[Major Bludd|an Australian]] had come to the convention, killed all the attendees, and stolen all of her research – except for a device, which she then handed to Duke, urging him to find the truth, as she succumbed to her injuries. Duke had no time to mourn, however, as a SWAT team suddenly burst onto the scene. He tried to deescalate the situation, but the police opened fire on him, and he jumped out a window and disappeared into the night, now more determined than ever to find answers. {{storylink|Duke issue 1|Duke #1}}

Duke met up with Clutch, figuring that since he and Clutch went back to before his army days, the MPs wouldn't think to check on him. After helping Duke with his injuries, Clutch was skeptical of his giant robot story, but realized that the device Dr. Burkhart had given him was in fact a tracker for the technology she had developed. Duke was about to leave Clutch's junkyard when they were set on by [[Rock 'n Roll]]. They tried to make a getaway in Clutch's jeep, but they were herded into a trap set by [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], who incapacitated them both.

Stalker and Rock 'n Roll then took Duke and CLutch to the [[Pit (G.I. Joe)|Pit]], where Stalker told Duke that his best bet was to trust the system. Duke retorted that the system didn't trust ''him''. Another prisoner, the [[Baroness]], overheard this discussion and suggested to Duke that they might have something to gain by working together. {{storylink|Duke issue 2|Duke #2}} Duke, knowing the Baroness's history, was skeptical of such an arrangement, but the Baroness pointed out that for all the loyalty Duke had shown his country, his country had given up on him, and asked what it was ''he'' wanted.

It was then that Major Bludd and his Blood Hounds launched an attack on the Pit. Rock 'n Roll let out Duke and Clutch only to get wounded in the assault, but the Baroness demanded she be released too, arguing Duke needed her, and Duke reluctantly shot open her cell door. As Duke and Clutch went to Rock 'n Roll's aid, Duke was set upon by Major Bludd, who revealed that he had been the one to kill Burkhart and her convention before shooting Duke in the leg and demanding he hand over Burkhart's device. Duke refused, but before Bludd could shoot him, Bludd was shot in the eye by the Baroness, who then aimed her gun at Duke, hoping to cash in on the price on Duke's head. {{storylink|Duke issue 3|Duke #3}} However, Duke managed to talk the Baroness out of it by pointing out that whoever was after him would likely go after her next. So Duke, the Baroness, Clutch, Rock 'n Roll, and a reluctant Stalker made their way to the Pit's armed vehicle storehouse. The five then put the unarmed but technologically advanced vehicles they found to good use and charged the Blood Hounds. As the enemy pulled out, Duke and the Baroness took the opportunity to make their respective escapes, with Duke using a [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]] to head to the coordinates indicated on Burkhart's device.

There, his aircraft was shot down by [[Scrap-Iron]]'s anti-air missiles, but Duke managed to bail out safely and make his way into the M.A.R.S. stronghold, where he discovered a giant battery. Knowing M.A.R.S.'s security systems were listening, Duke confronted them over Frosting's death and vowed he'd be "killing [their] flying robot," only to be set upon by a [[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.]] {{storylink|Duke issue 4|Duke #4}}

[[File:Duke no 5 - American Manpower .JPG|right|thumb|]]It was then that M.A.R.S.'s boss, Destro, introduced himself and offered Duke a position in his organization, but Duke refused to work for the people who built the jet-robot. To Duke's surprise however, Destro had no idea what he was talking about. Destro then suggested that perhaps it was the US government that built the robot, and re-extended his offer. Duke gave his answer in the form of a Glasgow kiss, stating he'd rather put ''all'' the robots out of commission, so Destro left him to the B.A.T.'s tender mercies. Armed with only an empty rifle, Duke managed to rip off the android's head and spine and then beat it into submission with it. Thinking he had avenged Frosting, Duke collapsed as the M.A.R.S. stronghold self-destructed around him.

Duke was reported dead, but his name was cleared, with the blame for Dr. Burkhart's death falling on Bludd and his Blood Hounds. Only thing was, Duke was ''not'' dead, as he came to handcuffed to a hospital bed. Colonel Hawk explained to Duke that he had withheld the truth from him to protect him, knowing that he would pursue it relentlessly, and that Destro's connections with the US government meant he had to approach the situation carefully. Hawk then took a skeptical Duke back to the rebuilt and recomissioned Pit. There, Duke was surprised to run into Clutch, who, along with Stalker and Rock 'n Roll, had been selected for the "[[G.I. Joe (team)|highly trained special mission force]]" Hawk wanted Duke to head up. Duke turned him down at first, but Hawk showed Duke drone footage of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|another robot that turned into a truck]], explaining that he needed men like Duke who could could put a stop to these robots. Duke vowed that he and the new task force would "destroy them all." {{storylink|Duke issue 5|Duke #5}}

Among the talent Duke wanted for the new taskforce was the Baroness, which was met with incredulity from Hawk. Duke responded that while the Baroness was a wildcard, her pragmatism and outside-the-box thinking would be an asset for the team, and argued that it was better that she work for them than for someone else. With that, Duke showed up to rescue the Baroness from two [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|masked]] [[Lady Jaye|assassins]] and personally offered her the position. The Baroness was skeptical, but Duke explained that he needed someone who wasn't afraid to question authority or play dirty, and that working with him would be preferable to life as a fugitive or prisoner, and she accepted. {{storylink|G.I. Joe Energon Universe Special story|G.I. Joe Energon Universe Special}}
{{ongoing}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
'''[[Hound (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hound]] [[VAMP|V.A.M.P.]]'''
[[File:GiJoe Duke EarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.00]]

Duke is the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] partner of Hound {{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: G.I. Joe Command''' - Follow Duke’s command! Aim at a defence and the V.A.M.P. will deal some damage. Defences in the area receive 20% (2-Stars) / 30% (3-Stars) / 40% (4-Stars) more damage and get prioritized by all bots for 3.5 seconds.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +3 for reuses.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Pop!''===
[[File:Funko Pop Mystery Box Megatron Duke GI Joe.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
*'''Funko Mystery Box: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''' (Giftset, 2021)
**''ID number:'' '''46'''

:Released as part of the ''Pop! Retro Toys'' segment and available only as part of a GameStop exclusive giftset, [[Funko Pop!|Funko]]'s ''Pop!'' Duke is a super deformed vinyl figure and comes [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] inside a ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''-themed lunch box alongside a ''Pop!'' [[Megatron (G1)/merchandise#Pop!|Megatron]] figure, a ''G.I. Joe'' logo decal, an Autobot logo keychain, and a set of four pins of Duke, Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Pop!|Optimus Prime ]] and [[Cobra Commander#Pop!|Cobra Commander]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/cartoons/japanese/pioneer/SDLDpostmovie.jpg A group shot] drawn by [[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]] as cover art for [[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer]]'s ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Transformers 2010]]'' {{w|LaserDisc}} set mistakenly features Duke as a flag-waving incidental character in the crowd rather than [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]], a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] who ''did'' appear in the series. The reproduction of the piece's lineart in ''[[Transformers Visualworks]]'' deleted Duke from the image.
*The resemblance of Duke and his role in a military organization fighting a reptilian-themed enemy, and the title character of the [[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|2006 TV show]] ''[[Space-Age Jack]]'', is purely coincidental. Both characters being voiced by [[Michael Bell]] was, also, most assuredly a coincidence.
*[[Buzz Dixon]], a writer for the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon, revealed in an interview that Duke was indirectly responsible for the first death of Optimus Prime, who in turn was indirectly responsible for saving Duke's life. The writers of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' asked Hasbro for permission to kill Duke off, and Hasbro not only granted it, they thought it was a great idea and way to [[To sell toys|clear out older characters in favor of new ones]], so they instructed the writers of the upcoming [[The Transformers: The Movie|''Transformers'' movie]] to kill off most of the original cast of the cartoon series. The Transformers movie ended up being released first, but fan (and parent) reactions to all of the character deaths, especially that of Optimus Prime, were overwhelmingly negative, to the point where a spooked Hasbro changed their minds and ordered the Joe writers to spare Duke. This led to an awkward new dialogue in the G.I. Joe movie stating that the clearly killed Duke had merely fallen into a coma, along with an inserted line at the end saying that he had awakened and was going to recover.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151215034944/http://www.joeheadquarters.com/interviews_dixon.shtml G.I. Joe Interview - Buzz Dixon]</ref>
*Duke has been voiced by a few ''Transformers'' voice actors over the years from the likes of [[Michael Bell]], [[Steve Blum]], [[Roger Craig Smith]], [[Jason Marsden]], [[Ian James Corlett]] and [[Sean Chiplock]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grant''' (グラント ''Guranto''), '''Duke''' (デューク ''Dyūku'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.yojoe.com/action/83/duke1.shtml Duke at YoJoe.com]
*[http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/characters/duke.html Duke page on Myuseless Knowledge]
*{{i|Duke}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki

[[Category:Energon Universe humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:G.I. Joe members]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) humans]]
[[Category:Kre-O humans]]

File:Duke no 5 - American Manpower .JPG

2024-06-13T02:35:43Z

Tomhur: {{SkyboundEU |description=Duke's a Real American Hero with some real American Manpower! {{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=Tom Reilly|colors=Jordie Bellaire|script=Joshua Williamson|letters=Rus Wooton}} |series=duke |interior=y |issueno=5 |st...

{{SkyboundEU
|description=Duke's a Real American Hero with some real American Manpower!
{{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=[[Tom Reilly]]|colors=[[Jordie Bellaire]]|script=[[Joshua Williamson]]|letters=[[Rus Wooton]]}}
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[[Category:Images by Tom Reilly]]
[[Category:Images by Jordie Bellaire]]

File:TF2023 no 9 - Cliffjumper No .jpeg

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Tomhur:

{{SkyboundEU
|description= Cliffjumper can only scream in horror as Shockwave drags him away''
{{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=[[Jorge Corona]]|colors=[[Mike Spicer]]|script=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]|letters=[[Rus Wooton]]}}
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[[Category:Images by Jorge Corona]]
[[Category:Images by Mike Spicer]]

Cliffjumper (G1)

2024-06-13T02:19:24Z

Tomhur: Added an image to the Energon Universe section. Hope I got it right. First time adding a photo.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|cobra|sgDecepticon|protector}}
{{disambig3|Cliffjumper}}
{{suite}}
:''Cliffjumper is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Cliffjumperg1.jpg|upright=2|thumb|He's got a piece of paper that he claims contains a list of 200 known traitors.]]
Nobody hates Decepticons more than '''Cliffjumper'''. He's always ready to charge into battle, a gung-ho little hero who'll take on any threat with a cry of "Lemme at 'em!" He's daring, dedicated, and determined, and takes the business of fighting evil seriously, but he's not a patient 'bot; he'll often act without thinking, shooting first and asking questions later, or picking fights that he really can't hope to win. He's even been known to blow out his own tires by speeding into action too quickly!

Cliffjumper doesn't ''dislike'' Earth, but any concern he has for it comes in a distant second to taking down a 'Con, and that means he'll often cause damage to the surrounding area in battle without really thinking about it, which in turn leads to lectures from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. But that's far from the worst disagreement he's been known to have with his fellow Autobots: his hatred for the Decepticons is so great that, if he gets the sense one of his team-mates isn't fully committed to the Autobot cause, he'll be quick to point an accusing finger and even cry "traitor!", as [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] has found out more than once.

Cliffjumper's special weapon is his [[glass gas]], which embrittles metals on contact so that they shatter like glass.

{{quote|Look at Megatron. I'm gonna blast that smile off his faceplate.|Cliffjumper, raring to go|"[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Cliffjumper starscream thundercracker the transformers.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Cliffjumper was a part of the crew on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed into [[Earth]] four million years ago while clearing an asteroid field in the path of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Upon reviving in [[1984]], Cliffjumper was chosen as part of the first field expedition into the world under [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]'s command. Their simple recon mission to a [[Community Drive-In|drive-in movie theatre]] quickly turned into a battle when the Decepticons arrived. Cliffjumper acquitted himself well in combat, single-handedly driving off [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] with his glass gas. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] reviewed this battle when they learned of the existence of [[human]]s. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

Later, Cliffjumper joined [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] on the mission to rescue their human friend [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] from the Decepticons' [[Fortress Sinister|fortress]]. Unfortunately, the human military got in the way, distracting Cliffjumper and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] long enough for [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s [[Earthquake (event)|earthquakes]] to throw them for a loop. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Whether because of this or just a general lack of fuel, Cliffjumper was unable to stand up and fight against the Decepticons in the next battle at the Ark. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} He was deactivated and strung up from the ceiling when [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] subsequently occupied the Ark, {{storylink|The New Order}} on full display for [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] to see when he managed to infiltrate the now Decepticon-controlled ship. Ratchet managed to reclaim the Ark for the crew, {{storylink|Warrior School!}} and Cliffjumper and most of the other Autobots were quickly repaired and restored to operational status. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} However, the head of Optimus Prime was still missing and during an attempt to retrieve it an impostor head took control of Prime's body, firing on Cliffjumper. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[File:Cliffjumperuk.jpg|thumb|Don't ask, don't tell, don't laugh.]]
''Presumably repaired, Cliffjumper was at the Ark when the Autobots came under attack from the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], who was under the control of the human [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]].'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''Consequently, he participated in the Dinobot Hunt, forming the "A-Team" along with [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]. Although they found [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] in the swamps of [[Littlewood]], [[California]], all three were immediately thereafter ambushed and shot by Soundwave and the Decepticons. Held captive aboard their own booby-trapped [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] in [[Doonstown]] while [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and Sludge rampaged outside, they were ultimately rescued by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]].'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

Shortly after [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] joined the Autobots, Cliffjumper was lying on a slab in Ratchet's repair bay. Although Ratchet vowed to try and help the wounded Autobots, he was not optimistic about being able to revive all of them. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
Presumably repaired, Cliffjumper was present when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Serpentor]] forged an alliance between [[Cobra]] and the Autobots against the Decepticons. Shortly afterwards, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] joined them as well. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

Much later, he was one of the observers to Blaster and Grimlock's battle for Autobot leadership on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. How he fared in the following [[Decepticon]] attack is unknown, but he was not seen again in the present day. {{storylink|Totaled!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Autobots wanted galvatron dead or alive.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
In one future timeline, Cliffjumper was serving alongside Optimus Prime on one of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Moonbase One|moons]]. Lacking the [[energon cube]]s to power a full-scale assault on the Decepticon-controlled planet, they sent [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] and a team of Autobots to make a run to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth to get some. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} Not long afterwards, a "[[Unicron/Generation 1|gi-normous, weird-lookin' planet]]" showed up and consumed the moon, along with [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and Cliffjumper's escape craft. {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

After surviving the destruction of Moonbase One, Cliffjumper had returned to the Autobot combat movement on Cybertron by [[2007]]. He joined [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] in a concerted effort to surprise a [[Airborne hunter squad|group of Decepticon skyraiders]], using [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] as bait to draw them in close for a crossfire. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}

[[File:CrossingOver3-CliffjumperSkyfall.jpg|thumb|right|200px|You have no idea.]]

Cliffjumper suffered severe damage during [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'s infamous [[Underbase]] rampage; lacking the resources on Earth to repair him, the Autobots shipped his body to Cybertron, where he languished on life support for fifteen years until he could be repaired. When he first woke up, however, he immediately flatlined again after learning that the war had ended without him. Consoled by the idea that some Decepticons were still left in the universe, Cliffjumper was sadly too late to join [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s crew on the ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]'', so when reports of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s return reached Cybertron, Cliffjumper was the first to join Optimus Prime in returning to Earth to vanquish him. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 17|Cliffjumper's profile in Club magazine #17}}

On Earth, the Autobots encountered a dimension-hopping [[Velocitron]]ian named [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] shortly after he and the Decepticon [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] arrived in their universe. Cliffjumper came with them when they travelled south to locate a mysterious energy signature that resonated on the same wavelength as Skyfall's own emanations, but Cliffjumper, who pointed out that Skyfall freely associated with a Decepticon, remained distrustful of the pair. As it turned out, Cliffjumper and Skyfall were the only two small enough to fit through the crevice that would lead them to the source of the anomalous readings; while battle raged overhead, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] triggered a cave-in that sent Landquake toppling into the caverns below. Eager for the chance to scrap a Decepticon, Cliffjumper gleefully leveled his pistol at Landquake as Skyfall tried to stop him. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} Protecting a 'Con was all the proof Cliffjumper needed to turn on Skyfall too, but another cave-in sent the robots tumbling deeper underground before anyone could get shot. A falling boulder crushed Cliffjumper's leg, but that didn't stop him from trying to blast the other two from where he lay on the ground. However, his shot disturbed the pool of [[Rarified Energon]] they landed next to and awakened a curiously-similar robot known as [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]. Using his own unique abilities, the pacifistic Breakaway healed Cliffjumper's leg in moments just by laying hands on him. As the Decepticon Cassettes arrived in search of the energon, Cliffjumper and the others drove them back while retreating further into the caverns. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 4}}

Allowing a temporary cease fire due to the strangeness of the situation, Cliffjumper started looking for a way to protect the Rarified Energon from the Decepticons up above. Skyfall accidentally triggered a secret passage, though, and he, Landquake and Breakaway felt compelled to respond to the voice of the "[[Caretaker]]" emanating from the passage, who claimed to speak for [[Primus]] himself. Cliffjumper felt the "purity" of the place as well; although his basic nature still warned him it could all be a trap, he eventually agreed to follow them after first setting a booby tap to deter any pursuers. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} The Caretaker spoke to Skyfall, Landquake and Breakaway about the greater destiny that awaited elsewhere in the [[multiverse]], and beckoned them to pass through the dimensional barriers to the next leg of their journey. Skyfall balked at the idea more than the others, but ultimately he and Cliffjumper passed through the dimensional space bridge together. Meanwhile, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] arrived at the Rarified Energon pool and set off the laser-trip wire Cliffjumper had left behind, detonating the entrance and burying the chambers behind them. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

[[File:Optimusshatteredhallway.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

While Skyfall, Landquake, and Breakaway arrived in [[Axiom Nexus]], Cliffjumper wound up in a [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|mirror dimension of evil Autobots and heroic Decepticons]]; as [[Cliffjumper (SG)|this reality's original Cliffjumper]] had died some time ago, [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]], mistaking this Cliffjumper for his own, brought him to [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Unaware of the backwards nature of this universe, the sight of Optimus executing [[Rumble (SG)|Rumble]] disgusted Cliffjumper, and when he protested Optimus shot him and had him dumped in the deadly [[Rad Zone]]. Fortunately, however, the heroic Decepticons discovered his broken body and brought him back to their base. A number of physiological anomalies, including the presence of a positively-charged [[spark]] instead of an "ember", convinced them that he was not ''their'' Cliffjumper. Although Cliffjumper assumed the worst when he came to and tried to escape, [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] and [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]] explained the nature of their universe and requested Cliffjumper's assistance in foiling Optimus's plan to launch the ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]'' and invade [[Earth]].

Although Cliffjumper was confused to learn that the 'bots of this universe did not believe in [[Primus]], he and [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] nevertheless devised a plan to duplicate Cliffjumper's [[glass gas]] to weaken the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launch platform and render it vulnerable to conventional weaponry. While [[Razorclaw (SG)|Razorclaw]] and [[Rampage (SG)|Rampage]] dispatched the Autobot guards, and Starscream, [[Divebomb (SG)|Divebomb]], and [[Whisper (SG)|Whisper]] dropped the "glass gas bombs" on the ''Ark'', Cliffjumper and the others attacked the launch platform. However, their weapons failed to destroy the platform, resulting in an all-out brawl between the two sides. When Optimus spotted Cliffjumper, he attempted to destroy the "traitor", but Megatron took the hit instead, and this selfless act spurred Cliffjumper to destroy the launch platform. The triumphant Decepticons retreated, and Cliffjumper, his loyalties assured for the time being, left with them. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}}

[[File:Cliffjumper&SGGoryu Dungeons&Dinobots.jpg|thumb|right|200px|There's always a bigger fish...]]

Some time later, Cliffjumper helped the Decepticons battle the Autobots for control of the [[Arch-Ayr]] fuel dump by firing large amounts of both artillery and insults at Optimus Prime, although his enthusiasm disturbed Starscream and Megatron. When [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] called in the [[Mayhem Suppression Squad]], Cliffjumper helped the Squad force the Autobots into a retreat before [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]] and his army of [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinobots]] attacked. When the Dinobots turned on each other and scattered across Cybertron, Megatron ordered Cliffjumper and a number of other Decepticons to capture them so that they could be reprogrammed into Decepticons. He and Sideswipe located and subdued [[Slugfest (SG)|Slugfest]], only for the hulking [[Goryu (SG)|Goryu]] to come to Slugfest's aid. Cliffjumper jumped onto and rode Goryu as he chased after Sideswipe, and eventually tricked Goryu into knocking himself out. The two then noticed [[Huffer (SG)|Huffer]] on the horizon and cornered him; after Sideswipe "convinced" Huffer to admit what he was up to by warning that Cliffjumper was insane because he believed in Primus, the pair used his information to track [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]] to an old bunker, the place where this universe's Cliffjumper had died. While the two examined hieroglyphics just inside the bunker's entrance, a booming voice ordered them to get out. The two were more than willing to comply, but found they couldn't, as the tunnels around them had changed; with no way out, the pair continued heading deeper into the planet's surface and encountered several traps, one of which injured Cliffjumper's leg.

Later, the two met up with Rodimus and [[Blurr (SG)|Blurr]]. Cliffjumper and Rodimus tumbled into a hidden passage; despite activating another trap, Rodimus deactivated the trap before it could crush them by yanking out and using the spear that had become embedded in Cliffjumper's leg earlier. Their trek led them into the [[Omega Terminus]]'s central chamber, but although Rodimus enthused at the prospect of animating an army from the robot corpses around them, Cliffjumper had no interest in an alliance. After using mirror-universe [[scraplet]]s to heal his damaged leg, the two met back up with Blurr and Sideswipe on a narrow bridge overlooking a deep chasm. Rodimus tried again to recruit the others into a new team of [[Wreckers]], but was interrupted by the arrival of Grimlock, who explained he had been guided there by a strange voice that didn't want the others there. The Omega Terminus started spinning and shot a bolt of energy at Grimlock, giving him an [[spark|ember]] and the ability to [[transformation|transform]]. When Cliffjumper challenged him, the Omega Terminus itself attacked by reanimating four corpses, including [[Drench (SG)|Drench]] and the other Cliffjumper. In the ensuing fight, Cliffjumper came up with the idea of destroying the [[zombie]]s using scraplets, who promptly reduced them to dust. Although Grimlock swept the quartet off a ledge, managed to distract Grimlock enough for Cliffjumper and Sideswipe to knock the evil Dinobot off the cliff; when they pulled themselves back up, Omega Terminus again ordered them to leave, which they promptly did.
A short time later, Megatron asked Sideswipe and Cliffjumper if the Dinocons' recently discovered transformation ability had something to do with their recent adventure, but they found they couldn't recall exactly what had happened while underground. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

[[File:SGDemolishorHeatwaveCliffjumper DoOver.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Are you my "second Ego"? What a nasty sight!]]

The Decepticons launched their next major offensive when it became clear that Optimus planned to rebuild the ''Ark'' for a second launch before Cybertron drifted into the [[Plait Expanse]]. Although Cliffjumper briefly despaired, thinking that his hard work had been for nothing, Megatron reassured him that the delay had given the Autobots enough time to build the ''[[Nemesis (SG)|Nemesis]]'', a ship that could pursue the evil Autobots offworld. Owing to his prior familiarity with [[Earth]], Megatron put Cliffjumper in charge of screening volunteers to crew the ''Nemesis'', but discovered that not all the Decepticons who volunteered, including [[Demolishor (SG)|Demolishor]] and [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], corresponded to Decepticons from his native timeline. Later, when the Decepticons received word that [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] had kidnapped Megatron, Starscream wanted to mount a full raid. Cliffjumper reminded him that prepping the ''Nemesis'' for launch should be their top priority. Indeed, the Decepticons failed to rescue Megatron in time; with both Megatron and Optimus stranded on Cybertron, Starscream took command and launched the ''Nemesis'' moments before the planet entered the outer reaches of the Plait Nebula.

Although the Decepticons caught up with the Autobots, a human-built [[fusion bomb]] interrupted the firefight between the two ships. Heatwave's ability to "talk" with their damaged ship amazed him, but as their damaged ship spiralled towards the planet, the majority of Decepticons boarded escape pods and fled, while Cliffjumper volunteered to stay behind with Starscream to steer their disabled ship away from any major population centers. {{storylink|Do Over}}

Cliffjumper and Starscream survived the crash intact, and were found by Heatwave, Soundwave, [[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]], and [[Henri Arkeville|some]] [[Will Hayes|humans]] [[Rick Ottman|who had discovered]] [[Sephie Beller|the ''Nemesis'']]. As they all discussed their current situation, Cliffjumper was suspicious of the humans--especially Arkeville, who bothered him for some reason he couldn't place. The idea that Cliffjumper came from another reality fascinated Arkeville; when Cliffjumper asked what happened to this Earth's [[California]], he learned that this iteration of Earth had experienced [[World War III]] in the 1980s. Starscream figured that the Autobots had perished in the crash, but Cliffjumper wasn't sure, and sent him out with the other survivors to look for fallen Decepticon escape pods. Cliffjumper found [[Crasher (SG)|Crasher]]'s [[stasis pod]] in [[Bay Demolition|a junkyard]], he booted her back online, but became flustered when part of their conversation afterwards involved him trying to explain his unfamiliarity with [[female Transformer]]s.

When the Autobots made themselves known by hijacking the recently-launched [[Global Orbiting Defense Satellite]] and holding the Earth hostage, Cliffjumper helped plan the liberation of the [[Burpleson Air Force Base|military base]] the Autobots had captured. After Heatwave used his unusual talents to turn the Autobot's own stolen satellite against the base and destroy it, Cliffjumper comforted the larger mech, who was mournful that he had to also destroy the transmitter. {{storylink|Eye in the Sky}}

After rescuing [[Blitzwing (SG)|Blitzwing]] from the Autobots and their new [[Space bridge|Stellar spanner]], Cliffjumper wondered why Blitzwing hadn't been captured or killed after they incapacitated him. Blitzwing revealed that he had fused with an [[oPod]] and disrupted them with its signal, and Cliffjumper found Arkeville's comparison to human bodies being able to make bone out of coral to be creepy. As Blitzwing's new disruptive signal ability eventually spread from the Autobots' emergency frequency to the Decepticons', Cliffjumper was irritated that his normal-universe Autobot emergency frequency just happened to be the same as the Decepticons' in this universe. Starscream suggested everyone but Soundwave (who was unaffected) going into emergency [[stasis lock]] to protect them from being damaged by the signal while their human friends protected them until Soundwave could find Blitzwing and cure his broadcasting; although Cliffjumper was paranoid about both ideas, his concerns were overruled. When Soundwave was successful and everything went back to normal, Cliffjumper was also glad that they could now build their own Stellar Spanner with the schematics Blitzwing had stolen. {{storylink|Blitzwing Bop}}

Once the Decepticons got their Stellar Spanner working, they were joined on Earth by [[Shockwave (SG)|Shockwave]], whom Cliffjumper was surprised to learn was interested in hearing more about [[Primus]]. Cliffjumper attended an unveiling ceremony with the other Decepticons as [[R.J. Blackrock]] presented his new [[Mega-Rig]], and got an opportunity to fight the Autobots when they attacked it. When Sephie Beller had herself augmented with Cybertronian technology, Cliffjumper announced he had seen this [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|happen before]] and they needed to stick Sephie in cryo so they could work on a cure. She went off to fight the Autobots on her own, and Cliffjumper stopped Rick from going after her, suggesting they build a [[Nebulan]]-esque exosuit for the boy first.
A team of Decepticons, plus Cliffjumper, went to try and help Sephie, but instead found themselves captured by the Autobots. Bound, they only avoided being terminated when Blackrock arrived in his [[Centurion (SG)|Centurion]] battle mech and started attacking the Autobots. Unfortunately Blackrock also regarded the Decepticons as viable targets, and Cliffjumper's leg was damaged by stray fire. Sephie freed Cliffjumper, knowing he would feel compelled to unchain his comrades rather than stop her from going after Blackrock. He was forced to concede and began releasing Starscream. Sephie, meanwhile, put the Centurion into overload and flew it a safe distance, saving Cliffjumper and the Decepticons. Back at base, he apologized for doubting her and said she would have a place on the Decepticon team if she wanted it, though she turned it down. {{storylink|Transhuman}}

Months later, Cliffjumper was present at the Decepticon base when Landquake, Breakaway, [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] arrived with Skyfall's corpse. He said that, though he never thought he'd say such to a Decepticon, he was glad to see Landquake, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}}
After Landquake and his gestalt members were reborn into [[Nexus Prime]], Nexus offered to take Cliffjumper along on the next leg of his interdimensional journey, but Cliffjumper decided to stay and continue fighting the evil Optimus Prime instead. He bid the Landquake and Skyfall parts of Nexus Prime goodbye as the gestalt stepped through the Decepticons' Stellar Spanner. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

[[File:FallingIntoPlace-Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Cliffjumper had no love for traitors, and he fumed at the idea of Megatron's intended assassin, [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]], being pardoned by the newly reborn Galvatron. When Cyclonus brought the ''[[Annex]]'' on a supply mission to Earth, Cliffjumper insisted on keeping the 'Con in his sights at all times. {{storylink|Coalescence}} At some point, Cliffjumper learned of the ultimate fate of the [[Underbase]]-linked 'bots Demolishor and [[Side Burn (SG)|Side Burn]]. {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

When Cliffjumper's home universe was invaded by evil Autobots, he and Galvatron sent a squad of heroic Decepticons to back up Cliffjumper's comrades. Unfortunately, his universe was destroyed thanks to a relic of the Thirteen, the [[Terminus Blade]]. Only the Earth and the humans and Transformers living on it at the time were saved, transported into a dual orbit around negative-Cybertron. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

As the [[DBN|Decepticon Broadcasting Network]] sought a statement from the heroic Autobot refugees, Cliffjumper made the pushy reporter [[Punch (SG)|Counterpunch]] back the scrap off. {{storylink|Solar Requiem}}

Cliffjumper caught the GoBots' [[Interdimensional Exploration Team]] outside the Ironworks after a conflict with the evil Autobot, [[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]]. {{storylink|High Noon (SG)|High Noon}} He reluctantly brought them inside for conference with Metalhawk after the insistence of the Autobot leader. The GoBots explained that their universe was decaying due to an inter-dimensional transference effect between this universe and theirs. After Wheeljack confirmed their idea that Rarified Energon could be used to reverse the process if a powerful enough supercomputer monitored the process, Cliffjumper proposed they use the [[Caretaker]] node he once encountered. {{storylink|Journey's Eve}} By the time [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Mammoth]] and a team of late-coming positive-Autobots arrived on negative-Cybertron, Cliffjumper was tired of explaining the negative polarity universe to newcomers, and just provided them the "Cliff's Notes" version on a data pack. {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Casey Kasem]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese)|[[Liu Qin]] (Chinese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Juan Cuadra]] (Latin American Spanish, ''Transformers: The Movie''), [[Peter Bertram]] (German, "Transport to Oblivion" and "The Autobot Run"), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, "The Autobot Run"), [[Ulrich Frank]] (German, ''The Movie'' TV dub, ''Generation 2''), [[Frank Muth]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "S.O.S. Dinobots"), [[Ulf-Jürgen Wagner]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Starscreams Brigade"), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Transport to Oblivion" and "Roll for It"), [[Albert Augier]] (European French), [[Olivier Destrez]] (European French, episodes 1 to 7), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Traitor"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "The Immobilizer"), [[Edgar Givry]] (European French, "Enter the Nightbird"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French, "The Autobot Run" & "Starscream's Brigade"), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French, "A Prime Problem"), [[José Luccioni]] (French, ''The Movie''), [[Stefano Onofri]] (Italian, ''40th Anniversary Event'' dub), [[Ionei Silva]] (Portuguese), [[Garcia Neto]] (Portuguese, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1", "The Movie" TV dub) [[Wellington Lima]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" Fox Kids dub)}}

[[File:Cliffgun.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|left|"Where do you keep that giant cannon, Cliffjumper?!" "None of your damn business, Hound."]]

Cliffjumper was a part of the crew on board the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed into [[Earth]] four million years ago during a search for new energy sources. His [[alternate mode]] was reformatted into an oddly-proportioned Porsche 924 Turbo.

When the Autobots awakened from their four million-year slumber, Cliffjumper was eager for action. He volunteered to tag along on [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s recon mission to scout out Decepticons because he was itching to "boot some Decepticon right in his [[Anatomic euphemism#Turbocharger|turbocharger]]". Though [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders were only to find the Decepticons, Cliffjumper brashly tried to engage the enemy once Hound sniffed them out.

Cliffjumper missed his shot, and the Decepticons dispatched [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] to chase off the Autobot eavesdroppers. Hound got pasted by Laserbeak's laser blasts and ended up requiring extensive repair from Autobot medic [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] after being pulled out of a ditch by [[Hauler]]. It worked out in the end, though, since Cliffjumper was remorseful for having acted without thinking, and Hound didn't hold a grudge anyway. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[File:Hufferg1animated.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]

Cliffjumper was among the Autobots that stormed [[Sherman Dam]] to fight off the Decepticons. During the siege, Cliffjumper charged at [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and was easily overpowered until [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] came to his aid. Cliffjumper complimented his pacifist friend on his fighting skills. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} Later, when Optimus Prime was injured in an explosion at the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]], Cliffjumper cheered his leader on as Prime tried to recover from his injuries. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Cliffjumper mistook [[Decepticon-shaped rock|a rock formation]] for a Decepticon and fired at it, nearly smooshing [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and Optimus Prime in the resulting avalanche. Embarrassed, the little hothead admitted his mistake and apologized, while Ironhide scoffed at the notion that the Decepticons were still on Earth. But the Decepticons ''were'' still on Earth, and they took over a human power station. Alerted to the attack by a citywide blackout, Cliffjumper and the Autobots responded. Cliffjumper immediately confronted [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and declared he'd "take care" of the Decepticon leader. Megatron swatted him away like a fly. Cliffjumper obviously didn't learn his lesson, since he took on [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] only moments later, with similar results. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

At a hydroelectric power plant, Cliffjumper and the Autobots interfered with the Decepticons' attempt to fill their energon cubes. With most of their supply damaged in the fight, the Decepticons were forced to retreat having gained little additional energy. {{storylink|Roll for It}} Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who looked on as Ratchet attempted to repair Optimus Prime after a severe battle. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:FireintheSky Cliffjumper vs Ravage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.34|Ravage heartily disapproves of Cliffjumper's operatic solo.]]

During a mission to the Arctic to stop the Decepticons, Cliffjumper was the first to hear [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] calling for help after the father-and-son team were trapped on an ice floe. Before the Autobots could get to them, the humans were scooped up by [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], who was a bit confused about which faction was good or evil. When Cliffjumper and Ironhide made moves to rescue the pair, Optimus Prime stopped them, fearing the humans would be hurt. Opting for an underground rescue, Cliffjumper joined Prime, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] in an ice cave and was the first to discover the humans in an icy prison. After, as the Autobots tried to find Ironhide's team, Cliffjumper pointedly defied Prime's order to stick to a search pattern and ran on ahead. He was promptly tackled by [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], and Optimus had to rescue him. The Autobots regrouped while Ratchet tried to repair Skyfire after an attack by Starscream. When Cliffjumper questioned the wisdom of repairing the large Decepticon, Hound and Ratchet explained that Skyfire had tried to help them. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[File:TUD1 Cliffjumper depth gauge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Are you picking up a signal, or just happy to see me?]]
After the construction of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], Cliffjumper was present for the unveiling, and found himself being battered by the new creations as they ran wild. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} He also took part in the mission in [[Peru]] to stop Megatron from using the [[Crystal of Power]] as an energy source for a cannon. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}} After Sparkplug was kidnapped by Laserbeak, Cliffjumper, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] burrowed under [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon HQ]]. Cliffjumper used his glass gas to make a hole in the underside of the base, so the three Autobots could retrieve Sparkplug and hightail it back to Autobot Headquarters. Unfortunately the Decepticons had already planted a [[hypno-chip]] on Sparkplug, and during the next Decepticon attack, Cliffjumper and the other Autobots discovered that their weapons had been sabotaged. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}

When the Autobots caught up with Megatron, who was preparing to take energy back to Cybertron — energy collected as a result of Cybertron being pulled into Earth's orbit by the [[space bridge]] — Cliffjumper was raring to exact some payback, but Optimus restrained him as they couldn't risk injuring the hypno-chipped humans. Once the humans were safely out of the way, the Autobots attacked, though Ironhide had to remind Cliffjumper to conserve some ammo for later in the fight. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Some time later, Cliffjumper congratulated [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] for getting [[Teletraan I]] repaired (again!), only for the computer to detect the Decepticons on the move. The Autobots started the pursuit and, after a brief stop in a quicksand trap, reached [[Doctor Arkeville]]'s secret lab, where Starscream had rigged the [[Exponential Generator]] to explode. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

[[File:ChangingGears Cliffjumper hits forcefield.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left]]

When Ironhide detected Megatron inbound to Autobot Headquarters, Cliffjumper blasted the Decepticon with glass gas, but Megatron merely shrugged it off. Megatron challenged Prime to one-on-one combat and, despite Cliffjumper's misgivings, Prime accepted. Cliffjumper turned out with the rest of the Autobots to spectate, and was horrified when Optimus lost. When they returned to Headquarters, a quick scan by Teletraan I revealed the truth — Megatron had cheated. The Autobots subsequently blasted the Decepticons into a lava-filled crevasse. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} After the Decepticons began using a [[Solar Needle]] to tap into the Sun, the Earth became unstable. Cliffjumper was saved from a falling boulder by Ironhide. The Autobots drove to [[Africa]] where they discovered that the needle was protected by an energy field. Despite the others' protests, Cliffjumper flung himself into the force field, shorting it out. He recovered a short time later in the jungle nearby, and rejoined the fight which eventually resulted in the destruction of the Solar Needle and rescue of [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

[[File:Traitorcjaccusesmirage.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|right|"J'accuse!"]]

Soon afterward, Cliffjumper made a very public display of his paranoia by accusing fellow Autobot and reluctant soldier [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] of being a traitor on some very flimsy evidence, much to the (correct) disbelief of the other Autobots. He kept up his rhetoric even after Optimus Prime ordered him to can it. So determined was he to prove his theory true that he followed Mirage when the latter returned to the Decepticon power station to sow seeds of discontent within the Decepticon ranks. Fortunately, in the end, it was proven that Mirage was a loyal Autobot all along, and Cliffjumper fell across Mirage's body, asking Ratchet to fix him for not trusting a comrade. This prompted a rather awkward laugh from the other Autobots present. {{storylink|Traitor (episode)|Traitor}}

Cliffjumper was the first to ask what the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]] did as Wheeljack prepared a demonstration. Unfortunately the test was aborted when Ironhide mistook the holographic Laserbeak for the real thing. The second demonstration didn't go much better, resulting in Wheeljack himself being immobilizer, and the Decepticons stealing the device. Gears and Cliffjumper loaded Wheeljack into Ratchet for the return trip to Headquarters, and were both among the Autobots who later attempted to get the Immobilizer back. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} Cliffjumper took part in an Autobot charity event, racing and participating in stunts. The Decepticons took the opportunity to test out their [[Transfixatron]] on the Autobots, locking them all in their vehicle modes before forcing them to drive to a ghost town. A small group of Autobots along with [[Chip Chase]] and Spike, came to the rescue, using a grenade to undo the transformation lock. Though the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] formed [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], Cliffjumper immediately attacked the Combiner, and was tossed into a nearby building. He and Wheeljack teamed up to seize the Transfixatron and use it on Devastator, resulting in the Constructicons splitting apart and sending the Decepticons into a retreat. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

[[File:EntertheNightbird Cliffjumper glass gas.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Happiness is a warm gun.]]

While the other Autobots were constructing [[detection plate]]s, Cliffjumper ran up to Optimus with the news there was an incoming call from [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist]]. The Autobots ended up guarding [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], the ninja robot that the doctor had built. During the inevitable Decepticon attack, Cliffjumper lost no time in blasting [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] once all of the humans were safely out of the way. Nightbird was still stolen and sometime later, the reprogrammed ninja broke into Autobot HQ to steal the [[World Energy Chip]]. The Autobots pursued, though Optimus had to restrain Cliffjumper from merely blasting Nightbird, as they'd promised to return her safely to her inventor. Also, Cliffjumper proved the only Autobot who failed to jump up a particular cliff. When they eventually cornered the ninja, Cliffjumper attempted to use his glass gas on her, only for her to plug the nozzle. They eventually did manage to capture her and return her to Dr. Fujiyama. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

[[File:DinobotIsland2 Cliffjumper firing.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|(Bang Bang Shoot Shoot)]]

When the Autobots found a crevasse filled with [[korlonium crystal|glowing crystals]], Cliffjumper was prepared to jump straight in, but Prime cautioned him to take readings first. As it happened, the Decepticons picked that time to attack. The Autobots returned to base following a seemingly victorious battle, but soon discovered a conundrum — they had two identical Optimus Primes. Cliffjumper had the bright idea to decide which one was the real Optimus by holding a race, which unsurprisingly proved inconclusive. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} The discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]] by Bumblebee and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] led Cliffjumper to exclaim that they already had enough problems with Dino''bots''. Wheeljack claimed he'd been teaching Grimlock some finesse, and attempted to prove Cliffjumper wrong by getting [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] to show off. When this turned into the usual Dinobot chaos, Cliffjumper was all too ready to fight them, but Optimus got things under control. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} The Decepticons found Dinobot Island and began draining its energy, which caused freak time portals to open up across the world. A pirate ship that passed through one such portal menaced a small pleasure ship, until Cliffjumper, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] arrived. Cliffjumper disarmed the pirates before they shoved the ship back through the time portal. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[File:MasterBuilders Cliffjumper glass gas gun.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.34|Now it's a different color and comes out of a gun. So? It's sparkly!]]
During a battle with Devastator after the Constructicons helped [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] build the [[Solar Power Tower]], Cliffjumper fired his glass gas gun at the giant. Devastator merely swept his arm, causing a wind which dissipated the burst of gas. After the battle, Cliffjumper helped dig Grapple and Hoist out of the pile of rubble that their tower had become. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} He later took part in an excursion to [[South America]], where Megatron had found the [[Heart of Cybertron]]. Unfortunately they arrived too late — Megatron had installed the crystal in himself. Though Cliffjumper initiated a charge, the Autobots were no match for the powered-up Decepticon leader. They retreated under a smokescreen and limped back to Headquarters. {{storylink|Microbots}}

Cliffjumper took part in an [[Autobot Day]] parade organised by the humans in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], paying a visit to City Hall. Things quickly turned sour when a video recording of the Autobots apparently raiding an [[oil rig|oil field]] was played, and the humans turned hostile. The Autobots returned to Headquarters, but while they were still trying to work out what was going on, the mayor turned up to arrest them. Though Cliffjumper was ready to fight, Optimus insisted they comply with the humans' demands. Taken to a sports stadium, the Autobots were put on impromptu trial, which concluded with them being found guilty and sentenced to exile from Earth. They were duly shot into space in a spaceship supplied by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} On further reflection, Optimus decided he'd made a hasty decision, and Cliffjumper tried to turn the ship around, only to find it was locked on course for the Sun. They escaped the ship in the nick of time, using Trailbreaker's forcefields linked to [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] so they could return to Earth and exact some revenge on the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[File:StarscreamsBrigade Jazz Cliffjumper chained.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|"Sorry, Mother." "It won't happen again."]]
All of the Autobots, including Cliffjumper, were rendered inoperative by [[Cybertonium]] depletion, until Spike, [[Carly]], and the Dinobots retrieved a fresh supply from Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} Cliffjumper's audio receptors took a pounding when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] decided to retransmit a rock concert over Autobot frequencies. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}} He was also present when the Autobots discovered that Optimus was heading to Cybertron [[Female Autobots|for some reason]], but opted not to join Ironhide's pursuit. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

Cliffjumper and Jazz attended the opening of an [[Optimus Prime memorial]], resulting in Cliffjumper getting his name mangled by the news reporter covering the event. The memorial was attacked by Starscream and his newly minted [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. As they overwhelmed the two Autobots, Cliffjumper suggested radioing for help, but too late, as they were both captured. Stripped of their [[energy absorber]]s to provide parts for the Combaticons, Jazz and Cliffjumper were chained up at the [[Amalgamated Water and Power Plant]]. The Autobots later rescued them while the Combaticons were occupied fighting [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and the rest of Megatron's forces. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[File:TFTM Cliffjumper countdown.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Such are Jazz's hidden political passion...]]

By 2005, the Decepticons had retaken Cybertron, and the Autobots had set up secret bases on Cybertron's moons. Cliffjumper was stationed on [[Moonbase One]] under Optimus Prime's command. He and Jazz stayed behind while Optimus took the Dinobots to reinforce [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], and they were first to spot the approach of [[Unicron]]. Unicron began to devour the moon and, after a hasty communique to Autobot City, the pair tried to escape in a ship. The attempt proved futile, and the ship was dragged back into Unicron's maw. Jazz and Cliffjumper somehow ended up on a conveyor headed for a vat of acid, along with Spike and Bumblebee, but all four of them were saved by Spike's son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]]. As Unicron began to break apart under the energies released from the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the newly risen Autobot leader, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], led the Autobots on an escape through the massive Transformer's eye. Cliffjumper survived the adventure and Rodimus' subsequent speech, but for [[Casey Kasem#Notes|some reason]] was never seen again. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}
{{note|Cliffjumper’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]" and the storybook "[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|Transformers the Movie]]."}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
Cliffjumper was a participant in a battle in New York City, early in the Autobot/Decepticon war taking place on Earth. The Autobots were victorious that day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)|Broadcasting on TV! Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who demanded that Optimus Prime talk some sense into the [[Jumpstarter]]s. {{storylink|Jumpstarter Chapter}}

=====Full Throttle Scramble Power!=====
After the Decepticons' latest plan, involving their [[Omega Wave Cannon]], was foiled, Cliffjumper was among the massive Autobot platoon that arrived at the villains base with [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] to give them a well-deserved pummelling. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}
{{--}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Cliffjumper was part of the Autobot battalion who battled the Decepticons in space for control of the [[Warp gate|interstellar teleportation system]] known as the ''[[Trigger]]''. During the battle, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] fused with the ''Trigger'', transforming into a massive, monstrous robot form determined to wipe out Autobots and Decepticons. A combination of Optimus Prime and Megatron's power defeated the treacherous Decepticon, but all the Transformers were caught in the backwash of the colossal explosion that resulted, and were left injured and inactive for many months. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

=====e-HOBBY comics=====
Cliffjumper was among the Autobots gathered on [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] to investigate a string of shipping vessel attacks. They soon learned that the ships were being seized by sea monsters created by the Decepticons in an undersea lab. {{storylink|MP-1B Cybertron Commander / Convoy Black Ver.}} When the first group to investigate (led by an [[Eldedroid]]) went missing, Cliffjumper accompanied Sideswipe and Warpath on a rescue mission. There, they came face to face with the sea monster holding the Elderdroid captive. {{storylink|MP-3G Destron Air Commander / Starscream Ghost Ver.}}

=====''Alternity''=====
[[File:Alternity cliffjumper boxart.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2]]
In 2005, thanks to the actions of a space-and-time-traveling being known as [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|the Protector]], a parallel universe was created that branched out of this timeline. In this parallel world, [[universal stream]] designation [[BT World|Primax 903.0 Beta]], technological advancements eventually caused the Autobots to evolve into the cross-dimensional super-race known as the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]. Cliffjumper, however, declined the offer to become a member of the Alternity, as he could not be bothered dealing the troublesome complexities of hyperdimensional life. Instead, Cliffjumper joined the ranks of the Alternity's elite force of Protectors, taking on a new body of the same model used by Bumblebee's [[auto-avatar]]. {{storylink|Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Alternity|Alternity Cliff profile}} Cliffjumper was assigned the task of aiding in the suppression of the Alternity's arch-enemy, the time-eating god-beast [[Hytherion]], in the distant past, in regions of time beyond the reach of the Alternity themselves.

Learning that the Hytherion's next goal was to consume a galaxy at the moment of its birth 2.4 billion years in the past, Cliffjumper was dispatched back in time to safeguard the lives of all the beings that would be erased from time if the galaxy was destroyed. Arriving before the Hytherion, Cliffjumper did not have long to wait before the beast materialized before him. Overcoming his fear at the terrifying sight of the giant creature by remembering that the Hytherion's strength was not determined by his size, Cliffjumper used his wave-functional pointer-guns to mark the Hytherion's location with markers that transmitted co-ordinates back through time to the Alternity in the future. Using these signal pointers, the Alternity targeted an incredible space-time weapon on the beast, which they triggered at Cliffjumper's signal. The lights and gases of space coalesced into a breathtaking "sword of the heavens" that slashed into the Hytherion and then wrapped around it, dispelling the beast from that time period. Although elated over the victory, Cliffjumper remarked to himself that the Alternity were still full of it, but reasoned that if he could pull the trigger on a weapon like that, he'd probably be full of it too.

Some time later, the revived Megatron was able to shackle the Hytherion's power and confer abilities like those of the Alternity upon himself. The idea that the Alternity's war might be shifting back to the traditional "Autobot vs. Decepticon" status quo was considered great news by Cliffjumper. {{storylink|Ace of Swords}}

The Alternity ultimately vanquished Megatron, but at the cost of their pan-dimensional aggregate. In the battle's aftermath, they met on the planet Athenia, where Elita Seven teased Cliffjumper over missing out on his chance to become a godlike super-being. The now-former members of the Alternity then parted ways, returning to their proper place in the multiverse. {{storylink|Alternation}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
[[File:VolcanicusComic2 SlagDisarmsCliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Slag has learned from [[:File:Cliffgun.JPG|Hound's mistakes]].]]
In [[2050]], Cliffjumper and the Autobots supported the [[Selector]]s' revolution against the humans. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s remained loyal to their friend Carly and the Witwickys, and so Cliffjumper was forced to fight them. Even his biggest cannon was no match for [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], and Cliffjumper lost an arm to the fiery Dinobot. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}
{{-}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
[[File:Fsrlf cliffy and ironhide.jpg|thumb|]]
While the majority of the Autobots were occupied dealing with a Decepticon attack upon Autobot Headquarters, Cliffjumper was part of a small team searching [[Japan]] for [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and his [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassettes]], who were conspicuous by their absence from the assault. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Kenji]] found the Decepticon communicator first, but Bumblebee was able to get the drop on him and shattered his chest door with a "Bumble Kick". Cliffjumper and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] then arrived to take care of the cassettes, who cut their losses and tried to take refuge in Soundwave's chest compartment, only to find that they couldn't get in through the broken door. Cliffjumper snatched them up, and being the big jerk that he is, pulled out their tape spools and wrapped them around his fingers. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
Cliffjumper was assigned with Ironhide to be Starscream's escorts after the Decepticon became amnesiac and fell in with the Autobots. He got the opportunity to use his glass-gas gun against Megatron and the Decepticons who turned up to reclaim Starscream. Later on, Starscream regained his memory and rejoined the Decepticons, prompting Cliffjumper to assert that you can't trust a Decepticon. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}

[[File:Cliffjumper road rocket flash forward.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

In [[2012]], after a group of Autobots were exposed to [[forestonite]] and developed strange powers, Cliffjumper made it his business to find out what they were capable of. Despite several reminders from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] that they were still Autobots, he grilled them at length and had them all demonstrate their powers on target dummies. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}
{{--}}

====''Mars Attacks: The Transformers''====
[[File:Mars Attacks The Transformers - Cliffjumper bitchslap.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.85]]

Following a battle in which Cliffjumper and the other Autobots defeated the Decepticons, the city was abruptly invaded by [[Martian]]s. Cliffjumper was amused by [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] losing an arm after underestimating the invaders, but earned himself a slap. When the Martians double-crossed the Decepticons, trapping both factions in a force field, Cliffjumper wondered how a group that called itself "the Decepticons" could not see that coming. Both sides entered into an alliance, which lasted just long enough for them to repel the Martian invaders. {{storylink|Mars Attacks: The Transformers}}
{{--}}

====''Cloud''====
Prior to his departure on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', Cliffjumper was witness to the incursion into their spacetime by another [[Optimus Prime (Cloud)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] from [[Cloud World]]. He got knocked around as the foreign Megatron unleashed the power of [[SARA]]. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}} {{storylink|TFC-A01}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In one divergent universe, Cliffjumper reported Unicron's attack on Moonbase One to Autobot City. Then, as the universe unraveled, he was briefly replaced by the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] [[GoBot]] [[Night Ranger]], only to reassert his normal role. Although he and [[Turbo (GoBots)|Turbo]] tried to escape Moonbase One, they were gobbled by Unicron. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
During a Decepticon attack, Cliffjumper pleaded with Optimus to let him jump into the fray. Optimus denied his request, telling him that they already had the Decepticons on the run. He and the other Autobots then enjoyed an unusual lull in Decepticon activities for the next several days, only to find out they had been lulled into a false sense of security; the Decepticons had stolen the Autobots’ entire supply of fuel during this quiet time. Cliffjumper and the other Autobots nonetheless attempted to fend off the Decepticons when they attacked once more. Thankfully, Optimus returned just in time with a new shipment of fuel. Re-energized, the Autobots forced the Decepticons to flee once again. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons}}

Cliffjumper was helping fix a spaceship when the Decepticons attacked the Autobots’ construction site. He managed to land a hit on Thundercracker. {{storylink|Return to Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
[[File:Autobothuddle-ASW.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.0|left]]
Cliffjumper was present when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] conveyed a message to Optimus from Megatron. The Autobots learned that Megatron had taken [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] captive, and was demanding the Autobots to surrender. Cliffjumper was amongst the Autobots who afterward helped defeat the Decepticons by using a statue of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as a {{w|Trojan Horse}} of sorts. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
As the Autobots left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Cliffjumper loaded a crate of [[energon cube]]s onto the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}} Cliffjumper was a fighting Autobot. When the Decepticons tried to raid sunken ships full of treasure, he and the other Autobots attacked them. When [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] pursued him, Cliffjumper blasted the Decepticon with [[glass gas]]. The Autobots triumphed. {{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}} [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] were captured by the Decepticons, and Cliffjumper took part in the battle to rescue them, zapping their captors with glass gas so the two humans could escape. He and the other Autobots also stopped the Decepticons from attacking [[Hoover Dam]]. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}

Cliffjumper was among the Autobots rallied by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to repel [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s forces from [[Oil Valley]]. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
[[File:KidsCliff1.jpg|thumb|The Adventures of Scary Eyes and Awesome Car!]]
Upon awakening on Earth, and taking the form of a Porsche, Cliffjumper met Sparkplug and his son Spike. With the Decepticons still not in the know of what forms the Autobots had taken, Cliffjumper was one of the troops that Optimus led into the desert in order to ambush their enemies. Though they successfully took by surprise a squadron of Decepticons, the Autobots had not anticipated a second group flying in from the opposite direction. Thanks to a warning from Spike and Sparkplug, the Autobots managed to fend off the Decepticons and came to accept Earth as their new home. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

One day, a bunch of [[human]]s held a rally race for which first prize would be a year's supply of [[oil]] and gasoline. Rather than follow their usual tack, attempting to cheat their way to the fuel, the Decepticons decided to sneak into the race simply for the sake of giving the Autobots a thrashing. Cliffjumper was one of the Autobots driving in the rally, and he was unaware that the [[big black car|scary black Cadillac]] was actually being driven by Megatron until he tried to pass it. Megatron dogged the Minibot for quite a while until a telephone pole-wielding Optimus Prime swatted the Decepticon leader out of the race. Cliffjumper won the race and everybody smiled, even Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}

===Listen 'n Fun audiobooks continuity===
{{voiceactor|??? (English)}}
Cliffjumper had an 18-wheeler truck alternate mode. Sent to find Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]], Cliffjumper had trouble convincing her to come along and eventually had to abduct her, fighting off [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. He returned to headquarters where [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] apologized to Blaisedale for the whole thing and persuaded her to help them. With the news that the Decepticons wanted to get their hands on the doctor's solar reactor, the Autobots went to the solar plant and began to re-energize. When Ravage kidnapped Blaisedale, energy-low Cliffjumper stayed at the plant and was, therefore, one of the few Autobots still there when Megatron attacked it. Luckily [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived, and once Cliffjumper used the last of his energy to [[glass gas]] Megatron's cannon, they attacked. Cliffjumper was left sitting helplessly in the middle of the battle, and when Optimus's rescue team returned with Blaisedale, [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] had to push Cliffjumper to safety. After the battle, Optimus scolded Cliffjumper for running out of power, and Cliffjumper drove Doctor Blaisedale home. {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Fun)}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
Cliffjumper was part of a battle unit assembled by Optimus Prime to stop the Decepticons from seizing control of...a single windmill. (No, really.) {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
Cliffjumper, along with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] maintained a 24-hour watch on the Decepticon hideout. Cliffjumper was once almost spotted by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}}

===''S.T.A.R.S.'' continuity===
Before the construction of Autobot City on Earth, Optimus led a convoy of Autobots to find the ideal location for their new base's construction. Cliffjumper was amongst the troops accompanying Optimus. As they drove along, the Autobots were ambushed by the Decepticons. The battle that ensued later came to be known as "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}
{{note|Cliffjumper is not seen in the image illustrating the Digital Doom battle in the first installment of the story. However, it is later revealed that he was a part of the battle, as is seen in the next installment. Maybe he was just "off-panel"?}}

Optimus ordered Cliffjumper, Warpath and Cosmos to flee the battle in order to fetch reinforcements. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}} {{storylink|The Autobots Are Under Attack!}}
{{-}}

===Decepticon Poison===
{{notemultipath}}
Cliffjumper was amongst the Autobots getting topped up with their latest batch of fuel when Red Alert burst into Autobot headquarters, warning everyone about Ramjet being spotted nearby. The Autobots’ latest batch of fuel had been poisoned by the fleeing Decepticon, leaving Cliffjumper unable to transform.

In one possible sequence of events that ensued, Perceptor gave out the right amount of an antidote the Autobot scientist had created, allowing Cliffjumper to resume his robot form and take arms against an incoming squadron of Decepticons. The antidote having given Cliffjumper and the rest of the cured Autobots a case of battle fever, the bunch were eager to take on the Decepticons head-on in combat. The more level-head Prowl suggested instead a more conniving approach, where the Autobots would ambush their assailants.

If Optimus allowed Cliffjumper and the rest of the refueled Autobots to venture headlong into battle, the group fond themselves fighting against Megatron himself, accompanied by a squad of Decepticon jets. Though Cliffjumper's squad started out strong, they soon found themselves overpowered by Megatron, prompting Optimus to lead a second wave into battle. The second wave soon ran out of fuel, prompting the Autobots to call a retreat. Thankfully, the Decepticons were damaged enough through the course of the battle, causing them to retreat as well.

If Optimus instead followed Prowl's plan, he instructed Cliffjumper and the others to transform into vehicle mode and play dead. The Decepticons, believing the Autobots to be already dead, disarmed themselves in order to carry out the Autobots’ “carcasses.” Now with the element of surprise against an unarmed opponent, the Autobots Transformed and were able to easily defeat the evil robots.

In another possible turn of events, Perceptor gave out too much of his antidote to each Autobot. Though Cliffjumper initially cheered, finding himself able to transform once more, he soon found himself literally falling to pieces. The Autobots finding themselves completely outmatched against an all-out Decepticon attack were made short work of by the Decepticons.

In yet another possible scenario, the Autobots used the tainted fuel to create a toxic cloud that successfully fended off the Decepticons attack. This plan gave Perceptor the time he needed to cure Cliffjumpers and the others with his antidote. Their ranks fully replenished and the Decepticons turning tail meant the Autobots had earned themselves another victory.

In completely different possible sequence of events, Optimus successfully retrieved the antidote to the poison from the Decepticons’ poison lab, and with Ratchet's help, brought Cliffjumper and the rest of the poisoned Autobots back from the precipice of death. Now cured, the Autobots discussed their next course of action; they had to prevent the Decepticons from poisoning the nearby water reservoir. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Prowldarkagesvehicle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Cliffjumper briefly appeared during [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], avoiding Decepticon fire. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}}

Cliffjumper was active during the [[Dark Ages]] on Cybertron, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] were missing and the two armies had split up into multiple smaller factions. He was working primarily with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s contingent of soldiers. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} He accompanied Prowl's team out to the [[Praetorus Wharf]] in search of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], only to discover that the battle station was already operational and battle-ready. {{storylink|Devastation (issue)|Devastation}} Still in vehicle mode, he was knocked over during the initial salvo, and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] had to right him. After the arrival of Autobot reinforcements, they tried to concentrate their firepower to find any sort of weakspot on the enemy, only for Trypticon to suddenly up and leave as he had other orders. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}}

During the Age of Internment, during which Megatron managed to take control over Cybertron, Cliffjumper was held at [[Internment Camp Pi]] in [[Praxus]]. He was about to be disciplined for tripping (laying down on the job was a punishable offense) when Brawn stepped in and bashed the guards about to assault him. This little insurrection was quickly quelled by the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] overlooking the camp. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

{{unreleased WW comic}}
Optimus returned to Cybertron, and the Autobots were freed from slavery. {{Storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}

[[File:PrimeDirective5-neverfear.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Cliffjumper was a part of the crew on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed into [[Earth]] four million years ago while clearing an asteroid in the path of Cybertron. He was one of many Transformers captured and reprogrammed by arms dealer [[Lazarus|Adam 'Lazarus' Rook]] for lease to terrorist organizations and shady governments requiring brutal military might. Fortunately, Autobots under the command of Optimus Prime repaired and re-reprogrammed Cliffjumper and the remaining captive Autobots. Immediately, they were put to work on fighting Megatron's metallic virus, which had spread deep into [[Canada|Canadian]] territory, using their own internal power as the anti-virus. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}}

As Cliffjumper collapsed into the snow out of exhaustion, the Canadian military arrived. Unfortunately, due to the recent attacks by both enslaved Autobots and Decepticons under the command of Rook, the Canadians attempted to stop the Autobots doing what they perceived to be an attack on their soil. Knowing that the virus fed upon weapons fire, Cliffjumper tried to stop a tank crew from causing further harm by bending the tank's main gun. The commander panicked, thinking Cliffjumper was attacking, and fired, destroying himself and seriously damaging the Autobot. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''When the U.S. military attacked the Autobots and Decepticons at a staged ambush in the Nevada desert, Cliffjumper was among the soldiers present. He took semi-critical damage from the [[deconstructionite]] attack, losing a great deal of available processing power to the weaponized nanites employed by the armed forces, and had to be carted away to safety inside Prime's trailer. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}''

Sometime later, the unified Cybertronian army arrived on Earth and demanded the surrender of all active Autobots and Decepticons. After the initial encounter left several Autobots damaged, Optimus Prime brought most of his crew back to the ''Ark'' for repairs while Prowl organized a small detachment for reconnaissance purposes. Cliffjumper and Mirage were teamed together for the recon assignment but were captured by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his contingent of soldiers. Mirage gave up without a fight, eager to return home to Cybertron, which led Cliffjumper to declare him a traitor to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}}

Cliffjumper and Mirage settled their differences on the battlefield during the Autobot uprising on Cybertron; Cliffjumper first attempted to rescue Mirage from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], only for the Decepticon to knock him aside... allowing Mirage to use his invisibility powers to save him from Dirge in turn. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Following the toppling of Shockwave's regime, Cliffjumper was assigned to the shuttle ''[[Orion]]'' under [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s command, bringing supplies back to [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and his troops on Earth. Their routine mission was almost immediately interrupted by one of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s rogue creations, the super-clone known as [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] who was engaging Autobot and Decepticon alike on Earth. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}}

[[File:Atonement-CliffjumperOmegaSupreme.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Cliffjumper tried to gun down the radioactive Decepticon, only for Sunstorm to overload the ''Orion'' with energy, causing it to crash. The ''Orion''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew walked away from their rough landing unharmed, however, and Sunstorm left in pursuit of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Cliffjumper and his team set about repairing their ship and accomplished the task in a few hours. The Autobots were getting ready for some well-earned rest when Starscream returned, now accompanied by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} The Autobots allied themselves with Starscream to combat Sunstorm's greater evil, with Cliffjumper donning a jet-pack to participate in [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s plans to disable the solar-powered Decepticon. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} Unfortunately, upon returning to the ''Orion'', Cliffjumper and the others discovered that their one-time ally Starscream betrayed them, disabling all of the Autobots on-board before fleeing the scene. As they were tending to their wounded, the Autobots heard a distant explosion, signifying that their last ace-in-the-hole, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], had tracked down and engaged Sunstorm. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}} Unfortunately, Omega did not emerge victorious from this confrontation. Though Omega Supreme rebooted in short order after his defeat, he was still very weak. Cliffjumper was left behind to defend him while he recovered. Meanwhile, Jetfire and Bumblebee headed off to track down Sunstorm once more. Cliffjumper argued against this arrangement but was made to accept it when Bumblebee pulled rank on him. {{storylink|Original Sin}} Omega Supreme commented that Cliffjumper was expending energy unnecessarily as he paced about, causing the little 'bot to snap at the titan. Omega revealed that he shared Cliffjumper's concerns over the danger their friends were in, and Cliffjumper apologized, admitting that he simply felt useless in their present situation. {{storylink|Atonement}}
{{-}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Cliffjumper participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons, though he did not fare too well, being on the receiving end of a beat-down courtesy of Headstrong. {{storylink|The Beast Within}} Cliffjumper's corpse would later be one of many that littered the battlefield as Autobot survivors tried to escape the Beast. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:Cliffjumperdinosaur-HOS1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]
Cliffjumper, who appeared to transform into some sort of ankylosaurid, was seen by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s side as the Autobots waged battle against the Decepticons on prehistoric Earth. When an approaching ice age came close to deactivating both sides, further combat was deemed unwise, and the Autobots went into hiding deep underground. They remained in stasis until the mid-19th century, at which point the battles with the Decepticons flared up again, though Cliffjumper was not seen partaking in any of the action. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Cliffjumper GIJoevsTFs2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7]]
Cliffjumper was aboard the ''Ark'' when it crashed on Earth in the past, and lay dormant when it was discovered by [[Cobra]] in the present. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} The terrorist organization subsequently reprogrammed the Transformers to serve them, [[reformatting]] Cliffjumper into a Cobra vehicle in the process. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} Luckily, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] eventually undid the reprogramming, freeing Autobot and Decepticon alike. As the factions continued their war on [[Cobra Island]], Cliffjumper helped [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] fight [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

Years later, having returned to Cybertron, Cliffjumper was part of an Autobot team led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for a chance to beat up [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] and his Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} When that chance came, the team fought the Decepticons alongside [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating them. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 3|''Megatron Origin'' #3]]; [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''All Hail Megatron'' #1]] (modern era)

[[File:SpotlightCliffjumper introductions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"So, this is how Bumblebee does this 'making friends' thing, right?"]]
Before the war, Cliffjumper was best buddies with [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], forming a trio of friends who'd enjoy [[Cybertronian sport#Races|the races]] together. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} He was seen mourning [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]] at the Security Services HQ in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} At one point in the early days of the Decepticon uprising, Cliffjumper and Hubcap were weirded out when Bumblebee started acting odd and stopped hanging out with them. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

As the war spread across Cybertron, Cliffjumper embraced the path of a warrior as a few other Autobots did. He became a weapons expert, skilled in both ranged and melee combat. His skills earned him a dubious role as an assassin, but it was a job he took to easily. On one occasion, he broke into a Decepticon outpost and executed the ranking commander, along with five other warriors who got in his way. As his ship was damaged during his escape, Cliffjumper was forced down on an undeveloped world to hide out and wait for back-up.

[[File:SpotlightCliffjumper CliffjumperAttacks.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|LEE-ROOOOOOOY JUMP-ER!!!]]
While securing his position, Cliffjumper met a young innocent farm girl named [[Kita]], and her little brother [[Coll]]. Kita marveled at the metal man she had discovered, and Cliffjumper was quite taken with her as well. He told her he was one of the good guys but had to gloss over the details of his job when she said: "there is no greater evil" than to hurt another being. With nothing else to do while waiting for transport home, Cliffjumper helped out around the farm and grew quite close with Kita and Coll. The Decepticons eventually found him, however, and Cliffjumper was forced to resume his role as a warrior. He killed three 'Cons before they even knew he was there, but had to reveal himself when the lead Decepticon took Kita and Coll hostage. Despite Cliffjumper's willing surrender, the Decepticon still struck down Kita, and Cliffjumper rushed Coll and the dying Kita to temporary safety in the barn as the Decepticons' reinforcements arrived. With Kita dead and Coll secured...Cliffjumper no longer had any reason to hold back. He killed at least seven Decepticons before hijacking their ship. Before he left, Cliffjumper brought Coll to a new family and buried Kita, leaving flowers on her grave and banging her tombstone into place with the severed head of one of his enemies. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cliffjumper}}

Cliffjumper was a participant in the [[Battle for Hell's Point]]. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

[[File:AHM4CliffjumperConsole.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|right|Ha-ppi-ness, ha-ppi-ness...]]
After the [[Expansion]] battles, Cliffjumper came to Earth with several other Autobots as reinforcements for Optimus Prime and the crew of the ''Ark-19'' who had been stationed there. Acting on intelligence reports, they entered a deep canyon and were ambushed by the Decepticons. Cliffjumper was one of the bots to rally against the Decepticons and start turning the tide—until [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] turned up and slagged them all. The defeated Autobots were banished to Cybertron through a one-way space bridge after the battle. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} The Autobots were trapped on their home planet afterwards, watching over the critically wounded Optimus Prime while desperately searching for some traces of Energon to keep him and themselves alive. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} They had little to occupy themselves with during downtime, and often resorted to telling old war stories to keep up the faith. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Cliffjumper proved just how desperate he was for a good rumble when he spent hours staring at a screen on the off chance of an emergency, then got excited over a signal that lasted 1/100th of a second! Taking a ticked off [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] along for the ride, he found the suspected threat... which turned out to be [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]]. Neither Cliffjumper or Ironhide realized this before the big guy decked Roddy. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}}

[[File:AHM8 Hound Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9]]
Joining up with Hot Rod and the crew of the ''Trion'', Cliffjumper and the others began to trek towards the fallen ship and its energy supply. When fleeing from [[Insecticon swarm|the Swarm]], he helped hold them off while riding Hound, who was in his jeep mode. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} The convoy eventually made it to the barracks where Kup and the ''Trion'' crew had been squatting. While Mirage talked of giving up, Cliffjumper just expressed his satisfaction at having weapons again. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Cliffjumper fought the raging Swarm when they got over the other bridge (that had not been bombed by the late Sunstreaker), and was close to losing until the ''very'' timely intervention of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. He went with the other Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} Then, on Earth, when the Autobots retreated from the Decepticon attack, he corrected a deluded [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] by saying that they weren't running away, that they were making room—making room for Omega, who promptly slagged Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} He survived the great battle. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

[[File:NewArrivalsOldEncounters Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Cliffjumper, the true face of [[Democracy]].]]
Two years later, the Autobots were left in disarray when Optimus Prime surrendered himself to [[Skywatch]], leaving them leaderless. When the Autobots decided to hold nominations for the new leader, Cliffjumper stated that he planned to nominate himself. Despite what was surely a vigorous campaign that lasted all of five minutes, Cliffjumper was one-upped by Bumblebee, who was surprisingly elected the new Autobot leader by a majority of the voters. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} He was among the troops who lined up when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] dropped by to investigate Prime's surrender, and had to remind Bumblebee that he was supposed be in charge. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}} After Bumblebee organized an alliance with [[Gordon Horiuchi]], a rogue Skywatch officer, Cliffjumper helped captured [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] for the humans. However, when Horiuchi revealed that their next target was [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], he got ticked off and made it perfectly clear that they weren't capturing any of their fellow Autobots for Skywatch. In response, Horiuchi used the Skywatch badge given to Cliffjumper to temporarily trap him in vehicle mode until he calmed down. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}}

The Autobots were none too pleased with Skywatch's ability to incapacitate any of them at any given time and thought up a plan to deactivate the badges once Bumblebee's malfunctioned. Cliffjumper almost ruined it, however, when he cheered for Bumblebee's rousing "We Shall Overcome" speech even though they were being monitored. {{storylink|The Impossible Knot}} He had learned his lesson a while later and used internal text messages to speak to his comrades instead. {{storylink|The Gift Horse}} As the Autobots continued to covertly monitor Bumblebee's progress, however, Cliffjumper could no longer restrain himself and yelled out a warning when Bumblebee bravely but foolishly threw himself into battle with the elite Decepticon, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Wings of Wax}}

After the Horiuchi incident concluded and the badges were destroyed, Cliffjumper was present when Ultra Magnus returned, looking for deputies to bring in Hot Rod for colluding with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}} Cliffjumper fought alongside Bumblebee and Hot Rod's teams against the new Decepticon gestalt, [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

[[File:Ratchet fixes Cliffjumper-The Land Ironclads.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
After Bumblebee made arrangements to ally the Autobots with Skywatch full-time under [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s authority, the Autobots moved into the humans' bunkers. In an attempt to smooth relations and promote cultural exchange, [[Campolongo]] introduced Cliffjumper and the other Autobots to his DVD collection. {{storylink|International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|Ranks of Bronze}} CJ was undergoing some repairs with Ratchet in the med-bay when Spike alerted them to the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] presence along the demilitarized zone in Korea. {{storylink|International Incident Part 1: "The Land Ironclads"|The Land Ironclads}}

Cliffjumper was one of the Autobots deployed to [[South Korea]] as part of Skywatch's clandestine operation to counter-attack the Combaticons without contradicting the [[President of the United States]]' decree that Cybertronians were considered to be weapons of mass destruction. As the Autobots were unpacked from shipping containers, Cliffjumper overheard Spike's sarcastic remark about Optimus Prime being Patton and wondered aloud if he was referring to [[Patton Oswalt]], eliciting a laugh from Campolongo. During the subsequent battle against the Combaticons, Cliffjumper assisted Smokescreen in trying to prevent [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] from getting airborne but was slashed by the Decepticon's rotor blade for his trouble. In the aftermath, while he waited for repairs, he wondered why Bumblebee wasn't out on the field with the Autobots he was supposed to be in command of. {{storylink|International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|Ranks of Bronze}} Cliffjumper then participated in the second assault on the Combaticons, though he and the others unexpectedly ended up fighting the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] as well. They were ultimately victorious (or rather, the Predacons left willingly when the humans attempted to [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] all combatants). {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"|All My Sins Remembered}}

Cliffjumper and the other members of the Korea team were sent home on a plane but were shot down by unknown assailants on the way. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|The Demolished Man}} They survived crashing in the sea and managed to walk along the ocean bottom to the nearest shore. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|Woken Furies}} The Autobots soon learned that [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] had returned to Earth, and was responsible for shooting their plane down. Cliffjumper and the others moved to confront him, but were told to stay back by Optimus, who wanted to confirm what was going on before they attacked the Decepticons. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|Burning Chrome}}

[[File:Orphans of the Helix Welcome back Sunstreaker.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
Some six weeks later, Hot Rod (now known as Rodimus) returned to the Autobot base from space, bringing with him a revived Sunstreaker. Cliffjumper was still wary around him, seeing as how his betrayal had stranded them on Cybertron years earlier, but all the feelings of happiness floating around the camp made him more forgiving. Like most other Autobots, Cliffjumper presumably boarded Omega Supreme's rocket mode to return to Cybertron the next day. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}}

[[File:Kings Wheelie Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left]]
After arriving on Cybertron, Optimus Prime ordered Cliffjumper to coordinate the landing party while he and the others made contact with [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] and his forces. As they arrived, Galvatron demonstrated his control over the [[Kimia Facility]] by converting it into a space-based weapon and launching a strike on Cybertron's surface. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}} Optimus dispatched Cliffjumper and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] to scout Galvatron's army and, before Cliffjumper could stop him, Wheelie began sniping the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] from cover, alerting Galvatron to their position. The duo got pinned down and badly turned to worse when "salvation" arrived in the form of Megatron. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}} Luckily, Megatron was more interested in killing Sweeps than Autobots, but Cliffjumper and Wheelie still fled to a safe distance to avoid getting caught in the slaughter. The situation became even direr when Galvatron's chosen nemesis, [[D-Void]], took control of the united Sweeps and Megatron's Decepticon reinforcements, forcing them all into [[Deceptigod|a humongous construct]]. Cliffjumper and the other Autobots fell beneath its massive destructive power, leaving only Megatron to defend the surface of Cybertron. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} Cliffjumper could do little more than keep his head down as forces beyond his ken grappled for control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

As the Transformers began rebuilding their civilization on a restored Cybertron, Cliffjumper went to the reopened [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] and had a drink with [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} When Megatron showed up in their city, the Autobots feared he'd ruin their budding peace and attacked him, though they were prevented from killing him by the Decepticon population. {{storylink|City on Fire}} Megatron's return inevitably led to the Decepticons trying to conquer Cybertron ''again'', and so Cliffjumper took to the streets to fight them once more. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} The battle ended with both Autobots and Decepticons banished from Iacon by the third faction, the [[NAIL|neutrals]], and Cliffjumper and his pals were forced to go live in a camp in the wilderness. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} He later returned to the city to help defend it from the [[Ammonite]]s invading Cybertron. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}}

[[File:Cliffjumper Dead on Unicron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|Oh look, he's dead just like [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|the other Cliffjumper.]] And the [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|the other ''other'' Cliffjumper.]]]]
Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who returned to Earth under Optimus Prime's command to save the planet from Galvatron's Decepticons and ended up being blasted by Galvatron. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}}

When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] began his galactic rampage, Cliffjumper was part of a team dispatched to [[Velocitron]] and was subsequently killed when the Chaos Bringer consumed the colony. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} His corpse remained in Unicron's maw and was noticed by [[Rom]] and [[Livia]] as they skimmed the destroyer's surface. Bumblebee was quite saddened to learn of his friend's demise. {{storylink|Our Darkest}} Later during the final battle on Earth, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] glimpsed Cliffjumper's spirit as the Decepticon used the Enigma of Combination to assist Optimus against Unicron.{{storylink|Ceremony}}

{{-}}

===''Lil Formers''===
Cliffjumper was frustrated by Prowl's inability to assess the fact that the Decepticons were responsible for some graffiti, despite all of the slogans spray-painted on the walls making it obvious who were the ones responsible. {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
One day, the Minibot Attack Team (Cliffjumper, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]) and the Minibot Spy Team ([[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]) found an offline [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)|Hot Shot]] buried underground. Cliffjumper suggested they report their discovery back to base, but before they had a chance to, Cosmos found [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] also laying unconscious in the area. Assuming his [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] insignia to be a Decepticon one, the Minibots fought him until Hot Rod awoke and convinced the dinosaur to join the Autobots. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 11}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 13}}}}

{{-}}
===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
Cliffjumper put on a cunning disguise and joined [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Wheeljack]] in infiltrating a [[Decepticon]] worksite. Though the pair were quickly surrounded, they were merely acting as a diversion. The pair used their umbrellas to shield themselves from the ensuing grilled cheese explosion. {{storylink|Quest for Energon, Part 2}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}} {{storylink|Another Episode, Part 2}} {{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)|Revenge}} {{storylink|The False Power}} {{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Shouta Aoi]] (Japanese)}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Road to Winning a New Fanbase}}}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsOfCybertronPart1-autobots.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who fled Cybertron at the end of the Great War, being spared the destruction of Cybertron and the near-extinction of the Cybertronian race at the hands of [[Gozer]]. A thousand or so years later, Cliffjumper and Bumblebee's attention was seized by [[Ectotron|Ectronymous Diamatron]]'s eager shout. Running the two minibots were shocked to see that a Cybertronian signal had been picked up from the nearby Earth, Cliffjumper running ahead to the bridge to inform Optimus Prime of these findings. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Earthrise-Cliffjumper-art.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6]]
{{bigquote|Strike first, strike fast, strike hard.}}
After Cybertron fell, the Autobots left their homeworld aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', traveling through space in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. Cliffjumper was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Command Infantry Private]], {{storylink|Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' toy packaging}} whose function was a warrior. His primary objective was to dive headfirst into danger, and his primary weapon was his [[Glass gas|Glass Gas Blaster]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref>

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Miles Luna]] (English)|[[Cédric Ingard]] (French), [[Luis Leonardo Suárez]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

[[File:WFC-S Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|”So I'm a repaint once more... But then again, so is everyone else.”]]
In order to wipe out a code set by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] unleashed a virus that sabotaged the electronic equipment on multiple Autobot outposts. Cliffjumper attempted to contact the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] but only managed to get a few words in before the connection cut out. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Wannabee, Part 1|''Galaxies'' #5]]}}
[[File:WannabeePart2-CliffjumperForging.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"It all began on the day of my actual birth. Both of my parents failed to show up."]]

Like all Cybertronians, Cliffjumper's life began when he emerged from the [[Forge Pyramid]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Unlike everyone else however, his birth was an accident, emerging mere hours after [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] to an empty courtyard, save a rather rude [[Voin]] and [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]]. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}} The rest of Cliffjumper's life would largely follow the same pattern; in his job as a sanitation engineer, his co-workers would constantly mistake him for his more famous lookalike. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 1}}

[[File:WannabeePart2-Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Before the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Cliffjumper was chosen by Ambassador [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] to accompany him to the planet [[Probat (planet)|Probat]]. Upon arriving at the bleak organic world, Cliffjumper soon discovered that [[Probat (species)|the native species]] all but worshipped Bumblebee, who had helped set-up the planet's energon refinery, and Deathsaurus had brought him along to act as a shiny distraction for the serfs, whose echolocation based vision blinded them to the chromatic difference between Cliffjumper and Bumblebee. Brought to a Probat dwelling, Cliffjumper learnt that evolution had led to the [[alien]]s being capable of secreting energon and that, when superheated, their leavings became ultra-refined [[energon crystal]]s. Running off to share this discovery with Deathsaurus, Cliffjumper arrived in time to see that the ambassador had murdered [[Natalus]]. After Cliffjumper explained his discovery, Deathsaurus sampled the crystal and decided to burn the Probat civilization to the ground, promising Cliffjumper a portion of the bounty if he cooperated. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 1}}

When Cliffjumper refused to take part in a genocide however, he found himself shoved into a wall. No sooner had he extradited himself did he learn that Deathsaurus had exposed him as a "false 'Bee" who had slain Natalus. Fleeing an angry mob, Cliffjumper managed to pick up a Probat child who explained more of Natalus and Deathsaurus' machinations on her society. Cajoled into taking the child with him, Cliffjumper charged at Deathsaurus, receiving a boost of energy when the girl delivered an ultra-refined crystal into his system, and managed to impale the draconic ambassador on one of the newly catalyzed energon spires. After scuttling the energon facility, Cliffjumper gave the Probats their wings back, becoming the planet's ''new'' hero and getting a statue made in his likeness. {{storylink|Wannabee, Part 2}}

After returning to Cybertron, Deathsaurus rented a [[Simultronic|multiworld simulation]] from [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and spent many cycles dreaming about repeatedly killing Cliffjumper. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:Finale-Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Cliffjumper took part in the final battle against [[King Sombra]] and his mind-controlled soldiers. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 9|July 10, 2024}}
[[File:Transformers2-Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Running gag, schmunning gag!"]]
During the 200 year war on Cybertron, Cliffjumper's entire clan was killed by [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]], prompting Cliffjumper to join the war the very next day. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

Cliffjumper was among the Autobots who fled Cybertron aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)#Energon Universe|Ark]]'' and among the Autobots who (unsuccessfully) engaged [[Megatron (G1)#Energon Universe|Megatron]] as the ship crashed to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Energon Universe Special story}}

After [[Jetfire (G1)#Energon Universe|Jetfire]] reactivated [[Teletraan 1|Teletraan One]] and the battle recommenced, his body was taken by [[Ratchet (G1)#Energon Universe|Ratchet]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] as they escaped from the attack of the newly reconstructed Decepticon forces. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

He was revived by Ratchet using leftover materials found in the Autobot's quarry hideout. Cliffjumper went outside to greet his leader, but was surprised and afraid to see so much organic life on the planet, including [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Energon Universe|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Carly (G1)#Energon Universe|Carly]], although Carly talked enough sense into him to accept a handshake (uh... fingershake?) from her. Cliffjumper was present as Ratchet explained how the Autobot's dangerously low fuel levels meant that he could not revive any other Autobots, Cliffjumper reasoning that the Decepticons would have the same problem. After the Decepticons attacked a nearby power plant to rectify that problem, Cliffjumper was ordered to remain at the quarry to protect Ratchet and the dormant Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}

[[File:TF2023 – Cliffjumper Ain't Welcome 'Round Here.jpg|thumb|left|It's tough being the [[kid-appeal character]] when you aren't very appealing and there aren't many kids.]]
Instead, he followed Carly's van out of concern for her safety. His concern was warranted, as Carly was also being trailed by the Decepticon cassette [[Laserbeak (G1)#Energon Universe|Laserbeak]] to her home. Cliffjumper rammed through the wall to tackle the Decepticon, dispatching him with a kick. Unfortunately, Cliffjumper was then himself dispatched by [[Sparkplug Witwicky#Energon Universe|"Sparky"]] via shotgun to the face. (He was fine, though he did ruin Carly's other wall). Later, Cliffjumper tracked Carly and Sparky to the nearby bar, hoping to start off on the right foot with the humans this time. So, of course, Sparky shot him, but with an assault rifle this time. The situation was not improved by the arrival of [[Skywarp (G1)#Energon Universe|Skywarp]], who attacked Cliffjumper and the humans. The red Autobot was in no position to defend himself, so Carly put herself between Cliffjumper and Skywarp. Luckily, both were saved by the arrival of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 3|Transformers #3}}

Following the battle, Cliffjumper and Carly caught up to Optimus as the Autobot leader rushed Sparky and the injured Spike to a nearby hospital, all while under fire from Starscream. Cliffjumper gave the girl one last chance to back out before the pair swiped Starscream's feet out from under him, allowing the Autobots to escape to the hospital. However, Laserbeak attacked from above. Cliffjumper returned fire to the skybound Decepticon, but was blindsided by [[Rumble (G1)#Energon Universe|Rumble]] from behind. However, as Starscream began to fire on the hospital, Ratchet and [[Jazz (G1)#Energon Universe|Jazz]] arrived, Cliffjumper happy to see them. Now with the advantage, the Decepticons retreated, and Cliffjumper saw them off with a pair of rude gestures.

[[File:TF2023 no. 4 – Cliffjumper & Carly.jpg|right|An obvious one, I guess?|thumb]]
Later, Cliffjumper sat with Carly, asking if she was ok and relaying his experience losing his clan to Starscream. He was then approached by a newly armed Optimus, asking if he was ready to go on the offensive. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

And so Cliffjumper and Carly helped out in an operation to use a scratchbuilt turbine and water from Farmingham Dam to power up and revive more Autobots. Cliffjumper aided from the top of the dam, letting water flow down to the turbine. They'd just succeeded in reviving [[Arcee (G1)#Energon Universe|Arcee]] when the Decepticons attacked. Carly tried to join in defending the turbine, despite Cliffjumper's protests, which got the human tossed off the side of the dam by an explosion. Cliffjumper tried to catch her but failed. Thankfully, Arcee was able to save Carly from her fall. Cliffjumper was so distracted by this that he failed to notice Rumble sneaking up behind him to do a repeat of his "sneak-attack piledriver" from before, but this time Cliffjumper was saved by a freshly revived Jazz.

In the end, the Decepticons managed to damage the turbine before any more Autobots could be revived, but Optimus figured now was the time to launch a counteroffensive to retake the ''Ark''. Carly, eager to avenge her father and Spike, wanted to come along, but Prime and Sparky vetoed the idea. Cliffjumper however, agreed that Carly had a right to be there when the Decepticons were finished for good, and sneakily grabbed her and pulled her into his vehicle mode to bring her along.

The Autobots had just reached the ''Ark'' when an explosion rocked Cliffjumper and Ratchet off their wheels, signalling the arrival of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 6 – Cliffjumper's Alt. Mode.jpg|left|Not the paint! ''Not the paint!''|thumb]]
Cliffjumper and Carly raced towards [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]], but Carly swerved the Autobot off away from the combiner stating that they were vastly underpowered and needed to use their heads to get some more firepower. The pair then made their way to the ship and up to the opening, they made it up and Cliffjumper told Carly to find something to use. However they were followed in by Starscream, who proceeded to face down against the Autobot. The Seeker had gained the upper hand until she shouted for Carly to fire at Starscream, freeing Cliffjumper from Starscream's grasp. He then lamented on the day Starscream had killed his clan, pondering out loud what the moment killing Starscream would be like. He then pointed his blaster at Starscream's face before realizing that this isn't what he wanted. This short amount of time gave Starscream enough leverage to grab Carly, to which Cliffjumper demanded her release. Devastator was then thrust upon the Decepticon leader and Cliffjumper caught the falling Carly. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}

For some time after the battle, Carly refused to speak to Cliffjumper, disappointed by his refusal to kill Starscream. Jazz tried to console the red Autobot, telling him there's no shame in not killing and that even Optimus was dealing with the same guilt. Later, Cliffjumper watched as [[Wheeljack (G1)#Energon Universe|Wheeljack]] explained how Skywarp was locking the Autobots out of Teletraan One's repair functions, then as Optimus revealed his plan to find the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 7|Transformers #7}} When Spike and Carly tried clearing their heads at a lake, Cliffjumper tried joining in, bearing drinks. However, Carly was still upset with Cliffjumper, and stormed off, leaving Cliffjumper to be consoled by Spike.

The Autobots then detected renewed Decepticon activity, and Prime had Cliffjumper pilot the mode-locked Jetfire to the scene. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}}

[[File:TF2023 no 9 - Cliffjumper No .jpeg|right|Sorry Cliff. But it's the price you have to pay for no longer being a red shirt.|thumb]]
When they arrived, Jetfire's wing was shot off by a [[Space bridge]] energy pulse, and they wound up crashing. Dazed, Cliffjumper found himself accosted by the newly arrived [[Shockwave (G1)#Energon Universe|Shockwave]], who transformed into gun mode so that Soundwave could level him at the Mini Vehicle, but at the last moment, Ratchet leapt in front of him and took the shot. Prime leapt to Cliffjumper's aid, but even with backup from Jazz, the Decepticons gained the upper hand. It was then that [[Elita One (G1)#Energon Universe|Elita One]] arrived on the scene with the emaciated [[Ultra Magnus (G1)#Energon Universe|Ultra Magnus]], and Jazz and Cliffjumper were caught up in the chaos that followed. Optimus wanted to rescue them, but Elita told him that there was no helping them, and a reluctant Prime carried her and Magnus away. Seeing the two wounded Autobots, Shockwave was curious what effects prolonged time on Earth had on Cybertronians, and figured the two wounded Autobots would make perfect guinea pig-a-trons for painful experimentation. Cliffjumper could only cry out as he and Jazz were dragged away. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
Cliffjumper and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] once allowed a [[Mini-spy]] access to the Autobot base, only for the little rascal to start mucking around with [[Teletraan I]]. The two Autobots then rushed in to check the Mini-spy's true allegiance, discovering it to be a Decepticon. The spy fled, with the two Autobots in pursuit. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Mini-Spies|Mini-spies commercial}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
Optimus Prime embarked on a mission to rescue Cliffjumper, along with several other Autobots being held captive inside the Decepticons' maze-like base. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth===
[[File:C64Cliffjumper.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|:\]]

Along with his fellow Autobots, Cliffjumper protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. He was ostensibly under the command of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}
{{-}}

===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
Cliffjumper participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! {{storylink|Bot Shots Battle Game!}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
During the war on Cybertron, Cliffjumper was among a group of Autobots led by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], who went to [[Tyrest]] in an attempt to reason with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. They were ambushed by the Decepticons, and Sentinel Prime was killed. {{storylink|The War Within}} On their way back to Iacon after an energon scavenging mission, Cliffjumper and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] were forced to evade a Decepticon team headed by [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (Legends)|More than Meets the Eye}} Cliffjumper was amongst the Autobots who fought back against the Decepticon Seekers when they went on a world-wide rampage. {{storylink|Robots in the Sky}} Following a Decepticon attack on [[New York City]], Cliffjumper joined [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]'s team of infiltrators on a hunt for Decepticons. They were thwarted by three of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. {{storylink|War Dawn (Legends)|War Dawn}}

Cliffjumper was still fighting the good fight when the Aerialbots were sent back in time and helped Orion Pax and Ariel become Optimus Prime and Elita-One respectively. {{storylink|Golden Age (Legends)|Golden Age}} [[Bluestreak (G1)|Silverstreak]], Cliffjumper and [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] were sent to [[South America]] where the Decepticons were attempting to build a cannon to harness the energy of the [[Crystal of Power]]. Even joined by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], the Autobots were unable to prevent the cannon's completion, but later destroyed it and capped the shaft on which the crystal had stood. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (Legends)|Fire on the Mountain}}

Cliffjumper and a few other Autobots were heading back from a charity event when they received a distress signal from a nearby human military base. Arriving on-scene, they found Decepticons scouring the base for the [[MacGuffin Generator]]. Cliffjumper and the Autobots fought the Decepticons to a stalemate, until the evil robots got their hands on the device and activated it. It proved more volatile than they expected however, and blew them all off into the distance. Cliffjumper helped repair the base in the battle's aftermath. {{storylink|Raiding Party}}

Cliffjumper was caught up somehow in a [[Quintesson]] plot to kidnap several Autobots during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsCliffjumper.jpg|thumb|400px|:D]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Cliffjumper-(Gen).jpg|thumb|400px|Am I holding my hand as a gun?]]
Cliffjumper participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Cliffjumper'' — This Common character could be recruited by collecting 8 units of Cybermetal.
*''Cliffjumper (Gen)'' — This Epic character was available as a reward to 50 leagues in the "Transform and Roll Out!" event.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

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

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Cliffjumper-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|300px|"'''SHOTGUN!'''" "I outrank you, get in the back."]]

Though physically one of the smaller Autobots, Cliffjumper has the gung-ho attitude of much bigger bots, and the impatient, straining-at-the-leash growl of "let me at 'em!" can be heard prior to any engagement with the Decepticons. His eagerness and daring have no equal, but he does tend towards impulsiveness, especially when it comes to any kind of stealthy approach.
Cliffjumper is prone to go through things rather than over or around them.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Cliffjumper Bio}}

Cliffjumper arrived on earth in time to participate in the battle for the Codex Key. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Codex Showdown Campaign}}

Cliffjumper also witnessed the creation of Superion, and participated in many key battles for the Autobot cause.

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Cliffjumper uses a standard issue [[grenade launcher]] to bombard defenses from afar.
*'''Ability: Glass Gas Rockets''' Cliffjumper can shoot out 4 rockets of glass gas towards key defenses. Upon impact, the affected buildings take 40% more damage for 7 seconds.
**'''Cost''': 4 ability points +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:cliffjumper Cliffjumper at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
While confronting a [[Quintesson]]-brainwashed [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] remarked that all those years ago, Cliffjumper was right about Mirage being a traitor. {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight|Appearing Act}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Cliffjumper was a tenacious Autobot who always had the right weapon for any situation. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

==Toys==
::''Main article: [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys]]''

==Merchandise==
::''Main article: [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Merchandise]]''

==Notes==
*Cliffjumper's pre-production name '''Blow-Out''' was mentioned in a Marvel Age article announcing the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic series]] in 1984,<ref name="marvelage">[http://www.electric-escape.net/node/590 Article from Marvel Age #17.]</ref> and also appeared at one point in ''[[The Great Car Rally]]''. The second instance is particularly peculiar considering he's referred to as Cliffjumper throughout the rest of the book.
*In "[[Laserbeak's Fury]]", Cliffjumper's only appearance in the [[Ladybird Books]], he is colored yellow like his original toy's variant.
*Like many of his compatriots in "[[Crossing Over]]", Cliffjumper is depicted as his [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Classics|contemporaneous ''Classics'' toy]]. However, from "[[Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass]]" onwards, Cliffjumper lacks that toy's silver vehicle mode highlights, essentially making him an all-red "virtual redeco"... of himself. Maybe travelling to a negative polarity universe strips your paintjob?

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cliff''' (クリフ ''Kurifu''), '''Cliffjumper''' (クリフジャンパー ''Kurifujanpā'')
*''Czech:'' '''Skokan'''
*''Danish:'' '''Klippespringer''' (Danish cartoon, "Cliffjumper")
*''French:'' '''Cliff''' (Europe cartoon), '''Matamore''' (Canada cartoon), '''Rapido''' (Canada toys)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Sziklaugró''' ("Cliffjumper"), '''Ugró''' (first dub of ''The Movie'', "Jumper")
*''Italian:'' '''Grillo''' ("Cricket")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tiàoyá''' (Taiwan, 跳崖, "Cliff Jumping"), '''Fēigùoshān''' (China, 飞过山, "Flying across a Mountain")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Salta-Penhascos''' (Portugal comics), '''Saltador''' (Brazil comics), '''Carrera''' (Brazil toys)
*''Russian:'' '''Skalolaz''' (Скалолаз, "Rock-climber")
*''South American:'' '''Carrera'''
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Strybun''' (Стрибун, "Jumper")
*''Polish:'' '''Skoczek Skalny''' (TM Semic Comic, "Mountain Skipper")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
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File:TF2023 no 9 - Cliffjumper No .jpeg

2024-06-13T02:09:05Z

Tomhur: Cliffjumper can only scream in horror as Shockwave drags him away.

Cliffjumper can only scream in horror as Shockwave drags him away.

Beachcomber (G1)

2024-06-12T21:43:34Z

Tomhur: Modified the Issue #9 bit because I felt it needed more flair and description.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|primus}}
{{disambig3|Beachcomber}}
:''Beachcomber is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Beachcomber-Dreamwave-MTMTE.jpg|upright=2|thumb|''Hippies.'' They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.]]
'''Beachcomber''' has a hard time reconciling his love of peace and freedom for all creatures with the need to combat those who threaten it. Furthermore, however just the cause for which it was fought, the gruesome and destructive aftermath of any battle sickens him to the spark.

Sometimes, when the internal struggle gets too heavy, he simply has to wander into the wilderness and cleanse his soul. Even there, far from civilization, he sometimes finds strange substances to aid the Autobot cause, for Beachcomber is a skilled naturalist, and geology is his specialty, man. He often tries to preserve or even to hide these discoveries, but he has seen too much evil done by the ruthless Decepticons to conceal any possible source of aid completely from his allies.

Beachcomber's geology tools include a wide array of sensors (magnetic, seismic, sonic, infrared) and a 'sonic pick' which can cut through rock. Beachcomber can use his magnetic sensors to navigate like a compass, but local magnetic disturbances can cause this to lead him astray. His sonic probes possess only limited range.

Beachcomber is neither very fast nor very strong, and his antiwar sentiments gain him little respect from the more martial of the Autobots, yet he is agile and skilled in a fight, and his courage is beyond all reproach.

{{quote|Relax, man. Remember, we're all one with the universe.|Beachcomber|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Alan Oppenheimer]] (English), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese) |[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Vladimiro Conti]] (Italian, second dub), [[Jorge García]] (Latin American), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[Roger Carel]] (European French, "The Insecticon Syndrome"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "Prime Target"), [[Marcus Jardym]] (Portuguese), [[André Filho]] (Portuguese, "The Secret of Omega Supreme"), [[Hélio Ribeiro]] (Portuguese, "Prime Target"), [[Marco Antônio Costa]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")}}
[[File:DinobotIslandPart2 BeachcomberFiring.jpg|thumb|right|Beachcomber, secret [[GoBots|GoBot]]?]]
Beachcomber showed up out of nowhere one day, helping [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] investigate some [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] attacks on an old growth forest. This unit proved to be sufficiently under-powered when it came to confronting freshly fed Insecticons, and their battle strategy amounted to hiding behind Hound's holograms until the bad robots went away. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}} He offered "geology-type info" to [[Chip Chase]] during the [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] crisis and later traveled to the island itself to fight the Decepticons. Beachcomber worried that the battle with the Decepticons would destroy the environment before it could be properly studied, but at least he was still fighting while complaining. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Beachcomber, along with the other Autobots, was exiled from Earth after Megatron allied with greedy businessman [[Shawn Berger]] to create anti-Autobot propaganda. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} He and the other Autobots managed to return to Earth thanks to [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s force field and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'s navigation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[File:Beachcomber with bird.jpg|thumb|left|He talks to the animals. Especially after a good hit of Kalis Mountain High.]]
The next time Beachcomber was involved in a large-scale battle, he was less eager to fight. On a geology expedition with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and several other Autobots, Beachcomber abandoned them in the middle of a firefight to explore a cave in the nearby cliffside. While his friends were dodging laser fire and trading blows, Beachcomber was learning to speak parakeet and communing with nature. He also found a golden lagoon full of [[electrum]], a naturally-occurring element which would make any Transformer temporarily impervious to harm. He dipped his hand into the lagoon, and it turned completely gold in color. Beachcomber hid this information from his fellow Autobots, and even kept his silence after [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] arrived coated in electrum and drove the Autobots into retreat, capturing two of their number in the process. Valuing the scenic beauty surrounding the electrum pool, Beachcomber still refused to warn his comrades after the ''entire Decepticon army'' arrived coated with invincible golden armor. He went solo to check on the lagoon, and was captured by the Decepticons. Some of the dumber [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] acted as his prison guards at the Decepticon sunken base, though, and Beachcomber managed to escape alongside his fellow prisoners Perceptor and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]].

[[File:Goldenlagoonbeachcomber1.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|Seriously, he hangs out with a lot of birds.]]
Reaching the electrum pool, the trio was met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the rest of the Autobots, who had independently uncovered the pool's location thanks to [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]. When Optimus Prime observed that they must have all learned about the lagoon at the same time, Beachcomber, hanging back from the crowd, glanced at his golden hand, and quickly dove into the electrum, seemingly to hide his prior knowledge of the substance, and called for the other Autobots to join him in coating themselves with the metal. The wilderness was subsequently ravage by the invulnerable Autobots' battle with Decepticons, which concluded when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the electrum pool destroyed rather than allowing it to be shared with Autobots. While the other Autobots celebrated their victory, Beachcomber sat amidst the devastation and mourned for the natural beauty that had been lost. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Beachcomber briefly maintained a position at the Autobots' New York City base inside [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} He was also seen attending Teletraan I when the Autobots were engaged with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and [[Morphobot]]s. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} Beachcomber was next seen protecting [[San Francisco]] from an alien bird-dragon unleashed on Earth by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He tried appealing to the creature, thinking that we're all one with the same universe. Yeah... that didn't work well. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} When the energy creature called [[Kremzeek]] assaulted the Ark, Beachcomber was one of the first Autobots short-circuited by the little creep. {{storylink|Kremzeek!}}

Beachcomber was later kidnapped by a greedy toll booth and forced to drive in a circle while hopping over spike-traps. It might make more sense if we explained it better, but it would be nowhere near as funny. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

Next, after Megatron kidnapped Perceptor and then voluntarily let him go, Beachcomber joined the ''entire Autobot team'' in riding out a few miles from the base to retrieve their friend. Why several dozen Autobots were needed for such a simple mission... is unknown. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

In [[2006]], Beachcomber was stationed at the Ark with [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and several others when [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] came to destroy it. Their feeble efforts to defend the spacecraft were barely noted by the dinosaur robot. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Beachcomber attended a lecture on Earth about the human's earthquake-prediction technology. Beachcomber attended mostly because he was a geology nut. As the Autobots and Professor Ohnishi spoke after the lecture, an earthquake struck. The Autobots were able to quickly deduce that the Decepticons were causing artificial quakes, but Beachcomber did not take part in the following confrontation against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Activation}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Beachcomber attended the unveiling of Wheeljack's latest invention, the Transform Super Cog. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
Beachcomber fought alongside the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Throttlebot]]s on Cybertron in 2011. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic wave forced him and his allies to fall asleep. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

=====''Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic''=====
Beachcomber was a spectator for the second week of the [[Speedia 500]] on [[Velocitron]] with the [[Paradise Parakeet]]. {{storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Beachcomber and the Autobots supported the [[Selector]]s, human-made robots who wanted freedom from their creators. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

The [[Quintesson]]s chose to aid the humans, however, lending their [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to the fight. The creatures released a metal-eating gas on the Transformers, and Beachcomber was among those caught in the vapors. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
[[File:FSRLTFmanga8 Minibots.jpg|left|thumb]]
As a member of the [[Four-Wheel Drive Corps]], Beachcomber confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Beachcomber and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

Later, Beachcomber was part of a group who arrived to back up [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], who was defending a [[Battle Dog|dog]] that had been cruelly experimented on by the [[Decepticon]]s from being hunted and captured by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. He and the other [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] [[Minibot combiner|combined]] with Powerglide in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s thanks to the energy within the dog, and spinning furiously, smashed through [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s chest and out the other side in a flying drill attack. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

====IDW ''The Animated Movie'' adaptation====
Beachcomber was killed during the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. {{storylink|The Gathering Storm}}
{{--}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:G2Redux-BeachcomberGoldbugpowers.jpg|thumb|right]]
In [[2010]], Beachcomber was stationed at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. He was led into battle by [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] as the Autobots came to the rescue of [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'s forces at the [[Large Hadron Collider]] in Switzerland. In the aftermath of the battle, they were exposed to the mutating properties of [[forestonite]], developing new color schemes and abilities. Beachcomber became a ''real'' flower-child, taking on an environmentally-friendly green paint scheme and causing plant life to grow wherever he walked. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

A couple of years later, he and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] compared powers while standing around Autobot City. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Smeltingpoolminivehicles.jpg|left|thumb|On Cybertron, Beachcomber basically transformed into whatever Kup does.]]

[[Club Con!#Continuity errors|An erroneous account]] placed Beachcomber as part of a group of Autobots posted on Cybertron hundreds of years ago who, upon detecting the [[Underbase]] heading towards Earth, sent out [[Raindance|two]] [[Grand Slam (G1)|mini-cassettes]] to forewarn the Autobots posted on the organic world of its arrival. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

Beachcomber was a member of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|resistance cell]] on Cybertron who disobeyed orders along with most of the cell to help [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] recover [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] from the [[smelting pool]]. He actually demonstrated some uncharacteristic strength and gusto, tearing down a [[laser sentinel tower]] with his bare hands. The rescue mission failed, but they did recover Scrounge's stolen data, and learned that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] were alive and fighting on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[File:Powerglidereadytoblastoffrightnow.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Beachcomber's bloodthirstiest moment.]]
Soon after, Perceptor's crew began a mission to destroy the [[space bridge]] before the Decepticons on Earth and Cybertron could begin trading resources. Beachcomber used his geological skills to map out a safe path underneath the planet's surface to bomb the underlying support structures of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], bringing down [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s whole fortress. The unit failed to destroy the space bridge, however, and were ultimately forced to retreat across the Bridge to Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} Immediately upon arrival, they were approached by the Decepticon fliers [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], who correctly identified them as Autobots and were about to open fire when [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] realised the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was undefended and diverted his troops there instead. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

However, the humans belonged to the anti-robot attack team, [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. While Beachcomber and the other Autobots, unfamiliar with how things worked on Earth, tried to talk to their vehicles, RAAT deployed "electric snow" missiles to disorient them. Beachcomber's group was then too dazed to fight back, and were defeated with the help of [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Beachcomber and his fellows were subsequently taken captive, and the robot-hating Circuit Breaker mounted their heads on the wall of RAAT's headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Meanwhile, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and the shifty human [[Donny Finkleberg]] were sent on a mission to determine their whereabouts, but Finkleberg sold out Skids to RAAT as well. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Ultimately, Finkleberg redeemed himself by forcing the captured Autobots' release as part of a deal. If the [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|combined bodies]] of Beachcomber and the other captives could successfully aid in the defeat of the vandalizing [[Battlecharger]]s, they would be set free. And so it was. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''Beachcomber and the others headed home, directed by Skids, when the [[time travel]]ling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] took their guide's place. Galvatron tore his way through the group, one by one, with Beachcomber one of his casualties, though he was ultimately driven off by the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}}

''Following the Dinobots' directions, the Cybertron Seven finally joined up with the Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] only to discover that Optimus Prime was dead. They attended his funeral but it was cut short by the sudden return from Cybertron of... Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Beachcomberdarkstar.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|They're about to crash through Bruce Wayne's window.]]
Some time later, after Optimus Prime's ''real'' death, Beachcomber was one of the several Autobots who watched on as Ratchet futilely tried to repair Optimus Prime's body. Once the Autobot leader was declared irreparable, the Autobots held a funeral service for their leader, and launched his body into space. Upon their return to the Ark, Beachcomber and the other grieving Autobots were shot at by their ship's own defense systems, which had been activated by a [[Mechanic|human intruder]] in their absence. Ratchet, who had elected not to attend the funeral, was able to defeat the villain and then tended to the wounded. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} The Ark then came under attack by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and Beachcomber was one of the first casualties, getting blasted by the monstrous Decepticon's battle station mode. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Under the direction of the Autobots' new leader [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], Beachcomber, Cosmos and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] constructed a [[variable voltage harness]] with which to punish the "traitorous" Blaster. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} After capturing Blaster's "accomplices"—[[Spacehikers|a quartet of human children and a stuffed bear]]—Beachcomber and the other Autobots watched as Grimlock tried them before an [[Autobot Multi-Circuit Court]] and sentenced them to death. Meanwhile, much to Beachcomber's relief, Blaster had sneaked aboard the Ark and rallied the Autobots in his support but he was forced to surrender to Grimlock in order to save the children's lives. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}} While he did champion Blaster for replacing Grimlock as the Autobots' commander, this didn't stop Beachcomber from whining about senseless violence throughout their duel on the moon. Luckily, a Decepticon strike force arrived to drown out his voice with some lasers and explosives. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

When the Autobots rescued [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Arctic and were ambushed by the Decepticons, Beachcomber was among the first to be attacked, set upon and mauled by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}} ''Presumably, this rendered him non-functional, as Beachcomber was last seen laying deactivated aboard the Ark as [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] attempted to repair him.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Beachcomber air raid space pirates.jpg|thumb|]]
When the [[Quintesson]]s raided [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in [[2008]], Beachcomber and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] rushed to defend their home with a team of fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the Quintesson shock troops were too much for them, and quickly overran the defenders. Beachcomber and his [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] buddy made a run for back-up, but were jumped from behind and taken out with the rest. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Lancer two crew war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left]]
Beachcomber was part of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s assault on [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], serving on board the ''[[Lancer Two]]'' alongside [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] under [[Getaway]]. Though their part of the mission was carried out successfully, Jhiaxus had anticipated the Autobots' strategy and they were quickly overwhelmed by his reinforcements and forced to crash land on a nearby planet. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Beachcomber and the Autobots protected the humans from a revenge attack by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons.{{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
Beachcomber, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] maintained a 24-hour watch on the Decepticon hideout by taking turns. Beachcomber was once almost discovered by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], but simply remaining quiet and still was enough to fool the Decepticon, who was a noted idiot. {{storylink|Menace at the Dam}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
[[File:InsecticonAttack BeachcomberSeesGrapple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
Being a pacifist geologist, Beachcomber did not enjoy hearing about Decepticons around the ''Ark'', and decided to drive off to his "secret place" to look at rocks in peace. Beachcomber's secret place was where a mountain met a valley by a beautiful pond. In Beachcomber's secret place, [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] had also found some tranquility. Beachcomber didn't enjoy having Grapple in his secret place, but decided to stay quiet and watch Grapple until he went away.

Beachcomber's watch was interrupted when he saw the Insecticon [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] transform and fly away from where Grapple was sitting. He told Grapple what he had seen, but not before the other Insecticon, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], got close enough to implant a cerebro-shell in Grapple, turning him against Beachcomber. Beachcomber raced home and told the other Autobots what had happened. Optimus Prime then led an assault on the Decepticons that ultimately freed Grapple from the Insecticons' mind control. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

===Island of Fear===
{{notemultipath}}
Beachcomber was vacationing on the tropical paradise of [[Nali]] when he ran into [[you]]. The following events likely saw him bound up in a mission to stop [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] from tapping into the [[Earth's core]] to power the Decepticons' weapons. Whatever happened to him was up to you! {{storylink|Island of Fear}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Attack of the Insecticons====
[[File:AttackoftheInsecticons BeachcomberKickback.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Little dune buggy in the sand,
Little blue dune buggy in my hand.]]
Beachcomber was witness to [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] testing the Sun-Pak, a new device of Sparkplug's invention that would solve the Autobots' energy woes. However, the Decepticons' discovery of the device forced the Autobots in a number of possible perilous situations. Notably, one such situation involved the Autobots being at the mercy of the Insecticons while trapped underground. If Beachcomber convinced Optimus Prime the best course of action was to entrust him with the Sun-Pak in order to recharge it, two possible outcomes were possible in Beachcomber's solo mission.

Beachcomber explored the system of underground lakes, marveling at the many strange things that lived there, and manages to find his way to the surface. While recharging the [[Sun-Pak]] he was attacked by [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and had to be saved by [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. How humiliating.

Alternatively, Beachcomber became lost when his magnetic sensors erroneously led him directly to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. He did not regret this error for long. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}

====Earthquake====
[[File:EarthquakeJessieKidnapped.jpg|thumb|right]]
Beachcomber was lounging about Autobot headquarters, discussing how nice the recent lull in Decepticon activity was, when Optimus recommended that the peace-loving Autobot take a vacation. Beachcomber gladly agreed. He then drove out to the countryside, only to suddenly be shaken up by a tremor. Pinpointing the tremor's origin, he came upon Rumble practicing his earthquake abilities. Once the Decepticon had finished, Beachcomber followed him back to the Decepticons' newest secret base.

If Beachcomber decided to return immediately to Autobot headquarters to report his findings, Beachcomber was sent back out to investigate further, this time with Powerglide and Windcharger. Once the three Autobots arrived at the cliff face that concealed the Decepticons' base, the three of them debated on their course of action. Beachcomber advocated for trying to find a more conspicuous route into the base, thinking the main entrance would be too risky.

If the three Autobots decided to walk through the main entrance of the Decepticons' base, Windcharger was promptly crushed by the fortress's doors, which then let loose a swarm of Decepticons. Beachcomber then tricked Rumble into causing an earthquake, which brought down the Decepticons and their fortress in one fell swoop. The pair then retrieved the damaged Windcharger to be fixed by Ratchet.

If the trio decided instead to look for an alternate entrance, they discovered a narrow passageway hidden behind some bushes and scrubs. Taking the passageway, Beachcomber's squad emerged into a storage room. Leading out of the storage room was a passage not unlike the one from which they had just emerged and a brightly lit corridor. While Powerglide wanted to explore the bright corridor and Windcharger wanted to investigate the dark passageway, Beachcomber considered looking for other places to explore in the storage room.

If Beachcomber joined Windcharger, the two of them soon found themselves before a heavy stone doorway. Hearing Decepticon voices beyond the door, the pair argued whether or not to spring a surprise attack their enemies. Beachcomber had the option of either proceeding forth with Windcharger, or returning to the storage room to join up with Powerglide.

If Beachcomber decided to proceed with Windcharger, the two Autobots started to argue once more on how to get through the heavy door. While Windcharger was eager to bust it down, Beachcomber considered attempting to decode the door's access lock.

If they managed to decode the door's password, they found themselves intruding upon an empty room; Megatron's secret chamber.Upon hearing Megatron approaching, the pair managed to grab him from behind. Taken by surprised, the Decepticon leader was tricked into thinking that the Autobots had the base surrounded, and was made to have the Decepticons surrender. After Beachcomber contacted Optimus Prime for reinforcements, the Decepticons’ ploy was successfully undone.

If the pair were unable to decode the door's password, Windcharger attempted to smash the door down, despite Beachcomber's protests. All Windcharger managed to do was make a lot of noise, and the two Autobots attempted to flee the scene. As they retreated, they were spotted by Megatron, who blocked off their exit. The Decepticon leader then promptly slaughtered the pair with a blast of his nuclear-charged fusion cannon.

If Beachcomber decided to explore the brightly lit corridor with Powerglide, the pair soon found the entire fortress to be eerily silent. Finally hearing Decepticon voices nearby, the pair heard Megatron expositing his plan to Soundwave. The Decepticons planned to use a Destruction Beam to create a fault line near Center City, which would in turn be exploited by Rumble's earthquake-inducing abilities to destroy the entire area. With this knowledge, Powerglide and Beachcomber raced out of the fortress, meeting up with Windcharger en route, and returned to Autobot headquarters. Relating this information to Optimus, the Autobots then decided to split up in two groups. One group was to attack the Decepticons’ fortress, the other to stop Rumble in Center City. Beachcomber was assigned to the lead team.

If the lead team was sent to the Decepticons’ fortress, Optimus was able to overpower Megatron in the battle that ensued. The Decepticon leader was forced to guide Beachcomber, Inferno and Optimus to the Decepticons’ lab. There, the Autobots disabled and destroyed the Destruction Beam device, captured Megatron, and left many Decepticons permanently maimed. Though they later had to trade Megatron to the Decepticons for the safe release of the Autobots captured in Center City, the Autobots were ultimately victorious that day.

If the lead team was sent to defend Centre City, the Autobots’ next objective was to meet up with Sparkplug They consulted him on whether the Autobots should enter Centre City in their [[robot mode]]s, or in their vehicle modes.

If Sparkplug suggested that the Autobots not worry about subtlety, the entire squad transformed and began prowling the streets in search of Decepticons, oblivious to the panic they were causing. Unable to restore order in time, Beachcomber and the rest of the main team were destroyed in the ensuing earthquake.

If Sparkplug suggested that the Autobots remain in their vehicle modes, he would concoct a plan where the Autobots would help evacuate the entire town in their vehicle modes. With no more than four trips in and out of the city, Beachcomber and the rest of the team carried out the plan without incident. With the humans out of harm's way, the Autobots transformed and engaged the approaching Decepticons, whom they easily dispatch. With the city safe, the Autobots moved out to help their comrades at the Decepticon fortress.

Alternatively, if Beachcomber decided to have Windcharger, Powerglide and himself each investigate a different area of the Decepticons’ fortress, he would accidentally bump into Dirge. Dirge easily overpowered Beachcomber, disassembled him, and replayed the last few moments of his memory tape to find out who had accompanied him.

In a completely different sequence of events, Beachcomber decided to try and infiltrate the Decepticons’ headquarters on his own. Though he was able to activate the fortress's main doors, upon hearing nearby human voices he hesitated on whether he should proceed within the fortress or investigate the voices first.

If Beachcomber went to check on the humans, he soon found out that they were the Autobots’ allies, Buster and Jessie. The pair informed Beachcomber of a secret passage they had discovered, which led inside the Decepticons’ fortress. They trio were surprised by Ramjet, who captured Jessie and took off. Though Buster was adamant that they rescue her, Beachcomber felt they should report back to Optimus first.

If Buster managed to convince Beachcomber to rescue Jessie, he led Beachcomber to the secret entrance he had previously discovered. Once inside the fortress, the duo heard voices nearby once more.

If they followed the voices, they came upon Soundwave and Thrust putting Jessie away in a cell. Once the Decepticons left, Beachcomber wasted no time in breaking Jessie out. The three of them then set out to find the Decepticons’ lab. But after searching for some time, they were unable to find it. Giving up their search, they reported back to Autobot Headquarters. Beachcomber and Mirage then headed back to the Decepticons’ fortress, and used Mirage's holographic abilities to trick Buzzsaw into thinking the fortress was overrun by an Autobot army. This prompted Buzzsaw to head back to the lab to defend it. Following him, the Autobots were able to destroy the Destruction beam before it caused any harm, and then hurried out of the fortress while the Decepticons still panicked over Buzzsaw's report of an Autobot army.

If Beachcomber convinced Buster to hide instead of following the voices, the duo quickly came at a loss on what to do next. After a few moments’ hesitation, the pair came out of hiding only to be confronted by Thrust. Beachcomber engaged the Decepticon in a brief firefight before escaping with Buster. But Thrust quickly came upon them once more, this time backed up by Starscream, Dirge, and Megatron himself. The Decepticons led their new prisoners to Megatron's lab. Megatron then tortured the pair by showing them the destruction of Center City via a view screen. The show over, Megatron then turned his Fusion Cannon upon the pair, and pulled the trigger...

Alternatively, Beachcomber might have been able to convince Buster to leave Jessie behind by claiming that the Decepticons were unlikely to harm her. The two of them then headed to Autobot headquarters, and returned with reinforcements. Shortly before arriving at their destination, the Autobots had to choose their next course of action; they could either storm the Decepticon fortress by force, or try to sneak in through the secret passageway Buster had discovered.

If they decided to storm the fortress, Beachcomber would become nervous, and urge his fellow Autobots to find a more peaceful way to resolve the situation. Optimus sternly told him that this was not the time for one of his anti-war speeches. This moment of hesitation ultimately cost the Autobots the battle, and the Decepticons triumphed that day.

If they decided a stealthier approach, the Autobots quietly entered the Decepticon base, and set out to shoot down any Decepticons they encountered, save Megatron, whom they planned to capture. After encountering some resistance from their foes, the Autobots came upon branch in the passageway, and had to choose to go left or right.

If they took the right passageway, the group happened upon Jessie, whom they freed. Telling them she knew the location of the Decepticons’ lab, Jessie then led the group into a Decepticon trap; she had been brainwashed. The Autobots were captured and Megatron's plan to destroy Center City came to fruition.

If they took the left passageway, the group happened upon Megatron's lab. Megatron was then taken captive. Beachcomber successfully deactivated the Destruction beam, and the rest of the Autobots deactivated the remaining Decepticons. The Autobots celebrated their victory by guzzling a few quarts of fine-grade oil.

In a final possible path, wherein Beachcomber attempted to enter the Decepticons’ fortress by himself through the front door, he was jumped by Buzzsaw who immediately tore into Beachcomber. Buzzsaw was helped by Scrapper into disassembling the Autobot. Megatron then ordered his Decepticons to rebuild Beachcomber. In the process, the Decepticons planned to swap Beachcomber's memory chip for a Destructicon chip, to create the perfect Decepticon double agent. But Mixmaster mixed up the two chips, and Beachcomber returned to Autobot headquarters as his old self. Now having become the perfect Autobot double agent, Beachcomber hoped to soon be able to end the war and return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightBeachcomberbumpsintoCosmos.jpg|left|thumb]]
Beachcomber was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission.
When they heard a tremendous explosion go off nearby, Beachcomber was suspicious that the Decepticons had wanted them to hear it; he reasoned the Decepticons had left them several clues on their nearby activities recently, and wanted to spring a trap on the Autobots. Optimus sent Cosmos to investigate the noise.

If Cosmos radioed his findings to Optimus immediately, Optimus's convoy moved in to investigate a nearby Decepticon base. En route, the Autobots passed near a human town, but began floating in mid-air before being able to reach it. Evidently, the phenomenon was caused by a Decepticon anti-gravity weapon.

If Optimus ordered his troops to come to the humans’ aid, they found themselves taking part in a struggle in futility, as the entire town was near-weightless, meaning they couldn't put the humans anywhere where they wouldn't float away once more. Then, the Autobots heard Decepticons approaching. Helpless in their current position, the Autobots were quickly eradicated by the Decepticons.

If Optimus ordered his troops to attack the Decepticon base, Beachcomber took a moment to goof off in the low-gravity environment, and accidentally bumped into Cosmos, flying nearby. The Autobots soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence, and Beachcomber refocused on the mission at hand. They were then attacked by a small fleet of Decepticons. The Decepticons were quickly forced to break off their attack and retreated. But with the battle over, the Autobots noticed a small human boy at their feet. The Autobots then headed for the Decepticon base, with their stowaway. Megatron delivered an ultimatum; if the Autobots did not surrender Optimus Prime to the Decepticons immediately, he would use his gravity beam to have the nearby humans float off into space.

If the Autobots decided to continue with their initial plan to simply attack the Decepticon base, their advance was halted by a force field. Megatron then fired his beam in all directions, causing a ripple effect that sent everything not fastened down to the Earth's surface to float helplessly out into space.

Alternatively, the Autobots could concoct a plan where Optimus would pretend to allow himself to be taken prisoner, per Buddy's suggestion. The Decepticons, fooled into thinking they've won, took Optimus Prime into their base. In actuality, Beachcomber and the rest of the Autobots were hidden away inside Optimus's trailer. The Autobots then led a surprise attack on their unsuspecting foes.

In the event that Buddy tampered with the gravity gun in the ensuing battle, the Autobots would emerge victorious.

If Buddy instead ran towards Beachcomber and Tracks over the course of the battle, Laserbeak would fire at the group at the same time as the gravity beam reached them, creating a tear in space-time above the group. Beachcomber accidentally stumbled into the time anomaly, and disappeared. Once the Autobots gained the upper hand in battle, Buddy insisted he and Tracks venture into the anomaly to rescue Beachcomber.

If Buddy and Tracks entered a space-time anomaly created during the battle, they would emerge to discover they had traveled three hours into the future, whereas Beachcomber was only flung forward for one hour. In the intervening time, Beachcomber had been captured, and most of the other Autobots were dead or injured, resulting in a Decepticon victory.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, wherein Cosmos had taken off to explore the Decepticon base on his own, The Autobot convoy were surprised to see two Cosmoses flying back towards them some time later. Both Cosmoses declared themselves to be the real one, and urged Optimus to destroy the other.

If Optimus destroyed the wrong Cosmos, the duplicate obliterated Beachcomber and the rest of the Autobots with the [[proton bomb]] it housed within its body.

If Optimus destroyed the duplicate Cosmos, the real one would inform the Autobots of the Decepticons’ schemes, and the convoy would roll out to take on their adversaries. They were soon met by a squad of flying Decepticons, but were at a strict disadvantage against their adversaries as their vehicle modes possessed no weapons. The Autobots nonetheless managed to fight their way to the Decepticons’ base, one way or another, and defeated the Decepticons by using their own gravity weapon against them. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}

====Autobot Alert!====
Alongside Springer and Blurr, Beachcomber was assigned a secret mission; to uncover the location of a sphere of cybertite, containing an ancient Autobot formula. Part way into the mission, Beachcomber's squad was attacked by Decepticon storm troopers who dragged Beachcomber away after having blasted their way into the Autobots’ research centre. The Decepticons then set out for a nearby crater where they believed the sphere of cybertite to be, Beachcomber still in hand. When the Decepticons manage to crack the code of a message they had intercepted containing further details on the location of the cybertite sphere, they left Beachcomber at the crater, after tying him to an explosive device.

In one possible sequence of events, Blurr and Hot Rod arrived at the crater and managed to free Beachcomber from the explosive device before it went off. Unfortunately, heading for the crater instead of the cybertite sphere's actual location cost the Autobots valuable time, making it impossible for them to catch up to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Countdown to Extinction Minibots pre-battle.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man. Bonnnngggg!!!"]]
Beachcomber was seen as one of the civilians on the united Cybertron after Shockwave and Ultra Magnus's forces returned from Earth. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He was spurred into action against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s regime when Optimus Prime returned to the planet and rallied the Autobots into an organized army. His actual contribution to the insurrection was undocumented, but it's entirely possible he may have even picked up a weapon. Really. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

Afterwards, Beachcomber was assigned to a mission suitable for his pacifism, as part of Bumblebee's supply crew on the ''[[Orion]]'', bringing news and fuel to their comrades on Earth. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} Little did they know they would be caught up in heavy combat with [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} As part of an alliance to defeat their mutual enemy, Beachcomber was supposed to be guarding Sunstorm's primary target, the Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], aboard the ''Orion'' shuttle. Now, of course, the question isn't whether Starscream betrayed them at the first opportunity (he did); It's whether Beachcomber even bothered to pick up his gun and try to stop Starscream, or just passively let the 'Con gun him down. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|''[[Spotlight: Blaster]]''}}

Beachcomber originally hailed from [[Ibex]], where he wrote ''[[Primal Prophecies|The Primal Prophecies: A New Interpretation]]''. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Early in the war, Beachcomber, along with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], met with the damaged [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] when their transport ship returned to HQ. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Beachcomber was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

[[File:SpotlightBlaster BeachcomberTransform.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Later, Beachcomber was captured by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], who used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to inject him with a [[cerebro-shell]]. Under its control, Beachcomber attempted on three occasions to assassinate [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. Ultimately, Blaster confronted him about it and forced him to fight against his Decepticon control. Though his mental resistance shorted out the shell, his neural processors were severely damaged as well. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

After eventually recovering, Beachcomber ended up among the Autobot forces on Earth. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] visited to investigate [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s surrender, Beachcomber feared that they might all get arrested, and decided to leave the team. Alongside [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], he attempted to find and join [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]], who was trying to get off the planet, only to drive straight into a [[Skywatch]] ambush. Beachcomber was the first to be deactivated when a human named [[Campolongo]] zapped him using a hi-tech suit. The captured Autobots were brought into the hangar where Optimus Prime was imprisoned by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Major Witwicky]] in an attempt to get the Autobot leader to cooperate. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

[[File:AnotherMine Beachcomber.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Kei Zama]] can make ''anyone'' look badass.]]
After [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] became Autobot leader and formed an alliance with Skywatch, Beachcomber was freed. He would later completely ignore Bumblebee's leadership once [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] returned from space with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and demanded to see Optimus Prime. Beachcomber was also amongst those (meaning everyone) who volunteered to return to a restored Cybertron and fight [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s army. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} Upon arriving, he transformed and rolled out alongside the other Autobots. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

In the post-Great War era, Beachcomber joined the [[Cybertronian Security Force]]. In early 2018, following Chancellor [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s public confession to a myriad of crimes, Beachcomber was assigned to guard his cell. After [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] stopped by to show Starscream the [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] he'd been working on, the former ruler of Cybertron requested Beachcomber pass along a message to some [[Badgeless|friends of Starscream]]. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

Shortly afterwards, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] returned to Cybertron with Beachcomber being among those assigned to guard the latter. Feeling guilty about aiding Starscream, he let [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and his entourage interrogate the latter for five minutes. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} He and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] later escorted the captive Shockwave through the streets to be imprisoned, with Beachcomber telling the monologuing cyclops to shut up along the way. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Beachcomber's bad luck as a guard continued when an escaped Starscream later returned and knocked him out in order to converse with Shockwave. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Beachcomber managed to escape Cybertron's destruction at [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s hands, being transported to Earth with many survivors. He immediately began admiring some flowers upon arrival. {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
When the Minibots excavated a [[Dinobot (BW)|mysterious mech]], Beachcomber was astute enough to recognize the Predacon symbol may have been descendant from the Decepticon sigil. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 11}}

===Bot on the Street===
Beachcomber was asked if he'd like to change his alternate mode, and thought he'd like to be a bird feeder. {{storylink|Bot on the Street}}

===''TransTech''===
Beachcomber criticized the [[Supreme Multi-Circuit Court]] for allowing [[Hydradread/Highbrow Hybrid Technologies]] unfettered access to the [[Iocus]] Cluster. He especially didn't care for the idea of a [[Hero Mashers|Transformer being built out of pieces that belonged to other Transformers]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

Beachcomber debated [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] about internship practices on [[Axiom Nexus]] during a television segment. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
Beachcomber thought it cruel to keep the [[Anibot]]s in a [[roboto-zoo]] but [[Vector Prime]] saw little alternative. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/24}}

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

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
The peace-loving Autobot Beachcomber could wield powers of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s by linking with [[Prime Master]]s. {{storylink|#Generations|''Power of the Primes'' Beachcomber packaging bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Beachcomber, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Beachcomber was part of a geological survey team along with [[Azimuth (G1)|Azimuth]], [[Geomotus]], and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] that set out to investigate unusual seismic activity. After coming across [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]], who had fallen into a crevice, a violent groundquake led them to discover a team of [[The Rise|Risers]] who proceeded to attack the surveyists. In the struggle that ensued, Beachcomber was shot by [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]]. At that moment, [[Security Operations]] came to the rescue and engaged in battle with the Risers. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} Afterwards, the injured Beachcomber and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] were taken to [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]] for repairs. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|Prisoners}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:Abominus Comic 2 GoldBeachcomber.jpg|thumb|left|And that's who you'll be from now on, Beachcomber... "Goldbong".]]
A Transformer resembling a particularly dazzling Beachcomber was a follower of [[Primus#The old universe|Primus]] in the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]]. Like his fellows, he dutifully assisted Primus in his efforts to confiscate the [[Star Power|Seven Lights]] from his dissenting army the [[Primus Vanguard]] and destroy the universe. He was present in the strike team Primus brought to bear against the [[Powered Master]]s in an expedition to the year [[2050]] of the [[G1 World|next universe]] to capture its newly formed, empty [[Silver Matrix]] for his patsy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]]. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

When Star Convoy grew wise to his master's plan, Beachcomber helped restrain him as their master personally gathered the last two Star Powers from [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron Omega]] and [[Purple Wicked Convoy]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Prelude|Finale Prelude}} Primus's plan soon went off the rails, with Primus being reduced to his diminutive Oracle form by [[Blue Planet (GS)|Neo Primus]] and the Seven Lights being captured by malevolent future warrior [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Gold Megatron]] and used to create his own seven-part force, the [[New Primus Vanguard]]. Realizing the dire nature of the threat, the Oracle reversed his orders, and Beachcomber and company freed Star Convoy and pooled their [[Golden Power]] into him. Star Convoy arose as Gold Primus Convoy. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 9|July 10, 2024}}
[[File:Skybound-TF-2023-Beachcomber-death.jpg|thumb|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] would've been thrilled to see this.]]
During a battle on Cybertron, a fleeing Beachcomber was shot in the back by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}} Beachcomber got better and made it to Earth, watching from the shadows unbeknownst to the other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}} After the human [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Energon Universe|Spike]] was captured by [[Astrotrain (G1)#Energon Universe|Astrotrain]], Beachcomber shot down the Decepticon and rescued the captive human. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Bumblebee recruited Beachcomber to join the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} Chased by Decepticon forces, Beachcomber discovered a Golden Lagoon of [[Electrum]]. Unfortunately the Decepticons found it too, and in the resultant battle, both the lagoon and the surrounding glen were destroyed, much to Beachcomber's dismay. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (Legends)|The Golden Lagoon}} After [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] was inflicted on the Autobots, Gears and Beachcomber managed to sneak past the Decepticons and get a sample of [[corrostop]] from the [[Statue of Liberty]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (Legends)|Cosmic Rust}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Blues#As Beachcomber}}
Beachcomber appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by The Blues. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Beachcomber-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px|G2 is his only cue!]]
Beachcomber (G2) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was available to 100 leagues in the "Divide and Conquer" medium events.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
Beachcomber wondered what kind of weapon could even hurt a [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] told him that one wielded by the first [[Thirteen|Primes]] could do it.{{Storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Falling Apart}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Beachcomber was an Autobot with a radical outlook on life. {{storylink|Field Guide to Action and Adventure}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|My other alternate mode is a bong.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' ([[Mini Vehicle]], [[1985]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-63'''

: Released in the second year of the [[Hasbro]] ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' line, [[Mini Vehicle]] Beachcomber transforms into a blue and gray 1982 M1040 Chenowth "Hellfire" Fast Attack Vehicle (which is an amusingly well-armed vehicle for such a peace-loving Autobot). Although not documented in his instructions, Beachcomber's legs are slightly extendable, providing much-needed clearance for his lower legs to transform between modes without scraping against his torso.

: The figure has several minor variants. The initial releases of the toy have his thighs, headlamps and wheel hubs cast in silver plastic that matches his torso rather than the usual light gray, which is the vastly more common coloration. Later releases of the light-gray version altered his right arm to add a "Hasbro" stamp to it (removing half the "mesh" pattern). The French release of the toy by [[Joustra|Ceji]], aside from using the "half-mesh" arm variant, has a slightly different headsculpt with narrower eyes, different wheel-pins with four "rivets", plus slightly different shades of blue and gray plastic.

: Beachcomber continued on into the 1986 Mini Vehicle assortment, with no notable changes.

: In the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] line, Beachcomber was not part of the initial 1985 "pre-movie" series (despite being in the pre-movie cartoon), but premiered in 1986's post-movie ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Transformers 2010]]'' line. Like all of the smaller toys sold by Takara at the time, he was packaged in a small box and came with a collector's card inside, rather than on a bubble-card. It is currently uncertain which arm-variant was released in Japan; ''presumably'' the latter "Hasbro"-stamped one, but this has not been confirmed.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Beachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Generation 1'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-beachcomber/707/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Beachcomber at Transformerland.com]''
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2 Beachcomber photo.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Beachcomber went green before it was in vogue.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a2|'''Beachcomber''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1993]])}}</ul>

: Released in the first (proper) year of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toys, Beachcomber is a [[redeco]] of his original toy, now with a chrome green instead of blue plastic, and the grey of the upper legs and lamps was replaced with a funky bright salmon color. This version removed the "half-mesh" on the left arm and simply replaced it with a large Hasbro copyright stamp.

: A rare variant exists that may have been a [[prototype|test shot]] run with gray legs. These figures were apparently given out internally by Hasbro as [[Christmas]] ornaments, as they have been found bagged with a string attached and a card reading "Transformers Christmas ornament" on one side and "Merry Christmas from the Boys' Toys Marketing" on the other. The same treatment has been seen with a ''Generation 2'' Seaspray.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Beachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Universe2008 Legends Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Has a [[fireblast]] of 1, yet is the only Legends Mini-Vehicle with a weapon.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Legends, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': G1 Series
:*''Accessories'': Wheel-mounted gun
:*''Known designers'': [[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)

: Released in the fourth wave of the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' toyline]]'s Legends assortment, Beachcomber has a very cartoon-inspired robot mode, but his vehicle mode appears to be inspired by the "Warthog" off-road vehicle from the ''[[Xbox 360|Halo]]'' game series. Amusingly, the pacifist Beachcomber has a spare-tire-mounted machine gun in vehicle mode. (Maybe it's a paintball gun?) Despite this piece being removable, Beachcomber has no way of holding it in robot mode.

: This mold is the basis for the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]]'s [[Sandstorm (TF 2010)|Sandstorm]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on ''Universe'' Beachcomber at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei-toy Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Yes, the pacifist is part of the "Attack Team" rather than the "Spy Team". Makes sense!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

: The ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' release of ''Universe'' Beachcomber is at first glance identical to the ''Universe'' release. However, the ''Henkei'' release has a flatter and less vibrant blue than Hasbro's release.

: He was only available in a three-piece set with [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Gong]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Cliff]].
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BeachcomberKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"I am totally high right now."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2013]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': Collection 3
:*''Bag number'': '''***** 60'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo brick, small pistol
:*''Known designer'': [[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)

: As part of the third wave of [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Beachcomber is a [[Kreon]] that can be rebuilt into a little dune buggy. He uses the [[Constructicon (G1)#Kre-O|Constructicon]]-style cab-helmet, and [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]]'s handgun.

: This Micro-Changer assortment was the last one to appear at [[Target]], with later waves showing up only at [[Toys"R"Us]] or drug/discount stores.

: This mold was also used to make a [[N.E.S.T. Sentry]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Kre-OBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on Beachcomber at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2015}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Kreon Class of 1985''' (Kreon figure set, [[2015]])}}</ul>
:*''Set number'': '''B5152'''
:*''Voted'': Most Likely to Grow Totally Organic Energon
:*''Accessories'': Small pistol

: [[Kreon Class of '85]] Beachcomber's deco is much more heavily based on the [[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|original Beachcomber toy]], with a more cartoon-accurate face. Like the rest of the set, he uses the almost-totally-[[retool]]ed 2015 style of Kreon body.

: This box set of thirty Kreons was a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2015 [[exclusive]], with leftovers being sold on [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBeachcomber/beachcomber.htm More information on Class of '85 Beachcomber at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|2015Kreon}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': Collection 3
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, small pistol

: In 2017, the Collection 3 Micro-Changers were re-released in a whole new production run, first appearing at [[Walgreens]] stores in the US. These releases use the almost-entirely-[[retool]]ed 2015 Kreon (making most parts incompatible with older Kreons), with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. Beachcomber's [[tampograph]]s are slightly altered, changing the flat light gray to metallic silver, giving him a red Autobot [[Insignia|faction symbol]], and adding some white highlights.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''EZ Collection''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (2013)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''EG10'''

: ''[[EZ Collection]]'' Beachcomber was to be a [[redeco]] of the [[#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Legends Class figure]]. It was solicited in 2013, but never saw release.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimestoy-Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber''' (Legends Class, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-06'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[May 25]], [[2018]]
:*''Known designers'': [[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Robby Musso]] (concept artist)

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Legends" class toys, Beachcomber is based heavily on his original toy and cartoon model. In dune buggy mode, his "driver" compartment can seat [[Titan Master]]s and [[Prime Master]]s.

: Though designated for a first quarter 2018 release, Beachcomber's wave actually reached U.S. store shelves in November 2017.
{{-}}

===''Golden Lagoon''===
[[File:TF 35th Golden Lagoon Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Come on in, the [[Electrum]]'s fine.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber / Perceptor / Seaspray''' (Multi-pack, November 2018)}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''GL-03'''

: ''[[The Transformers Golden Lagoon|Golden Lagoon]]'' Beachcomber is a gold and gold chrome redeco of ''Power of the Primes'' Legends Class Beachcomber in homage to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] [[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|episode of the same name]]. Packaged with similar redecoes of ''Titans Return'' [[Perceptor (G1)/toys#Golden Lagoon|Perceptor]] and [[Seaspray (G1)#Golden Lagoon|Seaspray]], this set was released exclusively at [[TakaraTomy Mall]] as part of TakaraTomy's celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary. The set was later rereleased by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the USA in January 2021.

: This toy also appeared in ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]'' as a member of the [[Golden Age (GS)|Golden Age]], who may or may not be named "Beachcomber".
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Beachcomber.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I am Lorde. Yah yah yah.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Beachcomber & Paradise Parakeet''' (Deluxe Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL-43'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[October 28]], 2023
:*''Accessories'': Bumper/Machine gun, [[Paradise Parakeet]]
:*''Known designers'': [[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shuhei Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[April 4]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qv8dh66d48 Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Sam Smith]], [[Shogo Hasui]] and [[Delaney Norris]].</ref>

: ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: Evolution]]'' Beachcomber is an animation-accurate, deluxe-scaled version of the character, turning into a dune buggy in 11 steps. The wheels are made with PVC plastic, as well as being pinned on for better rolling action. His [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick is his handheld machine gun, which doubles as the front bumper of his alt mode.

: He also includes a small "[[Paradise Parakeet]]", seemingly inspired by the bird Beachcomber encountered in the episode "[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]". It sits on a [[Fire Blast effect|blast effect]]-style post, allowing it to plug into 5mm ports or over 3mm pegs throughout both of Beachcomber's modes. Said bird also gets top billing, and is named alongside Beachcomber himself on the box. Its name is likely a reference to the {{w|paradise parrot}}, which went extinct nearly 100 years ago, giving Beachcomber something else to be sad about.

: Note that the tires can stick and chip off other paint details if you store him in contact with other toys.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CqtZFFiuZx6/ Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Beachcomber from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Beachcomber.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Little blue dune buggy...]]
*'''Beachcomber, Geologist''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T08/T46'''
**''Stars: ''6

:Beachcomber, Geologist is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' Beachcomber toy, with the Bot Mode art being reused from the toy's packaging art. The card's Alt Mode received original art, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFTM-MaybeBeachcomber.jpg|thumb|See kids? This is what happens to hippies.]]
*There's a generic robot seen ahead of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] in line for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s smelting pool in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', who's colored in an approximation of Beachcomber's color scheme. It's not his [[character model]], though, so don't worry, that "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" appearance isn't an error.
*Beachcomber's character model shows up during a flashback in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode, "[[Prehistory]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Beachcomber''' (ビーチコンバー ''Bīchikonbā'', ビーチコマー ''Bīchikomā'')
*''French:'' '''Déferlo''' (Canada), '''Pacifico''' (Canada ''Generation 2'')
*''Greek:'' '''Angeliofόros''' (Αγγελιοφόρος, "Messenger")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Guberáló''' ("Scavenger")
*''Italian:'' '''Pulce''' ("Flea")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jù Làng''' (巨浪, "Waves")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Onda''' (Portugal comics), '''Pacífico''' (Brazil comics)
*''Russian:'' '''Shezlong''' (Шезлонг, "Lounge")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/Employee/Gen2ChristmasOrnamentBCom.html Christmas Ornament Variant]

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]

[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Geologists]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Autobots]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Golden Age]]

Scarlett issue 1

2024-06-05T21:47:48Z

Tomhur:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' #1
|prev=
|next=
|image=Scarlett 1 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[June 5]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=June 2024
|written by=[[Kelly Thompson]]
|art by=[[Marco Ferrari]]
|colors by=[[Lee Loughridge]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Scarlett must undergo her most dangerous mission yet: braving a storm to infiltrate the shadowed world of Clan Arashikage to save her best friend!'''

==Synopsis==
[[Scarlett|Sergeant Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara]] infiltrates a party at a private compound in [[Monaco]] looking for information about a group of hostages. She suggests to her superiors that the hostages could be on site, but they remind her that even if their intel is incorrect, she is ordered ''not'' to engage. Scarlett identifies their target, a buyer named "[[Bartleby]]", but is soon distracted by the sight of a woman with a tattooed symbol that she vaguely recognizes, only to realize the woman is [[Jinx]], an old friend of hers who went missing two years ago. Noticing that Jinx and several men are wielding swords, she requests permission to engage but is repeatedly denied. She then notices a series of symbols scrawled on the wall: a code from Jinx telling her not to get involved. Jinx and the swordsmen free the women being held hostage, leading to a brawl with the compound's security. Scarlett — against the orders of her superiors — engages, grabbing a crossbow and taking out the rest of the security detail, saving Jinx and allowing her to escape with one of the hostages.

Later, in [[Washington, D.C.]], Scarlett is berated by her superior, Major [[Gorman]], for her insubordination and causing an international incident. Though she defends her actions, she is ultimately kicked out of Gorman's unit. Angrily returning to the home she used to share with Jinx, she finds that her home has been broken into by [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], who has come to her with a mission. He reveals that Jinx disappeared while on a mission to infiltrate Clan [[Arashikage]], a rising power in the global arms race. Because of how close Jinx and Scarlett were — having developed their own code of symbols to communicate secretly, as Jinx did back in Monaco — Stalker wants Scarlett to infiltrate the Arashikage, retrieve Jinx, and also find a secret weapon that the Arashikage possess. Stalker tells her that she'll have to go in alone, with her only backup being her pilot, [[Snow Job|Harlan "Snow Job" Moore]], whom Scarlett has worked with before. She accepts.

Snow Job takes her up in a helicopter to her target location: a hidden fortress at the top of a snow-covered mountain, guarded by a number of ninjas. She fights her way through the ninja to reach her intended target: the [[Hard Master]], the leader of the clan. She apologizes for the interruption, and reveals her intentions, offering her services to the Arashikage. The Hard Master questions if he needs her services, which Scarlett insists he does. However, she is swiftly knocked out from behind by the Hard Master's most loyal servent: [[Storm Shadow]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[United States military]]|c1=
* [[Scarlett]] (1)
* [[Gorman]] (4)
* [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (5)
* [[Snow Job]] (6)

|h2=[[Arashikage]]|c2=
* [[Jinx]] (3)
* Arashikage ninjas (7)
* [[Hard Master]] (8)
* [[Storm Shadow]] (9)

|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Bartleby]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Back in ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 2|#2]], Stalker displayed his martial arts prowess, saying he learned a roundhouse kick from "a friend." This issue reveals that he received some of his training from the Arashikage.
* Storm Shadow makes his first full appearance this issue after being glimpsed on a computer screen in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 5|#5]].
* It isn't entirely clear when exactly this series takes place relevant to the other Energon Universe ''Joe'' titles: Stalker makes no overt reference to [[G.I. Joe (team)|the new team]] formed at the end of [[Duke issue 5|''Duke'' #5]], so while it's possible Jinx's operation was merely a standard military op, it could have been under the purview of the Joes.

===G.I. Joe references===
* In a departure from previous Energon Universe Joe comics, most of the cast of Scarlett does not seem to be based on their Classified Series toys: Scarlett's main uniform (seen only on the covers) is an updated interpretation of her classic costume, while Storm Shadow wears an original design. The one exception to this is Jinx.
* During the skirmish in Monaco, Scarlett grabs a crossbow, her signature weapon.
* Stalker training with the Arashikage plays on his history with both Storm Shadow and Snake-Eyes from back in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|Marvel series]].
* Scarlett's snow uniform is based on Snow Job's usual attire.
* Snow Job is shown in flashback using a sniper rifle. The original Snow Job’s file card made note of his expertise in such weapons.
* Jinx's real name is conspicuously never addressed in this first issue. Originally, her true identity was classified top-secret, with all that was known about her identity being that her family had ties to the Arashikage clan and later she's identified as Storm Shadow's cousin. The [[Devil's Due Press]] comics introduced her given name as "Kimi Arashikage", while noting that "Kimi" might be a nickname. This name was later used in ''G.I. Joe: Renegades'' cartoon, and it has also been given as just "Kim" starting in 2012. HOWEVER. This isn't true of every version of Jinx. IDW's [[Hasbro Universe]] incarnation was a Chinese-American with some martial arts background but not a ninja, though they later introduced the character of "Ronin/[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]" as a stand-in for the original after Jinx's death. The 2019 IDW G.I. Joe series introduced a half Japanese-American, half Korean version named Elaine Song. What route will this series take? Only time will tell!

===Errors===
* In her letter at the end of the book, Thompson writes the G.I. Joe slogan as "GO JOE" instead of "YO JOE".

===Other trivia===
* Scarlett notes that Snow Job is a "good guy" both on and off the battlefield, which is slightly out of step with his usual characterization as a perpetual con artist and prankster.
* This is the first #1 issue in the Energon Universe to contain no references to Transformers.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Scarlett with the Arashikage symbol in blood in the snow, by Marco Ferrari and Lee Loughridge.
* '''Cover B:''' Scarlett, Jinx, and the Arashikage, by [[Joëlle Jones]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Gleb Melkinov]]
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett on explosion background, by [[Steve Epting]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Stalker, by [[Leonardo Romero]].
* '''Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Storm Shadow, by [[Jonboy Meyers]].
* '''Cover G (1:250 Copy Incentive):''' Scarlett and Storm Shadow, by [[David Mack]].
* '''Cover H:''' Blank sketch cover.
* '''Cover I:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover, by [[Jason Howard]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover J:''' Energon Universe Anniversary connecting cover (black and white), by [[Jason Howard]].

<gallery>
File:Scarlett 1 Cover A.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover B.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover C.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover D.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover E.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover F.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover G.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover H.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover I.jpg|
File:Scarlett 1 Cover J.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Five page preview for ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 1|#1]].

===Reprints===

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Scarlett issues]]

Spike Witwicky (G1)

2024-03-24T02:31:09Z

Tomhur: Updated because of the addition of Jimmy Witwicky in the Energon Universe.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Symbol autobot reg.png|cLink=Honorary Autobot}}|autobot|autobotg2|gijoe|skywatch|edc}}
{{disambig3|Spike}}
{{suite}}
:''Spike [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]] is a [[human]] and sometimes [[Autobot]] ally and [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Spikewitwickyg1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Wait till you see my sweet future jumpsuit!]]
'''Spike Witwicky''' is the oldest (and sometimes only or even youngest) son of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]].
Spike, like most Witwickys, has a tendency to form close bonds to the Autobots and become one of their main human allies. 'Cause let's face it, there are advantages when your best friend is [[Bumblebee (G1)|a car]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Mtmte2 spike finds soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Otherwise known as the dork who brought Soundwave into the base.]]
{{main|Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

Despite being too young to qualify for a driver's license, Spike worked with his father Sparkplug on an offshore oilrig in 1984 and became one of the first human allies of the Autobots. Spike soon became friends with the Autobot Bumblebee and ''more than friends'' with the human Carly. By 2005, he'd had a son named Daniel and was stationed on the Cybertron Moon Base. Narrowly surviving the [[Unicron War]], Spike continued to aid the Autobots in missions both deadly and diplomatic, eventually becoming the Headmaster partner of Cerebros in 2006.

In a splinter timeline, Spike did not become a Headmaster at first, and by 2011 had focused his energies on diplomacy. He eventually journeyed to planet Master and became a Headmaster via a modified Exo-Suit. In 2021, Spike was embroiled in a scheme concocted by [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]] that briefly saw him framed for crimes he didn't commit. His name was cleared by his old friend Bumblebee, though.
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Spike and his father joined the Autobots on a mission to stop the Decepticons from acquiring sunken treasure in Alaskan waters. As they sailed northward in a boat of Wheeljack's creation, Spike commented on the beauty of the scenery. He and Hound were then ambushed by Ravage. Thanks to Hound's holographic powers, they both escaped the encounter unscathed. After Bumblebee had been captured by the Decepticons, Spike and Sparkplug tagged along with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and the rest of the Autobots in order to rescue him. They remained safe from Decepticon fire within Brawn's durable car mode.{{storylink|Search for Treasure Under the Sea}}

When all of the Autobots except Bumblebee were captured by the Decepticons, a plan was devised and implemented — Sparkplug and Spike constructed a [[Giant fake Autobot|giant cut-out Autobot]] which was placed outside Decepticon headquarters as a diversion while Bumblebee slipped in and freed everyone. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}}}

===Big Looker Storybooks continuity===
[[File:BattleforCybertron bumblebee spike sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45]]
Spike Witwicky and his father Sparkplug were investigating the damage done by a volcanic eruption close to their home town of [[Kimball]] when they witnessed a fleet of jet planes emerging from a spaceship buried within the volcano that the tremors had exposed. Spike was vocally opposed to Sparkplug's desire to examine the ship in search of "a little adventure", but ventured into the crater nonetheless, where he and his father were met by a talking Volkswagen named Bumblebee, who brought them into the ship and introduced them to his fellow Autobots. After helping the Autobots tap the volcano's energies to re-power their ship, Spike and Sparkplug were given a lift back home by Hound, but on the way, they witnessed the Decepticons draining the energy of a nearby power plant. Knowing that Hound wanted to return to his Autobot comrades to warn them that their enemies had re-powered themselves, Spike told him he could use "a little more adventure". The message was delivered, and as the Autobots readied for battle, Bumblebee took Spike and Sparkplug to a safe distance, where he would serve as a lookout and warn of a potential second wave of Decepticons approaching from the rear. Unfortunately, the battle lasted through the night, and when the rear wave appeared, Sparkplug realized that Bumblebee's signal—a flash of his headlights—was being lost in the rising sun. Spike, Sparkplug and Bumblebee raced into the battlefield to alert the Autobots, and they were able to get ready for the attack just in time. Optimus Prime credited victory in the battle to Spike and Sparkplug, and Spike affirmed his father's belief that the Autobots were their kind of machines. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

Spike and Sparkplug watched as the Autobots participated in a race to win a year's supply of gas and oil. The Autobots won, but Spike decided he'd stick to hot dogs and soda! {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:MegatronsFightforPower sonic multi tool.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
When a lighting storm spooked the Autobots, Spike wrote about the experience in his [[Spike's diary|diary]] the next morning, then tried to explain the phenomenon to his robot friends with the aid of his father. Intrigued by the idea of energy that fell from the sky, Optimus Prime had [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] construct a lightning rod to collect it, and Spike and Sparkplug were on hand as the finishing touches were added to the project. That night, Spike monitored weather forecasts and alerted the Autobots to the arrival of a new storm so they could see the machine in action. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Spike was instrumental in breaking the Decepticons' control over a human solar power station when he snuck into the facility with the intent of disabling the power-collecting machinery. Finding the door to the control room locked, Spike at first thought to pick the lock with his pen-knife, but quickly dismissed the idea and instead used the blade to alert the Autobots, watching nearby, flashing them a message in morse code by allowing the sun to glint off the knife. Optimus Prime sent [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] to deliver a [[sonic multi-tool]] to Spike, which allowed him to unlock the door and use the machinery to destroy the energon cubes the Decepticons had already gathered, sending them fleeing. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}
[[File:AutobotsFightBack spike jump.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
While he was in town with Ironhide to buy groceries, Spike spotted a flier for a car rally that he realized passed through the region where the Decepticons had set up a new temporary base. Spike suggested using the race as cover to investigate the Decepticons' activities, and so he and Jazz joined the rally, with Spike stealthily jumping from the moving Autobot as they neared the area in question to avoid detection. He discovered the Decepticons testing a new [[ion drive]] in an abandoned mineshaft, and hit on an idea: he had Jazz push a row of mine-cars down into the tunnel, destroying the ion drive and collapsing the tunnel on the evil robots. {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}}

Investigating a report of Decepticon activity near a small village, Hound and Spike discovered that they had taken an interest in a local windmill. Spike and his father had to explain the concept of a non-electromagnetic mechanism to the baffled Autobots. When battle erupted around the windmill, Spike ran to the top of the structure to get a better look at the fight, but a blast from Laserbeak caused him to lose his footing and he fell onto the breaking lever, freeing the windmills sails to spin. [[File:LaserbeaksFury spike headshot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]] Laserbeak was knocked from the sky by a sail and the Decepticons were panicked by the primitive machine, causing Rumble to destroy it. Spike was able to get to safety before it collapsed, and the next day, consoled the worried Optimus Prime with the new that their battle hadn't even made the front page: the town was buzzing about Laserbeak's appearance a local disco! {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}}

When Spike joined the Autobots on a salvage mission to gather useful materials, it quickly became apparent that the Decepticons had developed a new method of spying on their enemies from orbital satellites. Remembering a story his father had told him when he was younger about two giants that were tricked into fighting each other, Spike suggested using the same tactic on the satellites. His aid didn't stop there: he was able to provide information about the [[Aurora Borealis]] and its radio-scrambling effects, allowing the Autobots to duplicate it as part of their plan to make the satellites crash into each other. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
[[File:DecepticonHideout spike attacks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Following a failed Decepticon attack on Autobot City, Bumblebee and Spike secretly trailed the retreating [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] to the Decepticons' new hidden base in a nearby industrial estate. Instructed by Bumblebee to wait outside while he went spy, Spike paid a visit to an adjacent scrap yard and asked the [[A. McNulty|manager]] to help him find some some bronze-chrome wheel trims for Hot Rod. When Spike saved the man from a collapsing pile of junk, in gratitude, he gave him the wheel-trims for free. Bumblebee, meanwhile, had been spotted by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], and hidden in vehicle mode in the junkyard, where he was almost scrapped by an electromagnet until Spike distracted the magnet's operator and save his little Autobot buddy. Subsequently, Spike and his father were used as the Autobots' human eyes and ears in the industrial estate, and learned for them that it was about to close down for a few weeks. The Autobots used this as a chance to take the fight to the Decepticons hiding there, and during the battle, Spike used several pieces of construction equipment to aid the Autobots, first drawing their fire with a calorifier on a chain, then using the electromagnet to trap several smaller Decepticons, before using a wrecking ball to attack Galvatron himself! Finally, Spike used the wrecking ball to collapse the entire building, burying the Decepticons in the rubble. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}
{{--}}

===Generation 1 toy bio===
Spike was a "[[Nebulan]] leader" and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]'s [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partner.<ref>It would seem that Spike being portrayed as a Nebulan in his toy bio was either a mistake or a decision made by [[Hasbro]] to match the other Headmaster toy bios. [[Bob Budiansky]], the writer of most of the Generation 1 bios that would get shortened for inclusion on the toy packaging, was also the writer of the US Marvel comic ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'', which portrayed Spike as a human and a comic universe counterpart to the Generation 1 cartoon character of the same name.</ref> {{storylink|#The Transformers|Generation 1 toy bio}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:G138 spike.jpg|left|thumb|Man, those Witwickies love pink shirts, don't they?]]
Spike Witwicky was away at college for the first few years of the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] [[Great War (G1)|war]] on [[Earth]], and was entirely unaware of his family's involvement in the robot conflict until the day he returned home to find [[Sparkplug Witwicky|his father]]'s [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service|garage]] a pile of rubble. Spike was relieved to find his father alive and well, but this sense of relief did not last long, as Sparkplug explained that the damage was the work of the Decepticon [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and told Spike of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]]'s involvement with the Autobots. Intent on ensuring his brother's safety, Spike headed up to [[Mount St. Hilary]], but found the volcano abandoned. Presently, the Autobot splinter group led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]], who had recently arrived in Earth orbit after departing the planet [[Nebulos]], entered the caverns, having followed distress call broadcast by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. Finding Goldbug's [[brain module]] in a toy car on the cavern floor, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] replayed recent images from the disembodied Autobots' memory, including Buster's capture by Ratbat. Seeing this image, Spike stepped forward and petitioned the Autobots for aid in saving his brother, but they turned him down and departed.

[[File:G138 spike in control.jpg|thumb|"Watch as I give him a wet willy!"]]
Spike bedded down in the cave overnight, but when he awoke the next morning, it was to the sight of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons arriving in search of the Autobots. Despite their brushing him off, Spike believed the Autobots deserved a warning, and used the machinery in the cave to replay Goldbug's distress signal, summoning Maximus's team back to the volcano in time to save him from a vengeful Scorponok. As battle erupted, Spike sought safety deeper in the volcano, but was pursued into its confines by Scorponok's [[Nebulan]] component, Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Fortress Maximus's Nebulan component [[Galen]] followed, but was killed when Zarak triggered a rockslide. In his last moments, Galen passed his control helmet to Spike, who took control of Fortress Maximus and used his firepower to send the Decepticons into retreat. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

The Autobots offered to properly [[binary bonding|binary bond]] Spike with Fortress Maximus, transforming him into a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and Spike accepted, believing it to be his best chance of finding and rescuing Buster. He returned home to tell his father the news just as Sparkplug received a call from [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]] of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] to let him know that Buster had been located. Using his new Headmaster powers to trace the call, Spike led the Autobots to a desert island that soon proved to be a [[Club Con|Decepticon base]] in disguise. [[File:G139 headmaster spike.jpg|left|thumb|"Though maybe the giant boxy shapes under my conspicuous trenchcoat should have been a clue."]] Prohibited from joining the fight by the other Autobots due to their fears his concern for Buster would short out Maximus's [[Circuit (circuit)#Logic circuits|logic circuits]], Spike complied with their wishes at first, but when the Decepticons' base also proved to be a rocket that took off for space, Spike was forced to take action, linking with Fortress Maximus and pursuing. Although he was able to use Maximus to shoot down [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], Spike was unable to get Buster free of the island's protective dome before the rocket outpaced him. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

Returning to the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' to build a new body for Goldbug, Spike was alerted by a bugging device he had left in his father's home to a phone call from [[Ethan Zachary]], and learned that the [[human]] had preserved the deceased [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s mind as a computer program. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Rendezvousing with the other Autobots in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to gain the resources to build Prime a new body, Spike earned the ire of current commander [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], who violently rejected the notion that a human could lead any Autobots. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:G151 spikes nightmare.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45]]
''When Optimus Prime was restored to life on Nebulous and returned to Earth, Spike, as part of Fortress Maximus, fought alongside him during the "[[Time Wars (event)|Time Wars]]".'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} Soon after, the Decepticons' island base resurfaced, and Spike took Optimus Prime and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] aboard Fortress Maximus to investigate. But by the time they arrived, the island had been relocated to the Arctic. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Following a distress signal sent out by Buster, the Autobots tracked down the younger Witwicky on the verge of hypothermia in the frozen wastes. In order to save his brother's life, Spike used Fortress Maximus to carefully raise Buster's body temperature with infra-red heating. However, the Autobots' intrusion near the Decepticons' secret base at that time had been orchestrated by Starscream, and they came to blows against the evil robots once again. When Ratbat learned that he was being forestalled from chasing Starscream, who had designs for the legendary [[Underbase]], he brokered a ceasefire with Maximus. Temporarily united, both of their teams could now focus on stopping the treacherous Seeker.

The Autobot/Decepticon alliance headed into space in pursuit of Starscream, and though they interrupted his absorption of the Underbase's energies, the portion he managed to consume was enough to grant him unimaginable power. Spike had to once more store Buster within Fortress Maximus as Ratbat's ship was destroyed, saving him from the vacuum of space. After they had boarded the Ark, the Autobots followed Starscream back to Earth. This time around, Optimus insisted on staying back with Buster while the others dealt with Starscream's rampage. Spike protested, but Optimus assured him he wouldn't do any less to keep Buster safe than Spike would. Spike was sent to [[Buenos Aires]], where he and Maximus were bested in battle. Thankfully, due to their partially-organic nature, they were able to survive exposure to Starscream's cosmic blasts. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

With Buster saved, Spike considered his work as Fortress Maximus's partner done, and following Starscream's defeat, announced his intent to leave the Autobot ranks despite their current depleted state. Leaving Maximus's body to gather dust in storage on the Ark, Spike returned to his normal life on Earth, but found himself plagued by nightmares full of mechanical imagery, prompting him to throw away his control helmet—kept for security's sake at the urging of Optimus Prime—in a junkyard to make a totally clean break from his brief time as a Headmaster. [[File:Fortressmaximus-thelastautobot1.jpg|left|thumb]] Unfortunately, Decepticon [[Pretender Beast]]s [[Snarler]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], who had been sent to kill Spike by Scorponok, located the discarded helmet and proceeded to track Spike to [[California]], where he was on a ski trip with his friend, [[Cliff Dietz]]. Taking refuge in a cave, Cliff helped Spike realize that his nightmares held a deeper meaning: that binary-bonding went far deeper that he had ever realized, and that even without his control helmet, separated by millions of miles, he and Fortress Maximus were still connected, two minds in one being. With this realization, Spike was able to summon Fortress Maximus from the Ark to battle Snarler and Catilla, though his responses proved far more sluggish than usual. Recovering his control helmet from Snarler's disabled Pretender shell, Spike fully re-established his connection with Fortress Maximus and combined with him once more to defeat the two Decepticons. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}

Although this realization about the nature of his connection with Fortress Maximus seemed to change Spike's tune, at some point over the next few years, he reverted to his old outlook, and returned Maximus to the Ark so he could get back to his human life. When the Ark crashed back on Earth in [[1991]], Fortress Maximus urged Spike to investigate the crash site and recover his body so they could become one again and stop the menace posed to Earth by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]. Accepting his responsibility as the last Autobot currently on Earth, Spike acquiesced, but once he had re-combined with Maximus, found his will subsumed by the Autobot, who elected to actively pursue Galvatron. Maximus found himself no match for the deranged future Decepticon, however, and called out for Spike's aid, but Spike refused to make a point, before the two came to an understanding and united their minds to bring Galvatron down. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Bumblebee and spike the planet eater.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
''By [[2005]], Spike had sired a son, the young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. At this time, the Decepticons had conquered Cybertron, relegating the Autobots to its two moons and Autobot City on Earth. Still playing an active role in his allies' struggle against the Decepticons, Spike was stationed on [[Moonbase Two]] alongside Bumblebee. Spike instructed Ironhide as he departed for Autobot City to tell Daniel that his father missed him, and that they would see each other as soon as Megatron was defeated.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''But Spike found himself facing down an even greater threat when [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] began encroaching on Cybertron's orbit. The "monster planet" gobbled up [[Moonbase One]], and Spike reported the disastrous turn of events to Ultra Magnus on Earth. As Unicron moved on to Cybertron's second moon, Spike rigged the satellite's entire stockpile of weapons to blow up after a twenty-second delay. He and Bumblebee then hopped on a ship and watched from afar as the moon exploded while Unicron was devouring it. The pair cheered until they realized that Unicron had been left completely unscathed by the explosion. They then attempted to flee, to no avail; Unicron sucked up their ship and swallowed it.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Spikewitwickytimewars.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|White jumpsuits were so 2006.]]
''Fortunately, a group composed of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and others found Spike and Bumblebee within Unicron during the Autobots' last stand against him. Spike was reunited with Daniel before [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] gave them both a ride to safety, while Unicron was destroyed around them.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In the year [[2009]], Decepticons had built an [[energy leech (device)|energy leech]] to destroy Earth while [[time rift|a space-time anomaly]] was eating entire planets. After Rodimus Prime orchestrated a plan to travel twenty years back in time to the source of the anomaly, Spike Witwicky and his son Daniel accused Rodimus of shirking his responsibilities towards Earth and guilted Rodimus into allotting more troops to help destroy the Decepticons' machine. {{storylink|Time Wars}}
{{-}}

=====Rhythms of Darkness!=====
[[File:Spikewitwicky2009.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|left|In 2009, jheri curls returned with a vengeance. Don't you remember that?]]
In an alternate timeline in the year [[2009]], Spike Witwicky was part of a very small Autobot/human resistance movement in a world where [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s Decepticons controlled North America. The handful of Autobots who remained alive despaired and were on the cusp of giving up, but Spike and [[Lisa]] (who shared growing feelings for each other) guilted them into one last suicidal attack on the [[Decepticon Powerbase]] in New York before the rest of the world could unleash a [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear holocaust]] onto America at midnight. Though there were several casualties, Spike managed to hoist an American flag on the Decepticon stronghold on live television, a symbolic measure which prompted the end of the planned nuclear strike. Before Galvatron could respond, the Decepticon despot was abducted by [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] into another timeline {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Spikewitwickyg2.jpg|upright=0.5|thumb|Now the jumpsuit's in BROWN?]]
Despite the conclusions he had come to and the newfound unity he had forged with Maximus during his battle with Galvatron, it was apparent that old habits proved hard for Spike to shake. He again returned Maximus's body to the ruined Ark and tried to get back to life, presumably on the basis that so much time passed on Earth without any Transformer activity that he believed it was "all over". {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} A few years later, however, when Megatron returned and a small squad of Autobots came to Earth to battle him in [[Milleville]], Spike was drawn to the site of the battle, and snuck back aboard the Ark, now restored and under Megatron's control. {{storylink|Final Transformations}}

Discovering that Megatron was holding [[Sidney Biggles-Jones]] captive, Spike realized that he had no choice but to bond with Fortress Maximus once more, only to find that Megatron had disabled Maximus's dormant body while rebuilding the Ark, leaving him under-equipped for combat. Caught in the act of donning his armor by fellow stowaway [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], Spike combined with Maximus (curiously omitting Cerebros from the process) and explained his presence, then charged Skydive with rescuing Doctor Biggles-Jones while he and Maximus took Megatron on. Unsurprisingly, Megatron grievously wounded the pair, forcing Skydive to step in and distract him long enough for Maximus to escape, and make his way to the Ark's anti-matter power core. Intended to breach the core with his body and destroy the ship, hoping to take Megatron with it, Maximus instructed Spike to disconnect and escape, but Spike resolved to stay with his partner to the end to ensure their success. They smashed into the core together and perished in the resultant ship-destroying explosion, but alas, their sacrifice was in vain, as Megatron survived. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Invasion-Radcontrolroom.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Well, it beats a jheri curl.]]
Spike retained his duties as Fortress Maximus's binary-bond partner for decades, and eventually he was stationed in [[South America]]. He was present one day in [[2012]] when [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] reported from the [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]] base in [[Oregon]] about a foiled attack by [[Overlord (G1)|Gigatron]] and his Decepticons. Soon thereafter, due to the actions of an evil [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] from [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|another dimension]], a rift of space time opened over Earth, causing catastrophes worldwide. Spike, merged with [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], gathered civilians inside Fortress Maximus for safety. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

When the [[Rarified Energon|Rarefied Energon]] of his world caused Earth to come alive as the entity called [[Gaea]], Spike and all other Earth-lifeforms were teleported across dimensions to inhabit a new Earth. {{storylink|The Future Buried...}} Spike and his allies set out to uncover the mysteries of this new world; while all the cities and animals on this planet were the same as their old one, no humans appeared to have called this Earth home prior to their arrival. [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] set up Spike, [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]], [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]], and [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] with an apartment in Yucatán, but the group found it difficult to both get themselves employed and investigate a mysterious radio signal burst detected in the area.

While on a walk, Spike ruminated about his current situation. His reverie was interrupted by a crash, and Spike ran to assist a father and daughter trapped in an overturned car. He was helped in this task by Vroom and Crossblades, though all three had to hide their Cybertronian strength during the rescue, so as to avoid anti-Transformer sentiments. The trio then returned home, where they met with [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] and Elizabeth. After taking a video-call from Buster (and dodging inquiries over when he'd be getting a job) Spike joined his roommates on an outing to an Italian restaurant. After their meal, they were accosted by a mugger. {{storylink|Assembly (OMAM)|Assembly}} In the altercation that followed, Metalhawk was shot in the chest, and though it did him little harm, it did betray his human disguise. After Vroom and Crossblades had restrained the mugger, Metalhawk tried figuring out what to do with their attacker, only for two local police officers to turn up and take them all in for questioning. Though Metalhawk stumbled through his words, Spike was able to give his statement to the officers interviewing them, glossing over whatever details needed to be glossed over for their true identities to remain secret. Spike and the rest of the group were told they were free to go, but as soon as they exited the building, they were approached by a mysterious man. This new player informed the Autobots that he knew of their true identities, and warned them that [[Ramjet (Universe)|an evil force]] was coming... {{storylink|Insight}}

Though Spike and company were highly suspicious of the man, they agreed to follow him nonetheless, as he claimed to have a spaceship stashed nearby. Upon coming upon the craft however, the man revealed himself to be a Decepticon Pretender, and opened fire on Spike to provoke the Autobots into unveiling their true natures as well. Elizabeth managed to shove Spike out of harm's way, and the Autobots battled their new opponent: the universe's native Megatron! {{storylink|History}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Lessthanzero-spike.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Spike was able to keep everyone from poking around in the Ark for a year or two, but he eventually stopped being Fortress Maximus full-time so he could live his life. Unfortunately, that meant some greedy/bored people were able to sneak into the Ark and fiddle with what it held in 1994... awakening Megatron! {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Even with nuclear weaponry turned against Earth's cities by the [[Aunty|Ark's computer]] and [[zombie]] Decepticons roaming the Earth, Spike struggled with becoming Fortress Maximus again—and his hesitation cost the lives of his brother, Buster and Buster's wife, [[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]]. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

[[File:SpikeWitwicky CircuitSmasher LooseEnds3.jpg|thumb|Powered by Blackrock ingenuity and 90s angst.]]
Spike finally became Fortress Maximus again and led a final battle alongside [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] and [[G.B. Blackrock]]. The final battle was a bust: Fortress Maximus was killed and Spike's mind and nervous system went with him.

Blackrock, however, used Beller's neural-cybernetic technology and bonded them with Spike's Headmaster parts, bringing him 'back to life', retarding his aging, and giving him powerful electric powers. Taking up the name '''Circuit-Smasher''', Spike became the main weapon for the rebels in [[Argus Base]] against Megatron's genocide. Unfortunately, he could only do so much and the Decepticon corpses were incapable of being permanently killed (again), and by 2012 he was angry enough to attack the first Autobots he saw on sight, blaming them for Earth's demise. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}}

[[File:Roadbuster CircuitSmasher LooseEnds4.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Only some appeals from [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and fellow rebel [[Gordon Kent]] calmed Spike down. He led the Autobot [[Wreckers]] to Argus Base, filling them in on the destruction of Earth and how it was due to the Ark being left behind, unattended by the Autobots. He then formed part of a conference with Springer, Blackrock, Kent, and Sandstorm, running through their new options now that the Wreckers were on Earth, only to be interrupted by a broadcast from Megatron, taunting the Autobots with the tortured body of Kup. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} Spike, along with a few of the Wreckers and a handful of humans armed with [[Battlesuit]]s, attacked the Ark, with the intention of shutting down its supercomputer [[Aunty|Auntie]]. Before attacking, Spike made it clear that they were to deactivate the Ark, and if he began to suspect any of them were thinking of trying to get it back under control and using it to leave, he would crash every single one of their circuits. Their initial progress through the Ark's defences started well, with Spike picking off any projectiles that managed to get through their formations. After [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] was blasted by the Ark's auto-turret defenses, Spike coldly commanded everyone to keep moving, saying that all of the Wreckers were expendable. Once the troupe broke through the Ark's outer defenses, Auntie deployed [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardians]] to protect herself. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} As the Wreckers and humans fought the Guardians, Spike infiltrated the Ark, but was detected by Auntie, who detained him. However, Spike was still able to use his powers to smash every single one of Auntie's circuits, deactivating her and the Guardians. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

After Megatron and his army were taken care of, Spike came to Optimus Prime, telling him that he and the others had unanimously decided on the Autobots leaving Earth for good. When Prime offered to help, Spike angrily rejected the offer, warning Optimus not to make him ask them to leave more than once. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

Spike was, naturally, very angry to find out that Optimus Prime had chosen to stay behind, despite their wishes, and proceeded to brutally attack him upon encountering him in Wyoming. Only the intervention of other humans kept Circuit Smasher from finishing Optimus off, and their commander, [[Linda Chang]], agreed to allow Optimus to speak to the human leadership, but if he were to deviate in any way from their orders, she would allow Spike to finish him off. As he was led away, Optimus asked Spike if she was his commanding officer; he revealed that she was his wife!

At the human encampment, Optimus proposed uniting the people of Earth with Nebulos in a joint effort to rebuild both their worlds. The Nebulans' advanced science and technology could speed the rebuilding of Earth, while the Earthlings' strength and tenacity could help the Nebulans recover from the mass mental trauma inflicted upon them by the recently revived [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. Circuit Smasher was quick to shoot down the idea, but the other humans, including G.B. Blackrock, proved more receptive, and agreed to give careful consideration to Prime's plan. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

Primus identified Spike to [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] as one of four threats to the Great Plan. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}} With his anger, it was easy to see why—even after the human coalition voted to accept Prime's offer of rigging a [[space bridge]] to connect them to [[Nebulos]] for mutual gain, Spike less-than-subtly implied he might destroy the Bridge anyway. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

Spike was as surprised as anyone when the Space Bridge first opened, and Fortress Maximus emerged. His "other self" had been reconstituted with his original head thanks to Nebulos's bio-metasynthesis program, but he was also corrupted by the [[Dark Matrix]]. Fortress Maximus blasted Optimus Prime into submission and kidnapped the stunned Spike. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} In Zero Space, the Dead Matrix entity revealed Spike's unique blend of human-Nebulan-Cybertronian anatomy made him the perfect key to accessing the rest of the multiverse. The entity psychologically tortured Spike to bring forth the power necessary to achieve its ends. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}} Rodimus Prime was eventually able to reach Spike in Zero Space, convincing him to let go of his anger, denying the entity the power it needed for passage to other worlds. Spike returned to Earth with a great burden lifted from his conscience, and assisted with the reconstruction of human civilization. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

===Project Brain Drain===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:ProjectBrainDrainSparkplugandSpike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Spike set out for a rock concert taking place at [[Heywood Heights]] with some friends, unaware that his father had just discovered that the Decepticons were planning on using a brain drain device to syphon all of the concertgoers’ brain power away.

Whether or not Spike's father and the Autobots succeeded in saving Spike depended on the choices they made throughout the adventure that followed.

In one notable scenario, Sparkplug searched the crowd of concert-goers frantically for Spike, as his Autobot friends were being destroyed by Galvatron and his troops. Upon being found, Spike had already been drained of his brain power, and was confused as to why Sparkplug was looking so sad, though Spike was unable to recognize the man as his own father. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
Spike, his brother Buster, and his father Sparkplug met the Autobots early on in their time on Earth. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} Spike formed a close friendship with Bumblebee. {{storylink|Extermination}}

Somewhere in the time after [[1984]], Spike married Carly, who then gave birth to Spike's son, Daniel. {{storylink|Extermination}} After the explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]'' in [[1999]], which caused the death of Spike's father Sparkplug, Spike tried to leave his involvement with the Transformers behind and settled down with his wife and son in Cleveland, Ohio, trying to live a new life as a normal family. The newfound peace wouldn't last for long, though, as Spike was soon recruited by a shady military official named [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo]] seeking his help in reviving Optimus Prime, whose body his men had recently found in the Arctic. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} Spike, who had been entrusted by Prime with a fragment of the Matrix, used that fragment to bring Prime back to life.

Optimus Prime subsequently used the Matrix to revive and assemble a group of his Autobots, which he would then lead against Megatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Spike, however, revealed he had become disillusioned with the Autobots' war. Having its the human cost, he could no longer give Optimus his full support in his crusade against the Decepticons. Spike's words hit Prime hard, and the Autobot leader opted to confront the Decepticons without any human back-up once their location had been pinpointed. But General Hallo had double motives behind reviving the Autobots. He and Spike followed them in a helicopter, and once Hallo noted that the Decepticons were no longer under human control, ordered the delivery of a bomb upon all robot combatants. Spike futilely tried to intervene, and the payload exploded, enveloping all Autobots and Decepticons in its radius. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} Spike was subsequently taken prisoner by Hallo, and locked up within the Pentagon. However, he apparently had an ally within the building; a note telling him to be ready when he would soon be broken free was slipped under his cell's door... {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} His benefactor was [[Larry|Larry, the World's Most Resourceful Janitor]], and with his help, Spike was able to escape his cell. Once freed, he uncovered the [[Lazarus Project]] and Hallo's sinister schemes, but not in time to stop him from launching a nuclear strike against the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Spike confronted Hallo, brandishing the files on the Lazarus project. But Hallo revealed he no longer cared about being found out, pulled out his firearm, and forced Spike to watch with him as the missile he had launched streaked towards Los Angeles. Spike accused Hallo of being a lunatic, caring only for power. Hallo agreed, positing that safety could only acquired through power. Hallo was interrupted mid-rant by the arrival of the secret service, who gunned him down when he refused to surrender. The Autobots' destruction was ultimately averted when [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] sacrificed his life in order to make it detonate before it could reach its target. Afterwards, Spike made his way to Optimus's side as he rebooted. Spike had hoped that Optimus would be happy after achieving another victory against the Decepticons, but Optimus remained crestfallen, his eyes now opened to how much suffering he had brought to Earth with his war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

{{charstubfiction|[[The Transformers Trilogy]] ({{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}} / {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} / {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}})}}

Following these events, Spike once again returned to his family and tried to leave his past with the Transformers behind. A few months later, though, his old friend Bumblebee, who had just decided to quit the Autobot army following a fierce battle against [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], showed up by his house. Spike, frustrated that the Autobots refused to leave him alone, hurled a few nasty insults against his old buddy {{storylink|Extermination}} before changing his mind and joining him on a men's night out in the city, where they stopped a mugging. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Volume 2 Preview}}}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
In response to the forming of the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and its commandeered Transformers, the United States government assembled a strike team dubbed [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Spike Witwicky (codename Spike) was listed on the roster, but was never seen. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
In a reality where the Dinobots consisted of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Paddles (G1)|Paddles]], Spike befriended the first three, but never got a chance to meet the latter. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}

Spike was out driving with Bumblebee and Hound when, to their surprise, they stumbled on a badly-damaged Starscream. Though Spike was all in favor of leaving the Decepticon there, Bumblebee insisted they take Starscream back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] with them. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

Bumblebee gave Spike a ride to his high school, but while Spike was in class, his Autobot pal got carjacked. When Spike emerged, he found a smug Bumblebee sitting in the carpark with two wet seats. {{storylink|Joyride (story)|Joyride}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Spikewitwickybuttonflies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
{{main|Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Fated Rival, Once Again...}} {{storylink|To Earth}} {{storylink|Reunion and Parting}} {{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)|Revenge}} {{storylink|The False Power}} {{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
Spike and [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]] ran away from Mega-Megatron in terror. {{storylink|Defend the Blocks! Autobots, Dispatch!}}

[[File:Autobot-X_Kre-O_Character_Image.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Nothing is so painful to the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] memory module as a great and sudden cameo.]]

"Autobot Spike" ran away in fear from [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], the combined form of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}

The "Autobot Spike" robot was later seen among a group of Earth's most wanted criminals. They attacked [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] together, though Spike seemed more confused than actively malevolent throughout the venture. Despite their best efforts, the villains were repelled, and left the battlefield empty-handed. {{storylink|The Brick List: Earth's Most Wanted}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Spike Witwicky had already been [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] to Cerebros when the Decepticons threatened Nebulos. Together, they bonded themselves to Fortress Maximus to combat [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]]. By the time that MegaZarak was present on [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]] a few years later, Spike had presumably died, leaving his son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] to fill his shoes. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

When Cerebros got wind of the [[Human Confederacy]]'s [[Eutychus Project]], he asked them to resurrect his former human partners, but they refused and gave him the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] instead.

An etching of "Spike Witwicky" existed in [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], along with "Daniel" and "[[Galen Witwicky]]". [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]], part of the trio that controlled Fortress Maximus, claimed to be Spike, among many other individuals related to the giant. {{storylink|Head Games}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 6|April 10, 2024}}
Spike gained his nickname from his late mother, who used to call him "Spikey" due to his hair. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}} As a youth, Spike and his older brother [[Jimmy Witwicky|Jimmy]] used to sneak out to a nearby abandoned quarry and mess with the old equipment.

[[File:TF2023 – Spike and Carly to the Rescue!.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2]]
When Spike was older, Jimmy was killed in a space shuttle accident. Despite this, Spike hoped to become an astronaut and had dreams of attending the [[University of California, Berkeley]]—dreams he kept from his father, who'd spiraled into alcoholism. One evening after checking on his dad (and having a brief argument over bringing Jimmy's telescope), he and [[Carly (G1)#Energon Universe|Carly]] went up to [[Hanger's Rock]] to look at the full moon. However, an earthquake sent them falling into an [[Ark (G1)|alien ship]] full of robots. He watched as the robots were reactivated, and would have been killed by [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|one of them]] if not for the protection of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|a heroic robot]]. While Carly initially wanted to run, Spike stopped to help the robot, pushing his blaster close enough to reach. They managed to escape, riding in the cab of the alien, Optimus Prime; when the robots took refuge in the old quarry, Spike and Carly watched on as Optimus cradled his dying friend, [[Jetfire (G1)#Energon Universe|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 1|Transformers #1}}

[[File:TF2023 – Cliffjumper freaks out.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.25|Don't worry, he's more scared of you than you are of him.]]
The next day, Spike watched as Optimus Prime accidentally stepped on and killed a deer. He came forward to console the Autobot and tell him it wasn't his fault. Spike asked Optimus how the Autobot got his name, which lead to a discussion about family. Spike told Optimus about his mom and dad, and, in turn, Optimus told Spike about the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the Autobots' flight from their homeworld, only for [[Megatron (G1)|the most powerful Decepticon]] to chase after them. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the newly revived [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Energon Universe|Cliffjumper]], who rejected Spike's attempt at a handshake due to his unfamiliarity with organics. Later, when [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] explained the Autobot's lack of energy to Optimus, Spike questioned what [[Energon]] was, with Carly positing that it must be for Autobots like what food is to humans.

[[File:TF2023 – Spike tries to intervene.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Upon hearing a nearby explosion, Spike noticed that the rising smoke cloud was coming from the power plant where his dad worked. Spike insisted Optimus take him along, explaining to Carly that it's what Jimmy would do. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}} The pair arrived just in time to prevent [[Skywarp (G1)#Energon Universe|Skywarp]] from killing Carly and Cliffjumper. Optimus told Spike to take cover as he battled the Decepticon alone. Unfortunately, Spike's father and his friends didn't realize the difference between the two robots, leading to [[Danny]] firing a rocket into Prime's arm before the Autobot could finish his foe. As Skywarp gained the advantage, Spike attempted to rush in and help, but Sparky and his men had begun to open fire on the robots. A stray bullet caught Spike in the abdomen, leaving him unconscious and bleeding profusely. Seeing Spike fall, an enraged Optimus then brutally beat down Skywarp. Once the battle was over, Prime was reminded of the deer he had trampled, and determined to not repeat that mistake, took Spike and Sparky into his truck mode to save the boy. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 3|Transformers #3}}

Spike was rushed to the nearby hospital, cradled the whole way by his father. Upon arrival, Sparky and Optimus offered him to the doctors, pleading with them to save him. His condition deteriorated by the second, and the situation only worsened when Starscream opened fire on the hospital, damaging the generator needed to power the breathing machine Spike needed. Once the battle outside ended, the doctor informed Sparky that without power, Spike and several other patients would die. Sparky held his son, assuring him that he was there with him, an act that prompted Optimus to use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to restore the hospital's power. Despite receiving the proper medical attention, Spike fell into a coma. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 4|Transformers #4}}

He wouldn't come to until much later. The doctor cautioned him to not speak, so instead Spike wrote down a message asking where his father was, unaware Sparky had sacrificed himself in a battle against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}

==Commercial appearances==
Spike brought some friends to visit an Autobot base in the dead of night. They were briefly stopped by the base's guards, who shined their headlights down on them to verify their allegiance. The three boys were cleared for entry, since they were wearing Transformers [[Iron-on patch|reflective patches]]! {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Reflective patches|Prizes in Disguise contest/reflective patches commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-AutobotX.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Spike, along with [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], was transported back in time to the sixth century, where they joined with [[Aetheling the Red|Lord Aetheling]], and were forced to combat similarly displaced Decepticons at a medieval technology level. They eventually triumphed and returned to the present with the Decepticons as prisoners. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (Legends)|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} After Spike was gravely wounded during a Decepticon attack on an air force base, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] transferred Spike's mind into [[Autobot X (G1)|Autobot X]]. The trauma made Autobot X go berserk, and he fled the base, eventually being found by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], who convinced him to turn on the Autobots. When his father was injured in the battle, Spike came back to his senses and after the Decepticons were defeated, Wheeljack transferred his mind back to his healed body. {{storylink|Autobot X (Legends)|Autobot X}} Spike suggested the Autobots hold a charity race. It did not go as planned. {{storylink|Autobot Run}} Hoist was out driving with Spike and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] when they happened on a film shoot, leading to the Autobot being cast in a film. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (Legends)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

During [[Unicron]]'s attack on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Spike and some Autobots were lost inside the giant, resulting in [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Spike's son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] searching for them. They were reunited and escaped Unicron prior to his destruction. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and Spike were kidnapped by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} Though the trio were sentenced to death by the Quints, the other Autobots arrived in time to save them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} When the Quintessons later used an ancient device to deactivate the Transformers, Spike was able to destroy it, saving the lives of his friends. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

Following a Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Spike, alongside [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ultra Magnus were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. This did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. This was not to be, unfortunately, as the resurrected Autobot leader left the group stranded after having received the Matrix of leadership from Rodimus. After Optimus regained his senses, the Autobots were left to mourn their leader as he sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:Spikeheadmastertoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Finally, your favorite Transformers character!]]
*'''Fortress Maximus''' (Headmaster, [[1987]])
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Spike is a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure that comes with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Fortress Maximus]]. Gray and blue, it transforms into [[Cerebros (G1)#Generation 1|Cerebros]]'s head, which then in turn becomes Fortress Maximus's head. Although the on-package [[bio]] refers to 'the Nebulan leader, Spike', most assume it is supposed to represent the character from TV, making this the first ''Transformers'' toy of an Earth human.

:This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Generation 1 comic]] as [[Galen]]. This mold was also [[redeco]]ed as [[Grand Maximus|Gran]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' [[Cerebros (RID)|Plasma]], and ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' [[Master (RM)|Master]]. The run of this mold from the ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' reissue of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Encore|Fortress Maximus]] was retooled to make [[BotCon 2014]] [[Olin Zarak]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Spike/spike.htm More information on Spike at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:Masterpiecetoy spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' ([[September 24]], [[2011]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-10'''
:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP10|MP-10 Convoy]] comes with a small figure of Spike. Standing at about an inch tall, he features articulation in his shoulders, hips and knees, and is scaled to be able to sit in all the cockpit spaces that ''[[Diaclone]]'' figures could occupy on the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure, such as Prime's passenger compartment while in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], [[Roller (G1)#MP10|Roller]]'s seats, the consoles on the floor of the [[Combat Deck (G1)#MP10|Combat Deck]], and the cockpit of the Combat Deck's artillery robot.

:As this smaller incarnation of Convoy is in [[scale]] with them, Spike is also capable of riding ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' figures!

{{-}}{{anchor|eva}}
[[File:ConvoyModeEva Spike.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Looks like Shinji ran away again...Spike, you're hired!]]
*'''Convoy Mode "Eva"''' ([[November 28]], [[2014]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-10'''

:For ''[[Transformers × Evangelion]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#eva|Convoy Mode "Eva"]], an ''Evangelion''-themed redeco of MP-10 Convoy, the Spike figure was redecoed in a color scheme based on [[Nerv]] uniforms.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP22}}
[[File:MP22-UltraMagnus-SpikeDaniel.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' ([[December 27]], [[2014]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-22'''

:''Masterpiece'' MP-22 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#MP22|Ultra Magnus]] includes articulated figurines of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#MP22|Daniel]] and his father Spike, based on their appearances in the movie and Season 3 of the cartoon. Both can fit in seats inside the truck cab.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP711}}
[[File:MP711-Spike.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It might be his after-school job... if he ever actually went to school.]]
*'''Convoy (7-Eleven ver.)''' ([[February 28]], [[2018]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-711'''

:Available exclusively from Japanese 7-11 stores, MP-711 is a [[7-Eleven]]-themed [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP711|Optimus Prime]], with the Spike figurine sporting a 7-Eleven uniform.

{{-}}{{anchor|HasbroMP}}
[[File:Hasbro-MP-Exosuit-Spike-Witwicky.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*''' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#HasbroMP|Bumblebee]] & [[Exosuit]] Spike Witwicky''' (2016)
**''ID Number'': '''MP-08'''

:The Hasbro release of ''Masterpiece'' MP-11 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Bumble]] comes with a Spike clad in the [[exosuit]] he wore in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. While the figure is identical to the [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Daniel Witwicky]] figure in the Takara release, Spike features a darker tone of light blue.

:His vehicle mode is mistransformed in his stock photography.

{{-}}{{anchor|35th}}{{anchor|MP44}}
*'''Convoy''' ([[August 31]], [[2019]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-44'''

:This figure of Spike Witwicky is an all-new mold scaled to fit inside Prime's cab mode. He is about two inches tall and has ball-jointed articulation at the head, arms, hips, and torso, as well as swing-jointed knees. In a reference to the classic ''[[Diaclone]]'' pilot figures, he also has tiny magnets in the soles of his feet, allowing him to stand on several magnetized panels scattered around Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]]. He can also pilot [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] or the Auto-Launcher mounted on the deck. However, like his other human friends packaged with Prime, the tiny size of his ball joints make them rather weak, and he is prone to falling apart when his limbs are moved.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP45}}
*'''Cybertron Espionage Bumble (Ver. 2.0)''' ([[November 23]], [[2019]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-45'''
**''Hasbro release name:'' '''Bumblebee and Spike 2.0'''
:This new figure of Spike is included with MP-44 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#MP45|Cybertron Espionage Bumble (Ver. 2.0)]].

:This mold was later redecoed in transparent plastic for inclusion with MP-54 [[Reboost#Toys|Reboost]].

{{-}}{{anchor|MP47}}
*'''Hound''' ([[December 26]], [[2019]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-47'''
:This new figure of Spike is included with MP-47 [[Hound (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Hound]].
{{--}}

===''Transformers'' (2010)===
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' ([[2012]])
:A [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]] in the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Hasbro's release]] of the MP-10 figure and its accessories features various plastic color and [[Paint operation|paint detail]] changes, yet Spike appears to be no different.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/MPSpikeWitwicky/spikewitwicky.htm More information on Masterpiece Spike at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:Kre-O-Earth's-Most-Wanted-Autobot-Spike.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb]]
*'''Earth's Most Wanted''' (Souvenir set, 2015)

:Part of the [[BotCon 2015]] ''Earth's Most Wanted'' Souvenir Figure Set, "Autobot Spike" is a [[Kreon]] based on his appearance in the cartoon, albeit with some slightly different details.
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Emissary.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|If I change my name, they'll never realize that I'm the guy that shot [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]].]]
*'''[[Emissary (TR)#Titans Return|Emissary]] & Cerebros & Fortress Maximus''' (Titan Class, [[2016]]/[[2024]])
{{note|The ''Titans Return'' Emissary figure is based on the 1987 Spike figure, but whether it truly qualifies as a version of the Spike character is ambiguous.}}

:Only available with his partners (both medium and large), Emissary forms the head of [[Cerebros (G1)#Titans Return|Cerebros]] who in turn forms the head of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Titans Return|Fortress Maximus]]. Emissary can also be used as a head for any other Deluxe, Voyager, or Leader figure in the ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]''. His robot mode is based on the Headmaster [[#Generation 1|Spike]] figure, whilst his head mode is the [[mouthplate]]d design of Cerebros's [[character model]].

:Fortress Maximus was reissued in [[February]] 2024. This mold was later retooled into ''Legends'' [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Legends|Fortress' Headmaster stage]], and into ''Transformers & Downtown No Gaki No Tsukai Ya Arahende! Crossover'' [[Donarimasu]] & [[Guchirimasu]] Headmaster units.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2016}}
*'''Fortress Maximus Convention Edition''' (Titan Class, 2016)

:The San Diego Comic-Con 2016 release of Fortress Maximus comes with a new head piece for Emissary, which resembles Fortress's Headmaster form in ''The Headmasters'' cartoon.

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-54-Exosuit-Spike.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|His face is in our nightmares.]]
*'''Bumble & Excelsuit Spike''' ('''Bumblebee & Exo-suit Spike''') ([[December 30]], [[2017]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG-54'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' "Excelsuit Spike", despite possible appearances, is an all new sculpt transforming from a small robot based on Spike's exosuit into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]]'s head which is compatible to any Deluxe-to-Larger ''Legends'' Headmaster/''Titans Return'' figures, although he was meant to form Fortress's head. Just like [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Legends|Ghost Starscream]], his smaller head is cast in transparent plastic.

:Excelsuit Spike comes with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Legends|Bumble]], a redeco of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Bumblebee figure. This mold was redecoed into ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|The Transformers]]'' [[Chama#The Transformers|Excelsuit Chama]].
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:GenerationsSelects-NeoAutobotX.jpg|thumb|300px|And I have all these parts... left over...]]
*'''Cog''' (''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Deluxe Class, [[2019]])
*'''Six-Gun''' (''Siege'' Deluxe Class, 2019)
*'''Brunt''' (''Siege'' Deluxe Class, 2019)
*'''Cromar''' (''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' Deluxe Class, 2019)
*'''Zetar''' (''Generations Selects'' Deluxe Class, 2019)
*'''Ironworks''' (''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
*'''Greasepit''' (''Generations Selects'' Deluxe Class, 2020)

:Using [[Cog (G1)#Generations|Cog]]'s right arm, [[Six-Gun#War for Cybertron: Siege|Six-Gun]]'s upper and lower torso and left arm, [[Brunt (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Brunt]]'s thighs, [[Cromar#Generations Selects|Powerdasher Cromar]]'s lower torso, [[Zetar (G1)#Generations Selects|Powerdasher Zetar]]'s thighs, lower left leg and drill, [[Ironworks (facility)#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Ironworks]]'s right leg, left arm, and blasters, and [[Greasepit (facility)#Generations Selects|Greasepit]]'s right leg, '''Neo Autobot X''' (ネオサイバトロンX ''Neo Saibatoron Ekkusu'', Neo Cybertron X) can be assembled! Components are sold separately.

:Despite debuting in the Japanese-published story ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]'' [[Abominus comic 2]], not all components of Neo Autobot-X have been made domestically available in Japan; as Cromar and Greasepit are very unlikely to be released by TakaraTomy, so the Japanese customers must import them to complete the 'Bot.
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
{{anchor|Buzzworthy}}
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-BB-Spike-Witwicky.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb|White is sus.]]
*'''Bumblebee & Spike Witwicky''' (2021)
**''Series'': '''''War for Cybertron Trilogy'''''

:As part of the cross-''Generations'' ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' subline, ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Spike Witwicky accompanies the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy|Core Class Bumblebee]] figure. Spike is depicted in his traditional [[exosuit]] from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', and features an incredibly simple conversion—you just flip down his backpack and lie him down on his stomach. He has a vestigial pin hole molded through his hips, hinting that he was intended to have leg articulation at one point, but was eventually changed during development.

:The CG stock render of his vehicle form depicts his backpack flap being flipped down in standing mode instead.

:Much like the rest of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, the box is in the style of the 2018 ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)|Bumblebee]]'' toyline, with additional renders of the [[evergreen]] Bumblebee design. Additionally, the toy features ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]''-style [[package art]] with the ''War for Cybertron'' logo present.
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:Studio-Series-Core-Class-TFTM-Spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Yeah, sure guys, ignore the GAPING HOLE in the back of my skull.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky''' (Core Class, [[2022]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-85'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 27]], [[2022]]
:*''Accessories'': 2 [[Fire Blast effect|blast effects]]
{{toydesigner|[[Koki Yamada]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Studio Series]]'''s 2022 Core Class offerings, Exo-Suit Spike Witwicky transforms from his [[exosuit]] to its vehicle mode in 11 Steps. Unlike the previously released [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Studio Series|Daniel]] mold included with [[Slag (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Slug]], this exosuit features articulation on par with Core Class figures, alongside a translucent cockpit dome with a head modeled inside, though the head cannot point Spike's face forward in vehicle mode. However, the head can rotate left and right through a slider in the back. Neat! He also comes with two unique fire blast effects, which can be pegged into the thrusters in his vehicle mode.

: Despite the Core Class lacking the backdrops included with all other ''Studio Series'' classes, the insides of Spike's packaging is decorated with the artwork used for the "The Depths of Unicron" backdrop.

: The figure showed up in Dubai prior to any official announcement from Hasbro.<ref>https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/core-class-spike.1225718/page-19#post-19946726</ref> It then ''didn't'' show up very much in US stores, being (so far) ''only'' available in the second Core Class wave and not carried over into wave three, with the first wave being massive [[Shelfwarmer|pegwarmers]] that made restocks uncommon.

{{-}}

===''Robosen Collector's Edition''===
*'''Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Trailer and Roller''' (2022)

:An articulated Spike figure is included with the [[Combat Deck#Robosen Collector's Edition|Robosen self-transforming programmable Combat Deck]]. Spike can be posed as a passenger in this set's [[Roller (G1)#Robosen Collector's Edition|Roller]].

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Super Collection Figure''===
[[File:SCF Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumble''' ([[2001]])
**''Act'': '''3'''
**''Accessories'': Stand

:[[Plastic|PVC]] figurines of Spike and [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Super Collection Figure|Bumblebee]] were sold together in the third "Act" of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' series. Like all the figures in the wave, the pair were available as both regular full-color figures and clear plastic versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. Spike has tiny peg-holes in the soles of his feet, but they're ''far'' too small to work with the accompanying stand.

: In two out of every ten cases, the full-color version of the set came packaged with the torso piece of the wave's [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Super Collection Figure/Heroes of Cybertron|Fortress Maximus]] "build-a-figure", itself in either full-color or clear versions in an equal 1:1 ratio. Yikes.
{{-}}

===''Heroes of Cybertron''===
[[File:HOC Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Spike" refers to his ''Iguanodon''-like thumbs.]]
*'''Autobot Espionage Team''' ([[2003]])

:''Super Collection Figure'' Spike and Bumblebee were later released by [[Hasbro]] in the fourth wave of their ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' line, sold under the name "Autobot Espionage Team," as Hasbro did not have the [[trademark]] rights to Bumblebee's name at this point in time. This version of Spike was cast in transparent-blue plastic then wholly painted over. Nominally in the line, this was used to do a [[light-piping]]-like effect for the figures, but obviously that's not something that's gonna work for the human.

: Unlike the blindpacked Japanese version, they were sold on an individual blister card with an included bio card, and came packaged with the right leg of the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Heroes of Cybertron|Fortress Maximus]] build-a-figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCSpike/spike.htm More information on ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Spike at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''History Collection''===
[[File:TFhistorycollection spike.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Spike''' (2004)
:A PVC figurine of Spike was the rare [[chase figure]] of Takara's ''[[History Collection]]''. Spike was the only piece in the series who did not come with a circular "bottlecap" display base, instead, coming crouched on Optimus Prime's hand, from which he could be removed. Additionally, Prime's hand could plug into the wrist socket of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime]] figure.
::*''[http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act234/ More information on the History Collection at TFKenkon.com]''
{{-}}

===Brave-Goukin===
[[File:BraveGoukin exosuit.jpg|thumb|upright=2.33]]
*'''Excel Suit''' (<s>2014</s>)

:A poseable "[[Exosuit#Brave-Goukin|Excel Suit]]" toy was to be produced by [[CM's Corporation]] as part of their ''Brave-Goukin'' line, complete with vehicle mode and transforming arm blasters. It would have included static figures of Spike and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Brave-Goukin|Daniel]] who could be displayed separately or have their heads placed inside the suit, with alternate upward-looking heads included for the vehicle mode. The Exosuit would also have come with a small figurine of [[Grand Galvatron#Brave-Goukin|Grand Galvatron]] and the [[Master Sword#Brave-Goukin|Master Sword data disk]] from the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode "[[The Master Sword Is in Danger!!]]".

:This toy only made it as far as the painted [[prototype]] stage before CM's Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy, leaving it unreleased.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''ULTIMATES!''===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (''ULTIMATES!'', 2021)

: A small, static mini-figurine of Spike was included with [[Super7]]'s ''[[Transformers ULTIMATES!]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#ULTIMATES!|Optimus Prime]].

: Preorders for Optimus (and the rest of Wave 1) opened on [[January 29]], 2021, and closed on [[February 28]], with the toys shipping in winter of that year.
{{--}}

===XM Studios===
[[File:XMStudiosBumblebeeStatue.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|If your dad looked like this, you'd worry too.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2022)

:[[XM Studios]]' statue of Bumblebee is 13" tall, made of hand-painted porcelain. Bumblebee has [[LED|light-up eyes]] and two different head sculpts, one with his standard face and one with his battle mask. Bumblebee is accompanied by Spike, wearing an exo-suit. The set also includes a sculpted representation of Bumblebee's car mode that can be displayed next to the robot.

:258 pieces were produced, with a suggested price of about $1,200 US.

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Spike and Buster were both derived from the same "young male human friend" character in early backstory material. For more on the name variation see [[Butch Witwicky (G1)|Butch Witwicky]].
*Spike Witwicky is named after a person in real life! According to the [[BotCon 2010]] panel hosted by [[Bob Budiansky]], [[Jim Shooter]] (editor-in-chief at [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] at the time) chose the name based on one of his real-life friends. The name Witwicky had previously shown up in Marvel's ''Dazzler'' comics, as co-plotted by Shooter.
*While being a patchwork like the [[Autobot X (G1)|original cartoon Autobot X]], it is clear that the details on the comic version of Autobot Spike are mostly by the use of paint, complete with the use of the [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Bluestreak]] helmet with only one crest painted red (though the crests are bigger than normal) and a green-grey wing-door piece. He also utilizes the [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Shockwave]] gun hand to simulate the original's own. The BotCon 2015 Kreon faithfully replicated this design, except the right door wing, which remains white instead of being painted green.
*Spike's voice actor, Corey Burton based his voice for the character after [[Mark Hamill]]'s portrayal of [[Luke Skywalker]] in the original ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' trilogy. To his surprise, he would meet Hamill proper years later.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1ccpLbrW37/]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Spike Witwicky''' (スパイク・ウィトウィッキー ''Supaiku Witowikkī'')
*''English:'' '''Sparkle''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''Laflèche''' (Canada, "The astute")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Spike Witwicky''', '''Csuka''' (''The Movie'' first dub, "Pike")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Spike''' (斯派克 ''Sīpàikè'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Spys''' (Спис, "Spear")

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witwicky, Spike (G1)}}
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising humans]]
[[Category:Classics humans]]
[[Category:Energon Universe humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:G.I. Joe members]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Kre-O humans]]
[[Category:Legends humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 humans]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Nebulans]]
[[Category:Regeneration One humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Studio Series humans]]
[[Category:ULTIMATES!]]
[[Category:United States military officers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Trilogy characters]]
[[Category:Wings Universe humans]]
[[Category:Witwicky family|Spike Witwicky (G1)]]

Transformers (2023) issue 5

2024-02-22T23:58:34Z

Tomhur: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #5
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 4
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 6
|image=Transformers 2023 5 Cover A.jpg
|caption=''Now this... is PEAK.''
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[February 14]], [[2024]] (physical) [[February 21]], [[2024]] (digital)
|coverdate=February 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=Daniel Warren Johnson
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]] & [[Jonathan Manning]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The ranks of Autobots and Decepticons grow as each side prepares to mount an offensive against their enemies.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] each reflect and share their experiences in their respective wars. Sparky asks Optimus, who has seen so much more than he ever will, why it has to be like this, but Prime solemnly laments that even he isn't sure. Staring at his reflection, with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s arm replacing his missing one, Prime wonders aloud if he's becoming the very thing he fights against.

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Starscream chews out Reflector.jpg|left|thumb]]
In the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', the [[Decepticon]]s use [[Teletraan I]], now rebuilt using parts from [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s body, to rebuild their fellow soldiers. Upon revival, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] is horrified to see what's become of Skywarp, but [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] reassures him that Skywarp sacrificed himself for the greater good of the Decepticons. [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] alerts [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] that the [[Autobot]]s have discovered their source of energy, so Starscream decides to lead Soundwave, Thundercracker, and the newly-revived [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] to attack.

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Optimus taunts Starscream.jpg|right|thumb]]
At the local dam, Sparky helps [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and a newly revived [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (currently using only half his body due to their limited resources) to turn the water from the dam to power an [[energon]]-generating turbine. Wheeljack offers to repair Optimus, but Optimus insists on using their energy supply to help restore their fellow warriors, reviving [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] next. Arcee is happy to be back, but the Decepticons' attack interrupts the joyous occasion. [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] tries to attack Optimus, but is swiftly blasted away by his [[fusion cannon]]. Starscream rails at Prime for taking something "precious" to the Decepticons, but Optimus balks at this, taunting that Starscream fears the cannon as he feared its previous wielder. An enraged Starscream turns his [[null-ray]]s on the water turbine and destroys it, but is ultimately forced to retreat when Prime blasts him with the fusion cannon.

With their number bolstered and the Decepticons retreating, Prime decides now to retake the ''Ark''. Sparky decides to join them and [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] asks to go as well, but both Optimus and Sparky refuse, not wanting her to get hurt like [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]. Optimus orders the Autobots to roll out, but Cliffjumper decides to sneak Carly into his driver's seat, feeling she deserves to be there when they finally stop the Decepticons for good. Night falls as the Autobots arrive at the ''Ark'', but as they approach the ship, they are beset by a convoy of green construction vehicles. A repaired Starscream appears and gloats that he knew the Autobots would follow them back to the ship. He then orders the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to do what they do best: merge and form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]!

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'' (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* ''[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'' (4)
* ''[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'' (5) (see “errors” below)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (13)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (14)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (15)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (19)

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (7)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (8)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (9)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (10)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (11)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (12)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (18)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (20)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (22)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (23)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (24)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (25)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (26)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (27)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (28)

|c3=
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky|"Sparky" Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (16)
* ''[[Jimmy Witwicky]]'' (21)
}}

==Quotes==
"It is good to be back in focus, Starscream! Where is Meg--" 
"Stay focused on the ''enemy'', Reflector! These filthy Autobots want to take what makes our pistons move freely!"
:—'''Reflector''' and '''Starscream'''

"I don't know who you are, but if ''Optimus'' cares about you-- then ''I'' care, too."
:—'''Arcee''', rescuing Carly

"'''YOU!''' Taking something so precious and using it for your own evil purpose!" 
"'Precious'? Are you sure this doesn't make you quake in your jets, Starscream? Last I remember, you were cowering in front of this very weapon. A constant reminder of what you'll ''never'' be."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Optimus''', on Megatron's fusion cannon

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* We once again get flashbacks to Sparky's experiences in the war and the death of Jimmy Witwicky, both of which we saw in the opening pages of [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]]. This issue also gives us our first proper look at Jimmy in a flashback panel to right before his launch.
* Optimus lost his arm back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 3|issue #3]] during his fight with Skywarp, with Ratchet replacing it with Megatron's in the last issue after taking it from the ''Ark'' back in issue #1. This also affects his vehicle mode, with one corner of the truck cab being grey and the fusion cannon replacing the smokestack.
* Ravage was shot by Optimus back in issue #1. At the time, it was not confirmed if he survived, but here it's revealed that he was only injured.
* We get more hints about what happened to Megatron before the crash of the ''Ark'', with Optimus saying he last saw Starscream cowering before Megatron’s fusion cannon.

===Transformers references===
* Arcee and Ratchet are shown to have a close relationship, not unlike their [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Animated'']] counterparts.

===Real-world references===
* Jazz continues his use of musical references in his speech.
* Almost all of Reflector's speech is comprised of photography puns, including a fun new meaning for the abbreviation 'ISO'. (Which actually stands for International Organization for Standardization and relates to the sensitivity of a camera's sensor.)
* Reflector and Long Haul are each branded with logos saying Zony and Kat respectively. An obvious play on words for the real-life companies The Sony Corporation and Caterpillar Inc.

===Errors===
* In a flashback to the war on Cybertron, Optimus is seen cradling a bot with details that mark him as being [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. However, he is miscolored white and red.
* In the same flashback, Bumblebee is shown alongside Optimus, but while he retains his yellow color scheme, his character model is Cliffjumpers.
* As the Decepticons attack the dam, an Autobot lies ready to be reactivated who is colored like [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] but appears to actually be [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]].

===Other trivia===
* The digital release of this issue was delayed by a week, meaning that physical customers got it a week early.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus sees his reflection in Megatron’s fusion cannon, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Teletraan-1 reactivates the Decepticons, by [[James Stokoe]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover by [[Orlando Aroecena]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Cliffjumper and Carly stand in Starscream’s shadow, by [[Natacha Bustos]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus wields the might of Megatron’s arm and cannon, by [[Karl Kerschl]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 5 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 5 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 5 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 5 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 5 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* The [[Cobra]] threat begins in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]]!
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''Cobra Commander'' [[Cobra Commander issue 2|#2]], ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 3|#3]], and ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 7|#7]].
* [[Renegade Game Studios]]' ''[[Transformers Deck-Building Game]]'', ''[[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]'', ''G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game'', and ''G.I. Joe Roleplaying Game''
* ''Invincible: Escape From Mars''
* Skybound Insiders

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' ([[May 7]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398171 / ISBN 978-1534398177 
** Collects issues #1-6.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' – cover art by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]